Yes this is what occurred yesterday, at around 9:30 AM we received a request from a new client in east London who required a same day delivery to central Antwerp.
First step was to book the Eurotunnel crossings then get the paperwork done, within less than an hour I was on the road, didn’t think I would be using Eurotunnel’s services quite so soon after the last trip, last Friday!
Arrived at the clients address and got loaded up, a top box and one panniers worth, then I was on my way to Folkestone, about 30 miles out from Folkstone the heavens opened, seems to be a normal pattern for that part of the country! As always I turned off at Ashford to top the tank up at Sainsbury’s as the fuel is a lot cheaper over here – honest.
Arrived at the Eurotunnel terminal and enjoyed the rain (almost broke into a song - singing in the rain) as I stood there waiting to board. After a short while we boarded the train and off we went, but stopped after about half a mile for about ten minutes, why I don’t know, but eventually we got underway.
Disembarked at Calais at around 5pm European time and headed off towards Dunkirk, Gent and then Antwerp, turned off the E17 just after leaving the Kennedy Tunnel and soon found myself in down town Antwerp, good time for tram dodging!
I must admit, I did make a couple of wrong turns but eventually found the drop off address, buried in what can only be described as a rabbit warren but the delivery was made so job done.
Now to get myself out of Antwerp and back into familiar territory, the E17 approaching the Kennedy Tunnel.
The weather when I arrived earlier at Calais can only be described as perfect, nice and mild, dry and light wind, would this last, I know not! About 30 miles out of Calais the temperature dropped noticeably, and then came the familiar patter of light rain on the visor, soon to be replaced by the hammering of a horrendous downpour. Usually these downpours last for a few miles then tend to peter out, not this one, at least 25 miles of severe rain and very high wind, visibility severely impaired by the volume of water running off the visor. Hey I even got wet feet, I know my boots don’t leak, what had happened that the rain had risen up inside my waterproof suit trousers and then run down inside the boots – yuk.
Eventually I made the Eurotunnel at Calais after what I have to admit were some of the scariest riding conditions I have ever experienced.
On arrival at check in at Eurotunnel I was in no mood for anything going wrong but it did, the check in machine wouldn’t accept my debit card or my booking reference so I called for assistance, only to be informed that I had arrived a full 24 hours early for my reservation, what a plonker, in the rush in the morning to make the reservations I had accepted the default date for the return journey which is always the day after departure. I explained this to the voice on the help line and they laughed and amended my reservation free of charge, so thank you for that.
Now it was time for more standing in the rain waiting to board, after about 20 minutes we did board and this time had an uneventful crossing. So now the last leg of the journey, about 160 miles to go, with a planned stop at Stansted services on the M11 for a cuppa, which turned out to be hot soup and bacon toastie, yummy.
Eventually arrived home at about 1AM after having covered 602 miles, for some reason my bed felt especially good when I crawled into it.
All the best and safe riding
Dave
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
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Do you have the standard seat fitted on your Pan?
ReplyDeleteI did the Wootton Bassett ride on Mother's Day, a round trip of 522 miles for me. I was thinking I might get an AirHawk seat cushion by the end of the day . . . . .
Hi Mate,
ReplyDeleteI have had the same Corbin saddle on my last 3 ST1100, slighlty lower than standard but very comfortable.
I had an Airhawk which was great, until the accident last year when it blew away when I had the tumble, it might be still lyeing in a field near the M62 ha ha! I never used the elastic straps with it, simply because it was too much of a pain everytime I stopped to make a delivery, it was much easier to just sit on it and when I stopped I would chuck it in the top box. I am sure they are a very nickable item.
I did think about replacing it but never got round to it.
My current set up on the bike using the standard bars, the old bike had Heli Bars fitted which gave me a more upright position, but now I don't seem to feel the wrist strain anymore that I used too.
Cheers
Dave