About me (and my navigator).
Born in the Rhondda Valley in 1960, I followed the well-trodden path into motorcycling in August 1977 by buying an immensely powerful machine - the Yamaha FS1-E or "Fizzy" as it was more commonly known. I only did this as a means to commute to and from work until I passed my car test. However, the "bug" bit and I was hooked. So hooked, that in December 1977 I took delivery of a brand new Honda XL 250 K4.
The addiction had well and truly set in now and the desire for more power was my quest. Plus, two-up travelling on an XL 250 was more pedestrian than I had bargained for so, in October 1978, another Honda replaced the "thumper" - a new CB 550-4 K3. I was the envy of all my peers (posh word for mates). It was fast, smooth, comfortable and even went round corners in a decent fashion courtesy of a pair of Avon Roadrunners.
All was well until Honda announced the introduction of what is probably one of the most derided bikes in the universe, the CX 500, alias the "plastic maggot" or the "dung beetle". I loved it! Five miles per gallon better on fuel, bigger seat, fitted panniers and no more chain lube everywhere except the chain. It was now a case of bye-bye CB and hello CX.....................until I bought the CB 550 back a few years later. ..................................It seemed such a good idea at the time!
All was well in the stable until I dismantled the 550 for renovation whereupon the garage where the CX lived caught fire and it got "singed." By now I'd emigrated to Cardiff, taking both "projects" with me where they stayed in my garage for around 15 years until June 2004 which was when I decided it was time for another bike. To my surprise, my wife raised no objection but she did point out that all three wouldn't fit in a single garage so I bit the bullet and sold the CB and the CX to a chap from Abergavenny. If you're reading this, Dave, please let me know how you're getting on.
Then there was this 1987 Honda Transalp XL600VH on eBay in Coventry............................
It had my name all over it and the price was within my range and my mate could take me there to get it and he promised my missus that he wouldn't let me buy a lemon and he'd follow me as I hadn't ridden a bike in almost 15 years................and it ended up in my now empty and clean garage late one Friday night in July 2004.
I'd forgotten how much fun and how comfortable big trailies are not to mention fuel economy that would have the shareholders of Shell crying into their beer. All that fun and 60 MPG along with cheap (classic) insurance. I've had to do some work to the old beast and I've added a few accessories for possible touring at some time in the future but all in all, I'm over the moon just to be back riding a bike again.
Man and machine (antique). About me
I am a current DSA Approved Driving Instructor (qualified in 1983) and have
many years experience at training potential Driving Instructors and I can offer training at competitive rates should anyone need help or tuition. I also have excellent contacts for motorcycle training who I will recommend with confidence - check out the links page. 
Now be a good girl and give Daddy the keys back!
My navigator
In 1998 our lives changed for ever - a daughter called Lexy (short for Alexandra) arrived on the scene. At first the silver and blue Transalp failed to captivate her as she thought I was buying a red one!
Time is a great healer and gradually she got more involved with the regular cycle of cleaning and maintenance. It was Christmas 2004 when she was eventually tall enough to go for a spin.
It was an expensive Christmas that year with helmet, boots, gloves and suit all bought from my local shop, Morgan's Motorcycles, who I've known since the late 70's.
Lexy now accompanies me regularly on weekends and on the charity events we do through some of the clubs we ride with. For details of charity rides, check out the Ride-outs page.