A gallon of WD40 will be needed to clean this.

Monday night after work, I packed my tailpack and rode up to Ming's in Arncote. It was freezing, the temp hovering around -3 deg. After chilling with the Ming and crashing on his floor, the following morning I packed up again and put on as many layers as I could whilst still being able to move. With the VFR covered in frost and ice it didn't want to but was persuaded to start. I then jumped on and headed towards Wales. I had been warned about the weather on the news but didn't expect it to be too bad, I was wrong. Thick fog I can handle but thick fog that instantly freezes on your visor and the cold wind freezing your breath to the inside made the ride interesting. I rode into Wales almost one handed, the other being used to constantly wipe or scrap ice off my visor. Once in Wales the fog lifted and the roads, although greasy and provide nearly zero grip, were better. I arrived in Betws y Coed mid afternoon and I decided to treat myself to a hotel room rather than the hostel. A long bath followed by a little sleep was well deserved. I popped into Betws but was soon back at Swallow Falls for a pint before getting an early night.

The following morning, at about 9, after demolishing a full Welsh I packed and headed out. I decided that if the weather was as bad today I would make all my miles in the direction of home so I picked up the A5 and filled up ready for a few hours in the saddle. The road was icy and covered in teflon salt, I had more sliding moments on that one road today than in the the last year of riding. Every corner, the front or back would start to move and depending on the corner it would either correct itself or need wrestling back into line. I was exhausted after about 30 mins and after one massive rear wheel slide which had the bars on full lock bashing my hands coming out of one corner(a little provoked) I pulled over for a quick break. A couple of pics and I was back on the A5 then the A49 then the A417 before picking my way around Swindon and home. A quick scrub (the bike not me) and a cup of coffee brings me to my current position on the sofa which I intend to keep all night. Snoogins.

I returned home to a new gadget. A cheap camera to document my excursions so expect more pictures and many more bike pic whoring sessions ahead.