MOTORCYCLES AND THE MET

There are a lot of people who feel that the police are anti-motorcycles. Certainly, the people who make the road rules seem to, sometimes. I've met the occasional police who are against the concept (2 of them, in Ireland, at 3am, after losing my balance on adverse camber, 3 bikes ago). Generally, though, I've found they're are only anti-idiots. As are most experienced bikers.  

The Met Police's motorcyclists run BikeSafe courses, for pity's sake. One of my all time favourite memories on two wheels is of doing this course while I still had L-plates. We were on the A40, near the junction with the A205 at Hanger Lane (major junction, for those who don't know London), and a white van cut me up. Next thing he or I know, the cop observing my ride taps on his window and proceeds to give him hell for not looking properly before attempting a legally dodgy lane change. It was a beautiful moment.

I had another one on my last ride out - just a little local run down to Chessington Garden Centre, which I love for both its café and its designated motorcycle parking right in front of the door. More places could take notes. While I was queuing for my coffee, a uniformed officer in front of me turned around and asked me about my bike. She rides too, and we had a very happy little exchange about our respective Harleys and their customisations until the queue moved us along. 

TIS THE SEASON

 I went to Somerset for the weekend, to get a decent ride in while the weather was less rainy than usual. I had forgotten, of course, that ‘tis the season to do roadworks. Deck the roads with lots of traffic cones and all that. Of course, roadworks come with tailbacks of confused and irritated drivers (who apparently got their licences from a cereal box). At least I can filter. 

Now, it should take no more than 3.5 hours to get from London to Somerset on a bike, even on the A303, even with the congestion around Stonehenge (the sign says queues likely. Queues inevitable, more like). It took 4.25 this time, without stopping. I know, I know,  the M4 would be quicker but it’s BORING. The A-roads route is more fun, especially the A371 through the Mendips where you get scenic little places like Croscombe, which has been around since the eighth century at least.