Had enough fun

[FJR-UK]

https://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,122706.0.html#.WSV6c5ptmEI

I'll be 70 in July and a year ago I had a quadruple cardiac bypass op. Successful, thanks, but it means that last year I only put 85 miles on the FJR. So, it's up for sale. The link above has details.

My last trip on the bike was to get it MOT'd.

Who knows, I may get the bug again and buy something that weighs much less – that was always an issue for me. In the meantime, I'm enjoying my new cage.

Cheers,
Jerry

[Sport-Touring]

[Migs]

All good things come to an end eventually Jerry, I've downsized as well since Karen has officially 'retired' from the pillion seat.
As you know I had one myself for a few years so I know what it's like to maneuver them around!

I can wholeheartedly recommend a BMW F800GT at 213kgs wet as a far more manageable alternative, £6½k will buy you a corker. Seriously looking myself. (May not come with Yamaha reliability though )

Anyway good luck with the sale and best regards to TGBYTW!

Doug

[Orson]

I'm 57 and I'm struggling to put in full days in the saddle so, I can commiserate  

A fun car does help  

[FJR-UK]

The other thing was the last accident I had was the first one I couldn't walk away from. As a result, I stopped using the bike for commuting, or even joy rides in London. That meant it only got used for the annual European adventure.

And, we drove up to Edinburgh in the new motor last week. It rained solid all the way up and all the way back. Nice to be sitting in air-conditioned luxury, I must say.

(I suppose I'll be banned now.)

Joanna says, "Hi".

[rajflyboy]

The other thing was the last accident I had was the first one I couldn't walk away from. As a result, I stopped using the bike for commuting, or even joy rides in London. That meant it only got used for the annual European adventure.

And, we drove up to Edinburgh in the new motor last week. It rained solid all the way up and all the way back. Nice to be sitting in air-conditioned luxury, I must say.

(I suppose I'll be banned now.)

Joanna says, "Hi".

You need a dirt bike and a way to carry it to the trails!!  

You can post here anytime!  You obviously have a large passion for motor bikes  

[Migs]

You need a dirt bike and a way to carry it to the trails!!  

Lol, not too many "trails" in our congested corner of the planet!

hey Jerry, you said "new motor", have you got rid of the Brera? Do you have another Alfa? Do tell.

[FJR-UK]

rajflyboy: My brother used to race motocross briefly. He let me have a go on his 250 across a plowed field opposite his house. It was all I could to to turn it around and get it back to him. "No, like this," he said. He must have got 40 mph hopping from ridge to ridge of the field, twisting in the air as he went. Not for me, I thought.

Doug: The Brera started making expensive-sounding suspension noises. I drove it for three years and figured, I can afford a new car, so why not?

I did a lot, LOT, of research. I wanted a new Giulia and test drove one twice at different dealers. I ended up going with my brain and bought a new Škoda Superb Sportline, two litre petrol, 220 bhp, automatic, adaptive cruise control, adjustable suspension and, most importantly, back seats with leg room. It's a VAG car: a Volkswagen Passat with a Czech skin. I bought the sales manager's ride with 1,700 miles on it, so red was not really my choice, but I saved £9K of the list price. Couldn't say no.

[Migs]

Awesome car, you won't go wrong with that.
Grats on your new ride, even if it is a four wheeler!  

[jay547]

I recommend a small dual-sport and lots of country road riding. As my wife and I have aged, that has become the primary type of riding that we do now.

[Orson]

Keeping this Eurocentric, I tried andouillett sausage for the first time based on your trip reports. It was at a roadside old school diner and it was fantastic.

Tried it again a few days later and it was less than fantastic so, I see what you mean about the hit or miss quality  

[FJR-UK]

Speaking of hit or miss, have you tried pimientos de Padron? They are small green peppers from around Padron in northwest Spain, which are pan-fried in olive oil and liberally sea salted. It is Russian roulette with peppers: most are quite mild and you wonder what all the fuss is about, then you hit a spicy one and it takes your head off! Wow! Water! More water! The staff laugh. So you got a hot one, huh?

We've had baskets full where we never hit a hot one and felt disappointed. Then, in Liverpool (of all places) they warned us when the peppers were served: "We seem to have received a shipment were here are more hot ones than normal." Talk about an understatement! The first three we ate were hot. We couldn't taste our meal afterwards. The "fun" has worn off for me.

Andouillette: they grade them to five stars in the home region, Dijon, Lyon. Sometimes they are too refined, I like them a bit chunky but not too much smelling of, um, what's the polite word for piss?
Having four wheels has not dented my appetites.  

[Orson]

Speaking of hit or miss, have you tried pimientos de Padron?

Nope. I need to go back to Spain and Portugal.

Currently just outside Dijon. Heading to Provence where I'm booked for two nights at La Bastide de Moustieres. I'm gonna be fat.

[FJR-UK]

You like that Gorge du Verdon area, don't you. You might have a look at this:
http://www.chateau-de-trigance.fr/en/1-trigance-home.html

The view from the chateau is very nice. The restaurant is good. The rooms are a bit Disney (fake 12th century four-posters). The village below has a terrific local cafe, but you'll have to speak French.

Keep the shiny side up, mate!

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Nope. I need to go back to Spain and Portugal.

Having just spent almost two weeks in NW Spain and northern Portugal (albeit on four wheels), it is a damn fine area. Orson, if you don't have any set plans and want some suggestions, let me know  

[Orson]

Not to take over Jerry's thread but, thanks   I am on the homeward leg making my way back to Italy.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Not to take over Jerry's thread but,

Too late  
 

[Orson]

In keeping with the spirit of Jerry's ride reports, I've been eating my way across France