ORT (Operational Readinesss Testing) !

I guess I'll always be an operations planner at heart. I need to check the new equipment I'm acquiring, ready for the trip. It's the May Day Holiday and the occasion is the BM Riders Club Keldy Cabin Rally. The Keldy Forestry site on the North Yorkshire Moors provided a reasonable approximation of Scandinavia, even down to the log cabins and hot tubs. The English holiday weather obliged with Arctic winds and hail. A generally cold weekend. Costa Coffee provided Scandinavian prices. If I could have found an IKEA, the simulation would heave been complete.

I'd forgotten how challenging some of the roads of North Yorkshire are, especially within the national park. It provided ample cornering practice to blow away the winter cobwebs. The weekend has deffinately improved my riding ready for the new season. It was a brilliant weekend with the BM Riders club gang. Two excellent ride-outs exploring the moors, and convivial evenings of like minded company. Ten other bikers to share the misery of cold British weather with.

I have been suffering technology overload. I need practice with the satnav and digital camera. Taking a phone call via my bluetooth helmet nearly dumped me on my arse! I'll disconnect that bit. Note to self: Crap at multi tasking. Updating this blog proved a problem. I'm writing it up at home with a hot mug of tea. Internet access proved impossible. Lots of free Wi-Fi, but I don't have a device to use it. Pickering public library has terminals and access, but was shut for the holiday, as was the Internet Cafe in Kirkbymoorside that I rode out to find. I need to check out mini notebooks, and the type of access available at Scandinavian campsites and hostels. It's a steep learning curve for sure!
















It was inevitable that we stop at a pub I guess. Even though we are not drinking while driving, we just couldn't drive past.