Category Archives: Adventure Travel

2023 Kells Ride Out – Sunday Spins

The 2023 Kells Ride Out was an exciting event for me. It would be the first event I was riding to in Ireland. It was supposed to be held in March 2023. Still, it got cancelled at the time. This annual gathering, held in the charming town of Kells, is in a county called Meath. So a good Sunday morning spin for me.

The ride-out occurred on a sunny summer day, with riders assembling at Park Ri in Kells. I barely washed my motorcycle, but I could quickly tell that people had been preparing their bikes for days. Engaging in friendly banter, I met a few friendly faces. Thanks to I’m that I met there, got onto a WhatsApp group now for Bikers in Ireland. The atmosphere was electric and noisy with revving engines. I miss having an inline-four, and the anticipation and excitement for the ride didn’t help. I had my insurance-friendly motorcycle learner “L” vest on for most of it. Still, other participants ranged from seasoned riders to newcomers eager to experience the thrill of riding in a group.

Continue reading 2023 Kells Ride Out – Sunday Spins

Yo, what’s the weather like in Ireland for biking?

Having ridden my motorcycle here through my first autumn-winter every day (almost), I think I can provide an outsider’s perspective to the question, “what’s the weather like in Ireland for biking?” If you want the TLDR version, it is bloody challenging.

When I started considering returning to motorcycling in Ireland, one of the factors I needed to consider was the weather. You can read what I think new motorcyclists in Ireland shouldn’t do. As a cyclist and a pedestrian, I have experienced it for over a year and was well prepared for what to expect. Ireland is well known for its unpredictable weather, with rain, wind, and misty conditions expected throughout the year.

Continue reading Yo, what’s the weather like in Ireland for biking?

690 Enduro R Specifications – Thoughts on the 2019 model

The 2019 KTM 690 Enduro R specifications list is where I am starting, as I begin the search for a new motorcycle. I am sitting and researching the possibilities and options that I have available. It will take me some time to save up money for one, but in the meanwhile, this kind of stuff will help me sort out my thoughts and wants. 

Continue reading 690 Enduro R Specifications – Thoughts on the 2019 model

Himalayan on gravel – When in doubt, Gas it out.

The Himalayan on gravel has a bit of power to gas it out. Disclaimer: As long as you are not going overly fast already. It is a mild engine and you need to remember that if you are riding overly loaded up or two-up. This video shows how to get out of the situation if you are not too deep in shite already.

I was sitting and looking through some stuff for a particular photograph as O’Brien asked me for while discussing something. That is when I came across this post here in my blog, which I forgot to push the publish button a long time ago. And, it was incomplete, probably having been distracted by something else just as mundane as my lizard brain went haywire.

They say when you create something, put it out there in the world immediately. Now when I look back at it, it is a bit cringe, but hey what is life for, if older stuff does not make you cringe a bit.

3 to 4-inch diameter granite is what you see, which is in use for creating tarmac.

Why is the Himalayan on gravel?

Really? Do you ride yours only on the tarmac?

Then you are missing on a lot. But in this case, as usual, I was late, probably by a day, but I cannot recollect it at the moment. And I was trying to make up for the lost time while trying to meet up with pals in the Masinagudi area. The fine dust that comes up off this “jellykall” (as it is called in Kannada) creates a haze and coats everything. And, some of them can be as slippery as marbles if you hit them at the wrong angle. It’s granite ranging from the 1 to 7 or 8-inch diameter.

I know you’ll be quick to remind me about a lot of other things, but in a crunch situation, the Himalayan has never let me down. What really would make the comfort for a Himalayan on gravel better is the height of the handlebar. Would have made standing up and riding a lot easier than it is stock from the factory.

Let me know your craziest roads under construction story, while on a motorcycle in the comments below.