"I
was born and brought up in Germany and came to live in England due to studies,
relationships and work. Initially an employee (student holiday work and
then
apprenticeship in a major sweet manufacturing company), then social policy
degrees I have since worked both in the public sector and the voluntary sector,
always working with/for communities and disabled people.
I
came into motorcycling rather late. I owned a 50cc motorcycle in my mid
teens but then gave that one up for a car – my first one being an old Opel
Kadett (the equivalent to the Vauxhall Astra). Important stage was a
Citroen 2 CV (very underrated, highly recommended in snow) and then various
cars. Motorcycling very much a result of working in Bristol and moving
with my then family to the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, I bought my first
bike, a BMW F650, which was followed by a BMW R1150 R, then followed by an
1150GS, which I had for 4 years and a BMW 1150 RT. In between also
succumbed to owning older bikes such as an R80RT and a R100RT – lovely bikes
but due my mechanical inabilities I decided to stick with modern bikes.
I
haven’t been doing as much touring as I wanted for some time, but this year is
a tour year ... unfortunately (due to timing) not with the club but I will
explore the western side of Scotland, which I think must have been made for two
wheels.”
Martin
