I decided that on the Monday Bank Holiday just gone (13th April 2009) that after passing my test I wanted to go bike shopping, so off we went to find me a motorbike. Unfortunately the dealers had other things in mind for me as none of them were open. We were driving through Kinson and noticed that Hein Gerike was open, we decided to go in and try on some gear to get a feel for what sort of money I would need to spend. A couple of hours later we left Hein Gerike, my bank account short £800.

So what did I get I hear you asking… I have been recommended lots of different styles of gear by lots of different people, but the answer for me was to be found in the mileage we want to do; it had to be textile. I tried on some different jackets and instantly fell in love with the most expensive one in the shop! In my defense it feels good, looks good (in my opinion) and is gore-tex, which was really the deciding vote when it comes to riding in the heat (I hope) of Spain.

Helmet, again I have been told all sorts of things, but in the end I decided to go for a Nolan – it’s a good name, highly recommended, and being able to flip open the face will no doubt prove useful for anything from paying for petrol to just having a chat.

I have been told I look like an instructor but I don’t really think it’s a problem, infact I think it’s cool!