Hi, from a born again biker.

Hi everyone, my name is John, I'm 67 years old & I'm currently in the process of obtaining my motorcycle licence via the Direct Access route.

My dad was a dispatch rider during WW2 (BEF & North Africa) and we always had a couple of old motorbikes in the back garden that he used for transport to work & back after the war.

I started riding on an Excelsior Consort when I was about 12 years old, when, in those days, we could push it to a disused airfield and ride it around all day..

Later, when I was old enough to get a provisional licence, I bought a Triumph Tiger Cub then progressed through... 250 Matchless, 250 Royal Enfield, Triumph 350 Tiger, 500 Matchless & finally a Pre Unit '59 Bonneville. I sold the Bonny for £200.00 quid and now a tear comes to my eye whenever I see them for sale at £8,000.00 plus... !!

Then I got married, passed my driving test, bought a Mk1 Consul & got into marshalling at motor sport events for a hobby & working in the high performance engine industry for a living.

Despite enjoying a number of years riding around the Essex countryside, going on the Dragon Rally and spending my honeymoon on the IOM for the Diamond Jubilee TT in '67, I never really found time to pass my motorcycle test.. so, last year I decided that I had to tick that box before I was laid out in mine..

With the CBT & Theory test done & dusted in November 2015, In January I signed up for a Direct Access course and I've now passed Module 1, and Module 2 is on the very near horizon...

Hopefully, once I've done the deed, my current wife & ( yes, I do call her that, it keeps her on her toes) will be off to my local Triumph Dealer to order up a new America LT.

Luckily, my good lady is extremely supportive & already has her Kevlar Jeans, Boots & Gloves and, whenever we stop off at the Triumph Dealer, she spends a quiet half hour checking out the Jackets.

Our aim is, next year, to ride from Washington DC to Chattanooga along the Skyline Drive & Blue Ridge Mountains then on to Nashville & Memphis. We did this 1000 + mile route a few years ago in a car but it was somewhat depressing for both of us to chat to so many happy riders along the way..

I'm hoping members if this forum can provide some good advice on intercoms, sat-nav systems, tracker units and such like as well as info & tips about the bike that are not in the manual..

Well, that's me .. A retired Consultant Engineer who has spent a lifetime working in the Motor Industry & who now wants to re-visit those distant, but very fond memories of life on two wheels....

 

Hi half ton, thanks for the welcome & yes, the limited edition its a nice looking bike but I prefer the two tone blue to the tangerine. My old bonny was blue & silver so I guess there's still some sort of mental tie to those days .

 

Hi thebiglad, The "handle" come from the name of a local cafe I used to frequent back in the day.. Re: the get together, I have to say, I love the North especially Yorkshire and have recently spent some happy times in and around Kirkby Stephens. Once I get my America, my mate wants to take a ride up to Tan Hill so anything is possible.

 

Hi crispey, yes I do wish I'd done the test back then but my priorities changed and I went into four wheels.. Re the trip th o the USA, if all goes well I hope to hire a Triumph America or Thunderbird rather than ship mine.. I don't think I could handle the worry of mine being on a boat for weeks on end unless I went with it..

 

Thanks Peter, It's always nice to know there are some like minded people around you to guide you in the right direction...

 

Thanks Sceptic Al, I look forward to the challenge of making it into my 70's while still riding a big double thumper..

 

Thanks TrophyCat..

 

Thanks MrOrange..