Rider Profile - Peter B.
Peter is certain that the influences of Marlon Brando and James Dean were responsible for getting him started in motorcycling. He got his first bike and started riding in 1963 - an old army bike....a 1940's 500cc single cylinder Norton; he also had a 125cc Francis Barnett that he had planned to restore. He left home at a young age and had to leave his bike behind and really didn’t have much to do with motorcycles until the 1980’s. At that time, he became involved with bicycle road racing as a commissaire (referee) and did much the officiating on a motorcycle. This lasted for about 10 years and then, once again, motorcycles and Peter parted company.
A few years ago, as he was approaching 60, he started to realize that he only had so many years left in which his good health would allow him to do things. “Motorcycling was one of the things I really decided I wanted to do more of. My wife is deathly afraid of motorcycles and the risks involved with riding and is opposed to my getting another bike. My youngest daughter, on the other hand, understands completely where her "old man" is coming from and gave me a "Trillium Motorcycle Tour" for my 60th birthday.”
Peter enjoys quieter country roads with lots of twists and turns and great scenery. “Riding has got to be "good for the soul" and I would have difficulty finding that stuck in a traffic jam on a busy road surrounded by traffic.” He prefers medium cruisers and initially wanted a Harley but has also begun looking at Japanese cruisers in the 650 to 1000 cc range. “A bike like that will definitely fit my riding style and will last me for as long as I am able to ride. Because of my wife's fear of bikes I don't anticipate anything but solo rides so this sized bike should do me fine (that is presuming I do end up getting one at all).”
My favourite motorcycle experience is, without hesitation, my two day Bruce Peninsula trip with Trillium Tours last fall. I have told all my friends that this trip was one of the highlights of my life. To get back on a bike (I had to rent a bike in Toronto) after 20 years and to spend 2 days riding with a wonderful group of people who seemed to be getting as much from experience as I was gave me such a feeling of pleasure. Both Liz and Bev were wonderful tour leaders and led us on some absolutely marvelous roads, and to some excellent eateries and rest stops. Our hosts and the Taylor Made B&B couldn't have been better. The whole experience was wonderful from beginning to end. I am hoping to do more tours with Trillium in the future and, with any kind of luck, I will be riding my own bike rather than a rental.