After a long semi-hibernation, it's a very nice feeling to get the bike out on wonderful sunny days. The weather today was fabulous with clear skies, very gentle winds and a balmy 15c. It was time to head to Southend. I've been to Southend a few times but all of those visits were following A123, A12 and A127. It was time to take a different route following A118, A406, A13 and A127.
Fuelled in Barking Tesco (as usual) and headed to Southend. I'm beginning to feel a lot more confident in the grip levels. A13 doesn't offer any opportunity to lean as it's a major A Road and hence the bends and curves are pretty much flat. But there are a few sections where there are long right and left handers which gives a good feel as the bike is always at a constant inclination to the road.
Compared to last weekend, I could see a lot of bikers on all sorts of bikes, some two-up, on this stretch of the road. Stayed on lower gears for quite a while on the 70-mph section to feel the power. It's a shame that within seconds the bike gets to 70mph whatever gear you are in, but it's fun.
All the time I was telling myself to practise all the good habits - look far ahead, keep checking the rear mirrors and look at the sides. You won't believe how quickly you can approach the vehicle in front or move within the lane so as to panic the vehicle in the adjacent lanes. Though I subscribe to the thought that first you got to be alive to enjoy the biking, I'd an opportunity to find out first hand what lack of concentration for a moment can do. Getting to the junction with A13/A127, I "suddenly" found that the cars ahead were moving at a snail's pace and I was still doing 70. Was this going to be one of those boyish moments when you dive ahead of the bike while braking? Not quite, had a quick look to my left, sat upright and went for the downshifts and more-than-gentle dab of the front (brake). It was not an emergency situation but exposed my lack of planning, perhaps carried away by the fantastic weather.
With such a nice balmy weather, you are certain to expect people flocking to the beaches. No wonder that traffic close to junction with A13/A127 was getting into a snail's pace. With only 2 narrow lanes, I stuck to the middle and stayed in the first for filtering. It was very nice of the cars to move out a little bit to let me through. I love revving the engine in such situations just to make sure the car drivers know that I'm there.
On my return, I practised a few stops in the Parking areas on A13. I wanted to feel the speed of the passing bikes and cars. The bikers who spotted waved at me, what a great community feeling. Leaving the Parking area, I was invariably in the first until I reached 70mph and the rev count just getting past 9k (still a long way from the limiter at 13k). The next time I'm out on my bike, I just want to record how sweet it is at 9k. When I was sharing about this weekend ride with one of my managers, who is also a keen biker, he joked that I don't need this bike to get to 9k. Unless you do illegal speed limits, or on a race track, I can't see how one can get past 9k on my bike. But to me, it's the howl that counts more than the speed.
It's almost unbelievable to have had two weeks of sunshine in Spring. Can't wait for the next weekend ride, just hoping that it doesn't spit rain.
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