Just checking in!

Hiya The_Bees_Knees, sorry for not replying sooner and thank you for the welcome. I am finding this sight a bit difficult to navigate. It's probably me. So what bike do I ride, I have a Honda Blackbird for touring, I have a BMW HP4 for going fast and a few more that I take out every so often. In fact I have a relative to the VFR800 an RC30.
I really like the Red Hunter, it's a classic thumper.

When my girls were small I used to stick them on my dirt bike and race across fields. They used to love it.
Is the bike meet big in Somerset big? I haven't riden much in Somerset but is definitely one of my favourite counties.

https://youtu.be/6wamdJQXI9w

Good morning Phil,

I picked up your reply this morning as I was 'out of here' last night.

This may not be a RC30 but an RC45 (I think). It's 10 mins long or so but if you have got the time or inclination it's well worth the goose-piimply watch (well for me anyway)
Incidentally, (and I wasn't expecting this), it is accompanied by one of my fave songs (so good that I might post it on a music thread "what are you listening to")

We were in Thruxton (near you?) British Superbike event in 2018, my first time!

For you Joey Dunlop....
Enjoy!

Is that a BSA 500 Yodama?

My father worked for BSA (Birmingham Small Arms) but by that time I think he was making tools and was a precision grinder.
(My mother told me they were precision tools for aircraft).

Hi The_Bees_Knees,
Thruxton is my local race track which is a shame as they have very few race meeting there and even fewer trackdays.I used to do most of the BSB rounds, I competed in one of the support racers and I still have a friend is a manager for one of the big teams.
The TT and all Irish road races are truly spectacular, its a true test of a road bike and a motorcycle racer, that's why Honda are one of the greatest supporters of the TT.
I've never met Joey Dunlop, but I must admit that when motorcycle racing is your living like it was for Joey and his family the focus of the man must have been incredible..
There is a whole list of great racers who have lost their lives at the TT/Road races and that's the problem (for me) it's price is too high. Don't get me wrong, I completely understand why they race and they accept the risk but I still don't like it.
Phil

Hey Phil_123,

Nice to be hearing from you again! I know there's no need to get back to you too speedily, as it would seem you are somewhat of a 'night owl' (11 hrs ago...above).

I had meant...(before I got so involved with the Joey Dunlop link) to ask you about your RC3 (VFR750R). Aren't they a rarity and a collector's item? Weren't that specifically created for homologation purposes thus only 3,000 made.?Built for racing?

My partner used to go a.lot to the races at Mallory Park, Silverstone, Donnington Park aswell as Thruxton....in the 70's, 80's where you could meet with racers in the pits and he met and spoke to a fair few amongst them Barry Sheene, Giacomo Agostini, John Newbold, Yvon Duhamel, Dave Croxford, Phil Read, Gary Nixon, Paul Smart..... before you had to pay to get into the pits..

Have you ever been to Oliver's Mount? It was scheduled for this August!

You asked about the Somerset meets. I live in Dorset bordering with Somerset. There is a large meet on an airfield in Henstridge and held once a month on a Wednesday (so have to forgo ofore mentioned Eli's) The most I have seen there and I was told (as they'd clocked them coming in) was 900+ bikes. It's a Booker's Blast and anyone can race down the strip in twos. Food & music and it's Ok!
Weston Zoyland is another bit incorporates drag racing (only been once....far fewer numbers).
Red House( pub) on Tuesdays but few
people really.
West Bay, Dorset has an area for bikers every day but mainly on Sundays and the sea, a short walk away. Quite a large Motorcycle Clothing shop there called "Helmet City"
(Quite expensive)
Enough to be getting on with...locally.

Your daughters memories of you and mine with my father will always be there with us! Special.

How are you finding the site. (Tip...mark your 'threads' with "watching" symbols and the notification alerts will come through on any ones you are participating with)

Catch y'later!

Hi again The_Bees_Knees.
I have a couple of very collectable bikes and you are right it was built just for racing but it is a fantastic road bike.
Those were the days when you could chat to the mechanics and the racers.
Now Oliver Mount is missing from circuit list but it looks a lot of fun when you see footage of racing.
Oh and a great list of racers and well spotted at how crap I am on communicating ☺️.

Hi Bees, can I jump in ..
May have mentioned wife Helen and I were planning on being in Britain this year ... but of course that's not going to happen now 🙁 🙁
When we do get there, one top of the wish-list event is the Goodwood Revival meet.
Do like the historic racing, great entries, bit of mad-cap action, that's on the track ...and much more off, it seems. A little further down the wish-list was a round of the BTCC. I see the Thruxton round for this year was scheduled for the week before/after the Revival. I can smell the fumes.
Seems Thruxton and Goodwood not too far away from each other. Wonder if you go or if it's of interest.
For us, maybe next year. Last time we were in Britain we got to the Siverstone Classic..timing was right.

Spica.....
I am about to get up as you are probably having late afternoon tea or graduating through to early evening.
(Thank you for the cuppa char from the pale green teapot earlier this week.....very civilized!)

I am writing this to you for a second time as when I went to submit it...I found I was 'logged out' and I don't think you can save anything and well here I am starting again.

I can't say I have been to Goodwood or indeed the City of Chichester. I can feel your vibe and enthusiasm for Classic cars! I have only been to Thruxton once. The buzz was good but I can't say I enjoyed the 'spills' when having 'overcooked' it, a racer would go hurtling by within my proximity (fortunately getting up and dusting themselves off!) Thruxton is the nearest circuit to us, being 50 miles away.
Oliver's Mount in Scarborough was one to be going to this year but will keep!

Do you have a Classic car then Spica? I am recalling the event of you going out to wash your car after hearing "On the Road Again" - Canned Heat (when I posted that link...seems like an age away now.) Also I guess there's something automotive about your profile pic...I believe.
Does Helen share your enthusiasm?

Where in Australia are you?

Hi Lizzie,
How are you getting on? I find being isolated difficult as I am a talkative person and I actually like being in work.
I was planning a huge motorcycling holiday this year but all that has been put on hold now till maybe late summer or next year.
I didn't know that the ukele was so popular but they had a club at work that was well attended.

Phil

So Fernwalker12, where would your next adventure be?

Hiya MayaMac, that's a really interesting job you have. As the keeper of two 'upcycled' terriers I can see a need for canine behaviourist . My job is not so interesting I am a engineer working in the aviation industry. Its what I've done since leaving university and I've been working for myself for the last 25 years.
So how are you coping with the lockdown.?

Phil.

Your upcycled terriers sound adorable and probably keep you on your paws I live fairly close to an airport (well two in fact) and the decline in your industry here has been palpable unfortunately - of course who knows what will happen post CV-19 at any rate. In terms of my own business when I do open the appointment book again, there is no gauge as to how clients will respond... eek. Can’t be worrying about that one tho.
Sorry for the wee ramble there, to answer your question how I am coping with lockdown, suffice it to say thank DOG for Messers Nutty and Kai who still require nay demand an established routine How do you cope?

Are you doing your phd on Canine behavior MayaMac? How has the Covid affected your studies? Can most be done online? We have had three German pointers which are lovely dogs-very friendly and lovely family dogs

Hi Wilf my PhD is on Canine Psychology. I work my practice and study simultaneously so whilst the current situ hasn’t affected study so much in terms of my business I have been unable to work. I really miss it too.
Pointers are wonderfully gentle souls. I recently worked with a nervous girl rehomed to a rural couple. The first time she was off leash she was so overwhelmed she stopped to point every few yards! She is doing really well now under a gentle hand and is living her best life, which is how all dogs should live.

HI MayaMac,
I really do try to keep busy, The dogs get walked, emails get answered, things around the house get done sooner rather than later. I am far luckier than most I have some space around me which really makes a difference.
Time to take the hounds out before it's too hot.
Phil

Hi MayaMac, Your phd sounds very interesting. That is so sad about the female pointer. I just do not understand how people can be cruel to animals especially dogs as they are so sensitive and need to be loved and treated as one of the family-almost like a child in fact. Our pointers have always been full of life and the current one Bertie loves nothing more than going up on our settee at night and sleeping while we watch tv!

Wonderful! I love to hear about happy hounds

Yes keeping busy, mentally and physically, is key. Just back with the small gentlemen myself and they are now resting in the cloudy sun. Have a good day.