My summary of 2020

[mike the bike]

Does anyone want a 2020 planner,  unused?
It wasn't quite that bad.  Didn't do half the amount of riding that I would normally.   If comes to something when you go on a bike funeral as an excuse to go for a rideout.
I started off the year with the 400four and a ratty VT250F, which was my blasting over the mountain to work bike, in all weathers and overtaking everyone else.
During lockdown, I tarted up the VT, resprayed it black with some diy striping and sold it for £800
This financed my next bike, the GPZ500S which my mate sold to me for £300, plus the £100 or so for parts.  The GPZ is my new commuting bike.
We did manage a few rideouts with the local club.
Aberystwyth in fantastic riding weather on a bike that I only MOTd the previous day.
A classic motor restorers in the Cotswolds was another great ride in glorious sunny weather.  It's mainly classic, mega expensive cars but a good number of bikes too and the guy showing us round was both hospitable and knowledgeable.
There was the ride to Sammy Millers on the 400, where I met up with John Webley.  Another day of great weather.
The last ride was about a month ago to The Owls Nest in Llandovery, a well known bikers stop off.  This time, the weather was horrendous but good weather can't last forever.
The ride home from work yesterday was interesting.  My topbox loaded up with my tools (and anything else that wasn't nailed down), hammering down with rain, couldn't see the road half the time.  I was relieved to get home.  Last day of work in that place.  So a new start in 2021 with a new , full time, properly paid job.  10 miles up the road with plenty of overtaking opportunities on the way.
Wishing everyone a good and safe Christmas and a better 2021.
Ok, 2022 then.

[Laverda Dave]

A great summary of your biking year Mike. My Rideout's this year have been severely restricted due to being in lockdown, tier 3 and now tier 4 just to finish the year off! The saving grace was joining IAM's last December. The group has been great and I've learnt so much during the observed and social rides that last between 4-6 hours. I have one bike less at the end of the year then when I started having sold the restored blue 400/4 in September having never ridden it! Although I now had a spare space in the garage it was quickly filled by the BIL's Kawasaki Z400j that I've promised to get running for him but it's a bit of a pig really! Here's to 2021 and the chance to undertake the rides, shows and trips cancelled this year 👍.

[mike the bike]

I'm pleased that you're finding the IAM observed rides beneficial.  As a car observer,  I can see the change in drivers' attitudes from bumbling amateur to a more professional approach.  The social side is good too with plenty of rideouts, barbeques etc.
Good luck with the test.  Always know what the speed limit is and don't exceed it for an instant.  It's our group's biggest fails: speeding and not stopping at a STOP sign.

[SteveD CB500K0]

I bought my first ever new bike

A shiny Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro.

I picked it up on Match 24th, about 8 hours after the start of the first lockdown. It did 1.6 miles in the first three months.

Other highlights include getting a new puppy as a companion for Ziggy the Springer. Her name is Stardust

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[mike the bike]

We got a new mutt too.  Bobby

I guess you're a Bowie fan.

[Bryanj]

You will have fun with that one Steve, wife got a new pup after loosing our working cocker 2 yrs ago.

The PUP is now 10 monthe old and best part of 8 stone in weight plus a complete nutter or as the wife says "twatapotomus" -----' joys of a great dane

[Andrew-S]

My personal summary of 2020, is simple - it's been shit, apart from my youngest son Matt who married his fiancé Issy on Sunday in Winchester.  They brought the wedding forward from August so that my wife Bev who is sadly terminally ill could be there, such a lovely thing to do.

Here's the happy couple:

[K2-K6]

That's more difficult for you even than your own health that you've shared with us Andrew.

Certainly a son you can both be proud of, and also daughter. What a lovely photo of them both.

Kind thoughts for you and your family.

Nigel.

[mike the bike]

I forgot to mention the other bike on the drive.
While talking to a mate about the number of bikes he's got (12¾), only two being rideable.  He had a surplus Lexmoto 125 which he offered it to me for free.
I asked my son and he said yes.  Next day, Adrian shows up in a car towing bike trailer with the Lexmoto.
After buying a battery, throttle cable, grips and a lock set, it was ready for the MOT.
My lad passed his CBT and we went on a 50 mile rideout to the seaside.
Because he works in the middle of Cardiff,  he saves £8/day on the train and parks it all day long for free.

[AshimotoK0]

So sorry to  hear how sh*tty the year has been for you Andy. My thoughts are with you mate.

Personally for me its been a bit weird. Lockdown and furlough for me meant for the 1st time since I left Uni (43 years ago)  I have had extended periods in the garage to get stuck into my many (14) bike projects. This prompted me to tell lthe guy I work for 3 days a week, when he wanted me to dropdown temporarily to two days, that I only want to do 1 day permanently from now on. He then took on  so much work related to what I do for him,  that last week I did the 1 day as agreed but had to work an extra 43 hours to fulfill  one of his promises to a customer. Problem is he holds the ace card as he has the bead blaster,which I use constantly  .....Something has to give next year though. 

All I can say though, is thank God for bike projects...they brought me through and out of a bout of severe depression about 8 years ago (my lovely doctor suggested I rekindle my bike hobby ....in order to de-focus on everyday hassles)  and saw me through this years trials and tribuations during lockdown etc. Plus I have made some fantastic friends because of them, including members here.

[cooleronthecoast]

A quick summary from me.  I took my Aprilia Tuono for MOT back in February, just before the first lockdown started.  The bike passed fine, but had an advisory on the front tyre.   Ten months and probably 150 miles later, I still haven't changed the tyre, but plan on doing so before the next test in Feb 2021.  To put that into perspective I'd probably hope to cover 5000+ miles on that particular bike over a 12 month period.

[Nurse Julie]

Not too bad this year considering the shite we have been experiencing along with everyone else. I was still using the bikes to go and do the shopping during lockdown, always going the long way round 😊😊😊. Also managed quite a few longer trips, 250+ miles each time when allowed. Probably still managed to clock up over 4 k miles in total on assorted bikes so not too bad I suppose. No riding in India or Cyprus this year though ☹️.

[mike the bike]

Did you get a lot done in the workshop?

[Nurse Julie]

Did you get a lot done in the workshop?

Yes, a load of work came in as owners made the most of the lockdown and took their engines apart for something to do, so Trig had loads of extra machine work to do. My little ebay shop was also very, very busy.

[philward]

I feel lucky compared to some of my friends on the forum (my thoughts are with you Andrew), Me and my family are in good health, I'm semi retired (I'm going to fully retire next May at 66) and work from home, so apart from minor irritations of not being able to do the nice things we like to do (pub once a week and odd meal out), life has been ok. We always say that as long as you and your family are in good health, everything else doesn't really matter. (When I look at my parents generation who endured war, bombings, menfolk away at war for years and rationing - and no NHS when they where children, this pandemic ain't that bad relatively).
We managed to get away in the motorhome a few times and out on one of the bikes most weeks (albiet only short runs). Also, built and sold K6 cafe racer which has funded the 500k2 build - which is progressing well.
Hope 2021 improves for everyone who hasn't had as good a year