Is it Spring or Summer?

With Spring Bank Holiday on the horizon I decided to book the remaining week off work and so glad I did, I put the word out in the hope I could find someone to have a ride with on a quieter weekday, and Ron contacted me to say he was up for a run out somewhere too. We are still in Coronavirus lockdown and following the rules of one other person to meet outside our homes so meeting up with Ron was a great idea, and I haven't ridden with him for a few years now, so a Wednesday ride was arranged over the phone. I re-configured an old GPX route I had that looped around Herefordshire, originally across the River Wye to Skenfrith Castle, but seeing as the castle was in Wales and they have different lockdown rules I adjusted it to skip Skenfrith and ride the Wye Valley keeping to English roads via some real picturesque villages e.g. Peterstow, Garway Hill, Kentchurch, Tram Inn and Pontrilas before heading up through the Golden Valley past Arthur's Stone and Abbey Dore toward Leominster with a great view of Clee Hill way in the distance as we came down Dorstone Hill. 

Shady looking Ron

Kentchurch

 

These days I'm used to riding a few lanes, and the route change I made ended up taking us down some narrow gravelly roads for a few miles. I was concerned the route might not suit Ron's choice, when we used to ride together in the past we both had Harley Davidsons and kept away from the more choppy roads, however Ron now rides the Kawasaki Versys like Mark, a very capable bike down the lanes, so no worries it seems on that score. Ron has the GT version with a nice throaty Scorpion end-can that made the Versys sound different to Marks stock exhaust. Today was the first day out with the new Puig screen (see previous post), and I wasn't disappointed, loads more protection and a bit quieter too.

  

Its great to meet up with old mates and ride some new roads together, and the weather was superb, peaking up to 25 degrees later in the afternoon. I spotted a narrow lane as we passed through the village of Kentchurch with a great shady tree next to the church ideal to eat our packed lunch and catch up on our recent adventures. Ron had been across to Spain to ride the Pyranees last year somewhere I've yet to ride so good to hear his thoughts on how good it was. While eating I did marvel at Ron's curry Pip had prepared for him in a Tupperware box, and I was really jealous only having a ham sandwich in tow with a bag of crisps, but it seems there was no curry offering at all, it contained two orange coloured moist flannels instead!

 

Later, we took off toward Mortimers Cross finding the twisties on the way ending up on top of Clee Hill for a drink on the bench to admire the view. While sat there this chap - Pete as I found out his name later rode past a few times before pulling up and joining us. Nice to speak to fellow GSers, he was on his way home to Stafford on his very tidy 13 plate, and I guess needed a bit of company. A native of North Wales who moved to Stafford recently so good to swap stories for a bit while keeping our distance as best we could. This social distancing thing can make life a bit awkward sometimes. 

Great to ride with Ron after all of this time, and glorious weather too that continued for the rest of the week. After a bit of work in the garden Thursday, Friday and Saturday I decided to go out for a ride on the Sunday too. For this one I wanted to get out early while the air was still cool and the roads quiet. I left home at 7:40 am toward Bridgnorth past the closed Quatt cafe passing a few bikes with a few sportsbike riders out having fun passing me near Alveley. This morning was great. I connected my phone music app via the helmet comms to get some tunes playing that had to be the Doobie Brothers to get me in the rhythm of the ride.  No GPS this time just make it up as I go, first down toward Craven Arms before switching across to Ludlow via the racecourse road, then down to Richards Castle and traversing up and down toward Leintwardine before doubling back to Tenbury Wells then on to that brilliant twisty road down to Clifton on Teme, doubling back again to Caynham to Clee Hill and Clows Top. So good to get in the groove and just continue riding for a good 3 or 4 hours. 

Somewhere out near Clows Top

 

The new screen, loads more protection now.

View from Clee Hill towards the Malverns in the distance.

What a great week off and some brilliant local roads to ride. Such glorious weather too, is it really Spring? This week has been more like Summer.

Bimbling about at last, catching flies

With lockdown now relaxed to allow unlimited travel to meet with one other person, myself and Mark enjoyed a long awaited ride out last Saturday afternoon up and down the English side of the Welsh border (Welsh roads are still forbidden) starting out in Tenbury Wells, we took the scenic route down through St Michaels, and then out via Leominster back up past Shobdon and on to Mortimers Cross before heading up in to Shropshire before winding home via Morville and Kinlet. It was so good to get out and ride after all of these months. A sunny day today but unfortunately the flies weren't keeping to social distancing rules, I couldn't believe the splatter on my screen and helmet visor. For sometime I've been thinking of replacing the stock GS screen for a taller, wider aftermarket one that might offer better protection and really fancy a 'smoked' colour to better match the bike too. I quite like the Puig screen Mark has fitted to his Versys, and found they produce a nice tall touring one for the GS, so perhaps now was the time to try one?

One advantage of working from home is the immediate freedom to finish work and quickly take off on an evening ride out before tea, so on Tuesday this is what I did, heading up and over over Wenlock Edge and out to Church Stretton before continuing over the wonderful Shropshire summit top of Long Mynd. A good two hours riding pleasure as the sun came down casting long shadows as I head home using a similar route as Saturday but this time along the now quiet twisty Bridgnorth road down through Quatt. On the way I was forced to stop outside Bridgnorth to clean the splatter off my visor again, bemoaning how I do miss the protection I had on my last GS with that Givi Airflow screen, but unfortunately that screen isn't an option for this later model, so on my return I started sourcing a Puig 6486 Touring screen. They do several colour varieties ranging from clear, light smoke, dark smoke and black. I sent my order off to Will who has an Amazon Prime account, he ordered me the 6486H - light smoke hopefully delivered in time for fitting at the weekend.

 

 On my headlight and some in my teeth!

The new screen arrived Friday evening, well packaged and excellent quality with the edges bevelled nicely, and no apparent distortion and was well protected in its wrapper with very clear fitting instructions. I removed the lower cowling first, and then four screws to remove the old screen and the reverse to fit the Puig by reusing the rubber grommets from the stock screen.  

 

So, here's the stock screen (left) for comparison with the new Puig screen (right). The new one is 13cm taller and a good deal wider too. No doubt it will offer more fly protection. While sat on the bike on the lowest setting I can still see clear over the screen which is a good thing and avoids the top of the screen distorting the view but it's always a concern when fitting a new screen we don't introduce buffeting on the helmet, so I accept it will be a trial and error affair getting the correct height to match my height and helmet profile. Its possible to get some additional support brackets to firm up the screen flexing too, both from Puig and Cymarc, but for now I'll try the new screen without the brackets until I have test rode it this week during my week off work. 

 

So, here's the new Puig light smoked screen fitted. I do like the colour and think it matches my bike well. Can't wait to get out and try it sometime this week, but for today I'm just happy to look at my clean bike instead, without the dead fly splatter all over the front!

When will we ever ride again ?

Chris ... sometime in the early 1980's on his GSX. 

So, with this lockdown in place for five weeks now, and no chance of a ride out despite some great weather, I'm starting to run out of things to do. I've spring cleaned my garage (the first time for some years!) and almost buffed the paint off my bike from polishing it so much. I got around to cleaning tar spots off the frame and exhaust silencer - white spirit is great for that, and managed to get some Black Enamel Paint gloss from Halfords who now have a desk at the door so staff get what you want for you all at a safe distance. I have cleaned off the centre stand and used some black barbecue spray as undercoat, then used the tough enamel gloss spray paint to finish. 

 

While riding, stones coming off the rear wheel 'peppers' the cross bar, so within two years it's already lost its paint and showing signed of rust. Looks much better now after the new coat of paint. I must get some 20 mm diameter black electrical conduit to cable tie on to protect the new paint like I had with my last GS. While tidying the garage I found some Harley-Davidson Chrome cleaner paste tucked away in a cupboard in I had forgotten about, so I then set to polishing up the headers and the rest of the exhaust system too. All looking like a new bike again now 👍

 

Just lately, since I can't get on any ride adventures and my latest trip away was cancelled I recently discovered 'Adventure Ride Radio'. Full of great podcasts and streaming content to listen to, along with the odd video too. I can really recommend a visit, why not give them a listen ...

Listen Now!

 

While sat in the garden drinking a beer or two, I started thinking about some of those future 'dream' rides I would like to do if I had the chance, so I grabbed this book I've owned for a while called 'Motorcycle Journeys through the South West' by Martin C Berke. It presents some great ride routes in the southwest states of the USA to include Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. One of the rides that really take my fancy is The Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in Utah. The ride also covers parts of Bryce too and looks amazing with crimson coloured rock spire formations called 'hoodoos'. The book details ride routes through awe inspiring Rockies in Colorado and up to Pikes Peak. Having driven through to the Grand Canyon last year by car with Helen, I really fancy a bike ride through some of these other National Parks icluding the popular ride from Las Vegas to Zion. Another great ride option would include visiting the Hoppi and Navajo Indian Reservations along the way. Either way a stopover in Vegas would be fun, and since Hertz (https://www.hertzride.com/) now do bike rentals at various locations that include Las Vegas and L.A. maybe a ride through Big Sur could be worked into a route too. Keep on dreamin' I guess!

This little chap has cheered us all up of late. While working in the garden a Robin appears quite frequently. In fact a pair of them drop in and out from time to time, so an ideal opportunity to get some wildlife photography practice. While out riding in Wales I do enjoy stopping and finding a quiet place to sit and try to photograph whatever wildlife I can see around me. Up to now I never quite got the hang of the focus on my latest Lumix camera, but with a bit of practice using our friend as a subject I do believe I'm getting there now.

 

Sadly, this month on Easter Sunday we lost Chris after succumbing to a short illness first diagnosed last October. A keen biker in his younger days, he had good taste in bikes pictured above sat on his Suzuki GSX 250 - I too owned the same model in blue around the same time, unfortunately I didn't know Chris back then and never got to ride with him, but for over the last 25+ years he was not only a great bro' in law, but great mate and wonderful uncle to our kids too. His cheeky humour, always taking my kids side when I'm trying to discipline them, always having a joke with plenty of banter with his Sister made our time together as a family something quite special. 

Chris pictured here on an Engine drivers experience loved Steam Engines, enjoyed building model railways in his back garden to amuse his grand kids and spent a lot of time with Wendy his wife in his favourite spot at The Flask up in North Yorkshire. Chris introduced us all to the wonderful Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay, where I had a great time a few years back after he invited me up there to stay with them and explore the moors on my bike. I'll never forget too the beer vouchers, flying kites with the kids and not forgetting that dodgy Blondie impersonator. I found out recently Chris enjoyed reading my blog from time to time too, and was probably one of the first to encourage me when I was thinking about getting back into Motorcycling and buying a Harley-Davidson. Regularly he took my side over his sisters when a new bike was on the cards, and back in November while I was thinking of upgrading yet again to a 1250 GS his reaction to me in a Facebook message was simply .. 'bo***x just buy it!'

He did like a beer our Chris, but even more so I have to say he was a one in a million for having fun and did play a few practical jokes. His birdsong chiming clock stunt he played on me and William was his finest. While camping in the garden at a family event he slipped this clock under the groundsheet without us knowing. What followed was a sleepless night as the mysterious sound of birds on the hour led me to cuss and blame my son thinking he had left a game app running on his phone. I'll never forget crawling out of that tent bleary eyed to see Chris doubled up in stitches with that trademark infectious laugh we are all going to miss so much and will never forget. I can still hear him laughing now. 😂 

Chris Gore 1964-2020. RIP ... "My old mate". 

Lockdown

Last weekend myself and Mark decided on 'socially distanced' ride in to Wales. One week on we are all in total lock down now on Government orders, so my bike is polished clean and put away under cover and I've used the weekend time to clear out my garage, a much overdue chore I kept putting off in the past. As tempting as it may seem to go out for a ride on these ultra quiet roads, I think we all have to do our bit and stay at home now. Motorcycling does have its risks, and even a minor injury at this time might affect our wonderful NHS workers as they try to cope with treating people infected with Coronavirus. So for now, I've decided to binge watch some motorcycle videos on YouTube (TMF and The Long Way Round again), and dig up some of my past GoPro ride footage videos to reminisce on happier times on tour over the past few years. Here are some of my favourites below.

The Predator

This short five minute mash-up video sums up all that is great about riding in the Alps. High mountain passes with excellent road surfaces in most parts, the giant dam at the Grimsel, the Azure blue lake on Mont Cenis, the Col d'Iseran overlooking Val d'Isere and riding with our tour leader Steve Freeman in the Vosges. It ends with a beer as usual, as presented to me by Mr Guest as I finally arrive at the hotel. Wonderful! Watch out for the selfie stick footage while riding through a Swiss Village.

Five Minute Alpine Montage 2016

While riding the big five passes in 2016 I decided then the Susten pass was my favourite. There is something special about riding with that huge valley dropping down below, and the bends are so fast and sweeping, yet tighten up a little, just the right amount allowing you to engine brake on the way in, then slingshot out with a thump of GS torquey throttle on the apex. In 2016 it was a weekend day and a little busy, but in 2018 it wasn't on the official route that Monday morning so myself and Steve diverted away to ride it instead. Such a good decision, devoid of traffic amazing ride, with a very pleasant lunch stop in Andermatt to follow too.

The Best Mountain Pass - Susten, Switzerland 2018

This has to be one of the best motorcycle roads in the world, the N621 in the Picos de Europa mountain region in Northern Spain. My first time riding it was with Mark, Lindsay and Peter in 2012, and then this one featured with Lindsay in 2015 will be forever remembered for so many reasons. I did it again last year with Steve, in both directions heading to/from Portugal. Every time from Potes we always stop off at the famous 'deer' statue to admire the view and watch other bikes racing up and down. The little mountain lake town of Riano is such a popular stop at the hotel for lunch, with a convenient fuel stop too at I believe to be the most picturesque petrol station in Europe. 

The Picos, N621 to Riano, 2015

One of the hottest June's on record coincided with my planned short trip to South West Ireland to ride The Ring of Kerry. Just couldn't fault it with great company in Mark and Mike who had never met before this trip. Some very memorable moments not least those bumpy B roads, and a mad night in Killarney that left us starting out later in the day, after me crashing into the breakfast table as I sobered up, but I did enjoy riding around those Irish coastal roads and then out to Brandon. Not a cloud in the sky for the entire trip, plenty of Guinness, and Mike's first real motorcycle tour with no clue where were ever heading. Priceless!

The Ring of Kerry 2018

You have just got to love the Vosges Mountains, great on the way to/from from the Alps and a far better option than the B500 in my opinion. I'd prefer to visit them in both directions every time now. In 2018 the famous Routes des Cretes took myself and Steve up and over this mini mountain range consisting of La Bonhemme and La Schluct passes. Not as high as the Alps, but by no means less fun. Long sweeping bends in a forested region with almost zero traffic in the week. Some great little cafes to stop and get a hot chocolate and warm up a bit, before riding on across the border into Switzerland. Download the Route here.

Route des Cretes, Vosges Mountains, 2018

I took the option to ride the Stelvio again in 2018 it was a free day rideout choice on this trip despite having ridden this 40 odd hairpin Austrian/Italian pass before in 2013 with Bluemooner Andy, Mike the Bike, Davey Boy and the rest of GSClubUK. This time, with Motorrad tours I was following Alan on his S1000 RR. Great fun, busy as usual with bikes, cyclists, motor homes and all sorts. For this reason it's not my favourite mountain pass, but such a good atmosphere anyway, it has to be done at least once if only for the novelty factor.

The Stelvio, Italy, 2016

A nice little ride down to Applecross via 'The Pass Of the Cattle' with Lindsay. The ride that day was a wet one, especially as we went around the coast and started our climb when the heavens opened with low misty cloud over the Skye peninsula. Fortunately, as we climbed up high into the cloud base  (the highest driveable pass on mainland UK), the rain stopped, the gnarly road dried up, and as we passed over the top the sun came out as we dropped down in to Applecross to pitch our tents on sodden grass later followed by a meet with Andy to sample some fantastic sea food and beer at the Inn up the road.

The Pass of the Cattle, West Coast of Scotland, 2016

At the end of a fantastic day riding six big mountain passes e.g. Furka, Grimsel, San Bernadino, Nuefenen, Susten and around Mont Blanc, I was feeling a bit tired late afternoon. With a huge smile on my face, as the sun dropped low over the mountains, I wound my way down into Italy alone via the Valle d' Acosta to our hotel in the little village of Cormeyeur. I found myself listening to a perfect track over my headset. Of course it had to be 'On Days Like These' by Matt Monroe. What else? Perfect, so with the GoPro footage I recreated the moment .. forever!

On Days Like These, Valle d'Aosta, Italy 2016

Mothers Day ride to Llyn Brianne

As the country comes to terms with 'social distancing' measures set out by the government in order to mitigate the risk of spreading the Coronavirus, a big dilemma is deciding  if we should go for a ride this weekend, or stay at home and isolate ourselves some more. Myself and Mark came to the conclusion by taking a little care, keeping the suggested two metre distance from each other, we should enjoy this sunny Sunday and head out West to ride some of those long awaited roads through Herefordshire and beyond. Despite all of the usual biker meet cafes being closed, we met on the OK Diner car park in Leominster, and it seemed many other bikers had the same idea too. At one point I counted at least a dozen bikes on the garage car park next door, but thankfully most did seem to keep their distance from each other, a real mix of sports bikes, adventure bikes and the odd Harley too. The  biker community have all been waiting too long for a suitable dry sunny weekend day, so today was just too good an opportunity to get our fix, and for me personally a long awaited relief away from a week or so working from home alone.

Keep apart folks, abide by the rules 👍

 

Mark suggested we head out to the wonderful Llyn Brianne reservoir via Builth Wells, to wind our way up through the valley where the river meets the reservoir.  I left Mark to the navigation, and followed. The roads out here are superb, hardly any traffic today and finally, a great opportunity to get a good 'lick' on through the twisties at last.  It was cool with a biting wind up on top but we chose to stop and eat our packed lunches looking down over the reservoir. I have to say I was missing my usual 'Full English' today, but thankfully I had prepared a flask of hot tea to help keep warm. There were quite a few bikes parked up here too, and many others had driven up to sit in their cars and admire the view as well. 

 

Our route back took us over 'Sugar Loaf' to Llandrindod Wells, before heading into Shropshire via Clun and Craven Arms. I left Mark who decided to visit his parents who live in the area, so I headed toward Bridgnorth before taking that fun back road to Kinlet, Button Oak and on through Bewdley. A good deal of fun it was too, and good to get away from all of that bad news on he telly for a bit. I believe the decision to ride today was the right one, there is plenty of discussion on forums suggesting we should stay at home and polish our bikes instead, but in my mind keeping some level of sanity by simply riding a motorcycle that has always been a mostly solitary pursuit anyway goes along way to avoiding 'cabin fever' we shall all most likely suffer in the coming weeks!

Social Isolation on Clee Hill

What a start to this year ! Weeks of horrendous weather with repeated storms keeping my bike under wraps until March, finally getting dry enough roads to have new tyres fitted last weekend down at Cotswold Motorrad, and now just as I'm thinking of getting out and about in the Spring, all of the drama involved with the Coronavirus Pandemic encouraging us to all avoid none essential travel !

Anyway, 'sod it' I thought, I've been itching to get out, so today while working from home I couldn't resist an extended lunch break with a ride down to Bridgnorth, looping back via Ludlow with a quick stop on Clee Hill. A cool but sunny day at last, great to scrub the tyres in. I've had the trusty Metzelers (Tourance Next) fitted again, first set on this GS, but  I've always been happy with them in the past. The Battleax A41's were good, but only got 5k out of them, and reckon the Metzelers have a more premium feel. Let's hope I get the usual 6k+ like I did on my old GS.

 

Quite a few other bikes out too. A quarter of a car park full at Quatt Cafe, which is great for a Monday, and this guy on his Royal Enfield Himalayan, and another chap out on his old Matchless Single. 

The Himalayan looks a lot of fun, the owner having sorted the trademark electrical issues out, and the Matcless too sporting LED lights to keep the current consumption down. Nice to have a chat to their owners while keeping 1 metre apart of course! Disappointing that most of us with motorcycle tours planned will have to cancel this year, probably including my trip to Normandy / Brittany with Steve and Motorrad tours in mid-May. Damn.

Anyway, good to get out at last, if only to knock the bobbles off the tyres and stretch into the new riding gear at the same time (my Motorcycle Live bargains from last November). Looking forward to some warmer days now. 👍

Living on a lighted stage. Approaches the unreal ...

Just as I was beginning to look forward to a new year and getting back out on my motorcycle again, I have been left reeling with sad news of the passing of Neil Peart after his private three year battle with brain cancer age 67. To many, Neil will be remembered as drummer and lyricist during the last forty years for the rock band 'Rush'. For me Neil was and always will be a great source of inspiration, not only as a fan of the band and his wonderful contribution to their music, a great drumming style and a poetry of song lyrics, but in later years I've enjoyed his excellent book writing journals about his motorcycle travels around the world on various BMW GS Motorcycles. 

My first introduction to Alex, Geddy and Neil's music came while at a school friends house one lunch-time in late 1978 listening to their first live album 'All the Worlds a Stage'. At a time when the Punk Rock wave was still at its peak along with Police and Blondie in the UK charts, I became hooked on this relatively unheard of Rock band from Toronto, Canada. After my brief introduction to their prog rock classic '2112' and the heavy 'Working Man/Finding My Way' medley that launched Neil into his incredible drum solo (a staple of every Rush gig for the next four decades), my entry into this sub-culture as lifelong Rush fan was sealed. I soon bought their latest album  'Hemispheres' after hearing the amazing instrumental 'La Villa Strangiato', and next what I consider their Punk/Prog influenced album 'A Farewell to Kings' (both on vinyl of course) along with taped copies of their back catalogue on loan from our small school fan-base and local record library.

Thereafter, what followed was and still is my complete fascination with three of the best Rock musicians in the world, and a real appreciation of Neil's thought-provoking poetic lyrics that wasn't all about 'I love you yeah yeah' and more about Sci-Fi, Science, and Socio-Political subjects based on his bookish knowledge of authors like Ayn Rand, George Orwell and Coleridge to name a few. Back then at age 15 with the song lyrics printed on the inner sleeve of a 12" it was possible to really enjoy some of Neil's song poetry - 'The Trees', 'Xanadu', 'Circumstances', 'Closer to the Heart' , 'Lakeside Park' while being astounded by Alex's guitar solos, Neil's majectic percussion/rhythm and Geddy's thundering rumbling bass riffs. This was much  more fun than studying poetry and English Literature at school at that time. Over the years Neil had a great way of melding Science with Humanities something that is so rare in music.

"The whole wide world
An endless universe
Yet we keep looking through
The eyeglass in reverse
Don't feed the people
But we feed the machines
Can't really feel
What international means 
In different circles 
We keep holding our ground 
Indifferent circles 
We keep spinning round and round"

(Territories, Rush, Power Windows)

It would be a year or so later, June 1980 before I finally had my chance to see Rush live for the first time at Birmingham Odeon just after the release of their next Album 'Permanent Waves' and the UK chart success of the 'Spirit of Radio' single. A group of us bunking off school and missing a Maths lesson, heading off up to the Odeon by train to queue and buy the ticket, and then suffering school detention the following evening as punishment. It was all worth it, to get my hands on that long awaited ticket, and a few months later attend this gig with such excitement to watch them open with almost all of '2112'. I recall the three of them shrouded in a cloud of a dry ice mist revealing Alex and Geddy with Neil centre stage sat within that huge drum kit consisting of his trade-mark gilded cage of cymbals and tubular bells. My favourite track off the 'Kings' album has always been the double-neck guitar classic 'Xanadu', so seeing this performed live for the first time as the chorus line "Xa .. na .. du" echoed back by us fans punching the air was incredible. During the show Neil would launch in to his trademark drum solo, one of many I would witness over the years. 

"Xa .... na .... du"

Rush music would change over time, moving away from the '70's Progressive Rock whole side of an album epics, to explore different subjects with different instruments and later synthesisers giving us such classics as 'Freewill' about our spirituality and beliefs, 'Natural Science' the similarity of human lives and those found in tidal rock pools, and then that well known classic 'Spirit of Radio' where Rush introduced a Reggae section that shocked most die hard rockers at that time. If you listen to the album Permanent Waves now, it's easy to hear the influence of Stings band the Police who were high in the charts at this time too. It's no coincidence that Neil became very friendly with their drummer Stewart Copeland and remained so for many years. 

"When the ebbing tide retreats
Along the rocky shoreline
It leaves a trail of tidal pools
In a short-lived galaxy
Each microcosmic planet
A complete society
A simple kind mirror
To reflect upon our own
All the busy little creatures
Chasing out their destinies
Living in their pools
They soon forget about the sea"

(Natural Science, Rush, Permanent Waves)

I was able to see Rush live in concert several times during the eighties, and back in those days Stafford Bingley Hall (the county showground cattle shed) would be a popular Rock concert venue, basically a huge mosh pit of fans. At the front of stage below Alex, Geddy and Neil during 2112, the crowd would sway so much you could lift your legs with the fans compressed together shoulder to shoulder would be carried twenty feet in either direction. 

Jump to the ground

As the Turbo slows to cross the borderline

Run like the wind 

As excitement shivers up and down my spine 

Down in his barn my uncle

 preserved for me an old machine

For fifty odd years

To keep it as new has been his dearest dream

I strip away the old debris

That hides a shining car

A brilliant red Barchetta 

From a better vanished time ...

(Red Barchetta, Rush, Moving Pictures)

When the band released 'Moving Pictures' in 1981 now considered their most popular album, I couldn't get enough of it. So many great tracks, musically brilliant, lesser hard-rock but still with Neil's drumming in-fills, triples and Geddy's incredible base line and synth' work. Not just following the song lyrics now but also memorise Alex's riffs copied with 'air-guitar' and Neil's in-fills and drum rolls by 'air-drumming' too. The album introduced us and many new fans to 'Tom Sawyer' about a modern day warrior, decisive and determined go-getter ('80s yuppie) and other favourites tracks from their 'Moving Pictures' album 'Red Barchetta' a futuristic song about a young kid driving a sports car given to him by his uncle where motor vehicles are now outlawed, and the classy 'The Camera Eye' a track I constantly had in mind on my first visit to New York only a few years ago. They even took a cue from their coming home signature beacon of Toronto airport 'YYZ' into an instrumental that extended out in live shows to combine Neil's solo.

 

 

 

Spanning 40 years of Rush, my programmes, LP's and ticket stubs. 

Sadly, I no longer have my original Moving Pictures tour sweatshirt not that it would fit now anyway!

On each successive tour his drum solo would be re-composed into a different theme and given names like The Rythm Method,  O Baterista,  Moto Perpetuo, and Der Trommler He later brought along a Jazz/Swing element while sat higher on spinning drum riser. The incredible thing about Neil was his constant learning and re-invention. Not being content with being voted number one rock drummer in the world year after year he changed his style, studied the great Jazz drummers Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, learned how to play traditional, and contributed to the Buddy Rich tribute project. 

All this machinery
Making modern music
Can still be open-hearted
Not so coldly charted
It's really just a question
Of your honesty, yeah your honesty

(Spirit of Radio, Rush, Permanent Waves)

More albums would come throughout the '80s and '90s, ranking them 3rd behind the Beatles and Rolling Stones for most consecutive gold or platinum albums by a rock band. Some of my favourites tracks during this time include 'Big Money', 'Analog Kid', 'Territories', 'Marathon', 'Bravado' and 'Test For Echo' to name just a few.

Neil's introduction to Motorcycling came after he decided to change from a bicycle taken on the tour bus used for fitness and exploration to trailer his BMW R1100 GS behind the bus to explore further distance while travelling between concert venues.

Sadly, around this time just after the Test for Echo tour in 1997 his daughter and only child Selena was tragically killed in a car accident, and within a short time after, his long term partner and mother of his daughter died of breast cancer. At the time I can remember reading about this double tragedy in Neil's life, and like most fans thinking that was Rush finished wondering how anyone could live with that situation. Thankfully, Alex and Geddy decided to support him and simply wait it out for a few years causing a hiatus in their Rush career to explore other personal projects. 

From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light
That gets in your eyes
One moment's high
And glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades
In the summer sky

...

Incredibly in 2002, I heard Rush were back, they had released a new album 'Vapour Trails' and were on tour for the first time in South America as captured in their live DVD 'Rush in Rio'. In 2004 their 'R30' tour followed to celebrate the past 30 years, and thankfully I was there back in Birmingham to see them again. With my own life commitments, marriage, family and work I hadn't seen them live now for many years so the 'R30' show was a real treat.

A few years later just after I got back into Motorcycling, I discovered purely by chance while looking for books on motorcycle touring a book called 'Ghost Rider, Travels on the Healing Road' by Neil Peart, obviously I recognised the authors name but had no idea he had become such an enthusiastic rider. Ghost Rider is about Neil's healing as he embarked on an epic lone tour from Canada through the US and into South America between '1998-2000'. The book is a good adventure read as a travel log and a very open and honest account of how travel helped him cope with such huge personal trauma and loss. 

...

You can do a lot in a lifetime
If you don't burn out too fast
You can make the most of the distance
First you need endurance
First you've got to last

(Marathon, Rush, Power Windows)

Later books would follow, 'Far and Away', 'Far and Near' and 'Far and Wide' these would be written in an autobiographical travel log style with pictures of his motorcycle touring between concert venues to include other aspects of his life. The bike would be transported in trailer attached to his tour bus, after a show he would spend the night on the bus, often camped in a Walmart car park (he refers in the books amusingly as Chateau Walmart), the following morning he would set off with his security guy and fellow GS rider Michael, or close friend Brutus. They would often ride a fair distance of 500 plus miles between cities finding unknown by-ways and back-roads across the USA, Canada and Europe arriving just in time for the next gig.

When I ride my motorcycle I'm glad to be alive.

When I stop riding my motorcycle I'm glad to be alive.

(NP)

I have now read several motorcycle adventure books over the years by a variety of authors and Neil's are up there with the best of them, not just because of the connection with Rush, but because they are so well written and represent a unique way of around the world touring by someone who could ride in all weathers, huge distances all with a great sense of adventure. In all, Neil covered over 250,000 miles riding several models of the BMW GS, and at the end of most rides he would take to his drum stool and complete a two hour concert behind Alex and Geddy! Many bikers believe all GS riders want to emulate Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor after their Long Way TV series, but for me the reason I ride a GS these days is probably more down to inspiration born out of reading books and blogs about Neil's latest rides.

The 'R30' show was spectacular and it felt like being back amongst old friends again. Rush were always a bit of a cult band and now the audience consisted of middle age rockers like me with the odd youngster in tow (probably one of their kids). On the way to the gig a young girl approached us walking in the opposite direction asking fans on the way 'who the hell are Rush? Never heard of them'. Quite amusing at the time I thought, platinum albums, countless world tours. At least Rush won't sell out and go to Glastonbury! This was the first time to see Neil on the revolving drum riser performing his solo too, it was good to see him back in action and the chance to hear the new Vapor Trails tracks 'One Little Victory' and 'Ghost Rider'.

I would get to see them live a few more times afterwards, the fantastic Snakes and Arrows tour in 2007 and then the Time Machine Tour in 2011 would provide most of their older material using a clever HG Wells 'Time Machine' backdrop as we travelled back in time to select songs. The real treat was seeing them play the entire Moving Pictures album from start to finish in the second half. Soon after Rush were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by the Foo Fighters, Dave and Taylor being massive fans too. See their tribute here

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acceptance speech. Alex's is the best!

And then a strange thing happened in 2015, the band announced their final tour 'R40' and at the time I felt a little disappointed they finished up in LA and didn't come over to the UK too. After 40 years I found it odd they would not at least tour parts of Europe to say farewell. By now Neil had married Carrie, who he met at the end of his 'healing' Ghost Rider motorcycle travels and they now had Olivia their daughter, so it was understandable he needed to spend less time out on tour and more time with his young family and perhaps as we know now his illness maybe the reason 'R40' stopped in LA near his home.

A few weeks back while on holiday in Florida, I heard the unmistakable riff from Alex and the opening bars of 'Limelight' on the car radio, a Rush song from Moving Pictures album Neil wrote to reflect on his shy persona struggling with fame and recognition as the band found their popularity. It's a great song, probably his most personal. I turned the radio up to listen and wondered what bike he was riding these days without knowing that very day would be one of his last. 

RIP Neil and thanks!

 

"Living in the limelight

The universal dream

For those who wish to seem

Those who wish to be

Must put aside the alienation

Get on with the fascination

The real relation

The underlying theme"

(Limelight, Neil Peart, 

Rush, Moving Pictures)