Gethin Jones, presenter of ITVs Holding out for a Hero gameshow, has achieved his own landmark by getting his full motorcycle licence and a Moto Guzzi Griso SE motorbike. He started off with a one hour free motorcycle ride through Get On, which must have given him the motorbiking bug. Next, he took up the Get On Africa challenge of learning to ride off road so he could accompany health workers in Lesotho, one of Africa’s poorest counties, delivering lifesaving medical tests and treatments to remote villages by motorcycle.
Jones joined England cricket hero Darren Gough, Strictly Come Dancing winner and Eastenders actress Jill Halfpenny and Coronation Street stars Shobna Gulati and Oliver Mellor on the expedition, riding with Riders for Health charity workers. With mountainous Lesotho having the worst rate of HIV infection in the world, motorbikes play a vital role in being able to get lifesaving medicines and tests to people who live in remote villages where other forms of transport are unable to reach.
On his return to the UK, Jones was determined to carry on riding, so he completed his Theory tests and did a Direct Access course to gain his full Motorcycle Licence, allowing him to ride any motorbike or scooter.
“Riding in Lesotho was an incredible experience and one I shall always treasure,” says Jones, “ but the great thing about biking is that it always gives you a sense of excitement and a buzz no matter where you are or what type of journey you have. Getting on the bike even makes a commute to work or the shops fun.”
Having already gained his HGV and flying licences, Jones now has the complete set . We suspect he’ll spend a lot more time riding his Moto Guzzi than he will driving an HGV or flying a plane, though!
If you’d like to try a Free Motorcycle Ride for yourself, just enter your details on the left and we’ll put you in touch with one of our training partners around the country. They’ll lend you the helmet and safety kit, and get you rolling on a safe training are away from public roads. And don’t worry – you won’t be expected to ride across Africa – not straight away.