Discussion
Dr Jekyll said:
When I started riding in the early 80s there were still a few pubs and cafes that wouldn't serve motorcyclists.
Does this still happen?
Has anyone been given a strange look when going into a decent hotel, restaurant or bar carrying a crash helmet?
Pah, you whippersnappers. When I started riding, there were only three pubs in Nottingham that you could get a drink in if you went in with a leather jacket on, let alone turn up on a bike! It got better in the eighties, but the Sal, Morts and the Grosvenor and that's it.Does this still happen?
Has anyone been given a strange look when going into a decent hotel, restaurant or bar carrying a crash helmet?
Don't post saying the White Hart at Lenton, cause that's outside the city.
Yep, remember those days well. A bunch of us went camping in Wales many moons back and spent all evening being refused service at various pubs, one landlord even set his dogs on us. Eventually we found a supermarket, loaded up with beer and headed back to the campsite...
Took the BSA 650 to Scotland and had to come back into England before finding a campsite that would let us stay.
The only folk who ever seemed pleased to see us were the Police...
Not had this reaction for at least ten years tho' so either I've got less scary or attitudes have changed
Took the BSA 650 to Scotland and had to come back into England before finding a campsite that would let us stay.
The only folk who ever seemed pleased to see us were the Police...
Not had this reaction for at least ten years tho' so either I've got less scary or attitudes have changed
Not in recent memory, thankfully.
I guess that when sports bikes became popular with BAB's who were solicitors, bankers and otherwise professionals this attitude disappeared.
The last time I can remember prejudice was back in the late 80's - I started my biking career on scooters and went to all the rallies.
I can remember at least a few occasions (especially on the Isle of Wight for some reason) when B&B's sometimes had a sign outside that said 'No Scooterists...'
I was only 16, 17 years old - so for me, having watched 'Quadrophenia' and starting out on my own life and adulthood - seeing signs like these made me very happy indeed - it felt like I was part of a dangerous, rebellious group and was sticking it to the man. Lol!!
I guess that when sports bikes became popular with BAB's who were solicitors, bankers and otherwise professionals this attitude disappeared.
The last time I can remember prejudice was back in the late 80's - I started my biking career on scooters and went to all the rallies.
I can remember at least a few occasions (especially on the Isle of Wight for some reason) when B&B's sometimes had a sign outside that said 'No Scooterists...'
I was only 16, 17 years old - so for me, having watched 'Quadrophenia' and starting out on my own life and adulthood - seeing signs like these made me very happy indeed - it felt like I was part of a dangerous, rebellious group and was sticking it to the man. Lol!!
In the late sixties there used to be a greasy spoon Transport cafe (now demolished) high up on the Woodhead pass near Sheffield, (next to the Flouch Inn)
The owner flew into an uncontrollable rage when anyone walked in wearing motorbike clobber, and threw you out, but you could go in the next day as a car driver and he was as nice as pie....
Signs on his wall included:-
"Lorry drivers broken down on my car park, move to avoid further trouble"
"My crockery, unlike medicine, should not be taken after meals"
The owner flew into an uncontrollable rage when anyone walked in wearing motorbike clobber, and threw you out, but you could go in the next day as a car driver and he was as nice as pie....
Signs on his wall included:-
"Lorry drivers broken down on my car park, move to avoid further trouble"
"My crockery, unlike medicine, should not be taken after meals"
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
I can remember at least a few occasions (especially on the Isle of Wight for some reason) when B&B's sometimes had a sign outside that said 'No Scooterists...'
I'd have those signs up if I had any kind of eatery,drinkery or beddery!(as if, so stupid turning away business, even from hairdryerists!) xx
My parents (born again Christians, social liberal middle class professionals), both had company cars in the 80's which allowed my dad to flog his old capri scooter. They both had full bike licences, gained in the early 60's before they were married. Mum actually taught dad to ride the scooter, after he let my mum drive his 1959 mini.
They used to take us on Hill Walking trips.
I remember them pulling into a pub car park in Ingleton, on the A65 one bank holiday Monday, for lunch. My mum was incensed by the sign at the front door that stated "No motorcyclists"
She went in and had a row with the landlord (and I felt very sorry for him TBH). He tried to say that we were okay, despite there being 6 out of 9 of us with full bike licences (my gran and granddad had owned a 1930's BSA with a side car), as we were in a car.
She made it clear that we had intended having starters, mains, and pudding, plus a few drinks, but that on principle we would not be stopping. What if her son (me) had needed a meal, but was on his bike ? How dare they ?
She's always been against any predudice.
They used to take us on Hill Walking trips.
I remember them pulling into a pub car park in Ingleton, on the A65 one bank holiday Monday, for lunch. My mum was incensed by the sign at the front door that stated "No motorcyclists"
She went in and had a row with the landlord (and I felt very sorry for him TBH). He tried to say that we were okay, despite there being 6 out of 9 of us with full bike licences (my gran and granddad had owned a 1930's BSA with a side car), as we were in a car.
She made it clear that we had intended having starters, mains, and pudding, plus a few drinks, but that on principle we would not be stopping. What if her son (me) had needed a meal, but was on his bike ? How dare they ?
She's always been against any predudice.
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
I was only 16, 17 years old - so for me, having watched 'Quadrophenia' and starting out on my own life and adulthood - seeing signs like these made me very happy indeed - it felt like I was part of a dangerous, rebellious group and was sticking it to the man. Lol!!
Haha, Ray, this is so true. I felt the same and remember in 1984 walking in places in my bike gear and getting worried looks. My AR50 was parked outside I think these days that in the majority of cases that motorcycling is regarded as an affluent persons pastime which will help change attitudes, as well as the fact that the average age of riders is much higher. See a big gaggle of shiny scooters and it'll be a load of 40/50/60 year old duffers, and they'll be having a pint with the bikers, not having a fight.
Dog Star said:
See a big gaggle of shiny scooters and it'll be a load of 40/50/60 year old duffers, and they'll be having a pint with the bikers, not having a fight.
I was having a pub lunch with a bunch of bikers in a beer garden last summer when a bunch of scooters turned up, all with extra lights, mirrors, parker coats etc, we communially decided we were all to old to throw the chairs at each other One of my good memories is when a mate and our girlfriends were refused service at a country pub as we were on bikes.So went home told my Dad,a keen motorcyclist, borrowed his Cortina estate went back to the pub and ordered a massive round with crisps nuts food etc.
When we were asked to pay after the drinks had been poured told them my money wasn't good enough when we were on the bikes so they can stick the drinks where the sun doesn't shine.
When we were asked to pay after the drinks had been poured told them my money wasn't good enough when we were on the bikes so they can stick the drinks where the sun doesn't shine.
m8rky said:
One of my good memories is when a mate and our girlfriends were refused service at a country pub as we were on bikes.So went home told my Dad,a keen motorcyclist, borrowed his Cortina estate went back to the pub and ordered a massive round with crisps nuts food etc.
When we were asked to pay after the drinks had been poured told them my money wasn't good enough when we were on the bikes so they can stick the drinks where the sun doesn't shine.
Wow I've heard various versions of that story over the years. So your the one it originated from :-)When we were asked to pay after the drinks had been poured told them my money wasn't good enough when we were on the bikes so they can stick the drinks where the sun doesn't shine.
Dog Star said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
I was only 16, 17 years old - so for me, having watched 'Quadrophenia' and starting out on my own life and adulthood - seeing signs like these made me very happy indeed - it felt like I was part of a dangerous, rebellious group and was sticking it to the man. Lol!!
Haha, Ray, this is so true. I felt the same and remember in 1984 walking in places in my bike gear and getting worried looks. My AR50 was parked outside I think these days that in the majority of cases that motorcycling is regarded as an affluent persons pastime which will help change attitudes, as well as the fact that the average age of riders is much higher. See a big gaggle of shiny scooters and it'll be a load of 40/50/60 year old duffers, and they'll be having a pint with the bikers, not having a fight.
but if a coach load of o.a.p.s pulled in the accounts girlies would ring round and warn everyone not to use the café or toilets until after the cleaners had been in... now if we'd had o.a.p.s on scooters God help us!When i was on a bike, had the same problem eith 'get your helmet off'.Trouble is i really suffered from the cold and apart from a half roll neck thermal around my neck i also modifield one of the thermal balaclaves so only the eyes showed a la IRA.
The look on the guys face when i turned round a i took it off wasprieless. I just told him if you want me to take this off then i strip to my underwear. He declined my offer
The look on the guys face when i turned round a i took it off wasprieless. I just told him if you want me to take this off then i strip to my underwear. He declined my offer
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