Afternoon meeting of Orkney SOHC members.

[Johnny4428]

Had a lovely run out today in the sunshine, although sub 10C . And a bonus as Ian Stallard was actually home! 😂 Nice tour of the “toy cupboard” and a lovely cup of tea, chat and bit of banter. Thanks Ian! 50 miles shake down.

[Nurse Julie]

Looks lovely Johnny 😍😍😍

[Johnwebley]

Very nice

Sent from my SM-A546E using Tapatalk

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Neat looking bike.👍👍👍

Having no concept of Geography how many circuits of your particular Island is 50 miles?

When I went to the IoM back in 1975 ish (practice week) I managed to do just over a 1000 miles just visiting places in my ex-Father-in-Laws Citroen Ami 8.

[Orcade-Ian]

Ted,
From our place in the north west corner of Mainland Orkney where Johnny came for a visit, to the southern tip at Burwick, it's about 48 miles - so 96 miles round trip.  If we make a few detours like to Deerness in the 'Far East' or round by Evie on the return, I have often done 150 miles on one trip.  Bugger! I think I forgot to charge him for the tea!

Ian

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Blimey that's not an Island - it's almost a Country!

[Johnny4428]

Ted,
From our place in the north west corner of Mainland Orkney where Johnny came for a visit, to the southern tip at Burwick, it's about 48 miles - so 96 miles round trip.  If we make a few detours like to Deerness in the 'Far East' or round by Evie on the return, I have often done 150 miles on one trip.  Bugger! I think I forgot to charge him for the tea!

Ian

You noticed how swiftly I left after the tea was done! 🤣🤣

[Jan B]

Nice looking bike Johnny. And riding in coastal areas is always fun. Even when being charged for a cuppa by the likeminded.

[Orcade-Ian]

Hi Jan B,
It's certainly a lovely place to have a ride - especially on a day like yesterday and great to have a visit from Johnny - that bike sounded lovely and he has already worked some magic on it but I'm sure there will be more to come.
Not sure where in the Netherlands you are but you too have some lovely coastal places to visit plus those very special islands to the north.  We had a good friend in Friesland (Leeuwarden) who sadly passed away last year and we visited her for over 30 years in your wonderful country.
A small group of us are away on a tour in late May to Austria and will be riding from Europoort via Tilburg, Eindhoven and into Germany by Aachen, so will get to sample some Dutch hospitality on the way. Unfortunately we will not be on our Classic Hondas!

Ian

[Jan B]

I am located in the Southwest of the Netherlands on the Zeeland peninsula. Also a coastal region. I used to scuba dive because the onderwater world overhere is very beautiful. Lately when the water gets a bit murky I get dizzy instantly. Not very pleasant when 40 feet below the surface because you have to ascend slowly to avoid the bends. So I gave up scuba diving.
Anyway riding a classic bike is far less cumbersome not having to hassle with a lead belt weighing 12 kilo's, a scuba tank and the rest of the equipment.
Nice trip yo are goin to have late may. I have lived in Tilburg, my daughter lives in Eindhoven and I was born 35 km from Aachen. What a coincidence!

Upcoming summer I'll be visiting Scotland and Ireland. If time and weather permits I might as well visit Mainland Orkney with my Beemer.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

You have neatly swapped Scuba Gear for Biking Gear - when I was an invincible teenager I didn't wear a crash hat except for long journeys. I rode in my everyday shoes, no gloves except in winter & an Anorak. I just hopped onto my Honda and into Town.

Now as I'm somewhat older I find it quite an ordeal to zip up my riding boots, fight my way into my Jacket & Trousers with Kevlar renforcements then fasten up my Helmet , start the bike before wearing my gloves - feed in my spectacles. Heaven help me if after all that effort I need a pee before I ride off into the country side.

[Johnny4428]

Thanks Jan, keep in touch if you do come to Orkney and we will make sure and meet up. Even if you don’t make it to Orkney some of us two might nip accross on the ferry to meet.
Ted I feel your pain with the toilet going business, even at my young age 😜

[Orcade-Ian]

Hi Jan,
Never been diving but love those TV programs showing what's under water - another World. Obviously Orkney attracts many divers with all the wrecks and the rapidly decaying scuttled German fleet.  Thanks for the PM - I'll be in touch as we might return to Europoort via Zierikzee to avoid those busy parts around south Rotterdam.  I sympathise with you about having a 12kg belt made of lead - I've got one made of fat!
You are leaning against an open door Ted, having all this gear on and needing a pee can be troublesome - Christine has just altered my latest riding pants - they had an integral flap across the front and if you were not careful, the stream was directed in equal amounts down each leg!

Ian

[Jan B]

they had an integral flap across the front and if you were not careful, the stream was directed in equal amounts down each leg!

Leaving typical traces of corrosion on the bike

[Johnny4428]

😳🤣🤣