Friday, June 19, 2009
Giro di Lincolnshire
On the 19th June during the MRC Rallye I took a group around the back lanes of the Lincolnshire Wolds. The route of 140km was planned to take in flowing roads, very minor roads and some potentially muddy unmetalled byways. It would be passable on a Strada, but only just! The 10 o'clock start sounded very early to some but I persisted and by 10:30 the advance party was ready to go. Alan was on his Kanguro whilst Bruno and Cecile were on a 500, with rearsets and clip-ons. A second group of seasoned Morinisti including Les, Pete, Tom and Arthur left somewhat later on machines that were even less suitable. But that was the spirit of the trip. Many would debate whether my Kanguro was up to the task, judging from its reluctance to start from both hot and cold.
The first byway was after 20km and easily tackled by all, it was little more than a warm-up and the surrounding fields didn't offer much of a view. It wasn't long until the first fords of the day. Both Alan and Bruno noticed a slide as they crossed the water, which although shallow hid a slimey concrete base. As we went to the north of Market Rasen the roads, both firm and muddy gained more character with sharp 90 degree corners, gravel in the centre and grassy descents. Bruno and Cecile relished the challenge and insisted that they were having fun.
A little before our lunch stop there was a serious ford to cross. I'd mentioned to the others that it was 'quite deep', perhaps a foot or so and maybe 20 feet long. When we arrived it was agreed that they would see how deep it was on my Kanguro and then decided what to do. As the water splashed into the generator cover and over my boots both Alan and Bruno knew that it would be wise to take the detour. Once in though, there was nothing for it but to keep going. The poor ignition system worked hard and kept the 350 running . I could tell the engine was partially immersed in the water as its noise was damped but after a few seconds I was leaving the ford and gaining the dry road. Being a true gentleman I jogged back along the raised footpath to check the others' plan. Naturally on my return to the Kanguro it wouldn't start. But that was nothing new; I gave the plugs and undertank area a squirt of WD40 and pushed the bike up an incline to roll down the next 100 yards to meet the dry part of the team. Hooray, as I gently relased the clutch the engine fired up and I kept the revs high until the lunchstop at Willington Woods cafe.
We had hoped that the two groups would met up but despite, or perhaps because of, GPS and lots of advice from the riders the later riders arrived after we had left. Alan needed to make his way home so Bruno and Cecile pushed on. Perhaps they wouldn't have if they had known that the some of the next few lanes would have muddy spots. The first was merely slippery and Cecile elected to walk through the worst bit. That was a good idea until she narrowly missed being showered in mud as my worn rear trials tyre spun through a grey puddle.
A little time later the second group reached this point and as a single body decided that it wouldn't be wise to continue. There's nothing worse than tackling a section only to have to retrace the route when the next bit is even worse. As it happens that particular Byway was fine thereafter but others ones would be more demanding. However they did miss out on the gated minor roads through farm estates. I'm very grateful to Cecile for dealing with the numerous gates allowing me to leave the Kanguro running.
During the late afternoon we returned to the campsite, slightly muddy, but with machines and dignity intact and agreed that it had been a most excellent journey. The Lincolnshire Trail Riders' Fellowship also played an important role by highlighting some legal non-BOAT roads and also pointing out the best minor roads to ride off the better known super-bike routes. If you have any interest in protecting the right to ride the network unsurfaced roads you should join them.
On the 19th June during the MRC Rallye I took a group around the back lanes of the Lincolnshire Wolds. The route of 140km was planned to take in flowing roads, very minor roads and some potentially muddy unmetalled byways. It would be passable on a Strada, but only just! The 10 o'clock start sounded very early to some but I persisted and by 10:30 the advance party was ready to go. Alan was on his Kanguro whilst Bruno and Cecile were on a 500, with rearsets and clip-ons. A second group of seasoned Morinisti including Les, Pete, Tom and Arthur left somewhat later on machines that were even less suitable. But that was the spirit of the trip. Many would debate whether my Kanguro was up to the task, judging from its reluctance to start from both hot and cold.
The first byway was after 20km and easily tackled by all, it was little more than a warm-up and the surrounding fields didn't offer much of a view. It wasn't long until the first fords of the day. Both Alan and Bruno noticed a slide as they crossed the water, which although shallow hid a slimey concrete base. As we went to the north of Market Rasen the roads, both firm and muddy gained more character with sharp 90 degree corners, gravel in the centre and grassy descents. Bruno and Cecile relished the challenge and insisted that they were having fun.
A little before our lunch stop there was a serious ford to cross. I'd mentioned to the others that it was 'quite deep', perhaps a foot or so and maybe 20 feet long. When we arrived it was agreed that they would see how deep it was on my Kanguro and then decided what to do. As the water splashed into the generator cover and over my boots both Alan and Bruno knew that it would be wise to take the detour. Once in though, there was nothing for it but to keep going. The poor ignition system worked hard and kept the 350 running . I could tell the engine was partially immersed in the water as its noise was damped but after a few seconds I was leaving the ford and gaining the dry road. Being a true gentleman I jogged back along the raised footpath to check the others' plan. Naturally on my return to the Kanguro it wouldn't start. But that was nothing new; I gave the plugs and undertank area a squirt of WD40 and pushed the bike up an incline to roll down the next 100 yards to meet the dry part of the team. Hooray, as I gently relased the clutch the engine fired up and I kept the revs high until the lunchstop at Willington Woods cafe.
We had hoped that the two groups would met up but despite, or perhaps because of, GPS and lots of advice from the riders the later riders arrived after we had left. Alan needed to make his way home so Bruno and Cecile pushed on. Perhaps they wouldn't have if they had known that the some of the next few lanes would have muddy spots. The first was merely slippery and Cecile elected to walk through the worst bit. That was a good idea until she narrowly missed being showered in mud as my worn rear trials tyre spun through a grey puddle.
A little time later the second group reached this point and as a single body decided that it wouldn't be wise to continue. There's nothing worse than tackling a section only to have to retrace the route when the next bit is even worse. As it happens that particular Byway was fine thereafter but others ones would be more demanding. However they did miss out on the gated minor roads through farm estates. I'm very grateful to Cecile for dealing with the numerous gates allowing me to leave the Kanguro running.
During the late afternoon we returned to the campsite, slightly muddy, but with machines and dignity intact and agreed that it had been a most excellent journey. The Lincolnshire Trail Riders' Fellowship also played an important role by highlighting some legal non-BOAT roads and also pointing out the best minor roads to ride off the better known super-bike routes. If you have any interest in protecting the right to ride the network unsurfaced roads you should join them.
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