Southend Shakedown

This year the Southend Shakedown, an event where motorcyclists converge on the “Golden Mile” along the seafront, was on again this Easter. The main thing that struck me about the whole thing was that, like most areas of life these days, image appears to be more important than anything else to quite a lot of people with motorbikes. I am beginning to think I might be stuck in some alternate reality where people permanently engage in cosplay. Really, what is it that causes a grown adult to seemingly want to be a caricature of a “biker” (or whatever other fashion/look/lifestyle that is being followed), especially when the whole romanticised image is supposed to be of freedom, rebellion and that brooding individuality? Hey ho… each to their own, I guess!

The bike in the photo is, I believe, a tarted up 1955 Norton Dominator 650SS. I’ll have to improve some if I want to look as good when I’m 70...


(Better large)