Michael Wilkes

Finished

Tuesday 21st May 2024

Just to let anyone that may have been following my attempt at this blog know that I completed the ride yesterday Sunday 19th May

It was a lovely sunny day, we set off from just outside Bishop's Stortford off towards Down Hall, a bit of a trying time as we went through Stortford, road work traffic lights and with nearly 200 bikers it took a time to get through, my bike did start to overheat, but it made it through.

Fairly uneventful after that, finally arrived at The Star in Standon where family and friends were there to greet me. 

One final Thanks to all those who supproted me with their generous donations

Finally

Saturday 18th May 2024

So after the disaster of a week ago with the crash of the Triumph, it's now going to be the Yamaha

Once again a Big Thank You to my neighbour Ben Taylor, he put some time in on the Yamaha and has got it running sweeter than ever

Less than 24hrs it will be happening, weather forecast is good, I've had the barnet,beard and tash all trimmed up, got the dapper duds on, so Rock On

A final BIG THANK YOU to all the kind,generous people who have very kindly sponsored me 

Disaster

Monday 13th May 2024

Ben Taylor my neighbour and super spanner hero had worked his magic on sorting out the lack of engine power issues and got the bike running spot on. A real star

So time to go for a test ride,

What can I say, yesterday whilst out riding to make sure the ole Triumph would go the full distance next sunday with all it's niggles with the engine, the bike, without warning slipped on what I think was a diesel spiil at a junction near Lakenheath airbase. The crash has taken a terrible toll in damage to the bike and far too much to sort out in a week, sadly I have to resign myself to riding my FZR1000, beside the injuries suffered in the spill, I am so sad that I won't be doing the ride on the Triumph......C'est La Vie 

Hopefully sorted

Sunday 5th May 2024

Well, where to start. Got the bike back a few days ago, magneto was rewound, after they fitted it tho it had the same problem no power!!!

Now I'm really concerned, anyways they checked a few possibilities and found the exhaust valve adjustment was closed completely and the inlet valve had it's lock nut come loose and was also out of adjustment.

So, hopefully it'll be alright now, just about to fit a new drive chain and hopefully it'll be ready to go ;-)

Just keep fingers crossed for great weather!!

Starting to get concerned

Friday 26th Apr 2024

In my first post I mentioned that the Triumph wasn't running as it should, the bike is away in a repairer's having the magneto repaired/rewound. 

What concerns me is the bike has been there for over 3 weeks, the mechanic did say it would be 2 weeks, so now it's already gone over 3 is starting to worry, reason being 3 weeks till the ride, I wanted to get a few miles in to make sure it'll be good on the day.

But, worry not because I have a back up plan, if all else fails I will ride my 1989 FZR 1000, not what I wanted but the bike qualifies by age and it will get me round

Other than that, just to say a BIG THANK YOU to all my sponsors, I have been humbled by all your generosity and support, as of today I sit as the 2nd highest sponsored rider for Bishop's Stortford, rock on

Work in progress

Saturday 13th Apr 2024

Don't think I've ever written a blog b4, but here goes

Well the bike has been playing up, starts ok but after riding for short distances it loses power. Those in the know tell me it's probably electrical as the carb was sent away for rebuild at great expense, so the bike is currently away having the magneto rebuilt, hopefully that will cure the problem.

I've now got all the garb to imitate a Distinguished Gent, ha ha I hear you cry, beard is long enough to get a handlebar moustache going, so with 5 weeks to go hopefully it'll be all good

Just like to say a BIG thank you to Di for all the help getting my outfit together, also for her very kind generosity with sponsoring me

A BIG thanks to all my Family and Friends that also have been very generous in sponsoring me so far.

As this was pretty painless, I will attempt to update again, perhaps when I've got the bike back, cheers safe riding

I'm Riding for Men's Health in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

Monday 25th Mar 2024 On Sunday the 19th of May 2024, I'm riding in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride with fellow men and women across the globe to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and men's mental health on behalf of Movember. Men die on average 6 years earlier than women and for largely preventable reasons. The number of men that are suffering is growing, and we need to do something about that. So, before I press my tweed and polish my boots, I'm asking you to join me in raising funds and awareness for these causes by donating what you can for this meaningful cause and to help the men we love, live happier and healthier lives.