Set off on my first *real* trip on monday; just a casual three-day drive around the Peak District, which will be followed by the Dales and Lakes, Scotland and Wales, Ireland and then the 'big leagues'. Im only a 125cc er on a Provisional licence so thought I would take it steady and not jump in too deep to start off with. So after packing my top box and heading out I was weary of the choices I had made, but low and behold everything came off in the end and I am now on my way to becoming the rider I want to be. The top box was packed wrong and threw me off balance; resolved. The fog and mist on top of the peaks meant I couldnt see a thing; survived. The leather jacket I took that might not be warm enough; well it was.

The trip, as small as it was, has given me more confidence to go out and do it, rather than sit and home and moan about how scared you are of something going wrong.

The main dis-comfort is being back home; people don't get what your about, or why you did what you did, and do what you want to do. They don't seem to care. Anyone else find this unsettling?

Still though, I f*****g loved it!

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Great start, well done, especially in the weather we've been having.

Tim

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"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

Hi Tommy, when you come back after a couple of years on the road you'll find they talk as if you left yesterday. Life starts up with a repeat of the soup you burnt or similar ( burnt the day before you left. They'll still remember) It makes me wonder about time, space, Einstein and things. I still don't understand it. You need to get to Ripley and chat to like minds. Linzi.

Good on ya mate. I found your thread to be very refreshing. Heres hoping you have many adventures.

Interesting to here how you find it after two years out there Linzi. Im learning its reverse opinion; ted simon said he felt insecure about leaving behind the warmth of his familiar life, but after a while I guess you are the one who feels sorry for the people stuck at home. Whats at Ripley?

Yep, deffinately looking forward to many more adventures baluchiman. Now to get that pesky riders licence!!!

Heres Winnats pass from t'other side.
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[quote=tommysmithfromleeds;229461]

The main dis-comfort is being back home; people don't get what your about, or why you did what you did, and do what you want to do. They don't seem to care. Anyone else find this unsettling?

quote]

That is so true, people just don't get it, and they don't understand. We are half way through our trip and back in London, we've been here for 3 weeks afer living here for 10 year before. Sorry to say, but not liking any of it, being back that is. Ok, its nice to see friends again, but thats it. can't wait to set off again in a few weeks

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www.seeyouwhenwegetthere.com

Ripley is a weekend of camping in Derbyshire with another 500 similarly minded people. Lots of talks and presentations, some on major trips, others not so major. It's the ONE event in the year I wouldn't miss.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/meetings/UK2009.php

The cost including camping is just £35 and it's practically on your doorstep, so no excuses!

In the meantime here's a video of 50cc scooters to give you inspiration: YouTube - 50cc Scooters travelling from Germany to Gambia

Tim

__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

Linzi - something for you to consider, have a listen to this episode of 'In Our Time', which is, about 'time' ...

BBC - Radio 4 In Our Time - The Physics of Time

Great series and you can get it all FOR FREE from the BBC.

Now, back to the original thread .....sorry for the intrusion

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Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009

Very cool pix, looks like a good ride.

I've never had the problem you describe, because no one got what I was all about, or understand why I do the things I do, before I left either. I guess I'm just used to it. I can't be the only one?

Ripley sounds good; suddenly my wall planner has lots of motorcycle orientated events

That video was awesome as well! Thanks Tim.

Thought it was just my friends and family who couldn't care less.

You've also got the Northern Mini Meet on the 6-8 March.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ini-meet-39987

Thanks linzi for the PM about tickets, couldnt reply as you have 'exceeded your storage space' apparently. Sounds good, as does the meet in hawes. Sounds like a plan Alex, I will have to get sorted!

Just to ad on a bit, I have found something more un-nerving for friends and family to talk about over sunday lunch; how you really want to do the dakar rally! my gran almost had a coronary.

Also, apart from me and alexlebrit, are there any other 125cc'ers out there on the Hubb? Would be interesting to get a little community going of pre-test travellers. (I can here the sound of a thousand two-strokes rubbling through the valleys now....)

Tommy stick all those photos on here and put up a ride report!
By the way here in Colombia there are huge clubs of guys with 125-150cc bikes that ride all over Colombia.
Al thedogsbollocks

Well there's Birdy in west Africa on a 90cc if that counts! And I'm thinking of putting 125 stickers on my 850cc Guzzi as it looks about that size! Linzi.

So about a year ago, just after getting my new ride, I decided to do a bit of green laning. I chose a nice short route running around the base of Holme Moss:
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Fancied seeing a bit more of Derbyshire, so set off towards Glossop on Monday. Holme Moss was Horid as i had packed my box wrong and there was a strong wind pusing me over the edge! Stayed at my sisters on monday night and got quite drunk with the brother in law.

Set off towards Chapel en le Frith, the capital of the High peak, which was very nice but busy. Got a little miss-guided as my map was out of date by three years, but eventually found the A6187 out towards Winnats Pass.




After checking out pics of the 'canyon' on sunday night, I felt quite pleased I was actually there a couple days later. The place was swarming with school trips (oi miiister pull a weeeli!!!) and it was hard to find free parking in Castleton, but managed to stretch my legs for ten. Stuck my folded map underneath th handlebar mount, which proved extremely useful and a darn sight cheaper than a sat nav!




Hope valley is a great ride, and at Hathersage I pointed my wheels south to Bakewell (I really wanted a bakewell tart) but cut short and went to Stoney Middleton, which I believe was once a quarry.


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Then to Eyam, the 'plague village' which chose to isolate itself in August 1665 rather than let the infection spread. That kindness is still in town as I was greated with smiles all the way through. After this it was back up and time to start 'dam busting'. No pics of this im afraid as I was captivated by the ride along Lady Bower and Snake Pass due to the crazy temp drop an inpenetratable fog.

Back to Glossop, and back home on Weds after a short excursion round Huddersfield to drop some birthday cards of for my niece.