Latest / JUSTRIDE Podcast / The REAL Side of Motorcycling (No Filters) - That Girl Biker | JUSTRIDE Ep.6

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The REAL Side of Motorcycling (No Filters) - That Girl Biker | JUSTRIDE Ep.6 · JUSTRIDE Podcast

• Main Admin: So tonight we're joined by someone who's built a big following by showing the real side of bike. No polish, just ride outs, breakdowns and figuring out as she goes. Sounds quite good. She's the face behind the yellow GSXR has four bikes she calls the boys and isn't afraid to admit when she's accidentally made things worse trying to fix them. Which is why I don't touch my bike. She's all about making motorcycles feel accessible, which we're going to talk about tonight. And now she's even launching her own bikers club to bring the community together. That girl biker, welcome to Just Ride. so tell us then, come on then, girl biker, what does it mean to you then ⁓ to ride that motorcycle or those motorcycles, boys that you have? ⁓ It's just ⁓ the freedom and I think... being told that you can't get on 1000cc because you are so small, so petite and then just being able to go and ride it well, not just ride it but actually send it into corners and just... So I can't use the excuse of being short anymore can I? We're going to get it very well when you start using phrases like send it into corner. Is that the BMW that you were talking about that you send into the corner? Yeah. That's really nice, I'm really pleased you've got a BMW. Andy, we've got a BMW, Tom's got a BMW. Hey, don't worry. You've got two Kawasaki's as well? We're not going to talk about And she has a key. And she has chains. And you can stick your shaft. So we thought we'd get the BMW out of way. So where in terms of sending, where's your favorite place to go and send your bikes? So most of my motorcycle riding has been in Lincolnshire. So the Lincolnshire Walls. my favorite sort of twist is, so there's a road going from ⁓ like Gainsborough through Blyton and then across to Camper Corner and through to Willingham Woods, which is like a really famous place me. And there's some amazing twisties like you just flop flop flop flop flop. It's the best road I've ever been on genuinely. Really good fun. ⁓ don't think I've done that. you not been? No, I haven't been down that way for years, but yeah. ⁓ We will, we will. ⁓ That's a day out for us. was a road that I did. I was down in Boston with Sports Bike Shop recently ⁓ and there was a road back to the Bridge that they recommended go on and... I remember what it was called, but it was absolutely brilliant. Was it the main road? A46? Yeah, think it wasn't A1. I did get the bike over a little bit. I didn't send it anywhere, but somebody said, go take that road and go across. I actually went across the Humber Bridge for the first time, but that was absolutely brilliant. But Lincolnshire, I don't think I've probably been down to North, is it North? Council's down there. No, that's Norfolk. Well, I clearly wasn't there, but... ⁓ Geography is not a strong point. normally is, but I always get the two bigs up. Tell her what, it actually makes sense now why Tom has no sense of direction. I know, ⁓ I know. So tell us then, I know you're not going to ask your age, because you never ask a lady their age, but how long have you been biking? Only five years. Only five years? Okay. years in October. So I did my CBT just before Covid hit. Okay. So I was going to just ride a 125 for a couple of months and then go straight on to my direct access but then Covid hit. which was actually a blessing in disguise for me because I bought a 125 and I was just able to fly all over when the roads were so quiet and I got loads of practicing. So rumour has it you bought your big bike before you did your test, is that right? about two years before. Wow. So you just looked at it longingly thinking, I'm going to take my test one day. Yeah, so basically my friend was going to buy a Ducati and I was like, oh, come with you, you I'll be the good sport. and be a travel companion. And then I was like, oh, I wonder if there's any bikes in the area for me. And he was like, don't be stupid. You can't even ride it. You've never been on a bike. Why are you looking at bikes? And I was like, it'll be fine. It'll be fine. And then I just opened Facebook and I was like, There was the GSXR And I was like, it's half an hour away. Can we just go and get it? Wow. So we went and bought that. And then it just sat in my garage looking nice for two years before I even. Got on it. Was you kind interested in because your dad's a know ⁓ your dad rides well as he has he been riding quite a long time? ⁓ My dad's ridden he was a kid. I never saw that side of him. Right. So he never had a bike until I was late 20s. It was think growing up in Scarborough ⁓ and there's a cafe, Waysys on a Marine Drive, which is quite popular with bikers. ⁓ And I was in the car scene originally and I'd always see these men on bikes. I'm like, what is it about these bikes that make these grown men? what is it about these bikes that make these grown men? just spend hours like riding 300 miles to get a bag of chips or something ⁓ and going like Whitby moors and having bikes flying. And I used to get like these really intense And I was like, you know, I just need to see what this is about. Yeah, there's something here that is making me giddy and I'm not even like part of ⁓ ⁓ And meet up just spend hours like riding 300 miles to get a bag of chips or something ⁓ and going over like the Whitby moors and having bikes flying. And I used to get like really butterflies. And I was like, you know, I just need to see what this is Yeah, there's something here that is making me giddy and I'm not even like part of ⁓ it. All looking like power rangers. Yeah. Yeah. And then they take the helmet off and they're all as grey as I am. They're the only ones that can afford it. That's fine. You distinguish them. Salt and pepper. So you took your CBT and then how long after was it until you did your big bike test? So it was about a year. So I defined... because obviously the direct access get pushed back because of so I think it was the October of 2020. So it was nearly a year that I didn't want to And I need to ask, did you pass first time? No. I never either by the way. anybody else? What in the 60s? Did you even do tests? I did, I passed first time. Did you pass first time? Everybody else passed first time? Yes, I passed first time. What about your car license? Second time. First time. time, thank you. your first time I failed my truck carbon because I failed on the highway code because I got lost I did my bike test in Durham city centre and on the bank I let it roll back slightly on the hill start and automatic field and road round the rest of ⁓ you so straight back in so when you did your test did you have another ⁓ motorcycle instructor or your so examiner was he you on a bike yeah yeah so that was The reason I failed was I was pulling out of a junction and it was on like an industrial site with cars parked outside. So obviously you peep and creep until you can see. But my height I could see through the car windscreen. So I could see clearly there that there was no car coming. So I obviously just pulled out. He then followed me. And then we got back to the car park and he was like, yeah, you failed. Like you couldn't see. And I was like, well, I could see. I could. Yeah. I was like, come with me. Go to my I can relate. I can that because he does it all the time. Yeah. Yeah. I was like, go down to my level and you can see how clear it is. And I says, and if it wasn't clear, why did you pull out after me? Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. was one of those things. I actually had to do an emergency stop for real on my test. some little kid with a football ran out and I was like... Did he test you again on your moons? No, didn't, because I absolutely ⁓ aced it. Did you get extra points for kicking the ball as well? ⁓ wasn't the ball I kicked, it was the kid afterwards. ⁓ examiner was in a car, ⁓ me in a car and he only kept saying was Scott can you slow down because I can't see the traffic. said just pull over on the left. I more pulling over on the left ⁓ the entire lesson. ⁓ ⁓ in my lessons because he was caught because he couldn't get through the traffic when I was in Wiltshire. ⁓ how long after passing your test you already had the jigsaw parked up at home was it straight back in and Insurance company. Yeah, it tax. Yeah, was it straight away? Yeah, so the bike needed a good service. So at the time, obviously, I didn't have any bike knowledge whatsoever. So I booked the bike bike in for full service. The guy that had the bike before me was a lot shorter than me. it or not. Well, there's people short than Martin. I said I just wanted to have a look at the suspension, make sure it's like it's safe. And then I was just straight out. There was a few issues with the suspension, it wasn't safe, the garage didn't do a good enough job. But yeah, was straight out and the first night I rode it was actually from Hull to Lincoln. And was a thunderstorm, it was dark, was torrential rain, it was absolutely horrific. And I cried most of the journey. And it didn't put you off? No. So that's quite a big bike to jump onto, isn't it? So interesting. I've just... Can I ask a question? Is it the 1000cc one or is it 600cc? Is it the 1000cc jigsaw? 750. 750 jigsaw. Which is known to be probably the better of all the jigsaws. It's a lot smaller, it's like the 600 size, but obviously... So I had the 600 one many years ago. The cowl on the back. Yeah. Yeah. So I had one of them many years ago and it was for calling it. ⁓ No, I used to pull the cold truck with it. it was, was good it black and white? No. I'll shut up now. Sure, we'll be asked back. ⁓ So obviously your family were bikers ⁓ and ⁓ is just your dad or have got anybody else your family who rides? No, just my dad. Just your ⁓ So what did your friends when suddenly passed your test? I think ⁓ they sort of expected it. think... I'm obviously like a very girly girl, but I have a bit of a... ⁓ petrol engine head sides, especially with the cars and things like that. So we're just like, yeah, we guessed this and we know that you're just going to absolutely send it everywhere. You're not going to be as sensible with it. So you're a female in, I'd still say it's a male dominated. Oh, back away from that one, back away. I'm all right with it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, I mean, we've actually had a few females on the show coming up. But have you found, you know, have you been accepted by other bikers? Have you been? people perhaps criticized you or said you're not capable or anything like that. So I think my opinion on this, obviously bear in mind this is my own experience, is a lot different to other people's. So I was accepted straight away. Like I was straight down with Lingham Woods, people were chatting, people were really helpful, not in a patronizing way. Like the men would offer advice when I was like, my tire pressure doesn't feel right. And do know, I have never ever felt any form of segregation against ⁓ mainly female. ⁓ At all whatsoever, I just sunk straight into it. But I think I've always worked in a male industry. ⁓ So I know how men sort of act opposed to women. Like men are a lot more blunt and to the point. And I love that. You know where you stand. Yeah, exactly. That's how I am as a person. ⁓ Although being a girly girl, I'm not like that girly girl mentality in regards to... ⁓ like fluffing around subjects. I'd rather people just be straight. To the point, to the point. Yeah, like you took that corner really badly. Why did you do that? Well, absolutely. So I've really, really like slipped into it really well. The only issue that I have found is obviously gear. Yes, yeah. But again, like. There isn't as much gear for females, but that's reflective of the industry that we're in. You only get a shot with 20 % of female clothes, but only 20 % of the industry are female riders. But they are catching up. They are catching up. And there are people out there that are producing these clothing, protective clothing for women. Knox is one of them I know of. But you are 100 % right. Although we are only a small minority, it's growing. I mean the advantage we get, we can get into children's clothes. My one piece is for child. Don't tell her, they're going to be taking the mic out on me now. You've hit nail on the head, mean, obviously the stats are now there's more females coming baking, which fantastic. ⁓ But there's still limited clothing range. Certainly when you're looking at the sort of protection as well. We've got a guest coming on Linda, and the Jean Belvedere, who's actually had that problem and decided to create a clothing brand that was coming on. So it's interesting that, you know, where do you go to get your kind of clothes? I mean, do you have to go online? Do you go to the shops or where do you go and get sorted for that kind of thing? Shops. So. I went and tried on literally every brand one piece that I could find. Eventually started looking at kids one pieces, which is a little bit demoralizing, but like I am the size I am, because that isn't going to change. But RST Alpine Stars and Frank Thomas, they do more petite things. for men, if you want the perfect fitting one piece, you're going to have to get it custom made. It's the same for women. You've just got more options. ⁓ with the clothing range, if you're within a certain height, so say five for five to like six foot, there's a big range of clothing. Now, if you take Tom, who's taller, it's very harder to get larger sizes and then you have to go and get the custom-made ones. So yes, so the industry is catching up. I don't know why they've taken so long, but obviously a lot of the younger children, younger adults are taller now. My nephew is like six foot. and he's only 15. There's always Scott Leathers in Barnet Castle, you heard of Scott Leathers? Because they do ⁓ bespoke, they do all TT ⁓ races, so they do literally, they measure you and make it ⁓ bespoke and actually I quite a long time we got some levers made for a film we made and it was about 600 pounds for a full set which is not that actually so that's a big shout out to Scott Levers because they are pretty good. look at them, were at the NEC last year I'm sure we had a look and went onto the stand to see what they were producing and it's lovely and I just wonder from a you know we're forgetting that there's lots of people have gone to textiles you know it's so I'm sure there's a big variety in textile clothing for male and female But I suppose it's, leathers might be a little bit different, mightn't it? But it's equally, we all go and we all go, we want to look a particular way. And I'm sure that's for the same for everybody. And you'd probably be able to go and buy leathers, but are they really? the fit that you want, are they the look that you want, they gonna give you the protection that you want? And I think that's probably where it comes really, really difficult to find exactly what, and in your price point as well, because we've all been and we've all bought leathers and one piece leathers, and then you find out they're really warm when it's really, warm. Well, some of us have bought. two levers, sets of levers. So I had the classic the other week, so I bought levers for the first time last year and they fitted nice and snug. then course Christmas came, the winter came, went to put my jacket on and it was like, doesn't fit anymore. it's the shrinks in the winter, doesn't it? Yeah, of course it does, of course it does. That's why I these guys. I bought my first lever set, was at the show, wasn't it? He said, go on, let's get these and it was RST. We got back from the NEC on the Friday and I managed to get in, I don't know how I managed to get into it and we went out for a while and I came back and literally I couldn't get out of it. I got stuck and I got my phone, I had a message who said, can you come and help me? My wife said, you're not going out again until you prove you can get the levels on and I've just gone and got like my first two piece because again, I quite liked having the whole thing on. felt, I think I felt safer with it all being one thing. I really enjoyed wearing it. It's just in the summer, like when we're into Auburn. Last year it was, mean, you you see them, they've rolled them down. I was rolling my down, it just fell off. So I was like, well, just getting the RST sort of two pieces has been absolutely fantastic. But again, the fit. It's really difficult, isn't it? Because I was thinking, do I need it a bit sort of loose? But no, you need it like tight, know, I'm sucking everything in. And you got a new jacket, didn't you? I did. And are you wearing that now? I'm wearing the new one now. ⁓ I've kept the old one just in case I lose. He putting old one in going, ⁓ now. Anytime, anytime. ⁓ What's your favourite sort of brand then? Do you go to a brand in terms of like leathers ⁓ We have a lot of RST in our house. It doesn't fit me very well. Alpine stars do the best fit in trousers for me and Frank Thomas for the jacket. But I wear my one piece as often as I like. feel so safe in one piece. I don't like wearing textiles. If money was no object, Dianese. So I had the to go to Dianese store in ⁓ and there was a gentleman in there parked outside with a Lamborghini outside. hadn't even passed his test. ⁓ He went in there, they did a full laser of him for what suit he wanted. ⁓ And when he out, he spent 35,000 pounds. ⁓ He had an S1000RR in his garage. He hadn't even passed his test yet. And I was like, but the suits, but you can have whatever color you want, design. All the gear and no idea. The companies out there will do custom ones for you, but you're going to pay for the nose for them. Tom's just got a full set, haven't you? Finally got your Alpine stars. He's been a big Alpine stars fan for a long time. And he put his, he got you the trousers in your boots and he was like straight up arms and he's like, look at me, what? You looked the part but you had your textile alpine stars jacket on didn't you? So he got the jacket didn't he? Was it last weekend? Because his birthday is coming up so he's got an early birthday present. then how do quite like the alpine stars? I've only ever had RST. It fits well but it's like I think there's always that wearing kind of period. It feels really tight. I've never worn one those before. We can't hear you Tom, you haven't got a There are other brands available obviously. loves being a power ranger now. So you've got four bikes, ⁓ so let get this right. So you've got your BMW S1000R, ⁓ Suzuki GSX-R ⁓ you've got a couple of haven't you? ⁓ Tell us about those. ⁓ I do not like riding in the wet. Like I have the biggest fear in the world of riding in the wet because you know I said that my first ride on the Jigsaw was bad. Well the second ride I nearly high-sided in the wet. It was just like a damp patch coming off around about too much throttle and just, so that I put a big block in my head about riding in the wet. So I was like, right, let's be sensible about this. Get a bike that's obviously a lot softer to ride. You can't ride it as aggressively. It hasn't got the power to ride aggressively. you in a different position and just get some experience behind your work riding in the wet and that's what led to the ER5, the first one. So that was 500 pounds. Oh wow. Easy bike. A month. And it is genuinely the best 500 pounds I ever spent. is so much fun that bike. So much fun. Will you take me bike shopping? I 500. And then my partner, he recently passed his test and he needed a bike. So I was like, I buy a bike? He was like, oh yeah, one CBR RR 600. this. Get me like an S1000 or was like, yeah, I'll get you an ER5 for 500 pounds. So I bought him one as well. And it's been quite nice, like the dynamic of us both riding. His and hers ER5s? Yeah, but we're going to sell his now. He can ride my one and then others. Well, I'll buy it off you for 250. So you've got four bikes. So do you name your bikes? No, because it's weird. It is weird, isn't it? is. OK, let's... Andy, what's your bike called? It's just a BMW R1300RS. Andrew, what's your bike called? 1300RS. Yeah, my bike's just called Bike. And Tom, what's your bike called? Scott I plead the fifth America where the guy says you become more Sensitive to the way you ride a bike if you name it you feel you have too much emotion to it. We're using just it's just a machine And yeah, that is exactly what it is So there you go. That's the reasoning behind it. Exactly. It is because you have an emotional connection with your bike. So you worry then about dropping it and all this other stuff. Even though you'll have that same thing when you ride your bike. I that emotional connection. just don't need to call it a name. What's your favourite bike? Do need my car? Stop naming stuff. What's your favourite bike? Jig Sir. All day long. Is that because it was the first? No, well I always think if I'd have got any other bike to ride as my first big bike, I probably wouldn't have stuck to it. think so with the Jigsaw, it is a bulky, big, chunky bike, although it's low, it's like that high, it's like a mini motor. It's obviously like a wide bike and I think when I'm riding it, I'm so in the bike. So my friends always say, oh, why, why you always full talk? And I'm like, I'm not, just literally laid. Just reaching the handlebar. Because if I sit up, can't reach the handlebar. And I just feel so at one with that bike. It's just, I can't get that feeling with another bike. The S 1000 is about 90 % there, but the Jixxer is just, am, I am at one with that bike. What year is the Jixxer? 2002. Okay, it's a carburettor then, it? Or is it injectors? it's not got any tech on it whatsoever, no ABS, Which is probably why I like it more. It's a proper motorbike. Yes, exactly. A proper motorbike. think I'd like that. A lot of people looking for the older bikes now just because of the rideability. When you ride it, you ride it. It's not the electronic aids and all that that help you and stuff like that. You have to ride that bike. See, I've tried to explain to people that the worst thing, in my opinion, that you can do as a new rider is get on a bike that has all this tech. Because you're not learning how to ride properly, so to speak. So if the ABS fails and that back end goes, what are you doing? Because the bike's always done it for you. And throttle control, like on a BM, obviously, the throttle control will kick in if you're going too hard into a corner and your bike's too far, it'll sort itself out. And I think... people rely on the tech too much as opposed to riding properly. Yeah, it's good to learn, isn't it? Because I think sometimes you can rely on the tech and then you don't learn how to ride properly. I've seen it. Like I've seen people go from a bike with so much tech to riding an older bike and they're all over the place genuinely. Like the braking's off, the acceleration's just, it's just messy. So when you're out riding, do you prefer riding on your own or with a group? ⁓ A bit of both. I like riding by myself. But in the back of my head, there's always that safety aspect that if I come off and I'm by myself, I've got no chance. So I normally ride with like bike a mom. She's not my real mom, but she's like adopted me in the bike community and she'll let me absolutely fly off. She's knowing that I'll wait for at junctions, but in my head it's that safety thing. If I end up in a bush, someone's looking out for you. Yeah. Yeah. Riding in a group. do like it in circumcise certain circumstances. Like I'll have like my slower riding groups. So if we want like more children, ⁓ and then we'll have like the fast lads, we're all on. and it just depends what sort of mood I'm in. think solo riding for me is ideal but the safety side obviously. It's good fun riding with others isn't it? I mean we have a blast every time we ride. I miss it now so I used to ride on my own frequently but I just prefer riding in a group now but I totally understand that. I enjoy going, like the... because we're already on, we're all on comms so we're always chattering away at each other. Taking the mic out. each other. Someone's made a stupid road positioning or done something stupid or gone to Liverpool or gone to Liverpool or their car door turns the radio on and we all laugh when it comes on. All of them sort of things. do like it. But it is a safety thing as well, isn't it? Because when you're making and I think I that on one of your videos where it's clear, it's clear. And I think that's one the really important things about ⁓ comms that we have and car drivers were thinking why, why are you overtaking? Yeah, but we know it's okay to do so. I think that looking after everybody, I think is really important. And that's where comms works really well. Whereas when I ride by myself, tends to be if I'm going to a meeting or something. I quite like it because I put music on. I'll do a lot of this time to be fair. But it's boring going on the M1, you know what I mean? But I think the group riding is, I mean, it's a weird one group riding because a lot of people actually hate it. They hate the fact that they're going out with new people who they don't know. and can be, in their opinion, a little bit reckless. And so how do you control that if you're to go out with sort of new people? Do you only limit yourself to the people that you know or do you go out in big groups? I've done some really big groups, Group Rise, there's been a few hundred of us. And if it's dangerous, just either hang right back or I'll just go like I'm gone. But I'll always, as a rule, sit at the back, observe people and then I know where I can fit in within the group. ⁓ Have you done any advanced training? Because you're talking, I mean, some of us have it. It doesn't help you end up in a field. ⁓ But no, just listen, it sounds like you've done some advanced training because whole kind of ⁓ observations and... and kind of being putting yourself at the back and that's just a natural talent. You either have it or you don't. ⁓ where did it come from then? ⁓ you say you've got you obviously these skills that you've picked up ⁓ got to pick them up from somewhere because they don't come naturally because obviously you observe so who have you observed is this someone that you ride with that actually gives you the skills then that you've taken on going right okay I understand what you're doing and I'm gonna take them on and improve them. I think riding with the fast lads. ⁓ I'm not a competitive person in regards if I'm riding with them, they are far more skilled than I am. I will not try and keep up with them, but I will follow the line, even at a slower pace, I'll follow the lines and just learn how they're reacting to stuff. So if there's gravel on the road, they don't just slam on and hope for the best, which obviously a lot of riders do do. I just try and be a bit more... thoughtful in my planning and give yourself more time. Yeah, you watch them all come off into the field. ⁓ Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Thanks guys. Yeah. ⁓ And I always I always think that you should always with people that are better riders than you because you're always going to learn if you're riding with people that are. maybe not as experienced or not as confident on the bike, because you can be as experienced as anything, but not be a confident rider. Yeah. That's going to really hinder you. pick up bad habits. Yeah, that's the thing. Yeah. think I always say I like sitting at the back. And I know we all go out together and I like sitting at the back. I just think it's a position I naturally adopt because I always feel like it doesn't matter how far people may get up. I'll always, I always feel quite confident. I'll get back up to where I need to be. So I know where people are going. I'll catch back up. That's how I've always felt. But I think it's right that you should just ride within your limits. Ride within your limits. So if you're riding with people at a far more, faster, you can really get drawn into making some silly mistakes. ⁓ We were out Saturday weren't we and I wasn't feeling 100 % so you know I was at the back. I know these guys will say I'm always at the back but you know but I just let these guys off have you know have their their rides and and you know and I just ride at my own pace and you know it's... You still came into the same place with us Martin. Yeah yeah yeah. Same time. time. Same time. We all rode into the same Helmsley Square at the same time. Well we were in third game most of them. Yeah, but I was having fun. ⁓ So talk about fun. What's the best experience had on a bike? it a trip or is it a certain ride or ⁓ what's been something that's made you laugh the most? ⁓ I think. don't know, anything on the jigsaw is just amazing. Any ⁓ that ideal dry sunny with all the twisters is just like peak. Like you feel invincible, don't you? The biggest laugh was actually ⁓ the last YouTube video I posted, I went out with two other girls. I saw that, watched that. ⁓ we've all watched that. I've never heard so much giggling in my life. We were just like kids. So I'd only met one of them once before and then the other girl I'd met that day. ⁓ So we weren't familiar with how each other rode or... anything like that or even anything about each other but it was just we all just sort of like sank in and fitted so well together and it was just it was kind and i can see like from people watching the youtube video they'll just think what a set of absolute idiots but it was like controlled chaos it was just like taking the wrong turns all the time or the junction do we go left do we go straight yeah like it was just the funniest thing and even watching it back i mean there was about three hours worth of footage that i had to narrowed down but the whole video was just giggling non-stop and there was no like we didn't even race or anything like there was no bravado which you can sometimes get obviously with new groups you get like showboating and lot of people try yeah always be at the front. There was none of that. It was just so chill. Just. is that what you're I mean, that girl bike will come back to that why you yourself that girl bike, which is probably pretty obvious. But ⁓ what is it with you? She's a girl and she's a bike. bike. ⁓ That's why I going to tell you what we'll ask questions. So where did the whole that girl bike account come from? So in my first few years of biking, I always Willingham Woods and people always go, who's that girl? Who's that girl that's, you know, that biker, that girl biker. So that's the truth. Is that it? Yeah. Who's that girl? And I was like, I'm that biker. So I was like, I'll just take that. Yeah, TGB. Yeah. So you started a YouTube channel and some socials and from that, and ⁓ you've got quite a following, haven't you? Yeah. It's grown quite big. So I started it in COVID with TikTok. Yeah. which everyone just sort of did TikTok in COVID because there wasn't a lot else to do. And it just sort of expanded from there. And it's only really this last year that I've actually put effort into growing, like my Instagram and things like that. And obviously I only started YouTube, what, nine months ago? So that's grown quite quick as But it's quite exciting. Yeah. So you've got how many followers on TikTok? It's about 30 something thousand. TikTok's 71,000. You're not far off. You're 71. That's my age. Yeah. Instagram's at 35. TikTok's just over 70. And then YouTube's at five. Five and a half last time. We were looking at your channel the other day. It was about five, six. And like your content feels very kind of real and very kind of you. Was that intentional? Yeah. ⁓ I think and like last year when I sort of set into it properly, there's... On Instagram and TikTok and even Facebook, there's a lot of videos that are so polished and perfect, whether it's how-to guides or the group rides that people go on and everyone's taking this bend, like the Mark Marquez and everything is just so perfect. And I was watching it it's like, especially the influence from America that we're getting really heavily. And it's like... people coming into the bike world, into the bike community are gonna see this and think that this is not like, this is not real riding. This is not how an oil change on your bike is going to go. ⁓ And I think we really need to just show new riders and experienced riders what bike life really is. Like it isn't perfect. You don't get on a bike every time and feel comfortable. You get on it and you feel a little bit awkward sometimes and you have to go and hang your jacket up because it's not working for you. Like the, the, when I did the oil change and my dad, like I've done so many oil changes on bikes and I've done them perfect. And that time, that one time, the oil pan broke. Right. Well, that you're laughing and it's like, could have so easily edited that out and gone, ⁓ we've just done the perfect oil change. I was like, no, I'm going to include every time I trip up, I'm going to include every time I bang my head off the bike, I'm going to include like me breaking oil pan because that is what life is. like, it's not perfect. on older bikes and things. watched the video the other day with your ER5 and there was fuel paying everywhere at the fuel pump. Yeah so there's actually another video that I've recorded since that with the ER5 which I haven't posted yet I haven't got around to editing it and it's in the house and we have fuel everywhere and I mean like it just it's pooling on the tile floor it's all in the ground it's up the walls it's on me and it's just that. What's the worst what have I just done moment I've had then it was was it the fuel or have had others? been so ⁓ ⁓ think the worst one was on my dad's bike. And I think that is just because it wasn't my bike ⁓ I always like I've done a lot of work, especially on the jigs and things. I did a real rebuild on that. ⁓ that was pre my YouTube day. So it's not documented, ⁓ I did that so competently and so well. ⁓ obviously working on my dad's bike when the oil pan broke, it was just one of them things like looking at the crack. It's obviously been there ⁓ bit like there's oil. in the actual crack and things like that that's embedded in there. And I think because it was someone else's bike, it was just like, oh my God, like off camera I was crying because I felt so guilty. But my dad took it like an absolute champ. He's so used to what I'm like. He knows exactly what's going to happen if I touch something. Do you think more riders should learn to maintain the bikes? And I'm holding my hand out because I won't. I think I'm... Yeah, we all go to Scotty Morton. Well, Scotty's a mechanic of the group. I you do a lot as well. think I just, because I've always... We've got room in our garages, so... I've always bought new and I've always bought BMW and it's all, I just, I worry I'm going to absolutely break brand have you bought? Yes, there are other brands available, but I do, I've saw that. Thank you very much for wearing the ⁓ But yeah, it's that, it's where do you get the kind of confidence to go, right, I'm going to take, ⁓ this is not you he does it. just that confidence to go, is it because you're down like hand around with a strip all this apart or you've got that in your end? So when I first got the jigsaw, I said the suspension was set up correctly. So the first time I rode it, didn't feel right. And it was just really dipping going into corners. Like the nose was just going like trying to just flip on me. And I took it into a garage, a well known garage in Hull. And I said, front end doesn't feel right. And he just looked at it he was like, it's because you're a new rider. You don't know what a bike's supposed to feel like. was like, patronizing. Yeah, so I took it away, had a fiddle, got experienced riders to ride it and they were like, definitely not right. So I was like, right, okay, so that's my first knock that I don't trust a garage. The second knock was I took my Esthau for a, an MOT, sorry, a different garage in Lincoln, a well-known garage, and just a MOT, shouldn't have touched anything. set off home not thinking that the touch anything the chain was so tight so they'd adjusted the chain which they shouldn't have done i was going around a bend and the seat slid ⁓ they had the seat off which they definitely shouldn't have done and they'd not bolted it back on so i'm leaning going around a bend and the seat just goes like a chunk like underneath me so that was like the next knock and then ⁓ i've had issues with the jigsaw again when i've taken it to another garage so i've just I'm one of them people that if a garage can't even do it right, then I have no trust in people. So I'd rather learn to do it the right way. And I know it's right then. So like with the jigsaw, I've had my Haynes manual and I'll do everything by the book and I'll go over it multiple times to make sure. But I think, obviously my dad's got the engineering background, so that's maybe why I'm a little bit more inclined, but I think it's just my, from a safety point of view, I know if I do it by the book. It's right. Yeah. Good for you. And also it gives you confidence when you ride your bike that you know that bike is in the best state it can be for you to ride it. That's what I do when I'm doing the maintenance on mine. I know that everything is done to the book, to the letter. And it just gives you that more confidence that you know the chain is right. Oil's done. Even if like I used to change my oil every 2000 miles, that's ridiculous. But I know that I can preserve the engine and stuff like that. So you these type of things make a big difference. Yeah, because I was my jigs are on track that was like the main reason for me stripping that down to make sure it was absolutely perfect for track writing. Cadwell? No it was Donnington. Cadwell's Lincolnshire by the way. know is it? Cadwell's my dream like I really want to do Cadwell. yeah. Donnington. Is that where you went Donington? Or Donington? I love Donington. I really do love Donington, especially for doing the GP route as well. You go around the hairpin at the bottom. Wow. That's a lovely, lovely track. So how many track days have you done? Just one. Just one? Yeah. So I did, I did Donington. So the actual track day itself was absolute carnage. So it was actually a Mitchell entire day. We had a lot of BSB riders in and because it was well advertised, everyone sort of jumped on it, but people that should have been in the advanced had booked into the intermediates and the the novice group. So I went to go on track, had mechanical, my fault, mechanical issue the first session, so I'd missed out the first session and then when I went on I had an instructor with me and it was just bikes just going... so close and so fast either side of me and genuinely I don't think I went above 70 mile an hour that first session. Came off track with the instructor and he was like this is not safe like not me as a rider it was all the other riders that are advanced being in a novice group so he went and had like a little chat with people and obviously got people moved up and out of the group and then throughout the day because I hate right turns like I will do everything to avoid a turn or a right We just keep going left and left and That's the roundabout. You still get back home. So by the of day I absolutely loved it and that Melbourne loop that. That was amazing. Like I got so banked over and I was so hyped after it. The only thing I struggled with with Donington, I think coming from being a road rider was the space. Yeah. Like and I think that's why I like had a lot more because it is more like the width of a road, isn't it? Yeah. And I think when you go to Cadwell's and I've been known as a viewer and I had a friend that used to race and I used to go and do a bit of pit for him. So which basically meant I would pushing bikes off the track and at Cadwell you've got to push it back up a bank into the pit area. But it's just a beautiful track because it goes through the woods and then it opens out and it's got some really lovely sweeping bends. But then coming back down, coming back down the hill to then go back into the woods, it's really quite ⁓ tricky because you can really get caught. Yeah. But a lovely track. But Donnington's great when you can just sit at the so you've got the start finish line you and I went to watch the GP when Rossi and them were there and I remember sitting with ⁓ the start line behind and they come down to go through the Craner Curbs and it is just you can just sit on the bank and just watch them coming around the top and then round through the Craner Curbs and it's just one of the best views and just just the noise the smell the vibration everything it just it's what we all love as bikers isn't it it's just absolutely fabulous you talk a lot on your channel about getting more people into biking. What do you think puts people off? Probably the cost. So I think before, obviously, when some of you guys were younger, it probably was a cheaper option. How old do you think we are today? 21? I'm 21. It probably was a cheaper option to just get a bike, get helmet. chuck on your normal jacket and just ride as opposed to getting a car. But I would argue nowadays that it's more expensive to ride a motorcycle than it is a car. the money that you're ploughing just even into gear, even secondhand gear is just absolutely wild. Well, I can speak from experience. It's never been cheap. you buy BMWs. So I've been through all the Japanese manufacturers. I've had Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, all of them. I've had them all over the years and it's always been expensive. I would say just put that, that's maybe, maybe just choices I've made. I think that's what it'll be. Yeah. I I mean, interesting enough, I've got my insurance. renewal quote today and I love like it's still not going down as quickly as I want and so did you find when you first passed your test at your and particularly with your jigsaw was was your insurance like massively expensive I think my first year on the jigs was about 700 pound okay yeah yeah ⁓ also so the jigs come down to about 250 now and all together It's about 1200 quid. Oh right, that's not bad is it for all of the bikes? Tom was on that when you first got your bike when you were about 1200 pound because he's found it he passed his well he on as soon as he could do his direct access and I think you found it incredibly expensive but you were running a car as well weren't you? for bike insurance initially it was ridiculous. I you could have bought a house, literally what you're paying, you could have had a mortgage. But it didn't put him off. mean, if you want to do it, you find a way. You just got to shop around and look for what you want. I don't even necessarily think insurance, I think, because obviously if you're buying a car, you buy a car and you buy insurance. That's the same thing. The only difference with a bike is you've got all your gear and your helmet, that's where the big cost is. And one set of levers isn't enough and one helmet. One helmet isn't enough. Have you got loads of helmets as well? I've got helmets and leathers. I've got a See, not the only one. It's weird to put everything. We've got a bit of a competition going at the moment about who can buy the most helmets. So Scott's definitely the winner. I'm not taking part. So you're launching that girl bikers club. What's the idea behind it and what do people need to Can we be part of that? Can we be part of that? girl bike a crime. Well, we'll see. I've seen them in address. I take that as a no. So what's girl bike a crime. Well, we'll see. I've ⁓ seen them ⁓ in address. ⁓ take that a no. what's the idea behind it and how can people get involved? So I just want to bring the community back. I when first started riding, literally ⁓ One of my first ride, this is the dreaded first ride out on the jigsaw, ⁓ probably the third or fourth ride, I got a puncture, I was at Willingham Woods, and I just put on the Willingham Woods site, I've got a puncture, can anyone help? And someone drove from Cleethorpes with a puncture repair kit, they looked up canisters and fixed a puncture and said, I don't want any money, just pay it forward. And that was like, that blew my mind that someone was willing to do that just to help a fellow biker. But over the years, it's not like that anymore. Like we've lost that community. Like if there's a biker at the side of the road, we'll look at them and we'll maybe see if they're all right, but we won't stop for them. Like people just, I had it the other day, people just ride past you. like, look and they'll ride past. We'd stop for you. We'd stop for We always help for people. They give us a thumbs We all then, we all become best mates, don't we? But I think we've still got that up here. I think you do still have that. Yeah, go on. I've started going to squires a lot now. Yeah. And that isn't as welcoming as what the woods was. And I think for me, like we're a community and we're a community that is slowly dying out. Like I know some of the stats we've shot up in bikers, but I think overall over the last few years, has, it has gone down. ⁓ And I just want everyone to just be friends. Why, why, do you think that is that? I mean, you know, why do think that's changed why do you think is it because people less people getting into biking or the people who are in biking they're not biking anymore with what why is that shift do think i think If I'm being completely honest, I think it's the newer generation that's going through and I think they are maybe spoiling it. like, obviously we are different generations. Just say it, how it is. if anybody's watching, do you agree? Please comment. No, but like you'll have your generation of bikers that you grew up with and then there's like my generation. I may be joined a little bit later. I think all of us were in sync and then there's the newer generation that have come up that are heavily influenced by social media. They're about the posing aspect, they're about a certain style of riding and they're not familiar with... like making it about the community vibe. And I think they're alienating themselves possibly. Good point. By being like that, which is not scaring us older people off, but we're just going, you know what? That isn't our vibe. That's not what we're about. So I think it is forming a bit of a segregation, but we just all need to just. comes down to the simple thing like when you're on the road and there's a biker coming opposite you and you give them a wave. I'd probably probably be out of 10, six people out of 10. Yeah, is not. ⁓ That's a really good point. we really want to hear your views. Do you agree with that? Do you think it's kind of got less community feel? We certainly don't feel it here, is it going that way? what can we change? What can we change for that other than you creating a group ⁓ in a bikers club? With patches and ⁓ everything. ⁓ I think there's bit of an etiquette that we all follow. if you're approaching somebody that may be riding slower than you, you never ever go flying past and things like that. always, when it's safe to do so, maybe give plenty ample space. But we all go by, we all give just like a gesture to say hello, and you go past. And I remember when we came back one day from, we'd been to Devil's Bridge. I would come back from Devil's Bridge one day, and we had guys coming either side of us. Because we were on the very twisty section of road, and there was cars in front of us. And they just didn't have any patience whatsoever. And it was, hang on, this is, it's now becoming dangerous. because I'm looking all directions to see, I didn't know if the person was gonna come up the inside or, and it's them sorts of things I think that makes it difficult for I think particularly we're to use all of the road and we do, ⁓ in terms of, ⁓ and we're up in a position to see around the bend and they're literally ⁓ going over the double whites around you. Yeah. ⁓ And I don't like that because they'll come out with nowhere. They'll absolutely no regard. And yeah, you know, but then that's why there's accidents. And that's why the stats are really high because people take that risk. ⁓ we all, I know I've been through this where you all think you're invincible. You think you're like Valentino Rossi or Mark Marquez and you're not, you don't even have 1 % of their skill. Do you know what mean? And I think that's weird. Cause I know you, ⁓ cause I know you know exactly what I'm talking You've got a picture of him. your wall. ⁓ I got a tattooed on my chest. ⁓ just going back to your comment about Squires, ⁓ I've been to Squires loads of times and I know you mean you go there and ⁓ really nobody talks to you if you're like I've gone on my own I'm with these guys, gone with these guys, my own and I've just been sat there with a cup of tea ⁓ And yeah, you don't get any interaction. Maybe it's just because they know I'm Welsh. don't know. But ⁓ then go to the woods and you can stand and look at someone's bike, Willingham Woods, and at someone's bike and someone will come and chat to But that's the same with us. When we go to Hemsley, can guarantee They be riding ⁓ scooters. You could get overtaken by one like I did. We came back on Saturday with a guy that said, can I ride back with you on And rode back to Teesside. mean, he followed us all the way home and he had a cup of tea. ⁓ I like, it's about time you were going in. But you do... here he is! I don't know whether it's the Northern thing, you know, I'm sorry, don't want to do the North South divide, but think, OP, we are approachable. Backing out of this. Yeah. we do find that. Do you know where the North is, Henry? We do find that people will stop and chat. But the Willingham Woods is lower than Squires. I think there is a bike snobbery around as well. think people, you know, they want to do their own thing. I think some people just don't interact. But I have noticed that over the years and I think you're exactly right and I think it's hard because obviously you know without dissing social media because obviously you're quite popular on social media but there is ⁓ an element of people that just want to go on and pose on social media and it's like look at me and look what I'm doing. don't make it real life. No that's not real life. see on media is not how biking is in real life. that's it. And ⁓ the ⁓ new generation people come when they come and start riding this is what they think it should look like. Yeah. ⁓ it's nowhere near. They're all shit days. Do know what mean? They are when you go out for a ride and one day you go out and you go ride like a mile and go, I'm not feeling this. And go home. Do know I mean? But that's what I think is so dangerous about it. Like even, even like... my five year in which is obviously I'm still a baby biker but I still look at social media and go do you know I wish I could ride like that even though I know it's not real yeah and just think about everyone that's come in like now or since these posts have been made it really can knock knock your confidence yeah yeah it just creates a reality that isn't real you is some kind of biker club I think you know to bring people together yeah what's the criteria yes ⁓ tell the viewers what do they need to do to Two wheels, honestly. Two wheels. When is that launching? Hopefully by summer. It was supposed to be sort of this month, but I've had so many events coming up over the next few weeks and things. So it is going to get pushed back now, but we are looking at June, July, and then I just want to launch some ride outs and meet ups. Great. Just completely chill. Can we come along and film it? Absolutely. Yeah. And how do people find out about when you do launch it? How will they find out about it? Just all of my socials. So it'll be on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. Fantastic. And are we going to put the links up there in the video there? I'm looking at. Yeah, yeah, we'll do that. Yeah. So what have you got? What have you got coming up then? Tell us about what you've got coming up this month ⁓ or next month. So ⁓ next month, I've got a meet and greet, which is my first official meet and greet. So I was contacted by VMOTO, which is Barnsley where. Yeah. ⁓ they said, the words were brilliant actually, will you come and be an attraction? You were like, oh there. Be an attraction and do a meet and greet because they're having like a big open day and I just wanted someone to obviously like say hello to the fans. They never asked you or me Andy, did they? No, but we did get that last year at Yamaha. But you just... Well, okay. Didn't we, Tom? Didn't we, Scott? Yes, It's not about you. Carry ⁓ So I agree to that. So going to be really good. got of autographs and postcards and stuff. Yeah. So if people want to pop by... Where's that going to be again? Whereabouts? Well, it's called via motor, but it's via motor. Right. And it's like Barnsley way. Barnsley. Got it. Yeah. So they're having a full open day. They've got loads of like new bikes and used bikes. They've got another creator there as well. So it's just going to be a really fun, fun, open day. Excellent. And then after that, so this is really weird. So I don't call myself an influencer because I'm just someone who documents bike life, but I've actually, I've actually become a finalist for the UK Influencer Awards. Yeah, fantastic. Well done. Thank you. So I've got that coming up in May. So that's going to be to find out whether I've placed first, second or third. But that's quite exciting. is exciting. Round of applause. of applause. Fantastic. Excellent. Can we vote for you? Yeah. When I get the links to share, will. Excellent. We'll send them around with a few people. That's excellent. What else have you got going on? And then at the end of April, I'm doing a bike rally with Watt Boys. Right. So we're going, there's 40 of us, it's going to be crazy. Wow. 40 of us going from London to Wales, to Snowdonia, full media team coming along with us. And it's just going to be, it's going to be wild. ⁓ brilliant. It's going to be the best concert ever. And what bike will you ride on that one? So it's not, I'm not going to say definitely, but it's not one of my own. ⁓ You're getting sponsored. Don't say anything now, but we can see by her face. When the camera stops, will you tell us then? For those of you listening in a car on Spotify, she's just had a big smile. Which means she's getting her bags back. ⁓ Well, good for you. Good for you. That sounds fantastic. ⁓ yeah, this year it's really just wrapped up massively. ⁓ That's so exciting. So exciting. Well, I think at some point we need to bring cameras down to ⁓ Wellington Woods. yeah, well, well, what ⁓ you need to do you need is writers and all this stuff down. So was all people can learn it. ⁓ And I need some like, is it that way? ⁓ I just know it's Yeah. think when, when your bike finally arrives, you know, I think we'll, we'll, venture down. hearing improves. ⁓ I ⁓ think that'll be lovely. if you're up for it we'll come down with our cameras and it'd be good for you to take us out on some of the roads that you know and we'll all be at the back following you find some nice roads yeah get some drone shots that would be good yeah no that would be fantastic fantastic so Andy Do your thing. Do your thing, Andy. He likes to do this where he asks our guests certain questions. We have a series of quick fire questions and they don't turn into being quick fire because we all end up going, oh, we agree with that. So if money was no object, what bike would you buy? So, I don't know how to pronounce the first bit of the name, it's the E-S-T Spirit. it spelled E-C-O-S-S-E? Right, we'll... So Tom's gonna stick it up on the screen for us, okay. Oh, it's like a concept. Yeah, but it's an actual, it's an actual bike. basically Formula says Formula One ⁓ did like a project bike ⁓ with no frame, no front forks. It goes to 370 kilometers an hour. It just absolutely wild. And I think I'd want to ride it, but then I'd want it sat there. But that is just like, when you actually look into it, like the engineering behind it and the technology behind it, just absolutely mind blown. 3.6 million suit a 3.6 million subscribers. you're not far away. Definitely fits the question of money was no object. who was your motorcycling hero? ⁓ What do mean in like a racer? no it could be anybody it could be your dad it could be anybody who's your... like grow up with him, ride it like he rode but he didn't have a bike when I was growing up. ⁓ And then he's just got the Kawasaki and I've not really ridden with him. Like I've only ridden once with him. And that was that like 15 minute blast that we had after. ⁓ But I think either Guy Martin or Mark Marquez or Tom Crackett. He makes a good cup of tea doesn't he? We love Guy don't we? They do love Guy and wouldn't it be great to have Guy on? Come on Guy. Yeah, I mean. I'll make you a cup of tea. ⁓ you as I'm sure you'll come on the show. It would be fabulous. I love what he does. think he just has a go at anything. And I love the series that he does in terms of, I'll have a go at that. I'll have a go at that. You know, just think it's brilliant. He won't come on now. He won't, but he's brilliant. ⁓ So favorite place to ride your bike? Lincolnshire. Lincolnshire. it is, well, Lincolnshire wasn't Lincolnshire the place that did of the, ⁓ the REF bases. Was that Lincolnshire? Yeah. Yeah. You've got all, like most of the REF bases in Lincolnshire. Yeah. ⁓ It's a bit flat though, isn't it? ⁓ no it's not. The Cadwell Park was flat. Although that's Norfolk. ⁓ yeah. It's just got like, it's just super twisty road. I mean, there's a little bit between Willingham Woods towards Louth now that they have put 50 average speed cameras. Louth on the Wither Cadwell Park, the Yeah, exactly. ⁓ Thank you. I might be old, but I know my geography. And final ⁓ So you've got a few pounds left over the 3.6 million ⁓ you've spent ⁓ on the other bike. ⁓ And you're thinking, okay, need to and buy something else the change in my pocket. ⁓ What would you buy? Helmet, boots, jacket, or something else? Something totally Probably the service in my role for that. ⁓ think ⁓ probably a custom one piece. Any brand? ⁓ Probably Dainese. What Yellow. Yellow and ⁓ lovely. ⁓ See now you're all gobsmacked now. I didn't think you'd say yellow. Well I've seen the bikes. I'll mention that off camera. That's great. Thank you so so much. So for those out there that are maybe not watching on YouTube but listening on Spotify, do you want to give everybody your weather can find you on Instagram, YouTube ⁓ and TikTok. What's the handles as it were? So TikTok, Instagram and Facebook are all that. Dot girl, dot biker. So they all have the little dot. YouTube is just that girl biker without the dot. Fantastic. But yeah, just that girl biker. Excellent. I'll pop up. Put me in Google. Well, it's been an absolute pleasure having them on the show. I hope you enjoyed it. You've got another question going. No, I was just going to remind you of what you've got to Well, I always forget this. My navigation's really, my geography is really good. I've I've gone to bits tonight. But yes, like and subscribe. Thank you. We'll never get any subscribers. Yes. Excellent. Without further ado, that girl, thank you everyone. Everyone for watching. Don't forget to hit that subscribe, like the video, comment down below and hype as well. Andrew, you're fired. think I lost my Tom will have it on every episode.