Getting People to Have Fun on Bikes | Guy Markham | Rider Stories

Guy Markham’s life took an unexpected turn in mid-2023 when strikes in the UK film and TV industry affected his ability to work. Deciding to wait it out in his caravan on the Cornish cliffs, he started making videos for fun—and they quickly gained traction.

Now, Guy’s all about sharing his love for motorbikes, festivals, and adventure with the world. He’s turned his passion into a full-time gig with his Instagram content.

His goal? To make motorbikes, travel and adventure accessible for those who’ve always wanted to dive in but haven’t yet taken the leap. Join us as we chat with Guy about his experience getting into motorcycling.

What Do You Currently Ride?

I ride a Triumph Tiger. It's a 2018 XCX, and I absolutely love it. I've had the opportunity to ride lots of bikes, and I've not found anything I prefer. It's kind of like a really comfy pair of shoes. 

I used to run security teams for film and TV shoots. So I was up and down the country quite a lot. I did a lot of long distances, but also travelled to really rural areas. Having something that could handle both was really good.

Why Did You Start Riding?

I started riding while I was working in Thailand in my mid-twenties. Over there, they don’t really ask for a licence when you rent a scooter; you just head into a shop, work out a deal with someone and get on. So I was a self-taught rider.

I was there for five months and I was on a bike every day because it's just how you get around. Traffic over there doesn't always follow what we’d consider standard road etiquette either. But once you get used to it, it's weird how it all kind of flows and just naturally works. It was a constant learning experience!

When I came back to the UK, I had to unlearn some bad riding habits I’d picked up, and formally got my CBT. That was four years ago now. 

Why Do You Enjoy Riding?

It’s instant and accessible enjoyment. As long as I have enough money for petrol, I can just go for a ride. I really enjoy getting from one place to another now, except for when I have to go on the motorways, because I find them boring. When I have a long distance to cover, I try to leave a few hours early and hop between villages instead. 

It’s a completely different way to see the country. It’s like Robert M. Pirsig says in “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” - you’re fully immersed in the scene rather than just observing it, which is a big difference from being in a car. It’s more tactile. I love discovering small, quaint places, especially if they have a great coffee spot. 

I often get some interesting reactions when I pull up, partly because I look fairly distinctive. I've discovered that churchyards are great for a quick nap when I need a break, I’ll just find a tree and sleep under it. Most people are really cool about it. Sometimes people come over to chat and ask about my bike, which is really nice. 

Every now and then, though, I get someone who isn’t too happy about my presence. I'm a gigantic, weird-looking human, if you haven't spoken to me before, you might not know that I'm secretly really nice! But generally, these interactions end up being quite interesting.

Nature reserves are another favourite of mine. I don’t mind adding extra hours to my journey to explore long, winding roads through moorlands and forests.

Do Your Friends Ride Motorcycles Too?

Before I started using Instagram, hardly anyone I knew was into biking. I’d been trying to get my friends interested for ages, but they were either too nervous or short on cash. 

Now that I’ve had some success on my channel I love getting DM’s from people. My favourites are those from people saying they want to get their CBT because of my videos. I had a beautiful message the other day from a guy who said him and his dad had been watching my videos, they'd both just done their direct access course (DAS), and now they were going to travel around Europe together. He said he'd never bonded properly with his dad before and that had really helped. It was pretty amazing.

A couple of my friends are now coming around to the idea of motorcycling and going, “Oh, motorbikes look like they're really good fun. I think I might've made a mistake here”.

Actually, one of my school friends got in touch recently—he wants to ride around Vietnam during an upcoming trip. He thought he could do it on a 125cc bike with his luggage and girlfriend. I had to explain that a 125cc bike might be too light for that load, especially since he’s a big guy… But he’ll learn from the experience and come back a much better rider.

What's Your Go-To Outfit?

It’s hard to say since I’m always skint—whatever I can get my hands on is what I use. When I had a steady income from film work, I had a really nice Gore-Tex Richa jacket, but it got stolen at a festival. 

When I started, I bought cheap stuff and added to it as my needs changed. You quickly realise that there’s a fair bit of unnecessary markup on some gear, but it’s true that you get what you pay for. I’ve learned that little modifications to your set up can make a difference. 

A good four-season jacket with a liner and waterproofing is crucial for year-round riding, and the same goes for trousers. For long-distance rides, I use adventure boots, but for shorter trips, I stick to casual shoes.

What Clothing or Equipment Could You Not Live Without?

My ABS cable broke on my Tiger a year ago, and replacing it costs £250. So, I've had no ABS, no cruise control, and no traction control since then. I really miss cruise control on long trips, but I've learned to ride without all the other features. 

You often hear the older guys say that ABS and traction control are nonsense, and while I think riding without them has made me a better rider, I do miss having them. Especially now, when I get to ride newer bikes, I can really feel the ABS kicking in.

I think teaching yourself to ride without these aids is good for your personal safety and skill, but there's certainly nothing wrong with having the safety features on your bike - they’ll tend to react quicker than you will.

Oh, and Rain-X! I never travel without a pot of Rain-X rain repellent, constantly recoating my visor. And I absolutely love my sheepskin seat cover! It really makes a difference—it literally adds hours to your riding time. I’ve got a custom one made by my mate at MotoCoverz and it’s a game-changer.

What's Your Best Advice to New Riders?

Get out and ride as often as you can. Stay within your comfort zone, but remember, you learn by doing. If you have mates to ride with - brilliant - but the key is to keep riding and gradually build your confidence. Push yourself just a bit outside your comfort zone, but don’t overdo it. Avoid trying to keep up with others or riding faster than you’re comfortable with. Focus on what works for you, and everything will come naturally.

I’ve been riding on British roads for about four years now, and I’ve seen constant improvement just by spending a lot of time on the road. I cover around 15,000 miles a year, which really adds to my experience. It’s muscle memory—just like learning an instrument, the more you practise, the more comfortable and smooth you become.

There was an eight-year gap between my time riding in Thailand and getting my CBT in England, and then COVID kept me on L-plates for 18 months. By the time I took my full test, I had already covered 10,000 miles on three different L-plate bikes.

I took my course with Saferide in Brighton. The instructor was excellent—he teaches advanced motorcycle courses for police interceptors, ambulance riders, and the like. It was just me and one other guy, Dan, who I’m still in touch with. 

We both had a lot of bike experience, so the instructor tailored the day to our skill level. He basically said, "I’m going to teach you what you need to know in the morning, and then in the afternoon, we’re just going to go for a fun ride." We both passed easily. Two days later, I got my Tiger, and I’ve been madly in love with it ever since.

To anyone nervous about riding, I’d say the joy you get from motorcycling far outweighs any potential risks. I know far more bikers who’ve had nothing but fun with only minor scrapes than those who’ve had any injuries. The risks are minimal compared to the wonderful experiences you’ll have. You only get one life - why rob yourself of such a great experience?

—

You can keep up to date with Guy’s adventures on his Instagram account, or website.