What a sight for sore eyes – Effie has finally made it back to the Apple Isle.
I won’t be letting her out of my sight again in a hurry. Now it’s down to business overhauling the engine and getting her back into shape – but not like new, that would take away from her amazing achievement. Oh, it’s good to be reunited!
Hi Ron
glad to read tt Effie finally made it back and you are reunited. At least you have some good weather to go out for a ride before you overhaul her. Here in Germany we still have winter with lots of snow and lousy cold. Have not taken any ride this year. But spring will come…sooner or later.
Give my regards to Lynne.
Thomas
Hi Thomas
Good to hear from you mate! Our weather has changed and we’re now experiencing heavy rain. Not that it isn’t welcome – it is sorely needed after a very hot summer. I don’t plan on riding Effie until her engine has been overhauled. I think I was incredibly lucky she did as well as she did and I don’t want to push my luck and do any major damage. What I do have in mind, is to make a wicker sidecar for Effie, something I’m quite excited about. I have a busy time ahead with these projects along with writing the book.
Here’s hoping the cold weather ends in Europe soon and you can enjoy riding again. Lynne & I send our warmest regards.
Ron
hi ron i have followed your amazing journey and would just like to say you are an inspiration to people to get of there bums and get out there and do the things they think they are to elderly to do i am at present restoring a 1949 ariel kh 500 twin i have been riding bikes from the age of 13 a mate of mine when i lived in melbourne had a panther which we draged out of his dads garage and managed to get it running frightened me to death but it was no good i was smitten and have loved the biking life ever since i have retired now and enjoying my time in the garage it would be interesting to know what you find when you strip down effie and how well she has fared engine wise well done mate a facinating read and great life story hope your family are all well and you have settled in your new home i feel i know you well having read your travelles for monthes cheeres ron many thanks
Hi Brian
Thanks for your compliments. Honestly, I never planned to inspire anyone else and my age really didn’t come into it – I was just having fun. There are so many motorcyclists like yourself who have been around bikes all their life and understand what it’s like to ride for pleasure. Your Ariel is a bit rare these days I’d think and a nice bike to own. Good luck with the restoration and may you have many great rides ahead. I’m looking forward to stripping Effie down and I’ll be posting on here what I find. I’m also planning to make a wicker sidecar so my wife can join me on my next adventure. Maybe we’ll get to meet up in the UK if we make it for the Pioneer Run maybe in 2014. Meanwhile we’re busy writing a book on my journey – it’s coming along fine and we hope to launch it later in the year, so watch this space!
All the best mate,
Ron
The Old Bloke