A few bits and pieces from my RBLR 1000 2018 .......
Not quite sure why the tracking on the video stopped just after I passed Manchester, I did make it back to Squires
I really should admit just how close I was to missing the 24 hour deadline. I knew it would be tight right from the start and pushed hard, quick fuel stops with just a bite to eat, drinking on the fly from my camelback and trying to keep a decent pace on the road.
It was going well until I got delayed as a result of the A9 being closed following an accident on the way to Wick. The police let a load of bikes through heading north but the road remained closed - not knowing whether or not it was worth turning around at Wick and ending up in a traffic queue as a result of the accident I decided to carry on all the way to John o’groats and hopefully find the road clear when I headed south. The plan worked and I had a clear run south albeit some way behind schedule.
As I headed up through Glen Coe the mental arithmetic was working overtime, how fast was I going, what was my average speed and how much time did I have in hand. All looking good with about a 15 minute cushion until I came across a closed section of the M60 around Manchester - ok there was a signposted diversion but it was taking time ! Got back on track, dived into Birch Services for a last fuel stop and then it was out on the motorway stretching the throttle cable as far as it would go. Again the mental maths said I was doing ok and I still had about 15 minutes in hand - until I saw the signs saying a section of the M62 was closed - a quick look at a map and I spotted an alternative route, stuck it in the gps and off I went. Down to 10 minutes cushion. Until I hit more closed roads...... panic mode ensued and gut instinct took over. Ignore the posted diversion, take a short cut through a car park and possibly the wrong way down a one way street and I was back on track for Squires.......... I got in with just 5 minutes spare.......
Some numbers :
Mileage on the bike when I left home on Thursday evening was 752. By the time I got back home on Monday morning it was up to 2445 - making it a 1693 mile weekend.
I set out at 5am on Saturday morning and got back to the start point at Squires Cafe at 4.55 on Sunday morning. Total distance was 1091 on the speedo but only 1054 on the GPS - not unusual as speedos do typically read a little high.
During the 23 hours and 55 minutes on the ride the GPS said I was actually moving for 21 hours and 50 minutes. The 2 hours or so I was stationary covered fuel stops, the odd quick snack, comfort stops behind a bush, and being stopped at traffic lights etc. Average moving speed was about 48 mph. Maximum speed was an eyewatering 67 mph according to the GPS !
Over the total trip I used 71.6 litres (15.6 UK gallons) of fuel giving an average fuel consumption of 109 mpg. The bike has quite a small tank (about 5 litres) and on the Saturday/Sunday morning I stopped for fuel 12 times,
And perhaps the maddest number - 113 - the cc of the bike ......
Finally can I just say thank you to the organisers and the team running the event at Squires. In particular the guys and girls there waiting and clapping us late 'just on 5am' finishers. Your support as I rolled in really made a difference !