Jo Ackroyd’s Big Biking Adventure

The bike. As with everything else there is a story here.

You wouldn’t want it any other way though would you?

The story is, of course, about faith and honesty in a world of doubt. Its about how doubters feel about trust, how they believe its foolish and yet they remain to be proven wrong by the very deed they doubt.
I’m always amazed how suprised they are when good thoughts and faith are reciprocated and rewarded.

So, to the bike.

Shirley - the bike for the journey

I looked at a dakar, it wasn’t right. too much money, too many faults. The handlebar grips and switches were broken, it was a scruffy bit of kit, repainted by someone, who thought they had accomplished the professional finish they wanted - they had done very well - but it wasn’t the finish you wanted to see and pay for. The fork seals had gone, brake pads down on the front and dash lights out. They wanted £2300 and I had to tear myself away.

You know how your heart says you desperately want the adventure to begin, and the bike is the start of that adventure, but your head takes control. Im glad it did. Although the Dakar may be the most suitable bike, how many problems are hidden in the don’t know answers and the self service history logs?
The guy was a really good fella. Really good. I loved talking to him, he was young and trying to keep a deal going. I liked him.

Searching ebay turned up a bike with 2 days to go. I’m a sucker for fast descions and regreting hasty actions!
A yellow F650GS on an ‘05 plate. That means its single cylinder, twin spark but no ABS.
9.5k on the clock and clean.

It’s a nice idea but if you cant see it…it was in Weymouth, I’m in Nottingham.

I talked to the seller.

The reserve was £2700 so I bought it, I agreed the price and didn’t see it. I went on faith and speech and good humour and a few photos and…its yellow! How wrong could it be!!!!! Ive always wanted a yellow bike! Always.

I think yellow is a sexy colour! You can disagree if you like, you can not see the point; but everyone loves red, blue, green, BLACK…yellow is the colour.

Women look beautiful in yellow bikinis, especially in yellow bikinis on bikes!

So, bought on faith.

‘If I send you the money, how do I have proof I own the bike?’
‘I’ll send you the keys to my Porsche as collateral’
‘Really?!’
‘No don’t be stupid. Trust me. People do.’
‘Oh…hmmm’

At this point I’m thinking of what my ex girlfriend would say. It wouldnt be that kind! It would be very sensible though. But I’m also thinking, that if I’m to find Faith. If I’m to believe in people and kindness, then what I should really do is…

‘Ok I’ll transfer the money and email you a screen shot of the screen’
‘Good, when do you want to pick up the bike?’
‘Tuesday?’

Now my friend had a hernia operation but had a bike trailer so he went to collect the bike and as he reversed up to the garage, (I’m certian the reversing with a trailer was either very short or multipoint turning, although he will never admit it!) The seller was pushing out the bike.
He put it on the trailer, offered straps, signed the parperwork and wished my friend well.

It seems that my act of faith in paying him was very fortuitous. The payment had not gone through, the electronic transfer had not happened due to the week end. Its ironic but the shoe was on the other foot. Now the seller had lost a bike to a buyer, without recieving the funds.
Of course he did get paid. But as events turned, we both had to take a chance on each other.

Does Faith carry us an awfully long way? Through thought and deed, through good intention and trust we all had an experience of fortune.

This is the first sign of good things, of fortutous circumstance of trust and faith that will bring happiness and spread the smiles we are all entitled to and forgotten how to find.

It’s not luck, it’s people.