All roads lead to Essex

(Well, more specifically the A13 and the A127…)

THAT FAMILIAR FEELING; best laid plans falling by the wayside at the first hurdle. The plan sounded plausible enough; take full advantage of the hottest summer we’ve had since I was in short trousers, collect my wife from Bloomsbury in London and head out East, for a weekend in Southend-on-sea.

In theory, the smaller GS should be really good for the job. Its compact design and high riding position aiding navigation through grid-locked traffic. But it’s been a while since I’ve crossed London during the evening rush-hour, and things really have got tricky in recent times. Looking in people’s windows from this higher vantage point allows you to see just how many drivers are on their phones and it’s far too many.

Obviously, it’s also much busier on the roads but that’s where motorcycles come in, surely? However, the recent

expansion of many cycle routes along with badly placed central reservations and road furniture means filtering is now nigh-on impossible across large parts of the capital. Along much of the North and South Circular I may as well have been in a car. And what about the bus lanes? On major ‘red’ routes bikes are allowed to use them, but away from trunk roads every borough can decide for itself.

This means you have to be very careful when entering bus lanes and inspect every sign to avoid getting a fine. From April next year things are going to get even worse if you ride an older bike. If your bike doesn’t meet Euro3 emission regulations (about a 10-year-old machine) you will be charged £12.50 every time you want to commute into the central area, or ‘Ultra Low Emission Zone’. And of course there’s the wellreported issues with crime. Friends who live and work in town tell me it’s only a matter of time before somebody will have a go at lifting your pride and joy and fitting a tracker is absolutely essential if you ever want to see it again.

I was heartened to learn about the Motor Cycle Industry Association’s recent initiative to give out 5,000 bike covers across London. Sure, you need to lock your machine up but their research shows that a bike hidden under-cover really does become ‘out of sight, out of mind’. There could be anything hiding under there, and evidence shows thieves quickly move on to another machine.

Once out past the Commercial Road the GS did a great job of nipping past the queues of prospective holidaymakers and day-trippers on the A13 and A127. Unfortunately, not a bend in sight on either but they’re your only options for getting to London’s nearest seaside ice-creams and of course, the world’s longest pleasure pier. GARETH ASHMAN