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Spirit of Motorcycling run

Posted by Andy C User icon on May 9, 2026, 10:27 am

This run used to be called Spirit of the 60's now renamed "Spirit of Motorcycling" think the name was changed because the event is now open to bikes of all types and ages, and recognition that a lot of the bikes and riders of stuff from the 60's no longer take part.

Weather looks reasonable for tomorrow so I'll be taking the KH - not built up enough confidence in the H2 yet.

Run is about 100 miles total, going from Yeovil Rugby Club, leaving at 10AM then onto Stourhead for "lunch stop" then back to Yeovil.

I might bale out at Stourhead and find my own way home, I'll see how it goes.

Heart is not really in it given recent events but I must avoid just staying at home and moping about.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Spirit of Motorcycling run

Posted by geoff the bonnie User icon on May 9, 2026, 10:38 am, in reply to "Spirit of Motorcycling run"

Should be good Andy. i am looking forward to the annual Dartmoor ride as usual. That will usually have a bit of rain added to put off the new Harley riders. I would say that 75 percent of the bikes on that run are now newish but it is still good to see some very nice bikes. 26th July this year so i will take a 14 day trip in June to Norwegian Fjords so i dont miss it

Re: Spirit of Motorcycling run

Posted by Andy C User icon on May 10, 2026, 7:07 am, in reply to "Spirit of Motorcycling run"

I shall be setting off in about an hour and a half.

Weather does not look too bad - cooler than yesterday, and a bit breezy.

Probably be about 150 miles all told.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Not much fun

Posted by Andy C User icon on May 10, 2026, 6:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Spirit of Motorcycling run"

The day started off bright and sunny with a breeze.

As the day went on it became overcast, colder and the wind got stronger.

Did 120 miles on the KH but really did not enjoy it, there is a positive side it raised some money for charity.

Certainly wont be doing it next year unless it is a bright, sunny calm day.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Not much fun

Posted by geoff the bonnie User icon on May 10, 2026, 9:38 pm, in reply to "Not much fun"

It was very windy down here Andy but dead calm in the Evening. I found my Honda CL360 to be far too light for strong winds but heavier bikes have been great.
Tomorrow, you will be thinking it was a good ride

Re: Not much fun

Posted by Andy C User icon on May 11, 2026, 6:50 am, in reply to "Re: Not much fun"

The KH really does not like headwinds, the only 2 stroke I have ever had that does not mind headwinds is the H2.

Having said that the KH did really well, I rode it pretty gently most of the time, but screamed it a few times to keep up with the rider in front, and pull away from the bloke behind me who had thoughts of overtaking in a few places - that was fun keeping him at bay !!

Wont say that it will ever go down as a good ride, just a memorable one for the wrong reasons !!

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Not much fun

Posted by geoff the bonnie User icon on May 11, 2026, 7:55 am, in reply to "Re: Not much fun"

My memorable ride was a stormy day on the Dartmoor ride. Absolutely soaked and at Tavistock, the roads had turned to rivers. The ride was called off but just 2 of us carried on for the breakfast at Princetown. I had no waterproofs that day so was sat down to eat soaked right through.
Rain was so hard, the open carbs were sucking in water and the bike was beginning to cut out so kept the speed up a bit high. What fun !

Re: Not much fun

Posted by Andy C User icon on May 11, 2026, 8:32 am, in reply to "Re: Not much fun"

Did a similar run to Minehead years ago - it was tipping down from the start at 08:00 to around 3 PM when the sun came out and dried everything up.

One of the big fish and chip shops took pity on us letting us all sit inside. Probbably took a fortune in chips / fish / cups of tea.

I had my 500 Daytona at the time amd kept on putting the brakes on to keep them working.

That was another Spirit of the 60's motorcycle run.

The best ever Spirit run was the millenium one which was a 2 day event.

Brilliant sunshine both days. Cant remember where we went but it was a great ride both days.

I remember Mum and Dad waving at me from one of the layby's along the way.

Very happy daze.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Not much fun

Posted by 6TDen User icon on May 11, 2026, 10:41 am, in reply to "Re: Not much fun"

Interesting you mentioning the brakes on the Daytona, when I bought my Triumph 5T Speedtwin I didn’t know they were so awful in the wet. First time out in the rain I was approaching a roundabout at about 50mph when I applied the brakes - absolutely nothing happened. Panic set in, frantic changing down of gears and still went into the roundabout too fast. Round it I went like a speedway rider. Somehow got around it and stopped 50 yards on the other side. I believe the only reason I got around was I still owed £137-10s-0d on the HP. I can still feel the sweat under the rain, never forgot and always applied the brake in rain well before I needed them to make sure they would work.
Den

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