Harley-Davidson rarely rushed change, and it always knew the value of cubic inches. The history of the 45° F-head V-twin goes back to the original prototype twin of 1907, and by 1928 it was approaching its sell-by date. In 1922 Harley created the JD model by increasing capacity from 61 to 74 cubic inches. The result was a high-performance machine capable of outrunning almost any other vehicle on
Thursday, 7 March 2013
Sunday, 3 March 2013
My book about touring the USA on my motorcycle is launched!
Today sees the launch of my book about riding my Harley-Davidson motorcycle around the USA.
Called ‘France In America’ the book describes the journey I took, covering 21,475 miles, in 27 states, in four and a half months.
I was so impressed by America and the people I met, I wanted to record the journey in some way and a book seemed the obvious answer. Having now written that book, I can only hope I did justice to a wonderful country.
To coincide with today’s launch of my book, a short video has been made to explain some of the background to the trip. Please feel free to embed this video in whatever website or blog you wish....
Called ‘France In America’ the book describes the journey I took, covering 21,475 miles, in 27 states, in four and a half months.
I was so impressed by America and the people I met, I wanted to record the journey in some way and a book seemed the obvious answer. Having now written that book, I can only hope I did justice to a wonderful country.
To coincide with today’s launch of my book, a short video has been made to explain some of the background to the trip. Please feel free to embed this video in whatever website or blog you wish....
Saturday, 2 March 2013
Monthy Python. The only type of Spam I like.
There have been many posts and comments about spam recently.
There is only one type of spam I like - the Monty Python version.
Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, John Cleese and Michael Palin were comedy genius’s of their time.
I raise I glass to this type of spam.... does anyone remember this....
There is only one type of spam I like - the Monty Python version.
Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, John Cleese and Michael Palin were comedy genius’s of their time.
I raise I glass to this type of spam.... does anyone remember this....
Sunday, 24 February 2013
New Zealand – Where did we go?
We are now back in Christchurch, at the end of our trip to New Zealand. We fly back to London tomorrow.
We did 5,009 kms / 3,112 miles, on two clockwise loops on both islands, starting and finishing in Christchurch. This is where we went....
The South Island....
Very few people
Beautiful
Mountains and glaciers
Rugged
Twisty roads
Remote
Lots of sheep and cows
The North Island....
More people
Bigger cities
Flatter
Better beaches
More to see and do
Straighter roads
Recommended? Definitely, it is a great country, with great people!
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
The Coromandel Peninsula
Are these abseilers, or are they window cleaners?....
Rogey will recognise this place. Driving out of Auckland, we happened to go back to one of the places Rogey and I had been to just the day before. Jackie is of course sporting her newly obtained and stylish footwear....
The beach near Maraeati....
To the east of Auckland is The Firth of Thames and along its edge is the East Coast Road. Beautiful to look at, this wouldn’t be the most comfortable of beaches to sunbath on....
I believe these may be wild turkeys, but I am not sure....
Seen in the town of Thames....
Our main target for the day was to drive around the Coromandel Peninsula. I had heard it was spectacular and was a terrific road to drive / ride. That certainly wasn’t wrong. Here are some of the pictures....
Fellow blogger, Geoff James, lives near Coromandel. Sadly, we were not able to meet as Geoff and his wife Jennie were away on their own holiday, so we took this picture for them....
I liked the look of the town, which seemed to have most things needed for those living nearby. I especially liked the look of the local hotel....
We didn’t however stay at the hotel and drive further to Tairua, where we stayed in a small cabin....
Monday, 18 February 2013
Don’t Go Near His Pool....
If you read someone’s blog for long enough, you get a sense of what a person is like. Over time, you begin to understand the way they write, what they like to do, who they hang around with and what they like to do.
Very occasionally, you get to meet someone whose blog you read and you immediately feel comfortable with them, because it feels like you have known them for a considerable time. You haven’t of course, but you FEEL as if you have.
On Sunday, I met fellow blogger, Rogey, who lives in Auckland. A broad, grinning face beamed out at me as we met and it was as if we had been friends for a long time. Roger had collected me from the centre of the city and with Taylor, his very cheerful and pleasant daughter in the back of the car, we made our way out to his house.
After meeting his partner, Fay, an exchange of gifts from two different sides of our planet, Roger did what just what I hoped he would, when he said “Wanna go for a ride, mate?” You bet I did!
Luckily, a helmet fitted and very soon the two of us were riding through Auckland suburbs with me on Roger’s BMW G650GS that he once described as “a bloody hoot.” He was right – it was easy to ride and great fun.
Roger lead the way on his Triumph Sprint and it was easy to tell that he was a terrific and confident rider. His IAM training and road-craft were good to witness from behind, as he always seemed to have lots of time, was always in the right position on the road and took great care when approaching potential hazards.
On the other hand, I was trying to get used to riding a new bike and kept forgetting to cancel the turn signals (why can’t all bikes have self-cancelling indicators like my Harleys?)
We swapped bikes and I took my chance to ride the Triumph. I wasn’t used to the forward-leaning position and found it unusual and slightly awkward at first. I am used to big foot controls and wide mirrors and the Sprint has neither, so my feet seemed to struggle to find the tiny gear change lever and I kept having to bring my elbows in to see anything behind.
The power and the brakes were (much) better than my Harley, but after a few minutes of riding I began to get used to the bike.
Roger led us to a beach on what I took to be a large lake, but was in fact the sea, surrounded on most sides by land.
Lunch and the continued ride followed before we returned to Rogers house. I became much more use to riding the Triumph and was able to relax more and enjoy the ride. The further I rode it, the easier it got, but I just couldn’t get used to having to remember to cancel those darn turn signals! It’s not my kind of motorcycle, but I enjoyed riding it.
Roger putting the bikes away....
Having left her behind at the hotel still nursing a very sore foot, we checked up on Jackie, whose was sad she couldn’t join us. Her foot was giving her considerable grief and we agreed a visit to a hospital the next day would be needed. Roger had planned a relaxed Sunday afternoon /early evening BBQ (although, I think it is obligatory to say “barby” at this point) and soon some of his friends came to join us. Two huge legs of lamb were soon prepared and left to cook on the Weber....
Two more of Rogers friends, Bruce and Lucy arrived with their children and while standing at the edge of the pool, mischievous Roger gave them a push and all three ended up in the water....
They must be REALLY good friends as the three of them just stood there laughing! They took it well, particularly Lucy who unlike a lot of women would, thought this very funny. Good sports, Bruce and Lucy were soon found some dry clothes!
Roger was a remarkably good host and a great cook, and I had a terrific meal in great company.
The daughter of one of Roger’s other friends, Jackie, had made a delicious pavlova which was soon disappeared....
Overall, I had a great day meeting Roger, his family and friends and was made to feel very welcome indeed. I can only say Roger, if you are ever in London.... or with a bunch of friends in Spain(!) I can only hope to make you feel as welcome as you do to me. Nice one, mate!
Harley-Davidson 110th Celebrations in Auckland, New Zealand
We arrived in Auckland, New Zealand in time to join the Harley-Davidson celebrations for the 110th anniversary. One of the first sights we saw was the 328 metres / 1,076 ft) tall Sky Tower....
Walking in the city, we heard a rather loud drum band playing, so led by our ears, we went and found them They were very loud....
The apartment building we stayed in was in central Auckland, near the waterfront....
Later that night, the view from the apartment was spectacular....
We went to the HOG Rally on the Saturday....
A HOG patch I had never seen before....
Jackie meeting one of the locals. Actually, he was from New York, but had moved to New Zealand....
Just seconds after this picture was taken, Jackie tripped over a kerb and hurt her foot. Being the trooper she is, she continued to walk around. It wasn’t until sometime later we discovered she had broken a bone in her foot.
The Rally had the usual stalls, motorcycle displays, chapter games.....
All good fun!