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Round the Edge 2011
Dave's Most Excellent Adventure
Over the past few months I had prepared my 1974 Puch Maxi S for the run including installing a fully rebuilt engine and a refurbished spare. Both had a completely new set of ignition components as that has been the Achilles Heel of this bike in the past. I carried all the usual spares plus a pile was at home to be posted if necessary.
I set off on 1 June with the aim to be back inside a month.
On day one, having covered 140 miles the fully rebuilt engine failed. It had a spark and fuel but would not run. Subsequently the fault was found to be either the condenser of coil giving too weak a spark.
My wife collected me from my overnight stay at a pub near Southampton and I fitted engine No 2 the next day and restarted my trip on 3 June.
My day at home did confuse the locals as they did not expect to see me for a month. I had a fantastic trip around the West Country camping each night at whatever camp site was convenient. Needless to say the bike provoked a lot of attention, not least from people of a certain age who recognised it from their youth. There was also the odd shout from youngsters along the lines of "what's that?" or something less polite. I was keeping as close to the coast as reasonable and I have to say some roads were just not reasonable.
The Maxi with a heavy load, despite reduced gearing, could only manage about 1 in 12. Also, downhill was sometimes a problem as the brakes were c**p. I made use of all the little ferries across estuaries and the price differentials were interesting. I think the price was set to reflect the savings in distance rather than the actual length of crossing or cost of running the ferry. Still they were fun.
I was averaging about 150 miles a day with fuel consumption in the region of 140mpg. Reserve would come on at 58 miles and I carried a spare litre of fuel to back up the 1 litre reserve. I was planning a proper green petrol can in Scotland to improve range but wanted to avoid the extra weight until necessary. Generally the trip was in sunny weather with just the odd shower. I didn't use the full waterproofs, just the lightweight trousers.
The Lizzard (most southerly point) was reached on day four as was Land's End. Postcards were sent from these milestones just in case the next one was not achieved. The run up the north coastline of the West Country was fantastic with wonderful views across the Severn estuary and eventually Wales came into view.
The sixth day from Minehead to Wales was windy but the old Severn Bridge was open and I was able to use the cycle path. There was a quick stop for the obligatory picture at the border sign before a run along the north coast of the estuary.
All was fine and I was just to the west of Cardiff, looking for a campsite near Barry, when the bike began to rattle badly under load. I stopped at a convenient point near a B&Q to check and found the small end to be somewhat looser than an interference fit. The time was now 18.00 and I generally didn't like riding after 17.00 as punctures etc would mean a very late arrival at a suitable campsite.
I had two options.
The first would be to find accommodation and wait for the first engine to be sent on. I could then swap the electrics to see if a runner could be made. However I was not certain as to the fault with it and it could have been a failed seal. Furthermore this would have taken about three days and been expensive.
I therefore chose the easy option and had the AA take me and the bike home. I had, sensibly, joined them for all of £69 just for this eventuality. Apparently the AA office had some doubts as to my authenticity as I couldn't possibly have ridden 180 miles or so to Cardiff. The chap that turned up, on seeing the bike and my photos did believe me; even that I had done close on 1000 miles.
It was now the 8 June and I arrived home at midnight. I did consider having a go at fixing the bike the next day and returning to Cardiff to resume my trip but that would have meant completion stretching well into July which was not really an option for family reasons.
The total mileage over eight days was 997 with 917 being around the coast and the balance being the more direct return to the first breakdown. It was great fun and physically the new soft saddle and cycling shorts did the necessary with the nether regions. I may pick up where I left off next year but poor brakes and hill climbing ability makes it a chore compared to, say, a sports moped.
Oh, having swapped electrics, the Maxi runs OK on engine No 1 and I'm looking to fit a new bush to the small end of engine No 2.
You see I am getting prepared already.
LOADED MAXI
THE OFFICIAL START LINE
PAGHAM BEACH
BOSHAM HARBOUR
PORTSMOUTH FROM THE NORTH
A GOOD PLACE TO BREAKDOWN ON DAY 1
HYDE PIER
 TENT AND MAXI |
 VIEW FROM FIRST CAMPSITE (LYMINGTON) TO NEEDLES |
 PATH TO PUB AT LYMINGTON |
 SANDBANKS FERRY |
 CORFE CASTLE |
 WEYMOUTH BAY |
 CHESIL BEACH |
 STEEP HILL OUT OF SIDMOUTH |
 DAWLISH |
 BRIXHAM HARBOUR |
 HIGHER FERRY AT DARTMOUTH |
 LOOE HARBOUR |
 FOWEY FROM FERRY |
 LAST OF LARGE SHIPS ON LAYOVER AT FALMOUTH |
 FALMOUTH HARBOUR |
 FALMOUTH |
 MEVAGISSEY HARBOUR |
 MEVAGISSEY OUTER HARBOUR |
 PORTMELION |
 ROCKS NEAR THE LIZZARD |
 LAND'S END |
 LONELY ROAD NEAR TO ST IVES |
 ST IVES |
 HAYLE ESTUARY |
 BRIDGE BUILT BY VICAR AT WADEBRIDGE |
 PORT ISAAC |
 DOC MARTIN'S HOUSE AT PORT ISAAC |
 PORT GAVERNE NEAR PORT ISAAC |
 ATLANTIC COAST |
 LISTENING POST |
 BIDEFORD |
 LYNTON |
 TYPICAL WHITE ROAD HILL |
 CLEVEDON PIER |
 WEST END OF OLD SEVERN BRIDGE |
 NEWPORT TRANSPORTER BRIDGE |