R5K members get ready to ride
R5K members remember what it’s like to get back into biking after a long lay-off…
‘I think the tourist roads will be busier’ R5K MEMBER PAUL O’HARA
Born-again bikers have offered fellow members of MCN’s #ride5000miles group handy hints and tips for getting their bikes back out following a winter lay-up lengthened by lockdown three. With the weather deteriorating before Christmas and current Covid-19 lockdown guidance preventing all but essential travel, most of us are yet to kick off our 2021 distance campaigns, with plenty of folk not turning a wheel since last year. “Don’t be coming out the driveway automatically going for glory,” says Paul O’Hara, 36, who came back from a six-year layoff in 2020, following a crash in September 2014. “Don’t be going too fast because it seems like the roads are going to be even more hectic. Just take it easy.”
On top of going steady, the Glasgow rider also pointed out: “There’s going to be so many more people doing these staycations in Britain, so I think you’ll find a lot of the tourist roads are going to be busier.” Hertfordshire Blood Biker, John McCombe came back to bikes after a 17-year absence in 2001. Pre-Covid, he was covering 10,000 miles a year on his own bike, plus another 10,000 as a volunteer and is urging others to ease back into it gently as lockdowns lift.
“On that first ride, don’t give it a big fist full – it’s not worth it,” the 73-year-old said. “Modern bikes have all these electronic controls to look after you, but if you want to bin it, you can still bin it.”
The advanced rider continued: “Check your bike over, too. That’s obvious, but people don’t do it. Make sure it’s in good order and when you go out, for god’s sake take it easy!” Elsewhere, retired BMW R1250RT rider, Simon Hunt, from Durham, left biking in 1995 to look after his young family, before returning around 14 years later. On top of planning his own trips to the Lake District and Scotland for later this year, he’s now urging others to start their season gently.
“You never forget how to ride a bike, but you just need to go out there and practice,” Simon said. “Just take your time and the confidence will return.”