I have been writing a column for the French magazine Café Racer for over a decade. When I remember, I post some of them on this blog. I changed the format a while ago, to Love & Hate. I cover something I love and something I hate in motorcycling. In truth, I don't hate much, but 'Love & Mildly Irritated By' isn't a snappy title. Anyway, here's one from the middle of the 2022. GI HATE: Feature Creep I hadn’t heard the phrase ‘feature creep’ until two weeks ago, now I can’t sto

I have been writing a column for the French magazine Café Racer for over a decade. When I remember, I post some of them on this blog. I changed the format a while ago, to Love & Hate. I cover something I love and something I hate in motorcycling. In truth, I don't hate much, but 'Love & Mildly Irritated By' isn't a snappy title. Anyway, here's one from the beginning of the 2022. GI (Photo: Bike Shed) LOVE - Longevity This week I have been contacted by the organisers o

I had forgotten to post any of the columns I write for Cafe Racer magazine, France, for a while. Alastair Kinroy reminded me of one I wrote earlier this year, before my race season started, so here it is. GI I’m a loser, baby. I grew up the son of a bus driver, in an economically-depressed city during an economically-depressed time, though I never did without much and can’t ever remember being unhappy. My school was a dump. I had a no-name BMX that weighed a ton. The football

I've been writing a column in the French magazine Café Racer for the best part of ten years. After they go off sale I sometimes remember to republish the original English here. Here's one written late at night when the deadline stood over me, arms crossed, breathing down my neck. Thanks to Bertrand at Café Racer for all his support over the years. Sorry I'm late with them (nearly) every time. Back in Ancient Grecian times the gods were jealous and vengeful, y’know, like today