– my nephew took ownership of his new trials bike today. A 280 Aprilia Climber. A super fun looking ‘farm tool’ where he can learn balance; throttle and clutch control.
January 26, 2020
Vroom…
Old Sketch | probably doodled in the early eighties. I dug our this dirt bike drawing from a pile of papers I brought back from the UK on our last trip. I think I copied out of the Radio Times for the programme listing of Kick Start which I used to love watching.
October 8, 2019
Tangiers – Trials
Happy Birthday Matt Damon! 49 today. Broad smile whilst filming for The Bourne Ultimatum riding a lightly customized Montessa Cota by Honda 4RT260 trials bike.
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.
February 2, 2019
Groundhog Day
One Two Three – here we are in midwinter and the riding season is months away. A plan needs to be put in place to get each of my Triumph ready for their particular outing requirements. The Cub to take to some off road trails in Wisconsin; the Bonneville for some local riding and vintage shows; and the Tiger for long stretches of American highways and backwaters.
January 6, 2019
Do or Do Not… there is no Try
Resolute – It is typical of the New Year for us to put on the mask of Janus and look back at what we achieved (or not) the previous year and thus look forward to the coming twelve months and make a determination of what we want to achieve. Usually in an effort to better ourselves; and, in a way, make this time we have count. Me? I’m not a big one for ‘resolutions’ but it’s fun to think of things that you would like to try and do. A list you ask? Well, here goes:
- Write/Illustrate a children’s book.
- Ride the Triumph Tiger more.
- Sketch more.
- Ride the Lake Michigan loop.
- Fettle the Bonneville for occasional vintage runs.
- Get the Cub out onto some off-road shenanigans.
December 4, 2018
Twisting Throttle
Pair of Tigers – sharp focus and narrow depth of field give these two a dynamic appearance as they rush towards the camera. The slight drift of the biting rear tire hurl the bike with gyroscopic forces across this field.
August 17, 2018
Sun Chaise
Hakuna Matata – ending the long work week with a nicely sorted Tiger Cub under bright skies with a sun kissed rock backdrop. Color scheme is the same as mine: dark emerald green tank and grey-silver fenders. The tigress might need something a little more sturdy than a tank top, daisy dukes and white tennies for any serious trail riding. But the aviators are cool.
June 19, 2018
One, Two, Three, Four
Four Square- more offerings from the Ringwood motorcycle emporium. Delicious BSA Goldstar in immaculate condition, one lung and splendid mirrored chrome tank emblazoned with the gold star representing Wal Handley’s ton lap at Brooklands in ’37. Green lane ready Triumph Trophy Trail, half liter of long legged fun. Norton & Beeza goodies: one a TT special willing for speed, the other a doughty sloper ready for a lazy countryside jaunt. Finally a hefty Laverda 3C Triple, 1000cc of Italian grunt; just need a quiet afternoon along Lago Maggiore…
April 14, 2018
Shoot
Smart attire – Motorsports photographer Don Morley looks seriously dapper with his Trials Norton. His career capturing action of two and four wheels is legendary. Being an author his several books surveying classic British motorcycles are also considered legend. A lifelong trials rider he obviously enjoyed life behind the handlebars as well as a professional one behind the viewfinder.
September 17, 2017
Parthenocissus tricuspidata
Ivy League – dusted-off and kicked the wee green tiger to life earlier today. Took it along a few alleys and around a couple of parking lots. It’s a friendly little thumper that is light to maneuver in tight turns and when bumpy undertire. Need to plan for a trip to some off-road facility to get it around a trail, over a dune, or through some woods.
May 30, 2017
Here’s one I made earlier
Get Down Shep! – Part of my youth was a biweekly watching of the children’s BBC show Blue Peter. Where the presenters got up to all sorts of studio or outdoors hi-jinx. One of the most popular was John Noakes who was on the show for a record 12 years. He Was never without his sidekick , border collie, Shep. Sadly John passed away yesterday at the age of 83. Here’s screenshots of his 1980’s show Go with Noakes where he tried his hand at trials riding across the grassy moors of the Isle of Man.
March 15, 2017
Over the Top
Hump Day – well, this is one way to overcome midweek. Take a vintage Montessori Cota 349 trials and loup over the roof of a classic Volkswagen Beetle. The Pfederstall, or horse stable, restaurant Is a suitable backdrop of motorcyclists rendezvous for such antics.
March 4, 2017
Allay Cat – finally put the finishing touches to the Cub. Tank decals, oil bag sticker, few tuning tweaks to the cables and tidy-up of wires. Had a quick run around some local alleys to rattle through the gears. Fun scoot! Just took 4 years!
March 1, 2017
Woden’s Day
‘Ump Day – What do you get if you cross a Triumph and a Greeves? A Grumph! Perfect name for a mutt; even with immaculate pedigree. Offered the choice of a Rickman Metisse or this… pretty hard choice.
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