‘Here’s to 25 years and counting!’

Good grief, is it really 25 years since RIDE’S first edition appeared on the streets? Ah, yes, I remember it well. I went into my local newsagent, casually scanned the magazine shelves (lower levels only, you understand) and there it was. I handed over my £2.20 and found myself in possession of the October 1995 edition.

As somebody who had recently come back to biking after the all-too-common mortgage/children combination, I was looking to re-build my previous passion and this publication seemed like a good place to start. I immediately signed up for an annual subscription and it’s still in place today.

Carefully stored in their official binders, I presume I must now have a collection of 300 copies. I hadn’t originally planned to keep each of them but that’s just how it worked out. Once the pattern had been formed, I was hooked. Addicted, you might say.

Financial limitations remained in evidence but nevertheless, I’ve been able to own a total of eight bikes during this period, ranging from 500 to 1300cc. Each change was influenced by the information and guidance I acquired from reading the magazine and, of course, the need for something just that bit more exciting.

After two-and-half decades, may I say thank you to all the staff who have worked for RIDE and provided me with the knowledge and the enthusiasm to really enjoy and make the most of my motorbike ownership. It’s been great. So once again, thank you. Dave Johnson

Cheers Dave — it’s a pleasure to be making RIDE. Here’s to the next 25 years!