Observer Profile

Observer Profile Paul Carden

Current Bikes: My all-round bike is a KTM 1290 Adventure S. The bike I use for observed rides is a V Strom 650. I also have a KTM 300 TP for Green Laneing and a classicYamaha dt 175 I am restoring.

Fantasy Bike: Ducati Panigale V4.

Preferred Roads: Any area that has nice flowing undulating roads with very little traffic or villages.

When did you first start riding? Motorcycling was in my blood. When I was born my dad picked us up from the hospital on a motorbike and sidecar. I always had a passion for motorcycles. If any of my friends had a bike I would be there riding over the fields; you could get away with doing that in the early 70s. On my 16th birthday I bought a brand new Fizzy in 1974 for £199. Had it on HP at £10 month for two years. Bike was stolen after six months.

Riding Companions: I enjoy riding with anyone who has a passion for motorcycling, and who enjoys a good laugh when not on the bikes. On or off roading. I’ve made some great friends over the years through motorcycling.

Becoming an Observer: The reason why I became an observer. When I look back over the years I had many near misses and mainly through luck I got away with it. By becoming an Observer I can put aomething back into motorcycling. And get away from the myth that advanced tiding is just for bring old farts with a clipboard and no sense of humour. By showing advanced riding can be fun. And by becoming a safer rider they will probably enjoy motorcycling more and hopefully make some great friends at the same time.

Scariest and Most Embarrassing Moment: Many, many, many years ago I was watching Carl Fogarty in World Superbikes. After watching him on television I decided to go out for a ride on my Yamaha RD350 YPVS and I was riding like an idiot. I got away with a couple of near misses, ending up on the wrong side of the road, but my luck ran out at Goldhanger. I was doing about 70mph and looking at my rev counter going into a sharp left-hander. Going fartoo fast I went straight across the road and just missed a car. There was a three foot grass bank there that I flew over; must have looked like Steve McQueen doing his jump (maybe not). Ended up crashing, luckily not too badly hurt, and the guy that I just missed coming over to see if I was okay. I

just said I got it all wrong, very embarrassing, he must’ve thought “What a bloody idiot”. He was right. Also in the field was a farmer with his tractor. I’ve picked up my bits of fairing, stuck them down my jacket, and rode my bike across the field to get out as quickly as possible, very embarrassed but very lucky. That was my last accident on the road, that was about 1993.

I would like to say a big Thank You to Richard Parker for doing my advanced training about 10 years ago, and also putting me through my Observer training and giving up so much of his valuable time.