Why Bard on a Beemer?

Hi, I'm the Bard on a Beemer. Why the name? Well, from my teens I've been a huge fan of Shakespeare - reading, acting, directing, watching and writing books about him. The man was a genius - and an enigma and that's what makes him fascinating.

And the Beemer? Well that's my other passion - riding motorbikes: a BMW R1200 RT LE to be precise. What a machine. I could ride a motorbike before I could drive a car and have had an on off affair with them throughout my life but it was only when I passed my Advanced Rider Test that I really learned how to get the most out of my hobby - and to stay safe(er) on the roads.

If you've ever ridden the long sweeping and largely empty roads of France, you'll understand the obsession.

The Bard is also my Club name for Blue Knights Jersey 1. The Blue Knights is an international motorcycle club with over 20,000 members who are serving or retired law enforcement officers. I am neither so I am an Honorary Member, though I was Milk Monitor at my primary school and Deputy Head Boy at secondary school - so perhaps that counts?

I originally set this Blog up to record a trip I had planned in 2020 to ride the mythical 'Shakespeare Way' - apparently the route the great man would have walked from the Globe in London's Southwark to his home in Stratford-upon-Avon. Personally I don't think Shakespeare walked that route (or any other) because he was a wealthy man by the time the was working in London and he would have used one of the many regular coaching services.

Sadly the trip was a victim of Covid but I will attempt it again one day.

I hope you enjoy these two-wheeled tales of adventure and misadventure.