Wendy rode horses in her youth and came to motorcycling in later life when her husband Frank introduced her to two wheels. ‘I passed my test at 50,’ she explains, ‘and my first big bike was a Honda XBR500. Then I had a Honda CBR600 and a Suzuki DR350. I used to go all round England and Wales to WIMA rallies.’
Time and miles rolled by and in 2017 Wendy found herself in a situation which will be familiar to more than a few RC regulars. ‘After a knee operation I had to sell the CBR and DR, because it was too difficult getting them out of the garage.’
Wendy won’t mind me telling you that she’d celebrated her 75th birthday by then – but ended up missing bikes too much to stay away altogether. Two years later…
‘I bought my AJS Tempest Scrambler in 2019. I liked the classic look and it was much admired wherever we went. It was a very reasonable price at £2225. The riding position is very comfortable for me and I’m 5’8”. It’s light to move around, will do 60mph on the flat and cruises at 50mph. I ride the country roads and it goes up steep hills quite happily.’
Wendy has very few criticisms of her entirely reliable Scrambler. ‘The brakes are adequate,’ she says. ‘I’ve not worked out what it does to the gallon but it seems to go forever on a tankful. I don’t ride at night but if I did I think I would have to upgrade the headlight.’
In fact, Wendy’s enthusiasm for the AJS proved contagious. Husband Frank -now also in his 80s – has a 1966 Triumph Thunderbird with a sidecar. After riding her Ajay he decided to get one of his own so now they have a matching pair, smartly attired in black and gold.
‘They’re ideal for country lanes
