Good Friday Trail Ride - It Started so well!

[Ralph]

I forgot my camera so pictures courtesy of Dazzer can be viewed here;


Trail Ride Good Friday

http://www.bmwgs.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1033&start=0


Fired up the AT for my 7am ‘Good Friday’ run over to Keighley to meet up with Dazzer, Paul & Chris. Very cold so glad i was wearing more layers than an onion.


Then on to Thirsk through some gorgeous landscape with the sun shining to meet Bazza (the only other AT rider), a bunch of other guys riding BM’s from the GS’er forum and various others riders & machinery.

Then onto the first trail which was an easy track with a few slippery bits that caught out the first of the beemers clad with road bias tyres.

Things then got steadily worst on a steep climb near Kilburn. The AT went up the sticky lane no problem on its well-used TKC’s but several stuck GS’s created an interesting obstacle course. Layers of clothing were quickly stripped off in an effort to cool down after assisting the stricken riders. Mental note - Don’t get stuck behind big trailies on unsuitable tyres when trial riding in winter!!

A superb long fast trail over the moors in gale force winds and sleet eventually lead to rocky decent that finished off some the struggling riders as they called it a day and headed off carrying several bruises to both bike and body.

The remaining group headed down to Whitby for some much needed fuel, shelter and food before the last half dozen set out for one last trail before heading home.

Then my problems started…

The bike needed bumping off and run ok for 5 minutes until it started miss firing and then died. I knew the regulator hadn’t been right since I got the AT 18 months ago but if I flick a switch (fitted by a previous owner) to kill one headlight the battery usually charges ok.

Luckily it happened right opposite a petrol station so we sheltered behind the jet wash screen had a good poke around the electrics. Despite the best effort of Swiders (from the GS site) the situation was pretty hopeless. The battery was fried due to the faulty regulator so it wasn’t even making a circuit to enable the bike to be bumped off.

Now I pride my self in been fairly self sufficient in these situations, so I figured the best course of action was to contact the local bike garage and source any old rectifier and battery as a ‘get me home’ measure. The girls in the petrol station were helpful in providing me the number of the local bike dealer but of course he knew better to be at work on Good Friday.

I considered my options – 97 miles from home with no breakdown cover late in the afternoon with a gathering blizzard coming down off the moor. It didn’t look good.

I thought about staying over in the vein hope that I would get the parts the next day but a text message from the wife reminded me not to be late home as were going out that night.

Time for a financial spanking! I joined the AA there and then and told the lads whom had stayed back to helped me to get going. The AA chap arrived after only 5 minutes and spent the next 30 mins cleaning badly burnt/corroded terminals and testing the wiring. The battery was still hot an hour after I broke down which in it’s self was an indication that it was beyond service not to mention any damage done to the relays.

He advised that roadside assistance was hopeless and a breakdown truck was the only option. Time to get the wallet out again and waited a further 2 hours until the truck arrived.
The recovery cost (over an above the joining fee) was around the price of a new regulator & battery, which I still need to buy so that’ll teach me to scrimp on maintenance!

So overall an expensive day but I guess it would have been a lot worse if I had rode down to Wales to do the red kite rally which I almost did!

Anyhow, it was great to meet new folk, ride some fantastic new trails and I will be out next time with working electrics and hopefully remember my camera!

Big thanks to Dazzer for organizing the day and please pass my appreciation on to Swiders & Bazil(?) from the GS forum.

[alpslapper]

Brillant pics and report - looks like a cracking day out - lots of mud sweat and laughs - great stuff

[dazzerrtw]

Sorry to hear what happened.

When I heard my phone ringing we were at the bottom of a very muddy track,that turned out to be the wrong lane ,it was blowing a gale and the hail was that hard I could not hear who was on the phone.
Glad Mick who was back marking on the second part of the day was with you.

I have just renewed my insurance today and after reading your post dicided to pay the extra for breakdown cover .

I will pass on your message to Mick.

It was excellent to see the 2 AT riders ,riding very good off road and keeping well in front of the BMW rider's.
just goes to show how much better the AT is off road ,compaired to the BM Twin's.

I have been wanting a AT for a long time,and after seeing the 2 yesterday, set me off looking for one again

peto see you both out again soon.

Dazzer

[Ralph]

I have just renewed my insurance today and after reading your post dicided to pay the extra for breakdown cover .

Dazzer

Dazzer,

Probably a good move after my cautionary tale!

The recovery chap said breakdown cover offered by Bennetts etc is very good value but often only provides road side assistance. If you need full recovery it's very expensive to upgade at the time compared with if you do it before you need it.

It cost me the price of the standard policy + recovery upgrade + £2 for every mile over a 50 mile recovery distance so i got well and truly stung!

It's a tough call because you can mend most things at the road side if you have a few spares and a decent tool kit.

A bit of preventative maintenance was required in my case!

[bazza]

Ralph sorry to here about the bike, hope u get it sorted.(and the wallet).
Iv had cover on the car for the last ten years and only needed it once and when i called them it ran out 2 days earlyer and they said if i was to renew it there and then i still wouldnt be coverd for 24hours only, i was only 150 miles from home, never let it run out since( bike or car).

Had a real good day and it was good to meet more people, also good to see the AT's at the front even on my conti escapes, i was very impresed with them apart from the back wheal trying to over take the front just before the rock section at about 40mph.

Thanks for an excelent day guy's.

[bazza]

Top of the first climb which coursed some problems with the road tyers.

The first casualty, to much clutch work.

This coursed a couple of probs but nothing to bad.

bottom of the rocky down hill

All in all a very wet day but excelent terrain for big bikes.

[Mudwiz]

Nice one gents. Thats almost Ryedale country is it not?

.

[Ralph]

Nice one gents. Thats almost Ryedale country is it not?

.

It sure is Chris and i hope you are fit for this years Rally.