MAG News - Highways England

Highways England, MAG and others turn concerns into action

Highways England continues to be a role model for action following its Motorcycle Infrastructure Sub-Working Group meeting on 17th April 2018. Lembit Öpik, MAG's Director of Communications & Public Affairs, regards this as 'amongst the most productive project groups in our Political Unit's calendar. Rarely have I seen a team which delivers so much and so well – in this case with a task list 28 pages long.' 

These include:

•       Recommending a review of roadside advertising, which can easily draw the attention of drivers – after all, that's the purpose of advertising. 

Highways England already refuses advertising within their highway boundary.

•       Assessing the danger of signposts and trees present near the roadside
- with a request for inclusion of clear standards in safety planning. 

Data shows 91% of impacts with trees by motorcyclists led to death or
serious injury.

•       Highways England is assessing the extent to which 'armadillos' and
'orcas,' present a danger. They've been raised with the Safer Roads Team
Specialist.

•       'Turbo roundabouts,' which introduce raised separation of lanes, will
not be included in the plans of Highways England.

•       On potholes and manhole covers the committee recommends clear
standards of repair and a review of the frictional qualities of manhole
covers. Law already exists but possibly isn't being enforced (Street Works Act, Section 81). Other legislation says 'Ironwork must (have) similar friction qualities to that of the road surface (TD 54/07 Paragraph 4.9).' Safety inspection protocols were also covered.

•       They're issuing advice on differential heights on road surfaces where rutting and raised edges present a danger to riders. Slippery joints
between road sections – known as 'overbanding' - were also discussed.

•       48% of rider accidents at roundabouts and 47% of rider accidents at T or staggered junctions result in death or serious injury. The group
recommends guidance in the 'Guide to Road Safety Route Treatments.'

•       A notable statistic is that, on the Strategic Road Network, 14% of
rider accidents are caused by vehicles pulling out on bikers.

'We got through a lot,' adds Jimmy Torrance, another MAG supporter and
fellow member of this sub-group. 'You know, they actually listen to riders. Road surface issues are a direct test – if Highways England does repair more dangerous potholes and resurfaces slippery manhole covers,that would prove the group's usefulness.'

If you have specific concerns about major roads, please let Lembit or
Jimmy know, and they can raise these issues at the sub-working group.

Book Review: Donors by C.M. Sutter

Donors by C.M. Sutter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another enjoyable read. Less gruesome than the first two books in the FBI series.

I did find myself willing them to suss who the perp was a bit earlier and have some pursuit. I didn't expect that ending. I guessed once 97% came up and they hadn't got him that it was going to wrap up quick.

Now to download the next one from Amazon Kindle.

Might have a rest from crime and death and finally read the Book of Dust I have had for six months in hardback.



View all my reviews

MAG News - Riders call for common sense

London demo calls on Mayor Khan and Government to come to their senses about motorcycle-enabled crime and unfair pollution taxes.

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) held their biggest demonstration in years last Saturday to highlight the unfairness of a new pollution tax that London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, is threatening to introduce and which will hit some of the poorest workers in the capital. The demonstration, organised by MAG's London Regional Representative, Tim Fawthrop, drew support from all elements of the riding community including dispatch riders, delivery riders, commuters and leisure bikers.

Selina Lavender, MAG's Chair, said 'A big thank you to the MAG members who put in the hours to bring the demo together. It was great to see riders turn out in support of the event and I really enjoyed riding with you all. Hopefully Mr Khan will get the message!'

Keith Prince, Chair of the Greater London Authority Transport Committee and a motorcyclist himself, added his voice to the call for common sense: 'I am disappointed that the Mayor of London has chosen to punish the most vulnerable with his ULEZ tax by again not keeping his promise to work with the motorcycling community. Ironically as a socialist, he is taxing the least well off; the low-paid essential workers and night workers who need their small-capacity bikes to get to work and cannot afford to replace them. Transport for London's "Easy Rider" report of 2015 states "powered two wheelers are part of the solution."  Why, two years later, are we now part of the problem?'

Other speakers included Peter Ramsbottom, London Deputy Regional Representative, who is equally disappointed by the actions of the Mayor: 'We need to view motorcycles as a solution to the problem, and that's what MAG has been campaigning for since these recent threats emerged.'

MAG's President, Ian Mutch, summed up the campaigning commitment of MAG: 'The Mayor really does need to think about motorcycling because he made many promises to us before being elected. Now we invite him to talk directly with MAG. Currently, his policies on motorcycling are counterproductive: they ignore the benefits that motorcycles of all kinds bring to the commuting mix.'

Colin Brown, MAG's recently appointed Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, said of the event 'this was a peaceful, good natured demonstration but there is real anger amongst bikers who don't understand how the Mayor can think it's fair to charge riders of old mopeds £12.50 a day to enter the city, while someone with a six-litre sports car gets in for free, as far as the pollution tax is concerned, if it's a new vehicle. We believe we have a strong legal case based on discrimination. We hope it doesn't come to that but if the Mayor is willing to damage his own reputation to defend a tax on the poor, then MAG will take him on, all the way to court if necessary.'

Contact MAG at 01926 844 064 or central-office@mag-uk.org

Football and 5E (3)

In the end real life got in the way so no MAG Demo or Rocket III Run to the Ace Café.

I wheeled Pepé out of the garage and fitted up the TomTom with the amended route to AFC Wimbledon ready to rock.

Luckily after the hottest and driest day of the year on Thursday  (temp up to 27°C) it was still dry and warm today.

With the forecast showing dry all day I pulled the Joe Rocket jacket from the wardrobe and back to kevlar cargo pants.

The road into Hythe was a mile long of traffic and so I went out through the country lanes to the motorway. It took a little longer as there were cyclists riding three a breast on a road barely wide enough for two cars to pass.

A bip on the horn had them scattered but hurling abuse. Had they met a car coming head on they might have been calling 999/911.

Once on the M20 I dialled up to an indicated 75mph that TomTom said was more like 70. TomTom was suggesting 90 minutes for the journey and it seemed to pass pretty easily. Even the M25 was relatively clear.

Arriving at the ground I followed a guy on a scooter and found the bike parking that eluded me last year. Hard standing. Nice.

The game itself was the old cliché. A game of two halves.  Wimbledon probably edged the first half and led 1-0 at half time. Their goal was a cross between pinball and statues as the Oldham defence seemed incapable of defending a corner.

In the second half a revitalised Oldham came out and equalised with a superb shot from outside the box. Chances came and a few saves kept it 1-1 until against the run of play Wimbledon scored again.

But even though they dice with relegation again Oldham kept pressuring and Nazon scored again from outside the box. 2-2.

Once the game was over we had to leave by one entrance and walk around the entire ground to get to the coaches for the fans going back to Oldham and for me to get to the bike.

Getting out wasn't too hard. TomTom was given free rein to get me home. We found our way to the A3 and eventually the M25. I called Claire through the bluetooth link between TomTom and my phone. Just to say I was on my way.

I needed a comfort and hydration break at the service area on the M25.  Fuel here is a complete rip-off at around 17p a litre more than off-motorway stations.

A few miles later traffic was almost stopped for a horse box broken down.  Even though it was in the left lane of four; the other three lanes of rubberneckers were almost stationery. Then there was a  notice of a other holdup on the M26.

I decided to go via Brands Hatch and get my 50-50 Challenge 1C whilst I was up there.

The 1 challenges are the race circuits where the original Rockets and Tridents raced back in the late 60's into the 70's.

From there it was 37 miles to home via Tesco by J10 where I fuelled up. Achieving a best for sometime of 45.3mpg according to Fuelly.

Another good ride and another 169 miles on the odometer plus of course the 1C and 5E bagged.

Latics @ AFC Wimbledon

This was a game that Oldham needed to win.  

I wheeled Pepé out of the garage and fitted up the TomTom with the amended route to AFC Wimbledon ready to rock.

Luckily after the hottest and driest day of the year (so far)  on Thursday  (temp up to 27°C) it was still dry and warm today.

With the forecast showing dry all day I pulled the Joe Rocket jacket from the wardrobe and back to Kevlar lined  cargo pants.

The road into Hythe was a mile long of traffic and so I went out through the country lanes to the motorway. It took a little longer as there were cyclists riding three a breast on a road barely wide enough for two cars to pass.

A bip on the horn had them scattered but hurling abuse. Had they met a car coming head on they might have been calling 999/911.

Once on the M20 I dialled up to an indicated 75mph that TomTom said was more like 70. TomTom was suggesting 90 minutes for the journey and it seemed to pass pretty easily. Even the M25 was relatively clear.

Arriving at the ground in New Malden (NOT Wimbledon!)  I followed a guy on a scooter and found the bike parking that eluded me last year. Hard standing. Nice. This is right outside the ground where Chelsea's ladies team play their home games.

The game itself was the old cliché. A game of two halves.  Wimbledon probably edged the first half and led 1-0 at half time. Their goal was a cross between pinball and statues as the Oldham defence seemed incapable of defending a corner.

In the second half a revitalised Oldham came out and equalised with a superb shot from outside the box. Chances came and a few saves kept it 1-1 until against the run of play Wimbledon scored again.

But even though they dice with relegation again Oldham kept pressuring and Nazon scored again from outside the box. 2-2.

Once the game was over we had to leave by one entrance and walk around the entire ground to get to the coaches for the fans going back to Oldham and for me to get to the bike.

Getting out wasn't too hard. TomTom was given free rein to get me home. We found our way to the A3 and eventually the M25. I called Claire through the Bluetooth link between TomTom and my phone. Just to say I was on my way.

I needed a comfort and hydration break at the service area on the M25.  Fuel here is a complete rip-off at around 17p a litre more than off-motorway stations. Even a bottle of water comes at a premium price!

A few miles later traffic was almost stopped for a horse box broken down.  Even though it was in the left lane of four; the other three lanes of rubberneckers were almost stationery. Then there was a  notice of a other holdup on the M26.

I decided rather than split lanes I'd go the longer way and take in Brands Hatch on the A20.   

It seemed to take ages and in places the road surface is terrible. It was still a really nice evening when I got home to the more mundane task of taking the dog for a walk!!

Update May 15th 2018

With this game being a highlight of the last few, Oldham Athletic were relegated to the 4th tier of the English game and will play in League 2 next year.

There will be fewer chances for me to go to games as there are few southern clubs in the mire and in that division.  The nearest being Crawley Town about 75 miles from home.

Wenger leaving the Arsenal!

This is a shock!

I saw him on Sky Sports last night and he fended off all questions about his future and talked about the good of the club.

Arsene Wenger to step down at Arsenal after 22 years in charge

Arsene Wenger to step down at Arsenal after 22 years in charge Arsene Wenger is to step down as Arsenal manager at the end of the season, it has been confirmed. The long-serv...

Beer52 - April Selection

The April selection will be cans.  A little unusual but ultimately recyclable, both the can itself and the contents........ ;)

Busy Weekend - 21/22 April

With so many weekends to choose from in the course of a year, it seems some have too many things to do and others have none.

This Saturday is Rocket III annual run to the (famous) original  Ace Cafe in North West London and if that wasn't enough for the motorcyclists, it also TriFest at all Triumph dealers.

So as a Triumph Rocket III owner what should I do?

It's also the last away game in the south for Oldham Athletic at AFC Wimbledon and I have my ticket to the game already. So that is a definite. I wil be riding there and that will score me another 50-50 Challenge 5E!

50-50 Challenge - 5P & 5E It's a charity challenge set up by John Young of the Triumph Trident and BSA Rocket 3 Club. There are 50 cha...

MAG News - Motorcycles Matter! London Demo Ride

London's motorcycling community is protesting against City Hall's lack of action in respect to rising motorcyclist deaths and against the unfair Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) tax which looks set to make pollution worse.

Led by the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), London's riders will hold a city-wide day of action this Saturday 21 April to protest against the Mayor's policies, which are contributing to the mounting deaths of Londoners who ride motorcycles and scooters.

Thousands of motorcyclists will descend on Westminster and then rally near the Mayor's Office, where they will be addressed by supporters, including Peter Ramsbottom (Labour) and Keith Prince AM (Conservative). Liberal Democrats declined the invitation to send a speaker. Mayor Sadiq Khan also turned down the invitation.

Tim Fawthrop, MAG's London Regional Representative, said: "For the last two years we have been trying to get the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to uphold his pre-election promises and meet with us but he will not engage in meaningful dialogue".

Mother and London motorcyclist, Megan Anderson, said: "As a trainee teacher and mother, money and time are tight. I use a motorbike to commute because it's cheap and quick. Using public transport is cost-prohibitive and takes too long. I wouldn't be able to get home in time to pick my daughter up from nursery or be able to afford to send her in the first place! A motorcycle is the perfect solution that means I get to spend more time with my family, whilst also dedicating the time and attention needed in order to learn to teach."

A recent study has shown that the congestion charge has worsened the pollution problem by forcing Londoners from cleaner personal transport onto heavily-polluting diesel black cabs. Sadiq Khan's ULEZ plans look set to do the same thing, since he is planning to charge virtually zero pollution motorcycles whilst exempting diesel-guzzling black cabs.

London Assembly Member, Keith Prince, a keen motorcyclist who plans to attend the protest, said: "I just don't understand what Mayor Khan has against motorcyclists. His Deputy, before taking office, said in her report that Powered Two Wheelers were part of the solution to congestion! Now City Hall seems to have declared war on motorbikes and scooters. We know that many key workers are reliant on their bikes yet Mayor Khan wants to tax them off the road! I just don't get it - it's madness!"

Mr Prince added: "It could also expose the Mayor and TfL to the possibility of legal action on the basis of discrimination, as he's disadvantaging the least wealthy in London's workforce on the basis of an illogical and punitive charge on small motorcycles".

MAG works closely with politicians cross-parliament, organisations such as Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL), and with authorities at all levels to provide information and support to ensure that motorcycling gets a fair deal.

The organisation is volunteer-led with many members actively involved at local and regional levels, supported by the Director of Communications & Public Affairs and the Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement on nationally-led campaigns.

MAG has been successfully campaigning for over 40 years under a strapline of "freedom of choice".  It believes in a libertarian approach, with individuals being responsible for their own actions and making their own, informed choices.

For more, in-depth, information about the organisation, please contact:

MAG Central Office, Unit C13, Holly Farm Business Park, Honiley, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1NP 

Telephone: 01926 844064

Book Review: Justified by C.M. Sutter

Justified by C.M. Sutter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I enjoyed the book. Some reviews mention stilted language and sometimes the dialogue sounds more Dolly Parton than northern cop/woman/person.

Very gruesome murders.



View all my reviews

True Heroes Racing

The link will explain more about this fantastic racing team - https://trueheroesracing.co.uk/

At the BSB round on Sunday, the teams supporters came around with buckets collecting to help the team by raising money.

Wristband

ARMR Haro Trousers

A while ago, I can't remember when, I bought a pair of cordura biking trousers.  These are the sort that replace ordinary jeans. They are waterproof and come with knee armour.

I "found" them in the wardrobe and they still had the labels on. I have no idea where they disappeared to and how long they have been in there.

As rain was expected I decided to give them a go.  Amazingly they fitted and were pretty comfortable.

After last week on the trip to France when it rained for over half the trip, and I wore my Kevlar lined cargo pants and Held waterproof over trousers, and was uncomfortable I was actually looking online before I found these.

I wore them for a total of 93 miles on the bike plus over seven hours standing watching the BSB racing.  The only problem is that they have a gusset affair at the front instead of the normal zip or button fly. Going to the loo for a Number One is none too easy.

In the end the were comfortable and waterproof.  The knee armour is a little strange as it is a little lower than where my knees are and I hitched them up a little but on the bike they seem like they are in the right place. According to the website the armour is adjustable. I need to investigate how that works.

Not the finest picture!!

P.S. I just added the "labels" and ARMR-Moto came up. The mystery of when I bought them is solved - November 2016!!  See http://invictamoto.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/new-trews.html

BSB Round 2

Up at 0745. Out by 0845 after breakfast for me and for Reggie.

When I was getting my gear together last night I found a pair of cordura trousers I had bought last year and never worn. In fact had forgotten. These replace jeans and over-trousers and are waterproof. They fitted a dream.  Not too expensive and made by ARMR Moto.

I was to meet my brother Neill at the lay-by opposite the Oakdene Cafe where the A20 meets the M26 at 0930. A few holdups on the way to the motorway meant that I was a few minutes late. He took a photo of me. I don't have many of me and the bike.

The run up to Brands took about ten minutes. This year after all the bad weather and snow even, the usual parking was too wet and so they had a great idea. They opened the GP circuit to bike parking. What a great idea. Except this meant not going near the main entrance but in a side gate on the way from the A20 to the entrance to the Paddock.

The day was miserable really, weather-wise, and with 9 races to get in something had to give. The sidecars managed one lap before one spewed oil or something on 250 yards of track causing a long delay.

The rain came on and caused a problem in the Supersport race. The second Superbike race was halted when it started to rain more heavily. The restart changed the entire dynamic.

Once the race was over everyone headed for the parking.  It was relatively easy getting out and once on the open road I cruised home effortlessly. 

A stop for petrol at Tesco and then home.

I managed another 50-50 Challenge 5E but missed the bonus points that would have been awarded by going in the front gate and having Red Pepe pictured with the "Brands Hatch" sign. In the end there will be other chances to "bag" those points.

Standing up for seven hours with only a few minutes respite sitting played havoc with my back!  I could hardly walk back to the bike at the end of racing.  Once seated on Pepé's large seat I felt a lot better.

It's not as if we don't have any of these in the garage! We had two and forgot them when we went to Download and then we had to buy a couple of new ones from a Decathlon near Derby. One of these should bungie across the back seat!  We have a choice of colours and patterns!

50-50 Challenge - 5E (4)

BSB Round 2

Another chance to score some 5E points in the Challenge and see British Superbikes.

It's round two at our local track at Brands Hatch. It is a track we know well. I was corner commander for the marshals there and Neill was the chief flag marshal at Dingle Dell Corner. This is on the long GP circuit.

This week's racing is on the short Indy circuit.

We are going thanks to complimentary tickets from Suzuki GB.

Thanks to Claire for them. She works with Suzuki moving bikes around Europe.

Another 5E?

Should be another easy to get 5E for the 50-50 Challenge with this ride.

I went last year to the corresponding game and the weather was quite good. Not raining at least.

It's too far away at the moment, 8 days, for an accurate forecast.

One of my nieces, Eleanor, works at the Met Office and that doesn't help!  I expect some old recluse with a pine cone can predict as well as they can!

Ride Sunday

Vimy 101

I should claim another 50-50 Challenge 5E today as well. 

I am writing this in the Eurotunnel terminal at Calais after a 90kms ride from Vimy in drizzle and the occasional proper rain. Presumably mild for the Canadians stoically singing "Oh Canada" at the end of the ceremony in drizzling rain.

I did sing "God Save the Queen" but seemed one of the few.  There were quite a few British there and a lot of bikers.

I will finish it off when I get home and add a bit of detail.

Back Home!

So to start from the beginning.  I was up at 0645 and by 0720 had got washed etc, togged up and fed the dog. Pepe started without the dbpower unit to give him a jolt.  I had it with me all day and fully charged just in case!

I was lucky to get on the 0806 train rather than the 0820 I was booked on and curiously I was loaded in with the cars rather than treated like an inconvenience and tacked in the last carriage. Waterproofs went on before I had left the terminal area!

It was misty at home and the first 40 miles in France the same. On the toll motorway I stopped for coffee and croissant at Aire de Rely, as usual, and then let TomTom take me to the first stop at the Dud Corner Cemetery/Loos Memorial.  What look like a reasonably large cemetery doubles as the memorial to the over 20000 men that were lost here and have no known grave.  Imagine that if you can!  

Me and Red Pepe

War Cross at Dud Corner

From here the plan was to head down the road a short way and drop in at the Louvre. Not the Parisian one, but the new modern one in Lens.  

TomTom took me to it but it's hidden behind and large but artistically designed wall.  No photo opportunity.  It was only 1230 so I decided to have lunch. Instead of my usual French bistro I went to McDonald's!  Why?  Wifi and parking, plus McPee facilities.  A Big Mac later I was on the road. It was a little after 1300 so I changed the plan and decided to do the craters first.  The Vimy Memorial didn't start until 1500.

TomTom took me through country lanes to Lichfield Crater.  I aborted as the road was more akin to a MX track than a Rocket Road.  Re-programming for Zivy Crater.

And then to Vimy. Another short ride took me into the park and to the car park right by the monument.  Waterproofs off.  Walk over and find a viewing spot.  As expected the VIPs arrived late. It was about 1515 when we started with the speeches and wreath laying.

Major Cat-Strangler of the Canadian Army

Vimy

Veterans

As the final wreaths were being laid it started to drizzle. As I said at the top of the article it carried on all the way back to Calais. 

Only one stop for a comfort break and coffee on the way back otherwise a constant 110kph on the  A26 to the Shuttle. I weighed up whether I could get both directions and home again on one tank and decided to play safe.  Filling the tank at this stop.

I was early at check-in and was offered an earlier crossing than booked. In the end through luck of the draw they fitted a couple of bikes on the end of the earlier train than that. So I was home an hour earlier. This is a double rarity!!!

Despite the weather another nice day on the continent. Only the weather was a bit of a downer.

Below are the stats taken off the TomTom for the day's riding.  I didn't connect it until I was on the outward bound train and took it off at the terminal on the way back. In effect there's about 20kms to add onto these figures.

TomTom Stats

50-50 Challenge - 5E (2)

Today just the 56 miles to get another 50-50 ticked off.

Again it needed dbpower to get Pepé fired up. After that no problems. 

I had a run to Rye. It was quite empty considering it's still the Easter school holidays. 

I had intended a 25 mile ride and then turn around.  As Rye was only 20 I had to think of something. So the return was via Ashford and then the M20 to Cheriton. Tesco had a long queue at the filling station so I stopped for a fuel up in Seabrook instead. Fuelly calculated that one at 43.9 mpg. The best since last July.

I'll put together a claim for this later on the 50-50 website.

I got back and stashed the bike away. It will need to come out on Saturday for a cat lick wash to get the mud and road shite that has blown up.

Pepé needs to be clean for the ride to Vimy on Monday.

SP18 - Recorrido por Extremadura - Tyre/TomTom Plan D

Michelin 576

A few days sitting at home looking at the Michelin Map 576 and getting a "larger picture" of the trip means yet another update to the routing.

All the hotels for the first night have been either too far to the north and way off the path between Madrid and the first Extremadura stop at Trujillo. 

So yet another review using the map to see where places are has been helpful. I have changed the first night stop again.

That's what is quite good about booking.com! The chance to plan and chop and change as need be.

The biggest change is that I have decided that when we arrive in Madrid and get the car, it will be about 3.30pm so instead of an overnight on the way we'll go straight to Trujillo. I logged into the Parador website and "modify booking" didn't work. Luckily, they had a chat option and a nice lady called Viktoria changed the booking to make it a day earlier.


That of course freed up another day in the week. A bit of shuffling around and I I have a new plan - Plan D!!!!! I have been able to move the Merida and Badajoz overnights to a day earlier and then fitted in Cacares to make a loop of the "frying pan".

So then I had a review.

Day 1 - flight out to Madrid and Trujillo Parador to stay 2 nights.
Day 3 - Merida and stay 2 nights.
Day 5 - Badajoz - one night
Day 6 - Caceres - one night
Day 7 - Plasencia - one night
Day 8 - back to Madrid and flight home.

Plan D!

Plan D - highway no toll roads.

Music

So what is coming up?

Joe Bonamassa is on tour over there again and I would like to see him again. He's not very local and then the £80 a ticket price put me off.   I appreciate that it costs to put on a show, the transport, musicians and some dollars left, but this is a lot of money. With add-on costs like booking fees, travel and maybe an overnight stay (as I said not too local) we are looking at about £300 ($400+) for the concert.

Next on the calendar are are The Shires at the Leas Cliff Hall.  This in in May the week before we go to Spain for a week's touring.  

The Shires are categorised as "New Country" apparently. I have never been a great fan of country music as such. I can't help thinking of the Billy Connolly comedy song!

Once in a while though, you hear something and like it. You follow that up with maybe getting an album. You like it and then you get all the albums.  And that's what has happened with The Shires. 

Not wanting to which my like away, but roll on May.

The other events is that we have already bought tickets for the Illegal Eagles in January 2019!

Book Review: The Late Show (Renée Ballard, #1; Harry Bosch Universe, #29)

With Harry Bosch heading towards retirement, even from his part-time volunteer detective role in San Fernando, we need a new cop to take over the baton.  And Michael Connolly brings us Renée Ballard.

The Late Show by Michael Connelly

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I had read the first few chapters as they are appended to the end of the last few Bosch and Haller books and so when I was finished with them I downloaded this one to my Kindle.

I guess with Bosch getting close to his pension that we needed a new character to fill the void. Ballard looks to be an inspired choice.

At first I have to admit that she isn't all that likeable. In fact she comes over as the PITA very common in many US TV crime'/cop programmes. Gradually you warm to her but even by the end of the book, and she has solved the murders she is still pretty unlikable. I guess as her character develops in future books then we might see a change.

As usual the book is up to Connolly's fine writing and I look forward to the next installment.....



View all my reviews

50-50 Challenge - 5E (1)

The Easter weekend has been pretty much of a washout as far a motorcycling is concerned.

The long holiday weekend is 4 days. Friday was raining all day. Saturday was little better and we did manage to get out with the dog for his walks.  Sunday looked better on paper but we had things to do.

So it all hinged on Monday. The forecast was for more heavy rain but in the end it turned out warmer. In the morning we did a bit of shopping and then had a walk with Reggie. Warm enough for a coffee outdoors.

So. To Challenge 5E.

Challenge 5E is for 50 rides of over 50 miles. It should be easy to do but we need to be able to get out and do it.

So today was the chance to get a 5E under my belt.

It was dry when I set off. Once again the dbpower unit was needed to fire Pepé up.

The idea was to go around 25 miles and then turn about. In the end I headed out of Hythe along the M20 and A20 to Dover and then up the A2. No great plan just a ride to get some charge in the battery. As I approached Canterbury the fuel light came on and the miles to empty display showed 0.

I detoured into Canterbury and up Sturry road to fill up at ASDA  (a Walmart company). I only got 17.34 litres in and that was a much as I could squeeze in. Fuelly calculated that at a mere 37.1 mpg.

The Rocket is supposed to have a 24 litre tank. So with 6.6 litres left I would have expected the miles to empty to be way above 0. After all. There was a quarter of a tank left! 

I had taken a photo at the start of the ride and again at ASDA. A more direct run home would see the 50 come up safely.

As it was it started to spit with rain as I left Canterbury but nothing more. The roads were greasy and the middle full of mud and other rubbish. So it needed more care.

In the end it was 55 miles once I got on the drive.  The last photo included the Challenge booklet or a print I did of the cover to save the booklet itself.