Its a fashion not entertainment, if you want to "fit in" and be "part of the crowd" then you have to "buy into it" can't really call it a sport either.

Don't get me wrong I enjoy a good game of football, but more often than not it flatters to deceive yet it still remains immensely popular.

125cc? Have you passed your CBT then?

think a 125 is small fry for snowie

I'm lucky enough to go through the system that is in place as I passed my test back in '77' but wise enough to understand the power that it has, maybe there should be something in place for riders that hasn't ridden for some time,
the last bike I rode was about 12 yr ago and was a honda cb 500 having had a previous break of 3 yrs, I realised after two months that it was under powered with two on and wished I had gone bigger after having an old honda super dream 250 and I thought I would need get some practice so didn't go straight for the bigger bike, I have ridden the bike for 10 mins on my street and have got used to the throttle and biting of the clutch so feel confident to bring her on to the main streets now,

I was working in tadcaster and had to go on site up glasgow to work in a brewery, I was asked if I had drove a cargo 7.5 ton before, having never driven one I ended up doing half the journey both ways, I now end up being volunteered to drive one as my license says I can and young drivers have to take a test something not quite right there

so I am licensed tax and insured and confident to go back to two wheels

Well, I did ask if I could go for a pint as I M NOW ON MY FRENCH HOLS.
But someone deleted it.
Anyhoo, I went for a pint without any permission. Sorry if offence was taken.

I would never have ridden a bike but when I first came over here 10 years ago I had to learn as the transport provided was a motorbike.

Learning to ride has made me a much better, more observant and more considerate car driver. I think all car drivers should be made to do at least the CBT on a bike.

Must admit it scared me to death learning in Leeds in January in the ice and snow and traffic. I was under pressure as I only had a month to pass the test from never being on a bike before going abroad. (failed anyway )

It took maybe 6 months after that before I felt confident enough with my ability, but now I love it. Never really enjoyed driving cars, probably because I've always had rubbish cars, but even a rubbish bike is really great fun. The freedom and level of control just doesn't compare to a four-wheeled armchair.

I only have an old Honda 125 (the roads are not good enough for anything heavier/more powerful) but it's still fun just to go for a ride for the sake of it. (The weather also helps )

I would recommend motorbikes to anyone, but make sure you get some good training! You can ride safely, it's mainly about looking after yourself. Motorbikes, like guns, are not dangerous on their own.

P.S. I also have driven 7.5 tonners despite no experience because it came with my car license in '84

The RSA / Mexico game was pretty good - but the France thing was awful.

Al's right though, it's about much more than the sport itself and that's why we can never compete!

I will still be cheering England on to win as, unlikely as it is, it would put a lot of smiles on people's faces - and there's nowt wrong with that!

On the other hand, in the RUWC, I would be cheering for the 3-eyed lot in green against England - and that again is about something far bigger than the sport itself!

I'm with you on that one.
Last 'rugby' world cup I wore a South Africa T-shirt and got a fair amount of stick, but I explained my reasons and that I'd support England at any other sport even tiddly-winks.
I lived in Wales for a while so I gave their RU team support and, like them, support just 2 teams, Wales and anyone else who's playing against England

Thats a first