Category Motorcycle Touring Equipment

Jul 27 2014

Our Blog and related technical information

Not your usual blog entry, but those of you with more technical interest may have wondered what software and hardware we are using to provide video and photos for the blog and how we get it all together. We are using wordpress.com for the blog, which Anne developed. We are still learning, and from time to time if you are bombarded with emails, it is probably me, Anthony, who forgot to turn something off while making changes to existing content for testing.

Anne has a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT5 camera, which is providing the beautiful photos. I am using a GoPro 3+ black for the bike video and we have iMovie on the iPad for video editing and Panasonic image app for photo editing. All blog updates are loaded from the iPads. All connectivity between products is via bluetooth using apps on the iPads, which reduces the need for additional cables for connection. Now if only that was the case for the power cables! We use dropbox to provide backup storage. It takes on average about three hours to develop and upload each blog entry with written content, photos and video.

To all of those who follow our blog, we enjoy receiving your comments and questions and Anne has been diligent in responding. They are a great addition to the blog, so keep them coming.

We love to know who is following us, and appreciate your signing up, even if you don’t post comments. We are aware that a couple of you may have not responded to the original confirmation email from our blog, and as a result we do not know you are a regular follower. If you think this might be you, check the original email for the confirmation button.

– Anthony

Jun 26 2014

Day 1

We finally set off today as planned, just 30′ later than planned having frantically searched for our spare set of keys, which we had of course carefully packed away in our top box. That last minute packing of the final bits and pieces was a little rushed – our top boxes are not empty to leave space for our helmets when we are stopped as we had planned but full of little things. Must repack soon!!

The weather was kind to us all day (we just had a couple of minutes of rain. We got to the Euro tunnel in plenty of time and joined a group of bikers going to Belgium for the Grand Prix. It felt strange riding into the train. Being able to ride slowly in a straight line a great advantage!

The roads all the way to the outskirts of Antwerp were fine until we hit the rush hour traffic. That was a horrid hour of stop/start – our hands were so sore. So lesson 1 – try to avoid arriving in a big city during rush hour.

We safely and happily arrived at Anthony’s cousin by 7pm where we were spoilt with a delicious dinner and great evening.

Our Heidenau Scout K60 tyres were fine – not noisy at high speed on the motorways as we’d read but definitely a bit wobbly on those noblies.

My Rox pivoting risers (to bring the handlebars closer to me) are absolutely perfect – very very happy with these.

What we will have to perfect is getting off the bikes. We each have one roll bag in front of our top box making getting off a little tricky for these older riders!! Must be hilarious seeing us grabbing our ankle to pull our foot over!!

Photos will follow!!

Off to Padderborn next!

– Anne

About to leave Anthony's sister

About to leave Anthony’s sister

We're ready to go so one last photo 😊

We’re ready to go so one last photo 😊



On the train, ready to go through the Euro Tunnel.

On the train, ready to go through the Euro Tunnel.

Day 1 - taking a break on our way to Anthony's cousin in Belgium

Day 1 – taking a break on our way to Anthony’s cousin in Belgium

May 18 2014

Putting it all together

A large pile of cardboard boxes greeted me on my return to Verwood. Some contained accessories for the bikes. What I learnt from installing upper crash bars, a GPS mount and a top-box base plate is, a magnet is on my purchase list for next week to retrieve lost screws (only if they are not stainless steel) , read and the instructions carefully as they do contain useful information and the second bike is easier to do than the first. Streak and Storm are now resplendent with upper crash bars, top boxes and extra lights. Off for the final service tomorrow.

– Anthony

May 8 2014

Final major piece of motorcycle equipment decided

For some reason, we simply couldn’t decide if or what type of topbox we should take. Thanks to the great selection at The Adventure Bike Shop, we decided on 2 Jesse Odyssey, silver coloured, topboxes. Hard wearing, very light, non flash looking, secure and practical in case of spill (won’t crack like the plastic options). And will provide places for the mandatory stickers!! What a relief and thanks Cliff!!

image

Apr 26 2014

Anthony’s new helmet

Ordered my new Shoei Neotec helmet – same as Anne’s. Did not realise that some dealers offer to replace the inner padding free of charge if you are between sizes as I am. That is worth checking out if you are getting a new helmet. Also purchased knee pads for the up coming off road riding course.

– Anthony