MOTORCYCLES

The View from the VIP Tower: MotoGP in The Algarve

It’s never a bad week when you find yourself in Portugal’s stunningly picturesque Algarve region, where the beating sunshine and shimmering Atlantic waters – as well as some of Europe’s most irresistible food and wine offerings – provide the backdrop for no shortage of adventures.  The Algarve has long been a favourite destination for British tourists and those from elsewhere in Europe, and it’s really not hard to see why. The climate is about as close to ideal as found anywhere on the continent, the atmosphere is rarely anything but enviably laid-back, and it boasts an approach to hospitality built upon feeding guests well with simple dishes crafted from quality…

Rookie to Rider BMW Motorrad UK

Rookie to rider with BMW Motorrad

I have a wide range of interests, automotive being peak among them, but the list is long, and the glaring hole was that of the two-wheeled variety. Through conversation with people in the know and riding friends, I was directed towards BMW Motorrad UK, who through a dedicated group of training centres, provide a Rookie-to-Rider training, aimed at people exactly like me.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Out

We all know that the motorcycling community is a tight-knit group. Endless hours tinkering in the garage, ordering new parts online and chatting with our mates about the quirky little things we’re currently doing to show our passion for the freedom of riding a motorbike. It’s what bonds us all together.

Triumph Thruxton R

The trouble with it is, you have to keep stopping. For petrol, for instance. There is never enough in the tank. And in order to refill the tank, you have to find a petrol station, stop, take off your gloves, sunglasses, helmet and earplugs. Then open the beautiful quick release, pretend fuel cap – and the proper locking fuel cap underneath it – and squirt petrol into the tank. Then queue, pay, and go through the whole annoying process again in reverse. And all this when you could simply be riding it. It’s unbelievably frustrating.