With the calender gods granting us an extra day in February today (one that we kinda don't really get paid for - or if we do its only worth a quarter of a usual day), just how was I going to spend it. Sadly, the answer to that was working - which is made all the worse for what I said earlier. However, with working comes commuting and with commuting comes...you've guessed it, bike riding.
I had a meeting in Basingstoke before 0800 this morning, which is around midway between where I live and the office. Knowing that by the time I'd actually get to the office the chance of a car park space was, shall we say, rare, it just had to be the bike. 
The temperature refused to rise higher that 1 or 2 degrees above freezing last night, so wrapping up warm, I ventured out into that grey, cold world. The forecast was for it to remain coldish, but be bright and by the time my meeting was over, the sky was blue and the sun was shining. Playtime.
It was just after 10:00 by the time I got onto the road and following a coffee I decided to take advantage of the situation and take the non direct route to work. What a great decision that was, the feeling of riding the bike through proper turns again after too many recent motorway journeys was a joy.
So after several 'joyless' hours at work - which technically wasn't true as I had chocolate at my desk, it was home time. With the evenings getting noticeably longer, I knew I had enough time to take the fun way home and fire the bike along the A29, A272 and the A31, which is precisely what I did.
So on this extra day of February 2016, the one where I worked for a fraction of my worth, I got some serious riding done and loved every bloody minute of it.
Now if you'll excuse me, my body has no idea what has just happened and is asking to be thrown at the nearest sofa.

With a new role starting for me in the company this week, I'm doing slightly more days in the office. Not wanting to be stuck in traffic, I've taken the bike to work a few times. Over the weekend I was staying with the folks, so the commute to work was about half the distance. The only problem was it was going to be a cold one and I'd have to either ride around the M25 or the A406. I chose the latter and almost immediately had to filter through the traffic. Every time I visit the capital, it just reinforces my feelings about the place. 
Spending a weekend away on the bike, there really is only one option and thats my Kriega luggage. I have three pieces and used all of them. I've got the US-10 for the tank an older version of the US-20 for the tail and the R-25 rucksack. One of my friends couldn't get on with his tailback, but I love mine. They are utterly waterproof and easy to use. The R-25 is also a great bag and you can tell its been designed to be ridden on a bike. All the weight is taken across the chest, which really helps with fatigue. Mine saw me well on my Italy trip in 2014 when it was packed. If im being slightly critical, a small bit of water makes its way into the bag during biblical rain storms now, but I think that's more down to the age of the bag, rather than any defect. All three are highly recommended.

So after two days in the car and with sunshine forecast it was back on the bike today and bloody hell, what a cold, miserable, mucky and unpleasant ride it was. I had to stop at the service to warm my hands and just take a break from the dreadful vision. I was wiping my visor often, but couldn't stay on top of it. Not wanting a coffee, I went for some Starbucks porridge....and well, that will be the last time I order that. Foul doesn't even come close, but yes, I did eat it all.

So after a difficult winter, things are starting to turn very positive. The threat of redundancy has resulted in joining a great new team, in what is in effect a promotion. I'm really looking forward to working with them and I think we all can learn a great deal from each other. Personally, well lets just say I'm starting to feel very happy once again. I don't want to jinx anything, but 2016 could be very good indeed.

To paraphrase late eighties and early nineties hip-hop due Salt-N-Pepa (yes that is how you spell it) 'Lets talk about rubber baby!....'So, yes it's time to talk tyres. 
If you've read anything I've written about tyres you'll know I'm a big fan of Pirelli, especially their Angel GT and the Rosso Corsa IIs. Both tyres are fantastic, so it was a great surprise to receive an email from a friend of mine at Pirelli who has asked me if I want to evaluate the new Rosso Corsa III tyre that Pirelli have recently released. Of course I would and a few days later, these arrive.

As its February, and as I look out of the window there is a heavy set frost, sticking these on the bike right away would be pointless. My 'dull as dishwater' current commute on the motorway would square them off well before I have a chance to really exploit their performance so the plan is to get them on the FireBlade and test them on road as well as some trackdays.
With that in mind, I'm sticking with the Angel GTs and have just finished putting the front wheel back in after having the front changed. The picture below should give you a nice comparison as to the difference between my new and a well used front. No wonder the front felt a tad vague at times.

I was in London earlier this week to see the folks and go to a concert, so took the opportunity to pop in and say hi to the guys at Metropolis. Their showroom is being refitted and its looking really smart. Mike and Artur were both in top form and they've got some awesome machines in stock, especially a beautiful tuned red 999s, which drew my eye straight away. I do love the 999/749 shape. If my lottery numbers come up this weekend, they can expect a phonecall first thing on Monday morning.

So nearly a year after actually buying them, I've finally fitted my Ducabike SBK rearsets, replacing the originals the bike has been wearing since my big Silverstone crash in 2014. Oh in case you're wondering, the reason the heat shield has a cable tie attaching it to the frame is the last time I rode the bike, a bolt made a break for freedom down the M3 and I didn't have a spare. Anyway....
First impressions were very high. They are really nicely made out of machined aluminium and look very smart. The installation was fairly painless, but with no instructions I had to pay particular attention to the combination of washers and grommets to ensure a smooth seemly operation.
The brake lever was no problem, but the gear lever is a little stiff, which makes me think I need to check a few things again. I did have to source a longer bolt to attach the lever to the gear linkage however.

Whilst I was there I started fitting some stainless steel fairing bolts. The bolts from Speedyfasteners are really nicely made, but I'm not 100% sold on the silver. Will have a think.
Annoyingly the day didn't end there either. Testing the feel for the pegs etc. the bike wouldn't electronically find neutral, which is mildly annoying. Mechanically it did as I was able to push it around the garage. I'm thinking I hit a sensor when putting it back together, so when I get the time, I'm going to investigate a little further and see what I can find out.
There's no real rush, but I'd like to make sure she works properly for when Spring finally arrives.

After the obligatory cold early morning visit to the Costa in Upton, I headed back home to finish some paperwork. By mid morning, the skies were blue and the roads were very dry. I didn't need to be asked twice.
I felt the need to head over to Moto Rapido in Winchester, for no other reason than to look at a room full of Ducatis. Not wanting to go the dull straight way, I took the 'Blade out onto some of my favourite roads.
Starting in Wimborne, I headed over to Blandford via Badbury Rings on the B3082. This is a great little route with lots of lovely sweeping corners and most notable for the rapidly undulating section through the trees which would be right at home in Irish road racing. From Blandford, I picked up the A354 towards Salisbury and then the A30 down towards Broughton and Winchester.
Just after I got into the town boundaries, I noticed a scooter rider standing by his machine just before a mini roundabout. Before I had time to think about it, I'd stopped as was offering assistance. Turns out the little 14 plate scoot had just cut out, but there was fuel in it. I had to admit, that I really couldn't help fix it, but I could assist if he needed a lift, or a hand moving it to a safer location. Just before I really had to do anything, the little machine fired up and he was back on his way. Maybe the scoot was just lonely, who knows.
As the fuel light was on, it was to the petrol station and wouldn't you know it, the immobiliser fob wasn't working. After what seemed like twenty pushes, eventually success was mine and I was able to ride the very short distance to Moto Rapido.

After a little mooch and a great chat with a member of the team, it was time to go. Sadly, the fob really wasn't playing ball this time. Popping back inside to see if they have any batteries, a different member of the team sprang into action. Less than three minutes later, I had the fob back and despite not having any batteries for it, the quick dismantle and re-assembly worked a treat. A massive thanks go out to the team and all that was left, was for me to enjoy to dry tarmac in some great winter sunshine. I love being on holiday.

A somewhat overcast morning cleared to reveal a bright, sharp, crisp Dorset morning. Which, surprisingly enough, is precisely what those smart people at the BBC weather centre had predicted. With two weeks off work, as I'm now between roles, I had the freedom to explore where I live. 
When I lived in London, there wasn't that much exploring worth investing time in. Wherever I went, there was just more city and more city doesn't equal good riding, it equals just more danger.
There are a few routes that I ride often as they're interesting, fun and fairly quick, but the plan for this morning was to see where that road went and then that one and ooh, that looks interesting, what's down there. Turns out that what I found 'down there' were muddy rural roads, which was to be expected. Hey, that's part of the fun, but as a result, the 'Blade looks like its been dropped in the river.

I ended up seeing signs for Ringwood, so headed that way and popped into Conquest Motorcycle to order up a new front tyre. The front Pirelli Angel GT is coming to the end of its life, which isn't bad for a tyre that was put onto the 1098s in June of 2014, ridden to Italy and back and then was hustled during various commuting duties from then on.
I really am a big fan of the Angel GT tyre, but I've said that before. The plan this year is to get back on track, so the GTs will probably make way for some Rosso Corsa 2 tyres for those days. Having previously used Bridgestones and Michelins, I've found a great level of confidence using Pirelli tyres. In my opinion, the premium price is well worth paying.