When and why did you develop an interest in riding a motorcycle? When I was junior school age, I saw Barry Sheene racing on the TV and how passionate he was about his race, how exciting motorbiking was and I was hooked.
How old were you when you first rode a bike? I was about fourteen. I had a part time job in a garage and one of the mechanics had a Honda 250 that he let me ride around the garage compound.
I started riding bikes when I was 19, first on a Honda 250 Super Dream, which was a bit of a surprise to my Mum!! (Apparently, I had been told for several years not to get one). I really enjoyed getting used to riding around and getting used to the performance, but many bikes later I had recalibrated my idea of performance, I’m currently riding a Blackbird and a Blade.
Of the bikes you’ve ever owned which was your favourite if you had one? My favourite bike, is my Honda Super Blackbird, closely followed by my Fireblade. For me the Blackbird is an amazing all-round road bike that gives a great combination of a smooth and heart accelerating ride and works well for a short ride or a multi-day tour, whereas the Blade I find more suited for a couple of hours along country lanes and track days.
If you were given the opportunity to own any bike on the market which would it be? No big surprise here then!! My Blackbird is still the bike for me. She is such a great ride and never feels out of her comfort zone.
What is your favourite motorcycle gadget? I Can’t go anywhere without my Sat Nav (I have no sense of direction) and my heated clothing, being a sun child.
Where is your preferred place to ride in the UK? Quite difficult to give a firm region as I think there are some fantastic roads throughout Essex, Suffolk and Somerset. I am a bit limited with touring around as I used to coach Judo for many years and I spent most of my time in several Dojos.
And abroad? The only country I’ve ridden abroad is France and the were some awesome roads there and I didn’t see a pot hole anywhere😊.
If you were offered the opportunity to go on an extended bike tour, who family members aside who would you choose as a riding companion? If I couldn’t get anyone from EAMG, I would have to settle on Valentino Rossi to be my second choice (honest) to be able to ride somewhere in his wake and then have a laugh about the day each evening and just a bit about his riding career, not sure if anyone would expect this choice!!😄.
How would you describe to a non-rider the attraction of riding a bike as opposed to driving a car? Where driving is sometimes an enjoyment, riding is always full of great times that lets you forget the hum drum of life and let you focus into a feeling elation from being out on a solo ride or with mate the share your passion of riding.
When do you intend to give up riding? I haven’t given this any real thought, hopefully I will be able to keep going, maybe I’ll have to ride a smaller bike to extend my time in the saddle.
Describe your scariest moment on your bike: Getting ready to leave a roundabout and this individual (think that’s how I referred to him) in a Vito van pulled onto the roundabout and I bounced off just behind his door and did a superman impression along the road.
