The Dam Bike Run

Once a year my local classic bike club, the Lothian and Borders Classic and Vintage bike Club have the Dam Bike Run, where they all meet up and have a run over the small roads around the reservoirs and lochs of the area followed by a meal at the Barony Hotel. Faither and Greaser are members so I decided to join the ride on my XR.

Only issue was a couple of weeks ago I had went out for a half hour spin around the hills. Half an hour became about three hours after I got a puncture. Having no tools to fix said puncture and no phone signal resulted in a three mile push. Finally I got a message out. Egor collected my van and came to my rescue only for us to discover the XR didn't fit in the van! We strapped the bike in as best we could, tied the doors shut and drove home. Very slowly.

There's worse places to get a flat I guess.

Not all heros wear capes. Thanks Egor.

With the rear tyre truly gubbed I had to choose a replacement. The last tyre had only lasted 700 miles or so. It was a proper nobblie with loads of grip. I was willing to sacrifice some grip for a longer tyre life so I went with a Mitas E09. It was a total bastard to fit but after sweating profusely, getting blood everywhere, nipping the tube and putting it into the shop where it was done properly, the new tyre was fitted.

A couple of spins proved the Mitas to be pretty good. It never had the grip a proper nobbly has but there was enough for what I was doing, plus it was easier to slide the back out which is always fun. The Massif came with me on one of the runs, the heavier, more road based bikes proving a bit of a handfull compared to the XR's dirt pedigree, especially on muddy or loose sections.

 

With the XR cleaned up I headed to meet the folk for the Dam Bike Run. I felt like I was cheating a bit riding my "classic" 1995 XR alongside a 1929 Sunbeam, but everyone makes you feel welcome no matter what you're on. There were a few folk taking part on modern bikes too. The route that the club had organised was really nice. Despite riding around the area for most of my biking life I found myself on a couple of new roads. We stopped at Bowhill for a lunch break and to have a look around the bikes a bit more, before heading over the Megget And Talla road and back up to the Barony for a meal.

Velo the dog on his Beemer.



 

 

 

I had really enjoyed riding with the club. It was great to see all the old bikes running well and hilarious following the haze from the two strokes along the country lanes. There's no danger you'd get lost following a GT500! I had a great day out and I'd recommend coming along on the run next year. The Dam Bike Run is open to non club members. Follow their page on Facebook for info on how to join the club and to keep an eye on when the events are on .

 

 

 

 

Mike

 





Dirt bikes

"That would make an ideal Adventure Training area."

It stuck me as a strange statement. I wondered what the fuck an adventure training area was. Said statement was a reaction to a video I'd sent someone to show them an area where folk ride dirt bikes a few miles from my house. How travelling a few miles from my house and riding around for half an hour equals an adventure was a bit beyond me, but I realised what he meant. He meant off road riding.
Now, there's a bizarre movement in the motorcycle world where people confuse the terms "adventure" and "off road". BMW's GS was probably the first victim, but loads have followed. People with a poor understanding of physics are now arguing with anyone that will listen that their Africa Twin is a dirt bike. They ignore anyone who points out the fragile plastics, vulnerable engine casings, under sprung suspension, massive repair costs and the fact that anything that weighs over 200 kilos is crap on anything properly steep. Instead they showcase various very skilled riders on youtube videos and say their smashed bikes are actually showing "battle scars" and aren't wrecked hunks of shite.
Now, if you want to ride your Africa Twin off road that's fine with me. It's your bike and you're free to do with it as you please, but don't go telling other folk, especially new riders (who seem drawn like a magnet to "adventure bikes") that their 10 grand, 200+ kg bike is a good dirt bike, or we'll have even more people complaining on the internet that their "dirt bike" is broken and is going to cost the price of an actual dirt bike to fix.
Ok, rant over. I decided to get myself a dirt bike. The Hornshit just wasn't cutting it. Towards the end of winter, especially around February and March I seem to get very, very bored very, very easily. I need something that would deliver the right goods. The Hornshit was fast enough, but on a wet, greasy day it wasn't inspiring me to get out the house. I know about a classic Honda XL600, 1984 model that was going for sale locally. It was an OK price and in good condition, but it had a wee crack in the crankcase where it had been battered by the chain at some point. I was trying to get in touch with the owner when Faithir showed me an advert he'd seen in the Lothian and Borders Classic Motorcycle club magazine for a 1996 Honda XR600R. The real deal. A proper big traillie. It was at the very limit of my budget but was in amazing condition and practically one owner from new. Money was scrounged and borrowed and I bought it.

At 145kg wet its still pretty heavy for a dirt bike, but it's got bags of grunt and feels like it would ride up the side of a house. I spent the following few weeks exploring where I could and popping crap wheelies about the place. Old Mike (I'm sure he loves that handle) joined me on his TTR one afternoon and we had a great time spinning about the local trails. You'd never have thought it was still winter.

See that last photo? You probably can't tell but the bike is stuck on quite a sizeable pile of concrete blocks covered in branches. The back wheel dug itself in when I tried to gun it over and that was me, grounded. I had to lift the bike over it all because I was on my own. I was curious to see what the GS/Africa Twin/Super Ten etc brigade would do in such a situation. Some suggested using a winch or similar to get the bike over while a few others said they don't go out alone, which I guess it pretty sensible. Some said they just ride easier trails. I think when folk are saying they go off road, they just mean "off tarmac" like the road in the picture below.

Anyway, I was really happy with the XR, but it sounded a bit lame. The previous owner had informed me that it was still jetted for a free flowing pipe, but had fitted the standard one back for the sale as the link pipe for the Supertraap can had rusted away and the titanium Remus system was too loud. How loud is too loud? I guess we'll find out when I fit it, I'll just go for another wee spin first.

So now the XR sounds like a big thumper should and it seems to pull even stronger. I took it over to show my uncle Greaser who was servicing his beemer. The XR was much louder tha with the stock pipe, but not antisocially so. I'm pretty happy with it.

Greaser liked it too, but he is more concerned with getting his valve clearances bang on.
 

To summarise my earlier rant; ride your bike where you want, when you want. That's great fun.
Ride your adventure bike on whatever surfaces you like, that's also great fun.
Don't go telling people that are asking for advice, especially new riders, that something like an Africa Twin is a great dirt bike. That's bad advice.
 

More soon.

Mike

MotoScotland - Introduction to Off roading.

Smillie and Brian went on the first off road course ran by MotoScotland. Here's Smillie's write up.

Two of the Massif had the chance to go on the very 1st off-road course by Motoscotland this year. The one day Introduction to Off Roading.

Myself and young Brian Fraser travelled up by car to Inveraray to the MotoScotland base on the Duke of Argyll's estate? 

We were met by Clive and had a brew while we waited for the 3rd man to arrive, Colin Gallacher. 

Whilst waiting Clive told us about the history of MotoScotland. Clive, a long time biker and off-road biker had always been puzzled that Scotland had no Off-Road training school. He had the idea several years ago that he could set up such a school. This idea was followed by months and months of research leading to a commitment for him and his wife to move to Scotland. Then the really hard work started.

Clive realised that the reason that there was no Off-Road school in Scotland was that Landowners didn't want anything to do with it. After 2 years and just as they were about to give up they caught a break... The Estate manager for the Duke of Argyll's estate is a mad keen biker... He talked to the Duke and the deal was done.

MotoScotland was born and has access to 55,000 Acres of land near Inveraray with multiple trails. Half a dozen G650GS bikes later and they were ready to go.

That led to us 3 being the 1st customers for MotoScotland.

So... The 3 novices were ready to go, except that young Fraser had already been on 2 courses with BMW in Wales so wasn't quite the novice we were.

So we got on with the induction and Briefing and got the gear on.

It was a roasting hot Sunny day _perfect for mucking about on bike.

A quick study if the  Map of estate with routes on marked and we were off.

 

Well off to the car park to get a run down of the G650GS bikes which were were very capable tools for the job and inspired confidence. Some basics on getting to know the bike - balance, getting on and off, positioning when riding and benefits for road riding.

Some Basic riding on the Tarmac in the estate - practicing basic techniques in a familiar environment and we were off.

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We headed through Inveraray, and up the valley at Dubh Loch and onto the estate, practicing on Tarmac all the way. On the estate we made our way up to Lochan Shira where the Tarmac finished and it was stony trails. We cut passed the reservoir and up a steep climb to a disused quarry with fantastic views. 

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The 

Quarry was ideal as it was flat but had mix of all the terrain you would come across - rocks, gravel, grass, mud, water.

Clive gave us 90 minutes of Technique instruction and practice in quarry - riding, turning, handling, controls, rear wheel sliding, front wheel sliding, engine braking - all to get you used to the feel of offroad riding and build confidence. 

Only when Clive was satisfied you were comfortable and had seen you demonstrate the techniques did he let us loose on the estate. 

The quarry was the place to drop and pick up the bike and Colin had several opportunities to practice. I had a clatter on a rock and fully tested the bash plate, but it and I stayed on the bike.  Ten minutes later I was on my arse when I fell during a turn and ended up with my foot stuck under the bike. Seeing my predicament Brian rode over to laugh at me for several minutes before getting off to help me up. Bastard!

Smug git that he is, Brian never fell off all day. 

Then it was a wee run up past the quarry and back and then back to Inveraray for lunch.

Lunch and a quick change of clothes required for me. A hot day, off road biking and a fat, unfit forty something combines into sweaty breeks and t-shirt.

Again, Smug wee git Fraser, thin, young and fit found it all nae probs.

After lunch we went for rides on trails to practice putting all these together.

First down the valley to the best view at the end of the trail.

Rest stops, water and energy bars were required all day.

By about 4 pm I was totally ended. There were some muscles that hadn't been worked for 15 years that were complaining big time and I was physically wrecked from lugging my weight around all day standing on a bike. It bloody physical work.

We headed back to Inveraray and stopped down the last valley in the estate for Clive to point out Rob Roy McGregor's cottage. A most underwhelming experience as it's a square of stone walls about 3 stones high and about 500 yards down the hill.

Tempting though it sounded we didn't have time to walk down for a look - shame!

Thoroughly enjoyed the whole day. Even though I was physically knackered at the end.

Clive was very focused on the trainees needs and enjoyment and made sure we did what we wanted. He made me feel comfortable and confident from the start and I did pretty well, but not as well as Smug Fraser.

Day ended with the inevitable photo with certificate then a long drive home.

Ya beauty.

Words and photos by Smillie.