Well, we’ve all just enjoyed an extended holiday weekend here in the U.K. and true to form it rained for most of the time in Cornwall! Which meant no motorcycling; no, I’m not a fair weather rider, it’s just a little silly to risk it on a brand new front tyre…particularly a skinny one like on the front of the Softail.

Being at a bit of loose end, I was very happy to get an invite to spend a day on the wonderful South Devon Railway, and get re-acquainted with the niceties of driving a standard gauge steam locomotive.

What a great day we had on a super little Class Two Standard Loco, number 78019, here she is at Totnes, before setting off on our last trip which, unusually, was a freight train.

So, a big thank you to my very good friend Bledd, for making it all possible and sharing the day with me! Diolch y’n fawr.

Shame that the rain did not let up until about six in the evening, but at least on a steam loco half of you is always dry cos that’s the side nearest to the fire!

A funny couple of facts link this type of loco and a Harley is that they both have two cylinders and are also very heavy for the power that they produce!!

Lets hope that the next post is about Harley on the road!

Dookes

Today saw Harley visiting our good friends at Thor Motorcycles near Bodmin, for a serious pre-trip service. Colin and his gang did us proud as usual. I am always pleased with the excellent work that Thor do for me and how good Harley feels every time I get her back. This time was no exception, and despite having to take it steady on the way home across Bodmin Moor, due to a new front tyre, the old girl feels like new again!

So, thanks again; Col, Beccy and Co. see you when we get back.

For the rest of you, check out Thor’s site here

Dookes

Welcome back friend!

OK, so I guess it’s time to reveal where I’m off to this time……

Well, lets begin like this;

It was 1969, London was swinging,

England had a decent football team,

Wales won the Triple Crown and Five Nations Rugby (again!)

Michael Caine was still young,

so was Twiggy (but she looks better now!)

There were Mini’s everywhere…………..

…………..even in Italy and they had the Lamborghini Miura as well!

Yes folks its:

Click here, for the film intro experience, turn up the volume and ride back to the sixties.

Yep, I’m off to the Italian Alps, to find those roads, they are there and I gotta ride them!

The film intro was shot on two separate mountain passes in Northern Italy, the famous Grand San Bernardo and the lesser known Petit San Bernardo, both not far from Aosta.

I’ve loved this bit of cinematography since the first time I saw it in 1969 and now I’m going to find where it was shot and ride it for myself, come rain or shine!

On the way I’m taking in some of the classic mountain passes of the French Alps as seen on Le Tour de France. It will be interesting to see how Harley behaves at altitude, some of the roads are amongst the highest in Europe!!!

I’ll also make a brief visit to Switzerland, before heading back via Annecy and Limoges.

So what do you say? Are you up for it? Only 13 days to go before we ride!

Rock on!

Dookes

PS Listen to that Lambo engine at 18 seconds in the video, magic!