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[Alan R]

Hi guys-----did any of you take part in the "Ride for Heroes" from Swadlincote to Matlock yesterday ?? My mate John (Bullet Sixty-Five)& I ( Suzuki Marauder 800) did.....An 07.30 start from TELFORD saw us on the A5 heading into a weak, pale sunrise with deep troughs of heavy, fog-like mist and bare, black trees looking like they were from a Christmas card. COLD ??---COLD ??,.... YES !! it was,----very...After about 25 miles we turn North onto the A38 and again 25 miles later, arrive at the meeting point ie}-- the Toyota services on the A38 / A50 interchange....The other guys are late but no matter, 'cos by now John & I have tanked-up on hot coffee and chokky bars.... So the 9 of us now wend our way to Swadlincote where the Poppy People have arranged a mass start. My guess was around 200 ?? and not a moment too soon as it's time to go. But why won't my bike start ?? Oh look !!---I've left the cut-out switch in the "off" position ( I now have some MORE names to call myself !!)---- So we join the very back of the "conga trail" in front and have a lovely, Sunny, cross-country ride into Matlock Bath (spiritual home & mass-gathering point for the Summer Biker), where we park-up and take a walk around. BUT----the word comes through that the final destination was at MATLOCK itself, some 5 miles further on. So we suit-up again and head down the road----------arrive in the lower part of town, find and park at the Peak Rail Station, then phone in for last directions. Meanwhile a J94 0-6-0 saddle tank steam locomotive, with a class 31 diesel are "Top & Tail"-ing a rake of BR Mk1 coaches right in front of us...very atmospheric !! and steamy too.... Following the latest directions John & I set off into Matlock Town itself but, after several routes in and around town, can't find anybody !! .... Even a couple of local pedestrians can't help..... We decide to give it one more try before going back to Matlock Bath for Fish & Chips and home.....I look in my mirror but NO John !!----The Bullet's broken down---no electrics to the the points.... "Ah, yes" says John, "the other day it wouldn't turn off using the key".........GROAN !!!! from me.....and tests show the ign. switch is U/S...... let's jumper it ??..........the wire we have is not long enough !!! So he summons the recovery guys whilst I go "Home-alone" via Belper, Ashbourne, Uttoxeter, Stafford, Newport under a clear, blue sky and rolling open countryside... So a typical Enfield day out, then !!!----------------