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First and foremost, I would like to say thank you for helping me to get my life back again.
I started riding at 16 years old on a Honda MB5, then progressed upwards at 17 onto an RD 250 DX, after about another 10 bikes until the end of the 1980’s when my biking was my life, I attended a lot of bike rallies annually.
In June 1989, I enroled myself on a Motorcycle Mechanics and Engineering course in Tiverton College, Devon. At this time I was riding a BSA A65, which I had bought from a basket case. I was doing well in my education, but my BSA needed money spending on it and, being on a student grant, I decided to let her go and I part ex’d her for a Honda CB 750F2 twin cam in good condition.I decided to go home for Christmas and on the 19th of December, I was involved in an RTA, due to black ice and an oncoming car.
I was in a pretty bad way, having to be resusitated several times; I had multiple fractures to both legs. At the time, they wanted to remove my left leg, but my father refused to let them. I then had a several month stay in hospital and over eight operations.
When I finally left hospital, I didn’t think I would ever be able to ride a bike again. My left leg was disfigured, my ankle had virtually no movement and my foot was clawed; I had also contracted osteo miolitus (an infection of the bone), which I still suffer from 15 years later.
I almost gave up on being able to ride again, but always remained interested in the bike scene and attended bike rallies. This is when I became aware of NABD.
I was at Stormin’ the Castle Rally in 2002, when I had a good look at the Kliktronic gear changer. The good folk of NABD gave me information and an address, telling me how I could become a member and from there, with the help of NABD and some determination, I am able to ride again after 15 years.
I must end with a Very Big Thank You to everyone at NABD, also and extra Big Thanks to Billy, the adaptions officer, for all the help and advice.
R J Biddulph
This NABD grant of £280.00 was sponsored by donations from
RAF Wittering
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