My Journey into Bikes
I've always loved bikes. Any chance I had I'd be on a bike, normally not my own when I was younger as I could not afford one.
I would be over the fields with my cousin Trevor and would be riding my mates bikes doing the things lads did then.
At 16 yrs old I got my own FS1E motorbike, good for 50-55 mph how chuffed was I.Unfortunately it did not go for long and 6 months later I had got rid of the FS1E and replaced it with a DT50.
Although it could barely do 40 mph it was good for the fields, work and social life.
After the DT50 which I kept for about a year and a half I bought a Suzuki GP100, this was 100% reliable, what a great bike, I managed to keep this one a couple of years until I realised one day I could not afford the rent on my flat at the time and had to sell the bike to pay the rent, welcome to the real world Alan.
I borrowed my mum's car for a while and then into any old banger that would get me to work and back I always wanted a bike again and was tormented whenever I saw one I liked on the road. I have always preferred the Retro Classic look.Years later with kids and a mortgage and still no bike, Carole and I were walking home from the shops, decided to take an alternative root and passed a house with a GP100 rotting away in its garden.
I plucked up the courage to knock on the door and ask the owner if he would like to sell it. He sold it to me for £30. I was in my element.
The bike bug was more than rekindled again.
I spent about £100 on my 30 quid bike and got it looking good, it was mostly cosmetic and oiling unused parts so I thought and it was on the road again. It did not go that fast or as fast as the other GP100 I had previously but then again I was 3 stone heavier now.
Almost every time I went out on it I would break down, maybe it was protesting about the weight gain.
I left it in a farmers barn once on the way to Lyneham as it had broken down again, got the bus home sulking and used the works van next day to collect it. What a disappointment.
I started buying Classic bike magazines to read where I realised I could buy a brand new Royal Enfield with a warranty for the same price as some older bikes. Got the look and reliability in one. After much saving this was achieved.
The GP100 and a couple of hundred quid as deposit, home I came proud as punch with my brand new, shiny red and chrome Royal Enfield 350 Deluxe Bullet, pop pop bang bang even the wife liked it. This was the real beginning into the bike world.
With my shiny new bike came free membership to R.E.O.C. Carole and I went on our first camping trip to Stow on the wold, the National Rally.
Not knowing anyone or having done this before, we packed up the bike and off we went.
We had a great weekend and met some very friendly, welcoming people.
A ride out to Gaydon motor museum and brilliant weather.
Pandy in Wales was our next trip for the Welsh rally. We had fantastic weather again and a brilliant ride out over the Welsh mountains. We really enjoyed ourselves..
We also stayed at Leedens park for the Redditch Revisited weekend. Again we had wonderful weather.
At the Welsh Rally I met Ray Tew and chatted about how great it is to belong to a club but locally there is not one for me.
About 6 pints later I was encouraged to start a club myself.
Once home I started giving some real thought into running a club nearer my home and I eventually called Ray Tew for help and advice.
The club wrote to all members in Wiltshire to let them know a new club was starting up. The skittle alley was booked at the pub and it was hold your breath and wait to see who turned up.
Ray was fantastic and helped me no end, he even chaired the first meeting as I was a bag of nerves.
About 29 people turned up and Ray did most of the talking, as I was so scared. Now we are 3 yrs into our new club, the Wiltshire r.e.o.c. and you cannot stop me from talking,
As you will know we have our own website thanks to Carl and have had many hits on it.
Back to my Bullet, as I have a back problem I have changed the seats to single seats with a bit more spring in them. They look better and are much more comfortable.
Now I am a real biker I have added to my bike collection a Honda Transalp that is more comfortable for the wife and I on longer journeys.
Just before Christmas I was offered a Yamaha XS 650 at a bargain price I could not refuse. It is 27yrs old, a real classic!!
I've really got the bike bug now.
Watch this space.
Alan Snook
R.E.O.C Wiltshire Branch