An around the world Triumph.

After spending a long weekend enjoying the scenery with friends in Wiltshire, I paid a visit to Ongar Motorcycles today (Tuesday) to order the necessary parts so I can fix my oil leak. Brian the mechanic showed me the warranty application he'd sent to Triumph after I left last Wednesday, because he thought it was worth a try. Triumph, like most companies, don't usually honour claims without proof of regular services, but after Brian had explained my unusual journey they immediately agreed.

Unfortunately, Brian showed me an email he received from someone I didn't know suggesting that Ongar Triumph had been unhelpful toward me. This person was only trying to help my case but really should've contacted me first to get the facts before dishonouring someones reputation. Triumph had already agreed because of Brian's help. I apologised for the trouble he got from his boss after receiving this email. None of us expected Triumph to do the work, especially me, but I'm very grateful to Brian and everyone else at Ongar Motorcycles for going out of their way to help me.

Please visit their new website to see the full range of Triumph Motorcycles.

www.ongar-motorcycles.co.uk/

I've often been asked why I chose a Triumph instead of the equivalent BMW. I'm a fan of BMW but always loved Triumphs. After careful research the Tiger 955i was better in almost every aspect except off-road ability. Everything taken into consideration, especially the cost, the carrying capacity, the handling and reliability, in my opinion the Tiger is one of the best all round bikes ever made. Any all round bike is a compromise and none are perfect, but for me the Tiger is a perfect compromise. A guy my size carrying a ridiculous amout of kit is testament to how tough the Tiger is. I doubt any other road bike would've survived! Besides, it's British don't you know. Why fly the flag when you can ride it?

The Hospice Outreach Project.

Choosing a charity to support is a difficult decision. There are so many people in the world who aren't as fortunate as most of us. I have type 2 diabetes but I wanted to support people who need it most. I chose Farleigh Hospice because it's the sole provider of palliative care in Essex. Everyone knows somebody who has been affected by cancer or a life limiting illness. If there is no cure and the hospital can do no more, Farleigh Hospice continues to provide care free of charge, not only for the patients but also helping their families.

The HOP is a 7.5 ton vehicle, specially adapted from Farleigh Hospice.
It is air conditioned and heated for comfort.
The vehicle is 8.4 metres long and 3.9 metres high
When parked a special POD extends out of it to provide more internal room.
It takes 20 minutes to set up on arrival.
It will be visiting one location a day, 3 days a week.
It is estimated that the HOP will see 40 patients each day that it is out.
That means that it will visit 50 sites per year and see an estimated 6,000 patients in a year.
It is estimated that it will travel over 13,000 miles in a year around Braintree, Braintree District, Witham and Great Dunmow areas.

Extraordinary people who concentrate on life, not death. A philosophy I believe in.
This is possible only because of donations made by people who care. Most of the money raised by Farleigh comes from small donations. They need to raise £5000 each and every day to continue their vital services. A heartfelt thankyou to everyone who has donated to Farleigh Hospice.

If you wish to donate, you can do so through my just giving page until the 20th January 2009, www.justgiving.com/alankelly1
or please visit Farleigh website for information.
http://www.farleigh.org/about-farleigh-hospice.cfm
http://www.farleighhospice.org/farleigh-video.cfm

Count the garden by the flowers, never by the leaves that fall. Count your life with smiles and not the tears that roll. ~Author Unknown

The last 85 miles home.

Finally after waiting three long weeks, my bike landed at Heathrow airport on Wednesday 15th October. It should've only taken five days but cargo flights are not as regular lately. It was due to arrive on the 29th September, but didn't leave New York until the 12th October, taking the scenic route via Frankfurt to East Midlands airport before Heathrow. I decided not to use a shipping agent to save money, so I've had all the fun of contacting Lufthansa and being transferred around until finally speaking to the cargo company, to find out where to collect it. After three offices, two piles of paperwork, a long wait and £221 for customs and handling, I'm reunited with my well-travelled Triumph. It was nice to see it strapped safely to an aircraft pallet and not tied with rope inside a cheap Korean crate as it was when it arrived in Seattle.

It's strange to find your bike in a place where you didn't leave it, especially when you last saw it in a different country. I soon reacquainted myself with all my belongings that were mostly where I left them. There are a few things missing but nothing of value. Customs had made a thorough search. I was relieved to hear it start, almost at first attempt and carefully rode to the nearest petrol station. At least I don't have to call it gas anymore.

It was a joy to be riding again, even weaving through miles of stationary traffic on the M25. Probably the worst road in th UK, but I know the difference between a bad road and one thats just busy! Being caught in traffic is just an inconvenience. I doubt I'll ever again ride on roads as bad as some in Albania and Russia, well not on a road bike anyway! I felt proud to be riding in England again, with a sense of achievement, knowing that the bike had made it home safely as well as me.

I stopped at my local Triumph dealer to ask about the oil leak. Caused by an oil seal on the clutch arm, costing a grand total of 85 pence. I couldn't see how any dirt had possibly got in there...

Not straighforward to fix though, because in order to remove the clutch cover, the starter motor and engine covers have to be removed first. Add another £21 for three gaskets. Triumph wont honour the warranty because my service book isn't fully stamped. It would be if they bothered to open a dealership in Siberia! The mechanic also kindly reminded me the bike is now due for it's 24000m service at a cost of £450. I have friends in Vladivostok that would help me service it for free. Looks like I picked to wrong year to give up my job....