English in Exile

English · Post by **English** » Fri May 02, 2008 3:27 am

Hi all,
just came across this forum and thought it may be refreshing to converse with some of my own people

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I'm originally from Southend-On-Sea, Essex. I have been living in Georgia, USA for the past eight years. I now live in a place called Dahlonega, which is in the North Georgia mountains. Fantastic roads to ride, but I miss the freedom of riding in the UK

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Anyhoo, I ride a 2007 R1200S. I LOVE this bike!!!
I just worked out the other day, I've been riding for 30 years! Passed the IAM test in '98. Bugger, I feel old.
I am the official photographer for a motorcycle track day company here in the US, so I earn money snapping at the race track. Awful, but somebody has to do it

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Hope you don't mind me sneaking in here - even if I'm no longer in the UK.

timbox2 · Post by **timbox2** » Fri May 02, 2008 5:35 am

Good ol Sarfff End, used to have holidays there when I was a kid,ahhh Victoria Park, yep , we were poor.

Hi mate, course youre welcome, dont matter where you come from, we even let people in who ride other makes of bike, well you gotta take pity on them.

Looks like you got a bummer of a job there

bout the same with 30 years riding, think it was 77 when I had me first GT250, mopeds before but I dont count them.

Have fun
Tim

skiddy boxers · Post by **skiddy boxers** » Fri May 02, 2008 7:54 am

Welcome to our world

plivez · Post by **plivez** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:51 am

Welcome from a fellow ex Southender.
What do you mean about the freedom of riding in the UK??
Can't imagine anywhere less free, thought the states was the land of the free.

English · Post by **English** » Sat May 03, 2008 2:34 pm

plivez wrote: What do you mean about the freedom of riding in the UK??
Can't imagine anywhere less free, thought the states was the land of the free.

Hi pilvez,
no, the states is the land where everybody shouts "freedom" (the new "f" word) all the time. That actually ain't the same as really having it

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Cops everywhere - all running radar on their dash. Ridiculously low speed limits, a double yellow line (the equivalent of our double white line) that seems to run from Maine to Key West; and the simplest manoeuvre (i.e. anything other than riding behind the vehicle in front like a good little citizen), is seen as reckless driving.
Oh and, of course, no going through the middle.

I felt much more free riding in England and Europe. Sorry for the rant - you did ask

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Thanks for the welcome guys.

Alan.