Martin and The Baron
Martin Christianson
Martin Christianson
Martin Christianson
- 52 years young
- Having sold his GSA he now suffers GSA-envy..
- Wanstead RFC's 2nd team player of the year 1993 !
- Once realized how lost he'd got the team when he saw the sign "Welcome to Holland"
The Baron
Martin Christianson
Martin Christianson
- You've met The Baron who now shows in excess of 100,000 miles
- Martin found it in a mechanics and paid £1000 for its release.
- Has already required the AA when it ran out of electric..
Paul - Awaits a bike
Paul Mallett
The red rocket
The red rocket
- Paul's BMW had a hissy fit in 2020, Matt waited with him for 6 hours whilst it was re programed.
- Paul is the current holder of the Hanovia Motorcycle Tours "Outstanding Rider" trophy... Dropping his R1200 GSA in a car park. Good job it wasn't in front of a café full of German bikers...
The red rocket
The red rocket
The red rocket
- The Grand Old Lady of the team.
- 1990 Pan European.
- It took Paul 18 months and numerous failed attempts to find his biking true love, rather like life in general.
- Her beauty has been enhanced by fibreglass and tin foil.
- Saved the best to last….
Pete and The Blue Bomber
Pete Bacon
The Blue Bomber
The Blue Bomber
- The most experienced rider, always demonstrated by his slow and methodical riding style....
- Preparation for a previous challenge included a curry and several Guinness, which nearly led to an "accident".
The Blue Bomber
The Blue Bomber
The Blue Bomber
- BMW R1150 RS
- Broke the budget by paying £1200
- The major front overhaul required suggested it was overpriced though...!
Mark and White LIGHTNING
Mark Grover
White Lightning
White Lightning
- 48 high speed years thus far
- Normally found aboard any Fireblade.
- Previously a successful club racer and has even been seen hanging out of a side car.
White Lightning
White Lightning
White Lightning
- 2013 Suzuki Bandit 1250, with around 60,000 miles recorded
- Bought at a technical write off for £444.
- Mark had no fears with this as it was he who wrote it off.
- Still, its not the first bike he's written off, or the second, or the third...
Stuart and ratana's rocket
Stuart Arscott
Ratana's Rocket
Ratana's Rocket
- Stu gave Matt the SS DGAF moniker .
- Matt very nearly had Stu arrested in Germany a few years ago, just for a giggle......
- Was once left in charge of the bar, only once though....
Ratana's Rocket
Ratana's Rocket
Ratana's Rocket
- 2001 Suzuki Bandit 1200
- When he explained what the bike was going to be used for, the owners very kindly donated it to the cause.
- Undergoing a bespoke paintjob - Pictures to follow.
Matt AND THE TORNADO
Matt Dechamps
Matt Dechamps
Matt Dechamps
- The techno whiz of the team, can rewire a 747 in his sleep.
- Races a Honda Cub moped in his spare time
- Never offer him cheap whiskey...
Tuono Tornado
Matt Dechamps
Matt Dechamps
- 2007 Aprilia Touno 1000
- Distinct lack of history
- No fairing
- Matt will be earning his reputation as being able to rebuild anything with the Tornado.
- Still, who wants comfort, reliability, or spares...
LLoyd and the silver dream machine
LLoyd Parkes
The Silver Dream Machine
The Silver Dream Machine
- There is nothing Lloyd hasn't ridden, taken apart, rebuilt, and improved.
- Was very grateful for all the help we gave him when his K1300 had to be pushed through Calais and onto the Eurotunnel.
- Matt's main Nurburgring partner.
The Silver Dream Machine
The Silver Dream Machine
The Silver Dream Machine
- His second £1000 bike, having turned a pretty decent profit on the first bike.
- 2002 Honda Pan European with a mere 77,000 miles recorded.
- Older relative of The Baron.
- Spare parts source for The Baron ?
Gregg - Embracing the tedium of long journey's.
GREGG LEWIS
Tedium-tastic
Tedium-tastic
- Not afraid of a challenge, previous for riding to France for lunch and then back to the UK to for the school run.
- Ridden bikes from every price range..
- Hates standing out from the crowd...
Tedium-tastic
Tedium-tastic
Tedium-tastic
- 2001 Yamaha TDM 850
- Donated to Gregg for this challenge, only has a couple of issues for him to sort.
- The first ? It is in bits.
- The second ? The bits are in different garages, in Germany.....
Karen - Social Media expert
Karen Legge
Karen Legge
Karen Legge
- Karen made a simple enquiry as to how she could help, and is now running the social media for www.ratanaride.com
- Not sure this is what she meant, but I am extremely grateful.
- Thanks Karen.
Tigger
Karen Legge
Karen Legge
- Karen will be too busy with the social media updates (aka laughing at broken bikes) to worry about the mechanics, therefore she is bringing her Triumph Tiger - Tigger.
- I haven't mentioned that in addition to the social media stuff, this also make her the support bike. Shhh....