I'm still game

GMcQ

Had coffee this evening with 88KE so we are still game. We probably need to make some allowance for a cold morning, would a 10 or 10:30am breakfast be realistic? Comberjohn and yourself have about 140 miles to Stradbally, I have about 110 and if Darren comes up he also has about 150 miles or so. Darren has back roads to travel. 88KE, Trapper, Tom Foley have some choices between back roads or taking long way around and staying on motorway. Rest of us are mostly motorway? I am probably going to plan to be there around 10am....?

99KK.

Today I had coffee with Tom Foley and also Corkboy.

We had a short discussion on 29th December and it does seem as if we all have domestic and family occasions in the evening, as suspected. We also have weather risk.

Proposal therefore is perhaps meet around 11 or so to overcome early morning cold/frost/darkness, enjoy a very long and leisurely brunch, and be on our way around 1-2pm. Some of us have up to 3 hours [less at K pace in good weather] which would mean back home with some degree of daylight and less evening frost risk. I will keep eye on weather but we would have some idea by 26th as to what to expect.

92kk

I would say we are eccentric enough to drive 150 miles for breakfast, coffee and chat and then go home again! I'm still in.

G

gmcq wrote:I would say we are eccentric enough to drive 150 miles for breakfast, coffee and chat and then go home again! I'm still in.

G

If one is rich and mad, one is said to be eccentric,if one is poor and mad, one is said to be just mad..........I read that somewhere but can't remember where..........

[/quote]If one is rich and mad, one is said to be eccentric,if one is poor and mad, one is said to be just mad..........I read that somewhere but can't remember where..........[/quote]

Ok, name change needed then maybe, I for one am not in the "rich & mad" category, just mad

gmcq wrote:

If one is rich and mad, one is said to be eccentric,if one is poor and mad, one is said to be just mad..........I read that somewhere but can't remember where..........[/quote]

Ok, name change needed then maybe, I for one am not in the "rich & mad" category, just mad [/quote] No need for name change, I think it suits the people on here regardless of material status

After a short period of uncertainty, I'm definitely in, weather permitting.
If we can get weather like this weekend, its looking good.

Comberjohn wrote:After a short period of uncertainty, I'm definitely in, weather permitting.
If we can get weather like this weekend, its looking good.

Yes,I will be there too if the future allows.......

tom foley wrote:

Comberjohn wrote:After a short period of uncertainty, I'm definitely in, weather permitting.
If we can get weather like this weekend, its looking good.

Yes,I will be there too if the future allows.......

That's very existential of you Tom (ahh yes grasshopper)

Corkboy wrote:

tom foley wrote:

Comberjohn wrote:After a short period of uncertainty, I'm definitely in, weather permitting.
If we can get weather like this weekend, its looking good.

Yes,I will be there too if the future allows.......

That's very existential of you Tom (ahh yes grasshopper)

Well not really, as no-one has ever predicted the future. Except for me of course, when the grasshopper tried to leap across the pond, I knew the pond was too wide for any grasshopper to cross. But was that predicting the future or something else?

Would this be a meeting of minds?....since we took to the Meeting of the Waters in summer perhaps a meeting of minds is appropriate

I know with many of us having different family things and weather say 11am brunch would be good.

I am definitely mad enough for this, the degree of eccentricity [if any] is subject to the vagaries of the Minister for Finance.

Sgmayhew and myself had a truly excellent day in October so it would seem that irrespective of numbers physically present we are all present in spirit. It even seems appropriate to be typing this post while enjoying Mahler's 4th symphony.

92KK.

Dunno about meeting of the minds, I was wondering what they're smoking.
Long range forecast for the day is a high of 9º with the chance of showers.
Third time lucky for the weather?

ComberJohn

Very important little question: are those 9 degree thingies Fahrenheits or Celsius things? I hope Celsius because it would be great to meet up.....Brunch, Christmas pudding.

Here is a little thought. How about a small gift exchange, creative so maximum expenditure say €3 wrapped but no names and put in a box so we have Christmas pressies....mad or what? Can be edible and I fancy some nice Northern soda bread.....I could offer some more wheaten bannocks...

92KK

That's a good idea Olaf.
We may live 300 years in the past in the North but we're on to Centigrade here now.
You can keep your Euros though.

Ha,

Some things are so good why change them......progress isnt always good.

As for 300 years in the past......Ireland wasnt such a bad place when one reads the history, it was calm, peaceful, the worlds first Yacht Club was still 7 years away from being founded in Cork, Nelson still wasnt born but some out our cities were in great shape.

Strauss in the background just now........ah yes isnt progress funny. The music is so much from another time......but Linn is so much in the now.

Anyway I am looking forward to meet up! I have my Santa hat ready.....batteries charged.

Comberjohn wrote:That's a good idea Olaf.
We may live 300 years in the past in the North but we're on to Centigrade here now.
You can keep your Euros though.

If Olaf offers euros I would take them and keep for 5/6 years and then you will have a head start when the stirling area changes to the Euro. I think the pound is from Italy back in history.

Enjoy the outing, lads. Wish I could go but last week still not fit enough to move the bike from centre stand onto wheels :pale: . I'm promised the end of January will be happy days...

Hope you'll have a good time out and wish you all a very happy, peaceful Christmas.

BTW. Thanks again for John, Greg and Olaf for all their help this autumn.

Happy Christmas to all......and best wishes for 2013 and for some nice trips.

Looking forward to Saturday...but I have to say weather not looking the best so will keep it posted.

92KK

I couldn't resist stopping for lunch today at our meeting point whilst passing back from the Mother in Laws "en famile" as they say. Forecast may mean a damp start but conditions set to improve for the homeward leg. Keep a watch with Met Eireann 5 day forcast.

I arrived home to find the coolant in a puddle under the bike but its just a perished hose to the expansion bottle. Should be able to sort that from some bits in the shed and make the meet.

88

Ye of little faith. Don't forget your sunglasses!

happy riding guys .....merry christmas to you all

Comberjohn wrote:Ye of little faith. Don't forget your sunglasses!

:afro:.....one of my Dad's sayings.."we don't have seasons anymore, only weather!". I'll pack them with my Santa Hat.

From the Met Eireann web site "SATURDAY and SUNDAY will be showery days generally, although parts of the east and southeast may enjoy some dry, bright periods on both days. It may also be cold enough in the far North for showers to turn wintry, but generally temperatures will be around normal for the time of year, though it will probably feel cold in blustery westerly winds." Might need those sun glasses CJ (but not on the way home)

G

Hi All,
My profuse apologies for silence of late and I sincerely hope you are all enjoying a restful festive season. It is with regret that I will not be able to make it on Saturday. BUT I do hope you have as much fun as we had during the summer on our previous outings.

Safe riding and all the very best for 2013

Trapper

Trapper all the best to you for 2013 too. Sorry you cant make Saturday but we will have more opportunities during the year.

I was looking at www.met.ie and the rainfall for Saturday does not look too bad although showers are called up. I think us poor lads in the south west might be starting out in rain but looks like it will dry up and will be dry for everyone else. Am still on for Saturday, looking forward to it now. Is 11am a good time? Seems to work well for weather and home for early evening....

ComberJohn let me know if you are still on, will bring some of those wheaten bannocks.....


Bjorn, if you need someone to get yours off the centre stand happy to oblige.


92KK.

Hi Olaf, weather is looking very promising (for the end of December anyway) and looking forward to Saturday.
Eleven should be fine.
Was out on a run today and did, actually need sunglasses.

Comberjohn wrote:Hi Olaf, weather is looking very promising (for the end of December anyway) and looking forward to Saturday.
Eleven should be fine.
Was out on a run today and did, actually need sunglasses.

Yes I'll be there regardless of weather.

Comberjohn wrote:Hi Olaf, weather is looking very promising (for the end of December anyway) and looking forward to Saturday.
Eleven should be fine.
Was out on a run today and did, actually need sunglasses.

Ditto John, fine in spots here today so couldnt resist a run to check on the repair, I was actually too warm in the winter gear and very glad of the flip down sun visor in my lid. I'll be there - barring ice!

88

No miles today, jsut cleaned bike...and discovered petrol tank was full....

I just checked weather map too and seems like lady luck is shining again......

I arranged to meet Corkboy at 8.45am Saturday [only about 2 miles between us] so we will be there comfortably for 11am....anyone linking in with us I reckon Mitchelstown approx 9.40am [if you are not still out Darren] and Abbeyleix approx 10.30am.....

Still planning to be there for 11. Just have to check the tyres and air the long johns.

The Minister has given permission for my attendance at an organised motorsport event to be held in Stradbally Co Laois on the 29th at 11 am.

I intend taking the scenic route from D15 at around 9.30, also intend making contact with Ringfad in order to encourage his attendance.

See you all there and safe journey

This is what it looks like.......not bad at all.

Looks like a nice enough day, forecast is windy with not a lot of wet for us in south west but some. Am meeting Corkboy in Carrigaline at 8.45am so plenty of time. Route likely to be M8 to junction 3 Abbeyleix exit then Abbeyleix to Stradbally.



North: ComberJohn GMcQ

Dublin: Electric MonkRingfad (?) SG Mayhew (?)

South East: 88KE

South West: 92KK Corkboy Darren (?)

Kilkenny: Tom Foley

Apologies: Trapper and Bjorn.

Further apologies if I have left someone out. anyone else is more than welcome....

Safe travel and cool runnings...

sgmayhew wrote:Still planning to be there for 11. Just have to check the tyres and air the long johns.

.....Or in my case check the air and get the long john's over the spare tyre

Sorry guys. Not going to make it tomorrow. Started with this virus that's going around this morning. Got a splitting headache and running a temperature.
Would be daft to try it. (She said)
Really disappointed as I'd been looking forward to it for weeks.
Hope you all enjoy it.

John

Sorry to hear , we know you were looking forward to it . You will be missed.

I had that a few weeks ago and honestly you might make it down but you might be here for three months before you get back.

Do get well soon and here's to the next run....

Sorry to hear you wont make it ComberJohn but discretion is the better part of Valor. Get well soon.

88

As it stands i'm still in, sat nav programmed etc but awaiting final approval from the boss. Not to keen on me driving down alone. Can one of you guys PM me a mobile number so I can text/ call in the morning to let you know if i am heading down. Chatting with John earlier, last thing he needs is a soaking/ chill & he is quite disappointed to miss the gathering.

G

Maybe ComberJohn knows something you guys don't?

Bad Weather: There's a fellow who is an avid rider. Actually he's a motorcycle fanatic. He has not missed a weekend of motorcycle riding in years. Every Saturday or Sunday morning he gets up very early and goes meets his buddies for a nice long ride. On this one morning, he gets up early, dresses quietly, gets his riding gear out of the closet, and goes out to the garage to prepare to leave. While out there it started raining a torrential downpour. There was snow mixed with the rain and the wind is blowing at 30 mph. He comes back into the house and turns the TV to the Weather Channel. From there he finds it's going to be bad weather all day long. So he puts his bike back into the garage and comes back inside. He quietly undresses and slips back into bed where he cuddles up to his wife's back, and whispers, "The weather out there is terrible."

To which she replies, "Can you believe my stupid husband is out riding his bike today?"

Have a fantastic time and hope the weather gods are good to you

rossco

Weather cleared just in time for my departure to the meet...but just in case I dressed for all seasons...

One for ComberJohn


The first arrivals...

Olaf, Corkboy, 88KE, GmcQ, SGMayhew

The full lineup

Electric Monk, SGMayhew, CMcQ, 88KE (behind), Corkboy, Tom Foley, Olaf, Ringfad

After a full Irish Breakfast and some lively chat we had to head back, stopping to contemplate the plains of County Laois on the way



Home by 3pm with just 200kms on the clock.

88

Said you would need the sunglasses.
Looks like it was a good meet. Really sorry I couldn't make it but still feel like shit on a stick.
Looking forward to the next one.

Well done the Hardy boys.
Looks like fun all rugged up.
Cheers for the New year
RT

CJ, the rain was so bad between Banbridge & Newry I was going to turn round and go back, down to 30mph (in a 70 zone)due to poor visibility. Cleared after Newry, a brief shower outside Dublin then fine the rest of the day but started to feel the chill late afternoon. Would have done you no favours.

Good company, a good feed then home by 4.30pm, 324miles done. Rumors of a meet around St Patricks day ish.

GMcQ

Great to see you had a good day as well and at least the sun was shining some of the time.

Great day out - looking forward to the next one.

good onya guys ...looks spectacular ..

Great to see so many like minded people with their machines.....and sunshine...bonus!

Sorry about the late reply too. I only got back at 11pm. . . .

It was a great day and as for weather...apart from the bad stuff between Banbridge and Newry it was pretty good. Yet another day of sunshine. Comberjohn was missed and we all wish him speedy recovery. And Bjorn too...

About half an hour after I got home it started to blow a gale and rain so timing was good. All in the day for me was 360 miles....

There is truth in the rumour about St Patrick's weekend ish......ideas I suppose in a new post....would south east be a good place? Trappers territory? It is accessible enough from south west, then again Strangford will always be worth another visit. Sgmayhew suggested Long Island [West Cork] which is indeed a lovely trip but its not a one day from up North or Dublin for that matter. I have no preconceived ideas.

We seem to have gravitated to Saturday meetings/runs etc....do we look at Saturday March 15th? Comberjohn's blessings seem crucial to our run of good weather.....

Happy New Year everyone....

Hi guys,

it was great to meet up with you all. I felt like the "newboy" as everyone else knew each other (apart from Ringfad - but I knew him from years ago).

We were blessed with the weather, and that cafe was brilliant.Nicest full Irish I've had in ages.

230 miles is the most I've done in a day in a long time, so I was pretty stiff by the end of it (not having the luxury of those full LT fairings and screens.

I can't make March 17th, but will definitely be up for any other one.

And I got a set of the mirror extenders - thanks Simon!

Hi Guys,
Just a brief note to wish you all a very Happy and successful New Year. Looking forward to meeting you all again for a spring outing
in 2013

Best wishes

Trapper