It’s been a year since a crazed gunman opened fire in a public space in Arizona, killing several and severely injuring Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. It’ll be along road to recovery; but she has an adventurous spirit as seen here on her many bikes over time. Racing, scootering and travelling. The open road surely beckons for this Superwoman.
The daring duo of our intrepid inventor hero, Wallace, and his worthy sidekick, Gromit. Here flying the chair of a red Triumph combination. Jolly Good Fun! “Cracking good job, Gromit!”
A great piece of artwork by the illustrator Louise Limb of Honor Blackman; she of The Avengers and James Bond.
These kids are dressed up as if they’re going for a jaunt along the balmy Riviera and not so much a ride across the South Downs with a brisk damp northerly breeze. I’d take a blighty spin any day but a sun-kissed tour along the Mediterranean aboard a sky blue Thunderbird, khakis, fisherman’s sweater and sandals garb completing the picture, wouldn’t go amiss either!
Here we are on the shortest darkest day of the year… it’ll only brighten up from here. However we still have the chill of winter to plough through! My project to tame the “Lord of Darkness” namely the Lucas electrics of the Triumph will get underway in January; in the meanwhile I’ll keep rolling along with this blog to maintain my two-wheeled needs.
Hugh Laurie, aka Gregory House MD, aka, Prince George The Prince Regent, aka Lt. The Hon. George Colthurst St Barleigh, aka Bertie Wooster, and a former Cambridge Footlighter and other half of a bit of Fry & Laurie. As has been noted before he is an ardent motorcyclist and the Triumph being his fave. Here a nice olive green Scrambler a la McQueen.
A young chisel jawed ‘greasy’ biker elopes with his gal at the consternation of her father. It’s obvious she wants the life of the open road, freedom of the skies and the scent of gasoline on her shoes. Ah! Young Love! Even better, it’s in full color glory by the DC comic book creators of the likes of Batman and Superman; they keep good company. Go on! “Have a Fling!”
The singer Pink loves her Triumph Bonneville; seen frequently haring around the LA boulevards duckin & diving from paparazzi. Alecia Beth Moore, as she is also known as, takes the biker look somewhat seriously; engineer boots, open-face with nannini goggles; though a nice leather jacket and at least a pair of gloves is recommended!
Rollie Free stripped down to his bathing trunks to reach 150 mph at The Salt on The Vincent; creating one of the most iconic motorcycle images. Is this a way to achieve speed on a Bonnie 750? This slim gal is assuming so.
…heres the Vincent photo…
…in the quartermaster store (behind the door). Yet ANOTHER “It’s Easy on a Triumph” poster. How many are there? This time some oblivious tar (and his parrot if you look closely!) is heading home on shore leave and tangles in the mooring line thus affecting the berth of his ship.
Blonde on Blonde: slap on a vinyl LP of one of Dylans masterpiece poem/songs and lay back and soak in the words, rasping voice and the images evoked in what some regard as his masterpiece.
“…and these visions of Johanna are now all that remain.”
On 8th August 1970 this factory special Triumph Trident 750cc machine was entered in the 24 hour Bol d’Or endurance race, the last to be held on the historic Montlhéry circuit. The riders were Paul Smart and Tom Dickie who won at an average over 70.50mph, a race distance of 1838 miles, 469 laps, beating their nearest rivals by 9 laps. The riders averaged 20mpg, went through 4 rear chains and broke 1 throttle cable.
I think the headlights of the modern Triumph Triple may hark back to this look. Which gave rise to the streetfighters of the 80’s and early 90’s built from the Suzuki GSXR’s.
Bassist and lead vocalist from the punk group The Stranglers JJ Burnel is a long time motorcyclist; in particular Triumph. Mobbed by fans what better moto to be seen on than a Bonneville!
Here’s an evocative shot taken of the assembly line in the Meriden workshop. The pieces come together to create a machine where the sum greater than the parts. A Golden Age of the British motorcycle industry soon to wane only to re-emerge like a phoenix from the ashes to where it stands as a proud builder of Brit-Motos!
