Old Gits Logo 3.gif (12598 bytes)Mark W

Old Gits European Motorcycle Tours
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The Old Gits is not a commercial organisation. We don't charge anything and don't make a profit. Those on the trips simply pay their own costs but benefit from any group discounts that can be arranged.

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Mark W

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Mark W

Welcome to Mark W's page.

Featuring some of my Cars and Bikes, past and present.

I've owned a few Porches, a Renault Turbo and a Calibra Turbo 4x4 but it was always my dream to own a Lotus Esprit since
I first saw one back in the late 80's. I bought a book about them before I could even drive, and then finally bought the real thing
as a mid-life crisis present to myself just before I turned 40. It's a garage queen and only comes out for car shows & trackdays.

My 1994 Lotus Esprit S4 on the MB infield test track at Brooklands.



My first taste of 2 wheels was back in the very early 90's when I turned 16 and got my Yamaha DT50MX.



After a 4 year break from motorcycles (alright, mopeds!) I returned to 2 wheels with a Cagiva Mito (Lawson) 125 when I was about 21.



Riding the Mito prompted me to quickly pass my test and get this heavy-wheight oil cooled Suzuki GSXR750M.



I sold the Gixxer and bought this Yamaha YZF-R1 brand new in August 1998.
This photo was taken when the choke got jammed after a slight spill at the Isle of Man TT in around 2003.
I still have this bike, I can't see me ever parting with it if I'm honest.
It's done numerous trackdays and a rather uncomfortable trip to Monaco over the course of a single weekend!



Me and a mate (pictured fixing my R1) decided to start racing as it was cheaper than all the trackdays, so I got my
ACU race license and bought this RGV250M for a year of amateur racing in the 'New Era MC Cup - Formula 400 class'.



After a very expensive year I opted for an Aprilia RS250 for occasional track use.
It was a little slow on the straights and needed a lot of blipping in the braking areas to stop it seizing,
but this little bike could corner like nothing else! I wish I'd kept it.



Sick of two stroke rebuilds, I bought this Suzuki GSXR600 SRAD as a more reliable trackday steed.



After a 5 year break from riding due to a road accident on the R1 (which survived it... just) I decided to try touring instead of racing around.
I was invited to join the Old Gits after chatting to David Mc on PistonHeads, and bought this Aprilia RST1000 Futura in December 2014.

My first Old Gits trip was 2015 and things didn't go according to plan due to some unforseen Italian electrical reliability issues :(
which meant I didn't quite make it all the way down to Spain, but instead spent 2 days in Mont Louis on the French / Spanish border while the
RAC went about replacing the battery and sorting the charging system. I rejoined the guys at St Girons on their way back up through France though.



I've since completely overhauled and serviced the Aprilia and I'm looking forward to a more trouble-free trip in 2016 with the Old Gits :)