New to SWB - and returning to Biking :)

[Captain]

Hello.
I've recently got back on 2 wheels after an 18 or so year absence. (Please forgive me, I have a letter from my mum).
I've got a Yamaha Divvy and... I'll admit, I had to go get some retraining on how to ride!

But I've done that now, got some new pointers (I've never ridden a bike with a clutch before, so clutch control was totally alien to me) and slowly getting the hang of it

I'm now living in Somerset, though I think I may know some of you from the Newton Abbot/Exeter area, as I used to hang around the Torque Talk cafe quite a lot.

So anyway, hello. I'm John

[Andy900]

Welcome along for the ride.

[Smiler]

Hiya John, and welcome to SWB

Nothing wrong with getting a bit of a refresher in skills

Where are you in Somersetshireland then? Theres quite a few around here

[Captain]

Hi. I'm stranded between J23 and 24 of the M5, in Bridgwater.
We only moved here a couple of months ago from Tiverton, for various reasons (that I don't need to go into here )
I still work in Tivvy, which is why I got back onto the bike, because I'm hoping the fuel saving will be worth it in the long run

I'm pretty much a cautious rider (I'll be the first to admit it) - on my refresher course I went for a ride out with an instructor and learner - the learner was on a 125 and I was having trouble keeping up (On a 600!). I'm hoping speed will come with confidence, though that said, I'm happy to bomb along the motorway

[quigs]

Welcome to the site

[goatpants]

Welcome

[Rich999]

Welcome....and there's nothing wrong with caution.....keeps you alive. Caution - the bikers friend and a fools disregard. Speed will come in time.

[Red5]

Hi there John and welcome to the mad house that is SWB's...
Never heard of the torque talk café... can some one educate me please

See you out the rides and socials..
Nick.

[Captain]

Not sure if you're taking the pee or not, Nick However:

Torque Talk was a small cafe near the railway station in Newton Abbot, next door to the Honda garage (I think). I knew of them because I used to sell them stuff and went down there one day for my lunch break.
They were such great hosts (Greg, Liz and Charlie) that i started going there pretty much every day. I had "My Spot" (I'm going to be hipster now and say I was doing the My Spot thing WAY before Sheldon!), though sometimes I moved just to confuse them

I think I pretty much went through the entire menu at least twice, and Liz's garlic bread was TO DIE FOR!

Anyway, I always wanted to be part of the social events they hosted, but as I had no bike, I couldn't. They did host a game night - or something - I seem to remember and invited me along to that.

It was a sad day when they announced they were moving on.

I had to go to Pizza Cafe instead

[badgerKDD]

Hello and welcome along !

And 'young' Nick was probably hoping the café still existed so he could sample the delights of more local cake, a passion for some on here, as I'm sure you'll soon realise once you read the ride out threads ( coffee and cake stops are VERY important on SWB ride outs ;) )!

Enjoy the site and, as far as we like to promote on here, 'Pace' is completely up to you, no pressure on anyone !