OFF THE WIRE
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Burning rubber: Reg Scott is still going strong and is Britain's oldest motorcyclist...
The great-granddad has covered a staggering 384,800 miles during his 74 years on the road, the equivalent of riding around the world more than 15 times.
He bought his first bike - a Norton 16H 490cc - on hire purchase for 73 pounds in 1937 and has had seven more since. The most powerful was a BMW Boxer 1000cc.
He admits he has had to slow down over the years but still manages to top an impressive 60 miles per hour when out on the road.
He even meets with 20 other motorcycle enthusiasts every week to talk about their machines.
The retired power station engineer bought a motorbike aged 20 to visit friends and get between jobs because he could not afford a car.
He has since ridden the length and breadth of Britain - 'from Lands End to John O'Groats' - covering an average 5,000 miles a year.
He said: 'Ever since I bought the Norton I have had a real love for motorbikes.
'You are always in the open air and can feel the ground rushing past you. You just can't get that with a car.
Back in the day: Reg with his late wife Dorothy on his very first bike - a Norton 16H 490cc in 1937
'On a motorbike you always feel like you are speeding even at a slow pace like 50 miles per hour. It's a real adrenaline rush and I still get it.
'I do own a car but it is not the same as being on a bike. I only use the car when the weather is bad.' He added: 'When I first bought my bike the roads were so empty and you could ride around with no helmet or safety gear.
'Now you have to be so careful and alert for other motorists. You really need eyes in the back of your head but that has not put me off.
'Age means nothing to me. I value the independence I have with a bike and plan to carry on until I can't do it anymore.
'Unfortunately, I have had to downgrade to a less powerful bike because I find the bigger ones too heavy to handle.'
Speed-loving Reg said his first bike remains his favourite and he regrets selling it because it has now become a classic, worth up to 10,000 pounds.
He has since owned a BMW Boxer 1000, a Triumph Tigress 250, Honda Deauville 650, two Honda CBS 600s, a Honda 125 and his current Honda 250.
He bought his latest bike with money he won on Channel 4 show Deal or No Deal after taking 10,500 pounds from the banker.
Reg - a father of three, grandfather of seven and great-grandfather of seven - donated 6,000 pounds to charity and spent the rest on the bike.
His achievement as 'Britain's Oldest Biker' was recognised by bike insurance firm Bennetts.
Hannah Squirrell, from Bennetts, said: 'We have always extended our services to all biking enthusiasts - old or young.
'It is great to recognise Reg's commitment to biking.'
