Motorcycling

Atlantic Amusements, Ireland

Bike parked in front of shuttered amusement arcade, rusty signage and totally realistic clouds in background.

The first ride in what feels like a month of lifetimes finds me heading west to Ireland, dusting off the trusty GS in order to explore the Wild Atlantic Way. Reason for the trip? Just fancied a ride worth strapping the panniers on for now that the racing’s done, and Dublin’s almost £200 cheaper by boat than Liverpool. Time for something new.

A Lap of France

Bike parked under tree, Chateau in background

I need a break, and the new bike needs a proper run, so the both of us head across the water for a spot of mindless self-indulgence. Swapping campsites for cheap hotels and minimal luggage I’m going to spend a week going where the wheels take me, recording the usual irreverent observations and mediocre photos here for posterity. This is cruft, mere content, so I’m not going to bother with separate posts. Read at your own peril.

The King is Dead, long live The King!

R1200GS TE Alpine White on a Welsh mountain road

Out with the old, in with the new. Sad times as I leave behind my most faithful companion over many a European mile, glad times in the form of a brand new R1200GS TE in Alpine White. And a weekend in Wales to get to know each other.

Surrey Hills Trail Ride

Dual sport Suzuki parked a the side of a wet trail running through an autumnal forest scene

If there’s a better way to spend a Sunday than rodeo-riding a bucking trail bike up wet chalky ruts covered in leaves, I don’t want to know about it. Whether blasting through muddy puddles or trickling along lonely, rocky lanes, multi-coloured trees linking branches over your head and showering you in organic autumn confetti, a trail ride through Surrey’s last few legal lanes is a tonic for the soul and a workout for the body. Let’s get dirty!

Costa Brava Cruising, Spain

A cheap golden filter effect attempts to cheer an otherwise unremarkable sunset over a canal in Spain.

Empuriabrava. Sounds like a special edition Fiat, feels like Southend on an August bank holiday. Only it’s the end of the season and most holiday homes are empty, the streets dead except for the occasional pill-popper and bar-hopper making their way home,…

Slumming it in the South of France

Two candles, some bottles of wine, and a cooker wait on picnic table

At the start of this trip I imagined I’d be posting updates and pictures with the usual frequency, if not daily then certainly every couple of days. Turns out that travelling with somebody new has all sorts of unexpected but…

Chamonix via the Auvergne

Silhouette of two campers in front of lit up tent, bikes to one side.

Gimme Shelter on the portable speaker mixes with the cheering of a soggy crowd through the open window as a new wave of runners cross the finishing line, and for a moment it sounds as though The Stones are playing…

Just another Motorcycle Trip

Motorcycle parked at the start of a rutted trail in rural England

It’s been ages since I had a good long ride (actress to bishop) so as the kids head back to school I’m heading south with everything an expedition needs: bike, tent, and a keen novice. That’s right folks, there’s somebody mad enough to come with me on a three week camping trip that optimistically aims to take in France, Switzerland, Italy and Spain before looping back to Blighty for a shower and detox.