Last updated 13th April 2019
Head behind the bubble
  • Home
  • Riders blog
  • Out there, riding - my articles
  • My Bikes - Past and Present
    • Ducati 1098s
    • Honda CBR954RR FireBlade
    • Ducati 695 Monster
    • Kawasaki ZX7-R
  • Motorcycle Media
  • My kit
  • Other rides
  • Videos
  • Bucket List
  • Contact me

October 14th, 2013

10/14/2013

0 Comments

 
I took a call from my RoSPA examiner today, well I say my examiner, I've never actually met the bloke and the Police rider who originally tested me back in 2010, has since retired. It looks like the plan is to arrange the test for some point next week. It could be on Tuesday, but there is the possibility that it could be any afternoon at pretty short notice. Personally I don't mind which day, just as long as its not raining. Its very difficult to show the man what you can do when half of your mind is worrying about losing the front and going arse over tit into the bushes.
This, however, has reminded me of something that I saw last week whilst riding home out of London at lunchtime. It was dry, reasonably warm and, like usual, I was riding in full kit. I don't do this because it looks cool, which is actually does by the way. I don't do this to stay warm, most of the time you either roast or freeze and there is very little in between; and I don't do this because I think I should be riding in MotoGP. I wear full kit to be safe. There are no other reasons. I've come off, several times now and it bloody well hurts. Sometimes a lot. Like need help getting dressed, washing, moving, that kind of a lot. This is why when I saw this young man, probably just old enough to ride, snapping in and out of traffic at speed, popping long deep wheelies, seemingly looking at me behind more than the road ahead, darting around whilst wearing an open face helmet, loose fitting trainers, baggy ill fitting tracksuit trousers and matching hoodie, that inside I was genuinely scared for him. I wanted to catch up to him and give him some advice, but before I could get anywhere near him, he darted off towards Tufnell Park. That kid, because that's all he was, is going to get seriously injured and at the very worst, he's going to die...horribly. If I had managed to speak to him, would he have listened? If that were me at that age, would I? Probably not and that's frightening.
Motorcycling is a great pastime/way of life/hobby, but you have to treat it with respect at all times. Hopefully, and I genuinely mean it, hopefully, that kid will learn before its too late.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Me

    My name is Matt Brown and I'm a UK journalist formerly based in London, but now calling the South of England home. I've been riding bikes since 2007, but got hooked straight away. Nothing gives me the feeling of freedom, even when stuck in a city. In 2010 I became a RoSPA gold rider, but when it comes down to it, I'm Just a normal man, riding his bikes as often as he can.

    Archives

    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012

    Categories

    All
    1098
    Ducati
    FireBlade
    Monster
    Weather
    Zx7r

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.