Why I Ride

When I was a boy, my mom got me a BMX Haro. We went to the store and I got to choose it myself. It was this blue, thin framed bombshell that I fell in love with at first sight.  I was so excited at the prospect of riding it that I had this irrational fear that we'd die in a car accident before we got home. Having that bicycle meant that I could escape the confines of the house and explore the world. This meant everything to me.

I guess this is where my love for motorcycles first began. The ride. The freedom. The fear.

I had this buddy Nicholas Norris, who would race Motocross every weekend and was always at school with a new broken bone, or battle scar. Needless to say, being friends with Nicolas meant that my mom saw the danger in motorcycles and wouldn't entertain my persistent begging.

On and off over the years uncles, friends and acquaintances would take me for spins on the pillion seat, it was only in my late teens that I rode a motorcycle for the first time. I keeled straight over after opening the clutch on a little two-stroke. I got it somewhat down a dirt road and eventually decided that this just wasn't my thing... BUT THEN (cue action-adventure sounds)

A mate of mine, Trevor, brought his brand new Suzuki 125cc to a party in 2010. While having a few beers he felt quite generous and handed me his helmet and keys. After receiving a dangerously brief tutorial, I got on the bike and promptly began learning the basics in a cul-de-sac. I decided to negotiate a few hills and expand my ride into the suburb, and that was it.  My mind... BLOWN! A few months later I got my learners license and a little red Yamaha 125cc. It was literally the day after my wife's 23rd birthday. Not that impressive for her I guess.

I've only been riding for about 5 years now. I've owned three bikes including the Yamaha, a BMW F650 GS and now a Triumph Thruxton. Riding has never been about the speed for me, its always been about the wind in my face. Hence the title of  this blog, and rightly so, it is better in the wind. I found, sprayed on a tank at Los Muertos Motorcycles in Cape Town, a phrase that epitomised my passion for motorcycles...

My aim is to ride and review as many bikes as I can. Expect to see photos of me in motorcycle showrooms and on long winding roads as we journey together. Put your helmet on, lets ride!