Je t’aime | French musician Serge Gainsbourg (L) gives a cheeky smile to his muse Jane Birkin who sits astride a high piped Tiger on some Rue de Paris. She’s sporting white thigh high go-go boots which puts the photo late sixties. – Moi non plus…
April 12, 2019
You too can be a Rembrandt
Paint by Numbers | all of those tank badges were painted by hand. Each one painstakingly given a pearly white background and black enamel lettering infill.
Factoid: Dan Robbins who invented Paint-by-Numbers in the fifties died last week aged 93.
April 6, 2019
Hound in the Hack
Comfy Chair | a respectable couple take their pet pup for a ride in the countryside. I’m sure there’s a picnic tucked away in there somewhere.
April 5, 2019
Tomorrow’s Saturday
Mercurial Mademoiselle | silver tank’d Bonnie and its brunette rider get us to weeks-end. Celebrating Frīġedæġ, meaning the “day of Frige”.
April 3, 2019
Woman in Charge
Girls Gotta Dream | Chicago selected a new Mayor yesterday; Lori Lightfoot – she’s black and gay: a trifecta in historic significance. The choice was achieved in a landslide victory by a population looking for change in the Windy City’s typical politics.. She got my vote and I hope we experience civic unity.
March 29, 2019
European Efforts
ISDT | Motorcycle Racer extraordinaire Marjorie Cottle was a Force for women riders in the first half of the 20th Century. Here she is flying through a pre-war Austria in 1939 on a Triumph attempting to earn a gold medal in the arduous International Six Day Trials.
History notes:
Despite the worsening political situation in Europe the German organisers went ahead with the event, which saw 61 British competitors make the start. Marjorie Cottle, riding a 250 Triumph, formed part of the Sunbeam ‘A’ club team, the other members being Geoff Godber-Ford (350 Sunbeam) and A A Sanders (350 Triumph). The trial commenced as scheduled on Monday 21st August with a run into recently occupied Czechoslovakia but within a few days the British competitors were becoming increasingly concerned. On Friday 25th the recall telegram arrived from the War Office in London and the remaining British contingent, including Marjorie Cottle, was escorted to neutral Switzerland and safety. Britain and Germany were at war nine days later.
March 22, 2019
Weekend arrival!
Friday Fun | Happy couple cavorting along under a high summer sun looking for antics and shenanigans. BSA single is the mode.
March 19, 2019
Cuppa
Royal Flying Corps | A despatch rider in the Women’s Royal Air Force (WRAF) enjoying a tea break while seated on her Phelon & Moore 500cc single cylinder motorcycle circa 1918. On 1 April of that year the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service were amalgamated to become a new service: The Royal Air Force (RAF). Image from the archives of the Imperial War Museum
March 9, 2019
Sweetness under the Sun
L-Plates | The perfect little motorcycle to learn on: a lightweight and easy to control Triumph Cub 200cc. 1950’s swing dress on a bonnie lady under an English sun. The large windshield should keep the skirt fabric under some control.
March 8, 2019
Girl Power
Mothers, daughters, wives, sisters, aunts, nieces, grandmothers | International Women’s Day: March 8th. Celebrate all the incredibly strong women in your life – not just on Women’s Day but every day!
March 6, 2019
Chaika (Seagull)
Hero for All | Valentina Tereshkova celebrates her 82nd birthday today. Launched atop Vostok 6 on June 16 1963 she spent 70 hours in space orbiting the Earth 48 times becoming the first woman cosmonaut.
March 2, 2019
Wanted Dead or Alive
Jon and Dorothea – Mr & Mrs Bongiovi lookin’ like a happy couple riding a Harley softail across the desert of Moab where he was filming the video for their chart topping hit from Young Guns II “Blaze of Glory”. Jon Bon Jovi is 57 today. Cowboy boots ‘n’ all!
March 1, 2019
Da da da daaaa
Victory – we made it to the weekend again. Alas here in the Midwest the weather isn’t improving anytime soon. But Spring will be with us soon enough! These gals are enjoying the twisties along some SoCal roadway…
February 22, 2019
Half the Sky
Jolie Jeune Femme a Vendredi – don’t let the glasses and smile deceive you! I bet this classic Triumph riding lass would stamp on yer toes; knee you in the nuts; and leave you in the dust if you much as treated her any less than a woman fully deserves to be. And I’d support her for it! #strongwomen
February 15, 2019
Swoosh
Fast Freyja – a new weekend is upon us and a blurring of the week just past recedes behind us. Still winter conditions her in the Midwest so on with a few small bike projects. Tool kit for Tiger being amassed.
