Motorcycling

Okay, I admit it. I had an early mid-life crisis. I have been a biker since 30th August, 2002, when I passed my motorcycle practical test at the second attempt at the age of 31.

I am what you'd call a touring motorcyclist, although I'm not overly keen on the very big touring bikes, prefering the more slimline sports tourers, which offer the comfort of being able to travel long distances in relative comfort on a more slimline bike.

The proper racing bikes do very little for me, and I can't say I'm interested in any form of motor racing, although if I were, it probably would be motorcycle racing.

I'm also not that mechanically minded. To paraphrase Oddball in the film Kelly's Heroes, "I only drive 'em. I don't know what makes 'em go." - kind of like John Sutherland in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

Since I passed my test, I've racked up around 10,000 miles every year, using motorbikes as my primary means of transport and riding in all weathers at all times of year, although if there's ice on the road, I tend to wimp out.

I've done trips around the UK with a couple of fellow biker mates/work colleagues and ridden to Shetland and back with my wife to visit my brother's family.

Europe Trip, 2010

In September 2010, a friend and I undertook a bike trip around several countries on the Continent. The facts and figures were as follows:

• Start time: 8th September ...at 05:21 from home (Nuneaton)
• End time: 15th September at 17:42 at home (Nuneaton)
• Total distance covered: 2840 miles (4544 kilometres)
• Countries covered: England, France, Monaco, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Luxemburg, Belgium
• Longest distance in one day: 521 miles (in pouring rain!)
• Shortest distance in one day: 193 miles
• Fastest speed: 118 mph (legally, on the Autobahn, I hasten to add) - the bike had quite a bit more to give, but fully loaded up with top box, panniers, cargo bag, and tent, she was starting to shake... and starting to shimmy!

The route was as follows (in an anti-clockwise direction):

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode&q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.johnchivers.com%2Fkml%2F2010-09-EuropeBikeTrip.kml&sll=53.800651%2C-4.064941&sspn=18.913312%2C39.506836&ie=UTF8&z=6

My Bikes

Honda CG125

My first regular bike was a Honda CG-125, which I bought after I'd failed my initial Direct Access test as a means to become more familiar with the mechanics of riding a bike before I took my second test.

It was a great bike and made a great commuting vehicle, not least because of the amazing fuel economy it offered.

Yamaha XJ600S Diversion

My Divvy was my first proper big bike, and I clocked up some serious mileage on it between 2002 and 2007.

Known as a reliable workhorse and a great first bike, it's a favourite of many riding schools.

Honda CBF1000/A

The 'Biffer' is my current beast of burden and the first brand new bike I bought in 2007. A friend of mine had one before me and, having been impressed with its performance and the reviews, it seemed to tick all the right boxes in terms of kind of bike I was trying to find.

I'm completely in love with the bike, particularly as it's proven itself on some quite long trips and hasn't put a foot wrong along the way.