View Full Version : Booked Summer tirp to Wales, second thoughts...
reformedrebel
12-02-2011, 11:53
I just booked a long weekend in June to take the Mrs and the VFR over to Snowdonia, We are staying in a log cabin for a few days with a plan to spend a couple of days on the bike and a couple of days off walking.
But, recently I have been having second thoughts about taking the bike, the reason is my partner is a single parent mother of 2 children (one 15 and one 18) and although we have done a few trips together on the bike I am considering the consequences of having an accident with her on the back, and now feeling quite selfish that I want to take the bike instead of the car.
on the other hand we have always had good experiences touring together and never had any near misses, I ride very carefully with her on the bike and even wear a Hi-Viz vest, and those lovely welsh roads..... hmmmm I dont know what to do! :dunno:
What does your partner want to do?
Would you drive your car just as safely as you ride your bike?
Mind you it will probably rain! Decision made.
reformedrebel
12-02-2011, 12:07
She doesnt mind being on the bike, she trusts me not to take risks, but my concern is all the other monkeys on the road
It's a no brainer, take the car, last thing you want to do is be worried about dropping the bike just because you have a woman on the back.;)
chunksoft
12-02-2011, 12:41
Take the bike and just be extra careful, as you say you are anyway and it sounds like you have been on trips with her before on the bike, don't spoil yours and her fun, have a good time.
Ride safe
Lifes for living...take the bike. Myself and the girlfriend are off to Normandy this Easter...can't wait!
Shortbloke
12-02-2011, 13:07
I spend loads of time on the Welsh roads (some of the best in the UK)
with the wife on the back, with our local bike group, she is very comfortable with it (takes photos and videos while moving) and would
never forgive me if i left her at home, we have just the best time,
so take the bike, think ahead and you will have no problems. :)
reformedrebel
12-02-2011, 13:57
Ill speak to her tonight and give her the option, at least if we take the car the Fuel is free (company car) and we can take our telescope. Its never really bothered me before but I got chatting to a guy on a Harley a while back who had a tyre blow on a motorway, his wife on the back lost half of her face on the tarmac (open face helmet) to be honest im thinking about not taking her on the back again until her daughter turns 18
Ill speak to her tonight and give her the option, at least if we take the car the Fuel is free (company car) and we can take our telescope. Its never really bothered me before but I got chatting to a guy on a Harley a while back who had a tyre blow on a motorway, his wife on the back lost half of her face on the tarmac (open face helmet) to be honest im thinking about not taking her on the back again until her daughter turns 18
If anything was ever to happen, god forbid, her daughter being 18 Will not make anything any easier.
The decision while a joint one has to lean more to your partner IMHO.
Think positive or you'll end up talking yourself out of the trip altogether just in case something might happen.
sort_it_oot_man
12-02-2011, 14:29
Life's for living...take the bike. Myself and the girlfriend are off to Normandy this Easter...can't wait!
+ 1.
We did 1500+ miles circumnavigating (almost!) England last September and had a richt blast, met some lovely people too so we did. I kept Wales all for myself though. Meeting SWMBO off the bus at Bristol. That was a buzz. ;)
Shortbloke
12-02-2011, 14:36
Seems like your talking yourself out of it mate, if you dont
take the bike your gonna regret it when you get there, lifes to short, believe me i know.
Sounds like my type of holiday, go with bike.
Check your insurance
check your wills
Don't use an open face helmet
enjoy yourselves, you cant even avoid danger with lazing on the sofa
Oh! make sure yer waterproofs are ok
moonster
12-02-2011, 18:11
I always share my biking holidays with the wife. Well, I mean, I tell her all about them when I get home:d:............and that's the way I like it!!!!:}:}:}:}
I was always reluctant to take SWMBO out on my bike, even for short trips.
VERY glad I didn't take her on my last ride out - 3 months on & I'm still recovering. I did Bikesafe & IAM, but if the other idiot does something stupid enough.... :(
And if you had an accident in the car? Or while walking? Where does one stop? There's also something quite interesting in your post in that you give consideration to safety much more in relation to the motorcycle than you do the car. What does that tell us about where drivers heads are when they're actually on the road? Of course, I am speaking in general terms here, not specifically about you! Whatever you decide, and what you feel comfortable with is important here, enjoy the trip. :)
hmmmm I dont know what to do! :dunno:
To be honest you should follow you instinct, you will then have a more enjoyable time & what your instinct tells you may well change by June. ;)
yann old git
12-02-2011, 20:17
I agree with above:) u sound a bit 'apprehensive' (imho)
kids n mrs are much more important than any mode of transport!
go with what feels right!...me in your shoes?....car.
(all just my opinion as an old git);)
yann
silverbullet
12-02-2011, 20:18
Be carefull and take the bike...:)
Why do you feel it is more dangerous in Wales, than the roads where you live?
Why not have the best of both words !!:d: and then you can chose bike or cage on any given day, depending on your mood or the weather,;)
i/e go by van with bike in the back, this way also allows plenty of room for holiday luggage and bike gear in the back,
or bike on trailer behind car, but room limited for holiday luggage, and bike gear,
you makes your choice and pays your money, just try to enjoy your holiday whatever way you do it ,
good luck mate
Well done you for having doubts, understand what you mean about others, my suggestion would be to get some advanced training done. Does not matter so much who you choose, as it may depend on what you have locally. You have plenty time, and maybe lots to learn, but you will both enjoy the trip a lot more :beer:
PearlandVera
13-02-2011, 14:59
Take the bike. We had a lovely ride out to Highcliffe ( south coast) yesterday, you just can't replicate that in a car.
chunksoft
13-02-2011, 15:08
I have first hand knowledge of living for today as my Mother died this week it has made me think that we have so little time and what time we do have we should relish and fill it with as much as possible, I would have no doubt about taking the bike but if its not your choice then so be it, but whatever you do make sure you enjoy it please
Stephen
PearlandVera
13-02-2011, 16:31
I have first hand knowledge of living for today as my Mother died this week it has made me think that we have so little time and what time we do have we should relish and fill it with as much as possible, I would have no doubt about taking the bike but if its not your choice then so be it, but whatever you do make sure you enjoy it please
Stephen
Hi Stephen, extremely sorry to hear the sad news about your Mother, you are right of course, life is for living to the maximum.
Mark.
It's got to be a joint decision. Wales is probably more geared upo to cathing speeding motorcycles than most other places so I suspect you'll not be going too fast, and as you already have a concern for your passenger, I doubt you'll be going mad.
Good luck with your decision. But if you really need a deciding factor.....
Have you got two sets of really good waterproofs :d:
I have first hand knowledge of living for today as my Mother died this week it has made me think that we have so little time and what time we do have we should relish and fill it with as much as possible, I would have no doubt about taking the bike but if its not your choice then so be it, but whatever you do make sure you enjoy it please
Stephen
Well said. My condolances. :(
reformedrebel
14-02-2011, 10:35
Sorry to hear your news Stephen, thats very sad.
And thanks to everyone else, has been interesting to hear your opinions, We discussed the trip over the weekend and we have decided that we will be taking the car. I told MOH about my worries, the story that guy told me about his tyre blowing out etc. (I know we dont like to discuss these things, but we have to acknowledge that as bikers, we are more vulnerable on the road than most other users) She said she would prefer to go in the car in any case, and although we have had many happy trips together including Lake district, Cat & Fiddle, snakes pass and Brugges last year, there will be no more until the children are both dependent.
We will still go for shorter days out if she wants to, but I will not ask her to come out with me anymore.
I have done some advance training including bikesafe and the Advanced Machine Control courses 1&3, but there are still risks that I cannot ignore.
On the plus side, I have spoken to a couple of mates, and we are going later in the year on our bikes, when I know I will get to really enjoy those roads!
chunksoft
14-02-2011, 22:44
Sorry to hear your news Stephen, thats very sad.
And thanks to everyone else, has been interesting to hear your opinions, We discussed the trip over the weekend and we have decided that we will be taking the car. I told MOH about my worries, the story that guy told me about his tyre blowing out etc. (I know we dont like to discuss these things, but we have to acknowledge that as bikers, we are more vulnerable on the road than most other users) She said she would prefer to go in the car in any case, and although we have had many happy trips together including Lake district, Cat & Fiddle, snakes pass and Brugges last year, there will be no more until the children are both dependent.
We will still go for shorter days out if she wants to, but I will not ask her to come out with me anymore.
I have done some advance training including bikesafe and the Advanced Machine Control courses 1&3, but there are still risks that I cannot ignore.
On the plus side, I have spoken to a couple of mates, and we are going later in the year on our bikes, when I know I will get to really enjoy those roads!
Have serious fun, and thank you everyone for your kind words
Stephen
outofreach
15-02-2011, 23:44
Being aside the welsh borders my last ride out (10/10) was over 300 miles and I only saw 2 GS's, roads were clear and as previously mentioned the Police are reasonably keen (Welshpool to Aberyswyth, Barmouth area). Snowdonia is stunning and if you avoid school holidays everyone is generally at work anyway. Take in the scenery, relax and enjoy.
but I will not ask her to come out with me anymore.Sorry but thats a bit sad especilly if you enjoy it.
the story that guy told me about his tyre blowing out etc.Did i tell you about the mercedes on the M25 where the car span out an flipped over 3 times out of 4 people only 1 lived.
Or last week where a car run into rear of my workmates lorry very bad drivers critical.
Just a point not all car crashes are walk away from.
Can tell you many stories car or bike even lorry ones, seems only bike ones have any effect on people.:dunno:
Can tell you many stories car or bike even lorry ones, seems only bike ones have any effect on people.:dunno:
I'm doing a bit of soul searching myself as I do miss having a bike - I think it is because in 'our' society cars are seen as essential - anything that happens is in it's own way inevitable whilst you could always avoid that bike accident by not being on a bike....yes I know
:stupid:
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