Two bikers set off twenty-one years ago to ride to New York the long way round the world from this street just off Shepherds Bush Green in West London. Actors Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor’s 115 day, 118,478 mile road trip and adventures inspired a generation of bikers and changed the shape of motorcycles on the roads.
Revisiting Bulwer Street today, it’s now one-way, the steel shutter remains but No. 27 is being refitted as an artists’ workshop; there is a parking at the end of the road for delivery scooters but I don’t see any large motorcycles. The front door of Lytton House next door is now painted the same blue that No. 27 was in the bikers’ time. No historical plaque at No. 27. Yet.

Read more: Bulwer St. W12: start of the “Long Way Round”, 2004

Gorges de l'Ardèche - Belvédère du Serre de Tourre

Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

Three day’s excellent touring in Provence, Dévoluy, Ardèche and the Cévennes plus the Pôle Méchanique circuit. My CBR600RR running great. Variety of roads, marvellous spring views and friendly, family-run hotels with fantastic food.

More photos: Oh to ride in Provence now that Spring is here

Checkout ride to the col de l’Espigoulier (723 m.) just out of Marseille. An afternoon in preparation for a couple of days’ riding in Provence and maybe the Alps. A reminder of the fun and rush of the high revs riding style. Rider and bike largely OK but a scare with the battery: I had to bump start after my photo stop at the top of the hill. Rode home OK, a session on the optimiser and the battery seems good, this one was new only last year. New boots wearing in nicely.

Shap Summit (426 m.)

Ride round the Dales and North Pennines in the fabulous spring weather. Firstly Shap Summit (426 m.), for that top of the world feeling; the A6 is also one of the great biking roads in Cumbria, big rides up and down and round.
Turning off to the pretty little roads around the River Mint between Kendal and Sedburgh, the Ninja Z250SL is good on these as well as holding its own on the big sweeping old-style A roads. Through Sedbergh to Garsdale and Garsdale Head (324 m.) then down Wensleydale, more and more bikers on the A684, another wonderful biking road that keeps on throwing thrills at the rider.

More photos: Shap - Garsdale - Hawes (Yorkshire Dales National Park)