IOM Manx Grand Prix 2010

Just tried out the new Khyam biker tent. OK to put up once you figure it all out but unsure how it stays dry against wind and rain when the top sheet does not reach the ground. Just hope the inner tent is waterproof but I reckon it will feel draughty. So 50 % ok with it so far - just have to see how it works in the wet. The new Tuff Gear 4 season sleeping bag is super warm but enormous to pack away. So that's it - I'll be using just one camp site, Glenlough at Union Mills, for the whole stay. Good news is that hopefully I can lap the whole course each day. Next must have item is an OS map as I've just found out about access roads inside the circuit and fancy trundling around looking for unusual viewing points. Anyway all the camping gear is now ready and Ethel has had some more tlc. Had to fix a pannier retaing lock after I dropped her whilst parking the other day plus the 3rd set of replacent LED running lights are now working - let's see how long they last this time.
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Day 10 and home again

Vile weather straight off the Chunnel train but got home after a little twisties treat to make it 2665 miles in 10 days.
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Der Traum ist aus Day 10 Germany to UK

A wet but empty B road blast through the Ardennes started the day off fine. The rain comes and goes bvut is turning to thunderstorms - no change there then Belgium.
Great news is that Ethel's newly synchronised injectors courtesy of Erbse have given much more pull in the medium rev range and have taken away the feeling of running out of steam.

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Germany Day 9

Up for a giant breakfast fill up and then outside for a briefing from Carlo. The Germans have the good sense to put the slowest riders at the front, require 2 bike lengths minimum between bikes, no overtaking and single file so everyone can use all the road. Hallelujah. The local mayor gave a speech to some good natured heckling, giant pot plants were exchanged and at last we were ready to form up. Our group was led by Martin on his GS with Ethel 3rd behind the stunning Swiss built K1100 based BB outfit and followed by a Dutch built K1100 outfit then all the rest. The route design was 200km and off we went. Straightaway we dove off onto the twistiest continuous link of bends which lasted all day long. The Eifel roads demand respect as they are impossible to read. Long sweepers can go straight into a series of hairpin bends that do not open out but which have a double apex which comes right back at you. I had the Satnav on all day and was very glad of it as I could at least see what was coming up next. And then we went off road ! Yup straight up a shale cart track up on the pegs with Ethel fishtailing around right to the top of a hill to take the view. Back down into villages with huge multi coloured trees of streamers put up to mark May Day plus loads of cement dust put down on purpose to link house to house and village to village for miles on end. The outfit in front took to power drifting through all this so Ethel wound up looking like Mr Pastry. The road surfaces went from good to awful in moments due to winter damage. By the end of the ride I was shattered and could only trundle along for the last 30 klicks or so. It turned out that everyone else was too - we had overrun by 50 km.
A very sociable meal followed, we had only had a Kaffee und Kuchen all day from 1000 - 1730 with a few pee breaks. These were much enjoyed by the biking dog which happily sat in the EML chair with her Mum all day.
The post dinner car park socialising wound up with Ethel getting new injector grommets fitted and injectors balanced in return for beer plus Dumbo provided the correct grease for the shaft splines in a tub for 5 Euros. The evening ended up around a huge log fire in the car park all talking about any old thing. A very friendly bunch of people - now how about Immenreuth Bavaria in June for the next one ...
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