For as long as I can remember I have always loved motorbikes. So from the age of 16 I rode all kinds, spending a lot of time latterly on grass track racing. The cost of this kind of activity is high, so as my family were growing up I could no longer afford the time or the expense.
I have always been relatively fit, so in 1988 on holiday in Australia I knew there was something wrong when I felt pain in my lower legs whilst climbing Ayres Rock. This continued throughout the holiday so on my return to England I had an X-ray which showed signs of wear in my right hip and was advised to see a Remedial Masseur. This was when I first met Charles Davis (who has since sadly died) who helped me greatly over the next few years.
In 1991 I first met Mr Rainey, an orthopaedic surgeon, who would eventually carry out the replacement hip operation. I carried on this way until 1996, when it was agreed that it was time for the operation to be done.
I was able to return to work after only 12 weeks, but it was obvious to me at this time that my left hip was also going to be a problem. After 12 months I joined a gym on medical grounds to try and ease the problem with the left hip.
In 1998 I wanted to go back to my passion for riding motorcycles. I tried many types, but found nothing suitable until I saw the BMW R1100 RS (75th Anniversary model) at the Motorcycle Show at Westpoint in Exeter. I knew this was the bike for me and bought one, although unable to ride any great distance at this time.
By 2001 I knew another operation was unavoidable and once again saw my good friend Charles Davis on a weekly basis. It was Charles who recommended the next surgeon, Mr Gie, as Mr Rainey had retired. The operation was booked for January 2002 and I walked out of hospital virtually pain free, the first time for 14 years. Following Mr Gie's advice I exercised regularly which in turn enabled me to get back onto my motorbike. One of the hidden side affects with hip problems are back pain, and over the next 12 months I regularly saw John Furze, a physiotherapist, who managed to sort out the spinal aggravation. I was now back to full fitness, and ready to ride.
By this time I knew I wanted more from my ability to ride, so in the summer of 2002 on information that they were the best BMW dealers in the country, and still a thriving family concern, I approached CW Motorcycles. This is run by two great guys, Wally Chesshire and David Wyndham. I asked David to let me join their 'Riders Club', and I signed up to go on their 2003 Summer Tour to Switzerland. I met three people in particular who have helped me beyond their friendship...John Anderson, my riding partner on this first tour, who for two years, took me under his wing and showed me the ropes of touring. Paul Dickinson of In-Gear Motorcycle Training, a great person who gave me the confidence and ability to keep up with him around the bends! And finally Jim McCarter, who continues to be a very good friend.
I have now done 5 European tours with CW Motorcycles and ridden over 10,000 miles, some journeys covering 500 miles a day. I still own the motorbike that was used on the tours, the BMW R1100 RS, as well as a R1100 SS Boxercup, a K1200 GT, which is a sports tourer, and this year I am about to add another BMW, a R1200 GS Adventure to my list. This will be purchased for a very special journey, The Trans Americas Tour which is the longest in the world and known as the 'Top of the World to the Bottom.'
Gerald Roberts