Photographs of readers

August 16, 2019 • 2:45 pm

As part of our continuing series (and I invite you to send in one picture of yourself, preferably doing something interesting or characteristic of your life), we have two photos of reader Geoff Toscano, which I’ve put up because there are two bikes involved. Geoff’s notes:

Here’s a couple of pictures of me combining my favourite hobbies, travelling and motorcycling. This first is on a Yamaha FJR1300 in the Pyrenees.
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This second is on a Triumph Rocket in the Alps, Italy I think. Its 2.3 litre engine makes it the world’s largest production motorcycle, though it’s now even bigger at 2.5 litres.
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13 thoughts on “Photographs of readers”

  4. Dang, these motorcycle and race-car pictures gonna make it hard for anyone to fess up to tiddlywinks.

  5. The FJR is one of the best of its kind ever. Very nice countryside to be riding through too! Smooth riding Geoff.

    1. I agree entirely, the FJR is one of the most underrated bikes. It’s one of the few bikes that was designed initially from scratch, as opposed to being an upgrade of an earlier model. Its design is now nearly twenty years old, albeit with a few incremental improvements, and yet it still competes with modern machinery.

  6. Bikes always make me think of danger. The curve in the Alpine road in the background is what I mean. 😎
    The mountains are a spectacular view, and with the cool mountain air in your face, it must be quite an adventure. Play safe out there.

    1. I have to say that I found the Rocket a challenge on those tight mountain roads, and initially wished I’d taken something a bit lighter. Having said which, once the first few bends were out of the way I found that it was just a matter of taking it slow but steady. I’ve always tried to practice safety first.

      1. You’d LOVE the Colle del Finestre south of Susa then! [vbeg]

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPhOQviYHfs

        My absolute favourite of all Alpine passes. And the top half is gravel, even better.

        OK, so I’m a car driver, my favourite memory of any alpine pass is chasing a 2 1/2 litre MG saloon down it in a Peugeot 206 turbo diesel.

        Took the wife down it a year later, more decorously, and found a new use for GPS – she was so absorbed watching all the hairpins coming up on the map and then appearing in reality that she forgot to complain about the 47 bends!

        cr

        1. Oh wow, that looks like a gem. I’ve heard of it, of course, but never ridden it. I’m now going to build it into an itinerary for next year. I’ve ridden the Stelvio pass several times now, which has, I believe, the most hairpin bends in the Alps, but it is always so busy that it’s difficult to enjoy properly.

          1. I would definitely suggest the Yamaha rather than the Rocket (I’m assuming the Yam is easier on tight corners). The upper half of the northern slope is gravel, moderately bumpy and loose (but not painfully so). Could be one reason why the pass is usually not too busy.

            I agree about the traffic on the Stelvio. Can be a bit intimidating in conjunction with the low stone walls right beside the edge of the road, if driving something with poor side visibility (like the Jeep Renegade I got upgraded to once. I chickened out and went down the Umbrail instead).

            cr

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