Stuart Blain, architect, Scott Tallon Walker
Your current bike: Aprilia RSV Mille R, a 1,000cc Italian V-twin sportsbike.
Why were you attracted to it? The handling, power and noise, especially the noise!
What drew you to two wheels? I was born without my left hand, and believed for many years that riding a bike would be impossible. I was living in England and riding pillion with a friend who was a keen biker, which I enjoyed immensely. So I began to look seriously into the possibility. I discovered through an organisation called the National Association of Bikers with a Disability that it was possible. When I returned to Ireland I decided to give it a go - I was sick of Dublin traffic! I bought a 250cc in 1996, converted it and learned the basics. I then progressed to a 600cc and discovered the performance that motorcycles are capable of. I've moved up through more powerful and better handling bikes over the years to the Aprilia today.
What keeps you on two wheels? When riding a bike you are always on an upward learning curve - it's an immensely challenging physical and mental skill and it gets more rewarding the better you become. I ride both on road and on track, and have been a travelling marshall on trackdays for the past couple of years. Modern motorcycles are so good that the track is the only safe place to explore their capabilities. So it's great to get out there occasionally and open it up!
What else do you get from two wheels? Some years ago I got involved in organising bike runs, raising money for various local charities. Three years ago I helped instigate the Bubble Gum Run - last year it attracted 420 bikes and raised €36,000 for children in crisis. This year's event was last Sunday - we hope to exceed last year's total. It's immensely satisfying to be able to transform a simple form of transport into an event that changes the lives of children.
Did you do any training course before you took to the road? Yes, I did a one-day course with a qualified trainer before I started riding. I realised after a while that it was insufficient, so over the past few years I've done advanced training courses with Fast Trak. I now hold a Class One Advanced qualification.
Do you hold a full or provisional licence for your bike? Full.
Do you drive a car? Yes - they're better at carrying the big stuff.
Ever had an accident on the bike? A couple of spills early in my career, but nothing serious.
Any two-wheel trips abroad? Yes, I've been to France, Belgium and Germany - I've ridden the Nurburgring.This year I travelled to the MotoGP in Mugello, near Florence, two weeks there and back, along the Côte d'Azur and back over the Alps. Just fantastic!
What is it that bonds bikers closer than motorists? There's a sense of camaraderie from being part of a minority. Motorcyclists also tend to ride for enjoyment as well as for transport, so there's a common shared interest.
What should the Minister for Transport do for bikers? I firmly believe in compulsory training before taking to the road. Motorcyclists need to be more proficient, because other road users tend not to be sufficiently bike aware.
Any tips for surviving on two wheels? Training, training and more training - there's always more to learn.
You've won the lottery - what's your dream bike? One of the advantages is that dream bikes cost something like a tenth of the equivalent dream car, so my lottery winnings would go on a selection of bikes for sports, touring and commuting, not just the one!