YMCA Return Journey
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Here are few photos from my return journey. I left London (south of the river) at 4 PM. It was cold and nigh on freezing on my TTR motorcycle. Still it made the traffic evaporate. I headed north for 300 and some miles to stop over with an old trail riding Internet friend. Craig and his wife Lesley made me most welcome. Coming over Shap the air temperature was well below freezing. Adding in the wind chill factor (which is about 1 degree C per 10 mph) it was into double figures below zero. I've been colder. Heated grips and a heated vest would have made the ride easier. It just meant more coffees and stops than a heated ride. Arriving before the witching hour and 2 or 3 glasses of wine later plus Lesley's excellent cooking and I was deliriously incoherent and very happy. It was the cold you know!
Craig has a TLR like mine and probably one of the best and most original on the planet. He had kindly made me a side stand for the lack of one on my bike. A typical canny northerner, Craig's deft hand has created the 2.5Kw diesel heating system you see here on his Lomax. The woollen mill loom shuttle makes a natty towel rail. I include it here as I like the creativity and the fact that our families have the connection of the cloth.
I was privileged to drive this Lomax three wheeler. As I had a 2 CV (Note the Deux Chevaux on his bonnet - for 2 Chevals power!) myself, I was familiar with the gear change layout and engine characteristics if not the power. Bored to 650 cc with a lightened flywheel and twin Dell Orto carbs it was all simply a hoot spinning the wheels and throttle blipping on a double de-clutch, through sleepy hamlets. That diesel heater really works. As the motor is air cooled it really is the most sensible way to get effective heat to the feet. I was stuck for a choice of hat (Craig keeps a proper silly hat collection in the car) and so went sans chapeau in preparation for the last chilled leg of my journey home on my motorcycle.
Arriving just before dark to a stocked larder of soup, bread and necessities and even my heating fired up courtesy of my Mum - has together with such wonderful friends made becoming a fitness instructor all worth while.
Now all I need to do is get my Dad down the gym after his hip-op. I expect the comment of 'are you into garage too Dad?' to gain a quizzical look - still as long as he is out of pain now and mobile he can be spared my fitness training regime. Thanks to you all for a wonderful time.
Sunday Nov 20th. John Rushworth.
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