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Destination daydreaming is getting out of hand. Seriously, it’s a wonder this issue ever made it to press as I spent most of the month fantasising about summer rides in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales when I should have been pounding on a keyboard. In my head, right now I’m on a Yamaha TRX850 on the ascent out of Weardale heading over Bollihope Common towards Middleton. It’s great. And some rides have actually happened. I’ve been to The Peak District twice, for trials bike humiliation (p116) and a slow tour (p52), and up to into Lincolnshire too. After our year of lockdown each excursion felt like a proper escape. Roll on the rest of summer.
Next on the agenda Wales (later this month, and again next, maybe twice), Cornwall (late July) and the Peak District again (also later this month). This is going to be the year of British roads and of understanding the geography that’s on our doorstep rather than rushing off to Europe to get my big riding fix.
A few days after our sedate, Royal Enfield powered tour of the Peaks (pictured left, descending the Cat & Fiddle), Mike Armitage and I were mesmerised by another speedo. This one went upto 195mph and was attached to the new Suzuki Hayabusa that we were speed testing; 0-60 in 2.6 seconds, the fastest we’ve ever achieved (more extraordinary numbers on page 24). The diversity of bikes on the market, and in the magazine is astonishing – just look at the list below.
My online used bike searches for this week? Aprilia Tuono, BMW K1200S and that Yamaha TRX850. But, on the advice of others (see p46), I’m also looking at the B3212, the A470 and several unclassified roads too. Enjoy the issue, and your UK rides.