The Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride 2015 - Cardiff

  

  

 

   

 

  

As a last minute thing I decided to sign up for this year's DGR which was to take place for the first time in Cardiff. Someone managed to get an advance order in for the weather as it couldn't have been better enabling some 120 machines to take in the trip around central Cardiff and then out to Penarth to meet up on the promenade.The run commenced at 11am from the meeting place in Cardiff's Civic Centre and then out onto Corbett Road, then Cathays Terrace. Up around Roath Park towards Llanishen then past the tax offices to join Caerphilly Road, over the flyover and down through Cardiff centre past the castle. Out via Cowbridge Road, Sloper Road, down Penarth Road and into Penarth. Through the town centre and finishing at the prom. Not a huge amount of miles, so easy enough to do on a Sunday morning.

More than 30,000 smartly-dressed gentlefolk in over 400 cities straddled the saddles of their café racers, bobbers, scramblers and other marvellous custom motorcycles to raise awareness and help fund the cure for prostate cancer. In grand style, dapper gents and elegant ladies shall ride their steeds spreading merriment and joy throughout their communities whilst raising awareness for men’s health.In 2013, over 11,000 participants in 145 cities around the world raised over $277,000 for prostate cancer research.In 2014, over 20,000 participants in 257 cities in 58 countries raised over $1.5 million (USD) for prostate cancer research. Our fundraising goal for 2015 is $3 million (USD).

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride was founded in 2012 in Sydney Australia, inspired by a photo of Mad Men’s Don Draper astride a classic bike and wearing his finest suit. It was decided a themed ride would be a great way to combat the often-negative stereotype of men on motorcycles, whilst connecting niche motorcycle communities together. That first ride brought together over 2,500 riders across 64 cities. The success of the event encouraged the founder to consider how it could be used to support a worthy cause. And the rest, as they say, is eloquently attired history.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a celebration of the art of being dapper and the style of classic custom motorcycles. What does that mean, you ask?Think: Monocles, jaunty trimmed moustaches, silk vests, crisp shirts and tailored suits.Ride: Café Racers, Bobbers, Classics, Flat Trackers, Scramblers and quirky, undefinable two-wheeled machines.Do: Bring your finest manners, neatest beards and a sense of fun and adventure.Pay: Nothing to ride (entry is free); but please consider helping our charities by getting your friends and family to sponsor your involvement   

Coming up . . .

The Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride, Cardiff
Hoggin' the Bridge, Chepstow

Websters Classics, Pontyclun

A couple of weeks ago I came across an old leaflet for Websters Classics that I was given at a show - I can't remember which - and seeing as I was on my hols with a few hours to spare I decided to give them a visit.

Joy of joys . . . a proper motorcycle shop. A good few bikes arranged in no particular order, the smell of oil and coffee and then there are Ian and Jan. Real bike shop types. Friendly and knowledgeable, always got the kettle on and available to have a chat.

As a rider of the more antiquated models of machinery I was particularly interested in Websters. The modern showroom-type motorcycle shops seem too concerned with chasing the big bucks and Websters look the type who care more for the rider and his machine whatever the size, make or age of either.

When you're down that way why not pop in. Ian and Jan are sure to make you welcome.

Festival of Motorcycling, Cheltenham

A small but perfectly formed exhibition which deserves to go from strength to strength.

Aberdare Park 2015

A bit behind with updating my blog so here goes . . . starting with Aberdare Park 2015.

As usual the weather threatened to disrupt proceedings. After raining all day on the Friday it finally abated at about 4 in the morning. As I'd kindly been offered a pitch free of charge it would have been a shame not to take up the opportunity and thankfully the sun began to shine and continued to do so all day long on the Saturday.

I didn't get to see much of the racing, which was up to its usual frantic standard, as I tried to get some good photos and what with manning the stand along with my mate Julian and chatting to race-goers.

John McGuinness put in an appearance not far from us but we were stuck in the middle of the trade area and I think our position didn't help in attracting visitors or custom. (Note for next year if I do it again again . . . get a pitch on the outside, preferably in the top row.)

Sunday was a complete washout - although the racing still went ahead and people did turn up to watch. At the same time the Big Cheese festival in Caerphilly was going on and a mate who had a stand there took it down and was home by 10am. Needless to say, we didn't do Sunday!

Flattering Flickr! (https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeoutonline/)

As of May 1st, 2015 I've had 29,146 views of the photos I've displayed on Flickr - surprised and not a little flattered!

South Wales Sunbeam Motorcycle Show, Llanishen, Cardiff

Once again, Dave Harrison and his crew organised a successful show. For me it was a good weekend as well. Ably assisted by my mate, Julian, I made some good contacts and racked up some encouraging sales. The standard was good as usual and, hopefully, next year will be supported even more.

35th Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show, Shepton Mallet

Pictured above is the Best in Show Award Winner – a 1914 Sparkbrook Roadster – at this year's Bristol Show. Thankfully, the weather was a lot better than last year, no torrential rain or howling gales. The quality of the machines on show was again of the highest order and varied. I must think about doing a stand there in future.

My first photo sale - sort of

Last month I bought my ususal copy of Classic Bike. As I settled down to read it with my Sunday morning coffee I was surprised to see a familiar picture on the forthcoming events page. Lo and behold it was a photo I had taken at the Classic Bike Show at the NEC in 2012 (blogged 16/1/2013). I had retouched it a bit, making it a bit more high dynamic. Immediately I contacted the editor of CB and, credit to them, after a bit of negotiation, they duly paid me for it.
Hopefully I'm on their radar as a supplier now.

Motorcycle Live 2014

Hadn't been to Motorcycle Live for a couple of years so I was looking forward to seeing something more than just the same models but with different paint jobs. I was pleasantly surprised with what was on show - a wider variety than I'd expected. The usual suspects were there along with some new ones. I didn't go much for Ducati's scrambler, I thought that HD seemed to be cutting back a bit on their bikes (not so much bling), impressed with Triumph and Norton as usual. Liked the KTM Super Adventure (first job when I got back was trying to talk my boss out of getting one) and were some interesting customs and classics dotted about which were pleasing on the eye.

Pictured above is the Kawasaki H2 Ninja (top), one for the serious headcases - not for road use. Second is the interesting Ariel Ace. Next is the Indian Scout and finally Henry Cole's 350 Triumph on which he had hoped to break a world record at Bonneville till the weather had a say - better luck next year Henry!

Aberdare Park Races 2014

Thankfully there were no mishaps on the way to or from Aberdare this year. The Glide behaved herself as she was on a final warning after the problems last year.
Aberdare racers always amaze me with the machines they enter hoping to spring a few surprises up against 'teams' with a bit of money behind them. It all makes for some interesting and exciting racing.

The VMCC SW Section 26th Seaside Run 2014

What a difference in the weather compared to last year. Blazing hot! Maybe though this worked against the organisers this year. If it's wet and windy nobody wants to venture out, if it's hot and sunny people usually head out with the family - you can't win. I think the latter was possibly the reason for a reduced turnout this year, not saying that those machines in attendance were of any lesser quality.

SW Sunbeam Motorcycle Club Show 2014

Here are a couple of shots of bikes at this year's show. It's a good little, friendly show but could be supported a little better with more bikes to see.

The 20th South Wales Classic & Modern Motorcycle Show, April 2014

I have long links with this show, going back nearly 30 years when it was the South Wales Sunbeam Motorcycle Club's Classic Show.
Taking the opportunity to dip my toe in the sump so to speak this year's show gave me the chance to gauge the interest in BikeOut Online products. Thankfully there was. The website is live although under constant construction at the moment. I'll be adding some images from the show soon.
A big thankyou to my mate, Julian, who helped me set up. Those Conteboards way a ton!
www.bikeoutonline.co.uk

Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show, February, 201

With the appalling weather leading up to this year's show it was a commendable effort of all those involved. I went over on the Saturday, a bit wet and windy but nothing like that experienced in the preceeding few days.
The machinery on display was once again of the highest standard and my eye was caught by a rare 1929 Sans Sou Pap 500, which won the Best in Show award.

Above: 1929 Sans Sou Pap 500cc engine

Gorgeous Triton in blue

Classic Motorbike Show, NEC, November 2013

A little bit late with my blog updates - sorry. Let's get back on track. Last November I visited the Classic Motorbike Show, sponsored by Maguiar's, at the NEC. It was the second time I'd been to this event and while expecting something more I was left a little disappointed. The show itself was tightly crammed with a broad selection of classic machinery and some interesting engineering projects but I got the impression that is was more of a bolt on exhibition to try and get a few more visitors to the Classic Car Show which was being held adjacent. In comparison the car show was much larger. I think there is scope for the bike show to be larger or to be held in its own right. Two or three hours did the lot, with a couple of extra laps thrown in. That left my mate and me with just enough time to take an all too brief visit to the National Motorcycle Museum across the road.

Above: Two BSA Rocket 3s put together.

An American spec A10

Aberdare Park Races 2013

Having decided to go to Aberdare Park for the first time in years, I got the Glide Mot'd and made my way north. Just short of Aberdare I experienced the first warning of what was to come when the valve in my back tyre decided to let its air go free. This was to return on my homeward journey, but that's a story for another time and blog.
Saturday's races on Aberdare's very short circuit is always entertaining and the weather was holding out for some decent performances. It always intrigues me to see machines of widely differing ages and power going head-to-head against each other. Old Velocettes and BSAs against modern Triumphs and Yamahas - strange.

The rain started as I made my way home and persisted through the night meaning Sunday was a bit of a washout. Very disappointing.

Festival of 1000 Bikes

A great day out on the Saturday when then emphasis was on road machinery of all ages and sizes were on view.  A pity I couldn't stay for the Sunday as well when some of the famous races from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s did their thing on some exotic machinery. The weather was sweltering which meant that sitting, watching and listening to some great motorcycles enjoying their circuits of Mallory Park was the best idea.
Spectators were allowed free access to all areas - paddock, pits, etc enabling superb access for photography or mingling.