The Triumph Rocket On Tour

This was the third day of our 12 day motorcycle trip from London to Santander, Spain.

We had just spent the night in Montlucon, arriving yesterday from leMans.

As I looked out of our rain streaked hotel window early that morning all I could see was an angry looking dark sky. Indeed, there was an official orange weather warning in force for our part of France, with local flooding predicted. This was to be our first venture into mountains today, and it looked as though it was going to be uncomfortable.

All eight of us were experienced bike riders, but we were all a little concerned at the weather forecast. As I had only ridden 335 dry miles on my Triumph Rocket 3 before leaving England, I was perhaps quietly the most apprehensive of all of us!

I had very much enjoyed our blast down through France so far, and been very comfortable and enjoyed the power and speed that the Rocket's 2.3 litre engine provides. Even around the French country lanes the day before the bike had shown itself to be well mannered and coped well with the bends.

Sure enough, after about half an hour's riding from Montlucon the heavens opened. Now I haven't ridden much in the rain in recent years and had forgotten what it's like to have your visor covered in rain drops. The small summer screen I had had fitted to the bike was of little use in deflecting the rain, but we stuck at it, maintaining a steady slightly above the speed limit for an hour or so before stopping for a coffee.

Although I thought my clothing was waterproof, apart from the new pair of trousers I was wearing I soon discovered that was in fact not the case. It didnt take long until I felt water virtually flowing into my boots, then my shoulders went cold. Getting off the bike at a roadside cafe I felt like a drowned rat!

Even though I was uncomfortable and wet to the skin, the bike just seemed to shrug the whole thing off. It is so heavy it just remains stable and is completely unmoved by the fact that you are trying to ride in a river! The power delivery is such that it is completley laid back, and one can simply put in the power gently and maintain smooth riding.

The heated grips now came into their own. I had had these fitted before I left England, and their lowest setting was great for wet hands!

Just before hitting Millau, we had planned to take a ride around a gorge. Before venturing up and then down into it we stopped for a bite to eat. As we did, a massive thunderstorm struck, so we waited for it to pass!

Heading back to our bikes after lunch the sun duly came out, but little did I know it, whilst the weather had changed, so was my attitude to the Rocket about to change.