Waiting for the sun to come

So the new paint job is on hold 'til next year - but everything else is ready. 

Dirty Bobbers in Lyon

                        

This is The Royal Racer - a supercool moto-freaker boutique in downtown Lyon, South(isn) of France.

A short-city break gave me the chance to fully check out the town where son Joe lodged with his French mate last year. In between retail therapy with the other half, I was able to peruse some of the more biker-related landmarks.

I had my eye on an original WWII US flying jacket, complete with 'nose art', in one of the vintage shops in the old town but the truly eye-watering price tag and the Gallic shoulder-shrug customer service of the proprietor meant it was a no sale.

I then discovered this place - full to the brim with the wannabe 'kool' brands and the first time I'd seen some of the French & Italian high-end open face lids in the flesh. The place was totally tapped in to the new wave of quality biker chic seen at the like of Wheels and Waves and increasingly (Red Wings, Deus Ex, Ruby, Iron & Resin) UK rider attire.

Prices weren't as high as the genuine vintage stuff seen earlier - but still beyond my pocket. Having made the trip, however, I wanted to come away with something.

Then I spied them. Lurking on a rack behind the cash desk were just two copies of a familiar mag - Dirty Bobbers. Written by some of the stalwarts of the builder scene a few years back and still found contributing their wisdom, I understand, on Facebook and Instagram. I searched out with the print version of Dirty Bobbers after finding out Trip Out logo designer Scarlett Rickard was an editor. It was a great, if short-lived, little mag covering shed-built and vintage bikes, things like the origins of skateboarding and other DIY and collector projects from a vast range of interesting and off-beat people with their own take on life.

With the two editions back in Blighty, I now have the complete set from launch through to the final edition of what turned out to be a short, but sparkling, run of prose stretching only a few issues.

So merci Royal Racer. You made my jour.