Bikers Britain - Bedford Loop by BMW R1200 GS - Part 1

The latest in my trips from the book "Bikers Britain - The Tours". This time I take my R1200GS on the pleasant country roads on the "Bedford Loop"......

[@ianwayman3175]

Thanks for putting this together. I grew up in this part of the world and remember it fondly.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Great - glad to be a good memory prompter...where are you based now?

[@ianwayman3175]

Reno, Nevada if you can believe that. There's some great motorcycling roads out here!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Now I am jealous (as a pilot) - I went to the air races a couple of years back, fabulous time had, I love it out there....a bit different to Bedfordshire, anything you miss? Should I move?

[@ianwayman3175]

Reno is lots of fun and there's plenty to do but it's not home. I definitely miss proper beer and the English sense of humor. I certainly don't miss high taxes or the weather!

[@johnpresland1537]

Ian - Stanford? Robert Bloomfield?

[@hurleyflyer8355]

England's roads at there best , BMW looking and sounding good . Hurry with pt 2 , thanks for taking us along .

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Cheers Hurley Flyer....it's in the can - stay tuned!

[@jamesgreen3417]

My neck of the woods I live in Bedford, so very familiar with the roads around there. Good vid as always

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Thank you James, some lovely roads you have to play on!

[@richardsherwin3259]

Yet another great video. I think I'll have to go buy that book. The pub grub looked yummy!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

...yes, I could do with that now! Hank Marvin!!

[@MiddleagedRider]

Wow, learnt something new today regarding the R101 and the Sheds. Thanks for sharing

[@HepcatHarley]

I do like your bike security chain at the end there ;)

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Yes, bit weighty in the ol' rucksack mind but does keep the blighters with their chain cutters at bay! :0)

[@superspotrc]

Thanks for the video.... Cardington investment via the lottery which was super for the area, also home to the motorcycle test centre... Well just down the road.. Nice to see you on my doorstep... Bedford that is ... Recommend Biggleswade but a little expensive but a lovely car and plane collection all private. All the best..

[@CaptainRambunctious]

Ah, Ashton and Polebrook. All the Limestone round there is perfectly usual for there... I'm from all round here. My roads for driving on and cycling whilst growing up... 😉 Where you had lunch was where I learnt to row! 😊

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

What, on that picnic bench?? Surely not, that would be preposterous!

[@CaptainRambunctious]

TheMissendenFlyer Ha ha! True, but that's why I was never any good!

[@beowulf5982]

Has not been a great summer yet has it? but pleased to see yourself enjoying the route and why not, good bike/good food. I wish you all the best..thanks for sharing. ps that Yorkshire pud made my mouth water.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Yes this summer has been pants, and isn't showing much sign of improvement yet :0( ....and yes, I could eat that Yorkie again now!

[@JLOSTAFF1]

Hi MF, Great to see you in my neck of the woods! I live North Beds and often go through Cardington to Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden! They do great breakfasts there and there is a nice pub as well. My Dad spent his first few days in RAF at Cardington - went on to be a Navigator in Gloster Javelins.There is also RAF Twinwoods near where I live where Glen Miller took off for the last time - I have the toilet door from there with "OFFICERS ONLY" stencilled on it. Now on display in my potting shed! Great video and look forward to Part 2. Thanks, Jon.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+JLO Staff Hi Jon, glad you enjoyed the video, didn't realise you were from around those parts, lovely riding roads and as you say lots of aviation history so that has to be a good thing! Stay tuned for part 2 soon. Thanks for watching and commenting once again, all the best - TMF

[@Modelsofscale]

I've just moved from the village of wrestlingworth into Biggleswade this route looks great having lived in the village I have ridden most of your part one including visiting the cardington sheds but will have to do the part two of the route as looks lovely

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

...yeah actually the part 2 stuff was the better riding....enjoy!

[@dan675t6]

Another great vid TMF, do like the factual parts to your vlogs, always makes for great viewing. Used to based in Bedford for work, nice area for bikes, just watch your speed. Quite a few mobile camera's get set up around those fast roads so best leave the Ducati at home! Edit....Just ordered the book!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Cheers Dan....

[@gizzmo84]

We all love some uppy downy bits every now and then, don't we TMF! I bought that Biker's Britain book after you mentioning it on a previous video. I'm heading out on the big 8 day tour (with a few tweaks to include more of northern Scotland) this weekend :) I'm planning on filming the journey too, so hopefully I'll get something worthwhile to upload to KZbin.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Fantastic (I should have been on commission for these books!) - let us know once you've posted the video up, would like to see it...hope to head to Scotland myself before the end of the year...

[@TheExhippie]

You must have driven straight passed me flyer. This is the first route I did in the book from your recommendation as it's right on my doorstep. Doing the Cornwall tour next week. Nice video, keep up the good work.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Excellent - let me know how it goes, I'm heading down that way in a couple of weeks...Did you enjoy the route by the way? Better than I thought it was going to be....

[@TheExhippie]

+TheMissendenFlyer yes great ride out. It's all the roads I know and practically straight passed my house. Will let you know how the tour was next week. I'm doing a combination of the old book and the new book tours. Should be fun :-)

[@Nig2402]

Ahhhh Home, I live in Bedford and was out for a ride on Sunday around the Cardington Hangers, must have just missed you! also at the 2:06 mark that corner is sharp, in my younger days in my old rust bucket, went straight through that hedge. If you are ever in this part of the woods again let me know would love to ride along, my V-Strom would love some company!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Cheers Nig2402 - and yes that corner did have the potential for trouble, glad I was only pootling along!! All the best - TMF

[@TheMadScouse]

such a chilled out video thank you. PS that bike looks very comfy !!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+The Mad Scouse Yes it was a chilled out ride and your observation is correct, the GS is a super comfy machine for longer rides, the ideal old mans bike! (Oops now I'm doing it!).....

[@TheMadScouse]

haha your not old :) and may i ask were you got that sat nav i would like to do long trips like this on my 125cc

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

It's a BMW Nav V specific to the GS but Garmin make them for BMW so I'm sure there's something very similar on the market from them - check-out the Garmin website would be the best bet I would think...although TomTom is a much better satnav IMO...

[@TheMadScouse]

okay doke thanks very much :)

[@tinks43]

Nice day for it, great views!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Indeed it was - thanks for watching...TMF

[@triumphsteve]

It is Cotswold Stone, there is a vein that runs from the Cotswolds to lincolnshire.

[@dutch6849]

Thanks for the tour and background info! Good stuff!! I also need to get a GS one of these years. Love your bike!!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Thank you Dutch one, me too :0)

[@timacengineering8246]

Hi mate. Loved the video. I live in Potton near Sandy and ride around that area all the time. Just a tip. You would have enjoyed the B1040 much more to go towards Huntingdon than the A1198. Still a fast road much so much more fun.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Bother - next time! ...and thanks for the kind words, all the best - TMF

[@gunton21]

another lovely video TMF, think of the bikes you could get in those sheds!!!.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Yeah, would be great fun riding around inside 'em too....

[@mentaldan666]

Another great video, once again. Looking forward to part 2! Also, you're lucky you were in England. That one pint would put you over the limit here in Scotland!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Crikey - as it happens I left half of it as it was too gassy for my delicate constitution....but good to know for future ref! Cheers - TMF

[@stephenmitchell8324]

Hi got a copy of Bikers Britain the other day I got the book for £3.00 new we have a book shop/ art well it sells all sorts of stuff in Leeds was a bargain good vid as always

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Nice one!

[@digitaldogs233]

I live in Bedford off goldington road. our town has a stupid one way system. nice..I'm a true Bedfordian..ie many generation..the Truman family my mum's side was the largest family in Bedford. it was a farming community..some very odd stuff happened in bedfords history..especially goldington church. had tunnels that led to a big house which was made into a pub. I could go on but it's a very long story lol...nice ride fella. I've done it on my Suzuki back in the 80s.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Jolly good, thanks for watching and for stopping by - all the best - TMF

[@MrVinnyh]

Simon's books are great aid to biking, suggest areas which you might not venture, like many areas around the country East Anglia can be different around every bend. great video

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Thanks Vince - haven't heard from you for a while...hope you're well?

[@MrVinnyh]

Just taken the f700gs to Fort William, Stayed at Portsonachan, Dalmally. had a great time despite the weather, The Spada jacket gave up the ghost, in trying to keep water out, ended up buying a BMW jacket double the price but far better.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Sorry to hear the weather didn't play ball (pants this year so far eh?)....hope you get the chance to use that jacket some more, expensive stuff!

[@antonoat]

Looked like a nice spot where you had lunch, would you recommend it? You were wearing that top again, Spiderman, I wish I had one, it's out there! lol. You must admit for a trip like this the GS would be hard to beat, I'm thinking it has to be up there as one of the most do it all bikes there are. Great video yet again. cheers tony

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

...yes that was a good lunch spot Tony, not sure I'd recommend it on value though - one pint of lager and a roast pork (no crackling!) for over £17 I thought was a bit steep....and yes you spotted the top again, I have three of those (made by Spyder) - they are made from some of that technical fabric that is very thin/light yet warm, brilliant when you're layering up. Can't disagree about the GS - it's why I have one :0) Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it...cheers - TMF

[@stevehughes1834]

Great video again, these are my local roads, know all of this route well and looking at a portion of them on my Garmin cycling downloads I can assure you there's a lot more elevation than you'd think...Bikers near the sheds will have come from the test center at Cardington.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Aha! Thanks for the local intel...

[@stevelampard]

These are my local roads. Can't say I've ever done this particular route all in one go, I usually travel these roads en route to somewhere further afield.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

You are a lucky chap to have so many great roads on your doorstep - why go anywhere else??? :0)

[@steve24822]

I like your bike chain at the end.

[@NSBECKETT71]

Took my mod2 at cardington , interesting place as the test centre is in the same grounds as the sheds. Impressive sight as you ride up to the test centre and they are right in front of you. Strange that the guy I was training with missed seeing them completely!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

What!! Hard to miss!!

[@itzajdmting]

Great looking roads! Hadn't heard of the Cardington Sheds - I'll have to swing by there one day. Stood about 100' below the Goodyear Blimp landing once. An interesting experience. Bloody steep angles those things t/o and land at. Shame you can't get a ride on one. However, I hear they do do corporate gigs.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Was that at White Waltham Rob?

[@itzajdmting]

+TheMissendenFlyer Nah, Pompano Beach, FL. They have one based there and a couple of other locations in the US.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Nice - I only mention it as our local field, White Waltham, used to host several airships, the Goodyear blimp being one of them....used to enjoy watching the take-off and recovery in action (not easy if the wind is anything but dead calm)....

[@itzajdmting]

Ahh very cool. Never seen any blimps at all over here. It's a shame really. I'd love to go up for a quick ride in one. Yeah I bet it can be pretty frustrating at times for blimp pilots, all those last minute cancellations due to the wind creeping up.

[@itzajdmting]

Hmmmm - maybe they're not as sensitive to the wind as I assumed. A bit of googling revealed: " Like any aircraft, the airship is affected by weather. Normally, we would not want to take off or land in winds exceeding 30 knots. Roughly speaking we would operate in conditions similar to those of a helicopter." Interesting.

[@alexmorgan3435]

Huntingdon is a dump. I've done a few rides out Oundle way, really nice cafes in the middle of the town and then up to Stamford, Oakham. Really nice countryside, glorious roads for riding when it's dry and sunny. Lots of bikes out that way on a sunday.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+Alex Morgan I actually bypassed Huntingdon so sounds like I didn't miss too much then! Agree that the rides around there are lovely, next time I'll check out the centre of Oundle for more lunch choices then! Thanks for watching Alex, all the best - TMF

[@UnionJxck]

Ay it goes through Huntingdon, I live there :)

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

....some great riding around there - lucky chap!

[@yaisak2317]

Well we've certainly seen the Airlander 'land' now

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Indeed :0) Would love to have been there for that....

[@RichDunn]

Did you ride the B660 Bedford to Kimbolton stretch why you were there? One of the best biking roads in Britain for sure...

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Err, can't remember....have to wait until Part 2!

[@superspotrc]

Have to agree, all the bikes go straight past my house... Kimbolton road is a great section

[@RichDunn]

When I lived in Bedfordshire, I used to rise early Sunday mornings in the summertime, just to ride it at 6:00 when there was nobody around. Thrashing a CBR600 down it was such fun. I picked up a new Monster 1200 R this week - that'd be a riot on that road! Lucky you living close by!

[@superspotrc]

Sunday morning is a nice time to ride it, not been riding for long so take it easy as I have a triumph sprint st so it a little heavy but still flickable.. just building up my route but off to france soon for the weekend so looking forward to that...

[@RichDunn]

I has a Sprint too and used to enjoy that on the B660 as well. Living in the states now, I get to ride the Tail of the Dragon (Google it) now and then, which helps make up for it. Enjoy France!

[@Bazza47]

Hi MF. I've got that book but not ridden any of the routes yet but this whets my appetite! As usual I have some questions as as you may remember I had a GS and rhe Nav5 too....So did you put the route on your Nav5 or rely on the map in your tankbag. If you used the Nav5 how did you do it, was it easy and do you have any tips. cheers Ade

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Hi Ade, good to hear from you again. I only use the SatNav as a very loose guide, I've had zero luck programming any routes into the thing and have now given up trying....fine for going from A to B but trying to force it around a route of your making, no chance...... :0(

[@lifeguard2564]

For a beginner, how terrifying is a motorway on a bike?

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Not hugely, mildly to begin with I'd say - depending on what bike you're on, how busy the motorway is and what the weather is doing....

[@Boodieman72]

Nothing like the English countryside and quaint villages.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Yeah, and they would be even better if the sun came out!

[@maltesermonster486]

Is this route available anywhere online. I've lost my book with it in

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Maybe on Simons website, perhaps?? Dunno...

[@nikoscosmos]

Give a thought to the R100 in the adjacent shed!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Good point!

[@nikoscosmos]

+TheMissendenFlyer quite something those airships, I recently visited the Zeppelin museum on Lake Constance..

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Now that sounds like my sort of day out!

[@addario]

Have you ever tried setting up the route on your satnav? I've tried a few times on my garmin using basecamp and it is just so much hassle and always seems to go wrong and tells me to make weird turns.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

I only use the SatNav as a very loose guide, I've had zero luck programming any routes into the thing and have now given up trying....fine for going from A to B but trying to force it around a route of your making, no chance...... :0( Thanks for watching!

[@thomasgeser8486]

to be honest the loop seems pretty boring. maybe it is just the flat landscape but it didn t look very exciting. thanks anyway for taking uns with you 😉

[@parexal]

Come the Isle of Wight :-)

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+Paul Williamson I'm always on the Isle of Wight - usually by wing rather than two wheels though :0)

[@neilmatthews007]

'Middle' of the country?!? :D

[@neilmatthews007]

for got to mention whilst teasing you - great video, love the sheds and the stuff about the airfields from WWII.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

well, ish....

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Glad you found it of interest Neil - thanks for watching and for stopping by - TMF

[@davidarchibald5578]

Very close to me on this one you could have had a brew lol

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

You should have said!

[@davidarchibald5578]

A bit difficult that one with not knowing your plans. You seem to have to much time on your hands like me. lol

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

:0) ...it's not possible to have too much time on your hands - I have way too little!

[@VileVeil]

when you said you were going back to Sandy after a long time I thought it was gonna be an ex-girlfriend! hee hee!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Ooh those disco pants!