Top Tanks of The Trip Out 2015

The Trip Out is England's version of Born Free. A chopper fest that's head & shoulders above the rest. 

This is the event I've looked forward to all year. Everywhere you look, there's good times, good people and great inspiration for tweaks during the long winter months ahead.

This year was exceptional with bikers and ultra cool machines coming from France, Belgium and Holland as well as all parts of the UK. My camera memory was almost exhausted by Sunday & I'll be posting more shots soon.

To kick off, here's just a few examples of the amazing tank paint jobs on show:

Shipley Harley Gathering 2015

I love the annual Baildon show. The whole town turns out to welcome riders from near and far taking part in the Sunday charity ride out. 

Most bikes are late model stockers but there are some gems.

The owner of this Led Sled built bobber originally hails from Staffordshire (not too far north of Walsall judging by the West Midlands accent we both share) but has lived in Yorkshire for many years. 

The bike was at last year's show but sported a stunning new paint job and a custom seat hand crafted in Spain. Top bike in the pre-ride out line up as far I I was concerned.

Other customs were more mild but the 50s-style tail lights on this tourer caught me eye. Nice paint job too.

This other shop-wrought bobber was neat in a back to basics paired down kinda way. Understated and all the better for it.

Other cool metal included a showroom Indian and this pristine Electra Glide.

While this Flatty was up for sale and attracting lots of attention.

The ride out was as impressive as ever - more than 300 bikes thundering through the small Yorkshire towns of Baildon and Otley before heading out to the Moors.

The Boneyard Bike Show

If it's Summer, it's bike show time! Lookin' forward to The Trip Out and popped along to The Boneyard show in Leeds at the weekend.

Balloon tyres, Taylor Made front ends, Scooter engravings by legend Don Blocksidge, Dragons, cafe racers, stretched and LOUD choppers - The Boneyard had 'em all. 

Hoggin' the vineyards Au Sud

Holiday time at last.Which meant a call to the ever-helpful Fanny (f-nah, f-nah) at Moto Macadam in Montpellier. 

This was the second time I've hired from Macadam. My schoolboy French just about managing thanks to Fanny's similar level of English and a little help from Google translate on the pre-arrival emails.

Moto Macadam really puts UK MoCo dealers in the shade - and not only because of the blue skies and 80+ degree temperatures in the South of France. It's great because it's a got a bar as an integral part of the showroom.

You can sip a rose, down a demi or just settle for an expresso in air conditioned comfort while you try to work out how the two bikes on the wall stay there. It's a fantastic meeting place for Les Becanes and also flags up local events:

Sadly I had a schedule to meet and countryside to see so didn't make it along. 

After riding back from Montpellier to base in Uzes (about 30-mile north of Nimes) I picked up the other half for a few days biking in the wild Cevennes National Park and the twisty mountain roads between Arles and Florac.

As ever, the French roads outside the cities were a dream. Hardly any vehicles and stunning views in every direction. 

The hire bike was a new Heritage (replete with pirate tassels) - great for the long straights but a bit of a handful in the hairpins.

I tried a few riding shots with my phone but it was a tad difficult tapping in the unlock code of Apple's finest at speed so most of the shots are static. 

The sheer bliss & freedom was beyond words. I just wanna get down there on the Freaker some day. 

Merci Fanny!