R is for ‘Revival!’

The pile of paper is steadily growing: “3300, 3400, and those two make 3500.” As the last £50 notes are slapped into the open palm of a slightly concerned friend, the realisation that I’ve reached the top of the motorcycling tree isn’t lost on me.

I’m 19 years old and the keys to Suzuki’s then flagship hyperbike, the mighty GSX-R1100H, are firmly in my grasp as I straddle the blue and white speed-seeking rocket. I’d started my biking journey on an equally blue and white TS50ER a mere three years previously, offering speed and thrills over my BMX.

The change from pedalling to biking was a real eye-opener