That is the remains of a cathedral. Old Sarum, Wiltshire. Huge Iron Age hill fort, then used as a Roman fort, then had a Norman castle placed on a new motte inside and a town with cathedral built. Abandoned by city officials in the middle ages who moved about a mile away and built New Sarum...
I agree. Get both sides of the stand on the ground first, the actual lift is more about the foot on the stand than pulling on the grab rail. Handlebars are straight ahead when I do it as well, not sure if that makes a difference.
I did struggle a bit at first, it's not the easiest bike to do it...
If you are changing up and want a totally smooth change:-
Put your toe under the gear lever and apply slight upward pressure
Shut the throttle
Only pull the clutch in about a quarter
The gear lever will go up and then you let the clutch lever back out
I've got those, used them last year when camping. They are definitely waterproof, but a bit of a faff to fit to Altrider bars and keep them straight/tight though. You don't get loads in them, I think I used mine for my cooking gear and a waterproof over jacket.
I think I had 6x10g in the end, 3 on each side. I put the red dot next to the valve the same as the front tyre which only needed 25g total. Maybe I will try breaking the bead and rotating the tyre as you suggest. It was fine on the way to work on the motorway today up to 90mph, so I will see how...
Chucked two new tyres on yesterday. I fitted Metzler Tourance NEXTs again, the last ones lasted for about 14,000 miles, very very square though.
I found that the front wheel was still in balance with the existing weights on there, so left it that way.
Balanced the rear for the first time ever...