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Married to a Biker Mary Crowley (Chris Johnson’s wife) When I tell new acquaintances that my husband is a biker, nine times out of ten they say “Oh, does he have a Harley?” I have learned to sigh internally but smile sweetly and respond “No actually, he has a KTM 1190 and a Honda Fireblade.” “Ah” they say, clearly mystified and disappointed. The next question is “Does he wear leathers?” “Oh yes!” I say, enthusiastically, “Would you like to see a photograph?” This is invariably a great success. And then the sixty-four thousand dollar question...”Do you go on the back of the bike?” Here I have to disappoint them since wild dogs could not drag me onto the back of the bike. (I did try it once, honestly...never again! I’m just a wimp.) When Chris and I had only known each other for a short time and I found out that he was a biker I was surprised because it seemed at odds with the geeky personality I expect in a computer expert. When he decided to come back from Sweden where he was working and resettle in Essex, it took a very short time indeed for him to find the Essex Motorcycle Club. It suited him perfectly and he met friendly likeminded fellow bikers and got acquainted with the winding roads of Essex and enterprisingly Sunday-opening cafes. At the time we lived in Chigwell, a relatively short journey from Chelmsford. When we decided to move to South London in 2007 it was a tricky decision for Chris because there were no bike clubs nearby, and worst of all, the local roads were all straight and BORING! He had, of course a plan for dealing with the situation….he would simply take in his stride the extra hour each way’s travel needed to go from home, through the Blackwell Tunnel and then from there to Chelmsford or wherever The Essex Motorcycle Club’s meeting point was for that day. No problem!
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