a day in the life of a biker

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BIKER


HOLLAND SUPER RALLY 2007


SUNDAY 27TH MAY 07

09.45: Packed tent and gear and loaded bike together with Paul, Sue, Tony, Karl, Simon, Paul, John, Trevor, Kerry, Ken, Bob and myself Lucky Den.

On leaving campsite I noticed rear tyre very low in pressure. Pumped tyre at H.D. site workshop, not noticed reason for flat.
Re-checked tyre with help of the guy’s and spotted screw in rear tyre.

10.20: Carried out repair with tubeless tyre repair kit and proceeded to nearest garage to fully inflate with foot/hand pump, due to garage pressure hose adapter being nicked the night before. Preceded on journey home but after approx 60 miles tyre threw out the plug at 75 miles ph. Not an easy experience to slow bike to a stop at this speed.

11.45: Carried out the second repair with plug kit and also used John’s liquid sealer repair canister and air canister to further inflate tyre.

12.10: Drove a further 6 miles at approx 60mph. Plug thrown again, tyre deflated as quick as before.

12.20: Decision time, called Carol Nash rescue. Roadside markings every 100 mts very useful. All guys’ looking gloomy at having to leave me behind so they could catch their ferry,
Local rescue vehicle (similar to AA van) stopped to offer assistance. Driver had name of local H/D repairer that me be able to help possibly on a Sunday. I took the telephone numbers and thanked him.

12.35: Thanked the guy’s for sticking with me so far and I stood watching a row of glum faces as they prepared to ride off to the ferry port in Calais











Carol Nash had passed the rescue call to their European department who have now rang me to confirm they will be collecting both me and the bike to be taken to Amsterdam. Their plan was to leave the bike in a secure compound and fly me back to Gatwick. The bike would be repaired by a local H/D dealership and they would fly me back on Tuesday to collect the bike.

Silver estate car tooted as it passed by on the opposite carriageway.

13.30: Silver estate re-appeared 5 mins later on my side of the carriageway and stopped by me. Turned out it was a local biker named Jon who had been at the same super rally and had spotted me on the side of the road and went home to collect his car. This was to enquire if I needed any assistance. Jon rang various local dealers/workshops to see if any were open on Sunday. Europe assistance contacted me on my mobile to confirm breakdown flat bed truck was on its way. Noted mobile battery power was running low.

13.50: Pick up truck arrived whilst Jon was on his phone still trying to locate help. The driver of the truck named “Bach” said he would take me wherever I needed to go to effect repair. Jon did not have any success in locating help.
I suggested trying the phone numbers the first helpful driver had given me. Jon got through to the repair shop owners number, his name was “Jacque” and he agreed to open the workshop providing the breakdown truck could transport the bike there. We loaded the bike and I exchanged phone numbers with Jon and thanked him for his help. The journey to Jacque’s workshop took approx 45 mins.

On arrival we were met by Jacque, we unloaded the bike and pushed it into the workshop and straight onto the ramp lift. Jacque garage/showrooms specialised in restoring classic Indian & H/D motorcycles and he had some fine examples in various states of build.

14.55: Bach the recovery driver insisted on staying on until the repair was completed. Wheel and tyre were removed and Jacque gave me the option of fitting an inner tube and placed patch on inside of tyre, total price agreed was 40 euros & Jacque completed the repair and refitted the wheel only then did Bach say his goodbyes and left.

16.20: I thanked Jacque & said my goodbyes exchanging phone numbers, with some directions from him I headed for Eindhoven and then onto Antwerp at this point it started to rain heavily. Not many garages open on a Sunday for fuel. Keeping speed approx 55 – 60mph.




21.15: I arrived at Calais with still heavy rain. P&O ticket office noted I missed the 17.35. Ferry, but could get me on the 21.55, no excess charge. Passport control took one look at me and waved me on I drove through to the customs section.

Arrested at customs. They demanded to know why I had driven through Passport control, not stopping and wanted my papers. Two security men stood by me whilst the main officer took my papers into the control room.

Office returned and I again explained that I had been waved on by passport control. He informed me that I should have also stopped at the second window of the same control office. It seems that the first window is French passport control and the second window is British passport control. I apologized again and was released.

21.45: Boarded ferry with mins to spare with only one other biker, Nick from Ipswich. I was very cold, wet and in desperately in need of hot food and drink. I chatted with Nick relaying my days experience and hearing his own.

22.30: Dover. Raining stair rods we were the only 2 vehicles on the ferry and a few foot passengers. Long haul back to Eastbourne with rain occasionally easing to a torrential downpour. Roads flooded in many places with one area almost 18 inches deep.

23.55: I stopped under the canopy of Glynde Gap garage, which was closed, to rest from the rain. Took gloves off to have a rested smoke could not use lighter as it was soaked as was I. Attempted to put gloves back on which was impossible to do with wet hands in equally wet gloves.

I drove towards Eastbourne with hands partially gloved, as I could not get my fingers fully into the gloves. I approached Eastbourne soaking wet & very cold with thoughts of giving up biking.

00.40: In Eastbourne, Pam heard me approaching home from 500 yards away. Thank god for loud pipes. She had the garage door open I drove in and locked the bike up without unloading.

After a hot shower and a hot drink I climbed into a warm bed.

01.30: Contemplated my next ride to Free Wheeling Kempen and felt pleased the bike never missed a beat.

Slept heavily.

Lucky Den. Sussex Coasters area 18.

[Big_john]

Well done m8, the story of what real bikers are all about, the bond of friendship when in dire straits ........ where else do you get real friends in time of need

[robbiemac]

Real glad you got back ok. Some trips are destined to stay in your mind forever and ain't it amazing how things come good in the end.
Had a few like that as i suppose we all have.

[BNM]

Dennis, I suggest you give Jon and Jaques a ring and give them a personal invitation from ALL the Sussex Coasters to attend the Triple Rally and the Farm Party......where they will treated like the Kings they are .

[PhillSpace]

Glad to hear you made it back safe and sound Den. An "interesting" trip but one you can get some positive stuff from innit.

Phil....

[DynaMik]

Ahh yes I remember it well.
The Joys of Motorcycling and the Open Road

Thank you all for your comments, it has been an experience.

A special thanks to all the group who were with me and did not want to leave me behind......mmmmmm:

But also a big thank to Jacque & Jon in Holland, I have contacted both on my return and thanked them.

good idea Mike reference inviting them to the tripple and the farm party.. thanks

Jacques emporium is as follows:
Motor cycle rescue, parts, service & restorations for classic Indian & H/D
website: Motorcycle Rescue
email: sales@motorcyclerescue.nl

[PhillSpace]

LOST

ONE MOTORCYCLIST

Has Harley-Davidson with flat tyre

Soaked to skin

Frozen to the marrow

Ill fitting gloves

Answers to the name of "Lucky"

Phil....

[BaZa®]

Lucky, I'm not sure whether you are a club member or not but your story would make a great letter to the editor in our club magazine the Harlequin. If your not your rep Phil has put a good post in your region about joining this time of year or maybe someone else could send it to the editor?

Here;

andy.woodside@btconnect.com

[karl von fatboy]

I'm replying on Lucky Dens behalf as I know that today he has gone in for a minor op. Baza - Pretty sure he has been a member for some years now and letter has already been emailed to the 'Quin'

Karl