tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9256475316534629862024-03-05T15:14:36.598+00:00Gelände StraßetasticTravels on my F800GS and R1200GS • Reviews • Random thoughtsGeorgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-78208632932069889912021-12-28T02:40:00.005+00:002021-12-28T02:46:48.610+00:00A new direction<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8W6tY1roqRtxUmDCnC0YhsjRnWkUxi4GDZZTo13nBALlO6TVi85TxIXIF4Dw-hRVrs6KmVwVAkWt3bPyFO01cMet8WSpIQ7ulhZIVMnEMdNMV3dBBp1gbKcd1wcs2DW5cYqv9CFQxzgV2AzTBJ6d6YlHWTeqvFzKMlUY9UHq9uixIfR-MahuzPw4LSQ=s3088" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8W6tY1roqRtxUmDCnC0YhsjRnWkUxi4GDZZTo13nBALlO6TVi85TxIXIF4Dw-hRVrs6KmVwVAkWt3bPyFO01cMet8WSpIQ7ulhZIVMnEMdNMV3dBBp1gbKcd1wcs2DW5cYqv9CFQxzgV2AzTBJ6d6YlHWTeqvFzKMlUY9UHq9uixIfR-MahuzPw4LSQ=w240-h320" width="240" /></a></div>I am no longer adding to this blog, following the difficult decision to stop motorbiking. <p></p><p>I had been suffering worsening genetic hip dysplasia for years and finally had to accept that it was no longer safe to use my affected leg to keep a heavy bike up when stopped. In January 2021 I had a total hip replacement with a bespoke Symbios prosthesis and have made a full recovery following months of physiotherapy and focusing on my health and fitness with a personal trainer.</p><p>However, due to the number of motorbike thefts in London, insurance rates have become obscene—in the range of £2,000 per year for a GS, an absolute nonsense.</p><p>I am grateful to have had the opportunity of 10 years’ enjoyment on various bikes, and will consider getting another one in future if life takes me someplace where it is more practical and affordable to run.</p><p>In the meantime, I invite you to subscribe to my online magazine/portfolio featuring my writings and photography work—<a href="https://www.distastefulshroom.com">Distasteful Shroom</a>.</p><p>I am grateful for your support over the years.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.distastefulshroom.com" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1918" data-original-width="2836" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgf-tdZ3tA-foF-XHtvLc-OF_OXXVRk47s1cXgzABREP1cpwrT58F4y_Trk_zNLL_BEafbdx8etD9npAPQV9RzeZEfK_o8-k5PZ40_mBxqhJgkoLFijmeiLdw_teA1Dbjy9Bh4kGoEjY6AlcLgTrFQ4QPqmtvwFnC6neR-upZcFjHsbaJMsmQjv1IkrtQ=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-74006252947382346132016-06-14T22:08:00.004+01:002016-06-14T22:08:57.630+01:00Christened!<div style="text-align: left;">
It’s become tradition for my good friend Renate to have a photo taken on each new bike—and this one is no exception! However, I’m not sure it’s quite the right bike for her, as she struggles a bit to reach the ground... and—although she would never say it—as an Austrian, I think she secretly prefers me to ride a KTM 🙂<br />
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In 2013:</div>
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And in 2012:<br />
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Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-36936948597950720992016-06-03T01:59:00.001+01:002016-06-03T02:06:59.003+01:00Gear: Top 6 travel gadgets revisitedThree and a half years ago I posted an article about my <a href="http://www.gelandestrasse.co.uk/2013/01/gear-top-6-electronic-devices-for-travel.html" target="_blank">top 6 picks for travel gadgets</a>. A summary of my picks back then:<br />
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<ul>
<li>6. Bluetooth headset—Sena SMH5</li>
<li>5. Tablet—iPad mini (WiFi+3G)</li>
<li>4. Camera—Nikon D7000</li>
<li>3. Universal charger—TomTom High Speed Multi-Charger</li>
<li>2. GPS—BMW Navigator IV</li>
<li>1. Smartphone—iPhone 5</li>
</ul>
Technology advances quickly so what’s changed since then?<br />
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<h3>
6. Camera (nice to have)</h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EqfOLM3La99hH6rMB3XMYQpwF2CVRZx6mJjn4wElM3-YYghN4b-DzoOrX0ezTwV0n4pPEqkk1y5RDiplzSLogBwP2Mil2J33nQjqDAGco25Z25TWPkIdHD4q8xSeMrgroWV9U_iy-Q6v/s1600/Fujifilm_16270891_XF1_Digital_Camera_Tan_888804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EqfOLM3La99hH6rMB3XMYQpwF2CVRZx6mJjn4wElM3-YYghN4b-DzoOrX0ezTwV0n4pPEqkk1y5RDiplzSLogBwP2Mil2J33nQjqDAGco25Z25TWPkIdHD4q8xSeMrgroWV9U_iy-Q6v/s320/Fujifilm_16270891_XF1_Digital_Camera_Tan_888804.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Dropping from 4th to 6th place, I was considering leaving out the camera altogether as smartphones have begun to match or surpass the quality of even higher end compact cameras. Put another way—the average untrained non-photographer will almost certainly take a better photo with a late model smartphone than with even a DSLR. Not to mention DSLRs are huge and heavy, with my Nikon D7000 weighing in at an obese 2 kg with the speedlight attached.<br />
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The £399 Fujifilm XF1 caught my eye one day when I was at an electronics shop and I had a quick play with a display unit. When I got home, I read up on it and saw the XF1 was consistently receiving high ratings. A few weeks later it went on offer for an amazing £129 and I nabbed one.<br />
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The camera is tiny, a bit bigger than a deck of cards, and the main advantages over a smartphone include an lens with optical zoom and a real flash (noting that onboard flashes on any camera make for ghastly photos when used directly, but they can useful in slow-sync mode).<br />
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While it takes acceptable photos in Auto mode, Fujifilm included plenty of controls and features (including PSAM modes) which means a DSLR user like me is immediately at home with familiar settings. By being able to select metering, focus area, aperture, exposure compensation etc I can easily get the look I want and, in the right hands, this little camera is capable of taking some extremely good photos in conditions less than ideal for a smartphone.<br />
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If my trip focussed specifically on photography I would still take my Nikon DSLR, otherwise the tiny, light XF1 is all I need to get shots I’d probably not attempt with my phone. The battery life is just adequate at a few hundred shots (without flash) between charges, but this means a downside—the camera doesn’t charge over USB which means carrying a small battery charger.<br />
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<b>Photo: </b>Fujifilm XF1—£129 (on offer)<br />
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<h3>
5. Bluetooth headset</h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY2_lyaOjE4HJtqK0vLht2BZmRDN9qyy0mRt0D_oxWDs9TbAFzS3El6yRiynYDh2lOxv8huBSOyZ7QDSNsgLcwV4GsRKS_N2b64EUhB5Swke2uz-9kHua2E1FFfmwAIQtHLSIlJvE7KoD/s1600/2013_01_01_23_38_01_905_SMH5_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY2_lyaOjE4HJtqK0vLht2BZmRDN9qyy0mRt0D_oxWDs9TbAFzS3El6yRiynYDh2lOxv8huBSOyZ7QDSNsgLcwV4GsRKS_N2b64EUhB5Swke2uz-9kHua2E1FFfmwAIQtHLSIlJvE7KoD/s320/2013_01_01_23_38_01_905_SMH5_3.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Up a notch from 6th to 5th place, the Sena SMH5 is a low-cost, reliable, robust and reasonably well-featured headset—in fact I still use the same unit I reviewed back in 2013.<br />
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The speakers have become a bit crackly at higher volumes but replacements are only about £20. Otherwise the unit has proven virtually bulletproof, having survived temperature extremes, weather extremes, various drops on concrete and even a crash in the Czech Republic.<br />
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The battery still lasts more than a day with the intercom channel open and it charges via USB in about 2 hours. Software updates are quick and easy using Sena’s firmware update software and means the unit has actually gained features through the years.<br />
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I’m so happy with this headset, if it ever dies I would replace it like-for-like.<br />
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<b>Photo: </b>Sena SMH5—Single £90/Dual £170<br />
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<h3>
4. Ultrabook</h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuxN6yMLslTwasl0MUJ3uChJtUg_sFqxL856rCEVWblsYdMbUOTH6lXtn-XJff1K418AMs-VDTi93lkTPYX0PfDavvOIkNv3a56rRZtkeEfGke7JligcNPtBAQZHhVqHX76weLNsz-kNM/s1600/macbook-select-spacegray-201604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuxN6yMLslTwasl0MUJ3uChJtUg_sFqxL856rCEVWblsYdMbUOTH6lXtn-XJff1K418AMs-VDTi93lkTPYX0PfDavvOIkNv3a56rRZtkeEfGke7JligcNPtBAQZHhVqHX76weLNsz-kNM/s320/macbook-select-spacegray-201604.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Moving from 5th to 4th place and replacing the tablet, the ultrabook is just more versatile. Last year Apple introduced the new MacBook range with the 12” retina model and I fell in love with it.<br />
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On paper it looks hugely underpowered with only a 1.1–1.3 GHz (depending on version) Intel Core M processor but, countered with an extremely fast SSD, for everyday purposes it never leaves you waiting. Although it was never intended to run high-overhead software like Photoshop and InDesign, it does so respectfully smoothly—and the high resolution (2,304x1,440) screen makes using it a pleasure.<br />
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Despite the full-sized keyboard, it is not much different in size and weight to a standard iPad which means it takes virtually no space in a pannier—it is about the size of a stack of 25 sheets of standard copier paper.<br />
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As the only port is USB-C (for charging and data transfer) I don’t bother bringing the charger—only a USB-A to C cable (for charging with a universal charger) and a small USB-C to A dongle (for connecting a camera etc). For internet access on the go, I use hotel WiFi or connect via my phone’s personal hotspot feature.<br />
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For those who like to edit video on the road, I understand the 2016 update (which brings next generation Core M processors) has encoding hardware built into the video card which enables it to process up to 4k video in near realtime, despite the humble processor speeds.<br />
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It’s small, light, beautifully built and finished, and silent in operation as it does not have a cooling fan—but this all comes a rather premium price. I wouldn’t call it an entirely rational purchase but so what—I absolutely love it!<br />
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<b>Photo: </b>Apple 12” MacBook in space grey—£1,049–1,419<br />
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<h3>
3. Universal charger</h3>
<h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14suXej7-oZr5x4-ypOYBCawhQdwZWDMw_t-6nz8ns3tPMrielRUaxVG3QbcfvVy05wYpuYwMWt9QnOBYQlLdo7cnNNFZlbfjR1BaNITdPws7rIwRsuHKu9MbgZu9hDdtrjcCqOtKL4Po/s1600/2013_01_02_00_43_22_918_charger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14suXej7-oZr5x4-ypOYBCawhQdwZWDMw_t-6nz8ns3tPMrielRUaxVG3QbcfvVy05wYpuYwMWt9QnOBYQlLdo7cnNNFZlbfjR1BaNITdPws7rIwRsuHKu9MbgZu9hDdtrjcCqOtKL4Po/s320/2013_01_02_00_43_22_918_charger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJK9NoQ7jsZ0GWwYuWvzzupcpKrWN32eP7BROgkikW7K3wn2xiJy2ZB9DmHBiX7npgbiI1IYvLF1mvFcW2Txr_dhHuUFoFth8bbScHC3VP0D-6VCJ_v6Yf5miYiKeSCrhuXzpXj30d8rT/s1600/Anker_60W_USBCharger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJK9NoQ7jsZ0GWwYuWvzzupcpKrWN32eP7BROgkikW7K3wn2xiJy2ZB9DmHBiX7npgbiI1IYvLF1mvFcW2Txr_dhHuUFoFth8bbScHC3VP0D-6VCJ_v6Yf5miYiKeSCrhuXzpXj30d8rT/s320/Anker_60W_USBCharger.jpg" width="320" /></a>Still in 3rd place is the universal charger which enables charging USB devices such as smartphones, ultrabooks, headsets etc on the go—useful for any device not powered directly by the bike.<br />
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The TomTom multi-charger has one high speed (2.4A) and one standard (1A) port which means fast charging supported devices such as smartphones or even an ultrabook in sleep mode.<br />
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I’m going to cheat a bit on this one—with the space I save by leaving my DSLR at home I have more than enough room to include a mains powered USB charger. US-based Anker, which was started by a group of Google employees, make a well-designed and engineered 6-port USB charger—the PowerPort 6—which means simultaneously charging both headsets, ultrabook and smartphone simultaneously overnight.<br />
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The charger’s IQ feature automatically detects how much current the device can take which means it will supply 2.4A to smartphones and ultrabooks and 1A to headsets automatically, regardless of which port the devices are plugged into.<br />
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A USB-C version has since been released which replaces one of the standard ports with a USB-C port providing even more current for ultrabooks.<br />
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In practice I don’t often need charge on the go so I <i>could</i> do without the TomTom (I say this until I realise my phone is nearly flat and I need to book a hotel for the night!) in lieu of the essential ability to charge my devices overnight and the convenience of doing so with a single charger. Having both chargers is ideal, but the Anker is essential.<br />
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<b>Photo (top): </b>TomTom High Speed Multi-Charger—£20<br />
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<b>Photo (bottom):</b> Anker PowerPort 6—£26<br />
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<h3>
2. GPS/satnav
</h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnqtatZ59L0tBGtbB-vyrspKy6MOiowedwU-2D_Xd6rSnGNfEWY1Hu3yQyLU-rBPuRudhNQRQLw-Yo3qCr1AeoAUGhLgDpcUdKXANsklwI9yYVvquf2DpVD-eHXnKb2upt7RgtjrHipuM/s1600/BMW_Motorrad_Navigator_V.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnqtatZ59L0tBGtbB-vyrspKy6MOiowedwU-2D_Xd6rSnGNfEWY1Hu3yQyLU-rBPuRudhNQRQLw-Yo3qCr1AeoAUGhLgDpcUdKXANsklwI9yYVvquf2DpVD-eHXnKb2upt7RgtjrHipuM/s320/BMW_Motorrad_Navigator_V.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Still in 2nd place is the essential-for-me GPS—not just for getting to unfamiliar destinations but also for the safety net of always knowing precisely where I am.<br />
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When ordering my new bike I decided to upgrade from the solid but not so responsive BMW Navigator IV to the fully revamped Navigator V.<br />
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This updated unit features a much faster processor for noticeably less lag when scrolling through maps and quicker routing for complex journeys. It links in directly with the bike’s computer systems, giving access to readings such as fuel range, speed etc and stats such as number of shifts and brake applications during the last journey. For data, an app needs to be running on a smartphone which enables the unit to pull weather and traffic information on the go.<br />
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The Navigator V also plays nicely with both my headset and smartphone, whereas the Navigator IV didn’t like being simultaneously connected to both while they were connected to each other. It also conveniently snaps into the R1200’s locking cradle—which is theft-deterrent but certainly not theft proof—and is powered directly by the bike.<br />
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Device and map updates are carried out by plugging the unit into a computer and using the Garmin Express app—previous versions of this app have, quite frankly, been truly astounding pieces of programming poo, but Garmin has really pulled it together and the latest version works perfectly with a simple, attractively designed interface.<br />
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One complaint I mentioned in a previous post is that the unit only has 8gb of onboard storage (or a touch more than the size of the EU map)—this means after spending more than £500 on the device you have to fork out a silly £5 more for a micro SD card or it’s not possible to run a map update.<br />
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It’s very pricy, but it’s fully featured, fully integrated with the bike’s controls, and best of all, does everything it should, quickly, consistently and without any fuss.<br />
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<b>Photo:</b> BMW Navigator V—£549 (with maps of Europe and no mount/cradle)<br />
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<h3>
1. Smartphone
</h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLmQuSaLCD_1q_hxQ-sdb0x8y8fko-rO0UMBveGpw_L9nLhISJqoGMO8bXpCtQj7Yos3f5pGdVBhSJgSVFj5yW0gJ2NB_Ps82h4xkwmL_0NijZxel4xE_VW7mu3dOyKbu9RBHYQ9QDd-Z/s1600/iphone6s-plus-gray-select-2015.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLmQuSaLCD_1q_hxQ-sdb0x8y8fko-rO0UMBveGpw_L9nLhISJqoGMO8bXpCtQj7Yos3f5pGdVBhSJgSVFj5yW0gJ2NB_Ps82h4xkwmL_0NijZxel4xE_VW7mu3dOyKbu9RBHYQ9QDd-Z/s320/iphone6s-plus-gray-select-2015.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br />
The smartphone is the one device I would struggle to live without and stays firmly in 1st place on my list. It’s a single device which can be a camera/video camera, a GPS, a computer, a tablet, a debit or credit card, a music player, a compass, a pedometer, an alarm clock, a television, a boarding pass and so on. Oh, and it makes calls obviously.<br />
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If I could only bring one device on this list when travelling, it would be my smartphone—since 2013 I’ve moved from the 4” iPhone 5 to the 5.5” iPhone 6s plus which means the phone now fulfils many of the functions of a tablet.<br />
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The camera on the 6s is really very good—as good in most conditions as the XF1 above, and not too far off the Nikon D7000. An added bonus is that photos and videos automatically synchronise to my computer wirelessly.<br />
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With ApplePay available almost everywhere in the UK (due to our contactless infrastructure introduced nearly a decade ago) it replaces my wallet for most day-to-day payments—in fact it’s becoming quite rare to find a shop which doesn’t take contactless payments yet.<br />
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I keep PDFs of my device and bike handbooks, insurance documents etc on the phone so everything is easily accessible in one place. As everything backs up to the cloud, even if the worst happens (phone drops down a sewer, for example) all my files, photos and information can still be accessed from a computer, and if it gets lost or stolen it can be wiped remotely.<br />
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Essential to the functionality of a smartphone of course a generous data plan. I have an unlimited data plan on Three which includes free roaming in most EU countries—this costs a reasonable £17/month.<br />
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Whichever smartphone you choose, it is an indispensable tool for travel—I would be lost without mine!<br />
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<b>Photo:</b> iPhone 6s plus—£619–789 (contract-free)</div>
Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-73731325026586785022016-06-02T19:54:00.001+01:002016-06-02T19:54:23.960+01:00Blog tidy-upI did a bit of a tidy-up of my blog with a new, cleaner font—Roboto Condensed—and a few tweaks to the search, subscribe, worthwhile reads, latest comments, top posts and archive gadgets on the right.<br />
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I also got rid of the Facebook ‘like’ and Google+ ‘+1’ buttons at the bottom of each post as this is redundant with the share box and it looked messy.<br />
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Unfortunately the worthwhile reads would not lose the text indents for each latest post no matter how much I attempted to override the CSS, and I could not access the Disqus code to adjust the linespacing and size of the small text which is a bit annoying.<br />
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Nevertheless, let me know your thoughts about the changes!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZd87kzQyM61FWVuWVGst4-g4ImoXsumRq1TSb6H4rx3XaTIIrQX9RNhpYZyLoeE92AH0EpEwz4ir6EsS5c0MC7X_1Sr9MfKKD0UauHyIaQy2xqHZm0o5YOJFAHf4qKU-FFjHoOoic42O/s1600/homepage.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZd87kzQyM61FWVuWVGst4-g4ImoXsumRq1TSb6H4rx3XaTIIrQX9RNhpYZyLoeE92AH0EpEwz4ir6EsS5c0MC7X_1Sr9MfKKD0UauHyIaQy2xqHZm0o5YOJFAHf4qKU-FFjHoOoic42O/s640/homepage.png" width="636" /></a>Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-91931128663795588842016-05-30T02:35:00.000+01:002016-06-01T01:09:22.028+01:00R1200GS Adventure 2016 first impressionsNow that I’ve had the chance to put on a couple hundred miles I thought it would be a good time to collect my thoughts on the R1200GS Adventure, having come from an F800GS and a standard R1200GS.<br />
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Let me start by saying I am now certain I made the right choice with this bike as it just feels ‘right’. It has taken no time to feel comfortable on it, from U-turns to filtering (lane-splitting). I mentioned in a previous post that the Adventure pulls together what to me are the best parts of the F800/R1200 into one bike—that is, the characterful liquid cooled boxer engine and electronic toys from the 1200 and the soft, wallowy ride and effortless handling of the 800.</div>
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So far, other than a little bit of gravel, I’ve ridden strictly on-road—I’m not quite ready to get it dirty, at least not until after the running-in service at about 600 miles. And it has taken a bit of self restraint to keep the revs capped at 5,000 rpm!</div>
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Suspension and handling</h2>
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This is the standout feature of the Adventure—the ESA system seems to be designed with the extra 11% of suspension travel of the Adventure in mind—it just does its job more effectively than on the standard 1200. Switching damping modes, soft really is soft, normal is normal and hard is noticeably firm. </div>
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Despite the extra suspension travel, the anti-dive geometry of the telelever front suspension works as well as on the standard 1200, and the rear lift under braking seems about the same as well. To me, the raised suspension has many advantages but no drawbacks.</div>
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The Adventure also has a 1° steeper steering angle than the standard 1200 (and 0.5° steeper than the 800) which means it’s quicker on its feet to change direction. On twisty, narrow, poorly surfaced British B-roads it effortlessly cuts through the corners, soaking up mid-corner bumps with no drama.</div>
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Features</h2>
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Everything will be familiar to anyone coming from a liquid cooled R1200GS—so you have plenty to play with. Drive-by-wire throttle with electronic cruise control, driving modes (rain, road, dynamic, enduro and enduro pro) with linked ABS and traction control calibration, aforementioned ESA with electric preload adjustment, gear shift assist pro, fairly comprehensive customisation for the onboard computer, daytime running lamps, automatic headlamps, grip heaters (which get much warmer than my previous bikes) etc. New for me are keyless ride and ABS pro.</div>
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Keyless ride</h4>
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As somebody who seems to have some sort of mental illness relating to keys, the keyless ride option was a must when I placed the order for this bike. I forget keys constantly—at best upstairs at home, at worst in the ignition after I’ve parked. Now the key can stay safely zipped into the pocket of my jacket. </div>
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How does it work? When the key is within about 1m of the bike, pressing the ignition button once unlocks the steering, and a second press switches on the bike, ready to start the engine. Alternatively, a long press will unlock the steering and switch on the ignition in one step. Stopping is the same, two short or one long press to switch off the engine/ignition and lock the steering (either to the left or right). </div>
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If the fob’s transmitter battery goes flat, it simply needs to be touched against a special spot on the bike which reads the chip in the fob and allows the ignition button to work for a few seconds.</div>
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If the key is moved out of range while the bike is on (but not running) it will switch itself off after 30 seconds. If the engine is running, it will angrily flash a yellow warning on the dash (the engine won’t stop automatically in this case, but of course it won’t restart without the key in range).</div>
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The fuel filler cap remains unlocked for about 30 seconds after switching off the ignition and opens electrically via a small lever on top (similar to the keyhole cover on the standard filler cap)—after 30 seconds the lever deactivates.</div>
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ABS pro</h4>
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In plain English, this is BMW’s name for lean-sensing ABS—a feature I hope I never need, and not one I’m in a hurry to test out. </div>
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When braking while leaning in a corner without ABS, either the bike will stand up (and therefore go straight ahead), or the tyres will skid causing the bike to go down. With normal ABS, the bike will stand up and ABS will prevent skidding, but there is the potential to go straight into a ditch/hedge/oncoming car etc. </div>
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ABS pro senses that the bike is banked/leaning into a corner and modulates the ABS to keep the lean consistent, therefore allowing maximum braking without affecting the current radius. KTM was the first to use this system in partnership with Bosch, and BMW uses the same hardware with their own software.</div>
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Gear shift assist pro</h4>
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Readers of my blog know I love this system, and it feels much more refined on the Adventure. From what I understand there are two differences—one is that the system was fitted at the factory (it was retrofitted on my previous bike), and the other is that the Adventure has a dampener built into the driveshaft which reduces driveline shunt (that jerking motion you get when coming on and off the throttle at low speeds). Regardless of whether these differences hugely affect the operation of the GSAP system, it is smoother and lighter on the Adventure than it was on my previous 1200.</div>
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Drivetrain</h2>
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Not a lot to say that I haven’t before... The liquid cooled boxer is hard to fault—it’s loaded with torque and a flat torque curve means you can pick a gear and go. The Adventure has a heavier flywheel than my previous 1200 (the heavier flywheel was added to the standard version for 2015 and has been on the Adventure since 2014) and it does seem a bit more resistant to stalling when having a ham-fisted moment operating the clutch when starting off, but more importantly makes the engine a bit smoother and more agreeable during low speed manoeuvres in traffic etc.</div>
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The clutch and gearbox is not quite F800GS-smooth when engaging first from a standstill but it’s not far off, and it’s a <i>huge</i> improvement over my previous 1200. The clutch engagement is also much softer—some hydraulic clutches (my previous 1200 included) feel like an on/off switch and this one is more progressive, almost as progressive as the cable-operated clutch from my F800 but requiring about a third of the effort to pull the lever.</div>
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These small refinements have all but addressed my complaints about my previous 1200 and come together to provide a much more premium feel overall.</div>
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Performance</h2>
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The bike is still in the run-in period which means not applying full throttle and not exceeding 5,000 rpm for the first 600 miles. Since day-to-day I’ve not often had any need to exceed either of these restrictions, it feels like business as usual apart from resisting the urge to open it up on a motorway slip road—but it’s not for long! </div>
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The Adventure weights 20 kg more than the standard version and holds 10 litres more fuel (which accounts for half the extra weight)—performance is not expected to be much different, it goes pretty much as fast as you’d practically ever need. I would say the extra 20 kg actually works in the bike’s favour as it sits over the front axle and means there is less tendency for the front wheel to lift (and the associated power cut from the ASC system)—the bike can use more of its power more often.</div>
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The most important part of performance is of course getting it to the road, and the Adventure is equipped with the same Michelin Anakee 3s as the standard version—pretty useless off-road, but an excellent tyre on-road. I will consider giving the Heidenau K60 Scouts a try once these wear out, as I found these to be excellent 50/50 tyres on my F800. Or possibly the new Michelin Anakee Wilds.</div>
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Wind/weather protection</h2>
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The larger tank and windscreen mean it’s more sedate at high speeds—at 70 mph you can speak to your passenger without an intercom (without having to yell), which was not possible on any of my previous bikes. Not ridden in the rain yet but expect it wouldn’t be quite as wet an experience.</div>
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Luggage system</h2>
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The Adventure uses the more robust aluminium pannier/top box system which appears similar to what I had on my F800 (but are actually mirrored due to the exhaust being on the opposite side, and also have slightly more refined latches and locks), whereas my previous 1200 used the plastic vario system.</div>
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One thing I liked about the varios was that they could collapse inwards which made the panniers almost unnoticeable in traffic. The F800’s aluminium panniers, however, really stuck out, making filtering through traffic an extremely precise ordeal.</div>
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On the Adventure, the aluminium panniers seem to be closer to the bike’s centre line—I’m not sure if this is actually the case, and maybe it is the psychological aspect of the wider fuel tank making the panniers seem narrower than they are, but filtering seemed easier with them fitted than on my F800. Day-to-day I only use the top box—the panniers are only used when travelling.</div>
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BMW Navigator V</h2>
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Last to mention is the BMW Navigator V. This is a revamp of the Navigator IV with which it shares a form factor (meaning the mount and connector is the same) but little else. The screen is bigger, higher resolution and marginally easier to read in direct sun, and the unit is much, much more responsive. It also integrates more completely with the bike, allowing almost all functions to be accessed using the iDrive-type controller on the left handlebar of the bike. It connected without frustration to both my iPhone 6s plus and Sena SMH5 helmet speaker system which I will explain in more detail below.</div>
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The unit is notable because it allows access to the bike’s computer systems. This means you can see the status of everything from the dashboard on one simple screen—odometers, engine temperature, tyre pressure, fuel range, current speed etc, and also information such as the VIN and next service.</div>
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I do love a few good stats and it delivers on this front as well—it’s possible to view the number of gear changes, average throttle position, applications of both front and rear brakes and ambient/engine temperatures from the last ride.</div>
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One thing that frustrated me with the Navigator IV was that it was never happy to be connected to both my phone and headset at the same time—it prevented me from using the helmet controls to initiate Siri, start/stop music and answer phone calls (admittedly a rare occurrence). The Navigator V addresses this. Pair the phone and the Nav V can access data such as weather and traffic via the Garmin Smart Link app (which must be running in the background on the phone). Provided you don’t play music directly from the Nav V (which I don’t do) the headset is then paired using the handsfree profile (HFP). This configuration allows the headset to operate the phone correctly (Siri and music/phone) and also allows GPS directions and alerts to come through, as well as access to the phone’s address book to instigate calls from the GPS itself. While it’s possible to pair the headset and GPS using the A2DP protocol (which allows playing stereo music) this means the phone is only useful for calls and would require duplicating my music library on the GPS.</div>
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One complaint—the Nav V comes with 8 gb of internal memory which means with the full EU maps loaded it only has 180 mb free. Put another way, this is not enough space to perform a map update. This is not a cheap unit at around £500 so it seems like nickel-and-diming to death to require the user to spend another £5 on an SD card—either having 16 gb onboard memory or throwing in an SD card would have been much kinder.</div>
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<h2>
Design</h2>
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Nothing retro about this bike—the design language says ‘technology’ and is purposeful, functional and certainly impressive (I wouldn’t say beautiful, though). I quite like it—in fact, I think the Adventure’s design is more appealing than the standard version—particularly the black engine, frame and wheels.</div>
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The silver spoked wheels on the standard version were dirty in a day and a pain to clean due to the textured, anodised surface which held brake dust and dirt. The black wheels are the same texture but at least the grime won’t show as much.</div>
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I like that the aux/fog lamps are bolted to the upper crash bars on the Adventure as this is much more robust than the flimsy plastic mounts on the standard 1200.</div>
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I struggled with the colour when I placed the order—the white (with red lettering for 2016) was boring and the red had a seat in a slightly different shade which drove me crazy... so I ordered it in ocean blue metallic matt without ever having seen the colour in the flesh—now that I have it, I’m glad I went with this colour, it suits the bike well.</div>
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Extras</h2>
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I insure via BMW’s own insurance (which is actually the cheapest for me, cheap being a relative term when living in London). For the Adventure, my premium increased by £25 but they required a tracker to be fitted which was carried out by the dealership before the bike was delivered. It has proven very sensitive as simply moving the bike off the centre stand triggers a text alert. If the bike is moved more than a few metres the tracker company is alerted which results in a phone call—if they are unable to get through they notify the police and provide ongoing location updates. The unit is claimed to provide up to 3 months of location updates even if the bike’s battery has been disconnected. I’m also able to view the location of the bike online at any time. I’ve not had trackers previously but they do provide considerable peace-of-mind. This particular unit only functions when the ignition is switched off (i.e. it doesn’t track the bike’s location when the engine is running for the conspiracy theorists)!</div>
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I fitted a tool tube inside the left pannier holder which is just the right size for me to keep my bungee cords clean and dry without them taking up valuable space in the smallish top box.</div>
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I have an R&G Racing drive shaft protector on its way. In my opinion this is something no one should be without (it prevented my last bike from being written off when it slid down the road in the Czech Republic in 2014)—at £17 it’s a steal and replaces the dust cover on the drive shaft to prevent contact with the ground.</div>
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I’ve also ordered Touratech upper crashbar extensions and a side stand foot enlarger to stabilise the bike when parked on soft surfaces. The extensions were somewhat reasonable (for Touratech) at £200 and the stand enlarger was about £30. Unfortunately both are on back order for up to 6 weeks so more on those later. While I have no doubt Touratech make high quality and well engineered parts, they are very expensive—they are also the only manufacturer of crashbar extensions which integrate into the factory bars on the Adventure.</div>
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Photos</h2>
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I took a few photos while out and about the last couple days—I didn’t feel like bringing along my Nikon D-SLR so these iPhone snaps will need to do :) </div>
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Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-35659608606485335232016-05-26T02:12:00.003+01:002016-05-26T02:12:51.193+01:00Hello again!After parting with my F800GS and R1200GS I’m back in action!<br />
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I picked up my brand new R1200GS Adventure TE today in Ocean Blue matt. The TE comes with everything except the options of gear shift assist pro, factory alarm and keyless ride for around an extra £600, which I obviously had fitted.<br />
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Accessories include the full set of panniers, pannier bags, tank bag, secure oil cap, and Navigator V GPS. I also had a theft tracker installed which automatically contacts a call centre (and subsequently provides the location of the bike to the police) if the bike is moved more than a few feet while the ignition is switched off. To come will be a cardan shaft crash protector and side stand foot enlarger. I’m also considering the Touratech crash bar extenders (pictured below) which provide more protection for the (no doubt expensive) aluminium fuel tank.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQZrG_Kr-9oewXCDwIqT_ZTpHhxNPSDFv-1lwoZFjwb2Qt1CdCjUBxUTMAnKTJQAY9BF0QnN6maFSc2_v6qLg5anzKxsO1fEyL0yrsdVV5jrpthJv8KAKmoXrA7RdtcEttSZ2790IY1Bs/s1600/01-045-5165-0_i_03.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQZrG_Kr-9oewXCDwIqT_ZTpHhxNPSDFv-1lwoZFjwb2Qt1CdCjUBxUTMAnKTJQAY9BF0QnN6maFSc2_v6qLg5anzKxsO1fEyL0yrsdVV5jrpthJv8KAKmoXrA7RdtcEttSZ2790IY1Bs/s640/01-045-5165-0_i_03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Due to an excruciatingly painful pinched nerve in my back, I only rode the bike 6 miles in London so I don’t have a lot to say quite yet—a bank holiday weekend is coming up and I intend to make the most of it so will have more to say soon.<br />
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First impressions—it is <i>much</i> more refined than my previous 1200. The taller suspension is softer and more fluid, the clutch engagement is gentler, the gearbox is in another league, the gear shift assist pro function is lighter, and even the new, tight engine feels a little bit smoother. It combines what I consider the best parts of my previous F800GS and R1200GS.<br />
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More soon!Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-54563118898474163532016-05-18T01:04:00.000+01:002016-05-18T01:04:26.373+01:00Saying goodbye (for now)As I prepare to say goodbye to my beloved F800GS (which I own) and my R1200GS (which I lease) I thought it would be a good time to reflect.<br />
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Like any models of bikes (or cars, televisions, anything) you’ll have ranters and ravers—have a read through the forums and you’d be put off from <i>any</i> bike (take the whingers with a pinch of salt)—but I’m not here to whinge, just talk about my experience with these two models.<br />
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I’ll say straight away, one experience was exceptional and the other broadly positive—neither ever left me stranded and both gave me many miles of motorbiking pleasure. Both were bolted together flawlessly, and while neither could be considered ‘pretty’, their angular and functional styling certainly couldn’t be confused for anything other than BMW.<br />
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Read on for my thoughts on each and feel free to leave me comments at the end of this post.<br />
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<span id="goog_643043779"></span><span id="goog_643043780"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PWb4ys_EfDBDUWzKpV0Dd2uJh2Ji7TZCW1wZBQF-PMyQYnr18g96jgQPUUgbR9wjjVpfffXQ6hWC9tV1wNusWP32xIvIsQPZ5tET2WPxcsNzTK4phQxoYwB4iXxNVGJyMNtua2p7ra1o/s1600/IMG_3943.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PWb4ys_EfDBDUWzKpV0Dd2uJh2Ji7TZCW1wZBQF-PMyQYnr18g96jgQPUUgbR9wjjVpfffXQ6hWC9tV1wNusWP32xIvIsQPZ5tET2WPxcsNzTK4phQxoYwB4iXxNVGJyMNtua2p7ra1o/s640/IMG_3943.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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F800GS Trophy (2012 model)</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyUyyAS8zLxcRsvFRqC6DQeUf5sqmQNZln4LbyFpc2b23kGNSaxk45vMM0SlNLod6vegFMJBHUQrlFxpZmDj7CbjTAsKR7gubE9fwEMYf2qJv-HxLqgu09YaH9ejOGNxO-7OLGBotNzow/s1600/DSCF0133.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyUyyAS8zLxcRsvFRqC6DQeUf5sqmQNZln4LbyFpc2b23kGNSaxk45vMM0SlNLod6vegFMJBHUQrlFxpZmDj7CbjTAsKR7gubE9fwEMYf2qJv-HxLqgu09YaH9ejOGNxO-7OLGBotNzow/s640/DSCF0133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I bought this bike brand new in March 2012, optioned with ABS, heated grips, trip computer, factory alarm and LED indicators. Accessories included the ubiquitous aluminium panniers, touring windscreen and wind deflectors.</div>
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I passed on the (feeble-looking) BMW engine guards as they didn’t seem good value to me and instead went aftermarket with the excellent <a href="http://www.adventure-spec.com/default/adventure-spec-crashbars-bmw-f800gs-f650gs.html" target="_blank">Adventure Spec crash bars</a>—£100 less than BMW’s offering while providing full protection for the engine and plastic bits.</div>
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After my first longish trip on the bike—during which my TomTom Rider drank water and promptly gave up the ghost somewhere in Belgium, forcing me to actually read road signs, a long lost art—I bought a BMW Navigator IV and a ‘comfort’ seat to replace the uncomfortable stock plank.</div>
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What went wrong</h4>
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Under warranty, the stay-cable for the top box (a roughly £2 part) which pulled out from the crimped end, and the steering head bearings at the 6,000 mile service (I didn’t notice any issue, the dealership just went ahead and changed it). One recall for the side stand switch. I killed the chain by over-cleaning it (as a result I stopped using harsh chain cleaners and started using WD-40 as a cleaner instead)—the only unexpected cost on the bike at about £150 installed by BMW at the 6,000 mile service. The stock battery lasted 3 years before it began to struggle when starting the bike on cold mornings.</div>
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Quirks</h4>
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The F800GS chews through rear brake pads—fortunately they are only about £20 and take 10 minutes to replace at home with only a screwdriver, a pair of pliers and a mallet. This reflects my tendency to ‘level’ the bike during braking by using the rear heavily, as the soft suspension likes to dive at the front. Also, the windscreen doesn’t offer much wind protection—even the taller, optional touring screen is rather turbulent at higher speeds. Finally, the ABS system (its technology dating back to 2008) can sometimes be eager to activate when riding over lateral breaks in the tarmac—not an issue if you expect it, but can catch the uninitiated by surprise.</div>
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Riding</h4>
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After 14,000 miles the engine still runs like new. I’ve never found the oil level low, and it consistently got 60 mpg 2-up and fully loaded on longer journeys—an incredible number for such a large (and large engined) bike on semi-knobbly tyres and with brick-shaped panniers. Fuel metering is the smoothest of any bike I’ve ridden (although the 1200 matches it when in ‘rain’ mode)—this is electronic fuel injection tuned to perfection.</div>
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The parallel twin won’t excite anyone—it goes about its job with a functional, Germanic drone and, with a virtually flat torque curve, never gets peaky. It pulls strongly from any speed in virtually any gear, consistently and smoothly—perfect for this type of bike. Off road it’s happy to creep along with no grumbling from the clutch or gearbox. Speaking of which, the gearbox is possibly one of BMW’s best, with smooth, positive engagement—I’ve never had difficulty finding neutral (unlike the R1200GS) and 1st gear engages from neutral with virtually no clunk.</div>
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Conclusion</h4>
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I won’t lie—I am very attached to this bike and sad to send it off to a new home. It has given me more than four years of exceptionally reliable enjoyment including two trips to the continent, one of which involved a snowstorm in Alps in late June. Servicing from BMW is relatively inexpensive, approximately half of what I used to pay Honda for my last bike, and the service interval is every 6,000 miles.</div>
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What I will miss most is its consistency—pick-a-gear-and-go attitude, soft and smooth ride, excellent economy, and its gentle, forgiving nature both on road and off. Some might consider this description a bit boring, but I would say calming. And it has a hidden hooligan side—perfectly happy to ride over kerbs, swallow speed humps at full speed and occasionally surprise sport bikes with the ease it can cut through a curvy road.</div>
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The F800GS might just be BMW’s most underrated bike.<br />
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<h2>
R1200GS TE (2014 model)</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWl82Mjtm9dN2-UP3ogEBtZr6YsO3v6K6rynNlLdb8qbDDbtGD2T0FvgwxednNwYWNQ430PtFfRowSwGZ2Gw-RIKS2MGDDEF5kqgt8-ln8djl0Y0wha1ZnBczNeT63Ag3nKnF1zZkuzNhO/s1600/DSC_1578.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWl82Mjtm9dN2-UP3ogEBtZr6YsO3v6K6rynNlLdb8qbDDbtGD2T0FvgwxednNwYWNQ430PtFfRowSwGZ2Gw-RIKS2MGDDEF5kqgt8-ln8djl0Y0wha1ZnBczNeT63Ag3nKnF1zZkuzNhO/s640/DSC_1578.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I leased this bike in September 2013—it was among the first of the 2014 model year build which included a steering dampener and the required wiring for the gear shift assist pro system (and, oddly, different crash bars due to a slight change to the frame). As the TE model, it came with virtually all options—I added the factory alarm and cross spoke wheels. BMW accessories included crash bars, Vario panniers and auxiliary LED lamps.</div>
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When the bike was six months old, BMW released the gear shift assist pro unit for retrofit on qualifying models and mine was the first in the UK to be fitted with the system. In fact, <a href="http://www.gelandestrasse.co.uk/2014/04/first-look-gear-shift-assist-pro-on-bmw.html" target="_blank">my post about this system</a> is by far the most read post on this blog with 9,649 views to date!</div>
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What went wrong</h4>
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When the bike was in for its first service, the dealership performed a recall for the side stand switch (clearly BMW had a bad batch, as my F800GS had a similar recall). At this service they also replaced the rear brake pads with new ones composed of a different material. The only other warranty repair occurred while it was in for service in September 2015—the dealership felt the clutch wasn’t disengaging correctly and decided to replace it at no cost to me. Servicing was about 30% more expensive than the F800GS (but still about 35% less than my previous Honda).</div>
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It should be noted that the 2013/14 models were the first boxer models to use integrated gearboxes and I believe there were teething problems which didn’t get worked out until the 2015 models—courtesy bikes I’ve ridden from that year onwards do feel noticeably smoother when engaging 1st gear while stopped, and also when changing gears.</div>
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Quirks</h4>
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Engaging 1st gear while stopped (at a traffic light, for example) clunks—like, in a way a bike at this price point should not clunk. Changing up through the gears is also clunky up to 3rd gear. This would have bothered me a lot more if I didn’t have the gear shift assist pro device fitted which means the only times you generally need to use the clutch is when coming to a full stop or starting off—I normally leave it in 1st gear while stopped (fortunately the clutch lever is lighter than on some 125cc bikes I’ve ridden—thrust bearings be damned) so I don’t have to hear the clunk. As mentioned above, the clutch was replaced under warranty but this made little to no improvement—and indeed other 1200s I’ve ridden from 2013/14 model years behaved the same. Perhaps related, this bike also has an almost magnetic propensity, at times, to snap into 1st or 2nd gear when attempting to select neutral.</div>
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One other minor thing which resolved itself once the bike had a few miles on the clock was a tick occasionally at idle from the cylinder decompression device—not a functional issue, more an aesthetic one. The device operates via centrifugal force below about 1,100 rpm to slightly open two of the valves to reduce pressure in the cylinders—this allows the use of a smaller, lighter battery since less torque is required when starting the engine. If the computer allows the idle to drop below this threshold, a tick is heard, although this has no consequence to the running of the engine. It’s possible the resolution was actually via a software update during servicing to prevent the idle from falling below the threshold, but this is pure speculation—in any case, I can’t remember the last time I heard this.</div>
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Riding</h4>
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I’ve covered the clunking already. Other than this, the drivetrain on the bike is absolutely wonderful—most of the time no more than 4,000 rpm is required for more than sufficient performance. The bike is coarser—maybe ‘rawer’ is a better description—than the F800GS, but always smooth and fluid, with virtually no driveline shunt when coming on and off the throttle at low speeds. It revs instantly and has near-superbike acceleration up to 70 mph, with very strong, rapid performance above this speed, as experienced on unrestricted sections of autobahn last time I was in Germany.</div>
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When you open up this bike it truly excites—the engine becomes a beast and sounds amazing in the upper range, while never feeling abused or overworked. It has a very Jekyll and Hyde personality. Also, while previous air- and air/oil-cooled boxer engines traditionally consumed a non-trivial amount oil (due to relaxed internal tolerances to accommodate the expansion related to the greater heat range associated with these types of cooling), the water-cooled boxer doesn’t seem to use a drop—the oil level never fell between services in the 10,500 miles I had this bike.</div>
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I loved the (virtually) maintenance-free drive shaft which made the bike particularly easy to clean. The gear shift assist pro device—in my opinion a must-have for this bike—bypassed the clunking issues by enabling both upshifts and downshifts using just the gear lever. It cuts the power for a brief instant and rev matches the engine electronically, negating the need to use the clutch in most circumstances.</div>
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The electronics worked as advertised—never interfering unduly but always there to keep you from going one step too far. This is an easy bike to lift a front wheel in any of the first three gears, particularly if you have the weight of a pillion and/or luggage over the rear wheel—the anti-wheelie function of the traction control gently eases back the power to keep things civilised.</div>
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One feature worth mentioning is the Enduro mode—designed for riding off road (nothing overly technical, though) with 80/20 tyres like the stock Michelin Anakee 3s. It calibrates the ABS to stop effectively on loose surfaces and adjusts the traction control to allow just enough wheel-spin to turn without threatening to throw the rider into the bushes at the first corner. Riding through deep mud once, I discovered it also has a built-in ‘rocking’ function activated by holding the throttle fully open—this results in the computer taking over and cycling between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm to gently ease the bike out of the muck, and this worked much more effectively than it had any right to with entirely inappropriate tyres for the conditions.</div>
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Finally, the semi-active suspension could not be faulted—being able to set the preload at the touch of a button was handy, but the way it could firmly but smoothly even out a road was witchcraft. This, combined with the geometry of BMW’s telelever front and paralever rear suspension, meant the bike always stayed close to level—when braking or accelerating, riding alone or fully loaded. My only comment is that it could have done with a bit more suspension travel—something the Adventure version addresses, of course.<br />
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<h4>
Conclusion</h4>
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There are many things I loved about this bike—its touring ability, comfort, engine, flawless gear shift assist pro function, among the best lighting I’ve experienced on any motorbike (or car) with its full LED lighting, its general dynamics, and its notable fuel consumption (51 mpg 2-up and fully loaded on longer journeys). Yes, the clunky gear engagement was a bit of a let-down, but this has been resolved on 2015 and newer models—although even these are not quite F800GS-smooth.</div>
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But... I never quite bonded with this bike. I can’t really put my finger on it, but I don’t feel overly sad to see it go. Maybe it was the clunking spoiling what was otherwise a virtually flawless bike, or maybe it was because I developed trust issues with it following the <a href="http://www.gelandestrasse.co.uk/2014/06/europe-2014-day-7-prague-to-wemding.html" target="_blank">axle grease incident</a> in the Czech Republic a couple years ago... I don’t know.<br />
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That’s not to say I wouldn’t recommend this bike—it’s BMW’s best selling model for good reason. And with the clunking sorted in later model years, it is an incredibly sorted and complete bike, but I would suggest that someone considering one keep an open mind and also test ride an F800GS.<br />
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What’s next?</h2>
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For now, I’ll just say... stay tuned!</div>
Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-36210641153961519722016-05-14T00:29:00.000+01:002016-06-01T01:07:56.107+01:00Emergency stop signal lighting and bank-sensing ABSEmergency stop signal (ESS) lighting systems have been around for a while on (generally luxury) cars in Europe for some time now—during emergency braking, equipped BMWs use flashing or ‘growing’ brake lights (displaying more LED segments) on their cars, Volvo uses brake lights which glow brighter, Mercedes-Benz use flashing brake lights, and VW Group activates the hazard lights along with the brake lights. The idea is to grab the attention of drivers in following vehicles and enable them to recognise emergency braking situations.<br />
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The motorcycle market tends to be slow to keep up with safety innovations—BMW started offering ABS brakes on models in 1988 as an option on certain models with Honda and Yamaha following in 1992. In 2013 BMW made ABS standard on all bikes in their range, the first (and I believe only) manufacturer to date to do so. This has changed (in Europe) now, however, with EU legislation mandating standard ABS on all bikes over 125cc from the 2016 model year.<br />
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But while some manufacturers are scrambling to update models never designed to accommodate ABS in order to meet this new legislation, others have been innovating—namely KTM in partnership with Bosch launching the first bank-sensing ABS system in 2013, which takes into account how much the bike is leaning and modulates the ABS to prevent sudden stand-up (potentially resulting in the rider going straight and off the road) or low-sides (where the bike comes out from under the rider) when braking hard in corners. BMW released their version for the S1000RR sport bike the following year, using the same hardware but with their own software. As of the 2016 model year, this system is available on six different models in their range including the R1200GS, and somewhat predictably named ABS Pro (BMW loves to call everything Pro, Dynamic or Active, after all)—ABS Pro also features ESS lighting.<br />
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A step in the right direction for sure, but now let’s get the Connected Ride system, laser light technology and heads-up display helmet on the market!<br />
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I missed the press release from last July, which has a full description of the system. A video follows.<br />
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BMW Motorrad introduces dynamic brake light. Achieving an even higher level of safety by improving brake light warning function. ABS Pro incl. dynamic brake light available for six models from model year 2016.</h2>
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<b>3 Jul 2015 Press Release </b><br />
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<b>Munich.</b> Braking and being seen by the traffic behind is of essential importance for motorcycle riders. That is why BMW Motorrad has developed the dynamic brake light as a component of the Strategy “Safety 360°”. It can warn drivers of following vehicles even better about when the motorcycle in front of them is braking.<br />
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This additional brake light function, which is still limited to the EU/ECE area, warns following traffic in two stages when the motorcycle in front brakes hard or makes an emergency braking manoeuvre. Stage one is activated when the motorcycle decelerates from speeds above 50 km/h. In this case the brake light flashes with a frequency of 5 Hz. As the motorcycle approaches standstill (<14 km/h), the hazard warning flashers are also turned on in the second stage. These remain turned on until the motorcycle accelerates again to a minimum speed of 20 km/h.<br />
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ABS Pro incl. dynamic brake light available for six models from model year 2016.</h3>
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The dynamic brake light is available as an option ex works in conjunction with ABS Pro (in conjunction with the option “Ride Modes Pro”) from model year 2016 for the models R 1200 GS, R 1200 GS Adventure and S 1000 XR. The K 1600 GT, GTL and GTL Exclusive luxury tourers will feature this safety feature as standard from model year 2016 - as the ideal supplement to ABS Pro.<br />
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Compared to conventional ABS, ABS Pro goes a step further offering increased safety when braking in bends by allowing ABS-supported braking when banking. Here, ABS Pro prevents the wheels from locking even when the brakes are applied quickly; this reduces abrupt changes in steering force on shock-braking manoeuvres and stops the motorcycle from rearing up unintentionally. The benefits of ABS Pro to the rider are a sensitive response and a high level of brake and ride stability together with the best possible deceleration on bends.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghglDJvvIOpL0UBAjeDcbZWqh3n5w13M0hm7tGPimY2CBMnSsMct-56JP_edT6LL0memh_u6uZpEBRbQoDH7uxEk4g909YjbBnsrTSnqaDrnDOhuW3yZsNUT78Z2paCs971owJycyCM5ne/s1600/P90189553_highRes_bmw-motorrad-dynamic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghglDJvvIOpL0UBAjeDcbZWqh3n5w13M0hm7tGPimY2CBMnSsMct-56JP_edT6LL0memh_u6uZpEBRbQoDH7uxEk4g909YjbBnsrTSnqaDrnDOhuW3yZsNUT78Z2paCs971owJycyCM5ne/s640/P90189553_highRes_bmw-motorrad-dynamic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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See the system in action:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/56WTZThaWt4" width="640"></iframe>Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-72607572386568223742016-04-01T22:49:00.000+01:002016-05-13T23:22:28.677+01:00GS Survival ToolOk this one almost had me going—at least raised my eyebrows. Those Germans and their dry humour...<br />
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BMW Motorrad presents the BMW GS Survival Tool. Ride on where others have long since given up.</h2>
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<b>1 Apr 2016 Press Release </b><br />
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<b>Munich.</b> All motorcyclist adventurers are familiar with the challenges: a slip-up out in the bush causes a technical failure - the bike is out of action, the nearest garage is hundreds of miles away and there’s no phone signal. Normally this would mean that the long-planned motorcycle adventure was over.<br />
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In view of the constantly growing desire for adventure among BMW GS riders, BMW Motorrad assembled a group of experienced GS motorcyclists to look into this issue and has now developed a special new tool for the BMW GS models R 1200 GS and R 1200 GS Adventure which even enables complex repairs and replication of spare parts out in the field: the BMW GS Survival Tool.<br />
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This special device was developed based on a historical precursor used by many mechanics in Bavaria back in the early 20th century: the so-called axe-hammer pliers. Like its classic role model, the BMW GS Survival Tool possesses unique multifunctional qualities: it can be used as an axe, a hammer, a pair of pliers, a knife, a screwdriver and a saw.<br />
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The GS Survival Tool was refined and perfected in the course of numerous endurance tests carried out by BMW engineers in some of the world’s most remote and barren regions. Many a fantastic motorcycling adventure would have been brought to a premature finish had it not been for this multifunctional device.<br />
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The product’s final test came at the 2016 International GS Trophy Southeast Asia from February 26th to March 5th 2016 in Thailand. Here the universal tool demonstrated its capabilities on numerous occasions – though only for hammering in tent pegs and opening bottles and cans using the fully integrated opener. In spite of the very extreme conditions, there was no need for spare parts to be replicated for the motorcycles.<br />
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The BMW GS Survival Tool is forged from high-quality chrome molybdenum steel and mechanically processed. As a weight-saving measure, however, the shaft is made of aluminium and plastic. Alternatively, the BMW GS Survival Tool Pro is available in solid titanium and there is also an extremely handy version made of titanium and carbon fibre - the BMW GS Survival Tool HP. Both variants bear a lasered GS inscription.<br />
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Prices (RRP) including 19% VAT for Germany:<br />
<b>BMW GS Survival Tool:</b> €389.00<br />
<b>BMW GS Survival Tool Pro:</b> €1,479.00<br />
<b>BMW GS Survival Tool HP:</b> €1,699.00<br />
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The price includes the high-quality BMW toolkit service set and a multilingual construction manual for parts made of renewable raw materials.<br />
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Preparations are already underway to make a Survival Tool that is specially adapted to the mid-range enduro models BMW F 800 GS and F 800 GS Adventure.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJW4lZUl2AlRYkE6odnAxaa13FCb3v5AplepuEzR1inRvoVMOlgKhDHsI8l8D4AsgZzAq0rUzEC_FrlU0boJNBqb5SfV1Rxc3xo-KV1axlEiF5OOLNE789JJ38UqPpMaIjBuBuY3MNyvcm/s1600/P90214546_highRes_bmw-gs-survival-tool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJW4lZUl2AlRYkE6odnAxaa13FCb3v5AplepuEzR1inRvoVMOlgKhDHsI8l8D4AsgZzAq0rUzEC_FrlU0boJNBqb5SfV1Rxc3xo-KV1axlEiF5OOLNE789JJ38UqPpMaIjBuBuY3MNyvcm/s640/P90214546_highRes_bmw-gs-survival-tool.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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BMW has had a long tradition for April Fool’s Day press releases and of course this year was no exception. I’m curious how many people actually enquired about such a device!Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-84221334309099940412015-07-30T21:54:00.000+01:002016-05-13T20:30:38.850+01:00Wales... yet again!It seems I can’t get away from Wales this year! When my best mate said he wanted to take a holiday away from the Italian summer heat we both agreed a five-day tour of Wales was just the ticket—two nights in Brecon and and two in Snowdonia in Northern Wales.<br />
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Due to its aluminium panniers, greater payload capacity and more versatile 50/50 tyres, my F800GS was the perfect machine for the job. Fed arrived in the evening on 24 July and by 10:30pm we’d fully packed everything in the bike, ready to set off first thing the next morning—in fact everything fit within the panniers save for pillows and extra blankets (a little luxury goes a long way) which easily fit in my waterproof Overboard bags strapped onto the panniers, and paperwork/electronics in the tank bag. Total weight, including us and our gear came in at 20 kg below the payload capacity of the bike, which meant the bike felt light on its feet, and, more importantly, was safe throughout the trip—an overloaded bike is not a happy bike!<br />
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I’ve previously said pretty much all there is to say about motorbiking in Wales—that is, I absolutely love the beautiful scenery combined with very little traffic—so I will let the photos tell the story.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyV5Xx1l-QLUbbt2TBaYlX5mOx_xwT6SewkOJZCsqRLw9CUt0XciR4SeDPk2h1OkuQ_puoX_danh5hKFLh7nn26B5AhyF9_wwA3_IOP4XpHqGmGrBknIz7dtG6eSPuC9YjgDosF5dIgk8/s1600/IMG_4594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyV5Xx1l-QLUbbt2TBaYlX5mOx_xwT6SewkOJZCsqRLw9CUt0XciR4SeDPk2h1OkuQ_puoX_danh5hKFLh7nn26B5AhyF9_wwA3_IOP4XpHqGmGrBknIz7dtG6eSPuC9YjgDosF5dIgk8/s640/IMG_4594.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Fed relaxes next to a stream in the Brecon Beacons</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi008WkY1GGPY-NV2S0pSYIylHfUcMsVjJ4P6CGHHhnhRF6wK9yB6d2sQg_jxwbU9T-p40czV42N9dhXucnZ5vq0OCQtcElb-_yBAjZuuCeLj1GT3gElpSTIhMH4S2aAQk1GNtPv5VN8qb6/s1600/IMG_4597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi008WkY1GGPY-NV2S0pSYIylHfUcMsVjJ4P6CGHHhnhRF6wK9yB6d2sQg_jxwbU9T-p40czV42N9dhXucnZ5vq0OCQtcElb-_yBAjZuuCeLj1GT3gElpSTIhMH4S2aAQk1GNtPv5VN8qb6/s640/IMG_4597.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Stream in the Breacon Beacons</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bplQFLi5zEAE2cx67J_JIiR-xuH6VJh9k7Qmu9ELsSvuuut931Ued5OqnwhsVxhkKhoMTDEsN-FJhdQvt-_JAXzSdXqHsvsINvPvkDi1sZtKVIfSthcRlBZ4Ty4-Rqwd_jC62lvEvshD/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bplQFLi5zEAE2cx67J_JIiR-xuH6VJh9k7Qmu9ELsSvuuut931Ued5OqnwhsVxhkKhoMTDEsN-FJhdQvt-_JAXzSdXqHsvsINvPvkDi1sZtKVIfSthcRlBZ4Ty4-Rqwd_jC62lvEvshD/s640/IMG_0008.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">On the dales</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWnMjlcs-SQ0FS6WivV8qD2wdRGYKmLKX0ldbviUEnmV2Kk87geS9UD1pVvxRc7zJc7aVllaa2Es0pb4v8C3p4gFDC04D3idD9EC0ePeShpj1jItapScTOIX2AexKs0JOchxthNX-Nt-_/s1600/IMG_4616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWnMjlcs-SQ0FS6WivV8qD2wdRGYKmLKX0ldbviUEnmV2Kk87geS9UD1pVvxRc7zJc7aVllaa2Es0pb4v8C3p4gFDC04D3idD9EC0ePeShpj1jItapScTOIX2AexKs0JOchxthNX-Nt-_/s640/IMG_4616.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Set up and ready for a sleep!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWsf7-1z3LfF93SfYlaPptdXQMHLNVujdOBJS992RMajC7yOuS7VG37rBRahYJpTv4eUV0luEHG6o_DwYq6GRRQQ1-GoyvATJsgKHP0kaHeCpG1PCcAun7RLYouyjIrAZ-4yxRKivP2pb/s1600/IMG_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWsf7-1z3LfF93SfYlaPptdXQMHLNVujdOBJS992RMajC7yOuS7VG37rBRahYJpTv4eUV0luEHG6o_DwYq6GRRQQ1-GoyvATJsgKHP0kaHeCpG1PCcAun7RLYouyjIrAZ-4yxRKivP2pb/s640/IMG_0011.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">Doesn’t look steep... was very steep</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4WJPzkhInjv4TrCPI8Xdc0bWpBzCZ-do-ro5dKpH3TgnJbE31WxGxgt3mEJDdhNGF0P9b0Y6dqMd8GWSXlU021ewZm1FNObqQExL5QCFQD3RLTtDdSOhqBV6Vqjj5Dbe-wM8gWodKmpo/s1600/IMG_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4WJPzkhInjv4TrCPI8Xdc0bWpBzCZ-do-ro5dKpH3TgnJbE31WxGxgt3mEJDdhNGF0P9b0Y6dqMd8GWSXlU021ewZm1FNObqQExL5QCFQD3RLTtDdSOhqBV6Vqjj5Dbe-wM8gWodKmpo/s640/IMG_0077.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">On the way up to L</span><span style="font-size: small;">lyn y Fan Fach—rain wouldn’t stop!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinobEK9RGRAoiFB9fRb-hisS0JaQVUIKmzVWfbu01FhPlbyES40lKnuyUinjtePXKyPCsFo5tgSg2_uSCUmSTXx8jilZds8xTSoOvc-nljN_i64BL1HbBt0SDN1E8ytTuJB5YOpgC4qPPe/s1600/IMG_4662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinobEK9RGRAoiFB9fRb-hisS0JaQVUIKmzVWfbu01FhPlbyES40lKnuyUinjtePXKyPCsFo5tgSg2_uSCUmSTXx8jilZds8xTSoOvc-nljN_i64BL1HbBt0SDN1E8ytTuJB5YOpgC4qPPe/s640/IMG_4662.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View from Dinefwr Castle</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioY7kXkkISKxE3Rv6Ua8cNZtDYbCf76syKOPs8x1OjJ5cBLD7AGSuuOLlzHpkhjpDqsurR8spyStsZxXugFcClgDDqM0Z-dsCCnsDZ-NCuiMb7jpn4eRYuPJhc4y_gv1m64W1L5woX9a-H/s1600/IMG_4663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioY7kXkkISKxE3Rv6Ua8cNZtDYbCf76syKOPs8x1OjJ5cBLD7AGSuuOLlzHpkhjpDqsurR8spyStsZxXugFcClgDDqM0Z-dsCCnsDZ-NCuiMb7jpn4eRYuPJhc4y_gv1m64W1L5woX9a-H/s640/IMG_4663.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dinefwr Castle</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTuWCiVDiM72Y8WT_0SeVZz_4Y_ty7LqUPVo-_GkxestNHw-gblAGMLm6jNzc1GaUUKoPnGbZN5UjwdrAgQe2w336Hjycs9hGySFvZNfjEMVU6tobX0oPFIbHNTWCwHMwH8ukZVuJ-oWa/s1600/IMG_4666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTuWCiVDiM72Y8WT_0SeVZz_4Y_ty7LqUPVo-_GkxestNHw-gblAGMLm6jNzc1GaUUKoPnGbZN5UjwdrAgQe2w336Hjycs9hGySFvZNfjEMVU6tobX0oPFIbHNTWCwHMwH8ukZVuJ-oWa/s640/IMG_4666.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dinefwr Castle</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3Ei2wphaPGCEI1O671Gdl0A9KFWKRg5FaigBEhjw5ZCRjo4tgo3HsdpoFEEShXxHfqycv6omg-8xvZ-GLcRCU_gSB3RZfGPXdQovHOfPLhWUP-lZ61mMBh33t4iiwsP2oPMMgfAyX1GS/s1600/IMG_0168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3Ei2wphaPGCEI1O671Gdl0A9KFWKRg5FaigBEhjw5ZCRjo4tgo3HsdpoFEEShXxHfqycv6omg-8xvZ-GLcRCU_gSB3RZfGPXdQovHOfPLhWUP-lZ61mMBh33t4iiwsP2oPMMgfAyX1GS/s640/IMG_0168.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Morning coffee</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-ym1aMX4dfWrULUIwlXLDGpmGbTj9mtHJrSwok433SGQ0EToFXiPO2hoxvu0JeNDs2ZWnSXPoHjeolOOCxpQx61f2JqnPovecgMMsKn_Z1xuJtx7lxmvSFVFtJSWrc8ACv3AiCI9A343/s1600/IMG_0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-ym1aMX4dfWrULUIwlXLDGpmGbTj9mtHJrSwok433SGQ0EToFXiPO2hoxvu0JeNDs2ZWnSXPoHjeolOOCxpQx61f2JqnPovecgMMsKn_Z1xuJtx7lxmvSFVFtJSWrc8ACv3AiCI9A343/s640/IMG_0034.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ready to set off to Snowdonia!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5lU7yAy1sBjLuN4k_rsoW7ILb-R9Rd9oW06eWeoaTrXzv1kDZCeviDwT1o6eZRW-ZvOBmWCXbbuWqzgOSe_MPARMPOtiUjC2IEy13yLxeb6QufcN0EdSO4X0_znUcslgBUtGfJo45Xrv/s1600/IMG_0156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5lU7yAy1sBjLuN4k_rsoW7ILb-R9Rd9oW06eWeoaTrXzv1kDZCeviDwT1o6eZRW-ZvOBmWCXbbuWqzgOSe_MPARMPOtiUjC2IEy13yLxeb6QufcN0EdSO4X0_znUcslgBUtGfJo45Xrv/s640/IMG_0156.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stream near </span><span style="font-size: small;">Nantmor</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFf8n0xqbFD4n0B1-sVygi3QGBWY2cwrXPm1O3-6qMF499NOs-pCoHkc57WZYaGOWZJjL8uTTLDlSGd1GgiM91XBiV-BqBzn7DYjXe9Dyb4BqV7kHV60kXyYS5jf0__8xN80WHsGuOnhd/s1600/IMG_0157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFf8n0xqbFD4n0B1-sVygi3QGBWY2cwrXPm1O3-6qMF499NOs-pCoHkc57WZYaGOWZJjL8uTTLDlSGd1GgiM91XBiV-BqBzn7DYjXe9Dyb4BqV7kHV60kXyYS5jf0__8xN80WHsGuOnhd/s640/IMG_0157.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stream near </span><span style="font-size: small;">Nantmor</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMEN7IcOMWqwr3iq7rlXSaCdCA_vKgRULG4DVNibkh-YNTOxJBSviimOu33YEnIdN1GNfYK59Tm0pAD_YAvTLxkhfUWkcaeCS7ZvEln8YYEdMcHfFuSPFy0IGidQsRrMrSAGVu8prSLrQ/s1600/IMG_0158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMEN7IcOMWqwr3iq7rlXSaCdCA_vKgRULG4DVNibkh-YNTOxJBSviimOu33YEnIdN1GNfYK59Tm0pAD_YAvTLxkhfUWkcaeCS7ZvEln8YYEdMcHfFuSPFy0IGidQsRrMrSAGVu8prSLrQ/s640/IMG_0158.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">B&B near Nantmor</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtLvHmvPpifHnRJim8BANAZAn3R5qLAHGFxOVZi29GX2OEixxRaLVLkbzgmB-5MLsahZaLtc5Z-5_rlhyzR8jVJ3sKf84jwhsnYL4THVGu1-0L9KPTLEKo8M3avLT76Vv24Z7tJtwcW29/s1600/IMG_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtLvHmvPpifHnRJim8BANAZAn3R5qLAHGFxOVZi29GX2OEixxRaLVLkbzgmB-5MLsahZaLtc5Z-5_rlhyzR8jVJ3sKf84jwhsnYL4THVGu1-0L9KPTLEKo8M3avLT76Vv24Z7tJtwcW29/s640/IMG_0026.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Snowdon Base Camp</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2NKqXkXrMz-6rdc6ktd9h0PCJUF-PbI39TCsbSVh87lXZBbItTzJaEKKjsj9HPYRCMY4JxH4bFLg3hnBQCCRa2oYrd_YMiCgCcy46k1eLSgfpYhySEpVMu1IzxkOOwUz-A7JnXES2jMM/s1600/IMG_0164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2NKqXkXrMz-6rdc6ktd9h0PCJUF-PbI39TCsbSVh87lXZBbItTzJaEKKjsj9HPYRCMY4JxH4bFLg3hnBQCCRa2oYrd_YMiCgCcy46k1eLSgfpYhySEpVMu1IzxkOOwUz-A7JnXES2jMM/s640/IMG_0164.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dock overlooking Llyn </span><span style="font-size: small;">Cwellyn</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpOyiTlQSafz-N1O7Hy3b-rOK5VEvnlaU9bDgakMwbepLd0fY5TMFTWV4Ah7nvZ5fjGZR2xrQQJ96abYHqgs4U0zBnTeCjhMTBGGB_J7yO67BSsrmR_jLBZt5wtwu_2crgxR4y7j56prZ/s1600/IMG_0165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpOyiTlQSafz-N1O7Hy3b-rOK5VEvnlaU9bDgakMwbepLd0fY5TMFTWV4Ah7nvZ5fjGZR2xrQQJ96abYHqgs4U0zBnTeCjhMTBGGB_J7yO67BSsrmR_jLBZt5wtwu_2crgxR4y7j56prZ/s640/IMG_0165.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">All set up at Snowdon Base Camp</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZ6xsFDQ3NEoFlswnU-GkC28rPYUYlq6O-pclrlsgMjCzF9r7fGzN5BAbHHwIXsCQMMCu2jHOrkUKuuB8S5LHJ2CWdMstNhyphenhyphen3ekyfLCLJdnA0H6ocnHR2DmvbS9GXEMCGFLgSaLzNyOL6/s1600/IMG_0166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZ6xsFDQ3NEoFlswnU-GkC28rPYUYlq6O-pclrlsgMjCzF9r7fGzN5BAbHHwIXsCQMMCu2jHOrkUKuuB8S5LHJ2CWdMstNhyphenhyphen3ekyfLCLJdnA0H6ocnHR2DmvbS9GXEMCGFLgSaLzNyOL6/s640/IMG_0166.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More grey skies but the F800GS is ready as always</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1sCzw_hVciJvllh9uMowTRvY_gVZo4vwu83k9T6Vzh7CXZIaG1BcCGo6Gm_neitTNKneDnfFEXdHy9D6K-RTNc-UnBCGGASMaUh3bIDqXp11HkI-BIb2Kgd_Du0HdrBuJ4MTQflQdKF9/s1600/IMG_4680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1sCzw_hVciJvllh9uMowTRvY_gVZo4vwu83k9T6Vzh7CXZIaG1BcCGo6Gm_neitTNKneDnfFEXdHy9D6K-RTNc-UnBCGGASMaUh3bIDqXp11HkI-BIb2Kgd_Du0HdrBuJ4MTQflQdKF9/s640/IMG_4680.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pub dinner at the </span><span style="font-size: small;">Cwellyn Arms—leg of lamb, so delicious!</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqASZORGj8M2C0B8Qw5Dhz-lYD02_BM7J-GFRCk60fMDedUVJzOx02s-dm9WAzBuONaIjMF1XEo3jXPm2Pto_fQ3Ls1P4qDsgEV1DoPF_6vtsNCoMEjf6zg2DHOcWMz1nfjCb1yHXaLUnA/s1600/IMG_4681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqASZORGj8M2C0B8Qw5Dhz-lYD02_BM7J-GFRCk60fMDedUVJzOx02s-dm9WAzBuONaIjMF1XEo3jXPm2Pto_fQ3Ls1P4qDsgEV1DoPF_6vtsNCoMEjf6zg2DHOcWMz1nfjCb1yHXaLUnA/s640/IMG_4681.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fed’s dinner at the Cwellyn Arms—pork belly with red cabbage</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhKkckBbNu9zmMYcs0SE_3JTMF9GYxDKwnfwzYzrHVrVqnlubNGNqXTR8V4xm8ELH93zieWcim7-hFE6WbBIL84QOGMnoXbQTPLThbtplw1TXYpxbpU6eCICrASD0-92jqV2Yyx1sqvj2/s1600/IMG_4684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhKkckBbNu9zmMYcs0SE_3JTMF9GYxDKwnfwzYzrHVrVqnlubNGNqXTR8V4xm8ELH93zieWcim7-hFE6WbBIL84QOGMnoXbQTPLThbtplw1TXYpxbpU6eCICrASD0-92jqV2Yyx1sqvj2/s640/IMG_4684.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Holy Trinity Church, Penrhyndeudraeth</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyHkg9BZTta65lmQKECRs7Awl2pSGhjCazyVde0WA_clWUVCRROugnTxQ-RuqYgoQBNPddIE1uvCgvMtNDw4vSCCamHS4htHMqr4n6ucVFlHf2wbivG2aBOkfDyFMXSsNi19ltN8GTjrN/s1600/IMG_0171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyHkg9BZTta65lmQKECRs7Awl2pSGhjCazyVde0WA_clWUVCRROugnTxQ-RuqYgoQBNPddIE1uvCgvMtNDw4vSCCamHS4htHMqr4n6ucVFlHf2wbivG2aBOkfDyFMXSsNi19ltN8GTjrN/s640/IMG_0171.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Holy Trinity Church, Penrhyndeudraeth</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CskLD7mVtAVobQzQepMo_wYja2PPtR9LldzWWv3RCvIRz3wdb5mXBsM7jYGfMPqsjf2vR9uXq7nCKBkEZZzfkWymIhncG9TNUPTunRe_ZmPV4DsHjFnPvsx70Ui1b17JMQG5-gTpcamD/s1600/IMG_0173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CskLD7mVtAVobQzQepMo_wYja2PPtR9LldzWWv3RCvIRz3wdb5mXBsM7jYGfMPqsjf2vR9uXq7nCKBkEZZzfkWymIhncG9TNUPTunRe_ZmPV4DsHjFnPvsx70Ui1b17JMQG5-gTpcamD/s640/IMG_0173.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View from restaurant in Harlech</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv5I2dMigNXjUaJBg11JGVJS4j7y10c7CQ3NZnUix43jLwPiEiQpCLkCDX0yyFOxUAiSI3O_w08-H6JKq_TaOFlqkWNSXCTRoyg4QShOPe_XJoaZ8-Lhzljh9N_ViB9s6kEdu0eQYcGya/s1600/IMG_4688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv5I2dMigNXjUaJBg11JGVJS4j7y10c7CQ3NZnUix43jLwPiEiQpCLkCDX0yyFOxUAiSI3O_w08-H6JKq_TaOFlqkWNSXCTRoyg4QShOPe_XJoaZ8-Lhzljh9N_ViB9s6kEdu0eQYcGya/s640/IMG_4688.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Beach near Llandanwg</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EWDXdGbDmB8J8g-YKuy4UNuz_f6rCFJlQtrTp6OzHj9nt8aNwi2VsaPNm8KHyuuStqo7ULoOl6ZQ4y-NQvDjNkbsYXHN8BKli1F9Lmnl5gzk1Q7i7v6Ku1FA7mJFE9iroilfba7LTAm1/s1600/IMG_0134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EWDXdGbDmB8J8g-YKuy4UNuz_f6rCFJlQtrTp6OzHj9nt8aNwi2VsaPNm8KHyuuStqo7ULoOl6ZQ4y-NQvDjNkbsYXHN8BKli1F9Lmnl5gzk1Q7i7v6Ku1FA7mJFE9iroilfba7LTAm1/s640/IMG_0134.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Road towards Nantlle</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIzzQo05L-42we8vQNGtQUysjPf0_xaksQyYZvCGDVkla1gmpLNzTOLSEj7gkRnqwpQrofba1s9rQ4FH4WHdJJNNRqCeKxnzY9nM3Kky4iap3CJ9uBmVTEcCxpURyjZ8W3_IcShNtfZby/s1600/IMG_4716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIzzQo05L-42we8vQNGtQUysjPf0_xaksQyYZvCGDVkla1gmpLNzTOLSEj7gkRnqwpQrofba1s9rQ4FH4WHdJJNNRqCeKxnzY9nM3Kky4iap3CJ9uBmVTEcCxpURyjZ8W3_IcShNtfZby/s640/IMG_4716.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Rail Station—<a href="https://a.tumblr.com/tumblr_nuj7m4Xb8M1rqxe6lo1.mp3" target="_blank">and this is me saying it</a>...</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBm30QnPdmwJfZd__LK69dHwIBrK_JFUEI0J-VGrqYTFFkdfZvsck3pv0dDVyAnCuwhJlvwxChpfep5PP5JUhfU-E4NnAJhIezc1vKHJ1mm12zn_egbjjZX-IZbrKLusquKUwgi0DJJa7I/s1600/IMG_0187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBm30QnPdmwJfZd__LK69dHwIBrK_JFUEI0J-VGrqYTFFkdfZvsck3pv0dDVyAnCuwhJlvwxChpfep5PP5JUhfU-E4NnAJhIezc1vKHJ1mm12zn_egbjjZX-IZbrKLusquKUwgi0DJJa7I/s640/IMG_0187.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally some sun at Snowdon Base Camp!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTE5_JCOrDYPhHXziN9yjE8zR0GSAvZVvS-6V7DC5wIyYthpB49s1O3B9zcDL1VCDyJ3LbXL2n8sy_X1cKFtxyBoYCIQeSoOlUNyIyOfG9fbd9KmVlJ831jvRymHhPhcfp5wnArvuwwl1q/s1600/IMG_0190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTE5_JCOrDYPhHXziN9yjE8zR0GSAvZVvS-6V7DC5wIyYthpB49s1O3B9zcDL1VCDyJ3LbXL2n8sy_X1cKFtxyBoYCIQeSoOlUNyIyOfG9fbd9KmVlJ831jvRymHhPhcfp5wnArvuwwl1q/s640/IMG_0190.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Preparing potato and leek soup</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixu3ldXRviG1bB05qFL_NY2vYwr5MIPMTR-y9B17htUobyoIWG8Gbyd5Ju-8kfLT6xbRYOz4R4KLNMhbpHi8J3VqVZQC_q-RWibIOPkkCt7JhllnD9l5LwoEYNe6XeZRLj_ZFwK3TPhdFd/s1600/IMG_0201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixu3ldXRviG1bB05qFL_NY2vYwr5MIPMTR-y9B17htUobyoIWG8Gbyd5Ju-8kfLT6xbRYOz4R4KLNMhbpHi8J3VqVZQC_q-RWibIOPkkCt7JhllnD9l5LwoEYNe6XeZRLj_ZFwK3TPhdFd/s640/IMG_0201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Llyn Cwellyn at sunset</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHNWW_rRHLdpOeteLF3nzQdzEuhwQIA-NvmNwhehpYuwwcmQQKoZOGGvCxO3FyqFG3WZK5ljhJF49fIfPwFC1ukWDOIlePWUqEeqD-p2m6HqPySlnNZRzPxKWWdyVgGvFKOue_XDUQEh0/s1600/IMG_4761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHNWW_rRHLdpOeteLF3nzQdzEuhwQIA-NvmNwhehpYuwwcmQQKoZOGGvCxO3FyqFG3WZK5ljhJF49fIfPwFC1ukWDOIlePWUqEeqD-p2m6HqPySlnNZRzPxKWWdyVgGvFKOue_XDUQEh0/s640/IMG_4761.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Llyn Cwellyn at sunset</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucJOIqwFPu4nW-CzsJib_dAH3PUZEZ8pCVbFkcS_zboY5Cy6yhEOCue1LWRRCFMP5zUFLysTlXZsqxycQAKkw7bqICPviV1QhyphenhyphenYR3ClkOJC4HRpUIGLO-hDW8M5luFUB5VbtKWGnTX74S/s1600/IMG_0207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucJOIqwFPu4nW-CzsJib_dAH3PUZEZ8pCVbFkcS_zboY5Cy6yhEOCue1LWRRCFMP5zUFLysTlXZsqxycQAKkw7bqICPviV1QhyphenhyphenYR3ClkOJC4HRpUIGLO-hDW8M5luFUB5VbtKWGnTX74S/s640/IMG_0207.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A4086 towards Capel Curig—the mountains won’t shame the<br />Rockies but these are among the largest in the UK</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One last stop at the Land Rover factory in Solihull </span><span style="font-size: small;">on the way home</span></td></tr>
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Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-89687990471083124572015-06-28T23:34:00.000+01:002016-05-13T22:07:19.655+01:00Wales and Scotland 2015—Part 2: ScotlandWe arrived in Hawick (pronounced ‘hoik’ for the uninitiated) around 6pm that night and managed to find our friends’ ‘unfindable’ home without so much as a phone call. Their neighbour’s cottage was vacant and they had kindly arranged for us to stay in it during our visit.<br />
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After a quick shower, we went in their car to nearby town Denholm to get some take-away fish and chips which filled the void nicely. After a bit of catching up we turned in for the night for some much needed sleep.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">The beautiful, cozy stone cottage—even in late June the nights are cold in Scotland.</span></td></tr>
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We took a long walk around the area with our hosts and while the skies were grey, we managed to escape the threat of rain, enjoying the hidden footpaths running through the greenery.<br />
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We came across the hidden ruins of a castle, buried deep within the woods and not accessible by vehicle—even a small dirt bike would struggle with felled trees blocking the path in many places, let alone a GS or anything on four wheels. And this is how the local people like it—they do not want heavy machinery brought in to restore the castle, and as it is entirely surrounded by private land with no access rights, the castle will likely stay as it is for many, many years to come.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">A Series 2 Land Rover used for work, not school runs.</span></td></tr>
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On our second day we headed off with our hosts to the Scottish Borders Brewery to go on a self-guided tour. Attached was a tourist shop offering local bits and 4x4 adventure experience events, a food shop with specialties from the area including the infamous Scottish tablet—a confectionary of sugar and cream so rich it makes the teeth hurt—and a restaurant serving traditional Scottish fare.<br />
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We drove back and were greeted by Poppy, the neighbourhood stray who loves everyone, lives in a shed and eats what people put out for her. She is an old girl who’s not too quick on her feet anymore but lives very happily and independently.</div>
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That evening we were invited for dinner with neighbours living in a converted church—a crypt remains untouched and sealed off within the building, visible through a glass panel, and the yard contains the original graveyard. What an amazing home!<br />
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On our last day we toured the area and rode around Kielder Forest Park, just over the English border. A gravel toll road runs through the middle of the park—the toll machine was not functioning but we could fit past the gate, and so still had the opportunity to enjoy the endless views of the dales and the overwhelmingly green wooded areas.</div>
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As with Wales, the roads in this area have very little traffic—most of them are quite technical, narrowly twisting through the landscape, but there are a few with long, sweeping curves. There is a blanket 60 mph speed limit which basically means you can go as fast as you could ever want, since the roads themselves limit the speed you can actually travel. Much of the time 40 mph feels fast enough!</div>
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After a good day out we retired for the night, ready for the slog home early the next morning via a mix of A/B roads and motorways. After saying goodbye to our wonderful hosts, the journey was relatively uneventful—but of note was the rise in temperature from 5°C in the Scottish Borders to 32°C back in London. Compounding this was the fact we entered London during the peak of late afternoon traffic, and spend an hour and a half travelling the last 10 miles—the bike doesn’t squeeze through traffic quite as efficiently with the panniers fully extended…</div>
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I am looking forward to exploring more of Scotland—our time there was limited to the Scottish Borders and next time I intend to explore the Highlands. Maybe in 2016!</div>
Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-67996984055060111852015-06-28T23:17:00.000+01:002016-05-13T22:05:53.320+01:00Wales and Scotland 2015—Part 1: WalesThis year my main trip by motorbike was a week through Wales and Scotland. Never one to pass up an adventure, Zev once again joined me, observing the world from the pillion seat of my R1200GS.<br />
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<h4>
Part 1: Wales</h4>
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The trip started out somewhat wet, ploughing along the soulless M4 motorway from London to Wales. We left late, around noontime and by mid afternoon the skies started to clear up, sun peeking out among the clouds.<br />
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Exiting the motorway just past Cardiff we headed to the Brecon Beacons for a ride through on our way towards northern Wales. These roads are beautiful and fast—the speed limits realistic and the traffic exceptionally light. Wales has gone to the top of my list of best countries for motorbiking.<br />
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The rolling hills of the Brecon Beacons never get boring—the narrow roads alternate from rolly-polly humps (which have the bike airborne at less speed than you’d expect) to twisty blind corners requiring a wish and a prayer that nothing else, human, sheep or mechanical, is occupying any of the space within a given trajectory.<br />
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The dales are stunning in a way which cannot be captured by the camera—endless expanses of open scenery, interrupted only by the odd hill in the distance. To be there is absolutely breathtaking.<br />
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Stopping just past a cattle gate we walked around to get the blood circulating—no cows to be seen, but sheep in every field (and occasionally on the road).<br />
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Past the Brecon Beacons and deeper into Wales we stopped at this hillside pullout for a short break. A man came along who had been walking his dog in the forest and was very pleased that we’d come to visit from London—before he left he got a packet of biscuits from his car to keep us going on our journey. The Welsh are friendly, delightful people.<br />
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Another stop in the late afternoon. The clouds in the distance looked ominous but amounted to nothing. The light was amazing—almost golden in colour and enhancing the thousands of shades of green all around. It was almost surrealistic.<br />
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We were getting tired and found a bed and breakfast hotel nearby through a booking app on my phone. What would we do without technology? I remember, as a child, when travelling through Europe with my parents we would take our chances for vacancies as we came across hotels, sometimes going to two or three before finding something suitable—this can still be done of course, but it’s just so much more convenient when tired to book a place and go straight there.<br />
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We checked in at the Dolanog B&B where our hosts Sue and John had us in our room with a cup of tea each in no time. They recommended the restaurant at the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa about six miles away, so we freshened up and headed out.<br />
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On our way to the restaurant we stopped at the Lake Vyrnwy Dam—the sun was low in the sky and made the dam glow. It is a Victorian dam built of stone in the late 1800s, the first of its type in the world.<br />
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While at the restaurant we had a view of the sunset over Lake Vyrwy while enjoying Welsh cawl (broth with lamb and vegetables) and salmon fishcakes. We snaked our way back to the B&B through the narrow lanes in the dark and retired for the night.<br />
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The next morning we stopped at the Colinette Yarns shop in nearby Powys to pick up some yarn as a thank you gift for our friends in Scotland with whom we were going to be staying.<br />
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We continued through Wales and re-entered England for a quick loop through the Lake District. Unfortunately, while it was beautiful, it was also backed up with traffic and absolutely rammed with tourists, spoiling a potentially amazing place to ride—indeed I was feeling so grumpy I didn’t even take any pictures.<br />
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We decided not to go deeper and so set the GPS to take us to Hawick in the Scottish Borders, only 60 miles away.<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.gelandestrasse.co.uk/2015/06/wales-and-scotland-2015part-2-scotland.html">Go to part 2</a></li>
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Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-34513523403432473262015-06-17T16:13:00.000+01:002016-05-12T20:32:07.447+01:00Spring weekend in Italy<h4>
Day 1</h4>
I set off with Zev for a short weekend away to visit my best friend Fed (<a href="http://www.gelandestrasse.co.uk/2015/04/a-vicarious-first-look-2015-fiat-panda.html">of Panda 4x4 review fame</a>) who lives near Milan, Italy. Catching the 5:09 train (by the skin of our teeth) we went to Gatwick Airport, and less than four hours later we emerged from Malpensa Airport into the golden glow of Italian sun and 30° humid weather, welcomed by Fed.<br />
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We spent the day touring northern Piedmont at the foothills of the Alps—one of the first stops was the beautiful town of Varallo, with its narrow, winding roads and nearly devoid of tourists.<br />
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That evening we had a delicious dinner with Fed’s family and an early night.<br />
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<h4>
Day 2</h4>
The next morning we took Fed’s Land Rover Defender through the rice fields of Novara province, where most of the world’s risotto rice is grown before heading along some tracks into the forest.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFijJ-X9zuXn1KDJ7ROK1UImKhpBb3PVJ8Zn3ha94eEVrnMtGHTEBuYgMqDzJKwzFctWGqg3x-amm9n5sRAQ6L9L5mTDMDvhBWYtJjYJ6JcEkal9aCqycWO7fAk2mL0ME_C-KGUE4OvUpS/s1600/DSC_9501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFijJ-X9zuXn1KDJ7ROK1UImKhpBb3PVJ8Zn3ha94eEVrnMtGHTEBuYgMqDzJKwzFctWGqg3x-amm9n5sRAQ6L9L5mTDMDvhBWYtJjYJ6JcEkal9aCqycWO7fAk2mL0ME_C-KGUE4OvUpS/s640/DSC_9501.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Rice field</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYq5YZ5iE_a7kqLwysX-B7Z7VTsP5aLbHi14JpKCyPtP0Wj35SvJmSuLUHpKArcWBppurE85IjTEp0Pl2Ddzvi7ogqt6ckBC6xNcvZg6BGYTzj-rpMRoT9app7FhEASyRFIxyswJKNXIy2/s1600/DSC_9531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYq5YZ5iE_a7kqLwysX-B7Z7VTsP5aLbHi14JpKCyPtP0Wj35SvJmSuLUHpKArcWBppurE85IjTEp0Pl2Ddzvi7ogqt6ckBC6xNcvZg6BGYTzj-rpMRoT9app7FhEASyRFIxyswJKNXIy2/s640/DSC_9531.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Zev observes the river</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwZvMHyxc3nySB_NJbQKkHf5AuRdahPeLGzS_cqiljuiX-xWcjzwsJgKFr84M1hhOtWG2EltHgREXMQXOwzpEPf3qQXwD5oBNTktxbgobb7l72LgLuld2YiepWm6I0bN3uKHZTMfM9GW3/s1600/IMG_2877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwZvMHyxc3nySB_NJbQKkHf5AuRdahPeLGzS_cqiljuiX-xWcjzwsJgKFr84M1hhOtWG2EltHgREXMQXOwzpEPf3qQXwD5oBNTktxbgobb7l72LgLuld2YiepWm6I0bN3uKHZTMfM9GW3/s400/IMG_2877.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqHjt5Fk-A8TsBqeVDHk0t9Q3AThS3SWhh5am-Xb72OoNagRAWohxDUqi1PeXovFJhlRFIeTEhDdv5msmsnph4Kld5zcxsUg2qtVj-0GzdXmGHtJtRxe0NIxrJN6ZA3eZ73RS6QuysHcV/s1600/DSC_9552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqHjt5Fk-A8TsBqeVDHk0t9Q3AThS3SWhh5am-Xb72OoNagRAWohxDUqi1PeXovFJhlRFIeTEhDdv5msmsnph4Kld5zcxsUg2qtVj-0GzdXmGHtJtRxe0NIxrJN6ZA3eZ73RS6QuysHcV/s640/DSC_9552.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Zev finds a stick</span></td></tr>
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Back on the main road we drove to Lake Orta and had a look around Orta San Giulio and Omegna with a last stop at Santuario della Madonna del Sasso, a beautiful church overlooking Lake Orta.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMD5II2bnY9noqKHmaDoQzr0wz8Zjzp99JD0vgXrtx6mwPXxwIGGGogvi938cg8qTQRLqpA_wJg8KrEfOIj8aS58zaYUQHhlJVCbaXmoZCBKQuVe-n0f4LdzM6UOd7_w7h_jkrRs-xo0XS/s1600/DSC_9559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMD5II2bnY9noqKHmaDoQzr0wz8Zjzp99JD0vgXrtx6mwPXxwIGGGogvi938cg8qTQRLqpA_wJg8KrEfOIj8aS58zaYUQHhlJVCbaXmoZCBKQuVe-n0f4LdzM6UOd7_w7h_jkrRs-xo0XS/s640/DSC_9559.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Orta San Giulio</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sujffWGoWwXTM3layJ5cVSqJwmnCWOrQd_tOWxXWcHDDoEP2Fn_EoZTubSi3U6RJF_mOahfVdHnMsVIG3Z16QKnZsQzgnMj0E4WZl6nsTCMeuBVX7DppEMp-384f1Bu91dytXvC-TtXf/s1600/DSC_9560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sujffWGoWwXTM3layJ5cVSqJwmnCWOrQd_tOWxXWcHDDoEP2Fn_EoZTubSi3U6RJF_mOahfVdHnMsVIG3Z16QKnZsQzgnMj0E4WZl6nsTCMeuBVX7DppEMp-384f1Bu91dytXvC-TtXf/s640/DSC_9560.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Isola San Giulio</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR161Ew5TzGpieZwZkx_uVaxl1pMaJg_KoapE8KABgFxIsjn2cn9TJH68bFjYjOz3SsEROJ3dJ8EA1JP8vFhu7KSArgWsk3Acb_qnMzcT78Dn9Pfy_ij6RSzQUcpRLqjLFyWYUmXt03xJ/s1600/DSC_9582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR161Ew5TzGpieZwZkx_uVaxl1pMaJg_KoapE8KABgFxIsjn2cn9TJH68bFjYjOz3SsEROJ3dJ8EA1JP8vFhu7KSArgWsk3Acb_qnMzcT78Dn9Pfy_ij6RSzQUcpRLqjLFyWYUmXt03xJ/s640/DSC_9582.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Dock on Lake Orta</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VVcjz1l9SEtWn3CniGuDmzubpJELH1E6x86gomKYhiEZuTrZ7RciTkXUY-EU68qktFomVhHlGBm-ZCwr-nZPg3tP7CcRAJt4xX7c5jOTm_LNMkFpc96Gdrnpx26QqZM6U1wiJGxi-KHt/s1600/DSC_9624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VVcjz1l9SEtWn3CniGuDmzubpJELH1E6x86gomKYhiEZuTrZ7RciTkXUY-EU68qktFomVhHlGBm-ZCwr-nZPg3tP7CcRAJt4xX7c5jOTm_LNMkFpc96Gdrnpx26QqZM6U1wiJGxi-KHt/s640/DSC_9624.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Fed contemplates the next move</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmC3Y2-CheRW8V8uHGSv2L_RA5-2p1aYxhkVL5fh7e7uT9n4dFZNFBMnxGzrYG0gbNi8dNGZUIoSB9ZMy7vilzAfF24TGrYhuVpjJ23JPAhYtwx26A3GDiaqVT-UYv9sNxvFIplMOu-b5/s1600/DSC_9659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmC3Y2-CheRW8V8uHGSv2L_RA5-2p1aYxhkVL5fh7e7uT9n4dFZNFBMnxGzrYG0gbNi8dNGZUIoSB9ZMy7vilzAfF24TGrYhuVpjJ23JPAhYtwx26A3GDiaqVT-UYv9sNxvFIplMOu-b5/s640/DSC_9659.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Zev offers a drink</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRh42OLPBWBxeiqfWdFnrDEIda-LJaddJ5r596fMvqpgbzHsrzoZq6BUHZnuc4SCYGRLJhyphenhyphenHprGRjLbA4vb2SsKz5LunsurEvaeGCNw5coDvXDy1CJ8MLHKk4hqF21RJOPh4xihR63s1I/s1600/IMG_2886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRh42OLPBWBxeiqfWdFnrDEIda-LJaddJ5r596fMvqpgbzHsrzoZq6BUHZnuc4SCYGRLJhyphenhyphenHprGRjLbA4vb2SsKz5LunsurEvaeGCNw5coDvXDy1CJ8MLHKk4hqF21RJOPh4xihR63s1I/s640/IMG_2886.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Omegna</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUL1juj6Sbd0PAXlwSkFiYbRRGL1z5Wrcb_6tKdNblN3JGOd40bR9-pnJf54XJC2Y-nubjQsnu_DTTbysr70CdT-SKre35py5gK7kcWlRW4WqhsJOSIGENIZge37EpRFU0HG6hAA5TNn4/s1600/DSC_9666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUL1juj6Sbd0PAXlwSkFiYbRRGL1z5Wrcb_6tKdNblN3JGOd40bR9-pnJf54XJC2Y-nubjQsnu_DTTbysr70CdT-SKre35py5gK7kcWlRW4WqhsJOSIGENIZge37EpRFU0HG6hAA5TNn4/s640/DSC_9666.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">View of Lake Orta from Santuario della Madonna del Sasso</span></td></tr>
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That evening we had a look around the jazz festival in Novara and went for drinks and a bite to eat.<br />
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<h4>
Day 3</h4>
We drove to Milan to have a look around Corso Como and Piazza del Duomo—and of course a wander around Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, reportedly the oldest shopping wall in the world. For lunch we went to Eataly, a high end Italian market and restaurant. The trip was cut a little short when the skies opened, monsoon style.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiBil32b3AxjRxhxdW8pzvq5zfZ5hm9NKjWyY8dRWCkW4XqZxAHBztA6pQ1DA6RpzkwwdD48LHuO6ZVlHQtaTJ913lj9I76atYlonLTDgAQ02ZRyvQH4VEgy6eIHbdJQ-_FbfYDAU8gKg/s1600/DSC_9709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiBil32b3AxjRxhxdW8pzvq5zfZ5hm9NKjWyY8dRWCkW4XqZxAHBztA6pQ1DA6RpzkwwdD48LHuO6ZVlHQtaTJ913lj9I76atYlonLTDgAQ02ZRyvQH4VEgy6eIHbdJQ-_FbfYDAU8gKg/s640/DSC_9709.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Piazza Gae Aulenti</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGSF-az1gHOxA6bQW16BtDIaZbRtUrfarpyqIOSAJrMXpopppvo4e1WYLEdVvyh4L5_t7euy2CNw4ziwtYjRFEk3qY4vr4U6cn_r8aRqj1AjWt6oFguzdOagQEgI9NsMiMPiH3Jq2nuTb/s1600/IMG_2919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGSF-az1gHOxA6bQW16BtDIaZbRtUrfarpyqIOSAJrMXpopppvo4e1WYLEdVvyh4L5_t7euy2CNw4ziwtYjRFEk3qY4vr4U6cn_r8aRqj1AjWt6oFguzdOagQEgI9NsMiMPiH3Jq2nuTb/s640/IMG_2919.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">10 Corso Como—a high end boutique department store</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsp9nTOknaw1T8oRkwruRG_iVFtS8uE86cCJ_wAqf9SnddDEymWXg8Bf2F8xWFqiCU7Lb4X4j5ULAqsAxwkVVZWbMFhjSNN09B_qUO-GmDuDaKBcByP4jDWMEZVk5anamU-3SBmB0Gp7As/s1600/IMG_2928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsp9nTOknaw1T8oRkwruRG_iVFtS8uE86cCJ_wAqf9SnddDEymWXg8Bf2F8xWFqiCU7Lb4X4j5ULAqsAxwkVVZWbMFhjSNN09B_qUO-GmDuDaKBcByP4jDWMEZVk5anamU-3SBmB0Gp7As/s640/IMG_2928.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Inside courtyard of 10 Corso Como</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhw2cVyD21q9S7Eu_KCXyqYISpYQab-f8FmieZzUh6Nqw8v1Yl6WZlMZSTCkxSExcViSDe4cPuQTwD9T5HrwnBscMmvSYpr9t4PUcWhWK_ytU4Ow8og4TDa2gOTQskWBNCp_z5B7cW2j1/s1600/IMG_2921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhw2cVyD21q9S7Eu_KCXyqYISpYQab-f8FmieZzUh6Nqw8v1Yl6WZlMZSTCkxSExcViSDe4cPuQTwD9T5HrwnBscMmvSYpr9t4PUcWhWK_ytU4Ow8og4TDa2gOTQskWBNCp_z5B7cW2j1/s640/IMG_2921.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Rooftop terrace at 10 Corso Como looking </span><span style="font-size: small;">toward the controversial UniCredit building</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lv2gEuhX4hyphenhyphenwq0PCeKCWUzKHgEnv-WJgNfrv7MRwCTuXsFK866N8a7mBCSeLCt4nJGLt-Pls7L8KfynN41MnWA2iSd3XO4j1PzMWW-yqqemIt6q9VJmuUk-qjVSEJELYYosKh1_Xg1oB/s1600/DSC_9733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lv2gEuhX4hyphenhyphenwq0PCeKCWUzKHgEnv-WJgNfrv7MRwCTuXsFK866N8a7mBCSeLCt4nJGLt-Pls7L8KfynN41MnWA2iSd3XO4j1PzMWW-yqqemIt6q9VJmuUk-qjVSEJELYYosKh1_Xg1oB/s640/DSC_9733.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">On the rooftop terrace at 10 Corso Como</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyV9ePlIaGaqSnZvd5HWVnbXV8WO4obWF_AnX7C-GllATHqe1vEIDkYIKtErvaaSxQgWwRs7W9pNcPAukBkPYzebkCWWAI81uNGF_uSWTc9hFmbmTOShRkaFNK3x_yDqlFlB2xMuTEVoX/s1600/IMG_2931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyV9ePlIaGaqSnZvd5HWVnbXV8WO4obWF_AnX7C-GllATHqe1vEIDkYIKtErvaaSxQgWwRs7W9pNcPAukBkPYzebkCWWAI81uNGF_uSWTc9hFmbmTOShRkaFNK3x_yDqlFlB2xMuTEVoX/s640/IMG_2931.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Fed and Zev tuck into lunch</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6C6clifb97kWg9nCkZ-h2vmKkMp__EiuKA9sIT5vmCgUtOLoC_W0mxJjIhBnoiaNpqZkOf-JIAB-tVDWfWv1b5EM1vOGFPTk-v5LQUEZyzTaDT2_ARyA7WoLm_wMGJb8UQqA4xfpbl2Q/s1600/IMG_2935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6C6clifb97kWg9nCkZ-h2vmKkMp__EiuKA9sIT5vmCgUtOLoC_W0mxJjIhBnoiaNpqZkOf-JIAB-tVDWfWv1b5EM1vOGFPTk-v5LQUEZyzTaDT2_ARyA7WoLm_wMGJb8UQqA4xfpbl2Q/s640/IMG_2935.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II</span></td></tr>
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<h4>
Day 4</h4>
For the final day we went to the Milan Expo, a universal exposition focussing on food and energy. While it was worth the visit, it was at the same time something of a disappointment as we were expecting a bit more from the pavilions. It seemed a somewhat missed opportunity for various countries to showcase their cuisine and technology—instead many of the pavilions had looping videos and minimal displays.<br />
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A few pavilions of note—the China pavilion had an elaborate display of lights and dioramas of ancient Chinese technology. The UK pavilion featured a wire beehive reconstruction with actual hive sounds piped and amplified in from the University of Leicester. The Netherlands pavilion was designed as a street carnival. And the Qatar pavilion was perhaps the most beautiful. Honourable mention goes to the Alitalia pavilion which featured the most bizarre foodporn style video of an in-flight chef suggestively making a latte...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvR0AzN2MmvHbZSlHuj9-VJ_Pimpu7wx5cpeNC8sWdm7bRqEaLNPtfVGNFYkQ8FS-SNfN71QgK8kE6RlVhEK08m2g0C0Rv2WAMccT4zCRxebpr0-KAub8ltc9teNlXAkttMN9CzeFmFHn/s1600/IMG_2981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvR0AzN2MmvHbZSlHuj9-VJ_Pimpu7wx5cpeNC8sWdm7bRqEaLNPtfVGNFYkQ8FS-SNfN71QgK8kE6RlVhEK08m2g0C0Rv2WAMccT4zCRxebpr0-KAub8ltc9teNlXAkttMN9CzeFmFHn/s640/IMG_2981.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">China pavilion</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr0XFUhbzJRY4_2mzKKhelAAfw8m77F91-_E4dCeW0uioF5o8C0-F6OEQHYwBvGIWG2hhLmaw8tpoJokBEA7N5Ft_IxW6v-bo18jBr3XTpuIZvUxiwvPBr5NFoKdzsEDdK8ABxE9NktVB/s1600/IMG_2987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr0XFUhbzJRY4_2mzKKhelAAfw8m77F91-_E4dCeW0uioF5o8C0-F6OEQHYwBvGIWG2hhLmaw8tpoJokBEA7N5Ft_IxW6v-bo18jBr3XTpuIZvUxiwvPBr5NFoKdzsEDdK8ABxE9NktVB/s640/IMG_2987.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lighting display in the China pavilion</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhL-8zFzfyV6wo7z2UOwItJVxzBg1GKO8x2uwhyAHI-hjN79U0zsVBj-YbaaWPvjUrMbPyQzbf2Q9hlwkdi8fpMVePi0m9HJsj38c2DKP1A84qh9nXEMSZLFr_Yk9mCQ0I0T4HmTaQwGT/s1600/IMG_2992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhL-8zFzfyV6wo7z2UOwItJVxzBg1GKO8x2uwhyAHI-hjN79U0zsVBj-YbaaWPvjUrMbPyQzbf2Q9hlwkdi8fpMVePi0m9HJsj38c2DKP1A84qh9nXEMSZLFr_Yk9mCQ0I0T4HmTaQwGT/s640/IMG_2992.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Fed presents the Birra Baladin Fiat 500 truck</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZY0-EsMi2UM_0WNSjo-Y2MYdwyiy8Ri7RVX2MXf3JrgD2jWgllKdgy0emtGCsxlHZBNiabhzJ7iL8NxCZcjch94ahoF3jbjbDQcfuyTlpHxu1xoNnYSHDJ9pLAZ_3Hgioob1XaaQjAn23/s1600/IMG_2999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZY0-EsMi2UM_0WNSjo-Y2MYdwyiy8Ri7RVX2MXf3JrgD2jWgllKdgy0emtGCsxlHZBNiabhzJ7iL8NxCZcjch94ahoF3jbjbDQcfuyTlpHxu1xoNnYSHDJ9pLAZ_3Hgioob1XaaQjAn23/s640/IMG_2999.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Zev and Fed at the UK pavilion</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9qhbpjohlxpa7j1yp4iAQRqeuQF7JpXHLvtChN9wUNlzso5wl-gduNbTXrXLblgkLbpvYzqsPSwZtAOcIK1l734z_Pt50Jw5Z5VDbU9Ru115gSU9SiPqMekbmIm9rjsMWEE95lgIeGZA/s1600/IMG_3011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9qhbpjohlxpa7j1yp4iAQRqeuQF7JpXHLvtChN9wUNlzso5wl-gduNbTXrXLblgkLbpvYzqsPSwZtAOcIK1l734z_Pt50Jw5Z5VDbU9Ru115gSU9SiPqMekbmIm9rjsMWEE95lgIeGZA/s640/IMG_3011.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Selfie in the France pavilion</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSrnUkYJt1wCNdMcb7F0zwpxnBVCnnmwFQOkM4jIR-xUUDvSlr-ufbZzGeqwLUUwYc0X1OqpiVgnuAAYSABFUjcLiA2Y_8OSHdsYN23759DroHfRphyphenhyphenIQVlxD51Bewg4dF5P7uxJ-uMw3/s1600/IMG_3054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSrnUkYJt1wCNdMcb7F0zwpxnBVCnnmwFQOkM4jIR-xUUDvSlr-ufbZzGeqwLUUwYc0X1OqpiVgnuAAYSABFUjcLiA2Y_8OSHdsYN23759DroHfRphyphenhyphenIQVlxD51Bewg4dF5P7uxJ-uMw3/s640/IMG_3054.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Oman pavilion</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVvqPWNuDibkoplDMGqrpJpap07gxPkBgJMdstu7PC7woyH1AoG6X-VoHvq7ECEl2Gr3tfXjZ5bZuGMDi9aiMmqRXuNtedV54yLzfuVVjhs80YFLDUIHYtTgcCT5ytOTVSSs2v9YaGO3r/s1600/IMG_3003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVvqPWNuDibkoplDMGqrpJpap07gxPkBgJMdstu7PC7woyH1AoG6X-VoHvq7ECEl2Gr3tfXjZ5bZuGMDi9aiMmqRXuNtedV54yLzfuVVjhs80YFLDUIHYtTgcCT5ytOTVSSs2v9YaGO3r/s400/IMG_3003.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">Citroën H-Van at the Netherlands pavilion</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gB5urJtGwtxH3IAQa6hnGQNVqqnktmCm6wYsuO2yd2c0iv7w3LIZpm9LgswhiroXTjmDaO6FDLy1B6a6sZLTLWcvFGjHeCnD9jHXjiqluZa1mxk3vcCZkaiARB-DWFQ28p5fKKGGoKV1/s1600/IMG_3045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gB5urJtGwtxH3IAQa6hnGQNVqqnktmCm6wYsuO2yd2c0iv7w3LIZpm9LgswhiroXTjmDaO6FDLy1B6a6sZLTLWcvFGjHeCnD9jHXjiqluZa1mxk3vcCZkaiARB-DWFQ28p5fKKGGoKV1/s400/IMG_3045.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Reflections at the Russia pavilion</span></td></tr>
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From the Expo it was straight to Malpensa to fly back home. The weekend was over far too quickly, seeing new places non-stop with never a dull moment. It’s worth mentioning how lucky we are in London, as a flight hub, to be able to jet off for a weekend for only £50 return—or, to give some perspective, less than the cost of taking a train to Manchester and back.Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-15016540101062457952015-05-27T17:45:00.003+01:002015-05-27T17:45:45.851+01:00BMW GS Trophy UK Qualifier 2015This weekend gone I took part in the GS Trophy UK Qualifier 2015 which took place in the beautiful Brecon Beacons in Wales. I was invited to join along with 8 other customers and Tom, Lottie and James from BMW Park Lane, split into 3 teams of which I was part of ‘Team Tom’.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxzgidV0OHc5IxnIaUV0lX4rNR9JjQcqnkyn_YMgDS87dfV0-nAh1wCh-rfOXWYCB4r7kqUdfQHSbZplwNC_TTKpTZO6kCpue8iJUxo3TTp1lWYQKpZkmQ2dYKAdobEvo1gRNuyhBrH6b/s1600/IMG_2211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxzgidV0OHc5IxnIaUV0lX4rNR9JjQcqnkyn_YMgDS87dfV0-nAh1wCh-rfOXWYCB4r7kqUdfQHSbZplwNC_TTKpTZO6kCpue8iJUxo3TTp1lWYQKpZkmQ2dYKAdobEvo1gRNuyhBrH6b/s640/IMG_2211.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Ready to go!</span></td></tr>
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We met on Saturday at BMW Park Lane before filtering through the bank holiday weekend traffic out of London at midday, and down the fast but rather soulless M4 motorway towards Wales. After crossing over the gorgeous mile-long Severn Bridge we rode into the Welsh countryside to the registration at the <a href="http://ancientbriton.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ancient Briton</a> pub in Pen-y-cae, before riding to Swansea to our hotel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3TNKqfwTMZzWiYRH0LO8vzwFTFnecDv2B7p6BXvril453o-L6K8ysCxvqPJJ9o9wif_vSHrqbcO_D7ablcvOq4g_gRE_qnhRXU0HYJWmwrM4tVANh2Vm58eS9g7SGk4stjAmYSmZ6aCg/s1600/IMG_2221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3TNKqfwTMZzWiYRH0LO8vzwFTFnecDv2B7p6BXvril453o-L6K8ysCxvqPJJ9o9wif_vSHrqbcO_D7ablcvOq4g_gRE_qnhRXU0HYJWmwrM4tVANh2Vm58eS9g7SGk4stjAmYSmZ6aCg/s640/IMG_2221.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Parked up at the hotel in Swansea</span></td></tr>
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On Sunday morning after an early breakfast we had a sprightly ride, led by Lottie from Park Lane, through the mist and fog back to the Ancient Briton to start the challenges. My team included Tom (from BMW Park Lane) and Kamal (with his broken toe) on their R1200GS Adventures and Alex on his F800GS. Our team was due to set off at 9:48 and 30 seconds. While we were waiting, there were a few rain showers but by the time we departed, these had subsided to a few spells of drizzle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqFBo13zj9NWogGZQbnou7vb0e6Ch8ZJKqTy6lKvC6MR9fphXOheES0dssASNwgcg8Vzudp34aOVN42fBCpngzQFl1r0dPZoG5sJ89_gBSw6dChDJHfGPUShlaYhQpLOeWu-SAvj_M16N/s1600/IMG_2234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqFBo13zj9NWogGZQbnou7vb0e6Ch8ZJKqTy6lKvC6MR9fphXOheES0dssASNwgcg8Vzudp34aOVN42fBCpngzQFl1r0dPZoG5sJ89_gBSw6dChDJHfGPUShlaYhQpLOeWu-SAvj_M16N/s640/IMG_2234.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Misty morning</span></td></tr>
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The directions for the challenges were printed with distances between visual points, which meant our GPSs were of little help—for example, turn left and go to the 2nd cattle grid etc. The complete route was about 90 miles. Some of the challenges were simple questions relating to landmarks or signs at each destination, and others included a fitness challenge, a mechanical challenge and several off road challenges.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1lh1xwuWCPTmXDgoGJ_QnusTF-OLbTqF16NRqdEFbS-97CPBZpte0K9lIl5E3fU9U0YAE0rPaGpK_H1m8-u3utEC2yVpn3ZWBgk_tvk3rONN3HIkEiNWcmfEAMpF9d0Gw86nEOyc7MOj/s1600/IMG_2236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1lh1xwuWCPTmXDgoGJ_QnusTF-OLbTqF16NRqdEFbS-97CPBZpte0K9lIl5E3fU9U0YAE0rPaGpK_H1m8-u3utEC2yVpn3ZWBgk_tvk3rONN3HIkEiNWcmfEAMpF9d0Gw86nEOyc7MOj/s640/IMG_2236.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Ready to leave after completing the fitness challenge</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For the fitness challenge we had a choice of riding a pushbike up a hill and back, carrying tyres up a hill and stacking them, or running to the river to fill a cup and bring it back—each was timed and taking too long resulted in negative points. I did the cup challenge within the allocated time.<br />
<br />
My only mishap of the day happened then—I got on my bike and put up the side stand, then realised I needed something out of the top box. Of course I absentmindedly got off the bike without putting the side stand back down, so my bike went onto its side. Nothing happened to the bike and I sustained, somehow, my only ‘injury’ of the day—a tiny blood blister on my middle finger. No paramedics required.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3q0lLslURodm9cYnbA3WYbMyOzkw71JG_RwJ66saruxQGmhplLdk7-w51NlSCnigFGBpWKdNUDUHEKpuHnM_fM4J4XA_kP6jwVr_zt1TVE1aIZ1vl7ACely4AAMcX130ojMSYJwSnoXo6/s1600/IMG_2240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3q0lLslURodm9cYnbA3WYbMyOzkw71JG_RwJ66saruxQGmhplLdk7-w51NlSCnigFGBpWKdNUDUHEKpuHnM_fM4J4XA_kP6jwVr_zt1TVE1aIZ1vl7ACely4AAMcX130ojMSYJwSnoXo6/s640/IMG_2240.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Sheep... disturbing</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We carried on through twisty forest roads and misty dales, stopping only for a herd of sheep to pass, each giving us the evil eye, and to answer a couple more challenge questions.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVzbEN0qj1CaGMSmhaz3TcxxWIbmm_ABY4ZFfUbC7DxPN3yNi6JLm3gC10saCnsjMn19xitc1FOmkbSnUTgviJyNfoES0sFZg5L6u4hA4Dm1dCLKyns9lTFlhay4pDuivj6j38QdFCbhq/s1600/IMG_2243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVzbEN0qj1CaGMSmhaz3TcxxWIbmm_ABY4ZFfUbC7DxPN3yNi6JLm3gC10saCnsjMn19xitc1FOmkbSnUTgviJyNfoES0sFZg5L6u4hA4Dm1dCLKyns9lTFlhay4pDuivj6j38QdFCbhq/s640/IMG_2243.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Rolling hills—still misty</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6HmkTSHASfWs17Dpca6yJ7WNfhPH8oJK_JzBLbNbTC7G4ldw3YnUzHz0-9q4VETyb39Qa5NBby5LUTqNnUBgndzRwj3N1BW4Yftx0VR3SOLREKagPjZNsDw5JjUnD1HKtEolf6VB2-Pa/s1600/IMG_2246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6HmkTSHASfWs17Dpca6yJ7WNfhPH8oJK_JzBLbNbTC7G4ldw3YnUzHz0-9q4VETyb39Qa5NBby5LUTqNnUBgndzRwj3N1BW4Yftx0VR3SOLREKagPjZNsDw5JjUnD1HKtEolf6VB2-Pa/s640/IMG_2246.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">A panoramic shot of the dales</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MTgbINQIKpoPMznWSmfwzSjR0zvfrkPcJWDbWJ1C13OCOq8PRzibduMThd9Mm0qJmEwLTuhqnVplOs6wirZAcy4wGNnqyaCwxQENTUK1lQcgCZ2s-oAYGh9cjYXUjMRB4CYy_40JU8Tb/s1600/IMG_2246a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MTgbINQIKpoPMznWSmfwzSjR0zvfrkPcJWDbWJ1C13OCOq8PRzibduMThd9Mm0qJmEwLTuhqnVplOs6wirZAcy4wGNnqyaCwxQENTUK1lQcgCZ2s-oAYGh9cjYXUjMRB4CYy_40JU8Tb/s640/IMG_2246a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Quick photo </span><span style="font-size: small;">opportunity</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJVTWX3As4XGVlBaq0rzKlaXKaYz7MVyaje8Vbc0X9Ytr6Xu9LeBV03XhN2p77jwCCGXhQ__MbEPcDrPPFI_xsvrUGMyb6gDM70Te4E2q3Z29TL1GTWGo49gWmLCLVa3c_2kH_8KNzdin/s1600/IMG_2251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJVTWX3As4XGVlBaq0rzKlaXKaYz7MVyaje8Vbc0X9Ytr6Xu9LeBV03XhN2p77jwCCGXhQ__MbEPcDrPPFI_xsvrUGMyb6gDM70Te4E2q3Z29TL1GTWGo49gWmLCLVa3c_2kH_8KNzdin/s640/IMG_2251.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Finding out the answer to one of the questions</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next up was the mechanical challenge where there was a choice of changing a tyre (to be clear, using tyre levers to remove it from the wheel and put it back on), an apparently impossible diagnosis challenge (so we heard) and a loading challenge which we did in pairs. This involved picking up an F800GS, loading it into a trailer and securing it with tie straps. I did the challenge with Kamal and it went well, except we didn’t have the bike tied tightly enough so we each earned a negative point.<br />
<br />
We went on to the off road challenge which took place at the 4,000 acre Walters Arena Enduro Park. As with the other challenges, there were a number from which to choose, each carried out on one of BMW’s own bikes (not our own). We each were required to take part in 5 challenges and I did the following:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Accelerate hard on loose gravel between two cones, then skid with the back brake only as far as possible (F800GS)—I made it to the ‘1’ marker which meant 1 negative point (the worst possible was 5)</li>
<li>Run to a bike, start it and get it through the cones within 11 seconds on loose gravel (F800GS)—I wasn’t given a time but I did it in less than 11 seconds so no negative points</li>
<li>Ride through a tight slalom/figure-of-8 course on loose gravel (R1200GS) within 44 seconds—no problems, apart from the fact I took 75 seconds which earned me 3 negative points</li>
<li>Ride a rut course (R1200GS)—I took it slow and made it through without any problems, although I had a slightly panicked moment when I slipped on mud after the exit cone, nearly dropping the bike, but no negative points!</li>
<li>Tow a bike up a hill and back down, using a tow rope (G650GS x2)—we split into pairs for this and Alex towed me, although while turning around at the top I ended up having the tow rope pull the bike over onto its side, but no negative points</li>
</ul>
Tom and Kamal’s towing challenge is worth a mention as ‘the most exciting tow of the day’ when the tow rope pulled out and wrapped around the front wheel of the towed bike.<br />
<br />
Other challenges included 5 laps of the enduro track (which Tom did), a navigation challenge, hill climbing on mud, riding rocks, a difficult momentum challenge (which Tom very bravely did), jousting (which looked rather difficult), riding electric bikes around a track, and a bike pushing challenge.<br />
<br />
Most of the off road challenges were fairly difficult (not carefree byway riding) but great fun, although we made a fatal error of spending far too much time at Walters Arena.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32DvQCbAaqn0R7CJzYPSTINxmr_6vqsTdJwPUJJgAsfReirGoQC_92e9nTxGVtltl09Qp_Zk3RJs7xTOYyIdvD0ttF873azWP9Apc1mPQ5s7v32gZKj9spwSskJEotdxCxAhkJpY_rlDX/s1600/IMG_2263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32DvQCbAaqn0R7CJzYPSTINxmr_6vqsTdJwPUJJgAsfReirGoQC_92e9nTxGVtltl09Qp_Zk3RJs7xTOYyIdvD0ttF873azWP9Apc1mPQ5s7v32gZKj9spwSskJEotdxCxAhkJpY_rlDX/s640/IMG_2263.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Walters Arena where the gravel challenges took place—finally some blue sky!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-xtnR57iskOFSLstnuQL6X5aiBTbhTNG2ETmRUBBdSeoJ55h_L7G31DNkLf57UriHgdQix4YFrKWAYiBNXHbVYLkGtlZyK_dPtzjbXaVo60IooJqoyJQ8Vkx5c92jEMnGvQAvSlSk07I/s1600/IMG_2263a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-xtnR57iskOFSLstnuQL6X5aiBTbhTNG2ETmRUBBdSeoJ55h_L7G31DNkLf57UriHgdQix4YFrKWAYiBNXHbVYLkGtlZyK_dPtzjbXaVo60IooJqoyJQ8Vkx5c92jEMnGvQAvSlSk07I/s640/IMG_2263a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Riding the ruts challenge!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On our way to the next challenge we came across the only (known) incident of the day—the lead rider of one of the other teams had slammed on the brakes to turn onto a hard-to-see road and the rider behind had gone into the back of him, rendering both bikes unrideable. Fortunately they were not injured, but there were police and an ambulance in attendance.<br />
<br />
We stopped for a much needed bite to eat at a pub, each of us having, of course, Welsh lamb with all the trimmings. Refuelled we carried on.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW6uJthrGtsB2BABpErft-SX2bRwzwOXv8gisKS4N5XMQJOD75hUx_TVRHCvMRW7skbHkBX6xwfKvAtgZjd0apktmcNOsg7sYwO3uealG5V8l8aBZKSOaUxkph3eXtbaA4uXyojLZ-NRi/s1600/IMG_2265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW6uJthrGtsB2BABpErft-SX2bRwzwOXv8gisKS4N5XMQJOD75hUx_TVRHCvMRW7skbHkBX6xwfKvAtgZjd0apktmcNOsg7sYwO3uealG5V8l8aBZKSOaUxkph3eXtbaA4uXyojLZ-NRi/s640/IMG_2265.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">More sun, more dales... can’t get enough of the views here!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNvlfWwjZixPxdayFA26WdLBfu_HCUslv2CoxcnX1vWBBagGiC8x_KNUW7BYFHuEUJwzYYpPjFEifV4p4wJb4Hs4lEdmhP763RL4M9ZPVV6EY_Lq00YgZjZlTGy0E6yPiqAlElQXubE9J/s1600/IMG_2265a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNvlfWwjZixPxdayFA26WdLBfu_HCUslv2CoxcnX1vWBBagGiC8x_KNUW7BYFHuEUJwzYYpPjFEifV4p4wJb4Hs4lEdmhP763RL4M9ZPVV6EY_Lq00YgZjZlTGy0E6yPiqAlElQXubE9J/s640/IMG_2265a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">...and a perfect photo opportunity for Team Tom—Kamal, me, Tom and Alex</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC23P6oikNjKn4vCdJBqYQXGM9q4Mg3a0vNqSp7orI8W4OdwCPPy7XvgVvKjUWkxh6bQK4-q8kymAL4AbWzPkxgM8t-4s6MkDyADWcxOyVRgdSTm1ovOmpBa73yxTtVpnXo93faUEUPSD/s1600/IMG_2266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC23P6oikNjKn4vCdJBqYQXGM9q4Mg3a0vNqSp7orI8W4OdwCPPy7XvgVvKjUWkxh6bQK4-q8kymAL4AbWzPkxgM8t-4s6MkDyADWcxOyVRgdSTm1ovOmpBa73yxTtVpnXo93faUEUPSD/s640/IMG_2266.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">A brief stop to take in the amazing view</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Somehow we couldn’t find the answer to one of the challenge questions—we were meant to find a bridge with trolls underneath but saw nothing of the sort. Tom rode back to double check but still was unable to find the bridge.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBs5aXLo3DA94eRMBHikgdqld3T988NAF-2kP7-3jqWgO62kneiBAgDu_gJTyh1AGjgl6lZGFwoStXOwwssAHPE70ao3dXi_NI2KvEIi-BGXFZ3rz6pgA2bsbgiR6tHMM2C1zQ4qNVnORq/s1600/IMG_2269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBs5aXLo3DA94eRMBHikgdqld3T988NAF-2kP7-3jqWgO62kneiBAgDu_gJTyh1AGjgl6lZGFwoStXOwwssAHPE70ao3dXi_NI2KvEIi-BGXFZ3rz6pgA2bsbgiR6tHMM2C1zQ4qNVnORq/s640/IMG_2269.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Waiting for Tom to return from the bridges</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next top was at a coffee shop in the town of Brecon before carrying on to Merthyr Cynog to get the number from a telephone box and answer a couple more challenge questions.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJprL7vxmRKhI0TEA8kxv0FwBgh7nmUiQGjXP3i0Bp7tTMlxAQu9Iv7fyjjIHQiO62tAjqLR8rkMZXfE162d76UxpZtKH1qtV4CSK7zcZWrISaS_NDpmYJSmrMs5Pu7G54fQRO2XdLvIk/s1600/IMG_2271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJprL7vxmRKhI0TEA8kxv0FwBgh7nmUiQGjXP3i0Bp7tTMlxAQu9Iv7fyjjIHQiO62tAjqLR8rkMZXfE162d76UxpZtKH1qtV4CSK7zcZWrISaS_NDpmYJSmrMs5Pu7G54fQRO2XdLvIk/s640/IMG_2271.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Parked near the coffee shop in Brecon</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RZdnC2sadmd8P4r7z44MfMBmQ4SU7TjBCN5ZLOPNCG-BSgbxjUqsc3yCyPgFVY64AVkyXUxn0X0ViaOPvZSzyY1POAlNtZSYqyFoFbE-WlaVcRP-GIqp8scWeQ10DT0sC4sQ783UtnUL/s1600/IMG_2272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RZdnC2sadmd8P4r7z44MfMBmQ4SU7TjBCN5ZLOPNCG-BSgbxjUqsc3yCyPgFVY64AVkyXUxn0X0ViaOPvZSzyY1POAlNtZSYqyFoFbE-WlaVcRP-GIqp8scWeQ10DT0sC4sQ783UtnUL/s400/IMG_2272.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Waiting....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSYcpigWK2aYVwLWdveiJM1ufTE-J14H6Tz8wU_WqP2p94voQHeGJDQDl7JEB75Q2lABcKncphUAQFtfwEkIm1a-j2yMvx44nvxdOYq6Na25AgdAWDmXp5Cph1NGdASeNEyYYq48BrlQi/s1600/IMG_2273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSYcpigWK2aYVwLWdveiJM1ufTE-J14H6Tz8wU_WqP2p94voQHeGJDQDl7JEB75Q2lABcKncphUAQFtfwEkIm1a-j2yMvx44nvxdOYq6Na25AgdAWDmXp5Cph1NGdASeNEyYYq48BrlQi/s640/IMG_2273.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Friendly dog in Merthyr Cynog</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
From Merthyr Cynog we got lost and circled back before realising we’d been on the correct road the whole time. This let out onto some fast roads to a stunning viewpoint between Cray and Penwyllt.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSmlpvKf68o2fDivqSyBQymrk8JhDlCnnKOrM0D59o1h4KItzQOmwIGJZWTEvD7AONUEZDX3PnuylEyat9PmYM-bbdhmy5ZjswTNharJ1fgAuK5TQwUpf3gtQdDAClyj4GM66SY3QKl1t/s1600/IMG_2276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSmlpvKf68o2fDivqSyBQymrk8JhDlCnnKOrM0D59o1h4KItzQOmwIGJZWTEvD7AONUEZDX3PnuylEyat9PmYM-bbdhmy5ZjswTNharJ1fgAuK5TQwUpf3gtQdDAClyj4GM66SY3QKl1t/s640/IMG_2276.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">Panoramic shot of the viewpoint</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpKMAn8BchhcmBbqLLAHPINZJ-9mW9_pbkLYWujfq9E2UvVqfSncOKO7LgG-7qk-pVk8PL-N82bBoQ6wlmzMdjzUIHeZGde_cz9Ggsw47hP3JkB4KyNv-cv07wNMa7_vNDnquPbn70bm0/s1600/IMG_2277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpKMAn8BchhcmBbqLLAHPINZJ-9mW9_pbkLYWujfq9E2UvVqfSncOKO7LgG-7qk-pVk8PL-N82bBoQ6wlmzMdjzUIHeZGde_cz9Ggsw47hP3JkB4KyNv-cv07wNMa7_vNDnquPbn70bm0/s640/IMG_2277.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Cray Reservoir</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Starting to feel tired</span></td></tr>
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Our final challenge was the Absolute Adventure Challenge. Sadly when we arrived there was no one there as we were nearly 3 hours past the time limit. Unfortunately this meant we were effectively disqualified from the GS Trophy so we carried on back to the Ancient Briton pub to hand in our late scorecards and take a photo at the finish line.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbqDPIUxbN_eV8CXyuuVFOmXm-DT4kyt97AzXSwOsMiAis37BStjiTJbENmWfpddtDD5v7xTaEy8_ymtoeIwZFGbmMzHKwFatskwhja6nI7QdgEMCoK5cYmc-BWqqVI8HkSEMxSHwmZGC/s1600/IMG_2282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbqDPIUxbN_eV8CXyuuVFOmXm-DT4kyt97AzXSwOsMiAis37BStjiTJbENmWfpddtDD5v7xTaEy8_ymtoeIwZFGbmMzHKwFatskwhja6nI7QdgEMCoK5cYmc-BWqqVI8HkSEMxSHwmZGC/s640/IMG_2282.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Team Tom makes it to the finish line (3 hours late)—no reason not to smile!</span></td></tr>
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Highlights of the day? The scenery and roads were amazing and we all had great fun doing the route, even if we took far too long to complete it. Some of the lanes required a degree of precise riding to avoid the moss, sand or mud between the tyre tracks but this kept things interesting. There was such a sense of wellbeing riding around the Welsh countryside. This was my first time to Wales (apart from a half day in Cardiff in 2005) and I wish I had gone long before now.<br />
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There were a few more, of course. Having my bike over because I forgot to put down the side stand. Tom getting stuck on the momentum course (lost Oakleys probably shouldn’t be mentioned). Alex setting a new performance standard for the F800GS, never trailing behind despite having two-thirds the power of our 1200s. And Kamal giving the R1200GS’s rev limiter a thorough test after coming off the bike during the slalom course.<br />
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We headed back to Swansea for dinner and a much needed sleep. The next morning I left earlier than some of the others in an attempt to beat the bank holiday weekend traffic returning to London. I had a relaxing, uneventful ride back and was home in the early afternoon.<br />
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The GS Trophy made me realise a couple things about myself. I was very happy to find that I had no trouble keeping up with fast riders on twisty roads, even though my everyday riding style is much more laid back. And I’m very comfortable navigating byways on my own, at my own pace, on dirt, mud or gravel—but doing off road challenges in a competitive environment made my confidence all but disappear. But most of all, I had a great time, with some great people, pushing myself beyond my day-to-day experiences.<br />
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Were you at the GS Trophy this year? I would love to hear your experience in the comments below.Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-77881412209731891912015-05-02T22:13:00.003+01:002015-05-02T22:13:48.461+01:00Riding off the tarmacToday I went to the byways for a bit of off-the-tarmac riding and to bring Zev along so he could collect a few nettle plants for his garden. Usually I go alone if I’m riding in the dirt as 2-up riding can be slightly hairy on loose, slippery or rutted surfaces. I seized the opportunity to have Zev take a few video clips.<br />
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I believe off-road experience allows a rider to really learn about the handling characteristics of a bike and understand how it behaves when it breaks traction. This understanding translates to a more relaxed rider on paved roads, especially in less than ideal conditions, enabling the rider to react naturally if the bikes slips unexpectedly, instead of panicking and stiffening up which will usually end in tears.<br />
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Unfortunately, many dual-sport bikes are sold more for posing duty than for their off-road capabilities (much like Land Rovers and the like), but I say these riders are missing out some of the most pleasurable riding—being able to access the lesser travelled roads in safety and relative comfort.<br />
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Indeed, most dual-sport bikes come with glorified road tyres from the factory, some with a no cost option of more knobbly tyres. My F800GS came with Pirelli Scorpion Trails, not a bad tyre on the road, but next to useless in anything slippery. For anyone intending to do much off-road riding, the right tyres are a must. I use Heidenau K60 Scouts on my F800GS which provide a good blend of on- and off-road grip.<br />
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First up, a ride-by on a section of byway with a pull-out:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tPutqIaWy2g" width="640"></iframe>
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For those who don’t do much riding off the tarmac, the thought of doing so can be daunting, but it is possible to safely maintain a decent speed even on loose surfaces like gravel and dirt. The bike is more stable with the rider’s bottom off the seat (practice those squats!), as this lowers the centre of gravity to the foot pegs and allows the bike to glide over bumps without throwing around the rider. In the clip above I’m doing roughly 30 mph and the bike is completely stable. It is key to keep a relaxed grip on the handlebars to allow the front wheel to move around naturally—too firm a grip can cause the bike to destabilise and lose control. Remember—the bike wants to stay upright when the wheels are turning, all by itself, so don’t fight against what it wants to do.<br />
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The next video shows brisk acceleration on a loose surface:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W26Ocu7TB34?showinfo=0" width="640"></iframe>
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The bike has a tendency to wiggle at the back as the rear tyre spins faster than the speed of the bike, but again, keeping a relaxed grip on the handlebars allows the bike to track naturally—in this situation, a panicked ‘death grip’ could end up with the bike trying to come around on itself, unceremoniously ejecting the rider. Let’s see that in slo-mo:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/stv3gxUEjJ4?showinfo=0" width="640"></iframe><br />
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In slo-mo you can clearly see the front lift (that’s why we keep a relaxed grip on the handlebars) and the rear wheel spinning. The wiggling of the back of the bike is due to the spinning wheel taking the path of least resistance and following any ruts/imperfections on the road surface.<br />
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Next up, why (standard) ABS isn’t good on loose surfaces (I neglected to deactivate the system):<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ied9BYdN_Yg?showinfo=0" width="640"></iframe>
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In this clip you can see (and hear) the ABS preventing the wheels from locking. My F800GS has standard ABS which is designed to prevent the wheels locking on slippery asphalt road surfaces. On loose surfaces the system is out of its depth, fully activating the system which makes stopping distances much longer. The bike has a switch to deactivate the ABS when riding off the tarmac as some locking/skidding is required to stop quickly and effectively on loose surfaces. The ABS in slo-mo:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QAT8dSiGDvo?showinfo=0" width="640"></iframe>
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The F800GS’s ABS system is so quick there is no perceptible stopping of either wheel, even in slo-mo, but the bike doesn’t stop very quickly. Newer models such as the F800GS Adventure and the R1200GS have off-road ABS modes (Enduro on both, and Enduro Pro additionally on the R1200GS) which allows for varying degrees of lock-up between each pulse of the system—maintaining enough rotation for the bike to stay upright, but enough lock to stop effectively on loose surfaces. The Enduro Pro mode on the R1200GS (which is designed to be used with knobbly off-road tyres) only activates on the front wheel, allowing the rear wheel to be fully locked for cornering techniques.<br />
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Finally, 2-up riding off road:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZBhdaHCHeDA?showinfo=0" width="640"></iframe>
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The byway in this clip is quite steep at the beginning but the surface is fairly good apart from some light ruts. At the top of the hill, the roadway becomes angled which presents more of a challenge on a bike (being a single-track vehicle), as it wants to settle at the lowest point due to gravity and the gyroscopic effect of the wheels turning.<br />
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When travelling 2-up it is even more important to be aware of bumps, rocks or ruts, as the bike will be far less forgiving, and the suspension will be taxed with the extra weight. Also, it is impossible for both the rider and pillion to stand on the pegs meaning their weight acts as a deadweight and it is quite easy to bottom out the suspension (not a good thing as components can bend). Keeping the speed low, consistent and smooth will keep both the bike and the rider/pillion much happier.<br />
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Any thoughts to add or experiences of your own? Let me know in the comments below.Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-56801210919959616112015-04-22T20:02:00.000+01:002015-04-22T23:31:26.597+01:00A vicarious first look: 2015 Fiat Panda 4x4After a bit of a hiatus confronting a few demons in my life I’m back and feeling inspired. In this post I will be exploring adventuring of the four-wheeled variety vicariously through the eyes of one of my closest friends Federico (Fed), a photographer and designer who lives near Milan, Italy.<br />
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Fed has had his fair share of adventure travel himself, with excursions across northern Africa, around Turkey and beyond. These adventures have been of Land Rover pedigree—the most cultured variety, of course, the age-old and immensely capable Defender, definitely not one of the usual footballer’s (wives’) Range Rovers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Fed takes to the northern Italian fields in the Defender</span></td></tr>
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The tiny Fiat Panda 4x4 is, on the surface, a city car with a four wheel drive system crowbarred into its tiny chassis—but it is also a car with a quiet heritage of its own. It debuted to great success in 1980 with the 4x4 version following in 1983, unique because it was the first vehicle of its type on the market—a tiny, inexpensive, four-wheel-drive vehicle with raised suspension which made the small Suzuki Samurai seem bloated and heavy. It was instantly popular in rural, mountainous areas where its small size and sturdy chassis made it invaluable to farmers who needed to reach fields otherwise inaccessible with larger, expensive SUVs—or indeed to get to town on snow-covered, steep mountain roads in the wintertime.<br />
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Fast-forward 30-odd years and the latest Panda 4x4, now in its third generation, is in a different league from the crude but sturdy original. It is built on the Fiat Mini platform which is shared with the Fiat 500, Lancia Ypsilon and Ford Ka—all cars noted for being safe for their class, strong and fun to drive.<br />
<br />
Fed’s new Panda 4x4 with the 85 hp/145 N·m TwinAir turbocharged petrol engine arrived yesterday, fresh out of the factory in Pomigliano d'Arco just hours away from his home near Milan. It is a fully kitted-out model, the only option of note excluded being the City Brake Control system which automatically stops the car if it senses an imminent collision at speeds between 5 and 30 km/hr. He chose the muted solid (non-metallic) cappuccino paintwork colour because he wanted the car to blend into its environment, not stand out—this car will be seeing quite a lot of field road and off-road duty during its life.<br />
<br />
The Panda replaces his previous everyday car, a Fiat Punto. During Fed’s maiden journey, I took notes of his first impressions thanks to VoIP technology (aka handsfree FaceTime Audio).<br />
<br />
So why is he so excited about this small, inexpensive car?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-QF3DegwBBrlMOlk6FRVUnof24fSQqjJk8q207Gn8VcZK1wAMzkRyig-N6KjtStcpjTtSMJs7wY-9jFliEx8OqHv1Kp0CKqyeyVLrxvOFC3ADlCppGkzB0-VWcnFwNPRS289hkU7U1Cl/s1600/IMG_0357.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-QF3DegwBBrlMOlk6FRVUnof24fSQqjJk8q207Gn8VcZK1wAMzkRyig-N6KjtStcpjTtSMJs7wY-9jFliEx8OqHv1Kp0CKqyeyVLrxvOFC3ADlCppGkzB0-VWcnFwNPRS289hkU7U1Cl/s1600/IMG_0357.JPG.jpeg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tall but small with rounded-square (or ‘squircle’) design themes throughout—the Panda’s chunky design stands out against the usual suspects in the city car category</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBicucuERq1NVMQ4wab8DHmLDbuwhbNx6-Vk4JFGj9M-Zja8sru34AC18ioRM5MZnNRC4vjf8arc6QD8-ITNVRbaR2R_h-7fHxIO0cJ5CRhirZrepvU9sjbiAprZmyj4gu9en-c5_lXj-/s1600/IMG_0356.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBicucuERq1NVMQ4wab8DHmLDbuwhbNx6-Vk4JFGj9M-Zja8sru34AC18ioRM5MZnNRC4vjf8arc6QD8-ITNVRbaR2R_h-7fHxIO0cJ5CRhirZrepvU9sjbiAprZmyj4gu9en-c5_lXj-/s1600/IMG_0356.JPG.jpeg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Raised suspension means plenty of ground clearance for rough terrian</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Fed rang me as he walked out to the car for the first time around 11 at night. Approaching, he noted in flawless English and his slightly Nordic-sounding accent: “It’s so small! I love the design, every detail is considered—it looks beautiful.”<br />
<br />
After unlocking the car with the remote, he got in (it’s important to note Fed is certainly not one of the vertically challenged, standing at 6’2”): “You step up into this car, it’s tall. There is far more room than expected inside. The seat feels very comfortable and you sit high up—almost like sitting on the car instead of in it, like a proper 4x4. The [leather] steering wheel feels very nice in hand—the shape isn’t quite round, but slightly squared off.”<br />
<br />
There were a few less enthusiastic comments: “The headrests are typical Fiat—rock hard plastic. When the seat is in the correct position for me to use the pedals, the steering wheel is a little bit far away, and it only adjusts for rake, not for reach. It’s not too bad, but will take a little time to get used to.”<br />
<br />
Starting up the Panda, Fed commented: “The [2-cylinder TwinAir] engine is very quiet and has a pleasant sound. The instrument panel looks beautiful but it isn’t as easy to read as the [previous] Punto. There are plenty of toys [buttons, onboard computer etc] to play with!”<br />
<br />
Getting underway he said: “Wow, it’s much quicker than I expected—acceleration feels very alive. The engine is so smooth and refined and has such a nice sound. At half throttle it feels quicker than the Punto felt at full throttle. There is a lot of torque which makes the car relaxed to drive. The gearbox feels solid and precise.”<br />
<br />
Once on some country roads Fed noted: “The steering isn’t as quick as the Punto and there is more body roll in the corners. The seats don’t have too much [lateral] support for hard cornering but the car isn’t intended for this anyway—the steering is slightly imprecise in the corners.<br />
<br />
“The ride is beautiful, this car has a real sense of comfort. The suspension is more supple than [his dad’s] Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The visibility is much better than the Punto.”<br />
<br />
Back home he had another look around: “The boot [trunk] is huge for such a small car. But the rear seat is tight—I don’t fit with the front seat in position for me to drive.”<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6TQJSN_1rFtv2hjIP7xotb6KAuVVSbRUNYTNp8kJ2LFTO7iNq_DdIUt3CxjNujZSEEXQlOR6qUF8YbT3BtpqSSqEmFcmHVZON6S8WX8SGS0_-iTu9HVAalFL1pj9MFsPtE0kBjJJJT4D/s1600/IMG_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6TQJSN_1rFtv2hjIP7xotb6KAuVVSbRUNYTNp8kJ2LFTO7iNq_DdIUt3CxjNujZSEEXQlOR6qUF8YbT3BtpqSSqEmFcmHVZON6S8WX8SGS0_-iTu9HVAalFL1pj9MFsPtE0kBjJJJT4D/s1600/IMG_0343.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Fed says good night to the Panda after their first bonding experience</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I caught up with Fed today after he’d driven the Panda into Milan and back. One day on, he had a couple more notes: “I’ve been using the Eco button [which reduces power and torque to reduce fuel consumption] and the difference in performance is minimal in city traffic. I only have one real complaint about it—the upper dashboard reflects on the windscreen in the daytime.”<br />
<br />
I suggested that Fed give it a couple days—the car is brand new and everything is still spotless and shining. Once a layer of dust settles on it (which will take no time in Italy) the reflection should reduce.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUetmIcY4yo92NeUPGHLsBGVLdF9ZmzPuCqLd3dMZ631O9cTfn4H2TLLjWe4y0ULU25PzYPSbk_cwCOV9-RKwNMqKdCzzubp4NqgKJlcW_iPPLfFYxhsff2WbhTL4Lzh-U9Ky8hLDvIAX4/s1600/IMG_0351.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUetmIcY4yo92NeUPGHLsBGVLdF9ZmzPuCqLd3dMZ631O9cTfn4H2TLLjWe4y0ULU25PzYPSbk_cwCOV9-RKwNMqKdCzzubp4NqgKJlcW_iPPLfFYxhsff2WbhTL4Lzh-U9Ky8hLDvIAX4/s1600/IMG_0351.JPG.jpeg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Panda’s first time off-road :-)</span></span></td></tr>
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<br />
Can someone accustomed to the king of off-road vehicles—the Land Rover Defender—really be satisfied with something so far at the other end of the scale? That gap may be smaller than it seems. In 2013 two Britons broke the world record for overlanding from Cape Town to London in a Panda 4x4 by a whole day—a record which was previously held, ironically, by a Defender (<a href="http://www.africarecordrun.com/" target="_blank">read about it here</a>).<br />
<br />
One thing in particular that Fed is excited about is the Panda’s tiny size and low weight, which enables it to go places the large and heavy Land Rover would have no hope in fitting. He is looking forward to experimenting with the Panda’s four-wheel-drive system—this includes an automatically actuated electronically coupling centre differential with a button for the driver to electronically simulate locking differentials (using the braking system) to transfer torque from wheels without grip to those with grip. A clever use of technology to keep costs (and weight) down.<br />
<br />
I am looking forward to my next visit so Fed can take me around some rural areas and show me what the Panda can do.<br />
<br />
Fed summarised his first 24 hours with the Panda by simply saying: “I have fallen in love with this car!”<br />
<br />
<h4>
2015 Fiat Panda 4x4 key specifications</h4>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Engine</b></div>
<div>
875cc inline 2-cylinder with turbocharger</div>
<div>
85 hp/145 N·m</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Transmission</b></div>
<div>
6-speed gearbox + reverse</div>
<div>
4x4 with automatic engagement</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Suspension</b></div>
<div>
Front: Independent MacPherson struts</div>
<div>
Rear: Semi-independent torsion beam</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Brakes</b></div>
<div>
Front: Ventilated discs, 257 mm</div>
<div>
Rear: Solid discs, 240 mm</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Wheels/tyres</b></div>
<div>
15” alloy<br />
175/65 R15 M+S</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Dimensions</b></div>
<div>
Length: 3,686 mm</div>
<div>
Width: 1,672 mm</div>
<div>
Height: 1,605 mm</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Weight</b></div>
<div>
1,125kg</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Performance</b></div>
<div>
0–100 km/hr (62 mph): 12.1s</div>
<div>
Maximum speed: 103 mph (166 km/hr)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Consumption</b></div>
<div>
Urban: 47.9 mpg (5.9 l/100 km)</div>
<div>
Extra-urban: 65.7 mpg (4.3 l/100 km)</div>
<div>
Combined: 57.6 mpg (4.7 l/100 km)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Emissions</b></div>
<div>
114g CO2/km</div>Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-45681392797845801992015-03-01T15:33:00.001+00:002015-03-01T15:33:50.803+00:00Depression, anxiety and self image... why do we do it to ourselves?I’ll get straight to the point—I’ve been going through a rough patch. In brief, my last remaining grandparent, my maternal grandmother, is quickly reaching the end of her life. Combined with a very busy and stressful time at work at the moment, this has caused me to re-evaluate my own life—doing so has caused depression and anxiety (D&A) to bubble up after so many successfully years of keeping it under the surface. This has caused some apathy and a loss of focus on the things I normally love doing, such as motorbiking and keeping my blog regularly updated.<br />
<br />
Many (and I will boldly say the majority of) people suffer D&A to varying degrees. I believe genetics play a part in being prone to D&A, as I can trace it up my family tree on my mum’s side. Because D&A is an ‘invisible’ illness, there is a stigma associated, and I feel the need to share what it’s like, from my perspective, to live with this, in the hopes that it will be of value to someone else. Doing so makes me feel exposed and somewhat vulnerable, but the stigma needs to be broken one person at a time.<br />
<br />
In my own words:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Depression:</b> When you don’t care about anything.</li>
<li><b>Anxiety:</b> When you care too much about everything.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Like many people, for me these come as an ironic, vicious circle of a package. D&A leaves me conflicted—getting into a rut means I start worrying that I don’t care about anything, escalating into my mind running a million miles an hour. This triggers the fight-or-flight response meaning frequent adrenaline highs (butterflies in the stomach) and preventing wind-down at night which means really shitty sleeps—compounding everything.<br />
<br />
My D&A causes me body/self image issues. Those who know me casually or professionally would likely say I am a confident, self-assured person holding my head up high, but in reality I have simply mastered the ability to project this image, or mask, or ‘gloss’. It’s what people expect—they don’t want to know what’s going on under the surface... and rightfully so, they have their own things to deal with.<br />
<br />
In my own words:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Self image:</b> When you can’t see yourself the way other people see you.</li>
<li><b>Narcissism:</b> Seeking approval from others for your appearance, then hating yourself for doing it, then doing it again, over and over.</li>
</ul>
<br />
I fight with my self image every day. At its best it might be wishing I didn’t have dark circles around my eyes—at worst it’s coming to a realisation that other people love me more than I love myself. At the same time I recognise how stupid and illogical it is to suffer from this ridiculous condition.<br />
<br />
Like a lot of people, I post far too many selfies of myself (aka gpoys, headshots etc). There is something oddly comforting about having people on Facebook or Instagram say nice things said about you and it gives a ‘quick fix’ to self image problems. However, it’s like opening Pandora’s box—do it once, and you want to relive the ‘high’ of the experience, so you do it again. My D&A then causes me to worry: “What if the next time no one likes the photo?”<br />
<br />
Selfies allow so much control through lighting and angles that they are really an idealised image of one’s self. They give you the ability to present what, in your mind, is the perfect image of yourself—but they are not how other people see you. In essence, they are frauds—everyone knows this. So they don’t actually help improve self image issues in the long run.<br />
<br />
Seeing yourself through someone else’s eyes, however, does help.<br />
<br />
The photos at the end of this post were taken by one of my closest friends Andy, who has little photographic experience. I knew he was taking them but not *when* he was going to start snapping away, so there is an element of candidness—they are not posed. As a photographer, I know when people pose, they are attempting to form themselves into what they believe is their best look—facial expression, posture, angle etc—but this is almost never the case.<br />
<br />
These are rare photos I can look at and not pick myself apart so much—I feel like I look a confident and sorted person for once, and I feel good about myself. I believe changing my appearance by growing out my beard to the ‘big’ stage has played a part as well. The picking is still there a little bit, bubbling away just below the surface—my shirt is one or two sizes larger than it should be, my beanie is turned up on one edge, I have sweat marks where my camera bag’s padded strap was pressing my shirt onto my skin (we’d just briskly walked more than 10 miles). Nevertheless, this is a <b>huge step forward</b> for me.<br />
<br />
I completely understand that self/body image issues are ‘only in my mind’—yet I can’t stop it. Others may look at the photos and think ‘how could this person have body image issues’, or ‘he looks intimidating, I wouldn’t want to run into him in a dark alley’, or ‘he looks cuddly’, or ‘what a bruiser’—everyone applies their own preferences, tastes and biases to photos.<br />
<br />
But for once, I’m ok with my appearance... ok that my Nordic/Viking genes have made me a barrel-chested, stocky-built person... ok that my Mediterranean genes have given me dark circles around my eyes... ok with the person I’ve become after 40 long years on this earth. And that makes today a good day.<br />
<br />
One step at a time. For the minute I’ve moved forward with my self image—next is to move a step forward with my D&A. When my grandmother’s time comes, the funeral will help provide closure to that particular source of D&A. Spring is coming which means trips out to the byways on my bikes—one of my favourite ways of distancing myself from my troubles. Motorbiking requires 100% concentration—no time to dwell on other things.<br />
<br />
I think the most effective way to deal with D&A is to <b>believe</b> that you will come through it. This<br />
empowers you to make the changes required to choose to be a happier person. For some people that means changing a job or school, moving to a different city, removing the negativity from their lives. For others it is distracting themselves with activities they enjoy and not allowing themselves to get bored to the point that the D&A resurfaces. Everyone is different and there is no single answer.<br />
<br />
Once things get better again—and they <b>will</b> get better—I will be in a good place to make regular blog entries again. Right now I’m taking some much-needed ‘me’ time. Until then, I continue to appreciate all the people who have read and commented on my past entries and hope to welcome you back soon. As always I will be monitoring and replying to comments, and I would be particularly grateful for your thoughts on this entry.<br />
<br />
As a final note, thank you to <a href="http://advgrrl.com/" target="_blank">Leslie from Advgrrl</a> for encouraging me to publicly post this entry in the hopes that others may find benefit in reading it.<br />
<br />
George<br />
x<br />
<br />
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<br />Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-85884307704620026202015-01-30T02:42:00.001+00:002015-01-30T17:23:19.390+00:00Radio silence... and a slightly more personal postIt’s been a while since I posted an update and, well, there is little reason other than I haven’t had many opportunities to get out on the bike.<br />
<br />
Ok, it was a crazy Christmas at work with a huge number of events I was helping to organise, photographing or just providing a helping hand. I prefer to keep my work life completely separate from my blog, but I will say it involves communications design in a healthcare setting.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPECk5TTyAj4eNTWJ8hB-gKVFEE9SBvGZl6zfmqp3opNo8_qhBA8Xu_L-DMo_R601YlbiI-NxaMJzdkoh4F6vnMoTKUKSm1ku5DENk0But6rOVIi7z8Ax-8q7qK6TsElb17Haq0mddDmO/s1600/IMG_6491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPECk5TTyAj4eNTWJ8hB-gKVFEE9SBvGZl6zfmqp3opNo8_qhBA8Xu_L-DMo_R601YlbiI-NxaMJzdkoh4F6vnMoTKUKSm1ku5DENk0But6rOVIi7z8Ax-8q7qK6TsElb17Haq0mddDmO/s1600/IMG_6491.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How I was feeling by the time Christmas was over...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Last week I got word that my 93 year old grandmother had fallen seriously ill with pneumonia and was rushed to hospital—the doctors believed there was little chance she would survive more than a couple days. Unfortunately she lives halfway around the world near Vancouver BC and, while I speak with her regularly on the phone, I don’t often get to see her.<br />
<br />
Within 24 hours I was at her bedside and had a chance to visit her three times. I was only away for four days, after which I promptly came down sick as a dog with a nasty, bastard cold, exactly 48 hours after my flight home (which so happens to be the incubation period of the cold virus).<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6woxvXK05qnJiQEIJno9mMln4IuXMSqYh7bYyT0pX3Hz4H-F0zkacp3NDfojGI1V-hifOpNA17pzHyFAbUj5h6UVOk64FGI_patQRoajC-gThOfOwYR2MbqaXFogt1GvJ9yxKN-gtwAhR/s1600/IMG_0617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6woxvXK05qnJiQEIJno9mMln4IuXMSqYh7bYyT0pX3Hz4H-F0zkacp3NDfojGI1V-hifOpNA17pzHyFAbUj5h6UVOk64FGI_patQRoajC-gThOfOwYR2MbqaXFogt1GvJ9yxKN-gtwAhR/s1600/IMG_0617.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with my grandmother—strong enough to prove the doctors wrong!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There was a silver lining, however. Four days after I saw her, she pulled through against the odds and is now back at home. And although it was a short visit, I did get a chance to visit with friends I rarely get to see.<br />
<br />
I need to vent a bit, so back to Vancouver. I lived there for many years before London and it has, of course, changed a lot since I left more than a decade ago.<br />
<br />
The flight over was actually a pleasure. I had three seats to myself and could lie down almost like being in bed for much of the flight. The flight crew were literally the best I can ever remember—friendly, efficient and professional, and genuinely happy to supply all the drinks and snacks I wanted during the flight. Well done Air Canada—credit where it’s due.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQfDpQ9n9CwCyxeGhgB9MTLYbwYfb41B4qAWq9xOa8j6WWqtoZFbrUK-aIpDNRDXmL7SDQEpNj86W7axb8rgakgx9dB98Y5-qkXIOvfrvAgm9uht3ukHmW4IK8sRqp5g-f8qXbLfajK8e/s1600/IMG_6759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQfDpQ9n9CwCyxeGhgB9MTLYbwYfb41B4qAWq9xOa8j6WWqtoZFbrUK-aIpDNRDXmL7SDQEpNj86W7axb8rgakgx9dB98Y5-qkXIOvfrvAgm9uht3ukHmW4IK8sRqp5g-f8qXbLfajK8e/s1600/IMG_6759.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeper seats at economy prices</td></tr>
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I arrived on a rainy Friday afternoon and took the train to downtown Vancouver to collect my hire car before driving to my parent’s home just outside the city.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJw2uRAzSabzdVkw2m6lC0s1QL6_Aj84244NshyphenhyphengVGMxHodqVmcJPA5dOMAXTepAqUJNdheAaONRD-GbiQ2VEI77IK8h363SyQ2xp9VObNQkzRFyI0oIgxCQTOuDqUHPUL70qtH4hrK-5/s1600/IMG_6745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJw2uRAzSabzdVkw2m6lC0s1QL6_Aj84244NshyphenhyphengVGMxHodqVmcJPA5dOMAXTepAqUJNdheAaONRD-GbiQ2VEI77IK8h363SyQ2xp9VObNQkzRFyI0oIgxCQTOuDqUHPUL70qtH4hrK-5/s1600/IMG_6745.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yaletown in the late afternoon, 45 minutes after the plane landed—the train from the airport is efficient</td></tr>
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I prefer not to drive after being awake for 20 hours, especially swapping from right hand drive to left hand drive, but timeliness was essential. It turned out I had to drive in the worst rainstorm in recent memory—it was raining so hard I couldn’t see the lines on the road. Thankfully I made it without incident and after a short visit with my parents I went straight to bed.<br />
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The next morning I was up early due to the jet lag and decided to have a drive around. I found myself somewhat disappointed that nearly all my connections from the past were either gone or changed—places I used to visit with my friends, cornerstones of my previous life there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5OsyGuIyi5XyUGD90Ey5bDc_63AZWop6anM_MYB_p7zMgZ71ndF1hb8ALTrEPCZiy2RTt3fxfQB6YNPnwLnhbXdU8c2pomhMreE4jVB8drIlzJbiSgIczFqGRcW3rxKcN4-oN837963o/s1600/IMG_6777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5OsyGuIyi5XyUGD90Ey5bDc_63AZWop6anM_MYB_p7zMgZ71ndF1hb8ALTrEPCZiy2RTt3fxfQB6YNPnwLnhbXdU8c2pomhMreE4jVB8drIlzJbiSgIczFqGRcW3rxKcN4-oN837963o/s1600/IMG_6777.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jet lag kicked in</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One coffee shop in particular was still there so I thought I would pop my head in and see if the same people owned the place. Once inside, there were only two customers (it was once busting at the seams each day) and a woman at the counter. The conversation went like this:<br />
<br />
Me: “Hello, I’m visiting from abroad and used to come here all the time years ago—I was wondering if the ------s still own the shop?”<br />
<br />
Woman: “I don’t know who that is.”<br />
<br />
Me: “Oh right? They were the people who opened the shop in the mid-90s. I did the logo for them back then.”<br />
<br />
Woman: “We aren’t looking for anyone to change the logo.”<br />
<br />
Me: “I have no interest in changing the logo, I only mentioned it. Is the owner here?”<br />
<br />
Woman: “Yes.”<br />
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Me: “May I speak to the owner?”<br />
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Woman: “No.”<br />
<br />
Me (with disbelief): “Sorry? Why not?”<br />
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Woman: “The owner is my husband.”<br />
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Me: “Right? Why can’t I speak to him?”<br />
<br />
Woman: “You’re not speaking to the owner.”<br />
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Me: “Right. It’s slightly disappointing that you’re being so obstructive. And for what? I’m simply trying to reconnect with people I knew years ago. But you’re going out of your way to be abrasive—it’s no surprise the place is empty.”<br />
<br />
I turned and walked out while she looked at me like I’d done a shit in my hat. Needless to say this was the start of a downward spiral of realisation that this was no longer ‘home’. I visited a few other old haunts and, while everyone else I spoke to was much more amicable and helpful, everyone had moved on to new things.<br />
<br />
I had no expectation that things would be the same as they were more than 10 years ago, but I also didn’t expect there to be absolutely no connections left.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpofdBL7a1QZFAx21Utt7srzztuwSTPa7GR2-60mtwksaBnENx4tUvYJoc6Gn46TUER1fAYUECcrKzZRQ9QcFfX2yzH_CN-wRGvX_aRwoJnUFLpe77D5Wrr-0l_iHQ5oFCt_AioHEXkQzS/s1600/IMG_6786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpofdBL7a1QZFAx21Utt7srzztuwSTPa7GR2-60mtwksaBnENx4tUvYJoc6Gn46TUER1fAYUECcrKzZRQ9QcFfX2yzH_CN-wRGvX_aRwoJnUFLpe77D5Wrr-0l_iHQ5oFCt_AioHEXkQzS/s1600/IMG_6786.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family reunion, sadly not under the best circumstances</td></tr>
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<br />
I managed to catch up for dinner with my friend Christina, one of my closest friends from my past. I also had coffee with friends who drove out to see me. Getting back together for those few hours made things feel like old times again.<br />
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Admittedly I was emotionally compromised due to the circumstances of my visit, but adding to the gloom was the non-stop rain.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK2EpStPfAop91xY4lPh-l7ehB9jtEa9EOgN0kwNh1gzRS3UIH1MplEum_M6AzA_Kg5vHYAce9vyv2Y4SsYlKObqRkMyQAdANsl4Un6y69E5fdvBQHMyOMdBZNeEZm4UrFqSzfmZkanaW/s1600/IMG_6749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK2EpStPfAop91xY4lPh-l7ehB9jtEa9EOgN0kwNh1gzRS3UIH1MplEum_M6AzA_Kg5vHYAce9vyv2Y4SsYlKObqRkMyQAdANsl4Un6y69E5fdvBQHMyOMdBZNeEZm4UrFqSzfmZkanaW/s1600/IMG_6749.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Non-stop rain</td></tr>
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I left my parent’s house in the late afternoon the day before I was due to fly back to London so I could stay in downtown Vancouver my friend Jason and not have to rush the next day to catch my flight. Along the way I met up with my cousin and his fiancé for a quick coffee. I returned the car, which was conveniently about 4 blocks from my friend’s building, and walked over.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiySITb2aM1dj8-SBiFf7an7E1jHUwj4W2UDi_65FRTvXQIY9_GuePN3bVSAuqwIvIXBUXJbUMPeulSJNlrdF_vQ167GGQmyPnsMmRbSXYBr5GYIRtYBxOy66bIegJ6mOAN0akdPQAbF1B/s1600/IMG_6850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiySITb2aM1dj8-SBiFf7an7E1jHUwj4W2UDi_65FRTvXQIY9_GuePN3bVSAuqwIvIXBUXJbUMPeulSJNlrdF_vQ167GGQmyPnsMmRbSXYBr5GYIRtYBxOy66bIegJ6mOAN0akdPQAbF1B/s1600/IMG_6850.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my very longtime friend Jason—we’re wearing the whole 40s thing!</td></tr>
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Jason lives on a fairly high floor right in the city centre, and the panoramic views of the city were amazing. After ordering in dinner we managed to get out for a couple pints with my friend Tristan.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaMNi1mfSRMPEqKM5k-XYNnGeXN2Rxd3K5La1xwv3dDJNz7MVEqvMXmRiMHl4PwMw0XFH_cUfjnIbmnJ-aWlF_XJquYQaRViQ1NyyOeDLgNGMJyLss0ExC6PQqhnGqrdRMCO8l7uIhknR/s1600/IMG_6796.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaMNi1mfSRMPEqKM5k-XYNnGeXN2Rxd3K5La1xwv3dDJNz7MVEqvMXmRiMHl4PwMw0XFH_cUfjnIbmnJ-aWlF_XJquYQaRViQ1NyyOeDLgNGMJyLss0ExC6PQqhnGqrdRMCO8l7uIhknR/s1600/IMG_6796.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3IY-a7KY2AcOZmagz6nBTWxqPHvN2M-ucmUNt8sW1nS1BFBDw1vpzfIxTKCEoTJF7agMGNWzQTFd66Fwmy-Fbx6LAsPCWs5-QWbUEGwgOu8_Beu6a5oRIQNbyvp2ji6rNo1HtbvNPupz/s1600/IMG_6805.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3IY-a7KY2AcOZmagz6nBTWxqPHvN2M-ucmUNt8sW1nS1BFBDw1vpzfIxTKCEoTJF7agMGNWzQTFd66Fwmy-Fbx6LAsPCWs5-QWbUEGwgOu8_Beu6a5oRIQNbyvp2ji6rNo1HtbvNPupz/s1600/IMG_6805.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWN4Qr7TTG5olERyTtMNzgkv6PQS4CIjhVoRm59K2XZ-USfRIrSmzftwYUkV5jhO6DGfGoSIGO2vOz5ygZWInTugnugrh6Z8sUCUvR4HfIVrokkXTFpjTiKyM4NOLWwDQJRqjWfA2nHSs/s1600/IMG_6820.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWN4Qr7TTG5olERyTtMNzgkv6PQS4CIjhVoRm59K2XZ-USfRIrSmzftwYUkV5jhO6DGfGoSIGO2vOz5ygZWInTugnugrh6Z8sUCUvR4HfIVrokkXTFpjTiKyM4NOLWwDQJRqjWfA2nHSs/s1600/IMG_6820.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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The next morning I woke up early again and took a couple of time-lapses of the sunrise.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7rdaJDzPorE" width="640"></iframe><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1-anpF-GgS4" width="640"></iframe><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalOr2nQlP-wPgRvzTiRnCl8UMkC9HjFEEFRIN5T7gOAo81ov-veYjN1H8zZSHYk-EH-KHOE3SLhTtO7G8ui6Z0aIKX_96M_sjZjSCAPV1xJtyUM4yUfcrIZkE1Q7pYOz8opxWlZoRC51Z/s1600/IMG_6936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalOr2nQlP-wPgRvzTiRnCl8UMkC9HjFEEFRIN5T7gOAo81ov-veYjN1H8zZSHYk-EH-KHOE3SLhTtO7G8ui6Z0aIKX_96M_sjZjSCAPV1xJtyUM4yUfcrIZkE1Q7pYOz8opxWlZoRC51Z/s1600/IMG_6936.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking like a garden gnome thanks to the soft Vancouver water causing beard madness!</td></tr>
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After breakfast we went for a walk around the city. Despite the low winter sun, it was warmer than expected at a balmy 12°C.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWt3-umIgeedyC4dGOTK6EEKqfOK3Tv_kZZIWsbBB_WQI1O8vYE-Rbo0DmQU-ULicIv3grX5kJ7p8M84Ism-vAvr_qZoD7xseUzMZsLW3C9-hXtcyvSC9EPqEJmmNIEiTZb7qR9N7g99Q/s1600/IMG_6856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWt3-umIgeedyC4dGOTK6EEKqfOK3Tv_kZZIWsbBB_WQI1O8vYE-Rbo0DmQU-ULicIv3grX5kJ7p8M84Ism-vAvr_qZoD7xseUzMZsLW3C9-hXtcyvSC9EPqEJmmNIEiTZb7qR9N7g99Q/s1600/IMG_6856.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks cold... wasn’t at all.</td></tr>
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I repacked my suitcase and started making my way to the airport, with one last stop along the way to meet up with my friend Nick.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqn88U4jGsW1zOejXO3Ky-F7hXSSFljaDFXvD7sxHgbbf636PrnEYws3kVrwzjA8ZyU9t57OZahKoheihnkEHBAxEmeYGPFoIbtKQqm_rKWYFgDihe2LMwhx4XujvgWRUgMhHWOMe_ioY/s1600/IMG_6858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqn88U4jGsW1zOejXO3Ky-F7hXSSFljaDFXvD7sxHgbbf636PrnEYws3kVrwzjA8ZyU9t57OZahKoheihnkEHBAxEmeYGPFoIbtKQqm_rKWYFgDihe2LMwhx4XujvgWRUgMhHWOMe_ioY/s1600/IMG_6858.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my friend Nick—one of the good ones</td></tr>
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I was feeling in much better spirits about the trip by the time I’d got back to the airport, and was sad I had to go home so quickly. My grandmother was defying the doctors and on the mend with the fluid slowly leaving her lungs, I had the opportunity to catch up briefly with family and friends, and after my initial disappointments I had started to embrace the progressions in the places at which I spent so much time during my younger years. The coldness I experienced on my arrival was replaced by the warmth of spending time with friends and family.<br />
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Vancouver Airport ranks among the most beautiful airports in the world, with artwork throughout and sections mimicking the rainforests along the west coast. Security was efficient with no fuss.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByLi8o0hPCSCSsG7bKhW3RbRzTPVcSaCsEHzK2-WlP_hOu4RoGWCt6PQT1bGIr68zrsFtPdIRMepJnHyeEv25xVhxIGTj0tLa486ryRWekTux-aLSgZJ4Sfji8b8uTT81Sp50rRuS6cOm/s1600/IMG_6862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByLi8o0hPCSCSsG7bKhW3RbRzTPVcSaCsEHzK2-WlP_hOu4RoGWCt6PQT1bGIr68zrsFtPdIRMepJnHyeEv25xVhxIGTj0tLa486ryRWekTux-aLSgZJ4Sfji8b8uTT81Sp50rRuS6cOm/s1600/IMG_6862.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of rainforest-inspired gardens in Vancouver Airport</td></tr>
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The flight home was just as good, again with three seats on which to lie down and I managed to catch a few winks of sleep. I was also lucky to see the arctic sunrise from 11,000m.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A2aSEUPcc1LBQIhHKTOrwAH1iX-DKml1ar8BZo0ZcHfNe1TuaDFXI4nDMUW0By_rm_4vMeNEA1T_Q8kaBfev8NmK3l0ZtEX0dONamHMGGaT5s7rmnzuQ-QRBJZX6XUupkJkvp88EgROj/s1600/IMG_6892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A2aSEUPcc1LBQIhHKTOrwAH1iX-DKml1ar8BZo0ZcHfNe1TuaDFXI4nDMUW0By_rm_4vMeNEA1T_Q8kaBfev8NmK3l0ZtEX0dONamHMGGaT5s7rmnzuQ-QRBJZX6XUupkJkvp88EgROj/s1600/IMG_6892.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High enough to see the curvature of the earth</td></tr>
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I managed to get a time-lapse of the start of the final descent with a loop over Oxfordshire.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2ncKW6q2uFQ" width="640"></iframe><br />
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Due to congestion at Heathrow the pilot did a loop over London making for some incredible views.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iIWllbsRHAx4jzaEuRzBnaauQWWccPAQsOv29-E43GvOe9sc0Uu-_hGL2U3v9L8UHb1jX0RYJByfK2Gm9xOn7xn43hApvz7jmyIQZbVlTBucnojvAMmymrYErISCSBJkObql7uMAkiyd/s1600/IMG_6923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iIWllbsRHAx4jzaEuRzBnaauQWWccPAQsOv29-E43GvOe9sc0Uu-_hGL2U3v9L8UHb1jX0RYJByfK2Gm9xOn7xn43hApvz7jmyIQZbVlTBucnojvAMmymrYErISCSBJkObql7uMAkiyd/s1600/IMG_6923.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before Google Earth, this was the only way to see London like this</td></tr>
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The landing at Heathrow was flawless, and the flight crew were happy for me to film it (take note EasyJet).<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HqrQ_dRx54o" width="640"></iframe><br />
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In the days which followed I learned that my grandmother was discharged home as she felt it was better for her recovery. She is not fully recovered by any means, but is making progress. As she lives alone, a carer visits her daily and my family have been checking up on her regularly. Fingers crossed she has a little while longer with us all.<br />
<br />Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-41804561739720890222014-11-23T16:23:00.000+00:002014-11-23T16:31:25.086+00:00The extraordinary convergence of a nameThe GS name was used in the automotive industry long before BMW’s famous line of bikes. From 1970–1986 French carmaker Citroën manufactured a small family car—the Citroën GS (and later GSA).<br />
<br />
At first glance, this humble, plucky car would seem to have nothing in common with BMW’s contemporary range of dual sport bikes other than its name, but look more closely and a most extraordinary convergence appears.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXk1mOnGNayYDvQ-kmv3q8LqQGSO9k11laG4sh9SL3NOhzvfcY0LgfjN07EPzjXcGJgYvEeZyU2z1VybVegg0LsKUiJjEOav_8VpcRylIDt17KEno7BJTJX9OETXk_bMKls-dDhAmdY_K/s1600/gsa1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXk1mOnGNayYDvQ-kmv3q8LqQGSO9k11laG4sh9SL3NOhzvfcY0LgfjN07EPzjXcGJgYvEeZyU2z1VybVegg0LsKUiJjEOav_8VpcRylIDt17KEno7BJTJX9OETXk_bMKls-dDhAmdY_K/s1600/gsa1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Citroen GSA circa 1980</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Bearing in mind the Citroën GS was launched in 1970, it was equipped with unheard-of technologies for its day. A hydropneumatic suspension system which, through mechanical means, self levelled and adjusted damping according to road conditions, and prevented the front of the car from diving during braking. A precursor to anti-lock brakes which linked the braking and suspension systems to distribute front/rear brake force according to load, helping to prevent lock-up under hard braking. Even the option of clutchless manual gear changes.<br />
<br />
Many of its technological features are mirrored in the R1200GS, and a few in the F800GS—more than 40 years later. The table below compares some key features:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Citroën GS/A</span><br />
<br /></th>
<th width="5%"></th>
<th width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">R1200GS/A</span><br />
<br /></th>
<th width="5%"></th>
<th width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">F800GS/A</span><br />
<br /></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Air cooled boxer engine 1,000–1,300cc depending on version</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td width="5%"></td>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Air/liquid cooled boxer engine 1,200cc</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td width="5%"></td>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Liquid cooled parallel twin 800cc</span><br />
<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Self levelling air/oil double wishbone/trailing arm suspension with anti-dive braking and mechanical adaptive damping</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td width="5%"></td>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">ESA semi-active wishbone/trailing arm suspension with electronic preload adjustment, anti-dive braking and electronic adaptive damping</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td width="5%"></td>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">ESA fork/swing arm suspension with electronic adaptive damping (on rear only)</span><br />
<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">All disc brakes with load sensing, pressure propotioning system linked into suspension to reduce likelihood of locking brakes</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td width="5%"></td>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">All disc brakes with load sensing, pressure proportioning system and ABS</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td width="5%"></td>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">All disc brakes with ABS</span><br />
<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Optional clutchless manual shifting via C-Matic system</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td width="5%"></td>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Optional clutchless manual shifting via Gear Shift Assist Pro system</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td width="5%"></td>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">n/a</span><br />
<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Class leading aerodynamics, among the first vehicles to utilise Kamm tail design which used airflow to keep the rear window clear of water without the use of a wiper</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td width="5%"></td>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Wind tunnel optimised design to optimise airflow, reducing the amount of spray reaching the rider/pillion when riding in wet weather and maximising high speed stability</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td width="5%"></td>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Wind tunnel optimised design, maximising high speed stability</span><br />
<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Unique design which set it apart from other vehicles of the era</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td width="5%"></td>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Individualist design unique to BMW</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td width="5%"></td>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Individualist design unique to BMW</span><br />
<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Class leading fuel efficiency</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td width="5%"></td>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Class leading fuel efficiency</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td width="5%"></td>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Class leading fuel efficiency</span><br />
<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF" width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Popular with more than 2.5m sold</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td width="5%"></td>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">BMW's top selling motorcycle worldwide</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td width="5%"></td>
<td width="30%"><span style="font-size: small;">Popular bike in its class</span><br />
<br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
However, the Citroën GS had one party trick up its sleeve that not even BMW’s latest can match—the ability for that hydropneumatic suspension system to balance the car on three wheels.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oX7aZ4JFP40jt2NALc5UDqQHnEhbTsaQJwhcMOB6Txm_MWVOqJw3sb9IoCLnuwH_-35peh4VmBiYKstHvR7aY7pi4h3Ns_vy546xQnx4SQD4H5FK2AJJziA35VKgcKl9a1h2tm9z4TCW/s1600/citroen-gsa-club-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oX7aZ4JFP40jt2NALc5UDqQHnEhbTsaQJwhcMOB6Txm_MWVOqJw3sb9IoCLnuwH_-35peh4VmBiYKstHvR7aY7pi4h3Ns_vy546xQnx4SQD4H5FK2AJJziA35VKgcKl9a1h2tm9z4TCW/s1600/citroen-gsa-club-04.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Citroen GS circa 1975 turning with a wheel removed</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The point? Back in the 70s, tyre failure occurred at an alarming rate compared to today, and the GS remained perfectly controllable during a blow-out even at its top speed, enabling the driver to safely come to a stop.<br />
<br />
In fact, the suspension was so stable, the car could negotiate a slalom on three wheels.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YhuEoX_y0qY" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
It’s interesting that the GS name represented such advanced technologies back in the 70s, and continues to do so today, albeit in a very area of the transportation marketplace.<br />
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What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-40025972432169931792014-11-23T14:31:00.001+00:002014-11-23T15:03:52.969+00:00Gear Shift Assist Pro—summary and myth bustersTwo of the most-read posts on my blog are the ones relating to the Gear Shift Assist Pro (GSAP) system on the R1200GS which was launched earlier this year. Of note, the system was an industry first for road bikes with the ability to execute both upshifts and downshifts without using the clutch. However there was, and has been, little coverage by the mainstream motorcycle press.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.gelandestrasse.co.uk/2014/04/first-look-gear-shift-assist-pro-on-bmw.html" target="_blank">First look: Gear Shift Assist Pro on the BMW R1200GS</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.gelandestrasse.co.uk/2014/04/a-few-days-on-with-gear-shift-assist.html" target="_blank">A few days on with Gear Shift Assist Pro on the BMW R1200GS</a></li>
</ul>
If you’ve read the posts above you’ll know I couldn’t be more pleased with the system, so eight months on I’m revisiting GSAP from a functional side, based on questions asked in a number of forums.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzNXqxQ72KB3AN5RD0obBGYzgtAkoWIpC8cCXOEdp8yIqmw9uYCM2YvfS9fL7zhSc4IbCaKnoT7YOuwcl_4v_wZQLEyztsqhFvOqZOJkAPR-rTfPs2G_rCWeyGyuCuiUIx42TdOKt1_7J/s1600/gsap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzNXqxQ72KB3AN5RD0obBGYzgtAkoWIpC8cCXOEdp8yIqmw9uYCM2YvfS9fL7zhSc4IbCaKnoT7YOuwcl_4v_wZQLEyztsqhFvOqZOJkAPR-rTfPs2G_rCWeyGyuCuiUIx42TdOKt1_7J/s1600/gsap.jpg" height="250" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h4>
Physical operation</h4>
<br />
<ul>
<li>The device is simply a sensor with a linkage which replaces the standard linkage between the shifter and the shaft on the transmission.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Electronic operation</h4>
<br />
<ul>
<li>During an upshift the system senses the movement on the shifter and when it passes a threshold, cuts fuel injection for 50–100ms to relieve torque on the driveline and enable the next gear to engage. </li>
<li>During a downshift, the system senses the movement on the shifter and when it passes a threshold, adds enough fuel to relieve driveline torque, then readjusts fuelling to match the rev of the next gear down, which occurs over 100–150ms—basically the same principle as double declutching squeezed into a timeframe of about 1/10 second, or two virtually instantaneous blips of the throttle.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Clutch operation</h4>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Unaffected—the system does not integrate with the clutch in any way.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Shift feel/action</h4>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Subjectively, about 5–10% heavier than stock when shifting with the clutch—the geometry of the linkage/sensor is slightly different than the stock linkage which makes the shift action slightly heavier.</li>
<li>The shift feel is about 50% heavier when using the GSAP system (without the clutch). Gear changes using the system must be executed in a deliberate and committed manner—no half-hearted attempts.</li>
<li>Some people report that neutral is easier to find after the unit is installed due to this change in geometry (myself included).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Normal shifting (using the clutch)</h4>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Exactly the same as stock but with a 5–10% heavier feel as mentioned above. When using the clutch the GSAP system is inactive. The GSAP system takes feedback from the microswitch in the clutch lever which also deactivates the cruise control and/or the starter motor.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
GSAP shifting (not using the clutch)</h4>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Upshifting requires the throttle to be open with the bike accelerating (even gentle acceleration). Downshifting requires the throttle to be fully closed with the bike decelerating. Any deviation from these two rules will result in a rough shift. </li>
<li>Works in all gears on and off road once the bike is in motion—you must use the clutch as normal to move off and also when coming to a complete stop.</li>
<li>Once you are accustomed to the operation of the system it is particularly handy when riding in conditions which require a higher number of gear changes—for example, in urban areas or twisty mountain roads.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Learning curve</h4>
<br />
<ul>
<li>It took me about two miles worth of city riding to learn the system and have it executes shifts perfectly about 90% of the time. Eight months later, virtually 100% of shifts are executed perfectly <b>within the parameters noted in the point above</b>. </li>
<li>Shifting from 1st to 2nd or downshifting from 2nd to 1st works as well as the other gears, but with experience you will get a feel about when it is appropriate to do this change using the system, due to the effectively higher engine braking/power while in such low gears.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
System quirk</h4>
<br />
<ul>
<li>The R1200GS engine management cuts fuel flow during deceleration, but starts injecting fuel again in preparation for idle as the revs drop below approximately 2,250rpm. You can hear this on the bike as 1–2 slight pops from the exhaust. Downshifting using GSAP at or below that particular point will result in a rough shift.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
Rider quirk</h4>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Most riders have ridden only manual bikes and it is very unnatural to keep the throttle open while executing a gear change. If you find the system rough on upshifts, it is nearly always due to an unconscious roll-on or roll-off of the throttle, even the slightest amount. It took months to retrain my brain not to move the throttle at all during upshifts which was resulting in the odd rough shift.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Do you have anything to add to this list, or any other questions about the system? Let me know in the comments below.Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-13815936239413315542014-11-10T00:00:00.000+00:002014-11-23T14:56:02.803+00:00BMW F800R updatedAlong with the launch of the S1000XR, BMW announced their updated F800R at EICMA Milan 2014 on 4 November. I’ve taken a few days to digest the changes to this often underrated bike.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My first impression is that the updated F800R has lost a good chunk of its distinctiveness because of BMW’s decision to move away from the asymmetrical ‘winking’ headlamp unit in favour of an anonymous single headlamp which would look equally at home on any number of bikes from Honda, Suzuki or Yamaha to name a few.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While the new look is growing on me somewhat, the bike does lose much of its identity—however, the change is not as far removed from BMW as it may seem. The headlamp bears more than a passing resemblance to the Husqvarna Nuda—a bike based on the F800GS which was developed while Husqvarna was under BMW ownership. On both bikes, the headlamp is near vertical, giving an optical illusion that it is leaning forward rather than sweeping back. The bodywork has been updated to flow with the new headlamp.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The other noticeable upgrade is the front forks—the previous standard forks which have been replaced by less spindly-looking upside down forks which gives a more solid look to the front.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Other changes include a 3 hp increase in power and shorter gearing in 1st and 2nd gears to help increase acceleration. Front brakes have been upgraded to radial callipers and the bike rides on lighter alloy wheels compared to the previous version. Options now include ASC (traction control) and ESA (electronic suspension adjustment—as with the other F-series bikes it only affects the rear suspension).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While the F800R, subjectively, remains an attractive motorbike, I can’t help but lament the fact it has lost a lot of its quirkiness that made the previous version stand out.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/pressDetail.html?title=the-new-bmw-f-800-r&outputChannelId=6&id=T0195136EN&left_menu_item=node__4099" target="_blank">Official BMW press release</a></li>
</ul>
<h4>
Photos</h4>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhpGa3ZZXi0Zh9_5ZawSVsiYa6IIRm9XXXFNjIMUHlgPhZblcvHGKAaUzYIBdbvpOlaud-SEuLvMwsGcNZOXOpH91dNEygFj-QNjIdbfmPKhVwBLl05QsoyzCi_eLzznd6QcqKNfbYYO3/s1600/P90167211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhpGa3ZZXi0Zh9_5ZawSVsiYa6IIRm9XXXFNjIMUHlgPhZblcvHGKAaUzYIBdbvpOlaud-SEuLvMwsGcNZOXOpH91dNEygFj-QNjIdbfmPKhVwBLl05QsoyzCi_eLzznd6QcqKNfbYYO3/s1600/P90167211.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">F800R 2015</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5E3OsJ6J6SyNCxRGI6cGNSdv9pyueX3IEN64jaRj1OaORHwCWCKRLjRIzBsPwZdn-goGflh9RqumSWggRHUd5qfcyzZli_aqOfg2WqNwyUqWucG5MZd7c-v2qWwLKbaW0GHh8CQ8Gbbb6/s1600/P90167266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5E3OsJ6J6SyNCxRGI6cGNSdv9pyueX3IEN64jaRj1OaORHwCWCKRLjRIzBsPwZdn-goGflh9RqumSWggRHUd5qfcyzZli_aqOfg2WqNwyUqWucG5MZd7c-v2qWwLKbaW0GHh8CQ8Gbbb6/s1600/P90167266.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">F800R 2015</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGsea8YKDqLXs2LP1qZiCSfvvk7CQKEED07KCgsXzuaCUVyk44XXi6aEXooeafh6Fl2L121setxPvNi9Vl48KDUcCuDuKu9R8xmcsq-XpVTVoVMFUKrA4UFPr_HwZr8ro88fBGJDy2Xed/s1600/P90167278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGsea8YKDqLXs2LP1qZiCSfvvk7CQKEED07KCgsXzuaCUVyk44XXi6aEXooeafh6Fl2L121setxPvNi9Vl48KDUcCuDuKu9R8xmcsq-XpVTVoVMFUKrA4UFPr_HwZr8ro88fBGJDy2Xed/s1600/P90167278.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">F800R 2015 with BMW accessories</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgN9ZiF3YrpNfXUA5A9w2enYJuS4_t0wgFu0eNupd2yb1ZWx-2LIRuA1Erjj-67RewHwDTV0C1kDgy-Nvb8ZVIP-L86tQsbsXFjReCzhcV-0sLTn2xaKHe1ojlGiZPvLgFT6fBFXAcFtw/s1600/2012-Husqvarna-Nuda900f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgN9ZiF3YrpNfXUA5A9w2enYJuS4_t0wgFu0eNupd2yb1ZWx-2LIRuA1Erjj-67RewHwDTV0C1kDgy-Nvb8ZVIP-L86tQsbsXFjReCzhcV-0sLTn2xaKHe1ojlGiZPvLgFT6fBFXAcFtw/s1600/2012-Husqvarna-Nuda900f.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Husqvarna Nuda with similar headlamp styling. This discontinued bike featured some amazing design details (look at the front spray guard, for example) and was based on the F800GS, sharing much of the frame and many components, and powered by a 900cc version of the F-series parallel twin engine.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-14730579589908582062014-11-09T23:21:00.000+00:002014-11-09T23:21:15.138+00:00Filtering (aka lane splitting): Yes, it’s saferIn most of the world, filtering (otherwise known as lane splitting) is not only legal and expected practice by motorbikes, it is often a component of the road test when going through the licencing process. Yet, this practice remains a point of contention with often strong negative opinions in North America where filtering is illegal (outside California).<br />
<br />
Even in California riders tend to have strong and mixed opinions on the practice, despite studies on the subject which have consistently shown that fewer fatalities occur in areas where filtering is legal or tolerated.<br />
<br />
I have more than 20,000 miles of inner city London riding under my belt (and many more long distance miles). During this time I would say someone has deliberately attempted to block me or endanger my life at most once every 3–4,000 miles because drivers here tend to understand that motorbikes reduce congestion which therefore shortens journey times for everyone.<br />
<br />
Having lived and driven in North America extensively, I noticed a much higher level of aggression and road rage by drivers there compared to Europe—as though people are much more reactive to the perception that their rights are being infringed for any number of reasons, not least because another vehicle is able to squeeze through smaller gaps and is therefore able to make progress more quickly. The driving culture is very much ‘me, me, me’—if I can’t go, no one else should be able to go, it’s so unfair, so I’m going to block anyone trying to come through.<br />
<br />
Even if filtering was made legal across North America tomorrow, until this culture shifts to one of mutual respect, acceptance and understanding, filtering just won’t work in the states and provinces where it is currently banned. It’s not queue-jumping—it’s making full use of available space.<br />
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Of course, filtering is not carte blanche to ride like a buffoon—it is about moving with caution and prudence at a speed appropriate to the traffic and road conditions. Like most riders in the UK, I won’t filter on the motorway unless speeds have dropped below 40–45mph because common sense dictates that anything faster starts to become an unacceptable risk. And flying by slower or stopped traffic at high speed is a disaster in waiting—again, common sense.<br />
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I can’t really say it better than this <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/motorcycle-lane-splitting-filtering-safety-research/34425/" target="_blank">article from Gizmag</a> (follows below). I’d love to hear from readers in North America about why you are for or against joining this practice which works so well in the rest of the world.<br />
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<h3>
Motorcycle lane splitting: Better for riders, better for drivers, and safer than sitting in traffic</h3>
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Recent research has confirmed what many motorcycle riders have known for years. “Lane splitting”—or riding in between lanes of traffic—obviously saves riders a lot of time, but it's also considerably safer than sitting in traffic and acting like a car, as long as it’s done within certain guidelines, and contrary to what many drivers think, it actually speeds up traffic for everyone else on the road. Riders, please pass this information on to the drivers in your lives.<br />
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It’s time for certain drivers to get these thoughts out of their heads: “lane splitting is queue jumping,” “motorcyclists should have to wait in line like the rest of us,” “riding in between cars is suicidal.” While it’s illegal in most of the United States, it’s accepted in many other parts of the world, and evidence is mounting that lane splitting is safer for riders than sitting in traffic, and actually benefits car drivers as well as the riders themselves.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoakrYt8jrB_mw6dI1G2eT4BkTv27bgOkEkQcj-EhaXWZUFoTh87ny2Tj8s6_hTT5EA6q1KQXCMttiMvtDbhzEx-AykH2KK_tQzWeuaHWXkGr3mtaqN-ZxuCYWqcCX4iDe2NNVv4mK_qn/s1600/motorcycle-lane-splitting-filtering-safety-research-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoakrYt8jrB_mw6dI1G2eT4BkTv27bgOkEkQcj-EhaXWZUFoTh87ny2Tj8s6_hTT5EA6q1KQXCMttiMvtDbhzEx-AykH2KK_tQzWeuaHWXkGr3mtaqN-ZxuCYWqcCX4iDe2NNVv4mK_qn/s1600/motorcycle-lane-splitting-filtering-safety-research-0.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Filtering in Europe.<b> Photo:</b> Gizmag</span></td></tr>
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<h4>
Safety benefits of lane splitting for motorcyclists</h4>
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One of the key arguments against lane splitting is that, to many driver’s eyes, it seems like a dangerous practice. From a rider’s perspective, this couldn’t be further from the truth.<br />
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The most common type of accident on the road is a rear-ender. These make up <a href="http://www.blog.sidgilreath.com/safety/rear-end-collisions-the-most-common-type-of-auto-accident-in-the-u-s.html" target="_blank">40 percent of all accidents</a> in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And while most of these are minor fender benders between car drivers, there’s really no such thing as a minor fender bender if someone slams into the back of a motorcycle. By splitting between lanes, riders are able to put a shell of slow or stopped traffic around their bikes and protect against the inattention of other road users.<br />
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In a <a href="http://www.ots.ca.gov/pdf/publications/lanesplittingreport.pdf" target="_blank">recent Berkeley study</a> undertaken with the California Highway Patrol’s assistance, 7,836 motorcycle crashes were examined closely, with some 1,163 of these crashes having occurred while the rider was lane splitting.<br />
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Riders who were splitting at the time of their accident were significantly less likely to be injured in every category than those who weren’t: 45 percent fewer head injuries, 21 percent fewer neck injuries, 32 percent fewer torso injuries, 12 percent fewer arm/leg injuries, and 55 percent fewer fatalities.<br />
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This is quite possibly because the majority of those splitting accidents happened at speeds between 1 and 30 mph (50 km/h). The data also shows that the safest way to lane split is to travel at less than 30 mph, and less than 10 mph above the speed of the surrounding traffic. Injury rates leap up in all categories when both of these conditions are violated.<br />
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Motorcycle lane filtering: faster and safer for riders, plus it makes the journey quicker...<br />
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<h4>
Benefits of lane splitting for other road users</h4>
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Lane splitting is an unspoken contract between riders and drivers. Riders don’t wait for stopped cars, and in return, they don’t make the cars wait for them. Where many drivers get it wrong is that they see lane splitting as "queue jumping" that will cause each car to go one further spot back in the queue. In truth, a filtering bike disappears from the queue altogether, the only time a motorcycle holds a car up is when it sits in traffic and acts like another car.<br />
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Filtering bikes work their way to the front of stopped traffic at red lights, and accelerate away much quicker than the cars around them. When they reach the next stoppage, they disappear again between the lanes and no car is held up.<br />
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Certainly, this is a good deal for the rider, who arrives much earlier than the car driver. But every filtering rider has a positive effect on traffic flow that benefits every other motorist. A <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorbikes/9272532/Why-commuting-by-motorcycle-is-good-for-everyone.html" target="_blank">2012 Belgian study</a> found that if just 10 percent of drivers were to switch to motorcycles and filter through traffic, travel times would decrease for the remaining car drivers by some eight minutes per journey. This benefit would not exist if motorcyclists ignored the inherent advantages of their smaller, narrower vehicles and sat in line like cars.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/motorcycles-reduce-congestion/21420/" target="_blank">same study</a> found considerable environmental benefits to lane splitting. Not because bikes emit less carbon (many larger bikes are as bad as cars), but because every bike that lane splits actively reduces the amount of time every other vehicle on the road spends sitting in traffic jams.<br />
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So the next time a rider wriggles past you in traffic, remember that it’s a win-win. The rider is saving time and money, and looking after their own safety, but they’re also making everyone else’s journey faster. So give them some space, for your own sake.Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-58179209715600852682014-11-04T21:26:00.000+00:002014-11-05T01:18:07.965+00:00S1000XR releasedAs expected, the S1000XR was released today at EICMA Milan 2014. The new bike is classed as an ‘adventure sport’ and is listed within the Enduro category on BMW’s international website (between the F800GS and R1200GS ranges). Its main competitor is the Ducati Multistrada.<br />
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The 999cc 4-cylinder engine is a slightly modified version of the 160hp S1000R engine, with the same power but a 2,000rpm lower redline. It is available (as standard or optionally) with BMW’s usual electronic aids including dynamic traction control (DTC), up to four riding modes, and their implementation of bank-sensitive ABS (ABS Pro). It should move, too, with slightly lighter weight (fuelled wet weight of 228kg) than the Multistrada and similar power (but slightly less torque).<br />
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Clearly this bike is not intended to take mud-bogging (let’s face it, most GS owners don’t take their bikes off road either) but it does combine longer travel suspension (compared to the other S-series bikes) and an upright seating position—features which make adventure bikes so comfortable on tarmac of any condition.<br />
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The frame is interesting—at the front it is similar to the other S-series bikes using a perimeter frame, but the rear frame appears to be a bolt-on type similar in concept to the R1200GS. Drive is by chain, not a driveshaft. Suspension is conventional using upside down forks up front and a two-sided swing arm at the rear.<br />
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Styling is similar in concept to the S1000R with asymmetrical headlamps and left/right fairings, but with a few GS details thrown in, such as a tiny beak and contrasting bodywork between the top and bottom fairings.<br />
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Lighting is still halogen as with all of BMW’s current range apart from the R1200GS, but an LED daytime riding light is available. I’m quite surprised BMW hasn’t migrated to full LED lighting as they release new models, considering the popularity of this option on the R1200GS (I have yet to see an example of this model in the UK without the LED).<br />
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Admittedly I’m not the biggest fan of ‘adventure-style’ bikes with no off road capabilities—BMW themselves have made no mention of taking the S1000XR off road. I have made my thoughts known about Honda’s perpetual release of road bikes in pretty frocks and jacked up suspensions, but the S1000XR seems to take a different route with its bespoke frame and near-superbike specifications.<br />
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I’m looking forward to reading upcoming reviews, and also doing my own review once my dealership has one available for a test ride.<br />
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Now that the S1000XR is ‘official’—what do you think? Let me know in the comments.<br />
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<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/pressDetail.html?title=the-new-bmw-s-1000-xr&outputChannelId=6&id=T0195151EN&left_menu_item=node__4099" target="_blank">BMW’s press kit for the S1000XR</a></li>
</ul>
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<h4>
Photos</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38sSK3fEjBQkRULfXeCUWlsxvSeyMZi1DDZ-gwLpjcq2oa1Vt6QauT69ozbn9enzr9PaBVKPQmvPB7d2GNYldQYPr4Le7TAZ43HRRxUIiQSbJ4VSTWeDVawbKgIpuuzWESJJvryCQCwp6/s1600/P90167331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38sSK3fEjBQkRULfXeCUWlsxvSeyMZi1DDZ-gwLpjcq2oa1Vt6QauT69ozbn9enzr9PaBVKPQmvPB7d2GNYldQYPr4Le7TAZ43HRRxUIiQSbJ4VSTWeDVawbKgIpuuzWESJJvryCQCwp6/s1600/P90167331.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Xdjgwv15eQVJLjUF8O7ka5iKS-fbYxLhacjVBouM7wKnlU04djkxd6WlDgdobFr7gxhj00bo2GlmvujIc_5-i2CGYeKGq_lnZY0wm_Lbz0nhgqN4FnEh3WVVRc8m9yLkJB5mRvmmRoV3/s1600/P90167330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Xdjgwv15eQVJLjUF8O7ka5iKS-fbYxLhacjVBouM7wKnlU04djkxd6WlDgdobFr7gxhj00bo2GlmvujIc_5-i2CGYeKGq_lnZY0wm_Lbz0nhgqN4FnEh3WVVRc8m9yLkJB5mRvmmRoV3/s1600/P90167330.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-65028450985244968232014-11-02T01:52:00.000+00:002014-11-02T02:05:00.351+00:00It’s come a long way...I started this blog on Tumblr in early 2012 when I purchased my F800GS, before migrating it to Blogger a few months later in May. How do the stats measure up over the last 29 months?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-mXp-pHUEjEHxSwR3PqrJg-YdnlGckwJ_5feYgQjpNlih-TOxLNHJPEasyro8aKku2MkBw6fLlUbR1kUb5jRp3NL7f2oLAwxw6RRC4_eLtJexatxkI8z0QV7pAahfutb85PwSorjXjgv/s1600/DSCF0141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-mXp-pHUEjEHxSwR3PqrJg-YdnlGckwJ_5feYgQjpNlih-TOxLNHJPEasyro8aKku2MkBw6fLlUbR1kUb5jRp3NL7f2oLAwxw6RRC4_eLtJexatxkI8z0QV7pAahfutb85PwSorjXjgv/s1600/DSCF0141.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h4>
Page views</h4>
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Page views are the number of people who visit or revisit pages on the blog.<br />
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<ul>
<li>Overall 22,997 people have visited my blog, or just under 800 per month</li>
<li>Until February 2014 I was averaging about 400 visits per month after which interest increased substantially</li>
<li>July 2014 (following my crash in the Czech Republic) was the busiest month with 3,169 visitors</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Top 5 posts</h4>
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I was surprised that my article about travel gear made it into the top 5. Not as surprised by the Gear Shift Assist Pro as there was virtually no coverage by the motorcycle industry of this device’s application on boxer models. Likewise, there was so much confusion about the discontinuation of the British tax disc, people were looking for information from any available source. Finally, it seems you are a bloodthirsty lot with the post about my crash near Prague making the list!
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.gelandestrasse.co.uk/2014/04/first-look-gear-shift-assist-pro-on-bmw.html" target="_blank">First look: Gear Shift Assist Pro on the BMW R1200GS</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.gelandestrasse.co.uk/2014/04/a-few-days-on-with-gear-shift-assist.html" target="_blank">A few days on with Gear Shift Assist Pro on the BMW R1200GS</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.gelandestrasse.co.uk/2013/01/gear-top-6-electronic-devices-for-travel.html" target="_blank">Gear: Top 6 electronic devices for travel</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.gelandestrasse.co.uk/2014/06/europe-2014-day-7-prague-to-wemding.html" target="_blank">Europe 2014: Day 7 - Prague to Wemding</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.gelandestrasse.co.uk/2014/08/saying-goodbye-to-british-motoring-icon.html" target="_blank">Saying goodbye to a British motoring icon</a></li>
</ul>
<h4>
How people find this blog</h4>
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Most people find this blog via Facebook, followed by Google and Twitter. All my posts automatically syndicate to these three services. After the big three, Advrider and BMW GS Club Netherlands round out the list.<br />
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<h4>
Where people live</h4>
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By far, the majority of visitors live in the USA and UK with 8,067 and 5,744 visits respectively. Canada, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium and Russia are unsurprisingly in the top 10, but I was somewhat surprised to see quite a following from China and Turkey.<br />
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<h4>
Devices people use</h4>
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This is where things got quite interesting for me. Top of the list were Windows and Mac users (43% and 25% respectively). Linux users came in at 9%.<br />
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The remainder were almost exclusively mobile users on smartphones and tablets. Despite Android phones and tablets dominating the market (around 80% if I recall correctly), iOS devices (iPhones and iPads) account for 15% of visitors, compared to a surprisingly low 4% for Android.<br />
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The outliers which do not register as percentages are the 7 visitors using Blackberry devices and the 5 visitors using their Playstation gaming consoles.<br />
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<h4>
People’s preferred browsers</h4>
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Safari tops the chart at 32% (desktop and iOS versions combined). This is followed closely by Chrome at 31% (desktop and iOS/Android versions combined). Firefox and Internet Explorer come in at 19% and 11% respectively, their popularity waning in recent years.<br />
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<h4>
A few last thoughts</h4>
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Some of these stats were a bit unexpected. With some purely unscientific analysis I would come to the following conclusions:
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<br />
<ul>
<li>The people visiting my blog generally own or have an interest in BMW GS bikes and tend to have enough disposable income to buy premium devices—this may explain the high percentage of Apple computer and mobile device users.</li>
<li>Blackberry is screwed as a company—7 out of 23,000 visitors!</li>
<li>My efforts should include making better use of hashtags for Facebook and Twitter, and meta tags for Google so this blog will feature more prominently in search results.</li>
</ul>
I enjoy maintaining this blog and welcome feedback and even contributions from readers if anyone feels so inclined. And don’t be shy—let me know your thoughts in the comments below!Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925647531653462986.post-25144088186787148242014-10-26T15:41:00.001+00:002014-11-01T19:41:28.600+00:00Update: BMW S1000XR coming soon?<h4>
Update 2</h4>
<div>
Thanks to Stefan from Facebook for these—they appear to be official photos of the upcoming S1000XR... is BMW letting leaking photos as a marketing tactic? They are usually as tight as Honda or Apple with new products... </div>
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<div>
In any case, to my eyes it looks good—almost like the offspring of an S1000RR and a Ducati Multistrada. The front appears more symmetrical than most of BMW’s models. It appears to share a few components with the R1200GS, such as the mirrors and hand guards. It will be interesting to read the official press information once the model is released to get a better idea where in the market BMW intends to position this bike.</div>
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<div>
<a href="http://www.gelandestrasse.co.uk/2014/10/my-love-hate-relationship-with-honda.html" target="_blank">I recently lamented</a> about how all of Honda’s recent ‘adventure’ bikes were just road bikes in a fancy frock, aimed at riders who never intend to leave the tarmac. This begs the question—is BMW doing the same with this bike? </div>
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<h4>
Update 1</h4>
A reader of my blog Eric from Facebook has emailed to note that the Italian BMW Group PressClub website shows a baseball cap, t-shirt and keyring <a href="https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/italy/photoDetail.html?title=bmw-motorrad-rider-equipment-2015-style-dynamic-collection-s-1000-xr-keyring-09-2014&docNo=P90162693" target="_blank">specifically branded ‘S1000XR’</a>. See the end of the article for photos.<br />
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<h4>
BMW S1000XR coming soon?</h4>
Found on BMW Motorrad’s Instagram feed—it’s not like BMW to effectively confirm the existence of an unreleased new model...<br />
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The S1000XR is rumoured to be a competitor to the Ducati Multistrada as a high powered road biased dual sport bike—and to a lesser extent the KTM 1290 Super Adventure in terms of power.<br />
<br />
A test mule has been photographed in Germany but, as with the R1200GS mules, this may or may not reflect how the production model will look. It would be safe to assume the new model will run standard road wheel sizes of 17” front/rear, unlike the GS range (19” or 21” front, 17” rear)—and a version of the 4 cylinder engine from the S1000R/RR, possibly retuned for less power and more torque.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnsbxtazGwxO99CGb_07KI4UIXkBkKaIdGnHQryXYyfnpkGrqrNdnDcPxuTDEZ1gWxUPzRbC1Y6cqotkCbQbnCDjWA66MsclCrnJqWav7XWS-4_9H14QTHLmmzn2pND45QvdEhUq8ejPX/s1600/768_BMW+S1000+XR+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnsbxtazGwxO99CGb_07KI4UIXkBkKaIdGnHQryXYyfnpkGrqrNdnDcPxuTDEZ1gWxUPzRbC1Y6cqotkCbQbnCDjWA66MsclCrnJqWav7XWS-4_9H14QTHLmmzn2pND45QvdEhUq8ejPX/s1600/768_BMW+S1000+XR+01.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5u8FxN88ewR6Yhf5tX-1cPFforWoBDZu2A2Ub0UuWSooD6j2wks_vpbofQscSmnfqcRBeic0klR8uO37ZIMWVXXM2upQ75GlVAsrMdN4kTGz0_8kAK8kEwK8jOR9fWBFOHQ1xOwo2K28W/s1600/768_BMW+S1000+XR+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5u8FxN88ewR6Yhf5tX-1cPFforWoBDZu2A2Ub0UuWSooD6j2wks_vpbofQscSmnfqcRBeic0klR8uO37ZIMWVXXM2upQ75GlVAsrMdN4kTGz0_8kAK8kEwK8jOR9fWBFOHQ1xOwo2K28W/s1600/768_BMW+S1000+XR+08.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Below is German magazine Motorrad’s artist conception of how the model could look.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiju45owV6ZrKrPijdQEUjCEfw7BfFzQ4JycvIor6zGE9XcPghMycJC89uCZigCYznKFo7TbMNBDWuRcOJ_DXcuFsKAwCCfyt_W8KwTqhkvl06xHXK4ZFM5RWg4sJg6UKj_bd8LFuXmwzVI/s1600/neuheiten_blick_in_die_zukunft_bmw_s_1000_f.jpg.2938136-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiju45owV6ZrKrPijdQEUjCEfw7BfFzQ4JycvIor6zGE9XcPghMycJC89uCZigCYznKFo7TbMNBDWuRcOJ_DXcuFsKAwCCfyt_W8KwTqhkvl06xHXK4ZFM5RWg4sJg6UKj_bd8LFuXmwzVI/s1600/neuheiten_blick_in_die_zukunft_bmw_s_1000_f.jpg.2938136-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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What is interesting is that the bike doesn’t fit within any of BMW’s current categories as it seems to fit directly between the Sport and Enduro ranges—and this is reflected by BMW’s inadvertent (?) confirmation that the bike should be called the S1000XR (and not S1000GS etc). Probably a good move as the GS community would likely be up in arms at the thought of a bike completely unsuitable for off road riding being marketed within the GS range.<br />
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S1000XR merchandise</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnoUZziieyp_IKcjKS6QLsrsefKbSrvosLtt98HNqXvKp0A040sAtWEANcZTFMTFfu1Ob43BPqo-H_HzhH-atRzxUSheqh5Apuj_WyN9x7MdPW89q3Lp0vE5lpHPW2DC5gsCxhyVIrPG5/s1600/P90162681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnoUZziieyp_IKcjKS6QLsrsefKbSrvosLtt98HNqXvKp0A040sAtWEANcZTFMTFfu1Ob43BPqo-H_HzhH-atRzxUSheqh5Apuj_WyN9x7MdPW89q3Lp0vE5lpHPW2DC5gsCxhyVIrPG5/s1600/P90162681.jpg" height="546" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">S1000XR cap. </span><a href="https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/italy/photoCompilationDetail.html?title=bmw-motorrad-rider%E2%80%99s-equipment-collezione-2015&docNo=T0193745IT" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank"><b>Photo:</b> BMW Group PressClub Italia</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwau6BYrwkVxEt-mtv8Fx9_-UGS1hRInCckoq808QuCXHSc0jolmthCW2X1qhQ2GlaV_Peskz9oxw5Dh0C-AokXcGE_QyQ_DHuaMIWaJyESHSclIpLnAzL5LMWvBjROET40nW7ntn8NWcO/s1600/P90162693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwau6BYrwkVxEt-mtv8Fx9_-UGS1hRInCckoq808QuCXHSc0jolmthCW2X1qhQ2GlaV_Peskz9oxw5Dh0C-AokXcGE_QyQ_DHuaMIWaJyESHSclIpLnAzL5LMWvBjROET40nW7ntn8NWcO/s1600/P90162693.jpg" height="376" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">S1000XR</span><span style="text-align: start;"> keyring. </span><a href="https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/italy/photoCompilationDetail.html?title=bmw-motorrad-rider%E2%80%99s-equipment-collezione-2015&docNo=T0193745IT" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank"><b>Photo:</b> BMW Group PressClub Italia</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKrnBIONMZw1MS85RBx4h03kH2fKI-xFQK7ukXAfA2rcpremp8-d-cNTti7diivqMB9Yg-YLnwkMkwnKJJ7L-yGlrzRpBE59MftX0ZS7ZU0iQUc41PymgC58Pup6U4-LEQQPeHaAgkWVC/s1600/P90162706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKrnBIONMZw1MS85RBx4h03kH2fKI-xFQK7ukXAfA2rcpremp8-d-cNTti7diivqMB9Yg-YLnwkMkwnKJJ7L-yGlrzRpBE59MftX0ZS7ZU0iQUc41PymgC58Pup6U4-LEQQPeHaAgkWVC/s1600/P90162706.jpg" height="640" width="576" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">S1000XR unisex t-shirt. </span><a href="https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/italy/photoCompilationDetail.html?title=bmw-motorrad-rider%E2%80%99s-equipment-collezione-2015&docNo=T0193745IT" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank"><b>Photo:</b> BMW Group PressClub Italia</a></td></tr>
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<br />Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293980128245448961noreply@blogger.com