As with many motorcyclists, being a biker is in the blood. Dad was a biker and is always keen to reminisce about his Black Shadow Vincent Rapide. Also historically, the Famous James bike was made by a Great Uncle.

To the present (ish). I started at 16 on a Garelli moped. Yes it was rubbish, only lasted 3,000 miles before the engine blew, but it looked fantastic. Then my biggest leap in motorcycling was the next move to a Honda 250 K4. I will never forget my first ride on it. I was completely terrified with riding such a ‘powerful’ bike. Progressed through a number of mid-sized Hondas and the best was the 400/4 bought in 1976. Took my girlfriend at the time (now my wife) on the back to the Isle of Man TT. It was a superb bike that made you smile and now of course it is a classic that many people fondly remember.

The introduction of family curtailed any biking for a number of years until 1998. We had been living in the Isle of Man since 1982 (having moved from Tamworth) and with the family grown up thoughts returned to two wheels so I bought a Bandit 1200. Suzuki had set up a ‘village’ during the 1999 TT at the back of the grandstand and they provided all Suzuki owners the opportunity to strap your bike onto a dyno to see what it ‘would do’. I was delighted to see it record 117bhp (with after market can) but this was slightly over-shadowed by the best of the week which was 154bhp by the newly introduced Hayabusa.

The Bandit gave way to a VFR800 and in 2001 whilst doing a lap of the TT we stopped in Ramsey for a cuppa. A chap came over to us and started chatting and mentioned the PEMC. This sounded perfect for our aspirations to go touring in the UK but particularly Europe, and hence we joined.

After approx 30 years of riding pillion, Christine decided that she fancied a go at this riding malarkey and took her test in 2005. She now chases me around Europe on her CBR600RR. Today I have a Fireblade, CBF1000 and we share a Street Triple R.

The whole point of motorcycling is to have fun and whether it is on the bike or in the bar after a great day’s ride, it is a principle that I think all us bikers gladly sign up to.