Author Archive

December 4, 2019

Beau Geste or Bust

Convergence | more promotional bumph for the 2020 Tiger. This time a couple sprinting across some arid scene with full luggage kit. As well as a base model there is a road specific GT model and continent busting Rally Pro model.

December 3, 2019

New Kid on the Block

Triumph Tiger | The new 2020 adventure bike from the canny folk at Hinckley have just launched their latest mid size do-anything motorcycle. It’s triple cylinder engine has more grunt where it’s needed and a lighter weight provides what look like a very capable machine. I’ll post more information as details emerge.

December 2, 2019

Get me a hot whiskey toddy!

Poorly | There May be some intermittent postings over the next few days. Back from our travels but full of a bad cold and hacking cough. Normal service will resume in due course…

November 30, 2019

V&A

Cars: Accelerating the Modern World “Over its short 130-year history, the car has become one of the most loved, contested and influential innovations in the world. It has revolutionised manufacturing, transformed how we move, forever changing our cities, environment and economies.” The Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

November 29, 2019

Discovery

Traveling | hit the road; lean into a corner; look for a horizon; pack your bags; scour maps; read up on destinations; and put mikes under your tires. There is so much to see out there: places to go and people to meet. GO!

November 28, 2019

CAPTAIN Hilts

The Cooler King | Our man Guy Martin is to recreate the classic Finland scene from The Great Escape made famous by Steve McQueen. In blue torn down sweatshirt and khakis he’s to jump a barbed wire border fence on a green Triumph Scrambler. On Channel 4 December 8th.

November 27, 2019

Space Bike

2000AD | Forty years ago I got this annual for Christmas. Classic sci-fi comic that began in the seventies, which is still going strong. Technical cover by art droid Kevin O’Neill who later went on to create Nemesis the Warlock. We’re visiting my folks in Blighty where this book was stacked upon a shelf.

November 23, 2019

Reykjavík or Bust

Iceland | we’re on vacation on the edge of the Arctic this week. This isn’t me on my Tiger, but I sure wish it was! A rugged landscape abounds.

November 21, 2019

Brute

Something Wicked this way comes | It’s got a 2.5 liter in line triple engine churning our 160 odd bhp. Triumphs latest Rocket 3 is heading to a motorway in your town soon…

November 20, 2019

Take Flight

Percy Tait (1929-2019) – when it comes to the history of Triumph motorcycles one man is noted in the very foundation of that company. Beginning his career with Triumph as a 21-year-old factory worker he quickly rising in the ranks and started racing for the works team on the latest machines. It is reckoned he amassed over 1,000,000 miles test riding cutting edge motorcycles under the engineering eye of Doug Hele. As well as Grand Prix races he took part successfully in Isle of Man TT competitions. 750cc triple Slippery Sam is one bike that is forever connected with Percy. In his later career he went on to develop the 500cc Suzuki GP bikes for Barry sheen. In retirement he became a champion sheepsheet breeder. A giant of the history of British motorcycling, Percy Tait sadly passed away last weekend. at the age of 90.

November 19, 2019

Momme Moto

Black & White | I had to pick up my owners manual from Motoworks at the weekend. It gave me a chance to eye the current stable of Triumphs. This white Street Scrambler was a pearl shucked from the oyster that is the British motorcycle industry.

November 18, 2019

Man Cave

Winter Projects | with the oncoming off-season approaching I need to get the garage space organized. With limited space careful planning will ensure efficiency. A leaking roof needs to be addressed too.

November 17, 2019

B&W

F Stop | The Original celebrity photographer Terry O’Neill passed away yesterday. His portraits of the spotlight denizens from the sixties through to the eighties are considered iconic. Clockwise from upper left: Robert Redford, Julie Andrews, Steve McQueen and Mickey Rourke.

November 16, 2019

Painted Horse

16th St | we were exploring the near South Side and the extensive murals along some railway embankments. Glinting under the clear skies was this rust edged vee twin parked up. The Hayburner was a Bonanza episode where Hoss and Adam buy a Thoroughbred and find themselves competing with Little Joe for the Virginia City Sweepstakes. Or it could just be the slang for a second rate racehorse…

November 15, 2019

High Kick

Escapism | Sun sinking in the West sets mountains aglow. Park the bike in a meadow and kick your smile to the skies. Enjoy what life can offer you.