Conversations with a Motorcycle, by Jack Riepe.

With a few flights across the Atlantic in my diary, I had resisted reading this book until getting on the first of the planes. I am so glad I did, for I was able to savour the delights of its pages in a few long reading sessions.

Jack warns us in the preface that all of the names of the people in this book are fictitious. It is just as well really, as the book is about his adventurous years as a young man, which were focused around riding a motorcycle and trying to lose his virginity.  Sex, booze, friends and motorcycles are a great combination and Jack intertwines them with ease.

The first part of the book tells of his plan to attract women by riding a motorcycle. Initially ridiculed for his choice of bike, his plan takes some time to succeed, as most of the women he wants to get to know don’t have the same attraction towards him. Somehow, his early love of the written word is not as appealing to the opposite sex as he had hoped for. This means Jack turned more of his attention to his motorcycle and he describes the first tentative bike journeys in a way most riders will relate to. He learns to love riding his motorcycle and one day hits that moment when rider and motorbike just work together in harmony.

It is after another female rejection that Jack rides his bike in anger. Faster than he has ever ridden, the engine growled at him and seemed to speak, thus starting the conversations between the two. The book describes his motorcycling, his feelings, his adventures, his brushes with the law and the characters in his life. He says “This book is a philosophy, it’s a story, it’s a novel, one chapter leads into the next, and it is painfully true.”

I too have sometimes talked to my motorcycle. That is just one of the many ways I can relate to this book.

It is great fun and recommended reading. Be warned, it is pretty racy in parts!

For detail of how to order the book, see Jack’s blog.

Look who I met today on his way to Alaska

I put two and two together and made four. Things don’t often work out as easy as this.

I knew that Dom Chang was riding his Ural rig from Denver to Alaska and I just happened to be in Seattle. I had been reading on his blog, Redleg’s Rides, about his trip planning and his first days on the road. Wondering if our paths might cross, I contacted Dom and yes, we would be in the same place at the same time.

We met for lunch today and Dom told me about his trip, his plans, his motorcycle and it was great to spend just a couple of hours together chatting about, well, motorcycling mainly, with a touch of male life-change thrown in.

I met Dom a couple of years ago when on my own long ride in the USA and he and his lovely wife Martha put me up in their home near Denver. Apparently, my own ride sparked something in Dom, and when the time came for a change in his job, Dom decided to do a long motorcycle trip, fully supported (and maybe even suggested) by Martha.

Now ten days into his trip, Dom has relaxed and started to “look at the scenery”. From my own experience, I know that during the first few days of such a trip, your mind is buzzing with routes, plans, calculations, concerns and all sorts of other stuff that clogs the mind. Dom confirmed this was the same with him but now the fog was beginning to disperse and he was able to really start to enjoy the ride. I guess a few mechanical problems with his Russian-built Ural hadn’t helped. Those issues are now all sorted and Dom has the remainder of circa 16,000 miles to look forward to.

I like Dom. I wish I was going with him.

Have a great trip my friend. I will read your blog and follow your journey.

Competition - Cool Places to Park a Motorcycle

Okay, want another easy-to-enter and just-for-fun competition?

This one involves finding a photo of your motorcycle parked in an interesting place. Post the picture somewhere (Facebook, Twitter, Blog, photo-sharing site etc) and put a link to it in the comments section below. Tell us where it is and why it is interesting. Entries close on Monday 22nd April.

Spread the word!

I will pick my top three favourites and post them on this blog. Don’t worry about the quality of the picture, it is the place the bike is parked that should be good. There are no prizes, this is just for fun!

I will start the ball rolling…..

Taken during my 21,000 mile ride around America, I parked my motorcycle on the pavement outside the Harley-Davidson Café in Las Vegas. A policeman agreed to let me do it!

Now, go find a picture of your bike parked somewhere interesting.....

The smallest things can give a lot of pleasure.

Is it just me that takes great delight in achieving something so small, it could be seen as seemingly inconsequential?

Doing something well that is big or grand gives any of us a lot of pleasure, however infrequently that happens. It is a rare feeling when we pull something off that is very big, so shouldn’t we also celebrate the small achievements? I think so. Small celebrations are really just as important as the big ones.

Today, I had one of those small successes and it felt truly great.

Two years ago, I started looking for a fuel container to carry spare petrol (gas) on my motorcycles when touring. At two litres, the first I bought was the right size, but had a spout so small that refilling it was impossible. The next one was too flimsy. The last one I bought was too large (5 litres). It seemed hopeless, but I was determined to find a robust 2 litre container that I could fill at a regular petrol pump.

Today, that search came to an end when a delivery from Touratech (who else!) found its way into my hands. This is perfect and will fit into my panniers with ease.

So, I felt it was worth celebrating the end of a long search. A small success, but it gave me a lot of pleasure.

Top Purchases for your Motorcycling.

On both Twitter and on my blog, I asked a simple question. “What is the single best thing you ever bought for your motorcycling?”

The results are very interesting.

By far the most popular single item was heated grips, and by a considerable margin. You voted this the best item by a factor of three over anything else. I suppose this could reflect the geography of the people that answered in that most live in countries that have a colder winter. It is however surprising that more manufacturers don’t offer their own brand of heated grips, but rely instead on after-market suppliers.

Running in second place for the most bought item was a music system / speakers for motorcycles. Again, not surprising, as so few motorcycle models have these as an option. A lot of riders do like to listen to music while on the road, so again, perhaps this is an omission the manufacturers need to address.

As a surprise, in third place was after-market exhaust pipes. I didn’t see that one coming, but in hindsight, we all do see a lot of motorcycles with non-standard pipes. I suppose it is the one item most changed on some brands, especially Harley-Davidson, whose owners like the distinct noise that come with different pipes. Harley-Davidson themselves no longer sell these types of pipes that increase power and noise and I should think they regret having to stay within certain environmental criteria with their standard machines and parts. They are certainly missing out on a huge market. Many sports bike riders also like to improve performance by using race-can type exhausts.

Seen as a whole, it is accessories FOR THE RIDER that forms the largest group of purchases, with protective clothing, raingear, boots, helmets, special sunglasses, heated jackets and custom molded earplugs that some people consider are the best things they have bought for their motorcycling. We all need these types of item, but a lot of riders singled out one of these as the BEST thing they had bought.

The next largest group of items riders thought were the best purchase was accessories for their motorcycle themselves. The list of answers is below, in no particular order.....

Better headlight bulbs
GoCruise throttle Control
Scottoiler chain lubrication system
Power Commander 3 (allows adjustment of fuel injection systems)
Luggage / travelbags / topbox
A centrestand
Ape hangers
EZ Pass holder for a windshield
Custom seat
12v charging port
Cruzer Cady
Flashing LED brake lights
Windshield
Louder horn
Fork Brace
Heel / toe shifter

I’d like to mention just three of these. Better headlight bulbs. Hello manufacturers, are you listening? It s a pretty poor show that riders feel the need to have to go out and buy these at all. Almost all of the bikes I have owned have had poor headlights and it seems in common with others, I too have felt the need to improve the lighting. It is a terrible state of affairs that some riders think the BEST thing they have ever purchased for their motorcycling is better headlight bulbs.

Many riders suffer from an aching throttle hand due to having to hold the throttle on their bikes at an almost fixed position, especially on long rides on open roads. Most riders suffer from this, but few motorcycle manufacturers do anything about it. Some larger bikes have cruise control and riders seem to fall into the category of loving this, or thinking it is a joke. My main touring bike, a Harley-Davidson Road King, has electronic cruise control and it is wonderful, but at the same time, I wouldn’t need it if I was commuting shorter distances. Any journey that has you in the saddle for most of the day really does need some form of throttle control, even if that just gives a few second rest and the opportunity to move your wrist around.

A final drive chain, used to transfer power from the engine to the rear wheel of a motorcycle is, well let’s admit it, pretty ridiculous. You have a critical moving part on your vehicle that needs regular adjustment and lubrication, that if not done properly can be very dangerous. Just imagine if car manufacturers did that. Even worse, riders having to resort to buying an external lubrication system such as a Scottoiler, shows what a crazy situation this is. Surely motorcycle manufacturers can come up with an in-built system to keep a part lubricated!

The remainder of the list of best buys shown above are almost all personal choices to match the style of riding that the respondents do, but perhaps the louder horn and better brake lights are also things the manufacturers should have got right in the first place.

One type of response really impressed me. Some people said their best buys were about how to improve their motorcycling in general. A motorcycle safety course stuck out as a really good response and to think that this is the best thing a some people ever bought for their motorcycling is impressive. Books about roads to ride show a hunger by some to find better riding and waterproof road maps, as selected by one rider, showed a willingness to ride in all weathers.

Of course, no survey would be complete with at least a few jokers. These responses made me laugh – a motorcycle, gasoline and a solo seat!

Okay, this wasn’t a huge survey, but it was responded to by a good number of people, so I assume it fairly reflects motorcycling. My overall conclusions from the responses are....

• Manufacturers have to do better in providing good quality, safer and more comprehensive motorcycles.
• A lot of people want to stamp their individuality of their motorcycling.
• People don’t like to get too cold.
• Interestingly, just one riders best product was to do with making themselves more visible to other road users and nobody said anything about hi-vis.
• Motorcyclists spend a lot more money on after-market goodies than car drivers.

What is the single best thing you ever bought for your motorcycling?

I am interested to discover what items bikers have bought for their motorcycling.

If you had to name one item as the single best thing you ever bought for your motorcycling, what would it be?

I will collate and write about the answers.

Charlie, Smoking His Rear Tyre

Taken by a friend of his, this is my eldest son, Charlie, smoking the rear wheel of his Sportster.  I love this picture!

No, I cannot condone this, but there is a little bit of rebel in us all......

The most dangerous risk of all.....

Ten Years Ago Today, My Hero Died

I was 13 years old when I first saw Barry Sheene race motorcycles. It was at Brands Hatch in 1979. At that time, at just 20 years old, Barry was an extremely talented and likeable guy who made quite an impression on me. I watched him race dozens of times and he soon became my hero.

That year, he won the British 125cc championship, which signalled the start of a very impressive racing career.

I would travel all round the UK to racing circuits such as Brands, Mallory Park, Cadwell, and Oulton Park to watch the racing. I couldn’t afford the tickets for the World Championship rounds in the UK, so I concentrated on the British Championships and the Transatlantic Trophy series, which pitched the best British riders against the best of the American team.

I remember riders such as Mick Grant, Peter Williams, Steve Parrish and others, but it was Barry Sheene who always stood out for me. The rivalry and races between the two nations teams was legendary and I got to see Americans such as Kenny Roberts and Randy Mamola battle it out in some fantastically exciting races.

Sometimes, I would be lucky enough to walk around the pits and talk to the riders. Barry was always cheerful and smiling and I liked him a lot. Despite his growing fame, he would always try to take time to share a moment or two with his fans.

Famously, Barry had a spectacular crash in 1975 in practice at Daytona. At 175 mph, his rear wheel locked and he broke his left thigh, right arm, collarbone and two ribs. His hero status was elevated even more in my mind when he was racing again just seven weeks later.

Barry went on to win the 500cc World Championship in 1976 and 1977. He certainly lived life to the full and gained (earned) a playboy reputation. A true sporting legend, he mainly raced Suzuki’s and Yamaha’s. It was no co-incidence that I soon owned a bike by each of these manufacturers.

This short video gives a glimpse of the man.



Barry died of cancer ten years ago today at the age of just 52. That was way too young for someone who gave so much, was so talented and so loved by many.

Rest in peace Barry, my hero.

My book about touring the USA on my motorcycle is launched!

Today sees the launch of my book about riding my Harley-Davidson motorcycle around the USA.

Called ‘France In America’ the book describes the journey I took, covering 21,475 miles, in 27 states, in four and a half months.

I was so impressed by America and the people I met, I wanted to record the journey in some way and a book seemed the obvious answer. Having now written that book, I can only hope I did justice to a wonderful country.

To coincide with today’s launch of my book, a short video has been made to explain some of the background to the trip. Please feel free to embed this video in whatever website or blog you wish....

Monthy Python. The only type of Spam I like.

There have been many posts and comments about spam recently.

There is only one type of spam I like - the Monty Python version.

Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, John Cleese and Michael Palin were comedy genius’s of their time.

I raise I glass to this type of spam.... does anyone remember this....

New Zealand – Where did we go?

We are now back in Christchurch, at the end of our trip to New Zealand. We fly back to London tomorrow.

We did 5,009 kms / 3,112 miles, on two clockwise loops on both islands, starting and finishing in Christchurch. This is where we went....

The South Island....
Very few people
Beautiful
Mountains and glaciers
Rugged
Twisty roads
Remote
Lots of sheep and cows

The North Island....
More people
Bigger cities
Flatter
Better beaches
More to see and do
Straighter roads

Recommended? Definitely, it is a great country, with great people!

The Coromandel Peninsula

Are these abseilers, or are they window cleaners?....

Rogey will recognise this place. Driving out of Auckland, we happened to go back to one of the places Rogey and I had been to just the day before. Jackie is of course sporting her newly obtained and stylish footwear....

The beach near Maraeati....

To the east of Auckland is The Firth of Thames and along its edge is the East Coast Road. Beautiful to look at, this wouldn’t be the most comfortable of beaches to sunbath on....

I believe these may be wild turkeys, but I am not sure....

Seen in the town of Thames....

Our main target for the day was to drive around the Coromandel Peninsula. I had heard it was spectacular and was a terrific road to drive / ride. That certainly wasn’t wrong. Here are some of the pictures....

Fellow blogger, Geoff James, lives near Coromandel. Sadly, we were not able to meet as Geoff and his wife Jennie were away on their own holiday, so we took this picture for them....

I liked the look of the town, which seemed to have most things needed for those living nearby. I especially liked the look of the local hotel....

We didn’t however stay at the hotel and drive further to Tairua, where we stayed in a small cabin....

14

Don’t Go Near His Pool....

If you read someone’s blog for long enough, you get a sense of what a person is like. Over time, you begin to understand the way they write, what they like to do, who they hang around with and what they like to do.

Very occasionally, you get to meet someone whose blog you read and you immediately feel comfortable with them, because it feels like you have known them for a considerable time. You haven’t of course, but you FEEL as if you have.

On Sunday, I met fellow blogger, Rogey, who lives in Auckland. A broad, grinning face beamed out at me as we met and it was as if we had been friends for a long time. Roger had collected me from the centre of the city and with Taylor, his very cheerful and pleasant daughter in the back of the car, we made our way out to his house.

After meeting his partner, Fay, an exchange of gifts from two different sides of our planet, Roger did what just what I hoped he would, when he said “Wanna go for a ride, mate?” You bet I did!

Luckily, a helmet fitted and very soon the two of us were riding through Auckland suburbs with me on Roger’s BMW G650GS that he once described as “a bloody hoot.” He was right – it was easy to ride and great fun.

Roger lead the way on his Triumph Sprint and it was easy to tell that he was a terrific and confident rider. His IAM training and road-craft were good to witness from behind, as he always seemed to have lots of time, was always in the right position on the road and took great care when approaching potential hazards.

On the other hand, I was trying to get used to riding a new bike and kept forgetting to cancel the turn signals (why can’t all bikes have self-cancelling indicators like my Harleys?)

We swapped bikes and I took my chance to ride the Triumph. I wasn’t used to the forward-leaning position and found it unusual and slightly awkward at first. I am used to big foot controls and wide mirrors and the Sprint has neither, so my feet seemed to struggle to find the tiny gear change lever and I kept having to bring my elbows in to see anything behind.

The power and the brakes were (much) better than my Harley, but after a few minutes of riding I began to get used to the bike.

Roger led us to a beach on what I took to be a large lake, but was in fact the sea, surrounded on most sides by land.

Lunch and the continued ride followed before we returned to Rogers house. I became much more use to riding the Triumph and was able to relax more and enjoy the ride. The further I rode it, the easier it got, but I just couldn’t get used to having to remember to cancel those darn turn signals! It’s not my kind of motorcycle, but I enjoyed riding it.

Roger putting the bikes away....

Having left her behind at the hotel still nursing a very sore foot, we checked up on Jackie, whose was sad she couldn’t join us. Her foot was giving her considerable grief and we agreed a visit to a hospital the next day would be needed. Roger had planned a relaxed Sunday afternoon /early evening BBQ (although, I think it is obligatory to say “barby” at this point) and soon some of his friends came to join us. Two huge legs of lamb were soon prepared and left to cook on the Weber....

Two more of Rogers friends, Bruce and Lucy arrived with their children and while standing at the edge of the pool, mischievous Roger gave them a push and all three ended up in the water....

They must be REALLY good friends as the three of them just stood there laughing! They took it well, particularly Lucy who unlike a lot of women would, thought this very funny. Good sports, Bruce and Lucy were soon found some dry clothes!

Roger was a remarkably good host and a great cook, and I had a terrific meal in great company.

The daughter of one of Roger’s other friends, Jackie, had made a delicious pavlova which was soon disappeared....

Overall, I had a great day meeting Roger, his family and friends and was made to feel very welcome indeed. I can only say Roger, if you are ever in London.... or with a bunch of friends in Spain(!) I can only hope to make you feel as welcome as you do to me. Nice one, mate!

Harley-Davidson 110th Celebrations in Auckland, New Zealand

We arrived in Auckland, New Zealand in time to join the Harley-Davidson celebrations for the 110th anniversary. One of the first sights we saw was the 328 metres / 1,076 ft) tall Sky Tower....

Walking in the city, we heard a rather loud drum band playing, so led by our ears, we went and found them They were very loud....

The apartment building we stayed in was in central Auckland, near the waterfront....

Later that night, the view from the apartment was spectacular....

We went to the HOG Rally on the Saturday....

A HOG patch I had never seen before....

Jackie meeting one of the locals. Actually, he was from New York, but had moved to New Zealand....

Just seconds after this picture was taken, Jackie tripped over a kerb and hurt her foot. Being the trooper she is, she continued to walk around. It wasn’t until sometime later we discovered she had broken a bone in her foot.

The Rally had the usual stalls, motorcycle displays, chapter games.....

All good fun!

A Dog, a Sheep and Lots of Fish

We hit New Zealand’s North Island after travelling three hours on the Interislander ferry. The ferry weaves its way between the islands in nothing approaching a straight line....

Travelling north, we went to see the National Army Museum at Waiouru. Tanks, guns and other exhibits show New Zealand’s military exhibits....

Roughly in the centre of the North Island is Tongariro National Park, with a few spectacular peaks. Mount Ngauruhoe is an active volcano that last erupted in 1977....

The Tongariro National Trout Centre is well worth a visit.. Jackie feeding the fish in the river....

It is even possible to take some underwater shots of the trout. I have never been able to do that before....

Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand was like a sea on the windy day we were there....

We stayed in the Motor Inn in Tirau which has one of the cheapest and best internet service in New Zealand! Opposite the motel were two splendid buildings, once plain Nissen huts, that had been added to at some point to create the shape of a huge dog and a sheep....

Next, Auckland, at the top of the North Island.