Adventure Bike Rider Forum

Well its been 10 years since I was using this forum - found it again

Due to retire soon so was looking for ABR routes that maybe of interest - I see the list of routes is still available on here

Anyway, I am based in East Sussex and look forward to many more adventures.

Welcome back Red…just as I’m leaving.
As you know, I’m not far from you.

DavidS wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 5:33 pm Welcome back Red…just as I’m leaving.
As you know, I’m not far from you.

Anywhere exciting?

Godspeed wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 10:21 pm

DavidS wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 5:33 pm Welcome back Red…just as I’m leaving.
As you know, I’m not far from you.

Anywhere exciting?

Leaving the adv bike world, sadly. My longer trip plans are over before they started.
I picked up a virus at the beginning of June, a week later I was in A&E and lost 2kg and a load of strength.
Then had a mega low blood pressure problem and keeled over again.
Still not got my strength back and the Tiger was too heavy to even get out of its cupboard.
Bought a lovely little new Triumph Scrambler 400X - only 150 miles so far and running in but I see why you like your ride small world. It’s great fun.

DavidS wrote: ↑Fri Oct 03, 2025 9:07 am

Godspeed wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 10:21 pm

DavidS wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 5:33 pm Welcome back Red…just as I’m leaving.
As you know, I’m not far from you.

Anywhere exciting?

Leaving the adv bike world, sadly. My longer trip plans are over before they started.
I picked up a virus at the beginning of June, a week later I was in A&E and lost 2kg and a load of strength.
Then had a mega low blood pressure problem and keeled over again.
Still not got my strength back and the Tiger was too heavy to even get out of its cupboard.
Bought a lovely little new Triumph Scrambler 400X - only 150 miles so far and running in but I see why you like your ride small world. It’s great fun.

Sorry to hear about the health issues, enjoy the smaller Triumph they are great fun

DavidS wrote: ↑Fri Oct 03, 2025 9:07 am

Godspeed wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 10:21 pm

DavidS wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 5:33 pm Welcome back Red…just as I’m leaving.
As you know, I’m not far from you.

Anywhere exciting?

Leaving the adv bike world, sadly. My longer trip plans are over before they started.
I picked up a virus at the beginning of June, a week later I was in A&E and lost 2kg and a load of strength.
Then had a mega low blood pressure problem and keeled over again.
Still not got my strength back and the Tiger was too heavy to even get out of its cupboard.
Bought a lovely little new Triumph Scrambler 400X - only 150 miles so far and running in but I see why you like your ride small world. It’s great fun.

So sorry to hear you’ve been unwell. That 400x is a perfect ADV machine and I’m sure plenty of us would love to hear of your adventures on it.

Long days are my difficulty at the moment. We took three days in the car to get to Manchester last month.
Low miles with interesting stops during the day.

Having not totally enjoyed group riding in the Canaries in January as I like to bimble and go off course, I’m pondering slinging the bike in a van, basing myself in one suitable place and having days out.
After our holiday, Cumbria and/or Yorkshire are favourite at the moment but, for me, they are still a bit of a haul from the Sussex coast.

Our honeymoon back in 1977 was camping on our Bonneville chuntering down the Rhine with my best man and his girlfriend! But, by the mid 80’s, our bike touring and camping days were superceded by comfort.

We’ll have to see how my recovery goes and my wife will be watching me like a hawk as I’m prone to trying to do too much.

I don’t have even a scrap of Erikgustav’s resilience or commitment.

I am surprised how much life can change. Circumstances and age will obviously change, but we don't see it until we feel it.
Then we can suddenly realise we are at a different place .. in our life.
.
A couple of days ago, I did wbin (Water Breaks Its Neck) in Powys, Wales.
I usually travel alone, mostly because I choose my own weather, locations, and timings.
I happened to accidentally join a group going the same way, and I took advantage of the (many) free gate passes. I completed in half an hour what I normally do in an afternoon.
It was exciting but surreal.. and there was no time for pics., which is just as important to me as the ride and the actual views.
.
So we Can alter our experiences .. to suit what we wish.
Our personal circumstances can dictate our perceptions and experiences.. but we can control all this to perhaps a greater extent that we may first think.
.
This year, I went camping in Mid Wales. I set my expectations low, and took my time, exploring solo bit by bit.
I, also, used a base, to spread exploration on a small daily basis.
Best camping trip I've ever had.
(despite the midges and freezing nights).
.
Life is what you make it.
I think we've heard that before?

I should add .. after I returned from Mid Wales, a trf member, Sean, posted a video of the same route I had spent a day on, on my crf250Rally.

He took 13 minutes, on his T7.

I was shocked.. and extremely impressed .. and maybe, felt a little.. Small.
.. but massive in experience.

I also possessed a wealth of memories.. with photographic evidence. which I treasure.

One way is not better than the other .. [speed and skill], versus [visual and environmental experience].

We simply choose our medicine to suit how we are, or wish to be.

I suppose it comes down to what people want out of their experience.

In most sporting things in my life, I have enjoyed it but not got beyond mediocre.
Golf is great as you can play against a professional and still have a proper game and enjoy the walk and view.
Skiing, some want to tick off a whole mountain in a morning. I will be slow anyway but also want to enjoy the whole mountain experience.
Motorcycling I mentioned above, I want to savour the ride, the freedom and lack of pressure. I’m not quick but rarely get overtaken by another bike. My Canaries comment related to always pressing on…the roads are pretty dangerous in places but, anyway, the views are fantastic, the roads fun but not at silly speeds and with lunatic overtaking by some of my fellow riders. For me, speed is not relevant, enjoyment is everything.

Red and I, with others in Sussex TRF, have had hundreds of miles of great riding over the years as we were all of a like mind. They knew I liked being tail gunner as I could do my own thing rather than feeling pressured on the tricky bits. I don’t want points on my licence either. We also liked our refreshment breaks.