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1. What was your first motorcycling experience?
I was 13 years old when my friend and I borrowed her brothers FS1e ‘Fizzy’. She told me to ride it down the lane in first gear only. I’d hit 30mph in 3rd gear, and I was hooked. I knew I was going to be a biker.
2. What is your current bike?
I have recently swapped my GSX-R1000K6 for 2 Suzuki DRZ400Ss, and I have a 2007 KTM950SM that is now my main bike.
3. What bike would you most like to ride/own?
I miss my R1, I’ve had two, a 1999 and a 2004. So I would say that I would love to have another 2004 set up on the dyno and power commander to increase the bhp.
4. What was your hairiest moment on a bike?
When my partner crashed his bike in front of me. He went straight on at a blind corner and I had to fight every instinct, slowing down safely, but riding past him while he bounced off the bank and onto the road beside me! I didn’t realise I could run so quickly in Sidi Vertibrae! I then road back with him pillion on my R1, that was hairy in itself!
5. What was your most memorable ride?
In April 2004 when my then husband and I rode our two R1’s for the first time up into the Yorkshire Dales. Paul is an excellent rider, and with the connection I had with my 2004 R1, we rode very well together. It was midweek, a clear day, clear roads, not too hot, and to hear the two machines howl through the revs, around the lanes was incredible and forever marked in my memory as the best ride ever.
6. What would be the ideal soundtrack to the above?
Heavy metal, rock, fast beat, guitar riffs. With flicking the bikes around, engines howling, tyres gripping and exhausts glowing I am not sure that much else would compete with that sound anyway! Something that gets the blood pumping, and the adrenaline rushing the way a fast, incredible ride does.
7. What do you think is the best thing about motorcycling?
Riding a good ride, feeling like part of the machine, that incredible grin that comes from the soul. And knowing every other biker knows how you feel. You’re never alone as a biker, you can just park next to another bike anywhere in the world and start happily talking to a stranger.
I love being a biker, it’s who I am, and it’s fantastic to be part of a massive club.
8. What do you think is the worst thing about motorcycling?
The risks we all take each time we ride, knowing that whatever we do, however safely we ride, we are less visible that a bigger vehicle. Also losing another biker, knowing they won’t ride with you again. I’ve only ridden a few motorcycle funeral processions, but that’s too many.
9. Name an improvement you’d like to see for the next generation?
That’s a difficult one, because I personally think we’re in a pretty fantastic place right now as far as motorcycle development is concerned. However, I am very interested in electric bikes. I’d like to think my children (twin boys) will grow up to appreciate the power I ride with, but with a greener approach.
10. How would you like to be remembered?
As a good biker, mother, friend. As someone who loved motorcycling so much that she inspired others to bikers too.
Wipes, tear from eye. You’ve captured ‘that’ feeling. Thanks.
I have only ever been a pillion rider so can’t comment on the thrill of the ride but I do enjoy the rides as a passenger but you have to have complete trust in your partner’s ability and you are right about the comradery among bikers, how many car drivers stop if you break down another biker will always stop to help?
great sentiment,, I live in York so I am regularly spoilt by riding the Dales, the Moors and the coast all within an hours ride….
Concur. Have lived with those feelings for 45 years in numerous saddles. It never diminishes. Worst thing about motorcycling? Lack of recognition and appreciation from non biking road users. Lack of recognition and appreciation from national and local politicians that this mode of transport can bring benefits. Lack of recognition and appreciation from those motorcyclists who fail to understand that great biking experiences are not all about bhp and luck. `Seen any mad old bikers lately? No. because the mad ones aren’t old and the old ones aren’t mad`. Great article, Jennifer.