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…

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.