Bike Torque ... with Virgin Radio's Jamie East

Jamie's latest ride. Photo: Jamie East

What was your first bike and what do you remember about it?

My first two-wheeler was your standard Vespa. I started biking purely as means to an end - the commute from my house to Chelsea was horrific and this saved me three hours a day! It cost me about £800 and I bought it the day after passing the CBT.

How many times did it take to pass your test, who taught you and what in?

Argh! My DA was a nightmare. Written no probs, but could I do a U-Turn? Could I bugger. Took me three attempts to get past that stage. Passed the actual riding bit first time after that - much to the relief of my instructor - an awesome bloke called Dave from Off The Kerb in Shepherds Bush. I did a week-long crash course and they were brilliant. I was on a good old Yammy XJ6. I didn’t originally plan on getting a full license and was happy on the moped - but the second I got that - game over!

Who would be your ideal fantasy passenger and where would you go?

Blimey - tough question! If I could get my wife pillion we’d do coast to coast in the States - always been a dream. Failing that, I’d be alone. For me the best thing about riding is the solitude. It’s the only time I’m uncontactable and I love being left to my own thoughts. So give me a bike, a backpack and somewhere like the Italian countryside please!

What is your dream bike?

It varies from day to day depending on what mood I’m in. Sometimes it’s a Ducati Paul Smart 1000, other times I just want to throw my credit card at Deus and see what wonders they can come up with. Most of the time I’d love to have the time - and skills - to make a great, fun bobber to bomb around Surrey in. Anyone fancy helping me?

How would you describe your riding style?

Very safe. I think it’s a really healthy thing to remember how dangerous riding is. Every time I sit in the saddle my pulse races. Having said that there’s nothing like opening the throttle on an open road. I started riding in the city, so was very much used to filtering and jostling for position at traffic lights - but since moving out to the countryside - it’s all about taking in your surroundings to the sound of a roaring pair of Arrows!

Tell me one riding anecdote from your past?

Well the one that sticks in my mind is coming off for the first time. A patch of diesel during rush hour at Shepherds Bush roundabout took the bike from under me and before I knew it it was on the floor, thankfully with only a couple of scratches. The only person that offered me any help was an old woman with a stick - all the traffic just beeped their horns and angrily detoured around me as I struggled to get myself and the bike back up again. I learnt a lot about people that day.

What are you listening to?

Thanks to my radio show on Virgin (10-1 weekdays fact fans) I get to hear so much amazing stuff. On the playlist at the moment is KT Tunstall’s new album, Two Door Cinema Club, Biffy and, as always, Queens of the Stone Age - the ultimate riding band.

What do you ride now?

Still pride of place for me is my Ducati S2R1000. I got it about six years ago from Dave Robinson Ducati in Wandsworth and had it completely overhauled by the awesome Pat Foley. Custom Matt black paint job  powder coated wheels, open clutch, huge arrows. It’s an absolute beast and I love it, although it’s meant for the streets of London and is quite heavy on the wrists out here, so am in the market for a change. Any suggestions?