How could you not love motorbikes? They are the perfect vehicle for exploring your surroundings as they let you traverse an area as fast or as comprehensively as you want, while still maintaining a tactile connection with everything you find.
Today was one of those days where, having spent far too long wondering what was down a particular route, I took the opportunity to find out for myself.
Rising early and out with some of the Monday morning commuter traffic, my route of exploration took me deep in the rural heart of the county I live in. Once away from the larger towns, traffic levels dissolved leaving practically empty, twisty tarmac. Riding the perfect bike for the journey, I was doing my level best to get the very most out of the final miles of the Pirelli Rosso 3 tyre that has been holding me on the road.
The Pirelli's have been really great; offering a nice stable platform in both wet and dry conditions. To say that they're a three season tyre is a bit of a stretch, with their performance in colder conditions a little behind that of the Angel GT, also by Pirelli. When hot however, they are absolutely on it. They have worn fairly quickly, but evenly, with my rear being toasted in about 6 months of riding during the end of last season and the start of this one. I'm interested to see how good the new Rosso Corsa 2 tyres, recently released, stand up to the performance of the Rosso 3's and reading through the spec sheets it appears they are placed between the Rosso 3 and the Supercorsa, which is a much softer tyre more suited to the track than the dual carriageway.
Finding a lovely local coffee store, I sat down and had my breakfast and looking like a Power Ranger, struck up a conversation with a local, who was also enjoying his spare time on this sunny Monday morning.
Today was one of those days where, having spent far too long wondering what was down a particular route, I took the opportunity to find out for myself.
Rising early and out with some of the Monday morning commuter traffic, my route of exploration took me deep in the rural heart of the county I live in. Once away from the larger towns, traffic levels dissolved leaving practically empty, twisty tarmac. Riding the perfect bike for the journey, I was doing my level best to get the very most out of the final miles of the Pirelli Rosso 3 tyre that has been holding me on the road.
The Pirelli's have been really great; offering a nice stable platform in both wet and dry conditions. To say that they're a three season tyre is a bit of a stretch, with their performance in colder conditions a little behind that of the Angel GT, also by Pirelli. When hot however, they are absolutely on it. They have worn fairly quickly, but evenly, with my rear being toasted in about 6 months of riding during the end of last season and the start of this one. I'm interested to see how good the new Rosso Corsa 2 tyres, recently released, stand up to the performance of the Rosso 3's and reading through the spec sheets it appears they are placed between the Rosso 3 and the Supercorsa, which is a much softer tyre more suited to the track than the dual carriageway.
Finding a lovely local coffee store, I sat down and had my breakfast and looking like a Power Ranger, struck up a conversation with a local, who was also enjoying his spare time on this sunny Monday morning.
Now, well past 09:00, I headed back home, taking in a slightly amended route. The ride, only interrupted by the all too familiar orange fuel light, was swift and precise as I cut my way through corners, some of which still presenting a challenge as recent rainfall and traffic had pulled stones and debris into the centre of the lane.
Days like this are sometimes few and far between. The pressures of work or other responsibilities often take priority, but having the time and the opportunity to act of the question 'I wonder what's down there?' is at the heart of what biking is to me and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Days like this are sometimes few and far between. The pressures of work or other responsibilities often take priority, but having the time and the opportunity to act of the question 'I wonder what's down there?' is at the heart of what biking is to me and I wouldn't have it any other way.
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