Pete's Triumph

Pete is an acquaintance who I enjoy a quiet chat with now and again over our mutual love of biking. 

Built like a very solid (and very tall!) exterior defecation unit and man of few words, he ain't one to mess with.

Back in the day he was close with club members and I've no doubt he could be handy whenever needed. 

These days he just rides with mates for fun. But he still takes his bikes seriously. 

There's not a mark on this old Triumph. It's a regular ride but pristine inside and out.  It won't let you down.

Bit like Pete. A true gent through and through.

Freaker @ The Farmyard

Annual road trip to The Farmyard and annual stop off for cuppa at the last pub before Helmsley (I love the toilets - a mini-museum dedicated to all things bloke including models of the world's most beautiful cars).

The Farmyard just isn't the Farmyard without the traditional English summer downpour. But it wasn't too bad this year.

After setting up in my usual spot, I went & joined the throng. Good to see old workmate Cal. Still doing ad agency stuff but this weekend, manning the Harley stand.

Back Street Heroes editor Nik and his single sider.

Highlight for me is the custom show. Not a patch on the Trip Out but some interesting machines nonetheless.

Show over, it was time for a mooch in Helmsley. I usually stay on site but the weather was good and the craic in the pubs was mighty.

The Farmyard comedy show was great as ever - and the Saturday night bands even better.

   ...til next year.

Matchless

So what do you call a gaggle of Matchless motorcycles? Matchi? This little lot, all in pristine condition, were being ridden by a bunch of mates of mature years and youthful mind - plus a perchant for stopping off at a country pub at the end of their Dales ride. Like it.

I particularly liked the girder front fork bike and the WWII despatch bike - which came complete with a map case on the tank containing the routes between Normandy and Paris.

Nice to be in such esteemed company...

Summer Beezer

This beautiful Beezer was restored to pristine condition after being brought back from South Africa as several piles of basket-case bits.

The owner is a tinkerer of real magnitude - he'd also done some amazing car restorations. I was totally captivated. 

Jealous? Moi? For sure.

Bernie the Belgian

This is Bernie. Who quickly revealed himself to be Belgian. And totally lost in the middle of Leeds after coming up for the MAG bike demo. 

Actually, he wasn't all that lost. He's been in the UK for many years and rocked up with his entire family - including young 'uns on 125s.

We spotted Bernie & the crew taking time out in a city centre lay-by after we too lost sight of the tail end of the demo after the scores of bikes on the demo got split up by endless stops at traffic lights.

Anyways, we knew the pub where the demo was supposed to be ending up at so after chatting with the affable Bernie while the engines cooled on the 125s, we guided him and his group through the vagaries of the Leeds city one-way system. 

Bernie's machine was seriously custom and very distinctive so I couldn't resist grabing a coupla shots. Great to see him passing on his love of two-wheels to the next generation.

Beaut Buell

This Bobbed Buell was car park king among a sea of stockers at Squires. Great paint by a bloke from Pickering who said it was his first, but after the faff vowed it would also be his last, bike job. Anyway, he nailed it.

Loved the wrapped kick-outs. Some good inspiration for some replacement pipes this winter.