:-[ had a blinding weekend as I combined two passions - strapped a fly rod to the S10 and rode to North Wales for the weekend. Living in London means escaping is not always easy and the earliest I could get away was 5:00pm - straight into rush hour congestion. The 8 miles from the city to the North circular and M1 motorway was a tedious 40 minutes and then still heavy with careful filtering required, a quick cross country dash to th M40 put on extra miles but gained in speed / progress upto Birmingham and the M6 stopping for coffee and fuel at Warwick saw the tank consume 18 [ out of 23 ] litres and cost £24 - the bike had only done 140 miles since last fill. Coming off motorways onto the fast A5 saw me hammering it some more [worth noting that panniers and top box induce an unpleasant rear end weave above 120 mph!].
Finally 8:30 pm and 235 miles saw me arrive at my sisters in the village of Caergwrle and a welcome beer. A superb days fishing and 6 trout in beatiful surroundings was food for the soul and good nights sleep.
Sunday dawned bright and clear with the promise of more sun - spring into early summer after weeks of rain and chill. No motorways today- beatiful roads and twisties down to mid Wales but first fill up with fuel in Wrexham. 78 glorious miles later see me in time for lunch and a chat at a great bikers cafe / petrol stop at Crossgates, head East back into England and even fairly spirited riding sees the fuel start counting down and when I stop outside Oxford it's done 183 miles and only takes 17 litres again at least another 5 in the tank so 200 mile range easily achievable if you go easy on the right wrist.
Point is the not quite 500 mile round trip cost me about £60 - something I'm going to have to be more aware of for my planned France / Spain trip in September and must check out pterol prices abroad accordingly.
For the benefit of you [lucky?] guys in the US the S10 takes 6+ us gallons or 23 litres - cost per LIRE is about £1:30 = £29 a tank full or $48:75 - I'd be interested to know how that compares for you guys!?
Finally 8:30 pm and 235 miles saw me arrive at my sisters in the village of Caergwrle and a welcome beer. A superb days fishing and 6 trout in beatiful surroundings was food for the soul and good nights sleep.
Sunday dawned bright and clear with the promise of more sun - spring into early summer after weeks of rain and chill. No motorways today- beatiful roads and twisties down to mid Wales but first fill up with fuel in Wrexham. 78 glorious miles later see me in time for lunch and a chat at a great bikers cafe / petrol stop at Crossgates, head East back into England and even fairly spirited riding sees the fuel start counting down and when I stop outside Oxford it's done 183 miles and only takes 17 litres again at least another 5 in the tank so 200 mile range easily achievable if you go easy on the right wrist.
Point is the not quite 500 mile round trip cost me about £60 - something I'm going to have to be more aware of for my planned France / Spain trip in September and must check out pterol prices abroad accordingly.
For the benefit of you [lucky?] guys in the US the S10 takes 6+ us gallons or 23 litres - cost per LIRE is about £1:30 = £29 a tank full or $48:75 - I'd be interested to know how that compares for you guys!?
Ouch! yes I see what you mean about health insurance - I've had more than my fair share of treatment [free] on the NHS over the last few years with two hip replacements and treatment for throat cancer!