Had a blast. Just shy of 800 miles, more than 600 of which were just getting there an back and about 500 of those on a motorway on a 250
Still, the CRF was much better than expected on the long drive. At first I stuck to 70. It was a bit vibey as I had experienced before. But, as I neared the lakes and my desire to get there and get of the motorway grew stronger, I found myself speeding up (hitting 79mph on the Sat Nav at one time). Sitting at 73mph - which is about 80mph on the useless speedo) the vibration was gone. So that became my return speed and I was vibration-free.
The CRF does lack oomph on the long hills and the speed drops until you reach the top, but it was nowhere near as bad as expected. I'd definitely travel a long way on that bike again. The one issue is the tank. It's just not big enough for that kind of travelling. I had to stop to refuel earlier than either my bladder or my backside was telling me I need to stop. And the crap Honda digital unit means the fuel gauge is flashing at you for 20 miles and you can still only get 8 litres in the 10l tank.
But I had a ride out on Friday - albeit frozen and icy - over the Kirkstone Pass and along Ullswater and back down through Keswich and Rasmere. And then The ride on Sunday was great - the heavy rain overnight had lightened so we were not drowned. The Wyrnose and Hardknott passes are always fin at any time of year and arguably better with no other vehicles on the road.
Always a pleasure to spend time with Phil. His plans for a BrokeBack Mountain evening were scuppered by the drink (that's wine not tea in that cup).
Always good when Barftone is around. It was great to see Dean but particularly good to see Steve in such fine form. Absent friend Bob one leg was even on a video conference call while on the cider at home. Stuart's buggy was bit of a laugh to drive too - much more manoeuvrable than I thought.
But it was a bit weird being thrown out of the pub on a Saturday night at 9.45 because were the last people there - the whole village had gone to the birthday party of an 18-year-old Aga cooker (I kid you not).
We should go back in the summer