The date of my pilgrimage to Enfield Road, Redditch, is set for next week. I’ve emailed the Birmingham Post, regional BBC and the Mail, and booked a day off work. I hope I’m blessed with some decent weather. I don’t mind the cold it’s the rain that makes it miserable. You’ve got to concentrate all the time, remembering that dislocation from the immediate physical effects of the weather that other drivers often have.
After a few Photos at Enfield Road, I’ll go for a cup of tea at a colleague’s house. I have to make a few checks before I go - top up the oil, check the plug and pump up the front tyre, which seems to have gone soft. I should assemble a roadside repair kit but what to take?
The motorcycle museum isn’t far from there and it would be nice to pop in to have a look at Ted Simon’s unwashed Triumph, the bike from Jupiter’s Travels.
I contacted Ted once, when I was the editor of jaguar-racing.com. He was planning his second round the world trip at the time and only seemed interested in raising money. I was a big fan and wanted to involve him in one of our events but came away a bit disappointed. I guess that can happen when you have expectations about people that you think you know when you really don’t.
I don't think he made it the second time round - I don't honestly know why he tried. It must be so hard to live up to your own reputation when you've done something so amazing. I think I'll stick with Redditch, for now.
