Author Archives: peteryder2003

This will be anathema to some riders and meaningless to many non riders. But some days are just Harley days. Today was one. It was a beautiful morning. Blue sky, warm, somehow everything looked fresh. Being early on a Saturday in France, the streets were empty. I was blessed as I was about to climbContinue reading “Some days are Harley Days”

This must be the very definition of hallowed ground. These were fathers and sons, husbands and lovers, you and me born in the wrong time and place. Now they’re at best a memorial, at least a tourist attraction. But if anyone comes here to pass some time, or as a voyeur, then the silent grandeurContinue reading “Hallowed Ground”

I could stay here. I thought this part of the journey would be head down and motor till the trip starts properly in the Alps. Verdun was not on the plan but the name, and the history, coming at the right point in time and distance proved too attractive. My hotel is ott. Prompted byContinue reading “Verdun”

It is 12 months to the day since I was admitted to hospital to have a pesky tumour removed. Sitting in the pre operating space, surrounded by busy experts going through their routines, I felt like a child, uncertain, a bit scared, curious. My brilliant surgeon and his amazing team did all they could toContinue reading “One Year On”

As I embark on this journey, there is one piece of advice that has been given many times by people I respect. Develop the skills THEN buy the bike. Obviously you need a bike to practise but the point is that you can develop on something capable before heading out and buying a new superbikeContinue reading “All the Gear”

Some weeks back I attended a trackway with my friend Christy. Actually it was meant to be two but I bottled out of day one. I had meant to go on my trick RnineT but a problem with the now compulsory brake lever guard meant that I brought the GSA. I had thought this wouldContinue reading “A New Adventure”

I will be sad to leave here. Sad too that this journey is over. i should have been in Alaska, actually by now in Oregon before heading on a 20-year planned trip through the western third of America. Then Covid happened and that plan failed. I toyed with the idea of completing the islands tripContinue reading “Sad Happy”

As I was riding the coast of Orkney today I spotted a group of older men in a loose cluster by the beach. They were equipped with a range of high-end telescopes and binoculars, some of which seemed capable of making out Neil Armstrong’s footsteps. There was a discernible sense of excitement. Something was happening.Continue reading “Ducks”

As I sit here on the balcony of a chalet on top of a mountain, looking out over a long African valley then it seems wrong to speak of negativity and regret. My head hurts, I came off at unknown speed, but somewhere north of 50mph, and 20ft later hit hard packed gravel. Great immediateContinue reading “Take the positivei”

As I sit here on the balcony of a chalet on top of a mountain, looking out over a long African valley then it seems wrong to speak of negativity and regret. My head hurts, I came off at unknown speed, but somewhere north of 50mph, and 20ft later hit hard packed gravel. Great immediateContinue reading “Take the positive”