See ya's when back................

Boying......

said Zebedee

Can't Beat A Good Polish

The beast is gleaming. Alas, got so tempted lookin at her, went out for a blast and it being dark, she got covered in bloomin flying stuff all over the front....

so gotta clean and polish her up again now of course!

Last Little Things

Well, the tiny panniers have been packed and repacked to ensure everything fits and allow removal of essentials only on ferry. The leathers have been cleaned and treated with Renapur leather balm, as have boots (silicon lubricated too I may add) and gloves. Some items are inside waterproof inner liner bags just in case get really pissed on (as in first day of 2006 trip on M4 near Swindon). Bought new thermal 'skins' just in case of the odd freak weather storm and a new Alpinestars racing waterpoof to fit over leather jacket.

All of the above left about enough room for a pair of knickers, socks and a toothbrush but not much else. Hey it ain't a fashion show!

Ain't much else left to do really, other than wait and go!

Zebedee

Pic of Furka Pass

route plans put to paper for sun through weds and e-mailed to the boys.

Thursday afternoon is the Furka Pass (pic left)

Pic of North Side of Stelvio

This should wake us up as a morning ride and in the afternoon, we'll move on to the Furka Pass....

Mountain Climbing....

Hmmn, Passo Del Stelvio isbeckoning ever louder....

video cam tested

Went for spin today. Tested new damper and of course the video cam. Takes stills too - hence pic of me reading instructions before setting off!

pic also shows Scotts Performance damper too.

All good stuff!

Daily Route Plans

The Daily Route Plans are now being written in detail and typed up (BIG PRINT STYLI). Takes a bit of effort ensuring all places mentioned are on the maps we're using. Can't just get the computer to do it!

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday done

Hope the other two can make sense of them!

All bikes are ready

All three bikes are ready. Alas, as we're all occassional sunday riders, so we need to get some practice in before we go to awaken the senses. Or is it awaken the senseless?

this must inlcude some shitty weather, wet riding...followed by 8 hours to clean the bike again!

bike is ready

Bike ready, filters, fluids, pads and tyres all changed. Scotts damper fitted - looks nice and neat. Now to do a few miles, scrub in tyres and pads....

Improving The Route

Having studied more maps, internet sites and google earth, have tweaked route after Stelvio Pass. Assuming we survive after Davos, we'll go to Realp and do the Furka Pass as well, enroute to Chamonix (Mont Blanc).

The plan is to become fully qualified Masters of The Two Wheeled Universe of Mountain Passes and Switch-back hairpin bends.

Zebedee

Trial Riding Post Mortem

Well, three hours riding a Yam TY250 at the Vee near Lismore - bloomin great fun, managed to fall off a couple of times, but bike so small and easy to handle, easily recovered mostly.

Mind you, learnt that too steep an embankment climb and the bike flips over and as great as it is as getting over and through anything, it slips back down when climbing through a bog!

Excellent practice for balance and handling skills, takes some getting used to standing up all the time and also had to make myself just not touch the clutch! bike very capable and able to handle nearly anything!

Off road trail riding? highly recommended!

Trail Riding

Not sure if it'll improve my riding skilss or just highlight my weaknesses but goiing trail riding this weekend on a Yam TY250

Proposed Route Finished

Well, the proposed route is finished and e-mailed to others for comment.

Here's a snapshot. the trip utilisies the lesser roads as much as possible and includes some serious twisty and mountain stuff wherever possible...

Day One ride to hotel (near Limoge)
Day Two fun begins.. ride to Ales inc Mende, Florac N106 awesome road
Day Three ride to Albertville via Digne and Jausiers
Day Four ride to Bormio via Little St Bernard Pass over Alps
Day Five ride the Stelvio Pass and then wicked road to Davos onto to Furka Pass
tehn find place to stay in Chamonix
Day Six ride Chamonix to Orleans
Day Seven ride back to Ferry Terminal

All parts for bike now here and fitting stuff over coming week. Then need to spend some time in the saddle to refresh riding skills....

Zebedee

The Plans Advance

more route planning done - boy is google earth good at helping check out roads. Used to be hours looking at contours on maps etal. Now it's hours flying around the world on a computer instead!

couple more hotels booked ...alas some places don't seem to have too many so best be on safe side as don't fancy sleeping under stars on a bike.

Adm and Grm due in Ireland soon so should be able to go over with them.

That's it for now folks

bits ordered / bits bought

Well, there's a new set of Michelin HPX's acquired. Alas Michelin have stopped making them, but managed to find a set in a dealer in Dublin. Bit tricky finding good tyres with a 200 rear section that last more than 12-1500 miles. So have to find a replacement to the HPX's

Bling bolts arrived, Scott's damper ordered direct from Sotts Performance in the USA and also ordered a GoPro motorsport camera with various mounting bits. Slowly geeting there!

Upgrade to the Beast

Have started to organise things for the beast. Starting with a steering damper (really should've sorted ages ago as gets a bit hairy sometimes - too many tank-slappers!), plus a few nicety's such as 'gold' coloured faring bolt kits etc (bling, bling). Damper is a Scott's, bit pricey, but only seems to be 2 dampers on he market for these bikes and it gets good reviews. Having to buy from USA.

Tail tidy is next on list for cosmetics and possibly put a private plate on it just for a laugh.

As for performance / noise / cosmetics, am considering changing exhaust, but only if I can find a 'carbon' or 'carbon look' end can. Plenty of stainless or titanium, but the stock titanium is better looking me thinks!

After these things, it won't matter as budget will be used up and can't afford any more bits for now!

ZX12R's on you tube

Just been viewing other video footage of Zx12R's on youtube. well worth watching, just enter zx12r and hit the search button.

Great stuff from all those who make the effort to post these

The Outline Plan

The Riders and their Steed:
Zebedee and the ZX12R, Grm and his ZX9, Adam and his Fireblade. Darragh has dropped by the wayside (not joined in now since 2006) and Paudie boy anxiously trying to get his act together!

Going Where?
Into France, through massif C to south (north of Montpellier), remain inland @ 60-100 miles to enjoy foothills fo mountains and into forrests of Provence. Up into the Alps (4th attempt at crossing on highest road usually blocked by snow) into southern Chitzerland. Stelvio / Bormio and if still alive back up into Alps, blast back across France (ensuring to observe all speed limits with due regard and consideration).

The Preparations?
The route is already beginning to take shape. Of course after day 3, it usually gets changed anyway. The Ferry's to France are booked and p;lans are underway to prep the bikes. This year will hopefully include video footage from an 'action camera' on the ZX12R

.........interested in knowing more? sign-up to follow then!

Zebedee