It’s not all doom and gloom but a story with a tragic end and the personal risks we take came together in this one episode and highlight the fragility of life. Stick around to the end of the video for our conclusion.
Some of you may not agree with how I manage the risks of riding a motorcycle but it’s not as reckless as you might think. My decisions are informed by numerous factors such as weather, time of day, roads, speed etc. as well as over 40 years of knowledge and experience gained from riding motorcycles.
Do you gear up for maximum protection on every occasion?
For the record, I completely accept proper riding gear is going to protect me much better than a T-shirt and no gloves.
However, NOT RIDING AT ALL protects infinitely better than any gear could. The logic that demands riding gear could just as easily be used to demand you drive a car rather than ride a bike.
I know many aren’t bothered. Some of you are genuinely worried for me and I am genuinely grateful for your concern. Unfortunately, some aren’t so much concerned about me but instead take my freedom of choice as an affront to their values. Thankfully, this represents a very small minority who have had their say in the comments and checked out.
Hello and welcome to the Great British Biking Adventures Coast Series. In this series we are travelling around the coast on our motorcycle, a Honda VFR1200X Crosstourer.
A lot of our viewers are bike enthusiasts but this series will appeal to a wider audience. Why? Because there’s so much more to the Coast series than motorcycles. There’s the challenges, the journey, geography, history and people. You get to travel the entire coast of England and Wales with us, see how we did it, share our ups and downs, experience English culture, the history and hear about the people that made Britain ‘Great’!
What’s also good about the coast series is it doesn’t matter when you start watching, it’s like one of those open top bus tours – you can get on at any point and just keep going until you arrive back where you started.
Who are we? We’re a husband & wife living in an unremarkable coastal town in England. We’ve been married 35 years and were brought together by motorcycles. One day, Esther’s Honda Melody broke down and she brought it to Jarrod’s motorcycle shop – the rest (as they say) is history.
One cold February day, we started riding along the seafront and just kept going. We wanted to record the experience to have something to watch in the future – the YouTube channel was an afterthought. Take a look at those first few episodes to see just how novice we were, cobbling together what little phone footage we had to try to make a story. To make up for our amateur recording and shyness we added information in the editing. This set the tone and style of our videos, we hope you like it.
There’s also the filming and production journey. When we started we knew nothing about filming, video and audio production, editing, YouTube and the like. We’ve learnt loads and spent loads in time and money along the way but it’s been almost as enjoyable as the journey itself. You’ll hopefully appreciate how far we’ve come.
But what’s with all those bible verses we hear you say. We know some of you don’t appreciate this aspect, one or two have told us in the comments. That’s fine – it really is. All are equally welcome here, believers and unbelievers. It would be a pity if you enjoyed everything else but just stopped watching because of the Christian references but we completely accept you’re free to do as you please.
So, why do we do it then? As Christians, we look to the bible to guide our lives. Believe it or not, the bible is not full of onerous tasks and rituals that we have to complete to get to heaven. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. There’s plenty you can do to prevent yourself going to heaven but nothing you can do to earn your way in. There are dozens of bible verses that confirm this up but I’ll just quote one – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast – Ephesians 2:8-9.
The more well versed among you may be retorting with what the Bible says about faith without works. We’re not going to get all theological here but it’s wonderfully explained in the book of James chapter 2 verses 14-26.
Our faith has prompted us to include a bible verse in our videos and sometimes a Christian perspective on the things we talk about. The channel is not about Christianity but our faith cannot be separated from it. We hope and pray that it will make you think, inquire and even bring you into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Now, we know our channel is not going to appeal to everyone and that’s fine, take a look and decide for yourselves. If it’s not your cup of tea, thanks for getting this far and giving us your time.
10 Comments
Another great episode, it has reminded me I must get another puncture repair kit, gave my last one away. I remember the tragic loss of life in the bay but was shocked to realise it was that long ago. Where have the years gone. Look forward to the next as usual, Ride safe both.
Really enjoying your videos thank you both.
I hope you don’t mind me suggesting this (and it may be too late) but if you want an absolutely super vented jacket take a look at the Klim Marrakesh. You truly won’t believe how well it flows air. I wore mine in France in almost 40 degrees – it was great. For gloves Knox Urbane Pro are worth a look too – they flow a huge amount of air too but offer great protection.
Oh for a lovely hot summer day to ride my bike again 😀
Another good video very interesting and reminds me what a lovely coast wee have and the small villages you past .cant belive its been 9 years since the morcombe bay cockle pickers disaster hope you two are keeping well all the best q
you can crash at any time and your wearing a t shirt. Your not setting much of an example to the youngsters
Ive so enjoyed this series. Thank you. As for wearing the right protective clothing. Each to their own. Bon chance.
Wow had that VFR well loaded up! Excellent. Enjoying the journey, good stuff. 👍
Yet another enjoyable episode, my wife and i ride out to Morcambe a few times during the summer months,those sands on the front are like quicksand when the tide is far out as i found out walking along the waters edge, luckly i gave my phone and wallet to Donna to hold for me, I spent the rest of the afternoon in wet shorts and tee shirt, it was a hot day so by the time we set off for home i'd dried off apart from one spot.I'll let you guess which spot.
Ohhh I liked the opened phrases, makes me wonder what’s coming! I seem to recall you’ve had a flat before? Without fail I get a flat every time I fit new tyres. Assuming the hole isn’t too near the edge I fix it with ‘laces’ and carry on. I’m very aware they are temp repairs but I’ve never had a problem with the fix failing. Actually that plays into your opening phrase of taking chances 😂
Not wearing a jacket is an adult choice, here is Canada I quite often ride without a jacket even my very vented jacket, its too hot and I'm on three wheels (Can-Am Spyder). Having adventure setbacks and taking it so "In Stride" as you said is all part of the experience. Loving these video's.😎😎
Yes i've read your comments above, you should book yourself on a Biker Down / Dpc Bike course.
I have followed your videos since the start & found them enjoyable but cringe at your attitude to your own safley.