Current Bike: Honda Blackbird.
When and why did you develop an interest in riding a motorcycle?
From my early teens my bedroom wall was adorned with motorcycle posters but my interest became more serious when I was 15 and looking at my uncle’s collection of classic bikes. He produced a helmet and saying “don’t tell your mother” let me take his BSA 350 for a ride around the Chew Valley Lake. I really enjoyed my ride and from then on was determined that I wanted a bike of my own.
How old were you when you first rode a bike?
Probably about 10, riding mopeds around a farm we used to stay on for our summer holidays. It seems now that kids just want a beach holiday abroad. They don’t know what they are missing!
Of the bikes you’ve owned to date, which was the favourite, if there was one?
I will always remember my GPZ900 with great affection. The performance wouldn’t disappoint today and the induction noise it made was fabulous.
If you were given the opportunity to own any bike on the market which would it be?
It’s too difficult to choose just one!
What is your favourite motorcycle related gadget?
Probably my satnav. I don’t often plan my route. I frequently just turn into any road that looks interesting knowing that the satnav will recalculate and get me to my destination regardless.
Where is your preferred place to ride in the UK?
I love Yorkshire. Plenty of open roads across moors and not too many hedges to obscure the view.
And, overseas?
Austria. Fabulous views, challenging mountain passes and the roads are generally very well maintained.
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?
My biggest hate is meeting unpredictable riders on the road so I’m very happy to ride with most EAMG members. By the simple act of membership, they are demonstrating a responsible attitude which is generally borne out in their riding.
How would you describe to a non-rider the attraction of riding a bike as opposed to driving a car?
You hear and feel everything on a bike. You are in close contact with the frame so feel every movement of the bike and there is little to insulate you from the noise of the engine, exhaust or the wind passing your helmet. On most bikes you will frequently be using every limb to simultaneously operate a control and moving your body weight relative to the bike. Many car drivers wouldn’t understand this as they would more likely brace themselves in position for a corner than consider how their position will affect the machine.
When do you intend to give up riding?
Hopefully I can ride until I’m too old to raise a leg over the bike.
Describe your scariest moment on your bike!
I’d only been riding a few months when a car did a U turn across me. I swerved to try and get behind the car as it crossed in front of me but caught my right fork leg behind the cars chromed rear bumper. Fortunately, the bumper folded straight back on itself and I continued on my new course that took me, still on the bike onto the empty pavement where I managed to come to a halt. I realised later that I had bruised my knee quite badly but was relatively unscathed. The only damage to the bike was a broken indicator and the forks were twisted slightly in the yoke so it still got me to work the following day. I learnt then to be far more cautious of other road users and have avoided any more mishaps in the intervening 40 odd years.
