Yep I did a 70 mile each way commute in all weathers for 5 years. Snow, ice, low sun, pissing down sideways with rain, to getting blown across three lanes of a motorway in the wind. It undoubtedly makes you a better rider but as soon as you stop that routine you’re back to square one with most riders and worried about going out on cold tyres and getting too wet/hot/cold. It’s nothing to have dark thoughts, be ashamed or embarrassed about. Quite the opposite I would say (and I’m still here!).
I can totally relate to that as I commuted daily from Steyning in West Sussex to Wrotham in Kent for two years before I passed my test and can remember riding on snow with both feet out as stabilisers and stopping every now and again to warm my hands on the engine. In those days (early 80s) we just did it because we had to get to work. After I passed my test in Maidstone and bought my CB 750FB I got transferred to a job in Totteridge North London and commuted every single day for a year which was about 60 miles each way. I just got on with it and never felt vulnerable but looking back on it I was in my 20's and always felt bullet proof. These days I'm a pussy and see every possible danger just lurking around the corner. It is definitely not a breeze getting back into motorcycling as a mature gent.
I was riding out of Alresford on the Winchester road one very windy day. As I went down the hill into what I suppose you'd call a valley, the cross wind was so high I was riding straight, but more or less canted over about 45°. At about the middle of the dip I was bemused to note a box van laying on its side on the verge.
Well, I remember Alresford well as I used to shoot Archery near Fourmarks. Is East Tisted near there? A beautiful part of the world and the old 272 used to be the best bike ride in the south of England.
I believe so. Not that I've been there in a quarter of a century. Do mean to go that way next year, specifically for Steep, Petersfield way.
Petworth. I believe I last went that way coming back from Gatwick and deciding to skip the A3. Turned left off the Hogs Back.
+1 for that, I love my Husky 300tpi, I live 50 metres from single-track, forests and mountains, the only time I ride in tarmac now is to get gas or ride briefly between trails
