Diary up to 31/12/02

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Due to having Kids and although I registered in July 01, I actually started some of the runs in late September - Early October 01, but didn't start the diary until January 02
 
14/1/02 - Did the runs 4/1,4/9,4/15,4/8 today, though I made a real cockup as I was supposed to do run 4/5 instead of 4/15, this really put me out of position to do the final run of the day which due to traffic must have put an extra 30 mins on my day. One big problem in this weather is the amount of spray off of the road, the visor is covered in minutes and the bike looks disgusting.
15/1/02 - runs 3/14,4/7,4/10 - much better today, started to see the sun though Barnes bridge station was chilly - still have a problem sometimes spotting those points!
21/1/02 - runs 4/5,4/11,4/12 and 4/16, not a very good loop to complete this list, but no major problems completing these runs. Less spray on the road and brighter - much better.
22/1/02 - After completing list 4 I laid out the runs for list 5. Nightmare! Although I am not in favour of making the Knowledge any easier, if the PCO are able to lay the runs down better than they are at present it has to be an improvement, some of the runs do not link up at all, so you have to spend half your time finding the start of the next run.
23/1/02 - Completed runs 5/11,5/10,5/13 and 5/7. Most of the morning was in the pouring rain, but this was a good loop and managed to complete it quite quickly, unlike the rest of list 5. Spotted all but one point.
28/1/02 - Completed runs 5/2,5/3,5/9 and 5/15 seemed like a long day in the saddle, met a nice KB in the pouring rain outside Rotherhithe police stn, and had a quick chat.
29/1/02 - Runs 5/1,5/4,5/12 and 5/16 including the run to Leyton Orient. But - nearly took a spill today as a bus driver let passengers off before the proper stop, just as I was passing. Don't know how I missed the girl as she stepped off and the front wheel slipped, but I managed to keep it up. Very lucky this time.
30/1/02 - Completed list 5/8,5/5,5/6 and 5/14 a good loop completed fairly quickly, but the third day on the trot is starting to wear on the body.
5-8/2/02 - Completed all sixteen runs off this list, Thursday & Friday were pretty miserable with the rain, but its nice to know I have nearly completed 100 runs, one thing I have started to notice is that more of the central London runs are starting to become familiar, so now when I mark out the run, I only tend to do the start and finish, although I will say most of  the outskirts are still a mystery to me.
14/3/02- completed 7/13,7/7,7/5 and 7/15  - 100 completed. B******** cold out there today, but another milestone passed
15/3/02 - completed loop 7/1, 7/8 twice (inc reverse) 7/2 and 7/10, struggled a little around Highgate and seemed a long day in the saddle
20-21/02/02 - completed loops 7/4,7/6,7/9 and 7/16 and loop 7/11,7/3,7/14 and 7/12, this proved to be a long day and the entrance to Praed st proved a little tricky to work out for the first time. I have now met up with a callover partner and we are on a similar run level, He is using the Knowledge point runs which are laid out completely different to Wizann, this may prove to be an advantage when point to pointing as it may give us different options when running the run 
4/3/02 - Completed runs 8/3,8/4,8/5 and 8/13. no real problems, Met up with my call over partner as well, as I have said, he is using Knowledge point runs, and it is surprising how different the runs are, but hopefully this may help, It certainly threw up some interesting points (why do they start the run from the Churchill Hotel, from Upper Berkley st? surely you pick up from Portman Sq?). Still good to start calling the runs with someone else.
18/3/02 - NIGHTMARE!!! had about 10 days off due to work commitments, and it was pouring down with rain, about 30 mins out the bike started to chug and loose power, so I had to cut my losses and try and get home, (boots started to leak as well). Waited till the bike dried out a little and started to phone round to see if anyone could look at the bike for me, but everyone was quoting 2-3 weeks!!!. On talking to the people at Keniston's in Romford they gave me a few ideas, plug - obvious, carburetor - not. Tried both with no success, but it felt like the choke was out, Keniston's said that they sometimes found that the mitts that fit over the grips stop the choke from going back properly, on checking, the choke was fully home, but the cable had come out of the holder by the grip, and kinked the cable, causing the choke to be on all the time, a little WD40 and a quick fiddle, and all appears well. Many thanks to the lads at Keniston's.
19-20/3/02 - Much better, bike now runs well again, no major problems although I found going round Peckham rye a bit confusing - then to try and get out again. 
26/3/02 - Completed list 8 with 8/9,8/10,8/11,8/12, with run 12 being another of those tricky runs with loads of little turnings to try and remember
27/3/02 - Started list nine with 9/1,9/8,9/6 and 9/4, some bits of these runs follow previous runs which has made calling them easier
28/3/02 - Runs 9/7,9/14,9/15 and 9/16 found Hampstead a bit of a pain to get round and find the points, a long day out there today. following calling over with my partner I have started to pay more attention to the points noting location, set down, what's opposite etc so that when I come to find them later I will have a bit of a clue as to what I am looking for.
4/4/02 - Runs 9/12,9/13,9/11 and 9/10. The weather is improving all the time, which certainly makes this seem, a little easier, found the run 9/11 from Mile end Hospital to North London Mag Court, tricky to call as I have not done a lot in that area yet.
I had a mail over the weekend from someone asking about disabled drivers studying for the knowledge, and it was not something I had considered before, but if  the person was able to get around reasonably well I could see no reason the PCO would not let someone take this on, as I have read of people studying the K from a car as a preference and its something I shall endeavor to find out.
9/4/02 - Completed runs 9/2,9/3,9/5 and 9/9 - a very strange day out on the bike, the roads were very quiet because of the funeral of the Queen Mum and observed my own two minutes silence in Beauchamp place at 11.30, obviously I could not get any were near story's gate (central hall) so I will have to go back and spot that later, also on the last run, had to detour round Whitehall to get over Westminster bridge from Trafalgar sq, but no big deal. R/H indicator decided to pack up - (more work) 
11/4/02 - The traffic made up for it today, that along with the demo in the middle of town. Runs 10/14,10/9,10/11and 10/15 done today, although the wizann mini map and other points along the way left me with a long list of points to post on the wizann Q&A board for extra info. One thought I am toying with at the moment is an aid to calling the blue book, is to record the runs on a series of Cd's and listen to them on a personal player as often as possible. As with songs you listen to on the radio, if you hear them often enough you can sing them from heart, will post how I get on. The Indicator turned out to be a earth fault, which was not helped by being supplied with the wrong size (wattage) bulb as a replacement which caused a different problem
12/4/02 -  Runs 10/13,10/7,10/10 and 10/12, no major problems today, although there was a bit too much distance between runs. I had the weekend off last week and although I took the runs with me I did not actually call any which extended for about a week and I must admit to struggling to pick them up again, it surprised me how quickly you forget things.
18/4/02 - Runs 10/16,10/4,10/1 and 10/2 no major problems although the end of Warwick rd was closed, which did make it a little awkward.
19/4/04 - Runs 10/3,10/8,10/5 and 10/6 not a very good loop this one, probably should have done run 5 before run 3, even had the police try and get me on a speed camera down the Fulham Palace rd - on a C90 - cheek!!!
26/4/04 - IT'S RAINING - had a very busy week at work so when I saw the rain this morning, I decided to give myself the day off, and concentrate on a bit of extra calling over, but I have been progressing with recording the blue book onto a CD and have completed the first disc which contains 80 runs, I had a little trouble getting a decent bit of software to record my voice and although I trawled the internet for a free program, I had to buy a full upgrade in the end as the program I found only had a forty second record time, I purchased a Goodmans CD player which allows me to play MP3 files (straight from the PC) so now where ever I go I can listen to the runs and call them at the same time, I have tried bits of paper in the car but found it a bit dangerous, will go out again on Monday even if it is raining ( List 11 does not layout and not very easy to complete, some long runs in there.  
29/4/02 - Runs 11/11,11/10,11/12 and 11/13 no major problems out today although I did miss a few points although the wind made it tricky - must start concentrating on calling the Blue Book more, I do feel that I have been letting it slip a little, but I hope having the Cd's will make it easier when stuck in the car
1/5/02 - I usually have about a 40 min journey into work and one and a half hours coming home, and have started to call the Blue book every day, while concentrating on the traffic, and have now started to work on the second Cd, runs 6-11
6&7/5/02 - runs 11/1,11/4,11/9 and 11/8, no particular problems here although it was difficult not to end up in the wrong part of town to finish. As it was a bank Holiday it was quiet on the roads, but a long day never the less
    Tue - A miserable day, but I decided to go out anyway, and it only cleared up and got sunny when I got home (typical) did runs 11/6,11/7,11/2 and 11/5 missed a couple of points, but otherwise no problems - used the Cd all week and apart from a few errors when recording the runs (which I can re-record) I have found using the Cd's helpful.
13/5/02 - Runs 11/3,11/16,11/14 and 11/15 what seemed like a long day out with a lot of backward and forwarding, and the drizzle which got worse as the day went on. Went totally downhill while on my way home and got my first rear wheel puncture, don't know what I drove over but the back end was wobbling all over the place, managed to get it to a petrol stn and tried to pump it up, but had to resort to the breakdown people in the end. He told me that he had never done a C90 before, and as It was pissing down I don't blame him. I do carry a spare inner tube but decided to let him get me home. Took about two hours to replace, nothing like working on a wet dirty bike!!!
14/5/02 - runs 12/4,12/10,12/9 and 12/12 - no major problems except round Canary Wharf could not find the Daily Telegraph and what was in the back of my mind was the printing plant down the road, checked it out and the registered offices are in the main tower, found the Canary Wharf website very helpful and added it to my links page for future reference.
14/6/02 - Completed runs 14/7,14/12,14/16 and 14/05 - No particular problems on this set, been a quiet couple of weeks due to my shift rotation, should start getting them done again next week.
29,30,31st May 02 - Completed Runs 13/2,13/4,13/14 and 13/3-- runs 13/5,13/7,13/6 and13 /1 and 13/10, 13/9,13/2 and 13/8, No particular problems this week, and It also meant that I hit the 200 run mark. Another milestone  - - - Only another 200 to go 
20,21,22/5/02 - runs 12/1,12/7,12/8 and 12/15--12/14,12/3,12/6 and 12/13-- then 12/2,12/5,12/16 and 12/11 No particular problems, a couple of points I could not find "pooh Corner" and had a problem with a no entry road at the end of 12/14 to Camden town hall, but managed to get around it
10,11/7/02 - due to my shifts at present I have not been calling over much with my partner and feel I have been going through quite a low spell, I think that hitting the 200 mark made me a bit complacent and I needed a kick up the a**e, On phoning my partner I found that he has been in the same boat and talking it over has convinced me to get out there therefore I was out on Wed and Thur completing list 14. Got pulled over by the police doing vehicle checks (it does make you wonder sometimes) and on Thursday hit Vauxhall cross at the same time the digger hit the water main sending water 10ft in the air (tested the wetsuit) this was all very funny until it started chucking rocks out at the same time, I got whacked in the leg, but you should have seen guys in their company cars as they realised what was happening and couldn't escape--there is a god!! 
1st 2nd &3rd July 02- Unable to get out at all this week as one of my boys have been off school with a bug, which puts a bit of a spanner in the works and puts me back a bit - still I have to remember what is important in life
16,17,18/7/02 - got out three times this week without too many problems, completed 12 runs from list 15
23/7/02 - Bike failed the MOT, apparently there is a washer the wrong way round, and I've got about four loose spokes on the C90! the washer is not a problem to change but not sure about the spokes - got 2 weeks to get it sorted
31/7/02 - The bike passed on its second attempt, a couple of turns on the spokes did the trick, I think that the "man" upstairs emptied his whole bath on me today, absolutely pi**ed down, fortunately I was completing my last run to Campden Hill Rd, But it still meant I had to cross London very damp, Completed 16/2, 16/16, 16/13 and 16/10 
1-2/8/02 - Completed list 16 without too many problems, Including the mini points map of Wandsworth, which proved a little tricky with the one ways and bus routes, still managed to get all the points done, another tick in the book
8/8/02 - 17/15,17/13,17/10 and 17/11 - Pretty quick route although a few points missed, no major problems
5/9/02 - With the school holidays and our own summer break, I have not completed any runs for a while, Took the Cd's with me so I was able to do a little revision, although as usual not enough, On checking what I have missed on the Wizann site I have the joys of trying to workout how to get round and call Trafalgar Square - back in the saddle next week.
27/09/02   - Took a week off work so this has enabled me to go out all week, no major problems although I did my first real emergency stop going along Ilderton Rd, one jerk in the traffic queue decided to do a three point turn as I was going along the outside, anyway I managed to keep the bike upright and avoided any damage, so I have completed 12 of the sixteen runs on list 19 and have passed the 300 mark, another milestone.
wizann sent the next set of updates which have proved to be useful, Trafalgar Sq has to be completed by them yet, so more to come
18/09/02 - It doesn't seem almost a year since I was up at the Carriage office having my chat, and it does seem a long way off, I have now completed list 17 and am having some problems with south east London (remembering the runs), lots more work to be done, looking at the list I have 28 more days out until I finish the runs so I will have to start thinking about the maps soon
4/10/02 - Completed list 19 with 19/1,19/14,19/2 and 19/10 - turned out to be a fairly good loop although it did mean I ended up on the wrong side of London and proved to be a long day, still no major problem. My shifts are now falling on the wrong end of the week at the moment so I will not be able to go out much for a couple of weeks, I still intend until the maps have been completed to avoid going out at weekends ( I still want some life!)
14/10/02 - Started list 20 with runs 20/10,20/6,20/2 and 20/3 no major problems today
15/10/02 - Bad week this week, My eldest caught a sickness bug that has been going around the school, so he had to have two days off, therefore had to cancel two days worth of runs, and to make it worse, I then picked it up from him and had to have a couple of days off work.
21-22/10/02 - Half term no runs 
23/10/02 - Runs 20/5,20/9,20/7 and 20/4, No major problems but I have noted its getting cold again, Time to put the muffs back on and get the ski socks out again.
28/10/02 - Runs 20/15, 20/14, 20/08 and 20/1. no major problem although I did forget my Mini map of Pangbourne ave, so looks like I will be paying that area another visit
30/10/02 - Completed List 20 in a day of drizzle and rain, one of those days when you are glad to get home, starting in Lewisham 20/12,20/11,20/13 and back to Crowndale Rd with 20/16
31/10/02 - Started List 21, - 21/15,21/08, 21/02 and 21/09 - much more pleasant day, with the sun shining
5/11/02 - School assemblies so no matter how much I want to go out, not a chance
6/11/01 - Rained all day - therefore used it to catch up and do some revision
7/11/02 - Runs 21/11, 21/6, 21/7 and 21/16 - a bit disjointed this set which took a long time to do, still no major problems
12/11/02 - Got very, very wet and cold with runs 21/12,21/10,21/3 and 21/13, after having wet feet all day, I've decided to invest in a pair of waterproof boots, but why is motorcycle stuff so expensive? - Have not come up with a good way of noting points down in the rain?
13/11/02 - Runs - 21/4,21/5,21/14 and 21/2, got caught in a very nasty traffic jam along St George's Rd at the junction with Lambeth Rd, Major traffic accident, all three services present with the fire brigade trying to cut someone out of their car, makes you wonder how these things happen sometimes
14/1/02 - Rain threatened all day, and I got it, Did runs 22/5,22/822/2 and22/11, a few missed points along the way, but a good day. 
20/11/02 - Almost a bonus day for me as I had just finished a night shift, but didn't sleep well, weather did not help and finally came home with only 3 runs done 22/10,22/7 and 22/16 missing 22/13 for a later date.
21/11/02 - My body clock is still out of wack, but managed 22/1,22/3,22/4 and the long 22/9, although a lot of this was covering old territory. Quite how I will get on when I am on appearances and night shift I do not know
25/11/02 - Picked up some kind of bug, raised temp, joint pains, couldn't get off the loo, so I had to right the whole week off, even felt too weak to do any revision, all I wanted to do was sleep.
6/12/02 - Started list 23 with 23/5,23/9,23/11 and 23/14, started to feel the cold today, looks like we are in for a long winter, noticed my two week lay off of calling has not done me any good with my call over partner, struggled with some of the runs
9/12/02 - Planned to catch up the remaining run from list 22, so had planned to do 22/13,23/15,23/3,23/4 and 23/16, but it was so cold that when I got to Millharbour I decided to head for home, I will patch on the run to Stratford next week, managed to get some bloke in a large 4x4 lock all his brakes up while heading up Silverthorne rd to North St, in a big cloud of smoke from his skidding wheels, he managed to miss me, Still I was stationary, indicating to turn right, but that would have been little consolation if I would have ended up a hood ornament on his bull bars.
One point, The Fog City visor is working a treat, does not steam up at all, the only problem today was that my sunglasses did!
16/12/02  - Completed runs 23/6, 23/7, 23/12 and 23/13 once again had intended to do the extra run 23/16, but with a late start and it started to get dark I headed for home, Did drop into Blacks In Holborn to buy some inner gloves and a set of Thermals - Its getting too cold!