John Keating, mortician, St James's Hospital
Rides: 1975 GL 1000 Goldwing, DR 600, and Formula 1 Racing Sidecar.
Why these machines? I've had a number of bikes over the years including a couple of GL1500 Goldwings, which I chose for reliability and comfort. The GL1000 just came along and has been an ongoing project for the last five or six years. The DR 600 is my workhorse; its good fun, never misses a beat. It replaced my beloved CBR600, which was stolen. That was without doubt one of my best bikes ever, ya never know it might turn up someday.
How did you get into racing F1 sidecars? In a moment of madness I decided to start racing Formula 1 Sidecars in 2002. I went to Britain and came back with a basic outfit which brought me little luck and less finishes all down to a silly little problem that everyone missed. Problem sorted, and a more up-to-date outfit was bought which saw us winning a couple of championships in 2003, giving us the number 7 for 2004. Unfortunately the season has not gone well so we upgraded our engines and are having teething problems but we'll stick with it and hopefully the rest of the season will bring us better luck.
How did you become a biker? Every young lad dreams of owning a motorcycle. Most probably realise their dreams, go through the phase then move on to four wheels, but some of us never grew tired of the buzz, the rush, the sheer enjoyment of the freedom a motorcycle gives you. When I was growing up we had real winters: snow, ice, rain but just one long spin on a summer's day would give you enough heat to get you through the hardest of winters.
Did you take any rider training? When I started riding bikes, training wasn't even considered - you just jumped on someone's machine and went from there. The only instruction I ever got was from a pal of mine, Robbie, who gave me tips before I did my test, and thankfully got it first time - which was not easy on a Goldwing!
Did your family have any objections to your biking? My parents had no problem with my choice of transport, and often asked me to drop them here and there. They had motorcycles themselves. I can remember my mother dropping my sister and myself into school on a Honda 50, me in the front and my sister behind tied to my mother with old nylon tights. My Dad had a 250 Heinkel with a sidecar, so you could say I was influenced from an early age.
Do you worry about your safety as a biker? Motorcycle riders have always been at greater risk than car users. I would not be the most careful rider in the world, but would not be one to take a silly chance and, let's face it, a lot of fatalities are caused by the rider. I have, thankfully, been lucky and the few silly spills I have had were entirely my fault.
Taken any biking trips abroad? I have toured Europe a few times and would recommend it to anyone. Covering 3,000 miles in 10 days is hard work, but the sense of achievement when ya get off the boat in Wexford is worth every ache in your butt.
Do you think there's a bond between bikers? Bikers have a special bond because their bikes are not just a form of transport but also a passion, a hobby, a buzz and when you ride your bike you are in one of the biggest clubs in the world. On no other form of transport do total strangers wave at each other or stop without a thought to help if in trouble on the side of the road.
If you won the lottery what bike would you buy? I would buy another CBR600. I really miss that bike.
- Patricia Weston