InvictaMoto's Döra the Explörer

Destination Boulogne. Döra and I set off in good time. After the strike and rioting by migrants in Calais, both ferry and shuttle services had been suspended. In the end it was plain sailing into the terminal and checking in was a couple of minutes. Then we found the service had a twenty minute delay! I took a few photos once underway! The train has lots of bikes all, except me, going to Assen for the TT. The plan was simply to head down the coast road, have coffee, have lunch and then return. The first stop was Escalles for coffee only to find the usual cafe by the campsite is closed on a Wednesday. Next Wissant. Market day and access to the square blocked! So I headed towards the Todt Battery and found a new(ish) hotel and brasserie. Perfect for that first coffee of the day. Todt Battery As it was lunchtime perhaps a little light lunch. Croque Monsieur. I hadn't expected chips and salad. In the end I ate the croque and h...

Vimy Ridge Doh!  How many times have I been on Eurotunnel? Answer? Lots! So I must have misread the original instructions and I booked the train for 0850. Actually, a little later than my usual crossings. To maximise time over "on the otherside" I usually like the earlier 0820 crossing. The joining instructions arrived in the email from Jack, the RAT leader for this jaunt. It's supposed to be 0815 to depart the fuel stop on the motorway by J11, then to check in way before 0850 and then the 0920 train! Oops. I might go a bit earlier still and get some brekkie Frogside and then be ready when they come past. Once I have downed a pain chocolat and a coffee..... In reality I'll miss them pass and have to get a move on to catch them up at the toll ticket collection booth at Ardres.  As it is France I'll wear the Schuberth with it's very law abiding reflective stickers in place. I don't n...

When I bought Döra, I became a member of the Riders Association of Triumph - RAT. This is something along the lines of HOG (Harley Owners Group), where the meetings are based at their dealers. Somewhere owners can come together and enjoy social activities. We tried something like it with Suzuki for the Suzuki Owners Club, but the mentality of the big-S dealers was somewhat lacking. "Open one evening a week?"/"Open the shop on a Sunday?" were two of the incredulous sounding responses from the dealer base. Anyway, I digress. RAT. The local branch is run out of Laguna Triumph in Ashford and is where I bought Döra last year. I've not been to anything yet as most things are evenings and I simply don't get home in time for 7pm starts, whether in the shop, or the pub across the road. But, when my brother, Neill, forwarded on an email that his local branch had sent out, also Laguna but based at the Maidstone shop, with an invitation to members to sign...