Photos (if available) -> Of Course, Pics Bring Colour and Life to text !!!

 

INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE NAME: Paul "Nugmeister"  

 

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?

I studied the iconic film Quadrophenia as part of the Sociological component to my Social Work Degree at Trinity in 2008… I’m a Rocker NOT a Mod !!

 

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

37 years young My first bike -> 2003 BMW F650GS Dakar

 

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

The Multistrada Pikes Peak i’m waiting to collect will be my 9th bike . . .

 

4. Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

2011 Ducati Multistrada 1200 base model with Pikes Peak Decals. Had the pleasure of visiting 17 countries on her! My next bike is the real deal Pikes Peak Edition, ’Twill be my Favourite (Ultimate Dream Bike) Living the Dream !

  

5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what models would you consider?

I am a Ducatisti !!! Would have to be a Ducati, Im hooked . . .

 

6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

1. MV Agusta M4 - 4 pipes under seat, Sexiest arse on a bike Ever!!

2. A top end Off road bike, Maybe Some day ill participate in the Paris Dakar

3. Harley Davidson Road King - She was a great ride - 2 up

 

7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

 Yes, quite a few - Over 30,000km off the island of Ireland visiting 25+ countries on 4 continents since getting my first bike, April 2008

     

 

 

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

 Mondello Track Training Day - Throttle hand not as sharp as it used to be since I had three surgeries on my right arm 2014-2016

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

 8th August 2017 Cahir Castle & The Swiss Cottage. My first ride out with the crew, felt very welcome from the get go. Arek linked me in with group (I paid him €500 cash to get new friends, on the Q.T. of course, wink wink, nudge nudge, ya know what i mean) Dziękuję, przyjacielu

10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

 Glen-barrow & Spelga Dam

11. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

Any Road that is not a motorway.

12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

 Bia Blasta Baltinglass…

13. What was your worst moment on a bike?

 Being 2 hot, 2 cold or Falling asleep while riding, i’m taking tablets for that now…

14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

 Taking a left instead of a right coming out of a hotel in Morocco. I ended up riding for 100km deep into the Sahara Desert before i realised Sat Nav had ‘No U-Turns" set as default. 200km round trip mistake in 45 degree heat. Thank God for my cooling vest!!

  

 

15. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

Conor McGregor !!!!

 (Editor:  Yep - I can see certain similarities!!!)

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME : AREK

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?

• When I was 6 years old, or maybe 7, my uncle (dad’s brother) loved to ride with me as a pilion on single piston 250cc bike called a GAZELLE. I think this bike was made in Poland under a French licence. Another influence was my grandpa (mom’s father). I was always visiting my grandparents for every school break and holidays. In the town where they lived, there was a huge Speedway race track with a great history of good famous riders. Each Sunday I was with my grandpa enjoying the Speedway League races. After all of that I was dreaming to be just like them - and to have lots of nice polish girls too !!!!

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

• I got my first motorbike for my 18th birthday. It was a present from my parents. It was an East Germany /DDR/ creature! An MZ 250cc with a single piston engine again. Aha, that was in the 1980's and at that time in Poland there was no chance of buying a bike made in any of the western countries or Japan. Local dealers only had  German MZ's or bikes made in the Cech Republik like C.Z or JAWA and Russian shity petrol eaters. All bikes like BMW, Honda, Suzuki, Ducati etc. I could only look at in brochure pages and dream about !

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

• Not many. Just 5.  I fall too easily in love with my bike. Some kind of perversion!!!

4.  Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

• None special. In my opinion we all should own at list 3 bikes: 1 for racing, 1 for touring and 1 for dating!

5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

• I love V-Twin’s - the sound of the engine is cracking so any of those would fit nicely under my ass.

6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

• Aprilia for the fantastic engine , so far the Caponord has never disappointed me.

• Honda Goldwing when I reach 70 years of age!

• BMW for versatility - just like the German tanks during  WWII.

7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

• I have done two trips from Ireland. One was along the coastline of Normandy and Brittany with my wife Iwona as a pillion. The second trip was with my friends to LeMans to enjoy the MotoGP races. I am mad VR46 fan.

 

 

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

• No never. If I could, I would have a Panigale and set of tires for free maybe.

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

• I only joined CRRG in the late October 2016 so I am a quite new member, ruining my lovely clean Aprilia in the mud on Irish country roads! Andy, a "commuting traffic light friend"  introduced me . Thanks Andy, and thank all you guys for a nice friendly welcome.  I know that sometimes you get sick listening to that dodgy Polish accent. You are like a big crazy Family !!!

10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

• I've only been on about 4 trips since I joined. The best one so far was the spin to very scary Lullymore .

11. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

• Ring of Kerry and I have to say this is the most beautiful part of Ireland.

12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

• Mother Hubbards for excellent tasty breakfast.

13. What was your worst moment on a bike?

• When I crashed my 18^th birthday present after 2 years of riding it. One of the bends was too sharp and I was rushing to meet my new girlfriend. That day I said to myself ‘’ no more bikes !!! ‘’  I think I was in shock at the time so didn’t know what I was saying ! The pain soon went and after a week or so I started to repair my "birthday present" for another spin.

(Editor:  I wonder did he manage to meet the girl after he crashed ? )

14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

• I am changing this question to "What annoys me the most when I'm on my bike".    All car drivers with no head lights when it's dark and motorists turning left on roundabouts while indicating to turn right !!.

15. Have you any routine or superstitious action that you do before you ride your bike?

• I do have a routine before I go for a spin on my bike.  Usually before I head off, my wife asks me to hoover all the carpets around the house...... and I have to do it!

16. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

• I like Mel Gibson from his "Mad Max" time and I am sure he will have no objection playing me in a film !

 

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME : Gordon

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?

It’s in the blood! My Dad and 2 brothers all had bikes. I just followed in their footsteps.

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

I was 18 and it was a powerhouse of a machine – a Suzuki RG 80 !

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

I’ve owned 9 bikes so far:-

Suzuki RG 80; Suzuki Marauder 125 ; Honda Hornet 250 ; Honda VFR800 ;   Honda Repsol Fireblade 954 ; Honda SP1 ; Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ; BMW K1200S and my current bike – BMW K1300S.

4. Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

Yep – the SP1 and of course my K1300S.

5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

I’d love the latest KTM 1290 Superduke GT.

6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

(Editor: This was left blank. Maybe Gordon is still trying to decide. Or dreaming about a nice glittering KTM)

7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

I’ve only ever been to Scotland on the bike. Presume that’s “foreign” !

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

No….and never will!

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

I think it was in 2014. I met Alan in town and we just got chatting about bikes. He invited me out on a date….... spin I mean !

10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

Really enjoyed the Dromod Transport museum place.

11. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

The route back from that place in Dromod. We went to Carrick-on-Shannon and back via Elphin and Strokestown and Lanesborough I think.

12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

I have no favourites – Breakfast is Breakfast !!!

13. What was your worst moment on a bike?

Getting a puncture in the middle of Connemara on a Saturday evening at around 6:00pm….

14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

When I had my RG 80, trying to pass out cars with not enough power was embarrassing!!     I used to pretend that I was having engine trouble and pull back.

15. Have you any routine or superstitious action that you do before you ride your bike?

Yeah – Always be late !

16. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

Eh,….Colin Farrell (because we are like twins!).

(Editor; Sorry, Gordon, that was already done – by ME!!)

 

 

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME:   Colm

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?

Always wanted one but me Ma wouldn’t let me. When I moved to Cork for work years ago, ended up renting a mobile home with a mad Scottish Lift engineer called Billy (while we were claiming for B&Bs through work), Billy had a CBR 600, so I had to get a bike then too, plus the extra money made it easier !

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

I was about 23, bit of a late starter. Had to be far enough away from the Ma and the wooden spoon before I could buy one. My first bike was a Yamaha XT 600. (Really wanted an Africa Twin though)

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

Just 2, the XT 600 and my Pan European ST1100

4. Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

Definitely my ST1100. It’s cheap to run, can service it myself and does everything I want in a bike, from long distance touring to short spins.

5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

Don’t think I could ever part with my ST1100 but I’d like to add a Honda Blackbird to the collection. Have also thought about a GS 1100, not the 1200, as I might still be able to take a spanner to a 1100 !!.

6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

I’d like a classic BMW because I love the old boxer engines.

I’d love a Yamaha XJR 1100, just a good old brute of a bike.

And of course a Honda Blackbird, a bulletproof eh…. bullet!

7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

When I first got the Pan, I went to the Pan Gathering in Switzerland.

I’ve been to Scotland, Wales and England on the Pan too.

Also, hired a GS1100 for a week (when I had no bike) and toured around Ireland with my uncle who had just bought his GS 1200 at the time.

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

No. Did do a track day in a single seater car in Mondello, which was a blast too and I have a strange hankering for Quad bikes.

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

I joined a couple of years ago now but my attendance isn’t great due to work and the missus. Andy introduced me, as we both worked in the same company for a while. (Don’t mention the war)

10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

I liked Johnstown Castle, it was a lovely museum and the weather was cracking that day too.

But I would hope to visit many more places this year.

11. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

Either the N81 from home to Tallaght or vice versa J

Or the R729 between Borris and New Ross.

12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

Got to be The Forge, though I might be slightly biased as I only live a few miles from it.

13. What was your worst moment on a bike?

Coming home from a friends house years ago on the XT 600, dark and freezing cold, I didn’t take a left hand corner too well, ended up out in the middle of the road heading for oncoming cars, legs flapping about and everything, still here to tell the tale anyway.

14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

Hired a GS1100 for a week and one the first day, a fellow biker was letting me out of a side street in Athy, of course I let the bike stall twice, eventually waved him on and hung my head in shame.

15. Have you any routine or superstitious action that you do before you ride your bike?

Remember to put my glasses on !!

16. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

I know others have picked him but it's got to be Clint Eastwood because, yeah, I do feel lucky :-)

 

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME : Alan  (AKA  The Leader, Il Duce, The Boss, Mein Fuhrer )

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?

In the mid-70's, an older brother bought a brand new wine coloured Yamaha AS1 125 (from Danfay on the North Strand– remember them?) which I thought was the “bees knees” and I just had to have one after that.

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

I was still at school so probably about 16 or 17. From my earnings as lounge-boy in Kennedy’s pub in Drumcondra,   I bought the Yamaha 125 off my brother (who went on to cars – he wasn’t a real biker!).  I used to ride the bike to secondary school  and park beside one of the teacher’s Honda CD175 !!!

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

22 so far. Hopefully I am not finished yet !

4. Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

I loved my 2008 Honda Fireblade. I had over 30 accessories on it including a Two Brothers exhaust (amazing sound), lots of carbon-fibre, wavey discs, seat covers, adjustable levers etc. etc.  

The lime green Kawasaki Ninja 636 was a lovely looking bike…. and crazy. Well able to keep up with Blades and Gixxers. 

But for “mature” riding and 2-up touring, my current bike – the BMW K1600GTL Exclusive - has everything from sheer power and torque to comfort and every gadget you’d possibly need.

5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

For commuting – a Yamaha MT09 Tracer (light, powerful and relatively cheap).

For Touring – there is no competition, it’d have to be another K1600 GTL Exclusive.

6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

1. Pete has already stolen my idea! For sheer power (and great looks) it’d have to be a Kawasaki Ninja H2R.  (The two of us could go to Norway together on them!).                           

2.  I love the look and shape of the Kawasaki  GTR1400 so that’d be my spare Sports Tourer.           

3.  An Adventure bike – choice between the BMW GS LC Adventure and the  KTM 1290 GT.    

But if money was no object, why stop at 3 bikes ??? I’d also have a Ducati Panigale(yes Karl)  and an MV Agusta F4 for Sunday morning blasts and a lovely chrome Norton V4 SS.  Also, though they are no longer being made, I think the KTM RC8 (in orange/white/black) is one of the best looking sports bikes ever made, so I’d have to get one of them too.      

7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

Yes. Years ago, Sandra and I went as far as Rome on a Honda CX500 Turbo (one of only 2 Turbos in Ireland at the time). On the same bike, we also went through France into Northern Spain, stopping at a town called Huesca.  We also went through France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany on a lovely Yamaha 1.1 litre with Windjammer fairing (complete with radio-cassette player!), Krauser panniers, King & Queen seat and highway pegs !

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

Not on actual race tracks ! In my early days you’d always get a “dice” coming through town or out the Dunlaoghaire/Bray direction. Mad when I think of it now. Irish Road Racing…but with traffic !!

I was on my bog-standard Yamaha RD 350 one day when a bloke in full leathers on a full race-tuned RD350 pulled up beside me.  The traffic lights changed  to Green – you know the story. But my bike left his for dead and at the next set of red lights he caught up with me, looked at me in shock, and asked if mine was race tuned!!

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

I introduced myself in 2009.

10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

Hard to pick just one spot. We have been to such a variety of places from abbeys to castles, museums and Folk Parks to military displays and megalithic sites to beautiful gardens and scenic spots.  I like the actual spin to Carlingford and there’s just something about the town itself.  Two more favourite spots are Lough Crewe Cairns and nearby Fore Abbey.  But I really enjoyed the trips to the Railway museum in Dromod and to the Corlea Bog Trackway (especially eating the 3,000 year old bog-butter !!). Also enjoyed the mountain spins like Sliabh Bloom and Sliabh Gullian  but especially Black Mountain as the views were stunning.  Leap Castle was great fun and loved St. Canices Round Tower too.  I could go on and on ………

11. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

For a short trip, I love the spin up to Slane.   Like Karl, I also like the surface and bends on the N51 from Slane to Drogheda.  Love the spin to Kilkenny via Athy and Castlecomber. The R394 from Mullingar to Castlepollard is fab as is the R390 from Mullingar to Athlone . But really any road or route apart from the M50 and other Motorways!

12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

We are always well looked after at The Forge. But it’s hard to beat Mother Hubbards !

13. What was your worst moment on a bike?

Having my RD350 stolen…TWICE.   Once from the garage when I lived at home and the second time from the Custom House where I worked.  Got it back both times but it was badly vandalised the second time.

14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

At Fore Abbey, on my Fireblade, I went to take off but had forgotten to remove a disc lock !! But, luckily for me, it was only a cheap LIDL lock which actually snapped so I didn’t fall over. But the brake disc was slightly warped so I had no front brake and I had to ride home using the rear brake and gears to slow me down.

15.   Have you any routine or superstitious action that you do before you ride your bike?

        I always put on my left glove first.  (Don't ask why!!)

 

16.     If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

That fecker, Pete, stole my ideas again !!!!   I was going to say Ewan McGregor but maybe Colin Farrell instead as he’s a Dub too !

 

 

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Therese (with guess who) at the car park at Dwyer/McAllister's Cottage in Wicklow.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE - PILLION

NAME:   Therese

1. Have you ever owned or ridden a motorcycle or taken lessons?

                  No - I like to be driven around like a queen.

          2. Have you any plans to get your own motorcycle? If so, what bike?

              Nope, why would I when I have my own driver to do that for me.

          3.What do you like best about riding as pillion on a motorcycle?

                  Sitting still and doing nothing. Oh!.. and the scenery.

           4. What do you not like about riding as pillion?

               Talking to the back of John’s lid.

          5. From a pillion point of view, what is your favourite bike (comfort/protection etc)?

              The Pan as long as the driver is John.

          6. What other model of bike would you like to try as pillion?

               Whatever bike John is driving.

          7. Do you ever communicate with the rider while on the road on a spin?

                Yes a small bit.

          8. Do you listen to music or radio while out on a spin?

                   No.

          9.  Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

                Is Wales foreign? ha ha

         10. Would you prefer travelling as a passenger by car or motorbike??

              Either as long as I don’t have to drive.

        11. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you (apart from your partner)?

                Years ago, Mark Holland.

         12. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

               Dwyer/McAllisterCottage, Wicklow, the views were fab on the way.

         13. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

               All of them as long as I’m with John

          (Editor: I'm beginning to think that, despite my warnings, JP may have influenced some of the responses)

         14.  What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

               The Old Post Office Bistro, Slane.

            (Pity- it's closed now!)

         15. What was your worst moment on a bike?

                The road back from Lough Key Forest Park Roscommon. That's where I left my     womb behind me!! 

                   (As far as I remember, Pat also lost his womb on those back roads!)

          16. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

                Still waiting for it to happen.

          17. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

                  The actress to play me hasn’t been born yet .

 

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME : Saverio  (We call him "Claudio" as we can't pronounce his real name!)

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?

   A friend / former collegue in Italy. I was always saying that motorbikes were not for me, and he wanted to show me his brand new BMW GS800. He told me: “I'll let you try it, I'll teach you”. Of course the first thing I did was to fall over on the very first bend on his shining motorbike.

   He told me that he was worried for me, and the bike, but not in this order. Luckily it was low speed and I controlled it a bit, and there was hardly a scratch on the bike. I would not be alive otherwise, I think.

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

   Very late, I was 27 years old, just after the “test” on the GS. I bought a bike, still without a licence, learned with the the learning permit, and got the full licence. It was a Kawasaki ER6N.

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

   Three :-  Kawa ER6N, Yamaha MT-09 and now my Orange: KTM 1190 ADV.

4. Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

   KTM, almost the power of a sportbike on a touring / adv bike, and the fun of the ER6N.

5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

   Boooh ( that's Italian, meaning = don't know ), actually I am really happy with this one.

6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

   The KTM, a Triumph Bonneville and some kind of pure enduro to learn real off-road riding.

7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

   Technically, I went living in a foreign country (i.e. Ireland) on my bike, with all my life packed in a top box and side bags. Does it count? (Editor: NO !!!)

   Anyway, did all Balkan countries ( Slovenia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Makedonia, Albania, Croatia, Serbia ) with my bike, girlfriend and tent. 7K Km of tour in 18-20 days.

   A lot in France: usually motorbike + Sailing, my favourite mix.

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

   Nope. Not sure I like it, I am not much for speed, I think I am afraid of it. Ok, that's not true, but within certain limits.

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

   May? Or June this year. No, not this year, it's 2017 now, last year, 2016, introduced by Marco.

10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

    I really liked the Leap Castle spin.

11. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

    Mmm, difficult to say, I am blindly following the group, cause til now I haven't been disappointed, so I never checked what roads we were on! Well, I have them all tracked on GPS tracker of course :D

12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

    I don't remember!!! I don't even remember where I was five minutes ago, I am old!

13. What was your worst moment on a bike?

    Sneezing!!! My visor was blocked for a split second but I veered over the white line at a tight bend. Luckily there were no on-coming cars.

    Well, there was also my first accident, after which I had to use a walking stick for 3 months, and lots of painkillers. But I started riding after a month, anyway ( found a good way with a hook and rope to attach the stick to the bike! ).

    But still, technically that was not my worst moment on the bike, because I was off the bike, sliding on the road on my back, crossing a traffic light, and stopping on tram rails. The bike was with me only in the first moment.

14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

    Forgetting to remove the disc lock, starting and falling on the spot, breaking the clutch lever....

    ... and then the time I was leaving the bike forgetting to put down the side stand, and saving it through the pure force of will to avoid it falling.

    And then when ... .....No - some things are better kept to yourself !!!!!!

15. Have you any routine or superstitious action that you do before you ride your bike?

    No, but now I will find something for next time, I don't want to be excluded! Suggestion accepted.

16. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

    ... O_O    What type of question is tthat?      John Matuszak ( this is not for many, I think )

Editor: John Matuszak was an American Football player in the NFL before he became a fairly successful actor in the 1980s, making appearances in movies and on television, often portraying football players or gentle giants. His first major role was in the 1979 movie North Dallas Forty as a football player. He appeared in the movies Caveman, The Ice Pirates, One Man Force, and One Crazy Summer, but is frequently remembered as deformed captive Sloth in The Goonies, the make-up for which took five hours to apply.^[7] Matuszak's character Sloth wears an Oakland Raiders shirt in some scenes. He had numerous guest appearances in TV shows such as Perfect Strangers, M*A*S*H, The Dukes of Hazzard, Hunter, Silver Spoons, The A-Team, 1st & Ten, Miami Vice and Cheers.

 

 

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME :  JR 

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?

My cousin, Michael. He had a Honda 50 and showed me how to go on it.  I was about 15.

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

My Dad then got me a Honda 50 for my 16^th birthday !

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

Eight in total:- Honda 50,  Honda 125,  Yamaha 200, Honda 500 Twin,

Honda VFR800, Honda X1100, Suzuki Hayabusa 1300 and Yamaha FJR1300. (None of that foreign, European sh*t for me!!).

4. Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

The Honda X1100 and of course “Big Blue” herself, the Yammy FJR1300.

5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

A Kawasaki GTR 1400

6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

1. A white Honda Goldwing, complete with trailor. 2. A GTR 1400 and 3. Yamaha FJR1300

7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

No.

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

No.

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

It was back in 2012 and I met Paul at the petrol station in Clonee who then introduced me to the group. My first spin with CRRG was to Locke’s Distillery in Kilbeggan.

10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

Kilkenny Castle.

11. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

Down the N11 and back over the Wicklow mountains.

12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

It would definitely have to be Mother Hubbards.

13. What was your worst moment on a bike?

Not being able to catch a little BMW S1000RR and Honda Fireblade coming home from a spin on the M9 near Gowran !!

14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

I’ve had a few !!! Mostly falling off the bike in car parks ! (I blame a faulty side-stand).  But probably the most embarrassing one was when a group of us were riding on the beach in Wexford.  I was riding my brand new Honda 125...... backwards !!  I couldn’t stop it or jump off and ended up heading into the sea !!  Brand new bike washed and rusted all in one day!

            (Editor:  I could think of a few more.....   Walk away !!!)

 

15. Have you any routine or superstitious action that you do before you ride your bike?

Just turn the key and BANG !

16. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

The top gun himself – Tom Cruise.  

   (Editor; Several people have remarked how much Tom Cruise resembles our JR...)

 

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME: MARCO “Truly Italian”

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?

When I was 6 my father started to bring me to Motocross Races, we had a famous circuit pretty close to where we lived. He always had the passion for motorbikes, he was riding a brand new Laverda 800cc at that time (Laverda was a very popular Italian motorcycle brand) and when I was 8 he started to carry me all around as a pillion. Still remember my first Boeri helmet.

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

I had my first 2 motorised wheels at the age of 13 with an Aspes bike followed by a Vespa 75cc with Polini exhaust.

When I was 16 I had my first real bike, Gilera SP01 125cc with 35HP! The passion for sports bike started to get bigger and bigger

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

Not a huge amount: Gilera SP01, Moto Guzzi V35, Honda Hornet, BMW S1000 RR, BMW K 1300 S, Honda VFR 1200, Ducati Panigale 1299 S

4. Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

Gilera SP01 because was the first one, 1299 S because of its character and soul. However, I am still waiting for the next one to come…

5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

At the moment BMW GS 1200 Adventure and the new 2017 BMW R Nine T Racer

6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

Panigale 1299 Superleggera, Norton Dominator, 2017 BMW GS 1200 Rally

7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

No, but I have rented a bike in foreign countries like Greece

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

No, I was planning for few track days here, considering I would like to get a dry tarmac when I go there, it would be almost impossible J I have cancelled few of them already.

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

Back in 2012, Andy kindly introduced me to the group, first spin to Wicklow gaol

10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

There is no particular one, I enjoyed most of them AS LONG AS it is NOT bloody freezing…(that is why I stopped riding a month ago)

11. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

N81, in particular the road from Blessington to Baltinglass.

N51 from Athboy to Delvin and N52 from Delvin to Kells.

Last but not the least The R755 from N11 to Laragh WHENEVER is free from f** cyclists and tractors… (I know it is a lost battle)

12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

Baltinglass “The Perch”…actually Alan, have you ever brought the guys there or is it too posh J?

       (Editor:  You must be barred from Bia Blasta so).

13. What was your worst moment on a bike?

I had one going back to the Gilera SP01 time. Riding with a pillion, on a harsh bend I touched the rear brake, there was gravel on the road and we finished up going straight into a ditch. Bike was completely scratched and broken and I had scratches and bruises all over my body. As a punishment, my father banned me from using the bike again for 3 months - in a middle of the summer season. What a shock to the system!!!

14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

Going back to 6 years ago, I was riding my 3 months old BMW S1000RR. I wanted to visit a friend of mine who owns a hotel in Tuscany so I decided to park the bike at the back of the hotel. Unfortunately the outdoor parking space had no tarmac or asphalt surface but only deep gravel - biker's nightmare! Needless to say, as soon as I entered the space, at a very, very low speed, my front wheel sunk deep into the gravel and I lost control of the bike falling over. There were lots of people passing by as they were going to the beach, so I felt very embarrassed but I managed to lift up the bike by myself in a matter of seconds. The bike's left fairing and the mirror were completely scratched…

15. Have you any routine or superstitious action that you do before you ride your bike?

Yes, one. Before each spin, the bike has to be spotless. I used to clean it after every spin including chain lube (if needed) so on so forth.

         (Editor: The rest of you, take note!!)

16. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU?

There is one particular movie which I would be glad to be part of “The Great Escape” (1963) - I’d like to be Steve McQueen

Check this out: https://youtu.be/6zwW7iWinrk

 

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME:    Pat  - The Caped Crusader himseff!!

 

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?    

     Born with a need for speed.

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?  

    About ten. It was “borrowed" from a neighbour who used to park it in our shed most days. It was blue and you had to pedal it to start it up. No idea what it was? It had to be hotwired first—turn on the petrol. Only in a field of course.

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

Honda CD 175, Yamaha Fazer 600 , Kawasaki Z750S,   Suzuki DL1000 (RIP),   Suzuki 650. KTM 990 Adventure,   Honda Pan European ST1300.

4.  Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?      

      The Honda for comfort,   Ktm for raising the pulse.

5.  If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

      Might like a spin on the Ktm 1290?

6.  If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

     Anything with two wheels that’s not a pain in the ass  

7.  Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

     Yes   France, France and France. (Ger loves France !},   Wales 2016--- Not the big one.

8.  Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

      Incriminate myself?????

9.  When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

      About 2014?. Mick o’Shea.(Nice Triumph Mick)

  (Editor: Neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours.......)

10.  What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?  

       The Cooley peninsula—Why? It was my idea.

11.  What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

         Up that hill in the Cooley of course

12.  What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?    

      Mother Hubbard’s

13.  What was your worst moment on a bike?    

        Losing a good friend from a crash 50 metres in front of me back in the late seventies.          

        Writing off the Dl 1000 near Lusk

14.  What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?  

        Decided to test out a large yellow cape that a postman might use on his bicycle. Headed up   through Swords and when I reached about 30 Kph the cape decided to envelop my entire head and nowhere else. Like having the helmet the wrong way round. You can imagine the rest of the story?

15. Have you any routine or superstitious action that you do before you ride your bike?

       No

16.  If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU?

     Christian Bale --The Caped crusader ( See Q14)

 

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME :   BIG JIM

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?    

Went to TT Races when I was 13 and had a love of bikes since.

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

Did not get a bike until I was 30, as a second means of transport , it was Yamaha SR125.

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

Lots! - Yamaha SR125- Honda CB500- Suzuki Bandit 600 – Yamaha Fazer 600 – Yamaha TDM900 – Honda CB1300 – Honda CBF1000 – Honda Fireblade 2007 model – 2 Honda VFR800 – Honda VFR1200 – Triumph Tiger 1050 – BMW K1200S – BMW K1200GT – BMW R1200GS oil cooled and presently BMW R1200 GS liquid cooled model!!!

     (Editor:  I make that 16 bikes, Jim!)

4. Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

Fireblade for the speed and thrill of riding it, new GS as it is a great all-rounder and so easy to ride, try one for yourself !!!

5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

Can’t say. I might see something I fancy any day soon.

6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

I would have a BMW S1000RR for the Sunday blast, a New GS for commuting and long spins and probably an old Honda 6 cylinder to look at.

7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

Done the TT races in 2006, Scotland 2010, Goodwood Festival of Speed 2013. I hope to get a European trip in next year.

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

No- too scared of pain.

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

3 years ago when I sold my VFR1200 to Alan.

10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

Enjoyed the scary castle this year - it was surreal!!  (Leap Castle spin)

11. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

The road to Delvin is good for bends and fairly quiet.

12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

My body is a temple ! I only eat fruit when out! But if I had to, Mother Hubbards do a good breakfast. ;-)

13. What was your worst moment on a bike?           

On a trip to Scotland, it rained heavy on a long spin and I could not see the road in front of me. With artic lorry’s passing in the spray, I was sure I was finished!!

14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

Fell off a new Fazer outside work when I forgot to put side stand down, felt a complete idiot.

15. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

Clint Eastwood ! … so he could have good one liners that you say to yourself in your helmet every day when someone tries to kill you on the roads.

 

 

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Photo by kind permission of UFC Cage Fighters Inc. USA.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME :   J P

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?

I have always been interested in two wheeled transport. I learned to cycle at three years of age.

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

I was sixteen. I got a brand new DT125 from The Gem in Ranelagh, my brother and his mate chaperoned me back to Coolock.

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

I am on my fourth. I hate to let go.

4. Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

Has to be the Pan.

5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

Maybe in another twenty years or so. I might get something that interests me. I’ll have to wait and see.

6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

See question 5.

7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

Nothing further than the UK. The gods have conspired against me.

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

Not officially licenced, your honour, and only when I was younger.

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

It’s all Mark Holland’s fault. The memory is not what it used to be, but it’s more than one and less than ten years ago.

            (Editor;  It was actually 2010 so he was bang on......more or less!!)

10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

The Brew Dock. The craft beer might have influenced my decision.

11. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

N81, and Wicklow Gap comes to mind, but anywhere in the company of friends to be honest. It’s more about the journey than the destination.

12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

The Post Office in Slane was nice. They did lovely coffee. The food was great, the staff were very friendly, and the toilet was a great read. Pity it closed.

13. What was your worst moment on a bike?

Oscar Traynor road, just passed the Garda station on my RD350 LC.Green light on the Malahide road. Popped a wheelie in second on the brow of the hill. Some eejit had polished the grips with STP son of a gun. Left hand came off the bike so I looked like the LoneRanger on trigger. Got the front wheel down just in time to avoid the ELK.

(Editor: For those Non-Northsiders among us, the “Elk” which JP is referring to is a Newsagents shop in Coolock and not a large  North American mammal of the deer family)

14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

See question 13.

15. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU?

If it’s okay with you , I’m still reading the script myself. As Spike Milligan said. “ I don’t mind dying, I just don’t want to be there when it happens. “

 

 

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE - PILLION

NAME : Sandra

1. Have you ever owned or ridden a motorcycle or taken lessons?

No. But I have ridden on motorised 2 wheels – a Segway !

2. Have you any plans to get your own motorcycle? If so, what bike?

No - never….

3. What do you like best about riding as pillion on a motorcycle?

The scenery and being with my own thoughts

4. What do you not like about riding as pillion?

Turnarounds on narrow country roads; loose gravel roads; and when Alan turns to give drivers a dirty look !

5. From a pillion point of view, what is your favourite bike (comfort/protection etc)?

The bike we have now – the BMW K1600GTL exclusive. Also loved the GS Adventure.

6. What other model of bike would you like to try as pillion?

Can’t think of any but, as a pillion, I’d like to try sitting backwards and using a video camera.

7. Do you ever communicate with the rider while on the road on a spin?

Only when I have to tell him off !!

8. Do you listen to music or radio while out on a spin?

No

9. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

Yes. Many years ago. We’ve been a few times to France. Also been to Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Spain. If it counts, we also did a round trip of Ireland over 2 weeks.

10. Would you prefer travelling as a passenger by car or motorbike??

Motorbike, definitely.

11. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you (apart from your partner)?

Joined for my first spin with the CRRG in June 2013 (to Clonmacnoise).

12. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

I enjoy them all. But one trip that stands out was the visit to Mick’s old family homestead in Lanesborough and his stories about growing up there. It was the same day of the launching of the boat over to Mick’s island. That was the funniest thing to watch !! J

13. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

I love the M9 up to the Athy exit. The section of motorway where the land flattens out on either side of the road. We always seem to have the road to ourselves! And I know that JR is just going to whizz past and we are going to take off! BANG BANG

14. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

It’d have to be the Monasterboice Inn. Lovely place, lovely food and good car park. Also, it’s not too far away… especially when you’re looking forward to a Full Irish !

15. What was your worst moment on a bike?

Falling asleep on the bike on the trip to Italy after hours and hours of riding in the lashing rain.

16. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

When I fell asleep !

17. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

Marge Simpson.

 

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME: “Honda Man” himself, DEREK

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?

In my teens I was a pal of Danny Keaney who later on got the Yamaha agency for Ireland (DanFay Ltd - name derived from Danny Keaney & Felim McHenry the founders) and went on to establish the (then) Irish speed record in 1978 on the Carrigrohane Straight in Cork.  Even then he achieved an impressive top speed of 204mph(!).  He won his bet with Rosemary Smith, rally driver, who achieved only 178mph in her Jaguar.

In 1960 I was 17 years young.  Full licence for £1 over the counter, all vehicle categories, no test.

Of course I wasn't 17 for more than 12 months at which time I decided to take a serious interest in alcoholic binges.  Well, two-wheel driving and alcoholic binges are not good bedfellows so I bought a car.  You could drive home then after at least 20 pints - If you were still awake - because most of the cops were on old Raleigh or Rudge black push bikes and my car could do 57 mph.  Bye bye cops.

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

I got my first bike in 1960 (!) - a very powerful Honda Cub 50cc - capable of a frightening top speed downhill of 37mph.  Actually, I believe I bought the very first Honda 50 imported and assembled in Ringsend by Reg Armstrong Ltd.

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

I've only ever owned six bikes.  Honda 50, Honda Shadow 700, Honda Pan European 1100 (times 3), Honda Goldwing 1800.  (Nah, don't like BMW, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Aprilia, Suzuki, Harley, Triumph, KTM, Ducati, or very hot currys.).

4. Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

Loved all them Hondas though but best in class has to be the Wing.

5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

If I was changing? Well, always liked the (of course!!) Honda Firestorm 1000 twin.  Remember them?

6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

If I won the Lotto, it'd be a Goldwing, a Firestorm and a Harley Road King.

7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

Foreign road trips? Yep - France/Spain 2003, Wales 2005,  Wales 2008, France 2010, Scotland 2011, France 2012, France 2013, France/Spain 2014, Italy 2015, Wales 2016, Kerry 2016(!).  Plus bike rental Canada.

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

Never raced, except illegally on public roads.  I blame CRRG rideout fever.  And Sam Kelly.

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

Joined CRRG sometime near the start - what is it now Alan - seven years ago?? 1999?

(Editor: Either his maths is poor or he’s just gone doddery !! Derek was one of the founding members of the CRRG back in 2009)

10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

Best place visited with CRRG was the Arigna coal mine museum.  Great trip and fascinating history.  Plus I got the seniors' discount.  But all the trips are great - it's a matter of your viewpoint.

11. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

My favourite road has to be the N81.  Love the twisties.  Mind you, in the Italian Alps there's brilliant roads but, ah, you wouldn't know them.  And the East Antrim coast road.  And the Canadian Rockies.  Love the Conor Pass too.

12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

Favourite cafe? Probably Mother Hubbards and that place in Baltinglass, Bia Blasta.

13. What was your worst moment on a bike?

Worst moment on a bike? It's when I hit that car head-on in Cavan (and broke my femur)

14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

Most embarrassing moment must be when I dropped the bike and my pillion (!) rider into the petrol pump in Kinnegad - full forecourt and we needed help to pick everything up.

15. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

If ever they were making a film of my life (ha ha ha) I'd want Charlie Boorman to play me.  I think he's sort of a kindred spirit.

 

 

 

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NAME:    Mick (One Half of the Mick & Dell Duo)   [Editor: He's the one on the left)

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?

I remember my Uncle who ran a Pub in London (Old red Cow) arriving home for summer hols one year (many many moons ago) with a Royal Enfield and sidecar attached. Wife on the back and his two daughters in the sidecar

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

Got a Honda 50 (hand me down) when I was 16. No tax or Insurance……them were the days around the fields and bye roads .

Around 19 when I started working In Dublin. Spent me Mammie’s nest egg on my first “real bike”. It was a Honda 100. Gold with real solid chrome mudguards. Got plenty of safety lectures on weekend trips home and then doused with Holy Water for the return leg on a Sunday night.

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

4 so far and as a pregnant woman would say “another on the way” ……watch this space

4. Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

I always have a certain affection for the first bike (my Honda 100). But leaving sentimentality aside I’d have to say that my current bike FJR is everything I ever wanted in a Bike. Reliable, fast and a great touring bike.

5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

There are certain Brand Names that would attract me. I like the Triumph range and also some BMW models.

6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

A new FJR………. (See Q & A to 4 aabove)

BMW Adventure …….. May need this for any more foreign trips with Uncle Dell

An Indian just for the looks and to annoy Harley Owners

7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

Two trips to France via ferry from Ireland

Trip to Italy (Lake Come, Lake Garda, Venice etc etc) Overlanders took my bike to Nice and I collected it there and dropped it off there after 2 weeks. A great way to go further affield on a bike trip if you want your own bike.

Rented out a bike in Greece back in 1979.

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

No and have never been interested. I probably would have written off a few

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

Uncle Alan back in 2010 … I think

10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

Loads of places. I’d have to say Corlea Trackway and our day in Kildare on the shooting range

11. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

I remember the road from Kinnegad to Trim. Also Dunboyne to Mullingar and Mullingar to Athlone.

12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

The original one in Slane or was it because Angelina Jolie’s twin sister worked there

13. What was your worst moment on a bike?

Sliding under a car in Gardiner Street around 1972. Didn’t break anything but had a dodgy ankle for months afterwards.

14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

I suppose letting the bike fall in a campsite in France. Drove into sand and soft ground. Then again it could be burning my leg on the hot exhaust.

15. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

I might ask Arnie…………………….     “I’ll be back”………………

 

 

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME:    Paul C.

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?

I suppose it was about mid-teens.   My cousins were into bikes and I learned to ride messing about on theirs.  The first one I ever rode (if you could call it a motor bike as it was one of those things with an engine and pedals.)  I think it was called an NSU Quigley and belonged to the cousin’s dad.  He used to take the spark plug out when he was at work so they couldn’t take it out but spark plugs are not that dear !!!  If I remember rightly I also got to ride a Yamaha Twin, Honda 250 and Honda 400 Four around the roads of Finglas West at the time.  Cousin also had a Honda 750 but had to settle for pillion on that.

My better half rekindled my interest by buying me some lessons with ISM to see how I felt about it and after that I bought an ER5. That said, the interest never really died as a visit to Mountjoy motors was a regular feature of any visit to town as generally conspired to park in Blessington St.

 

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

I was 20 when I got my first bike- a Honda 50 !!!

 

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

I have owned 8 bikes, most since I took up biking again. My early career was very limited and ended when the kids arrived,  had probably got a bit nervy as well because of a few bad spills

 

4. Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

Not really. Have enjoyed them all for one reason or another.

 

5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

Have just changed so not something I would have thought much about.

 

6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

No great ambitions in that area but would love a few minutes on Valentino’s bike.

 

7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

Just the recent spin to Wales with Derek, Mark and John. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to do more like it.

 

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

Never raced and despite urgings from Andy haven’t done a track day either.

 

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

I suppose I am nearly a founder member . Got talking to Alan in the bike shed in Gandon and we went for few spins to Navan via Slane and it grew from there.  My first “group” spin was with Alan and some of his other mates to the road racing near Newry.  Wasn’t that confident at the time and the speeds they were doing frightened the s***e out of me.                        

(Editor:  ah, we were taking it easy with you !)

10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

There have been so many. Annual visit to chez Christy, Marble Arch caves, Lough Crew, 1798 Centre in Enniscorthy, Military Museum near Collon.   There have also been occasions where the venue wasn’t great but the day was memorable  because of the laugh we had.

       

11. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

Has to be the Blessington Road followed by the Ashbourne Rd (for a blast !!)

 

12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

The Forge and the Town Diner in Ballyjamesduff.

 

13. What was your worst moment on a bike?

Worst moment happened many years ago on my way home one night from Brigid’s flat in Rathgar. Driving CG125 at the time when I was hit by a guy who came out of a side street and didn’t stop.  Did a nice dive across his bonnet, followed by the bike.  Thankfully only badly bruised and very sore though the bike wasn’t too pretty after it.

 

14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

Has to be waving goodbye to the Ma one evening outside her house and forgot about the disc lock with the inevitable result……………………

 

15. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

Humphrey Bogart

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE - PILLION

NAME:   Andrea

 

1. Have you ever owned or ridden a motorcycle or taken lessons?

No, I have never owned a motorcycle. I had lessons twice though. Got them as my birthday present!! Someone would loooove me to ride a bike……. apparently that someone would even marry me if I rode a motorbike J

 

2. Have you any plans to get your own motorcycle? If so, what bike?

I am going to buy an electric bicycle after the winter is over. I like taking things slow! :-P

 

3. What do you like best about riding as pillion on a motorcycle?

Enjoying the scenery!

 

4. What do you not like about riding as pillion?

Getting on and off the bike when all the cases are on.

 

5. From a pillion point of view, what is your favourite bike (comfort/protection etc)?

We will be getting a new one in February. It’s orange and has heated seats ! That’s all I remember from the test ride ! :-D

 

6. What other model of bike would you like to try as pillion?

A sidecar perhaps…….?

 

7. Do you ever communicate with the rider while on the road on a spin?

He tries to communicate with me, but I barely hear anything !

 

8. Do you listen to music or radio while out on a spin?

Nope.

 

9. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

Not yet. May do next Spring.

 

10. Would you prefer travelling as a passenger by car or motorbike??

That depends on the weather and how I feel…..

 

11. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you (apart from your partner)?

Spring 2012 I think……..

 

12. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

There are so many – but I prefer castles and lovely gardens to military museums !! ;-D

 

13. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

Any that is not called a “motorway”.

 

14. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

Hmmmmm. I am not fussy. I don’t have to have fancy coffees……;-)

 

15. What was your worst moment on a bike?

My first spin on Andy’s Fireblade.   Nothing to grab onto and a very uncomfortable seat. Andy told me to “be like a sack of potatoes” but that didn’t work – I almost fell off !!!

 

16. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

Once the bike fell over to the side while we were stopped at traffic lights. Not nice !!!

 

17. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

Why, Angelina of course !!!    He! He! He!

 

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NAME: Vincent   (I’m Irish, right)

 

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?

My Da had a BSA Bantam 175 when I was a toddler and I still remember the smell of exhaust and petrol.

 

  2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

I was 14, it was an old seized and rusting Moped (one with peddles, it belonged to an aunt), I stripped it down fixed the engine, resprayed it and got it back running. I then progressed on to a Honda 50 stripped the engine and rebuilt it and one of my brothers took it and used it for a couple of years. I was obviously too young to use them.

 

3.    How many motorbikes have you owned?

Well I had one of these   CB100                     One of these:  CG125  

 

One of these  CD175                  One of these  Dullvilles

 

And one of these not quite as Dullvilles And of course right now Old Angel Eyes                                                                                                                                                                    K 1300GT

 

4.    Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

       It has to be Old Angel Eyes ! 

 

5.    If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

          Well, any one of these would be nice:-   

                 

 

     

 

     6.    If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

• 1. Vincent Black Shadow     2. Moto Guzzi Le Mons     3. MV Agusta 500

•                                                              Always wanted one ............always loved these .......... and THIS was real motorcycle racing !!!                                                                                                                                               

• Check out this link thanks to Paul https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlumFUwKVk0

 

 7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

No.  But I have hired out on holiday

 

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

Not bikes but have in cars - single seaters: Formula Shane and Formula Vee

 

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you? 

It was in 2015.   Strangely enough I was introduced to CRRG by "she who must be obeyed", (known in some secret circles as "The Courier"). I was given the meeting place so I turned up and basically introduced myself, so I guess it was me.

 ( Editor's note: For clarity, "The Courier" is one of my secret agents and I passed on our secret rendevouz point to her to give to Vincent).

 

10.  What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

There are lots of venues but St Canice’s Tower in Kilkenny and Wells House Wexford and the 150th  trip to Christie and Ger.

 

11.  What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

There are a few-  the N81 Tallaght - Blessington, the R390 Mullingar to Athlone and Dundalk- Ardee- Mullingar.

 

12.  What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

Ah, I would have to pick the Salmon Leap in Leixlip but you are always welcome at "Mothers".

 

13.  What was your worst moment on a bike?

Driving down Alexandre Road East Wall my front wheel got wedged in the railway track and as you can guess it was also my first flying lesson. This was during my experimental years where I had my first belt clip on radio (with one ear phone). Well the radio ended up being a very sore point and was discarded after that.

 

14.  What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

As above. I could hardly walk afterwards !! 

 

15.   If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

It'd have to be Spartacus himself Kirk Douglas as he already has the dimple in his chin !

 

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NAME: Karl (I’m Swiss)

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?

My Dad. He had bikes and raced them in the 50’s.

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

I was 15. It was a 1963 Greeves 250 (leading link trials bike)

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

Not enough or too many – depending on your point of view!

4. Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

Oh yeah, a few.   Yamaha RD350 Power Valve. Yamaha TZ 250E. Yamaha YZ 400. Aprilia Tuono. Suzuki TL 1000 and of course my current bike – a Ducati Multistrada 1200 !  

5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

A BMW S1000XR or a KTM 1290 GT …… or another Ducati Multistrada!

6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

1)Aprilia Tuono V4    2) MV Agusta F4     3) Yamaha M1 MotoGP

7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

Just back from a trip to France & Spain with Mary. Great holiday. Some unbelievable roads!

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

Yes. I raced MotoCross and also did Track racing during the 80’s.   Did the Ron Haslam Race School last year which was a great experience.

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

Introduced to the CRRG by Herr Fuhrer himself in April 2014.

10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

Any place with black tarmac !

11. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

The N51 from Slane to Drogheda – a TT track on a public road !!!

12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

All of them! I particularly like the Forge in Ballon/Kilbride – Mary the owner is really nice.

13. What was your worst moment on a bike?

Crashing my R5 in Killester while wearing the wrong gear……gravel rash !!!!!

14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

Crashing my brand new Suzuki RGV 250 race bike on the first practice after only 3 laps - I was given the wrong type of tyres by my sponsor.   And, to make it worse, I was wearing brand new leathers as well!

15. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

It’d have to be Steve McQueen – On Any Sunday!

 

 

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NAME:    PETE  (Enda's brother!)

         Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes? Was in the blood – my Dad had a few bikes in his youth -   with a few  tales to tell.

          What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it? 15 and a non running BSA Bantam 175cc bought for 19 punts after working for 3 weeks at 7 punts/week. Pushed it home and eventually got it going – a long story!

           How many motorbikes have you owned? 18

            Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned? Aprilia Tuono 1000R – great torque, handling and sound.

            If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider? The GS should do me for a good while but would consider a Triumph Tiger 800 XR or a 3 wheel scooter if I have to downsize.

             If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why? Kawasaki Ninja H2R for the sheer feeling of power (326hp!), KTM 690SMCR to wheeeelie on (in my dreams) and Brough Superior SS100 to tootle about on lazy sunny days (and a sound investment).

             Have you gone on any foreign bike trips? Wales/UK, France/Spain/Portugal, the Alps, Scandanavia.

            Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days? No, but did some spannering for friends who raced in the 70’s.

            When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you? 2014 and Andy.

            What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG? Been to lots of interesting places but the long day to the Giants Causeway stands out.

           What is your favourite road or route for a spin? I love the road from Kilmacanogue to Laragh and up over the Wicklow Gap to Hollywood and back again. An alternative is left at Laragh and then Rathdrum, Aughrim, Wooden Bridge, Rathnew and back home via Newcastle and Greystones.

             What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?       The Stone Cutter in Aughrim.

             What was your worst moment on a bike? On recent Norway trip – sent on a detour up a mountain pass into clouds and rain, lots of lorries in a hurry one of which nearly took me out after I hesitated when overtaking a slow van and trailer – my fault.

           What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike? Probably laying my Honda 500/4 down in a shower of sparks when turning into Wicklow St from Grafton St (pre pedestrianisation!). Pints, wet roads and youthful exuberance involved..

            If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ? Ewan McGregor might do me justice!

 

 

 

 

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME     King Jay

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?

Mid life crisis and to skip the traffic in the daily commute.

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

39. Yamaha Fazer 600.

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

Two fazers- 600 and now 1000.

4. Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

Not the 600.

5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

A BMW S1000RR

6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

Tmax 530 Iron Max, S1000RR HP4 .. who needs three bikes anyway

7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

None. Unless you count Playa del Ingles on a 50 cc back in the 90s. Or the UK. Nah, didn’t think so.

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

Video games only.

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

2015. Alan kindly left his calling card offering to buy old bikes for cash

10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

Whatever Alan picks is usually good. Clonmacnoise was good

11. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?

The M7 to Tipperary of course! Tbh I only use the bike for commuting and odd spin with the group when it’s dry

12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

The Barack O Bama Plaza in Moneygall

13. What was your worst moment on a bike?

Nothing in particular. Riding a bike in rain is a miserable experience though.

14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

Letting it fall into the pump at Bracetown filling station. On the way to the test. With the L tabard on. What a plonker.

15. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

Something like Jack Nicholson as in the film ‘About Schmidt’

 

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                                             INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME:     Nemesis

1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?

I always wanted my bicycle to go faster and adding an engine seemed to do the trick.

2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?

I was 19,  a Yamaha RD125 (2^nd hand) with a micron expansion chamber pipe … which I promptly removed as all it seemed to do was make my ears bleed and annoy the neighbours, pedestrians, animals and children.

3. How many motorbikes have you owned?

            10

4. Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?

          ZXR400, Fireblade (954)

5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?

         2017 KTM 1290 T or R (models have not been clarified yet). Energica Eva, BMW R1200 GSA, Lightning LS-218

6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?

         Lightning LS-218 – you have to ask? ;)

         Alta Motors RedShift, with two sets of wheels for SM and MX modes. Commuting and forest fun.

        Some form of “do it all” adventure bike for every day commuting and long tours, KTM 1290 or BMW R1200 GSA etc.

7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?

       Sadly no. L  Planned to since 2009 but bike reliability (BMW and Ducati) knocked it on the head.

          Maybe next year if the bike I want appears at the autumn shows.

8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?

Several Mondello track days and California Superbike School all levels (1-4). Highly recommended for improving cornering and braking skills for safer road riding.

Also completed a RoSPA course and was awarded Silver in the test although that’s not exactly the same thing, the two are very complimentary. ;)

9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?

              It was 2012  – DubMark was the guilty party.

10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?

         Can’t really pick one, there are a lot of them that were good in different ways.

           I think I prefer the old castles/older sites to the “manor houses” though.

11. What is your favourite road or routes for a spin?

      The “scenic route” to St. Mullins for the views and bends.

       The N81 when it’s relatively car free.

         Sliabh Gullion for the fun bends.

12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?

         Side Street Café, Enfield.

13. What was your worst moment on a bike?

Sailing through the air moments before crashing into the ground, sliding along the road and smashing into a kerb …

14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?

As is the case for most bikers, forgetting to put down the side stand on the K1300S, but equally forgetting to put it up on the Multistrada when entering the garage......

15. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU?

           Lee Pace.  

[ From Editor: Lee Grinner Pace is an American actor. Pace has been featured in film, stage and television. He currently stars as protagonist Joe MacMillan in AMC's Halt and Catch Fire. He also played Roy Walker/the Masked Bandit in the 2006 film The Fall. Lee also played the villain in "Guardians of the Galaxy"].

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 INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME :    Dubmark
1. Who or what first got you interested in motorbikes?
Rob Gahan, CRRG member, had a bike for commuting. Always wanted one but was too chicken. He talked me into it.
2. What age were you when you got your first motorbike and what was it?
About 40ish. It was a Yamaha Virago 250. Learned on it and passed the test. Thought it was a great bike until I tried something else.
3. How many motorbikes have you owned?
Eight
4. Do you have any favourite(s) among the bikes you’ve owned?
The next one........
5. If you are considering changing your current bike, what model(s) would you consider?
Yamaha FJR1300. BMW R1200GS. BMW R1200RT. Honda VFR 1200X
6. If money was no object, which 3 bikes would you buy and why?
BMW Electric for commuting. RT for long trips. It is simply the most comfortable bike I ever owned. Its like a super model. You could ride it all day but with the bike RT you have no aches or pains.
7. Have you gone on any foreign bike trips?
Only once to Wales. Cant wait to to it again with Derek and the lads.
8. Have you ever raced bikes or done any track days?
Nope. No interest in it whatsoever.
9. When did you join the CRRG and who introduced you?
Back when Saint Alan founded it. Went along with my brother in law and fellow biker, Paul, who knows Alan since God was a boy and played football for the Bethlehem firehouse 11 in Jesus sandals. Well he did invent them and Addidas were not around to offer him a sponsorship deal.
10. What is your favourite venue or best place visited with the CRRG?
As long as its not an Abbey or old Church I’m there. Some very memorable trips. The trip to Christy & Ger in Rosslare has got to be the favourite. Trip to Kilbeggan Distillery when we met Johnners for that very reason. Sliabh Gullion for the trip over the mountain. Any trip in the Dublin Mountains. Had a great one with Saint Alan up there.
11. What is your favourite road or route for a spin?
Hands down, Dublin Mountains. N81 is great for a leisurely spin.
12. What is your favourite café or restaurant when out for a spin?
Couple of candidates. Bistro in Cavan which is now closed. The Forge in Ballon. Old Mother Hubbards and Sizzlers in Ardee where I stop off for coffee with an old friend. There is this one place in Cavan where the food is mediocre but its hillarious. They won’t let you in unless you have three rotten teeth or less.
13. What was your worst moment on a bike?
Apart from a couple of spills, one former member of the CRRG passed a nasty comment in my early days when I was not as confident as the other riders. I didnt have the luxury of owning a bike since I was 16. He said when are you getting a proper license and taking the f****ng stabilisers off. Never give in to peer pressure.
14. What was your most embarrassing moment on a bike?
Walked away from it without checking if the sidestand was down. D’oh.
15. If Hollywood was to make a film of your life, who would you like to play YOU ?

Halle Berry.