ISDT

I didn't sign up for the ISDT Centenary ride in the end, I just didn't have the spare cash at the time. I had visions of riding my Harley off-road for a good distance but I think, in the end, it was only the enduro bikes that did that. All others went on tarmac swathed in cloaks of hi-visibility. Information was a bit sketchy both before and during the event; even the riders didn't seem to know any information beyond their own class. But they all looked like they were having a hoot.

We got to the Filling Station at around noon, expecting the first riders to turn up shortly but, as always with older machines, time is a relative thing. As you would expect from the ISDT a fairly steady stream of mostly enduro machine arrived and settled in to a pasty and chip lunch. Once lunch had settled they were quickly off again to go around Lorton and Buttermere. Fortunately I had the pleasure of riding that loop two weeks ago albeit with a stinking hang-over after the Iron Ore Rally. On the way home we had our own little ISDT; taking the long route through the Caldbeck and Mungrisedale commons. Andy flings his little AJS around like its an RD250.

I was down at the sun-drenched Ace Cafe the week previously for a classics day and I have to say that we had more classics at the Filling Station and we weren't far adrift of the total amount of bikes present. The food is still of the highest standard and the crack is always good. It is a source of great pleasure to me to have such a great biker specific cafe on my doorstep and to know that it is not only surviving but thriving. Keep up the good work.

Asteroid.

I don't care how many times I'm told that the asteroid will probably not hit earth I don't have the most faith in the accuracy of the UK media, especially when people in Russia have actually died from a meteor strike.

I would be annoyed if it did strike and I hadn't got out for a spin before the 100 years of ash filled skies. And why not stop at the Filling Station Cafe for a cuppa and a burger while you're at it. Perfect, even if the asteroid doesn't hit.

Fag Break

The Johnny Routledge Memorial Fag Break is on the 1st April.

All details here.

Come if you can, don't if you can't.

Filling Station

The driving rain sucked away my enthusiasm a little and, if I hadn't actually had a destination already decided upon, I'm fairly sure I would have stayed at home. The grand opening of a new biker cafe was the lure and I was determined to get there. I would be lying if I said I wasn't showing off when I pulled up on the Harley but I thought it would make a better spectacle to have ancient american iron parked up outside among all the other bikes. The owner seemed pleased if a little surprised that I would ride such an old machine in such bad weather. I brushed it off nonchalantly but nearly regret it as I set off just a little too late, loaded with caffeine and nicotine and jittery as hell. I am aware that the sparto tail-light is little better than a reflector on bicycle so I made my own space in the spray on the twilight road home. It all passed totally without incident but I made a mental note to either leave earlier or drink less coffee.

The new cafe is great. If you are ever near Keswick drop in at The Filling Station.