Seaside sweepers
A sunny bank holiday? Why, head to the seaside, of course
SATURDAY, I PUT a small note on the Facebook group for the guys in my village who ride: “Forecast is good. Who fancies chips on Monday?” Normally that’d be enough to get the full crew out for a ride but I’ve left it too late. Barbecues and chores thin the herd until only Rich arrives with his Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak at 10am on the bank holiday.
His previous road bike was the original 2010 Z1000SX. “I did love that bike,” he sighs, before politely asking how I’m getting on with this year’s. “I do love it,” I grin, then put my lid on. We’re here to ride the bikes, after all.
Any kind of seaside chip-run is a good ride from our village. We head north first, picking up a stretch of Ermine Street before crossing the corn-gold flatlands to the living time capsule of Woodhall Spa and on to Horncastle. Riding up the A153 without going into Cadwell Park feels very odd on a Bank Holiday.
We carry on from Louth down the bonkers-twisty A157, hitting traffic for the first time as Lincolnites head for the sunny, sandy beaches in 43mph columns. I follow in second, waiting to pop out rapid, high-rev overtakes – I’m not sure if the SX’S howling inline four sounds cool or hooliganish when ridden like this. SPEC KAWASAKI Z1000SX TOURER £10,739 + 1043cc inline four + 140bhp + 235kg + 19-litre tank + 815mm seat + Miles so far: 8120
We grab chips at Waldo’s in Sutton-onsea before heading for home – a fast, flowing ride once we turn off the A16 at West Keal. It isn’t the epic sporty tour the bike deserves but I have chores and a barbecue to sort out at home…