R5K members feel the benefit of getting back on two wheels
#R5K members waste no time in getting on the road again
By Dan Sutherland
After Covid-19 lockdown restrictions eased in England, #ride5000miles members were soon up and running in a bid to move towards the 5000-mile target. “Having a bit of time off the bike was not a bad thing,” says Cricklade-based Peter Genet. “I felt a lot more relaxed.” Peter says he has covered around 300 miles so far, using his satnav to explore untapped local roads and enjoying regular breaks for homemade coffee from a flask.
“It’s given me a sense of freedom,” he added. “Now I’m riding more for pleasure, rather than commuting, I’ve really enjoyed myself.”
It’s not just English riders getting stuck in, either. #R5K stalwart John Jess enjoyed one final blast through the Pyrenees aboard his Ducati Panigale 959, before moving to Reading this week. This followed a seven-week abstinence while observing Spain’s strict lockdown rules. “It was phenomenal. It was 30-degree heat and empty,”
O ‘I’m riding for pleasure not commuting’ R5K MEMBER PETER GENET
John, 49, explained. Taking in the luscious scenery and near deserted roads, the software sales manager burned through three tanks of fuel on a memorable trip out on the bike. With his Honda CBR500R commuter already ticking over the target before lockdown, John now has his sights set on the Panigale completing the challenge, too. This mountainous jaunt saw him add another 300 miles to his tally, meaning he’s got another 3000 left to go this year.
Fellow Ducati owner, Ian Birnie, 61, added 240 miles on his 2009 1198S – travelling to a small stream in Oxfordshire called Ginge Brook for a photo. “I’m ginger, so everybody calls me ‘Ginge’,” the Thorntonbased rider said.
“Last Christmas, my sisterin-law bought me a card showing a place called Ginge, so I set myself a little task to find it and take a photograph there. It was a fun little challenge.”