Thursday Night And The Boys Are Back
Following a brief and to the point phonecall from Graham which went along the lines of “riding out on the bikes tonight, are you coming yes or no?” I’d answered yes. As I arrived home from work with the thought that actually I probably can’t be arsed bothered to get the bike out and my wife announced that she was going out to bingo with her mum, I’d decided to cancel. My teenage daughter seemed a little over eager to get rid of both of us as she offered to look after her younger sister, but I was convinced enough to get ready and actually go.
I rode to the rendez-vous point and waited for the sound of two more modern bikes ridden by Pete and Graham. A short while later and the sound arrived just before they came into view. A quick chat and a look down at a small oil drip under the Z750 confirmed what I thought, who cares, lets keep it topped up as we go and just ride the thing. Through the back roads following Graham, it’s a job in places to keep the bike pointing straight as it follows the deep furrows in the badly maintained roads and if one wheel comes out they both seem to want to go different ways, but soon the roads improve as we arrive at the Ship Inn at Stoke Bruerne a friendly and well run establishment. Drinks and (delicious) chips soon arrive courtesy of Graham and are just as quickly devoured by all as we discuss the workdays, and put the world to rights verbally.
After another drink it’s time to go homewards. Graham puts in a request that we keep to a sensible speed above the 25 mph he accuses me of maintaining usually. I protest that these two with their modern headlights are way better equipped to lead the way than my glass bowl full of tired glow worms laughingly designated a headlight by Kawasaki in the 70’s. So Pete takes the lead and Graham follows me, both using their main beams, Pete’s illuminating a path in front while Graham blinds me via the mirrors with his. In fairness my shoulders usually block the low down mirrors so Grahams light does illuminate either side of me allowing the White lines to be seen clearly for further than my headlight allows. So using Pete as a guide to what’s coming and Grahams shining example of lighting to avoid the sides we run along the A508 at a steady 60 – 65 mph all the way back to MK.
As we dismount Graham congratulates us on getting home and keeping a nice pace along the roads. Coffee is made and delivered along with biscuits as we finish the night with another pleasant chat. Then Pete and Graham head off back to Bedfordshire and I put away the Z750 and head to bed. Another fun time was had, and pleasant company and weather had made it worthwhile pulling the lump of Kawasaki up the slope of the driveway earlier in the evening.