Born Again Biker

Appropriate Clothing

2017-07-07T16:26:00.000+01:00

I'm very wary about writing this following a massive amount of abuse received when the subject has been broached before. However, as I become somewhat of an elder statesman in this pastime of ours I feel an obligation to pass on knowledge.

I have been asked before by what authority or qualification do I make these comments so let's tackle that one right here and now. My authority comes from my being an old git with a high degree of concern for my fellow man and in particular my fellow bikers. My qualification is the amount of time I have spent on the roads on two and four wheels, the number of accidents I have been witness too and the number of friends I have lost. My concern is genuine and I have your best interest at heart. You don't have to like it, you don't have to follow it but you ignore me at your peril and in the full knowledge of the consequences.

This is all prompted by one of the worst case of stupidity I have ever seen from a biker. Yesterday as I drove from Harrogate back to my home in Hampshire I saw a young biker on a sports bike on the M1 motorway wearing nothing more than helmet, shorts and trainers. The temperature was around 32 degrees Celsius so I can understand the motivation but seriously, we were on a road with multiple road works taking place so there was gravel being thrown up and the road surface was less than perfect. My blood ran cold.

If you understand the point I'm trying to make then no explanation is necessary. If you don't get it then no explanation will be sufficient.

Let me leave you with this thought.

Flesh erodes at 10mm per metre as you slide down the road.

If you going to dress in this manner please do somewhere I'm not. If I never see another accident it'll be too soon and I never want to see another dead biker. Wear proper kit and tilt the odds in your favour as far as you can.

What if you couldn't ride ?

2016-10-16T17:20:00.000+01:00

A strange thing to ponder perhaps but what would you do if you couldn't ride ? This somewhat maudlin line of thinking has been brought on by a couple of unconnected events over recent months that have given me cause to consider this rather unpleasant prospect.

The first was when a man I have great respect for announced that he was selling his beloved cruiser because a few incidents had dented his confidence. Now I can understand where he's coming from given his misfortunes on motorcycles leading to the loss of a leg as a result of an accident. Since then, despite numerous set-backs including suffering from PTSD, he has achieved so much. Getting back on anything resembling a motorcycle was a remarkable achievement, progressing from a trike to two wheels was nothing short of miraculous and worthy of great respect and admiration. However, a couple of incidents with motorists, not of his making, have had a profound affect on his outlook leading to his giving up on motorcycling. There's no criticism implied or otherwise just a sad reflection on the outcome of unfortunate events that have led to a treasured friend giving up a much loved activity.

Then there's myself. For a few years now I have had the dubious pleasure of suffering from gout. This came about following much surgery as a result of injuries sustained in non-biking activities. Through careful doctor guided experimentation I now have a regimen that has meant I haven't suffered an attack for a while now. But then the weather changed rather rapidly. In case you don't know gout is a form of arthritis and is usually brought on by an excess of purines in the diet. However, it is arthritis and in my case I have noticed that rapid changes in barometric pressure can also trigger great miscomfort...and that's where I find myself today and why I am pondering this uncomfortable question.

So what would you do if you couldn't ride. I'm at a loss for an answer, I really don't know, but I do know that something I hold very dear and enjoy beyond words would be missing from my life. There would be a huge void that would need to be filled by something, but what ?

What is it to be a biker ?

2016-02-10T12:31:00.001+00:00

I've been reading a few things in the biking press and on Facebook recently about what makes you a biker. There was a response in one online magazine to a letter from one reader who dismissed all biking activity beyond that involving metric cruisers, there are numerous pieces that seem to dismiss people as bikers if they don't ride in all weather or belong to a club. To be honest I'm starting to get a little hacked off by it all, a bit like to editor of the online magazine. So, let's consider what it is to be a biker.

I agree totally that all who ride bikes are not bikers. It goes beyond the physical act of riding a motorcycle to be a considered a biker but does it mean you have to belong to a club/gang or ride in all weather or ride a certain type of motorcycle. In my considered opinion it absolutely does not. So what is it that makes a biker. One of the things that makes motorcycling so appealing is the community. It is true that no matter where you go in the world, if you ride a bike then you have friends and there will be someone you can rely on to offer help should you need it. This is special and an almost unique feature of bikers. You never pass a fellow biker who has broken down even if you just check they're OK. We look out for each other, it's a brotherhood, it doesn't matter if you know the other personally, the fact that they ride a bike is enough. The bike they ride is irrelevant, scooter, small bike, big bike, cruiser, sports bike, tourer, they all have two wheels and that's all that matters. It's the very diversity that makes riding bikes so compelling. It doesn't matter if you're a weekend warrior or if you ride every day in every weather. It's your way of thinking and the way you act that makes you a biker, nothing else.

In my experience there are many people riding bikes who wouldn't stop to help a fellow rider, who don't partake in the community. These people may well ride a lot and may ride in all conditions but they are riders, not bikers. It may be a sweeping generalisation but my observation is that they are largely, but not exclusively, from the younger generations. I don't want to tar all with the same brush, there are many older bikers who look down on those riding 125s or scooters forgetting that we all started there, they're not bikers either, but as a rule it does hold true and is a reflection of a wider social trend. I'm happy to say though that I have come across a number of noticeable exceptions to that rule which is encouraging.

I guess the most important thing is to realise that we all have different motivations and reasons for doing what we do. It doesn't make us right or wrong, just different. Can't we just accept that and get on with it. Why do we all have to comply with a single set of rules, why can't we just live and let live. I know what I think is important and what I hold dear about riding bikes. I also accept that others may have different ideas that don't fit my ideal and that I may not actually like or approve of. That doesn't make me either right or wrong, just different. So long as they also accept the same of me then it's all good. So come on guys, let's just ride our bikes and get on with enjoying our bikes no matter what form that might take.

Riding with a pillion

2016-01-17T08:17:00.001+00:00

I suppose it's a bit bizarre really, motorcycling is a fairly insular activity after all, but I do enjoy riding with a pillion. I can't say I'm one for partying much anymore preferring my own company and a bit of peace and quiet. At best the company of a few good friends rather than a crowd of people I barely know. That's the trouble with getting a bit older, you learn the difference between friends and acquaintances. I've reached that point of realising that real friends are few and far between, I treasure their company and can't be bothered with the others. So you would have thought riding alone would have been perfect for me. No, the gods have played a trick on me, I'm never happier than when I have my wife sat on the back. That's not to say I don't enjoy riding alone, I do, it's just that its so much better having somebody I care for to share the experience with.

The bike is fitted out with an intercom so we could chat away but strangely we don't. Indeed there are days when I think she has fallen asleep there's so little going on. The truth is we're both just enjoying the experience as if we were riding alone. I'm a lucky man really, we're very close anyway but even better we share the same love of motorbikes and motorsports. Sharing 'the ride' is almost spiritual, we get to see wonderful places in a way so few people do these days using a method of transport we both love. It's special and it's just for us.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not a hermit or especially antisocial. As you can see from older posts I'm more than happy at large gatherings like The Ride To The Wall, but that's different. That's a bunch of like minded bikers gathered together by a common cause, it's a brotherhood thing and really quite special. Riding with my pillion is personal, selfish if you like. I'm sharing an experience that is special for me with somebody who is special to me. It just seems so right.

Riding a bike in London

2016-01-10T09:56:00.000+00:00

For my many sins I work in London. However, I live in rural Hampshire so, like so many others these days, I have a substantial commute to deal with every day, a 164 mile round trip in my case. I had three potential transport options to choose from; I could drive the car in; I could avail myself of public transport or I could ride my bike in. Naturally I felt obliged to try all three in the interests of a truly objective assessment.

The trip to the office entails a stretch up the M3 and around the M25 to the A3 before heading into London and the office just south of Tower Bridge.

The Car
Not my favoured option having friends 30-40,000 mile a year for the last 20 years but it had to be considered. Roadworks aside the first 70 miles are fairly easy but then you hit the suburbs. Suffice to say it could take as long to travel the last 12 miles as it did the first 70. In the end I couldn't reliably complete the journey in less than 2 1/2 hours in each direction. Not acceptable.

Public Transport
Now this really didn't appeal. An hour ten minute train journey into Waterloo followed by either the underground or a bus through to the office. In total it amounts to a 1 1/2 hour trip in each direction. That's more like it.

The Bike
My favoured option. I have a lovely BMW R1200RT which should be perfect for the trip. All being equal I should be able to get around any hold ups on the motorways and with you being able to ride down the bus lanes in most of London now that last 12 miles should be much easier than I the car, and so it turned out but for one tiny fly in the ointment. Cyclists. This really surprised me. In the past I had the pleasure of working for a Dutch company. As a result I have driven through Dutch cities where cyclists have priority over all other traffic, and it works very well. So long as you know the rules there are no surprises, the cyclists know where they are supposed to be as do motorists. Everyone respects everybody else's space and it all works very well. This was pretty much what I was expecting in London...how wrong could I be ! As a member of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) I'm well aware of the issues of two wheeled accident rates in London and the steps being taken to overcome those. I'm also aware of the blatant prejudice against powered two wheelers. What I wasn't prepared for was the immense and incredible stupidity of the vast majority of cyclists in the city. The number of traffic violations I witnessed would have kept the courts busy for years had they been prosecuted. If the police could reliably identify the culprits they wouldn't need speed cameras for revenue generation ever again. Legalities aside the levels of stupidity I witnessed actually scared me. I would be riding down a road approaching traffic lights and would get mobbed by a gaggle of cyclists coming from every possible direction. Sat at the lights it was nothing to have 15-20 of them pulling across my front wheel. Why ! Do they really think they can beat a 110HP 1200cc motorcycle away from the lights, seriously. Even when making reasonable progress through heavy traffic I would suddenly find a cyclist appear without warning and without them looking cutting across my path as if I didn't exist. The number of incidents were far to any to mention, suffice to say the car drivers were the least of my worries. There were, of course, all the usual car related incidents with a few pulling out from junctions across my nose and others simply not paying attention but these were of the usual frequency. The cyclists struck fear into my heart. If this is how they behave in London I'm surprised the accident statistics aren't far worse than they are. Given the current state of behaviour it won't matter what TFL do to protect cyclists, there's simply no cure for being stupid.

So there you have it. My preferred method for getting to work would be by motorcycle, but as a result of the most unexpected group of fellow two wheeled road user behaviour I'm scared. As a result I use public transport at a horrendous annual cost. My question to all road users in the UK is this. Why are we so competitive on the roads. Over the years I have observed road users in many countries. Whilst we're not the worst I've seen, we are surely amongst the worst for aggression. In London if cyclists were to behave a little more like their Dutch counterparts we would all be safer. For now I will avoid riding in the city, it's just too much of a risk even if it does cost me money by not doing so.

Take care out there.

Why do you ride ?

2016-01-02T19:24:00.002+00:00

A profound question maybe but it's one that fascinates me and many others. The biking demographic has changed dramatically over the years. At one time the majority of people on motorbikes were working class people who could not afford a car but needed transport for work and the family in an ever more mobile world. However, as time has gone by and we have become more prosperous car ownership has increased and the motorcycle has taken a backseat as the preferred method of transport for the average man in the street. As a result motorcycling has predominantly become a leisure activity.

These days the average biker is an over 40 over achiever with a few quid to spare on big boys toys i.e. a motorbike.

My own experience pretty much follows this pattern. The first bikes in my stable back before I got married was there as cheap transport for getting to work from my home a few miles outside of town. As life progressed I got married, kids came along, money wasn't not quite such a problem and the bike went by the way. 25 years later I'm back on a bike! Why ?

For me it was a case almost of necessity. I'd reached a point in my career that was extremely stressful. The company I worked for was being bought by a huge Japanese corporation, I was having to make members of my team redundant and my personal workload was increasing by a ridiculous amount. Purely by chance I ended up at Silverstone promoting an event with my brother who asked me when I last rode a bike. To cut a long story short I was handed the keys for a Honda VFR800 and spent a very enjoyable couple of hours riding around the perimeter track. That reawakened my love of two wheels and reminded me of the intensity of the experience. From there I ended up buying another bike and have been riding ever since. It wouldn't be over stating the case to say riding saved me from a breakdown and has brought my wife and I even closer. I love being out there and being part of the world I ride through rather than a spectator watching the world pass by my windscreen. I love the fact that my wife always wants to come with me and share the experience. The peace and enjoyment riding brings me is invaluable, it's just so involving. Add to that the sense of community you just don't get in any other group of people I've ever met and it's difficult to imagine a good reason not to ride.

For me it is true to say that 4 wheels move the body but 2 wheels move the soul.

So, my question to you is why do you ride ?

Please leave your comments, I'm really interested to know what appeals to you. Is your bike your daily transport out of choice or necessity. Do you ride for fun, on your own or with a group. Tell us how you got involved in the first place and what your biking aspirations are...

Happy New Year - What have you got planned for 2016 ?

2016-01-02T19:21:00.001+00:00

Here we are again, another new year dawns. 2015 was interesting but not as great a biking year as we had hoped. That's not to say it wasn't good, but as so often happens for most of us, it just didn't go quite to plan. So here we are, the first day of a new year. What have you got planned for the coming months ?

As bikers of 'a certain age' a lot of the usual biker activities don't really hit the spot anymore. Instead of the greasy spoon for a cup of mediocre coffee, a more comfortable place that serves a good cup of coffee is preferable. Instead of racetrack like routes a more scenic, sweeping road is more fun. You know what I mean, don't deny it, you do the same thing.

What to do then. I have a few ideas...

Last year we ventured into the world of touring and had enormous fun. The trips we made were all short, generally long weekends, and all within the UK. What we learnt was that there are some wonderful roads and beautiful places to visit without having to leave the country or spend days and weeks away from home. Some of the places we visited were made really special by the people we met and the outstanding hospitality we received. 2016 will most definitely hold more of the same and we will venture further afield. Wales, The Lake District and maybe even Scotland are all on the cards with wonderful routes and recommendations readily available from bike magazines such as Ride. If you haven't already I highly recommend you give it a go, it's great fun.

Motorcycle racing is incredibly exciting and we are spoils for choice in the UK. The season starts in March with meetings up and down the country every weekend. British Super Bikes (BSB) is one of the best racing series in the world and it's all ours. I have been before and can highly recommend a visit. The racing is fast, furious and exciting, oh yes the company is pretty good as well. After last years fantastic series the 2016 series promises to be even better. Give it a go, there's something for everybody.

Another thing on the bucket list is to go to a rally. This is something we've always wanted to do but never quite made it so this year it is a must. As a MAG member I feel duty bound to attend one of the fund raising events run for the benefit of MAG so we are looking at The Farmyard or Stormin the Castle rallies. I'm really very excited about the prospect of this trip, it's a venture into the unknown but with a bunch of likeminded friends it's practically guaranteed to be a fun and successful weekend.

Another relatively regular charity run for us is the Ride To The Wall (RTTW). Bikers are the most giving and generous group of people you could wish to meet and when that spirit is combined with a charity that supports the armed forces it's an unbeatable combination. RTTW supports the National Memorial Arboretum and is the most moving event you will ever attend. Around 10,000 bikes turn up with going on for 20,000 people. Many are serving or former servicemen along with civilians like ourselves come to pay tribute to our fallen servicemen of all branches and conflicts. There's nothing quite as moving as seeing thousands of hairy bikers with tears in their eyes stood in silence remembering fallen comrades. If you ever had any doubts that your support is appreciated by serving servicemen try reading the comments left on the RTTW website or Facebook page.

These are a few things we intend to get involved in this coming year. What will you be doing ? Leave a comment and share your ideas. We might even meet somewhere on the road. Whatever you decide to do, we wish you a very happy and eventful biking 2016. Ride safe.

Brackley Festival of Motorcycling

2011-08-25T10:21:00.002+01:00

Three years in and the festival just gets better and better. This event is pretty much unique: attendance this year was in the region of 12,000 to 15,000; it is run entirely by volunteers for the benefit of charity and is designed to promote the family side of motorcycling. Brackley High Street is closed to form one arena with the local school fields providing space for fun fair, food stalls, displays and traders stalls. Attractions include stunt shows by the likes of Kevin Carmichael, custom bike show and historic racers to name but a few. You'll find major manufacturers like Harley Davidson, Yamaha and Ducati displaying their wares and offering test rides as well. All in all it is a massively successful event with something for everybody. It is my pleasure to volunteer as a marshal every year as well as being related to one of the organising committee. If you want a great day out for all the family you could do a lot worse that get the date in your diary for next year (19th of August in case your curious!). If in doubt as to how much people enjoy the event, take a look at the Facebook page.

With any luck I'll see you there.

Silverstone WSBK

2011-08-05T21:33:00.000+01:00

Last weekend was magic. Silverstone World Super Bikes and messing with great company on the Brackley Festival of Motorcycling (www.bfom.co.uk) stand.
It struck me that my re-awakening to the joys of motorcycling took place one year ago at the very same event. This year was marked by fantastic conversations with bike fanatics from all over the UK. Awsome ! It does constantly amaze me that just about every biker out there is such a friendly, warm human being. It re-affirms my faith in the human race to know that wherever I go, so long as there are bikers there, I have friends. What a wonderful world it is.

Oh and by the way, it's the Brackley Festival of Motorcycling on Sunday 21st August. It's a brilliant family event all in aid of charity with thousands of lovely people and loads of bikes. Check it out and I hope to see you there.

Out on the road again

2011-07-01T17:15:00.000+01:00

After a few weeks where life managed to get thoroughly in the way of my play activities I finally managed to get out on Jessica again today. Some might say it was not the best thing I could have done, it was our 22nd wedding anniversary after all, but what the hell, herself was working anyway.
Todays trip was down to the coast again, this time to Lulworth Cove in Dorset. I sure I went there as a kid but can't say I really sure. What a gorgeous place it is though. Riding down some great roads from Salisbury to Blandford Forum with characteristically little traffic was a joy. It went a bit pear shaped at that point when I managed to get lost but that only added to the fun trying to find myself again. The cove itself is stunning. The facilities great and the rum and raisin ice cream a rare treat. Jessica performed flawlessly as usual but I can't believe how much I ache now..and it was only a 160 mile round trip !

and the Numpty of the month prize goes too....

2011-06-12T15:09:00.001+01:00

ME !

OK I admit it. It was me who filled the bike up with diesel. The result being nearly two hours at the side of the road draining the tank and a beautiful blue cloud of smoke when I did eventually got it started again. Fortunately draining the fuel filter and having good old fashioned carburetors without a fuel pump meant it was not too difficult a job to fix. So before anybody else officially nominates me I thought I had better do it myself !

1st time out together

2011-05-22T18:02:00.000+01:00

And the plan starts to come together. One of the reasons for wanting to get back into biking was to give the Old Dragon and I something we could do together. We were both very much into bike before we met so it seemed like a logical thing to do. Today, for the first time, we ventured out on the GSX for a little run to Loomie's. This was the first time for 25years as a pillion for the poor old dear and I'm so happy it proved to be a great success. Now the rest of the summer is going to be huge fun.
Next week we're off to the seaside for fish & chips !

Ride-out to Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum

2011-05-13T18:32:00.000+01:00

Good news, the knee held up and I made it out on the bike. Hurrah !

It took some thinking about but in the end I decided it was time I visited the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum. The run down through Romsey, Cadnam and Lyndhurst was wonderful. The sun shone, it was warm enough and for the best part the traffic was light. It gave me the chance to try out some techniques I read about on Visordown regarding relaxed riding. It's brilliant, no achy shoulders or wrists and much smoother bike control.
Anyway, back to the museum. Sammy has put together an amazing collection of bikes dating right back to the beginning of the last century. There are some stunning examples of legendary marques that I had only previously read about. There's more modern kit as well. The scary bit was that I've ridden some of those. Now that really does make you feel old when you see bikes in a museum that you remember riding.

If you fancy a ride-out through some gorgeous New Forest scenery I can recommend this as a destination. The collection is fascinating. Even better the coffee shop is a revelation. You must try the home made ginger cake. Outstanding.
Another great day out on the bike !

Stress & MOT's

2011-05-10T18:54:00.000+01:00

The MOT was due this month, I hate it when that happens !

This is the first since I got the GSX so was a bit of an unknown quantity...and it failed. I was not best pleased. The bike is an import, which I knew, and it turns out it still has the Euro spec headlight. Now it was a dealer that imported it and I thought they were obliged to change things like headlights if that was the case. Not to mention the fact that I have a whole bunch of previous MOT pass certificates ! Is there no consistency in these tests any more ? The other thing was 'excessive travel of the front brake lever'. Of course had the tester just changed the span adjuster he would have found out there was no such thing. Is it me or is there a lack of common sense amongst officialdom.

Anyway, enough ranting. All sorted now and a day off on Friday. Just got to decide where to go. Maybe a visit to little brother up around Silverstone, or shall I go see the sea ? Decisions decisions, why is life never easy.

Loomies Ride-Out

2011-05-01T18:00:00.000+01:00

Curiosity got the best of me today. I've seen links to the Loomies on the Weyhill Riders website along with pictures in the gallery and, as it isn't that far away from home, decided I just had to go there.

Loomies is a family run Café frequented by many many bikers and car drivers on the cross-roads of the A272 and A32 at West Meon in Hampshire and a oft used destination for club bike runs. The A272 is a cracking bike road but be careful, especially on Bank Holidays, the Police patrol it with great diligence. In fact it was along this road on a Bank Holiday that I picked up the only points on my licence in 30 years of motoring. On arrival I had a chat with a lovely lady biker who told me, despite the100-150 bikes in the car park, that today was a quiet day! The previous week the wasn't room at all in the car park. The staff were very welcoming and, as usual, the biking community made all welcome and I had a great chat over coffee. If you're ever in the are, drop by. It's well worth it.

Life on a bike is good

2011-04-22T15:48:00.000+01:00

Good Friday bank holiday and the Old Dragon says 'Why don't you get out on the bike'....gob smacked or what. I wasn't going to let an opportunity like that pass though so off I went. Trouble was I didn't have anywhere to go planned so we started with a basic premise that I wanted to see the sea. Now, living in Hampshire you're fairly spoilt for choice there so I started with a fun road to ride down towards Romsey and Totton. And there I was at Calshot with a huge grin on my face having had great fun putting into practice riding tips gleaned from my little Brother.

One of the reasons I wanted to return to biking was as a way of escaping and dealing with my stress. For my sins I have a job that has more than its fair share of that. So far I have been out on three relatively minor trips all of which have been massively enjoyable and have very effectively taken me away from the daily grind. I have met some wonderful people, seen some lovely places and always come back with a silly grin. I am now firmly of the opinion that motorcycling is in fact the greatest leisure activity ever invented and should probably be made available on the NHS....now there's an idea, I quite fancy the job of Minister for Motorcycling !

Calshot on Good Friday...it really was a very good Friday !

Play Day

2011-04-17T08:38:00.004+01:00

Victory Cross Country

Yesterday was a brilliant day. Having been thoroughly converted to cruisers, little brother and I visited the Thunder Road demo day at the Arrow Mill Hotel not far from Stratford-on-Avon. A very enjoyable day ensued riding around on various flavours of Victory bikes. The Vegas 8-Ball was interesting ! I'm not sure that really suits me, and the Cross Country was a revelation. This is easily the largest bike I've ridden, equipped with panniers, top box and an armchair for the pillion passenger. Much to my surprise it handled beautifully and was a joy to ride. Running boards took a bit of getting used too, but that's a minor point. It was remarkably comfortable, the huge V-twin is just so sexy and I had visions of loading up the old Dragon and heading out across Europe. Now, how am I going to get that many pennies in the same place at the same time ?

Easy Rider !

2011-04-09T14:19:00.000+01:00

Victory Hammer

In my time I have had the good fortune to ride many different types of bikes. I've ridden sports bikes, street fighters, naked bikes, touring types and adventure bikes (what we used to call trailies) but I've never ridden cruisers. Until last week that is when I was offered a quick blast on a 2011 Victory Hammer.

Wow, what a bike. I had worried on my return to biking I would return to my wilder inclinations to 'ride it like I stole it' tendencies of my earlier days. I pleased to say that hasn't been the case but there is still a temptation to make relatively rapid progress. However, the Victory cures all that. The feet forward relaxed and supremely comfortable seat encourages biking at a far more leisurely pace. The gorgeous 106ci V twin engine (that's 1731cc in metric) lopes along making the most wonderful music and you just watch the world pass by. I could really get used to this, a whole new biking experience opens up before me and I finally get the whole Harley thing. The Victory is in a different league though so far as quality engineering is concerned which is also something very appealing to me. I need one, just got to convince the old dragon now !

Ride of Respect 2011

2011-04-05T19:02:00.003+01:00

I have always had a thing about supporting forces personnel who have served their country so when the opportunity to pay my respects and raise some money for the Afghan Heroes charity came along I jumped at it. It was only made better by the fact that I could combine this with a run on the bike and a get together with my brother. As expected the biker fraternity turned out in force with approximately 10,000 bikes and a further 3,000 pillion passengers in attendance. The atmosphere was terrific, the patriotism refreshing and the emotion very genuine. I admit it bought a tear to my eye and a lump throat riding through the villages surrounding Wootton Bassett, sorry that would be Royal Wootton Bassett. There were many onlookers clapping and waving flags in support of the ride. And as for the run through the town centre, well, that nearly finished me off. Never have I been so grateful for a full face helmet. Congratulations to all the bikers who took part in this and similar rides around the country. You are, as I remembered from my younger days, the most genuine and likeable bunch of people I have ever had the privilege to associate with. Respect to our troops and bikers, true Brits every one.

The new bike

2011-04-05T18:49:00.000+01:00

Well I say new, it is in fact a 12 year old Suzuki GSX600F, and what a beautiful bike it is. I remember these when the were originally launched and quickly labelled the 'teapot'. It is one of those designs you either love or hate. Fortunately I love it and always have. This particular example has, and continues to be, a much loved machine, it is immaculate and an absolute pleasure to ride. I look forward to much fun over the coming months as I indulge my burgeoning mid-life crisis.

Got there at last !

2011-04-05T18:41:00.000+01:00

The weather over December and January was fun wasn't it ! All sorts of nasty stuff conspired to prevent me finally pocketing the full licence until March 2nd...but I got there with not so much a a minor mark to my name. My thanks go to Luke at Rider Training in Brackley for some brilliant instruction and also to Steve and Paul for their company, advice and superb banter. The Direct Access course not only got me the licence I have longed for but was also the most fun I've had in years. Thanks Chaps.

Reawakened

2010-12-31T15:10:00.000+00:00

Many years ago, as a rebellious teenager I rode many a mile on a motorbike. It was a great joy that I have never truely got over or been able to forget. However, due to lack of funds I never did get around to taking my full licence. Subsequent years brought career, family, responsibilitiies etc etc and so motorcycling interests were forced into the background where it remained dormant.....until the Summer of 2010 that is.

A visit to Silverstone to help my brother promote the Brackley Festival of Motorcycling put an end to that. During the quiet period I was handed the keys to a gorgeous Honda VFR800 and told to play around the perimeter track. My interest has now been well & truely reawakened. Where will it all end up ? Who knows but watch this space to find out !