Why I Like Bike people
Just had a lovely experience which restored my faith in humanity (and bikers particularly) whilst returning from Bordeaux last Saturday.
About 4.00pm I pulled off the motorway about 20 miles North of Le Mans to get a coffee and stretch the legs. As I slowed up I heard nasty noises coming from the back wheel and when I pulled up in town a couple of miles up my worst fears were confirmed - the chain was just about to die. I have never seen a chain where you could get a biro between the sprocket teeth and the chain!!!
While examining the chain I was approached by a pleasant lady and then her husband who asked if I was in trouble and could they help. I showed him the chain as it turns out he is a mechanic (aero) and has a Jota and a Rickman Honda). Before I know what's going on they have me back at their farm (they moved to France to buy and renovate the farm) I am introduced to their two lovely daughters, four cats and two dogs and he's phoning Ducati dealers to source original sprockets and several other dealers for a suitable chain (would you believe the Duke dealers had the sprockets for an ST4s in stock but no chains?) Anyway he sources a chain and got both dealers to stay open late whilst he drove me 20 miles to Le Mans and back to buy the bits.
He then helped me fit the kit and I finally left about 9.30pm. I can't imagine my recovery service getting me up and running same day that late on a Saturday afternoon in this country, let alone France. What a great family, my faith in human nature fully restored (I couldn't even get them to take any money for the petrol he used to collect the parts) and I now have an open invitation to drop by anytime I am in the area - and only 20 miles from the Circuit what a result!