Great Weekend

Out early Saturday (well, reasonably) heading up to Fox's Diner a few miles south of Oxford. We used to ride here from Guildford "back in the day" and I remembered it as a good stretch of road with a great bacon sandwich at the end of it.

Back then it would take a couple of hours all-told to get there - Hackney to Guildford, Guildford to Berinsfield via Bracknell and Henley-on-Thames, a 90 mile trip for a snack and a cup of coffee . Obviously, it's an easier ride now, probably only 30 miles.

But it is definitely as nice a stretch of road as I remembered, travelling through some quintessentially English scenery - does it get more picturesque than the bridge over the Thames in Henley? And the doorstop sarnie appears to have gotten better with age!

Another reason for the little outing was a visit to M&P Express, the motorbike accessory shop, conveniently situated right next-door to the best biker cafe in Oxfordshire (at least, the best one I know about so far!). Purchased a hi-vis belt - something I didn't think I'd ever wear, but since I'm commuting again I'll take any protetction i can get - plus a DIY Alphadot kit, to comply with my insurance obligations.

The ride back demonstrated again the significant difference between my little XJ600 and the massive power of my mate's Yamaha R1. Jesus, that bike is insanely fast. But, I'm perfectly happy - in fact, incredibly happy - with what my bike can do, it's more than adequate for my needs.

Other than another brief trip to George White in Slough to buy a lighter weight paddock jacket, and the 12 hours of MotoGP/British & World Superbikes on TV Sunday was a bike free day. ;)

Maidenhead - Berinsfield, Oxon

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