Spring has sprung

And just like that, there are motorcycles everywhere. This is the best time of the year, seeing and hearing an unholy amount of bikes breaking free from hibernation and capitalising on the dry, warm weather we’ve had in recent weeks. It’s the perfect tonic for those winter blues that now seem a distant memory – thankfully. I’ll be honest, as much as I do ride all year round, I don’t enjoy wet, cold and sketchy roads. I know some people wear the winter warrior badge with pride and for others it’s a necessity, maybe having to commute on a bike whatever the weather, and I take my hat off to you all, but I’d sooner clock twice as many miles in the warmer months than an even spread all year long. Everything is better when you’ve got the weather on your side, as a few recent blasts – for the simple sake of a blast – have hammered home. There’s a massive two-wheeled following where I live, which means it’s impossible not to meet other bikers when you’re out and about. Already, thanks to the lighter evenings, the social side to two-wheels feels in full flow with bike nights and meets brimming with eager participants. I could hark on all day, but you get the gist… it’s good to be back at it.

It’s also the transitional point for us on the mag where we wave off the last of the year’s new model launches and begin to create more organic tests of our own. We’ve got some really interesting tests heading your way, but we’re always keen for more ideas, so get in touch if there’s something you’d like to see. I guess the other thing that’s now in full flow is the racing season, with Timmy flat-out on the MCAMS Yamaha superbike at BSB, while Johnny’s been burning the candle, getting Rutter ready for the start line of the North West 200 and TT that follows soon after. I’ve actually just returned from Honda Racing this morning, having picked up some shells for Rutter’s RCV, which he and Johnny will be building up this week.

It’s exciting to think that special bike will be powering its way down Bray Hill in the not-too-distant future. There’s a feature on it in this issue, so make sure to give it a read. And if you’re at the major road races this year, make sure to swing by the Bathams set-up and ask for a free beer – on Johnny’s tab. I know that’s what I’ll be doing. But for now, I’ve got some big miles to clock. It’s good to be back.

Enjoy the mag,

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BOSSY MAN

‘Dangerous’ Bruce Wilson bwilson@mortons.co.uk

MONEY MAN

Charlie ‘The Sheriff’ Oakman coakman@fastbikes.co.uk

FAST MAN

Tim Neave tneave@mortons.co.uk

OLD MAN

John McAvoy gramps@fastbikes.co.uk

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BSB SUPERSTAR

Christian Iddon ...and Britain’s best builder

TRACK RIDING GURU

Dean Ellison ...and super nice bloke

TT WINNER

Gary Johnson ...and karaoke king

MOTOGP SAGE

Jack Fairman ...and wine connoisseur

ROAD RACING

LEGEND

Peter Hickman ...and BSB winner

RACING PUNDIT

Steve Parrish ...and pro at pranks

YOUNG MAN

Carl Stevens

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WINNER

Tom Neave ...and combine king

SUPERBIKE SNAPPER

Jamie Morris ...and eBay addict

LEGAL LORE

Gavin Grewal ...and hardcore off-roader