HISTORY
Well, what can I say...? This was my first baby. I was a 3rd year med student and needed transport to get around all my placements (Wales is a big place when you have to rely on public transport).
I bought this fed up with walking everywhere.. I had 2 previous push bikes stolen and had a few quid in the bank for a rainy day. Fortunately, I have the sort of parents who don't believe in spoiling their kids by helping them to buy cars ; I would never have gotten into bikes at all if it wasn't for my folks.. can't thank you enough, Mum & Dad!
This was 100cc of pure sex! Corr... I was so proud.. it had low gearing and could get away from most cars at lights and I once saw 80mph on the clock with a following wind downhill on the M4 to Swansea. Unfortunately, on occasion, I also found myself limited to 50mph into a headwind going slightly uphill.
This was the bike I learnt on too... I remember having absolutely NO idea how to ride a bike. Luckily, the shop deposited it at the nearest CBT lessons where a kindly man with a GL1500 Goldwing taught me in a playground. I rode the bike home that very same day, wobbling all over the place and getting my first thrill as I hit 30mph for the first time... I was totally rubbish and girly; the instructor who followed me back promised to give me more lessons later in the week so he could pass me for the CBT (and thus be allowed to ride alone on the road). For some amazing reason, the week after, as he started to follow me, I had completely mastered the basics of riding.. (what officer ? Me ? Practice in the meantime on the roads with no CBT? tut tut I never would!)
I have very few photos of this bike but it was blue! Someone tried to steal it but I saw them doing it and ran out into the street, air gun in hand, but the scrote had gone... not before removing most of the ignition barrel with a screwdriver mind..
I part exchanged her for my next bike which was the dayglo RD350 YPVS after taking a test ride on the 2 stroke temptress...
CRASHES & NEAR MISSES
I had one nasty get off on this bike... I am very embarrassed and not at all proud of this one but I was young and still learning (the hard way).
Basically, I had been going through a hard time in my first serious relationship so got a bit wasted on alcohol and the odd painkiller. Wanting some fresh air I found I was too inebriated to walk so, in a flash of inspiration, took the bike out (ARRGHH!!!) Needless to say I didn't get very far when I hit a kerb across the road (you know, the ones with bollards in them that cut across the road preventing vehicles taking shortcuts down back streets). All I remember is thinking "BUGGER, who put that there?" and then coming around about 10 yards beyond with the bike by my side. Damage : 1 dented front wheel, a lot of bending of handlebars and a knackered headlight. I went home and collapsed on my bed. I attended A&E next day with split lip and headache (?concussion or alcohol?) and received a tetanus course. So.. like I say, not proud of this at all. but I guess its all part of growing up.
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