For the joy of it

I love motorbikes. They have transported me to numerous places as my sole mode of transport for years and been my loyal companions through many winters. However, I’ve been haunted through my 14 years of riding by a particular phrase, and it reared its head again on my 30th birthday. That phrase is: ‘ohhh they are death traps!’ To me a bike’s greatest appeal is undoubtedly the freedom and escapism. In a world of stress, financial pressures and ever increasing pace motorbikes are a tonic. I almost don’t care what I ride, simply that I do. I’m writing this letter on Mental Health Awareness Day. Try and get someone riding for the joy of it, it may just change their life, it did mine. George Cole, email