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#WeLoveMonster |
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April
2018 April 2018 I visited the Vintage Trucks Gathering at Jacks Hill Cafe on Rosso. |
March 2018 I put some road tax on Rosso and had a little ride in the sunshine. I have booked her for a service in a few days, and ordered a Givi medium size tankbag for my trip to Belgium, and France in the summer. Also have weekends planned in the Yorkshire Dales, Great Yarmouth, & Bristol... |
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October 2017 Rosso now has the rack, and bags fitted, new headlamp bulb, chain adjusted, and oiled plus a valet, and covered in ACF-50 . |
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October
2017 I had a nice ride
about on Rosso
where we stopped in at Moto
Edit for a coffee. |
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August
2017 A busy Saturday
with two free events in one day riding Rosso.
Firstly to a local bike show in Stilton then on to a road safety
show at Rockingham Motor
Speedway. Snaps here,
& more here. |
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August 2017 Another enjoyable weekend with good weather. I didn't do much on Saturday, but Sunday I went to Brackley Festival of Motorcycling in the sunshine on Rosso. Snaps of Brackley FoM here. |
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August 2017 Recently I had a ride about on Rosso that included a quick visit to the National Space Centre cafe, and first visit to the Abbey Pumping Station in Leicester plus afternoon tea break in the sunshine at Hungry Hogs (see left.) Snaps here. |
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July 2017 A local car and bike show at Earls Barton I much enjoyed. See left and snaps here. |
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June 2017 I had a ride about with a mate where we went to Sacrewell Mill for a coffee, and cake, Gear 4 KTM dealer, and Iron Horse Ranch for more coffee! |
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May
2017 A
second visit to RockJo's
Cafe again on Rosso,
plus Rugby Bikefest, & Jacks
Hill Cafe. Snaps of Rugby here. |
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May
2017 I attended
Baldock Classic Car and Bike Show on Rosso
a few snaps here. |
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May
2017 During the week I
got cancelled by work one day so went to RockJo's
Cafe bike night for the first time this was on Rosso. |
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April
2017 I have been
riding Rosso
occasionally, but
mostly just into town... Now the clocks have changed in the UK,
and the weather is picking up I expect to be out and about more on
her. I have had her 3 years in a couple of weeks, and the clock is
showing just under 10,000 miles. |
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March
2017 I had a short
ride on Rosso just
into town for coffee, and shopping. |
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October
2016 I
rode Rosso
to
Wings Cafe at North
Weald Airfield for a first visit in the sunshine. A few snaps
here. |
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September 2016 Another short trip this time to Essex with an overnight stay in Harwich. Went to several places I had not been to before, or for years. On the near left Rosso is outside the Revved Up tea bar, and shop in Walton on the Naze. Snaps here. |
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September 2016 A ride on Rosso for a first visit to the National Space Centre in Leicester. Bit wet to start with, but the day got drier, and then some late sunshine. I liked the museum, and think we will have a look at the Abbey Pumping Station next door sometime, and maybe the University of Leicester Botanic Garden too? A few snaps here. |
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August 2016 A short trip riding Rossomostly to North Norfolk including a visit to the Fenman Classic Bike Show, one night in Hunstanton (see left,) Sherringham, Great Yarmouth... Snaps here. |
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August
2016 I
had a ride out in Lincolnshire on Rosso
with
a mate where we went to the Cranwell
Aviation Heritage Centre for a first visit plus stops at
RAF Coningsby,
and the Iron Horse
Ranch House. |
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August
2016 I
much enjoyed the Brackley
Festival of Motorcycling for the first time in three years
riding Rosso.
More snaps here
& I've been to the Royal
Gunpowder Mills for the first time riding Rosso.
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July
2016 At
the Gathering
of Moths at
Shuttleworth to
celebrate 85 years of the de Havilland Moth.
I
rode there and back on Rosso.
Snaps here. |
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July 2016 I went to Ton Up Day at Jacks Hill Cafe again this year on Rosso, and as usual I much enjoyed it. The weather was OK, but on the way home it became a bit showery. Ton Up Day snaps here. |
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July
2016 Recently
I swapped round my days at work, and that allowed me to ride Rosso
to
a hot rod event at the Oakley
Motorcycle Club, which I loved especially on what would
normally be a work day. Some snaps here. |
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June 2016 I rode Rosso to the Meldreth Bike Show (see far left,) which was good. I took a holiday from work to go as it was midweek, and the weather didn't look great, but in the end it stayed dry. Some snaps here. |
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May
2016 Rosso
has a new front tyre, and the
handling has improved so I have being riding her often as the
Twingo is
still broken. Update
Twingo now
fixed. |
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April 2016 I took Rosso for her regular service, which went well apart from she needs a new front tyre before too long, but no panic as the weather for the next week or so is not looking great! It was very cold riding over only just above freezing, although the sun was out. Then when I was riding home a brief spell of hail followed by more sunshine then rain truly four seasons in one day. The joys of late April weather in England. Also this week I re-insured Rosso, and it was �50 cheaper than last year not sure why? |
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April
2016 A
couple of months ago I won an outdoors action camera, and I sold
it this week on Amazon. So I ordered a new green Roof helmet to
replace the bumble bee yellow one I already have. |
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March 2016 I had a short ride on Rosso last Sunday just into town to collect some shopping, and have a coffee with chums in the sunshine. It felt very odd riding her after spending 10 days on the BMW in Australia! |
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December 2015 It has been mild, but often wet, and windy in the UK so far this winter. I have been on short runs on all the bikes although not much photo or news worthy to report apart from I rode Rosso to the ruins of Houghton House for a first visit (see left.) |
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September 2015 I had a busy day with a first visit to Sand and Motorcycles event in Leighton Buzzard (see left) in the morning, followed by a ride into London's West End for a final visit to Shaun in the City in Covent Garden, the Ace Cafe, and finally a cuppa with my dad all of this on Rosso. Lots more Shaun snaps here, and more motorcycles here. |
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September
2015 I rode Rosso
to Sywell
Aerodrome for ChipFest,
which I enjoyed in the sunshine. I've uploaded a few snaps
here.
Then I bumped into a couple of chums at La Piazza on the way
home. |
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August 2015 I have been a busy boy and not updated this site for over three weeks so lets see if I can remember what I have been up to? Well not much in the last few days as I've hurt my back and had to miss a couple of things including work and Brackley Festival of Motorcycling. Before that the highlight was a long weekend in Bristol for Shaun in the City public art/charity event. On the left Rosso is with "Championsheep." Lots more Shaun snaps here. There are 120 in total between the London and Bristol events, and I think I have seen 113 so far? I plan to see all of them but not sure when that will happen with my current bad back. |
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August
2015 There
are some more snaps here
of the places I visited on my recent trip such as Portishead,
Cotswold Airfield, &
Clifton. |
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July 2015 Recently a first visit to the Hell Fire Caves, which was interesting this was on Rosso. Plus
another busy long weekend with first visit on Saturday to Dirt
Quake IV in Kings Lynn on Rosso,
which I much enjoyed. Photo's here. |
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July
2015 I
went to Ton
Up Day at
Jacks Hill Cafe on
Rosso
(see
left) again, and enjoyed it as usual. Some snaps here. |
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June
2015 I'm
getting into this working 4 days a week thing with lots of days
out including a first visit on Rosso
to see preserved Avro Vulcan XM655
and the Touchdown Inn both at Wellesbourne
Airfield. Some snaps here. |
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June 2015 I went to the 30th Meldreth Manor Bike Show (see left) on Rosso. It is a local charity bike show, which I have not been to before, but much enjoyed. I had not planned to go, but got cancelled at work on the day, and I nearly didn't go as the weather forecast was not great, but it stayed dry, and warm whilst I was there with just a shower on the way home. Some snaps you can see here. |
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June 2015 I had a great day out in North Norfolk on Rosso visiting the North Norfolk Railway, and having a meander round Sheringham in the sunshine. Rosso is running perfect now with a brand new back tyre, brand new throttle, oil service, valet, covered in ACF-50, and new screen. Not sure if it is due to the screen, or the type of riding we did but the average MPG was showing over 60 when I got back from Norfolk. The best I have ever seen before was just over 57. I'm not sure how accurate the figure on the dash is but I know I did about 115 miles on less than two gallons at one point, which suggests it is not far out. |
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June 2015 I have had a new throttle fitted to Rosso under warranty plus an "oil" service, but now she has a puncture, which I have struggled to plug. I've ordered a new tyre, but it is on back order.
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May
2015 Big news from
now on at my request I'm only working 4 days/week, which makes me
happy. More days off for fun in the sun, and typically it is
raining today! Oh well gives me time to update this, Facebook, and
push the Dyson round the house... I might actually cook something
today! |
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May 2015 I have bought a small GIVI magnetic tank bag for Rosso. I have used it once and happy with it so far. Also I purchased a Puig screen, and I have paid the road tax, insured her, and booked an "oil" service for early June plus plan to get her a valet, and coated in ACF-50. Expensive couple of months! I have had Rosso just over one year now, and mileage clicked over 4,000 recently. |
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May
2015 Recently
on a lovely day, I rode Rosso
to Stow Maries Great War
Aerodrome in Essex for the first time. This has been on my to
do list for awhile now. Enjoyed looking at the planes, buildings,
cars, bikes... I have uploaded snaps here. |
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April 2015 I rode Rosso to Bicester Heritage for the first time for a classic vehicles show, and it was a great event. The event coincided with Drive It Day when people are encouraged to use their classic vehicles. Even the weather was kind with rain overnight, but it cleared to a cool morning, and a sunny afternoon. I have loaded hundreds of snaps here. |
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April
2015 I
rode Rosso
to
Jacks Hill Cafe to see
the vintage trucks meeting. Many pic's here.
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April 2015 Over the Easter weekend I only had the Sunday off, and the weather was okay, but not great. However, I didn't want to sit around the house so after a bit of faffing around I ended up at a Classic Car Show at the Shuttleworth Collection. I was only there a couple of hours at most, but enjoyed it, and would go again. As usual I snapped away, and have loaded some pic's here. I went on Rosso, and it was the first time I had ridden her this year. |
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March
2015 Not
much to report. I've been starting Rosso
up
once a week, and have now got a Ducati branded trickle charger for
her to keep the battery in tip top condition. As the daylight
hours increase, and we get a few warmer days I hope to be out and
about on Rosso
soon. |
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November 2014 I went to Remembrance Sunday at IWM Duxford again, but this year it was a little warmer so I went on Rosso. I was only there a couple of hours, & it was free entry. I had intended to get lunch there, but the queues were so long so I had a little ride about on Hare Street (the original London to Cambridge coach road,) and then stopped at Buntingford Coffee Shop for carrot cake and cappuccino before riding home. I took a few snaps, which you can see here. |
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October
2014 I went for a ride
about on Rosso
to the World
Famous Comfort Cafe for lunch then on to the Cambridge
Technology Museum, which I had not been to before, but found
interesting. It was dry, cool and cloudy, & not too cold for
late October. |
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October 2014 I went to a free vintage truck run that finished at Jacks Hill Cafe. Only about 20 trucks turned up, but also some interesting bikes on a sunny, and mild day for late October in the UK. I rode there on Rosso. On the way back I stopped for a coffee at La Piazza, and bumped into a couple of people I know, and had a good long chat. It was much warmer than the previous Sunday! Snaps here. |
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October 2014 Recently I rode Rosso to the Grove Lock pub next to the Grand Union Canal (see left) near Leighton Buzzard. It was a bit chilly at times, but I enjoyed my ride. I only stopped for a coffee, and a warm up. It was just good to be out and about still riding in mid-October. I took snaps which you can see here. |
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October
2014 I went to bike
night at Jacks Hill Cafe,
which I enjoyed. I have been to the cafe a few times but never in
the evening. |
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September
2014 I
went to Railway at War
event at the Northampton and
Lamport Railway. I have not been to the event before, or
indeed the location. It was a lovely day for late September, and I
enjoyed the ride on Rosso,
and the event. However, I was a little dis-appointed that the ride
on the tracks was not pulled by a steam train. |
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September 2014 Recently I went to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre at RAF Coningsby to see both flying Avro Lancasters in the hanger. On the left is "Thumper" the British Lanc, which I had not expected to see in the air but got a bonus display of low level flying including a pass that must have been at 250ft right over my head. They also had their Dakota in the air plus Eurofighter Typhoons... In the hanger was Vera (the Canadian Lanc) plus various Spitfires, Hurricanes, a Chipmonk... I really enjoyed this plus the nearly 200 miles I rode on Rosso. I had coffee and cake at the BBMF, and stopped at Iron Horse Ranch House on the way back for dinner then a cheeky half at the Green Man with the Herts Beds and Bucks Bikers. All of these places were first time visits. I took snaps which you can see here. |
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September 2014 I had a ride about on Rosso and breakfast near Melbourn (England not the one in Australia) then went to a field near Duxford IWM to watch the two Avro Lancasters fly over. I would have bought a ticket for the show but was not sure of my plan for the day until the last minute, and then the air show was sold out. I took a few snaps which you can see here. Then I had a bit more of a ride around, and a coffee in the Taste Cafe in Baldock. |
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September 2014 I had a 3 day trip to North Wales to see my friends who live near Bala. On the Sunday I stopped at a biker cafe on the way to the Seven Valley Railway. I had a ride along the line stopping at some of the stations. In particular at Bewdley there was a classic bus and coach meet that I had a look at. On Monday I had a ride around North Wales, and visited Porthmadog for the Welsh Highland Railway. I didn't have a ride on the train as it takes over four hours to do the full round trip, but I did see one loco in steam and on the move plus I had lunch at the Sea View Tea Room in Borth-Y-Gest. Tuesday I rode home via Ludlow, and a cake break at Batsford Arboretum. I went on Rosso, and the weather was fantastic. Not a drop of rain in 3 days, and lots of sunshine, although it was cold first thing in the mornings. I took photo's which you can see here. |
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August 2014 Also in August I visited the LAA (Light Aircraft Association) Rally at Sywell Aerodrome, and then rode on Rosso over towards Santa Pod where they had a VW show. I didn't go into the show, but parked up and took some photo's of the vehicles coming out, and you can see them here. |
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August
2014 I went to the
Little Gransden
Airshow to see the two Avro Lancaster bombers fly by, and also
as a bonus they had the Avro Vulcan to. I didn't actually go into
the show as it was sold out, but I could see the planes from the
road side nearby, and I did make a small donation. I have uploaded
some snaps here. |
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August 2014 Recently I went to the Sywell Great War Airshow, which I enjoyed although the weather was a bit mixed and as a result of that a few displays were cancelled or curtailed. In particular I wanted to see the two Avro Lancasters together, and they got cut. Anyway I still enjoyed it. I have uploaded some pictures here |
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July
2014 I went to
Classics on the
Common for the first time and loved it. Over 1,000 classic
cars and some bikes in the sunshine. I've loaded over 200 pic's
here.
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July
2014 I had a bit of a
chug about on Rosso
where I tried to go to the
Pacific Cafe at
Cranfield University, but could not figure how to get to it as
there were lots of locked gates... So I went to Noona's
in Woburn Sands for coffee and cake instead, which I enjoyed.
Lastly to La Piazza in Bedford, where I met up with some fellow
bikers, and we had a nice long chat and more coffee. |
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July
2014 I had a bit of a
ride around on Rosso
visiting Ridgmont Railway station
tea shop for tea and chocolate cake. They have a tiny visitors
area that I had a look at. Then I rode to Cogenhoe
Mill for a quick drink. Neither of these places I had been
before and I finished the ride with a coffee at Sywell
Aerodrome. There's a few snaps here.
The pilot of a helicopter impressed me by flying right up to the
pumps. I've never seen that before. |
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June 2014 I went to the Ludgershall Bike Night for the first time on Rosso. I enjoyed that and took some snaps, which you can see here. On the left is a general view of the classic bikes. |
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June 2014 I visited the first St. Ives Festival of Motorcycling a small local charity event. Not huge amounts to see, and it did rain, but still enjoyed. I rode there, and back on Rosso, which has done almost 1100 miles now, and I have had her 8 weeks. She is not perfect, but still very happy with her so far. I uploaded some snaps here. |
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June
2014 I
went to a free custom bike show at Jacks
Hill Cafe on Rosso,
which I enjoyed then had a bit of a ride around, and ended up at
the BMW dealer in Northampton for coffee via the Express Lifts
Tower. You can see the tower for miles, but I've never had a close
look before. It appears out of place as it is now surrounded by
housing. Some snaps of the custom bikes |
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June
2014 One
Thursday I got off work early so was able to ride Rosso
to
the Oakley
Motorcycle Club.
Then Friday morning before work I had a ride about on Rosso
with
M on his bike. We went to Milligan's
Kitchen (used to be Ken's Diner) in Finedon for coffee, and
fresh cake still warm from the oven. |
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June
2014 Recently
I rode Rosso
about
for a bit with a couple of stops at the Super
Sausage Cafe
and Pure
Triumph Woburn. |
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May
2014 I rode Rosso
to the first Rugby
Bike Fest in the town centre. I much enjoyed that in the
sunshine on the warmest day of the year so far in the UK. On the
way back I stopped off for a tea break at Jacks
Hill Cafe. I have loaded some more pic's here. |
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May
2014 I had two rides
on Rosso on the same
day. The first to
Canons
Ashby for coffee and cake with a friend in the sunshine. I'd
not been there before but have been past once. In the evening I
went to the bike meet at the All Seasons Cafe. I've been there
only once before, after that I went to Finedon to have a curry
with an old friend. I took some pic's at the bike meet, which are
uploaded here.
I've now ridden about 400 miles on |
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May
2014 I
have
my Ducati Monster 1200 I got it Saturday and have done over 100
miles already. Early
thoughts are that I'm happy with my purchase. I had a little ride
about on Saturday before work then went on an Oakley
Motorcycle Club ride on Sunday to the Long Itch Diner. I took
some pictures, which you can see here. |
Now with added Facebook
You can mail me r_coughlan@yahoo.co.uk