One time I was riding pillion with Cad on the way to Toddington Services on the M1. We were doing about 75 mph when the back tyre exploded sending the bike all over three lanes of the motorway. Nevertheless Cad managed to keep it under control and we came to a stop. I said to Cad you deserve a medal for that and he said I deserved one for keeping still. He didn't know that I could not move due to sheer terror. We managed to push the bike to the A41 junction where a friend lived, his name/nickname was Barnacle Bill.

Another occasion we were all on the way to the Isle of Man and stopped after about 80 miles at the motorway services. As we slowed down Mick Brand went to change gear only to find his gear lever had fallen off. I thought that was the end of his trip but I was wrong, after we parked up Cad whipped out a spanner and with us looking out Mick and Cad took a gear lever off another bike and put it on Mick's bike. I often wonder how the owner of that bike got to the Isle of Man.