Born 1952, that makes me 51 going on 20!! I've had bikes since I was 12, obviously I didn't ride on the road until I was 16 (officer). On my sixteenth birthday I was on the road (legally) with an Ariel Arrow, the first bike I'd ridden with anti-lock brakes, you couldn't skid on sheet ice! Come to think of it, it must have had traction control as well! Since that day I have never been without a road bike, although for a few years in the |
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mid 80's I didn't manage many miles, but I've tried to make amends since. I first took part in the Round Britain Rally in 1974 when I managed an all rounder in spite of having to rebuild my NEW Norton Commando every other week (including main bearings, camshaft wore out, a piston disintegrated, the barrels snapped off at the flange, alternator rotor fell apart). Ahh those were the days... when men were men and sheep were frightened! Anyway for all my effort I won a gold award and a penknife, definitely a good swap for a Commando, I've still got the knife and I've not rebuilt it once! The RBR in 1975 changed format and it didn't appeal so I took a break until 1999 when after 25 years I did another all rounder, unfortunately I didn't get a penknife this time, oh well sharpen the old one again. At least the '94 Triumph Sprint didn't need constant rebuilds to keep it going, it's been a cracking bike, dead reliable (touch wood) and I've still got it, I'll probably keep it forever! I occasionally buy it a friend to keep it company in the garage, but it always comes out for the long journeys, it stays but the friends invariably go. Though to be honest it's best friend at the moment is a Buell Lightning, it looks as though that will stay and then they'll both need a friend to tell them what the winter roads are like! I've ridden solos and sidecar outfits on and off road,
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though recently I've been riding (or should that be driving?) a VW engined trike. Well you've got to haven't you? Don't knock it until you've tried it. That's enough for now, you are probably bored anyway. Perhaps I should write a book as a cure for insomnia. LES |