It takes almost two hours for me to drive to the service centre for my 300km checkup. Journey there was along A6, through Preston. Not busy, easy route.
Had some trouble locating the garage, as it is located in a rough industrial estate just south of the town. No sign: RAM raiders, the guy tells me, by way of explanation...
Few hours to kill so wander to town through bleak underpasses and past burnt sofas, dilapidated mills, boarded up churches... The new town centre is nice enough. I visited the museum and aquarium, killed some hours.
Taxi back and £20 later, I reclaim the bike. New oil, all checked and adjusted. Garage owner is cheerful, says he likes the bike - nice ride, handles well, he tells me.
Route back is through the trough of bowland.
As I leave it starts to rain, which makes the 45 minutes lost in blackburn, shortly afterwards, all the harder to bear. Rain, wind, cold, blown about, can't see, cowshit smeared lanes... for two hours... had enough when finally home....
Next service: 1000km.
