I didn’t want this ‘blog’ to be all about Photography, as I also have a passion for travel on two wheels. In the last decade or so I’ve been able to enjoy more time escaping on the bike across the channel to Europe. There’s a sense of engaging with a country, it's people and culture when touring by motorcycle that I find far more stimulating than flying in or arriving by car. I think it’s the combination of adventure and vulnerability that comes from being on two wheels. I guess a touring cyclist would have a similar experience, but I don’t have the time or the thighs for that!
Although I have been lucky to visit many European countries by bike, recently I have become more fascinated with Spain, it's scenery, culture and obviously it's roads making it compelling to explore, especially by bike.
2010 BMW R1200GS 30th Anniversary Edition
My current ride is an ageing, just like it's rider, 2010 BMW R1200GS 30th Anniversary model, a large looking adventure styled bike that makes a lot of sense as a touring machine but that's also fun to ride when the going gets a bit twisty! The GS also provides a comfortable place for two to sit and enjoy, not endure these trips.
Until a couple of years ago I was regularly clocking up around 20k miles a year on two wheels, but the onset of asthma took it's toll until properly diagnosed, then the global chaos of Covid19 really curtailed my riding, but I'm hopeful that we can start exploring further afield again soon.
2014 Bakar, Croatia
2014 East London Reservoirs
2016 South Downs, England
2007 Maughold Head, IoM
2012 Top of the Grimsel Pass, Switzerland
2012 Leeuwarden, Holland
2014 Transfargarsan Pass, Romania
2018 Lake Lipno, Bohemian Region of Czech
2019 Lucara, Spain
I've have also enjoyed chasing my tail around some race circuits on a series of race prepared track focused machines, Aprilia RSV Mille, Suzuki GSXR600 (ex European Superstock machine) & current bike, a GSXR750 (Classic Superbike Series winning machine). Whilst I can never claim to be a racer, I have enjoyed the experiences and learning process, and as I still have the 750, a visit to Portimao would be nice and maybe a revisit to Jerez, as my last visit I really didn't have a clue what I was doing! It's not all about European circuits, I've had the pleasure of circulating Brands several times, Cadwell a couple of times and Snetterton, and I wouldn't mind a wobble around Oulton and Donnington Parks to completed my bucket list of English Circuits.
2009 at Jerez on the Aprilia RSV Mille R
2010 Alcarras Mille R
2011 at Alcarras, Suzuki GSXR600
2012 Cartagena, Suzuki GSXR750 (Scott Davey Photography)
2013 Alcarras, Suzuki GSXR750
2015 Spa, Suzuki GSXR 750
My first proper motorcycle was a 1983 Kawasaki Z650F3. I had this bike from 1984 to '95, and we clocked up over 120k miles together. With the exception of a base gasket or two, and a little tumble at Charlie's, the little Zed never let me down and in an emotional way I wish I still had it today! It took us on adventures all over the country and over the channel to France many times and it taught me a lot about riding a motorcycle. It wasn't the fastest or best handling bike but being honest it did every thing I could ask of it.
The day the Zed came home - and yes, Deb is riding in heel's!!
Loaded up in France!
