Sun employee & fanatical motorcyclist Mike Belch's Weblog Biker Mike's Weblog

It's spring, the sap is rising and like all true men my thoughts are turning to motorcycles. What else? 

I have just read about two different motorcycling expeditions which have got me thinking and wishing that I could just take off on my bike without a backward glance. Unfortunately, while this might be a great dream, for a long time to come it will remain just that because of our huge mortgage, children still at school, three dogs and all the other things that pin us down (in the nicest possible way). So it is with a slight twinge of jealousy and a huge amount of admiration that I'll tell you about two different adventures. 

Tiffany Coates is a good friend of mine from Cornwall. Tiff has very itchy feet and finds it difficult to stay put in one place for more than a couple of years. She has already ridden her bike across Europe and Asia to Australia and back through Africa, as well as going the entire length of both American continents, plus the odd side trip to Timbuktoo - simply because it sounded like an interesting place. And she did all this long before Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman made motorcycle adventure travel fashionable. Tiff doesn't really plan, she just gets on her bike and rides off.  In two weeks time I'll be going to Tiffany's farewell party as she sets off on her next adventure - riding to Mongolia. Read about Tiffany and marvel at her courage on her website and blog - tiffanystravels.co.uk

The second motorcycle adventure to grab my attention is a ride from England to India later this year. Richard Evans and Simon Chegwyn will do the ride to raise money for Asha and Weston Hospicecare. My dad died in November 2006 from lymphoma and leukaeima after receiving superb palliative care at Weston Hospice, so the charity is very close to my heart. Read about their adventure at delhibikechallenge2009.com. You can sponsor Richard and Simon with an easy credit card donation at JustGiving. If you are UK taxpayer then that nasty Mr Brown from Downing Street will reluctantly add another 20% tax relief on your donation to the Hospice.