Thanks for the entertaining video. I've also ridden my RT twice since Xmas because we had a couple of nice breaks in the weather here on Cape Cod. Today is windy and 14 degrees F so Its much more comfortable watching you ride some beautiful roads and scenery. I'm looking forward to seeing Dale and you back out on the roads with some insightful commentary. All the best, Larry Venezia
As a non winter rider I am chomping at the bit to get out on the bike by the time March comes around so thank you B2TB for providing a virtual substitute till then. As you say, you essentially had the road to yourself which I suspect is a rarity in your neck of the woods so why not make the most of it ! Till the next one, all the best.
Agreed Neil. As a recreational biker I can pick and choose when I go out, and avoiding days wit high winds or surface glare just makes the trip safer and more enjoyable.
That was an interesting ride Neil; I have been over much of it during the summer, but never in the winter. Fish Hill is a great ride, I have even gone back for a second ride down it! I have the same Held gloves as you, purchased a couple of years ago. I do find that a pair of silk gloves underneath is of benefit. I also have a pair of RST gloves with a battery in each cuff. In the cold the heated grips and the gloves on low are wonderful, and the gloves keep going for long trips - you just need to remember to put them on charge as soon as you get home. The only downside is they are a little bulky. I'm looking forward to hearing your assessment of the new suit. Keep up the interesting videos.
Hi John, I wondered too about doing Fish Hill again - it's a great test of technique for looking through the bend. I've just taken a quick look at the multitude of biker videos on YT and their speeds put mine to shame. The suit review is next off the line and will keep me busy this week. First impression is that is superbly designed with a real attention to detailed quality.
Hi Neil, good to see you out and about and thanks for the video. Got my first observed ride in last week which was very enjoyable, focused on town work and slow manoeuvres, must say I was nervous about this on the GSA due to the size but my observer soon had me sorted. Just a point on your gloves, I have winter gloves but also have a pair of merino wool liner gloves which were £15 from memory from BMW, well worth the money and do make a difference. Put new tyres on the bike also this week so can’t wait to get out on them. Thanks again for sharing, hope all is good with you. Rgds Ian 👍🏍
Ian Mills well done Ian. The first step is the hardest. Try to get a couple of practice rides between your IAM sessions, work on specifics, eventually it gels. I'll give some thought about getting some inners.
Hi Neil Happy New Year to you. Your Cotswold route is one of my favourite little ‘tootals’ at any time of year. Where you turned at the roundabout at the top of the hill in Burford if you’d have carried on towards Lechlade there is a very good tea/burger van in the lay-by that is open all hours of the day and night, great place for a stop! We must get out for a run this year - regards
Hi Gary, and the same to you sir. Thanks for the tip - presume they do a healthy option too ;-) I'll look forward to that ride with you, maybe good to meet at Jack Hills for a brew and chat sometime? Back2TheBike@gmail.com
Thanks for the video - déjà vu for roads that were familiar to me some 40 years ago at the company training facility in Evesham. And yup, despite also using separate navigation s/w (My Route App), I too have developed a love/hate relationship for the Garmin Nav VI. It's a good job they don't use such as system tactically between waypoints on say our modern jet fighters. Say hello to the trainers at Mallory Park, I did my DAS there and very enjoyable it was too. They will remember me as I believe I hold the (world?) record for the quickest Mod2 fail - 3 seconds after dropping the bike at the test centre car park exit! You'll love the comparative silence incidentally when you engage first on the 1250RT future test...;-}
Kevin Viney ha! I'll check to see if Mallory have put up a blue plaque in your honour Kevin. The VI is buggy isn't it? Mine sometimes won't switch on with the bike, other times it freezes. Not what you expect for £600. When it's working well, which it is most of the time, it adds so much to the ride though.
I was out today, I find it needs more concentration this time of year as the roads are often wet and muddy. Still great to get out though. 😬👍🏻🏍 I use the Scenic app for sat nav duties and you can import directly from google maps to the app.
Good to see you out and about in the recent chilly weather. I agree RE other bikers. I've only been out a few times on the GS this last month or so, and have another ride next week but haven't seen that many bikers on the road over winter. I think that we, as bikers, tend to focus more on the riding behaviour of other bikers than perhaps we generally do car drivers, perhaps being a little more hyper critical of those out on two wheels (we know the risks!). I agree that many sports bike riders of the "the roads are our personal racetrack" variety and the weekend warriors (summer riders only) brigade seem to be the worst offenders. From my perspective, the aggression and sense of self entitlement of all road users seems to be on the up, particularly within the last 12 months. It's a worrying trend. Something in the water perhaps? I notice that almost every time I'm out and about in the car, there's someone driving without due care or recklessly. It's sad that my first vid uploaded today (I've taken the plunge as GSBiker) was one of an idiot on the road this morning. Haven't got round to uploading any bike content. Still looking for a decent camera (helmet mount preferably). Considering the Drift Ghost X. Feedback seems to be good. I may come knocking for technical tips as you're way ahead of me on that score!
GSRider Hi and welcome. Agree with you about the standard of riding, the winter quiet roads are good. I presume you've seen my Ghost X review? Happy to advise if you need any help.
Btw when you were driving on the road rejoining the fosse way at the junction with stow on the wold to the right up the hill. The road you were on was the A424 not the A429, the fosse way is the A429
@@Back2TheBike Hehe, its still a really nice area of the country, funnily enough on the way to my grandparents house, the journey goes through Stow on the Wold and Burford, good thing they have a slip road going off to the left at the fosse way connection.
i went out on me bike last saturday skeg to lincoln onto newark then leicester back to newark over to sleaford back to skeg 213 miles walked like john wayne next day lol...i was going to ask how you enjoying the rt after so many miles now but as you said in your vlog your looking forward to riding the rt 1250 .so i assume yours is good. i think i need to plan some routes for the decent roads and scenery aswell..ps another good video ...happy new year boss
Hi Mike, yes it was nice little ride out but I felt a bit rusty. The suit looks superb, and I'll be filming the review over the next few days. 4.29, I should have been to the RHS, but took a lazy angle to maintain my speed! No excuses ;-)
Neil, I’ve enjoyed your videos and currently doing Members’ Assessment. Learned a lot, and I’d seriously recommend redoing IAM test every 3 years as a Fellow, but I have a problem in that my concentration goes off after about an hour and I start making mistakes. Any ideas on exercises to improve length of time you can keep concentration levels up?
Roger Pinnock Hi Roger and welcome. Good question. It's something I've struggled with too but I've been taught by my mentor the bike demands 100% of our concentration. When thoughts begin to wander, as they inevitably do, we're in trouble. A couple of suggestions: 1. Stop after an hour for a break then refocus. If you really can concentrate for a full hour I'd say that's very good. 2. Do you have a routine, systematic approach to your biking? For example, I developed a series of checks for riding in town that I switch into. I made some flash cards to prompt me, and I'd try to work on 3-4 of these before each ride. Eventually the learning became internalised, subconscious.
Hi Roger - concentration is a tricky thing and most people will only hold concentration for about twenty minutes - have you tried doing commentary - it will help with this and like Neil suggested, regular stops are also a good way to stop your mind wandering onto tonights tea shopping list. Stay safe - Dale
Something that just occurred to me is to find a riding partner and go out once a month to look at each others riding - the more you raise your standard the more you'll ride instinctively and naturally and the concentration is less intense which is less fatiguing - I use my camera in the same way so I can critique my own riding. Hope that helps - DB
seaflyfisher Good idea - already doing and it does help. Unfortunately he had a mishap with nail clippers and couldn’t get his boots on for this week’s ride!!!
@@rogerpinnock6847 - It can be a dangerous hobby ;D hope his feet are better soon - can you lay hands on a camera and film each others ride - a lot of the time we don't always look like we think we do and to see your own ride and the way you position and set up for bends is really useful.
Leigh Gregory Here you go Leigh ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XgQaRMnZU3M.html Follow the links under the video for the kit. Let me kin if you have any questions.
Back2TheBike Thanks Neil, I don’t usually comment much. Watchingyiur videos inspired me to do the IAM course, I was back to the bike after a 9 year break... got a F1rst in November last year 👍🏻 cheers
