Riders’ Lives ~ Mary-Anne Hobbs

1. What was your first motorcycling experience?

I had a Puch moped at the age of 16. It had just 2 gears and a top speed of 35mph down hill with a strong trail wind. Laugh you might, but I didn’t care… it was my ‘freedom moped’ and the first step in 20 year love affair with bikes.

2. What is your current bike?

Brand spanking new Kawasaki ER6-n. Silver with a red frame. I’ve never ridden a sexier bike in my life.

3. What bike would you most like to ride/own?

Anything that Barry Sheene once sat on. He was my first love and is an enduring hero.

4. What was your hairiest moment on a bike?

Out in India, in the suburbs of Bombay, on the road with Elephants, goats, swarms of crazy tuk-tuks and pot-holes the size of Cumbria. Thrilling and terrifying in equal parts!

5. What was your most memorable ride?

With the Nightwolves Motorcycle Club President, the Surgeon, at 4am in wild outskirts of Moscow. The tank and tail-fin of his bike was clad in alligator skin, and legend would have it that he killed the reptile with his bare hands.

6. What would be the ideal soundtrack to the above?

Ruff, dark, deathstar drum n’ bass from Noisia, Counterstrike, Spor, Evol Intent, Amit and Limewax – no contest.

7. What is the best thing about motorcycling?

Freedom and the kinship between all other riders.

8. What is the worst thing about motorcycling?

Losing dearly beloved friends at the TT Races: Simon Beck, Dave Jeffries and Gus Scott.

9. Name an improvement you’d like to see for the next generation of riders.

Motorcycle awareness being taught as a compulsory part of the curriculum for learner car drivers.

10. How would you like to be remembered?

Fondly… and with love… I’m not quite ready for that yet tho’!!

 

First appeared in issue 105, June 2006