Easy Rider !

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

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

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 !

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.