Sometimes you can have the sort of conversation that really makes you think. Such a conversation took place on the grid at the start of the Bressuire GP Historique. “I worry that so many who are passionate about vintage motorcycles are my age,” said a well-known rider, whose age and identity will, to save his embarrassment, remain undisclosed. “If we don’t get youngsters involved, the machines we’re riding today will be in museums tomorrow.”
The truth of the remark caused concern. But before the day ended, the Bressuire experience eased that burden of worry and offered a brighter future prospect.
Once upon a time, fathers encouraged their sons to follow in their footsteps – if youngsters could be persuaded to share their father’s passion for old bikes, usually it would be the boys. Seemingly girls, in their teens and twenties, were rarely encouraged – or wanted to be. But the times are changing!
Jean-Luc Gaignard is famed for his private motorcycle museum near Laval. Of the many machines from which he could choose, he brought to Bressuire a 1934 Terrot OCP 250 for himself and a 1939Moto Guzzi Albatros 250 for his 27-year-old daughter, Agnès, who explained: “Whilst I’ve ridden motorcycles since 11 and sidecars with my father in various events, today was my first time solo on a circuit. I’ve really enjoyed it. Bressuire is perfect for sporting motorcycles like the Albatros.”
Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av The Classic MotorCycle.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av The Classic MotorCycle.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Runs should be fun
The club run is an integral part of the old motorcycle scene. During 2020, a variation on the usual theme emerged, enabling people to ride in the company of like-minded souls.
Hybrid chicken
BSA Bantams come in many forms, and the ability to interchange parts between different models permits an almost endless number of variants.
Green WITH ENVY
Life aboard a 1950s 350cc British single is perhaps as good and as uncomplicated as it can get.
Worth the wait
Captivated by sight of one as a small boy, finally our man has the chance to try an NSU Max.And a ‘Spezial’ one at that…
The Motorcycle: DESIGN, ART AND DESIRE
The concluding part of a two-part feature, in which the history of motorcycle evolution is examined and a new book’s author interviewed.
Cream rises
There were several ‘star performers’ at Bonhams’ winter sale, as the choice machines achieved huge sums.
The Giant of Provence
With so few events to report from, it’s time to look back over a spectacular French event and look forward to its hopeful resumption.
Store cupboard special
A big box of presents? Must be Christmas! More deliveries keep the project on track.
By 1929, CJP Dodson was a bona fide top level road racer, pretty much unbeatable on the sand, too.
The diminutive Charlie Dodson was the last man to win a TT, the 1928 Senior, on a ‘flat-tank’ machine, then the next year became the first (and only) winner of a TT on a saddle tank Sunbeam, as well as recording the last ever success in the Island for the Marston maker.
Cassandra the Canadian Commando
After landing a new job and with time on his hands, a young man in Vancouver decided to restore a British motorcycle considerably older than him.
