New year, new rider? …..
Have you set your New Year’s resolutions yet and wanna get into riding for 2021 after the shit show of 2020?
We’ve had an absolute TON of people get in touch about getting on two wheels this year. After having so many freedoms taken away in 2020 it seems the call of the open road is out to everyone! AMAZING NEWS!!!
So, we’re kicking off 2021 with some tips, advice and stories from everyone - from seasoned riders to newbies alike to get you inspired to brap (whenever we get out of lockdown of course… urgh!)
First up we’ve got the awesome Suzy McRitchie’s story - Suzy learnt to ride at one of VC’s Learn to Ride days last year, and now she can be found brapping around the Midlands on her own 125 ripper! We had a chat to Suzy about her journey from newbie to getting her own wheels in what was a pretty tough year to start anything to be honest!
Enjoy!
SUZY MCRITCHIE BY SARAH EMMA SMITH
So what first made you to get in touch with VC and sign up to a beginner lesson?
I'd attended Camp VC for the first time in 2019, after seeing it advertised online - I love skate/surf/snowboard and cycle culture. The vibe and community of the event was amazing and I immediately wanted a motorbike! I didn't have any close friends or family who ride and I wanted to have a go on a 125cc bike in an environment that was supportive and friendly and women teaching women without feeling intimidated. I wanted to learn off the kind of folk that have their own bad ass logo tattooed on themselves.
Why did you want to learn to ride? What attracted you to it?
A few years back I'd had the experience of riding as a pillion for a 9 day stint, in Vietnam. I loved the buzz of being on a bike, the freedom and sights, sounds, smells you can have on a bike with just your rucksack strapped to the back. A vowed to myself to learn when I got back, but there wasn't any community like VC around at the time where I lived. I love road and fixed gear cycling too...but adding an engine in seemed a perfect progression!
Seeing VC I realised there are like minded folk out there (not the sports bike, pink hi vis kinda culture), I wanted the fun of being on a bike and also the circle of mates you can make through this amazing community.
Was it something you’ve always wanted to do?
Deep down it definitely has been. But not having family that ride was a bit of a barrier, as people's views(who don't ride) tend to be bikes are dangerous. But spending time at the session in London dispelled a lot of that for me.
How and when did you find VC?
I found VC through good old Instagram. I think from following Victoria Pendleton and Tahnee Seagrave, it lead me to the Camp VC page and I immediately put the date in the diary for the ticket release date and bagged a spot!
Did it give you the extra boost to learn?
Without doubt, I probably still wouldn't have taken the step to get on a motorbike without VC, it was the confidence that I needed...to believe that I could jump on a bike in my 30s and learn a new skill!
On the beginner lesson day, you guys were amazing and so calming, despite my initial stalls and fear of ruining your bikes, I came away so stoked! I was googling bikes and insurance quotes on my train home from the session!
I'd booked a motocross day with Days on the Dirt/Greenfield Dirt Track also, off the back of having the experience with VC. It was wicked to get a go on the track as a beginner and I've met some great new friends and it will be epic when we can get together and have a few beers and party at Camp VC again!
Why did you decide to learn to ride with VC over just going straight to CBT?
I wanted to learn with other women, in a friendly, supportive environment, with no stresses..rather than my worry of male bravado on a CBT and having to get out on a road.
Did you know anyone else who rode before we met you?
I didn't know anyone before meeting you lovely lot.
You've got your own 125cc now - what did you buy and why?
I bought a Mutt Motorbike, a fat sabbath... which I'm definitely in love with! I live in Birmingham and wanted ideally to get a bike from a local small company. I'd read the VC reviews on good starter 125cc bikes and Mutt was one of them. I love old custom look bikes, bobbers and choppers but not knowing much about engines I wanted a new bike. Mutt have taken the custom look stripped back old bike and made sweet looking spanking new bike. I'd visited the Mutt HQ in Digbeth, Birmingham a few times and they were super friendly, let me sit on the bikes and run through all my questions. Having them so local is great for popping in if needed.
“I bought my first bike during lockdown. I'd been furloughed from work as a sports/musculoskeletal physiotherapist and had my snowboard trip cancelled and just thought screw it: I want to have fun and it’s an opportunity, I'm gonna do my CBT and buy a bike!”
Did you buy it before or after lockdown, and what prompted you to take the plunge?
I bought it during lockdown. I'd been furloughed from work as a sports/musculoskeletal physiotherapist and had my snowboard trip cancelled and just thought screw it: I want to have fun and it’s an opportunity, I'm gonna do my CBT and buy a bike! That time was an opportunity to reflect on what I wanted to do in life and also helped me reason with splashing the cash on a bike!
Have you been riding much since lockdown?
I've been getting out doing short local rides, just building confidence with being on the road and ironing out my gear changes, sticking to decent weather. Riding round local car parks annoying the neighbours with my noise. On rainy days, I've been found to be sat on my bike in the garage... Roll on spring and longer lighter days!
Do you plan on learning how to maintain your bike and some basic mechanics?
I really want to learn more on general maintenance and simple fixes for my bike, so I can be more self sufficient when out on longer road trips next year.
What do you like about riding and what does it mean to you?
I love the buzz, the people it brings into your life and freedom. It means just forgetting everything else that's going on in the world and getting out. Plus looking cool doing it.
What’s your dream ride or road trip?
I'd love to go back to Vietnam and ride a bike on the route we previous took (as a pillion), with the amazing Vietnamese riders I met out there. They will be super stoked.
But first I want to ride down to the 2021 Camp VC, hopefully with a few other 125cc riders from the Midlands!
What route are you hoping to take towards doing the full test?
At the moment I think I'll do the 2 years with my CBT, taking my time building up good bike handling and experience... then onto the MOD 1 for sure.
Massive thanks to Suzy for answering our questions - check her out on insta @innercityspokes!
Wanna start riding in 2021?
We’ve got tons of info and tips coming this month on the VC latest……….. AND also stay tuned for some VERY EXCITING new VC initiatives for 2021 specifically for beginners coming soon!