Valentino Rossi

[Morrison10]

Just been watching review of his career, amazing. Although I mostly rode pillion, and only had 125 Yamaha and derestricted moped for visiting hospitals, Im amazed what those into racing can do. Does or did anyone else ride motorbike. Jean

[peege]

Yes! As soon as my marriage was over I made a list of everything that I wanted to achieve asap. Top of my list was getting a licence to ride a big biker. As soon as I did I bought a big red Suzuki Bandit 🏍

[Hidden in reply to peege]

Aaargh I’m so jealous, how lovely. I bet that bike gave you so much pleasure. Vroom vroom!

[Morrison10 in reply to peege]

Bet that would.be 500 cc, plenty for solo rider! My late husband when doing part of his national service wanted to get home at weekends, so used money he’d saved from doing paper round to buy second hand 197 Francis Barnet. Was delivered off back of van, driver gave him key and said off you go lad! No instructions etc then. We went all over with it. When I got car with job, he bought a BSA to get to work etc. Stopped riding when had first daughter. My husband was day older than me, and as approached 60th birthdays, one of his work friends was selling 650 Honda. Decided it would be 60th present to ourselves. Geoff took it out few times first, got ROSPA instructor for advice, then I went on pillion. The years fell away! We were both working full time, but managed to go out most weekend if weather ok. When he retired bought new Honda VFR800. Went all over UK, northern France, and southern Spain. was having to change gear lot, painful for left hand, so bought gold 1100 with better taught, didn’t have to change gear so much. Was still riding six years ago, he died of prostate cancer in Feb 2017. I miss him lot, but have happy memories.

[Morrison10 in reply to Morrison10]

Just read my last posting, we had second hand Blackbird, as didn’t have to change gear so much.

[peege in reply to Morrison10]

1st was the 600cc for a year then 1000cc for a few years until I was given a large Chocolate Labrador . I tried to keep up the bike for a while however, as I took my dog to work with me it was then only the odd pleasure ride so traded it in for a Golf Convertible. Fred loved it with his eyes closed, his ears flapping in the wind and a sort of smile on his face.

I was brought up sitting in a sidecar with my big sis & a load of camping gear, mum and dad on the bike hitting the road every weekend. I wish I knew now what the bike was. I just recall the smell of leather and it being my father's pride & joy until my younger sis came along that is.

I had two other dream. - not on 'my list' - to motorcycle across America and also around India (though seeing a biker's body smeared along a wall in Kerala put paid the latter in 2000).

[Morrison10 in reply to peege]

Hi that’s interesting history. I had uncle with side car, and in bikers club. Only issue is that overtaking not as easy as bike,. Sorry your dog couldn’t go in modified top box, I’ve seen quite big happy dogs enjoying ride. I know someone who biked in India, said it was amazing, but yes seeing body on wall horrible. My husband worked for American company, spent a week at exhibitions lots of times, I would then join him for week holiday. Renting bike twice cost of car! Happy memories, hope we can enjoy more to come, best wishes.

[Izb1 in reply to peege]

I can just imagine Fred loving this and can see his ears flapping, some dogs love the wind in their face. I wouldnt want to ride in India,its looks mental on their roads, try for US instead, what a dream x

[Izb1 in reply to Morrison10]

How exciting to read this Morrison, I have always been afraid of motor bikes so have never been on one, although I would have loved a simple moped but never plucked up the courage to get on one x

[Morrison10 in reply to Izb1]

I didn’t start riding until after I retired at age 67. Started first on Moped, went for lessons. Prepare yourself for next spring challenge, good luck.x

[sassy59 in reply to peege]

Ooh get you! Well done for doing what you wanted to do. Xxx😘💜

[Blackbird8]

Yes passed my test some years back have got a virago and hubby has a Honda blackbird 1100 sports tourer which I sometime pillion on ....peege you little bandit warrior ❤

[Morrison10 in reply to Blackbird8]

I’m quite envious, well done. Is the Virago Yamaha 600, bit long? Out of date with bikes now!

[peege in reply to Blackbird8]

Oo I used to ride my chap's Virago 750 around London. I liked it because my feet touched the ground 😀 happy days

[Blackbird8 in reply to peege]

That's why I have mine standing at all of 5 ft it's easy rider ❤

[sassy59]

We like Valentino Rossi too and have watched him race on tv quite a few times. Pete used to have a Honda 175 which he loved. I used to ride pillion and really enjoyed it. Carole xxx🥰😘

[HollyBoyd]

Great to hear of all the memories you lung buddies have for your biking adventures xxx🏍️🏍️🏍️

[Morrison10 in reply to HollyBoyd]

Yes had some lovely rides, happy memories. Reason I got moped was because of having to go to hospital other side of Birmingham for 8.30 in morning, I live north of Birmingham. Moped had top speed nearly 50, so could go through tunnels in outside lane, avoiding all traffic joining and exiting and carry on down main road. When got there didn’t have to find parking place, could chain it to railings. When husband was finally given radiotherapy for his prostate cancer, he used moped for same reason. We wore our leathers, just as dangerous if had accident as big bike. Remember prostate PSA test is totally unreliable, husbands was always very low, hence long delay in treatment. Senior experts know its unreliable, but NHS still uses it as main guide as to severity of cancer. My husband died less than year after treatment, after 14 year battle with it but mainly with NHS. Best wishes, Jean x

[HollyBoyd in reply to Morrison10]

Hi Jean. Great times with happy memories for you. Interesting about your husbands prostate cancer and late diagnosis. It is a known fact that PSA results are inconclusive but some GP's do not refer quick enough. I am relieved that my husbands PSA was slightly raised and our GP has referred him straight away, thankfully. I am very sorry to hear that your husband did not get much time after treatment, quite neglectful. Take care and stay safe. xxx😊❤️

[Morrison10 in reply to HollyBoyd]

Hi, my husband was referred to consultant, but because his PSA low no treatment. He had to be catheterised three times, first up in Yorkshire, was admitted to Huddersfield hospital. Consultant there was shocked, wrote to consultant Geoff had been seeing saying needed treatment, no response, nor when happened second time. Third time we had taken bike by lorry with load of race bikes to Jerez race course, ready to spend week riding round that area. First night Geoff had perhaps drunk more than usual, couldn’t pee, had to go to local hospital, who were shocked at his condition, but helpful and catherized. Was a challenge getting leathers etc over bag, good job had taken spare braces etc! Had lovely week, I had to remind him that I needed to find loo! We particularly liked Seville. As soon as back went to our local hospital and said staying there until give him date to see consultant again. As soon as he was seen by people doing tests was told condition advanced, had to have pre-op treatment, followed by radiotherapy every weekday Unfortunately machine broke two or three times each week, so took longer than expected. Had injections afterwards and again even though he said didn’t feel well but PSA low nothing further was done, developed swollen leg, etc. and he died few weeks later. Since then every man I meet or know warn about reliance on PSA , hope I can save live or two. Thanks for your kind comments, best regards, Jean xx

[HollyBoyd in reply to Morrison10]

That was surely neglect from the onset and sounds as though your husband should have had treatment long before he did. I must say, Jean, you certainly enjoyed your motorbike tours of Europe, loads of fun and plenty of great memories. You are so right to warn other men of the dangers of a low PSA reading. Best wishes to you xxx😊

[Hidden]

My wife and I used to be bikers back in the 50's.

BSA 650 twin 1955

[Morrison10 in reply to Hidden]

Wow, that’s good, plenty of luggage space, guess used it for holidays. Until 1958 lived few miles from where built. My husband had BSA gold flash, sometimes rode pillion, but had car then, and roads were much quieter.

[B0xermad]

He has had an amazing career my highlight was seeing him in a gp race in Barcelona more than 10yrs ago.I have only rode pillion on my husbands numerous bikes over the years but stopped 7yrs ago

[Nickcv]

I treated myself to a brand new Triumph Trident 660 for my 60th birthday this year. I've been riding since I was 17.

Triumph Trident 660.

[Morrison10 in reply to Nickcv]

Great, hope have many happy years riding your sparkling Triumph. Jean

[Trishe]

I have ridden pillion only on my husbands Honda FR800cc I don't go on it now tho, we did a lot of charity runs in Cornwall.Be interested to know where you watched Valentino Rossi's review, I would like to watch it too.

Trish x

[Morrison10 in reply to Trishe]

Hi Trish, the Rossi review was on BT Sport, hope you can find way of seeing it. The VFR 800 my husband had was Anniversary version, silver, red, and gold, we went all over Uk. Happy days. Best regards, Jean x

[Trishe]

Thankyou Jean, we don't have BT SPORT, but may be able to download it, your VFR 800 sounds beautiful, ours is black. Comfy bike .xTrish

[Ergendl]

I started on a CZ Trials 175cc to pass my test and then upgraded to a Jawa 350, in the mid 1970s - the only transport I could get living in a small Cumbrian village after my first husband left. Sadly had a serious RTA which put me out of commission for a year (other driver's fault). After that I drove Reliant Supervans until I passed my 4 wheel test.

[Morrison10 in reply to Ergendl]

Hi, sorry had bad experience, hope not badly injured. Regret to say that some other drivers very unfriendly to bikers. Best regards, Jean x

[Ergendl in reply to Morrison10]

Sadly left me disabled for life. These things happen. Car coming in the other direction blew a back tyre on a back country lane and broadsided me. Happened outside the local vet's. Should perhaps have got the treatment there rather than the local hospital for a better outcome.

[Morrison10 in reply to Ergendl]

So sorry, yes perhaps vet treatment would have been quicker, and therefore better! Have you seen Morrison’s story of kind vet. Best wishes, Jean and M x

[corriena]

Yes, i have a full bike licences. unfortunatly i no longer have the strength. I also used to marshal for club and super bikes, great fun briliant people

[Morrison10 in reply to corriena]

That’s great, sorry like me can no longer ride, happy memories. Best wishes Jean x