Absolutely brilliant. Too many classics don't get used so good on ya for using the Ariel for what it was built for. The big smile on your face tells me it was a great idea.
Thanks - glad you enjoyed it. 😊 I have a few classic bikes, and all are used and abused as they should be. Mine are built for go, not show! And yes, BIG smile on my face - I was buzzing after that. 😁
My 1965 Triumph TR6 has a hardtail with a sprung solo seat and it is more comfortable than my Sportster with shock absorbers. I like rigid frames. That bike is as beautiful as it is functional. Not like the electronic Laden crap that they have today. They had a video about all of the war Surplus bikes in England and I looked at all of them the huge amount and our second where are they all now? Great to see a real bike really being used as it was supposed to be like you said they're not supposed to be mausoleum. They like to feel a fire in their belly. Like a steam locomotive. You treat them right and they run forever. They'll give you all they got and more.
A rigid is surprisingly comfortable with a decent seat. Regarding the old WW2 surplus bikes, a lot of older guys often tell me tales of buying them for peanuts, thrashing them, then throwing them in ditches if/when they went wrong. This is a surprisingly common story from many different sources, Others were buried in peoples' gardens!
Im also from the 70's 75 to be exact full licence and rode whatever the weather. When I saw the thumbprint at first I though someone nicked my Ariel a 1948 NH350 in trials trim with WD girder forks and wide ratio box aquired in 1985 and it was trialed in the Portsmouth area, I got many spares with it incuding most of the standard item to put back to original, guards, forks, wheels, box ect. From memory the girder forks were fitted to enter a certain trials class. Its a long time since I rode it 30 years or so? This has inspired me to DIG it out and recommision it. Great video and thanks.
@@t20racerman My problem is, many watching this including yourself I have a fair collection of bikes, some in original condition with much patina I would like to recommision before a full restoration of a 1978 Honda CBX100Z, in particular a 1951 Comet, a 1937 MSS500 and a 1935 ex-Luftwaffa NSU 500 OSL in military trim, these bikes will not see a drop of paint in my opinion only needing fettleing and kindness but I will squeeze the Ariel in as it only needs what I would term "a bit more than a service" again patina left in situe. Thank you I will keep an eye on your channel.
Thats pure class, the British singles have that distinct sound that nothing else can match, I would be a BSA B31 and B33 man, I enjoyed watching your adventure in the snow and id say you enjoyed it even more.
I loved it! 😁 I'm a BSA man myself (check out my 'quick thrash on a BSA A10' video) and was looking for a B31 or similar for off roading when I found the Ariel. Very happy indeed to have bought that instead 😊
Brings back memories of the winter of 1962-3 very heavy snowfalls with drifting snow had completely filled a local green lane witch had high hedgerows up to the top of the hedges with snow. Appalling conditions followed with sleet more snow then severe frosts had formed a hard layer on the top of the drifts. Time to get out my old 1929 Velocette 350 KTS trials bike with 21 wheels front and back to ride over the top of the snow drifts. One of the best experiences I have ever had on a motorcycle.
When working in The Vosges in n N France I often rode to work on my BMW R 80 GS in mid winter. My brother has an Ariel Red Hunter and uses it often but never in the ice or snow. He reckons a bad fall would damage a bike that cycle parts are hard to find. A great video on a lovely Ariel single: I enjoyed the ride as much as the owner did.
We can see that you enjoyed that! I rode to work every day back in the 1970s, fell off in the snow and ice a few times but learned a lot, not sure I would remember enough to feel safe these days. A really nice bike as well. Thanks for sharing your ride. Paul
Glad you enjoyed it. I used to regularly ride my bikes in the snow when I was younger so have plenty of experience, but I used to bounce better back then if/when I fell off! Glad that I kept upright this time 😁
I have a postcard on my refrigerator with a BSA C15 250 covered in snow with merry Christmas at the bottom of the postcard. As I have one of those bikes I think it's really cool and it is so covered in snow. Such a great picture.
Riding my CZ175 Trail in the snow is up there with my best ‘bike experiences. Wrap tightly a long length of rope in and around the road tyre and rim gives surprising grip.
Something special about riding in snow isn't there? I have some great memories of riding various bikes in snow - the scariest being getting caught in a snow blizzard on a mountain road in N Wales riding a Ducati 916! 😬
Great vid, Adrian...echoing what many have already said, good for you getting out on the bike. Too many spend their lives in a heated garages nowadays, like glorified pieces of Meccano. I've got an Ariel 500 myself, fitted with a sidecar... even better in the snow, given the chair just gives you that extra wheel in the event of potential tumbles! No wonder you used to see them so much in war films, set in Bavarian winters etc. Keep up the good work!
A gorgeous bike and she sounds great. Shame it doesn't come with heated grips, ABS, traction control, and so on LOL 🤣 Thanks for taking us along for the ride.
Just fantastic, not stupid at all , your bike sounded like it was having as much fun as you were ..and remember you can not do too much damage going slowly. 👍🌞🐝🌲🏌️🛵
Brilliant just got back from Iceland and I was all ready to bike to work and now I have a head cold so it would kill me if I go out at the moment can’t believe how great that ride and bike was cheered me up
Glad you enjoyed it. Wish I'd set the camera higher, but still a fun video. Getting stuck in the ditch was a pain though! 😂 Get well soon and get out there. 😊
That was INSANE! Glad you and the bike made it back in one piece. I've ridden in some cold conditions, but never purposely went out in the snow. I may have to rethink my life now! 😄😄😄
Glad you enjoyed it, and yes, it was pretty insane wasn't it? 😂 Such fun though and so invigorating. I was buzzing all day after that. Will post more Ariel (and BSA) vids when it warms up a bit. 😊
Add a sidecar and triple the fun! I had a Matchless G80CS with a trials sidecar and that thing was unbelievable in the snow and ice. I rode it across a frozen pond and the back wheel broke through the ice but the front and sidecar wheels didn't so I just gunned it and had the biggest rooster tail ever! Best machine ever for donuts on ice. Nice soggy 500 would be the ideal bike for a light trials sidecar. You could even take the missus grocery shopping!
I had a 63 Triumph T100ss as a daily ride in the mid 80's and I remember coming home from work in snow just like this and there was a clear flat patch of road covered in ice. I drove across it really slowly and did a complete 360 degree spin in super slow motion and came to rest on the far side of the ice with a gentle bump against the kerb. I then carried on and made it home. I sold the bike in the 90s (Big mistake /regret) but its still on the road. I believe somewhere in the midlands. I still live in Manchester. BBM738A She never let me down!
Hello, what a really wonderful bike you have! Congratulations! I have a 45 years younger SRX 600 1Cylinder 4-Stroke Yamaha with 45 hp. That bike often needs 6-12 kicks to start it, but the sound and to ride that beast is absolutely great. But I use it only from March to October, and I´m freezing, when I´m looking your video. But it´s amazing, thank you a lot, to let us accompany you, sitting in a warm room.🙂
Thank you! Yup, love my Ariel. Low bhp but oodles of torque. Ideal for riding in the snow. 😊 I like the SRX - a nice bike, but that's a lot of kicks to start it! 😕
This looks great fun. I remember living in Southend in 1993. At the end of the year there was a huge amount of snow, so I get my MZ ETZ301 out and did precisely this but on main roads. I was the only one out there. You've got a great bike.
Glad you enjoyed it. 😊 I suffer from anxiety too - it's a pain - but I genuinely find thrashing motorcycles, on or off road, very stress relieving. Odd really.
Looking out my window at the snow right now with -7c temps here in Southern Ontario, Canada. Your video lifted my spirits, but I don't have your courage! Thank-you for posting this - what a beautiful bike to enjoy regardless of the weather! 😄
Brilliant. Reminds me of the times I used to go green laning with my Dad in the mid 90s. He was on a converted Nh350 redhunter and I was on a 350 Bultaco, just great fun in the snow. I've still got the Ariel all these years later. Good to see mate 👍
Perfectly acceptable behaviour and not the least bit stupid. Why more people dont go out in the snow, just for the fun of it, amazes me. I spent two days in north wales recently, ice and snow and even a bit of a white out but great fun. Helped being on a Husqvarna 300!
I agree - my first thought on seeing all the snow was "Wow, let's get the Ariel out"! Yes, you need the right bike, and experience certainly helps, but yes, get out there folks! I do have a fair bit of experience in snow riding, but you don't get that experience sitting at home!
Adrian, thumbs up on 2 big points, firstly getting the Ariel out and letting it come to life and give the enjoyment it's made for And secondly nobody has mentioned your rider skills, I'd guess you've been riding a very long time, it takes a great deal of skill do do this with confidence and stay upright, Anybody watching closely will notice the constant movement of the handlebars left and right, with experience this becomes second nature, and make riding in these conditions such fun Thanks for a great film.
Thank you for that, and yes, bikes are for riding not polishing! Re rider skills, yes I have been riding a long time - since I was 14/15 back in the 70s! If you look at my other videos you can see me practising off-road on my Montesa when I was about 16. I spent months making up and then riding Trials sections on some very varied wasteland near my home. Rode off-road in snow a lot back then. I've always been a speed freak too, riding fast and hard everywhere no matter what the conditions. Getting caught on a steep mountain road in a snow storm on a Ducati 916 was the most taxing though - I really don't know how I stayed on that! I did Classic Racing for over a decade too - winning quite a few races and championships over the years. I'm not bragging here, just saying that yes, you're right, I'm pretty experienced and know no fear doing things on a motorcycle! 😊
Been there done that, even though it was melting on the roads its still slippery but not as bad as hard ice including black ice, competed in a trial way back when(have photos) ,then years later did a trail run with others in icy conditions think everyone came off on the roads but the tracks were better to ride !
@@t20racerman I'm 88 led a trial run last Sunday, I started riding trials when I was 28 had a 350 AJS ,met wife two years laterno more biking till I retired at 63 !
This reminds me of sometime around 1967 when we had heavy snow in Kent. I still got to work on my 1959 Royal Enfield Bullet in very similar conditions to you here. Only to find I was the only person to have made it, so I went home. It was great fun getting there though, man and machine against the elements ! 😁
Good for you to get your bike out! Luckily, all you have to rinse off is some dirt & moisture. Over here on US, the towns spread so much road salt, it makes cleanup after the ride very difficult & time consuming.
We get salt on the roads here too, but fortunately, not on the small unclassified roads that I went on. Didn't take too much cleaning up, fortunately 😁
Thank you. 😊 I'll be making a few more videos in the near future featuring my Ariel and BSA motorcycles, so if you'd like to see more, do visit back regularly - or subscribe to the channel so that you are notified when I post future videos. 😊
In the old days when people had to ride motorcycles to work because in England Gas was rationed for 10 years after World War II. I remember reading that the British motorcycle insurance companies would give you a discount on your insurance if you hook the sidecar onto your motorcycle in the winter because it's so much less than the chance of you falling down. And you're not crazy look at all the people who ride snowmobiles. You got a snow cycle haha.
I bet!! It’s bad enough when it’s really muddy! I think I would be more worried about the main roads as all compacted and more likely to be icy… but a few good “surprise” jolts down the lane no doubt 🤣 I love greenlaning!
I bet!! It’s bad enough when it’s really muddy! I think I would be more worried about the main roads as all compacted and more likely to be icy… but a few good “surprise” jolts down the lane no doubt 🤣 I love greenlaning!
Lovely bit of fun. I ride in the snow every year, cant beat it when it's still soft and not compacted by the traffic. Where abouts are you located I'm south of Maidstone.
It wasn't stupid, it was fun 👍 ! i like to do the same with my modern thumpers ('87 600 XLR + 2015 690 Enduro-R) but there isn't enough snow on the hills around me at this moment 😕
Hi Adrian! Think u might know of my dad Tim oliver! I think u both Drew exactly on points and wins in 2006 in the crmc? Would be cool to hear from you! Hugo Oliver. Great video by the way!
@@hugooliver3835Ah yes, I do remember. 😊 Although we often raced together we raced in different categories (twins v singles) which is why I wasn't sure who you meant. Say hi to him from me 👋👋
@@t20racerman will do!! It’s nice for me to hear from people he raced against because I was only little and don’t remember much of it unfortunately. And I’ve looked on RUclips many times trying to find videos of him racing but I can’t find any!! Anyways, all the best to you!
Never quite as much fun as one thinks..the tyres dont grip like they do on mud, the ground is hard and the pretty snow doesn't cushion the body in a fall like the eyes convince the brain that it might......
Absolutely brilliant. Too many classics don't get used so good on ya for using the Ariel for what it was built for. The big smile on your face tells me it was a great idea.
Thanks - glad you enjoyed it. 😊 I have a few classic bikes, and all are used and abused as they should be. Mine are built for go, not show! And yes, BIG smile on my face - I was buzzing after that. 😁
My 1965 Triumph TR6 has a hardtail with a sprung solo seat and it is more comfortable than my Sportster with shock absorbers. I like rigid frames. That bike is as beautiful as it is functional. Not like the electronic Laden crap that they have today. They had a video about all of the war Surplus bikes in England and I looked at all of them the huge amount and our second where are they all now? Great to see a real bike really being used as it was supposed to be like you said they're not supposed to be mausoleum. They like to feel a fire in their belly. Like a steam locomotive. You treat them right and they run forever. They'll give you all they got and more.
A rigid is surprisingly comfortable with a decent seat. Regarding the old WW2 surplus bikes, a lot of older guys often tell me tales of buying them for peanuts, thrashing them, then throwing them in ditches if/when they went wrong. This is a surprisingly common story from many different sources, Others were buried in peoples' gardens!
Im also from the 70's 75 to be exact full licence and rode whatever the weather. When I saw the thumbprint at first I though someone nicked my Ariel a 1948 NH350 in trials trim with WD girder forks and wide ratio box aquired in 1985 and it was trialed in the Portsmouth area, I got many spares with it incuding most of the standard item to put back to original, guards, forks, wheels, box ect. From memory the girder forks were fitted to enter a certain trials class. Its a long time since I rode it 30 years or so? This has inspired me to DIG it out and recommision it. Great video and thanks.
Wow. Let me know how the recommissioning goes. Great to know I may have inspired you to get your Ariel sorted 😊
@@t20racerman My problem is, many watching this including yourself I have a fair collection of bikes, some in original condition with much patina I would like to recommision before a full restoration of a 1978 Honda CBX100Z, in particular a 1951 Comet, a 1937 MSS500 and a 1935 ex-Luftwaffa NSU 500 OSL in military trim, these bikes will not see a drop of paint in my opinion only needing fettleing and kindness but I will squeeze the Ariel in as it only needs what I would term "a bit more than a service" again patina left in situe. Thank you I will keep an eye on your channel.
@@nightster6378 Quite a collection there! I'm on t20suzuki@gmail.com if you want to chat more
All the best
Adrian
@@t20racerman I will do.
Super, a bike being used for fun. Great stuff!
No point having it if I'm not going to use it 😁
Fantastic, won't be anyone on a horse in that weather telling you can't do that. Also great that you have somewhere to ride.
Nope, no horses this time. 😊
Some nice green lanes around East Herts where I live, fortunately. Mostly fairly short though 😕
Thats pure class, the British singles have that distinct sound that nothing else can match, I would be a BSA B31 and B33 man, I enjoyed watching your adventure in the snow and id say you enjoyed it even more.
I loved it! 😁
I'm a BSA man myself (check out my 'quick thrash on a BSA A10' video) and was looking for a B31 or similar for off roading when I found the Ariel. Very happy indeed to have bought that instead 😊
2023 New Year from Beaumont California
What a lovely way to enjoy the snow and a great bike 👍, I used to do the same back in the day when I lived in the country and on a Honda TL125.
It certainly was fun. The TL would have been a good bike to ride in snow. 😊
Who needs San Moritz and skis, when you've got an Ariel and snow? Epic! Thanks for taking us along.
Ha ha - that made me laugh 🤣🤣 Glad you enjoyed it
Enjoy that, you’ve more bottle then me, great Machine, give her a good clean now and get her in the garage she’s too old to be out in the cold 🥶🤣😂❤👍
Glad you liked it. It was fun! It's not just the bike that's too old to be out in the cold... 😂
@@t20racerman 🤣😂👍
Brings back memories of the winter of 1962-3 very heavy snowfalls with drifting snow had completely filled a local green lane witch had high hedgerows up to the top of the hedges with snow.
Appalling conditions followed with sleet more snow then severe frosts had formed a hard layer on the top of the drifts.
Time to get out my old 1929 Velocette 350 KTS trials bike with 21 wheels front and back to ride over the top of the snow drifts.
One of the best experiences I have ever had on a motorcycle.
It is such fun! Glad it bought back some happy memories 😊
When working in The Vosges in n
N France I often rode to work on my BMW R 80 GS in mid winter. My brother has an Ariel Red Hunter and uses it often but never in the ice or snow. He reckons a bad fall would damage a bike that cycle parts are hard to find.
A great video on a lovely Ariel single: I enjoyed the ride as much as the owner did.
Glad you enjoyed it as much as me. 😁 Your brother perhaps has more sense than me 🤣
many years ago i went out on Christmas day over the common, great fun when you know where all the little tracks go.
Hope you remembered to put the turkey in the oven first! 😁
We can see that you enjoyed that! I rode to work every day back in the 1970s, fell off in the snow and ice a few times but learned a lot, not sure I would remember enough to feel safe these days. A really nice bike as well. Thanks for sharing your ride. Paul
Glad you enjoyed it. I used to regularly ride my bikes in the snow when I was younger so have plenty of experience, but I used to bounce better back then if/when I fell off! Glad that I kept upright this time 😁
Great bike, properly sorted, beautifully ridden...... thanks for posting.
Thank you. 🙂(More videos to come when the weather warms up a bit, so do subscribe to my channel to see more)
My dad rode a Ariel years ago and that sound brought back the memories of him 👍🏻 thanks for sharing
Glad to hear that he enjoyed it. I'll be doing more videos of riding the Ariel in the spring, so do subscribe to my channel so you'll not miss them. 😊
78 y.o. bike but still capable of putting smile on riders face. Life should be all like this. Thank you for the video!
Glad you enjoyed it. Life is for living, and riding a motorcycle certainly raises one's spirits 😊
You're an absolute legend my friend. I'd vote for you for Prime Minister.
Thank you 😂
Killing bike, I love driving on the snow & old english bikes. I drive a 650cc Continental GT Twin, cheers from France. 🏍 🇬🇧 ♥️
Glad you enjoyed it - I certainly did! 😁
That’s a beautiful throbbing from the engine, sounds soooooooo freaking good.😊
It's a really lovely sounding, long stroke engine. A joy to ride.
I have a postcard on my refrigerator with a BSA C15 250 covered in snow with merry Christmas at the bottom of the postcard. As I have one of those bikes I think it's really cool and it is so covered in snow. Such a great picture.
I know what I'm using as my Christmas card picture next year!
Its never stupid, its living life, well done!
Thank you. Yup, always live life to the full. 😊
Riding my CZ175 Trail in the snow is up there with my best ‘bike experiences.
Wrap tightly a long length of rope in and around the road tyre and rim gives surprising grip.
Something special about riding in snow isn't there? I have some great memories of riding various bikes in snow - the scariest being getting caught in a snow blizzard on a mountain road in N Wales riding a Ducati 916! 😬
Great vid, Adrian...echoing what many have already said, good for you getting out on the bike. Too many spend their lives in a heated garages nowadays, like glorified pieces of Meccano.
I've got an Ariel 500 myself, fitted with a sidecar... even better in the snow, given the chair just gives you that extra wheel in the event of potential tumbles! No wonder you used to see them so much in war films, set in Bavarian winters etc.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you, nice to hear from a fellow Ariel owner, and totally agree that bikes are for using - and not just on the odd sunny Sunday! 😊
A gorgeous bike and she sounds great. Shame it doesn't come with heated grips, ABS, traction control, and so on LOL 🤣 Thanks for taking us along for the ride.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
Utter madness, but great fun ..... completely agree. Brilliant video, thanks for posting and Merry Christmas from down under.
Exactly! 😁 Glad you enjoyed it.
Just fantastic, not stupid at all , your bike sounded like it was having as much fun as you were ..and remember you can not do too much damage going slowly.
👍🌞🐝🌲🏌️🛵
It did sound nice. Ideally suited to that trip. Not too much damage no, but enough! 🤣
Brilliant just got back from Iceland and I was all ready to bike to work and now I have a head cold so it would kill me if I go out at the moment can’t believe how great that ride and bike was cheered me up
Glad you enjoyed it. Wish I'd set the camera higher, but still a fun video. Getting stuck in the ditch was a pain though! 😂
Get well soon and get out there. 😊
That was INSANE! Glad you and the bike made it back in one piece. I've ridden in some cold conditions, but never purposely went out in the snow. I may have to rethink my life now! 😄😄😄
Glad you enjoyed it, and yes, it was pretty insane wasn't it? 😂 Such fun though and so invigorating. I was buzzing all day after that. Will post more Ariel (and BSA) vids when it warms up a bit. 😊
What a LOVELY bike!
Thank you 😊 It's a joy to ride as well as look at 😁
Great to see one of these bikes being used even in bad weather. Use them and enjoy 👍
Yup, they're for riding, not looking at 😊
No such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices 😉
Great stuff and you have the right bike for this, a good old British single, nice.
Thank you. The engine characteristics are spot on for this kind of riding. Glad you enjoyed it
Add a sidecar and triple the fun! I had a Matchless G80CS with a trials sidecar and that thing was unbelievable in the snow and ice. I rode it across a frozen pond and the back wheel broke through the ice but the front and sidecar wheels didn't so I just gunned it and had the biggest rooster tail ever! Best machine ever for donuts on ice. Nice soggy 500 would be the ideal bike for a light trials sidecar. You could even take the missus grocery shopping!
That does sound fun! Not sure that the wife would be a good passenger though... 😂
I had a 63 Triumph T100ss as a daily ride in the mid 80's and I remember coming home from work in snow just like this and there was a clear flat patch of road covered in ice. I drove across it really slowly and did a complete 360 degree spin in super slow motion and came to rest on the far side of the ice with a gentle bump against the kerb. I then carried on and made it home.
I sold the bike in the 90s (Big mistake /regret) but its still on the road. I believe somewhere in the midlands. I still live in Manchester.
BBM738A She never let me down!
Ballet moves on a motorcycle!
I bet you couldn't do it again 😁
Exciting, scary, impressive, and a tale to recount to your friends. I should imagine the word ‘clench’ is very meaningful after that - Well Done!
Definitely exciting - and scary at times. It really was a blast! 😁
Now that looked fun and on a true classic machine… I used to green lane and I really miss the fun some day I’ll be back 👍👍👍
It was fun! 😁 Definitely worth getting back on the lanes - yes you can fall off, and it takes a fair bit of fitness, but it's SO worth it.
Nice one! Good to see an old classic being enjoyed!
No point in just looking at them! 😊
@@t20racerman agree entirely!
Hello, what a really wonderful bike you have! Congratulations! I have a 45 years younger SRX 600 1Cylinder 4-Stroke Yamaha with 45 hp. That bike often needs 6-12 kicks to start it, but the sound and to ride that beast is absolutely great. But I use it only from March to October, and I´m freezing, when I´m looking your video. But it´s amazing, thank you a lot, to let us accompany you, sitting in a warm room.🙂
Thank you! Yup, love my Ariel. Low bhp but oodles of torque. Ideal for riding in the snow. 😊
I like the SRX - a nice bike, but that's a lot of kicks to start it! 😕
Nice little motorbike. Perfect for this promenade.
The torquey long stroke engine was perfect for the conditions 👌
Really enjoyed that thank you! Reminded me of my first ever motorcycle experience on a tiger cub trials at a friend’s farm 👍🇬🇧
Glad you enjoyed it. I had a Tiger Cub as a kid back in the 70s. Happy days 😊
@@t20racerman 😊
This looks great fun. I remember living in Southend in 1993. At the end of the year there was a huge amount of snow, so I get my MZ ETZ301 out and did precisely this but on main roads. I was the only one out there.
You've got a great bike.
There aren't many of us who see snow and think "Quick, must get the bike out!" 🤣 Such fun though!
@@t20racerman Indeed.
Fantastic ride! Thanks for Sharing!! Just Subscribed!
Thank you 😊👍
My anxiety won’t let me do things like this on my bike, so it’s nice to see someone else do it!
Glad you enjoyed it. 😊
I suffer from anxiety too - it's a pain - but I genuinely find thrashing motorcycles, on or off road, very stress relieving. Odd really.
great looking machine winter riding just fun ice racing in rubber class b-33 and G-80 CS HAPPY TRAILS
👍
Looks like fantastic fun mate cheers from Australia 🇦🇺
It sure was 😁
Looking out my window at the snow right now with -7c temps here in Southern Ontario, Canada. Your video lifted my spirits, but I don't have your courage! Thank-you for posting this - what a beautiful bike to enjoy regardless of the weather! 😄
Thank you for your lovely comments. I'm glad you enjoyed my ride 😊
thanks for actually riding it and not just storing it to look at
bikes deserve to be ridden
Agreed - they should be ridden not stored away in a garage. Loved riding it in the snow 😊
absolutely loved the video, great fun, im a massive Ariel fan anyway, that bike looks beautiful, exactly as i would have it
Thank you for that. Glad you enjoyed it, and yup, have to agree my bike is beautiful 😁. I love it.
Very nice bike and an enjoyable ride 😁
Thanks. It certainly was fun. 😊
Brilliant. Reminds me of the times I used to go green laning with my Dad in the mid 90s. He was on a converted Nh350 redhunter and I was on a 350 Bultaco, just great fun in the snow. I've still got the Ariel all these years later. Good to see mate 👍
Glad you liked it. The Bultaco would have been a lot lighter, but both great bikes on the lanes 😊
Excellent. Every credit to you. Love the bike
Thank you for that 😊
Beautiful machine.
Thank you 😊
Perfectly acceptable behaviour and not the least bit stupid. Why more people dont go out in the snow, just for the fun of it, amazes me. I spent two days in north wales recently, ice and snow and even a bit of a white out but great fun. Helped being on a Husqvarna 300!
I agree - my first thought on seeing all the snow was "Wow, let's get the Ariel out"! Yes, you need the right bike, and experience certainly helps, but yes, get out there folks!
I do have a fair bit of experience in snow riding, but you don't get that experience sitting at home!
Adrian, thumbs up on 2 big points, firstly getting the Ariel out and letting it come to life and give the enjoyment it's made for
And secondly nobody has mentioned your rider skills, I'd guess you've been riding a very long time, it takes a great deal of skill do do this with confidence and stay upright,
Anybody watching closely will notice the constant movement of the handlebars left and right, with experience this becomes second nature, and make riding in these conditions such fun
Thanks for a great film.
Thank you for that, and yes, bikes are for riding not polishing! Re rider skills, yes I have been riding a long time - since I was 14/15 back in the 70s! If you look at my other videos you can see me practising off-road on my Montesa when I was about 16. I spent months making up and then riding Trials sections on some very varied wasteland near my home. Rode off-road in snow a lot back then. I've always been a speed freak too, riding fast and hard everywhere no matter what the conditions. Getting caught on a steep mountain road in a snow storm on a Ducati 916 was the most taxing though - I really don't know how I stayed on that!
I did Classic Racing for over a decade too - winning quite a few races and championships over the years.
I'm not bragging here, just saying that yes, you're right, I'm pretty experienced and know no fear doing things on a motorcycle! 😊
Dashing through the snow
You have one beautiful motorcycle , take care of it !
Thank you. I will, but it'll be used on and off road. Looking forward to doing more greenlaning soon. 😊
I did enjoy it. What a lovely bike, and a lovely sounding engine. A good ride too. Thank you, and Happy Christmas! Les
Thank you 😊 I did enjoy it myself. Have a good Christmas too.
Been there done that, even though it was melting on the roads its still slippery but not as bad as hard ice including black ice, competed in a trial way back when(have photos) ,then years later did a trail run with others in icy conditions think everyone came off on the roads but the tracks were better to ride !
Yes, the roads were dodgy in places, and got worse later, but the track was OK - apart from the hidden logs, ditches and ruts!
@@t20racerman Your lovely Ariel would be a bit heavy good job you were still young enough to cope with it !
@@ronpranglen5287 A bit heavy, but small with a low centre of gravity so it's pretty good to ride on the lanes. As for young... I'm 60! 😂
@@t20racerman I'm 88 led a trial run last Sunday, I started riding trials when I was 28 had a 350 AJS ,met wife two years laterno more biking till I retired at 63 !
@@ronpranglen5287 OK, I'm a youngster! 😁😁 Respect to you for still keeping going 👍
Your absolutely barking mate. Well done that man. lovely looking bike also. cheers.
Barking mad? Me? 😜 🤣
I just couldn't resit it - the snow looked so inviting! Such fun too.
@@t20racerman I liked your SR500 video . I also run one as a parade bike now. I would like to have a chat with you sometime. cheers, KH
@@kimhicks8443 Happy to. Email me on t20suzuki@gmail.com
Where in the country are you from?
This reminds me of sometime around 1967 when we had heavy snow in Kent. I still got to work on my 1959 Royal Enfield Bullet in very similar conditions to you here. Only to find I was the only person to have made it, so I went home.
It was great fun getting there though, man and machine against the elements ! 😁
Nice! 😊 It's good to challenge yourself - Man & machine against the elements
Looks like hard work. But, you obviously had fun. Great bike!
It took some effort - and riding experience - but yes, SO much fun. 😊
Brilliant!! your a nutcase in a nice way of course. Subbed and liked thanks for posting.
Thank you! I will concede that there is an element of madness in taking a vintage bike off-roading in thick snow and ice 🤣
@@t20racerman The Ariel is a beauty, its definitely the right bike for that little adventure, that single sounded fantastic.
Good for you to get your bike out! Luckily, all you have to rinse off is some dirt & moisture.
Over here on US, the towns spread so much road salt, it makes cleanup after the ride very difficult & time consuming.
We get salt on the roads here too, but fortunately, not on the small unclassified roads that I went on. Didn't take too much cleaning up, fortunately 😁
I salute you! What a great bike.
Best wishes, Dean at Retromeccanica.
Thank you 😊 More videos to follow soon...
Your ride is awesome. Merry Christmas Happy New Year.
Thanks. You too
In the process of buying one these bikes. Nice video
You won't regret it. Great bikes 😊
You must be mad but your beautiful Ariel did you proud!
I must be! But yes, a great bike that was perfect for the job in hand. 😊
Absolutely gorgeous motorcycle.
Thank you. 😊
I'll be making a few more videos in the near future featuring my Ariel and BSA motorcycles, so if you'd like to see more, do visit back regularly - or subscribe to the channel so that you are notified when I post future videos. 😊
This was completely awesome
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it 😊
Arial 500 favourite bike of trials star Sammy Miller, before he went to Bultaco!
It was indeed. Fantastic success on his Ariel 😊
lovely bike and ride out
Thanks 😊
You can break your leg just stepping off the porch - Great Ride , I would have done the same.
Yes, a bit risky I guess, but definitely worth it! 😁
Excellent fun, you should check out the "Husqvarna 258 in winter" and "Swedish despatch riders" videos for some inspiration 🙂
Will do - thanks 😁
In the old days when people had to ride motorcycles to work because in England Gas was rationed for 10 years after World War II. I remember reading that the British motorcycle insurance companies would give you a discount on your insurance if you hook the sidecar onto your motorcycle in the winter because it's so much less than the chance of you falling down. And you're not crazy look at all the people who ride snowmobiles. You got a snow cycle haha.
Makes sense having a sidecar on if you have to travel in snow. Hope my insurance company doesn't watch this video! 😁
Well ridden!! Great fun!
Thanks. I really enjoyed it, but it was a bit hairy at times!
I bet!! It’s bad enough when it’s really muddy! I think I would be more worried about the main roads as all compacted and more likely to be icy… but a few good “surprise” jolts down the lane no doubt 🤣 I love greenlaning!
I bet!! It’s bad enough when it’s really muddy! I think I would be more worried about the main roads as all compacted and more likely to be icy… but a few good “surprise” jolts down the lane no doubt 🤣 I love greenlaning!
nice one mate.
Thanks 😊
I Love green laneing but winter white laneing is well worth the wait, my mrs thinks I’ve got a screw loose when I come home BLUE 👍🤣🤣
It's such fun - just has to be done! 😁
I admire your courage!😳
'Courage' is one word for it. My wife had a few other suggestions... 😂
Lovely bit of fun. I ride in the snow every year, cant beat it when it's still soft and not compacted by the traffic. Where abouts are you located I'm south of Maidstone.
I've not ridden out in snow like that for a good few years, but I couldn't resist it today. Enjoyed it so much 😊
Forgot to answer your question - I'm in East Herts near Ware.
I've ridden in snow like that in Exeter Trial on a rigid 500 Ariel, about 12 years ago; These days I'd rather take it out with its sidecar attached!
Probably safer that way! 😊
Well that's a lot of fun
It certainly was!
Brilliant....
Thank you 😊
It wasn't stupid, it was fun 👍 !
i like to do the same with my modern thumpers ('87 600 XLR + 2015 690 Enduro-R) but there isn't enough snow on the hills around me at this moment 😕
Definitely fun! 😁 Don't normally get much snow in the South East, so just had to take the opportunity when it turned up. 😊
Last time I went green laning in the snow, it was that sticky, the snow jammed up in the high level mudguards
That's not nice. 😕
It was that cold when I went out that the snow remained quite powdery, so no problem, fortunately 😊
How did you manage to keep it upright, great job 👍🏻
A lot of luck! Also, I've done a lot of off-road riding, which helps! 😊
Interesting stuff - does the saddle foul the rear mudguard when the springs are compressed?
No it doesn't, the saddle springs don't compress that much and there is plenty of room for it to move.
@@t20racerman Sweet
You cannot beat a bit of old British torque to get you through the day.
A perfect bike for the job I thought. The low down torque was exactly what was needed. 😊
I'm envious!
Yup, it was fun - gorgeous countryside and a wonderful bike 😊
Hi Adrian! Think u might know of my dad Tim oliver! I think u both Drew exactly on points and wins in 2006 in the crmc? Would be cool to hear from you! Hugo Oliver.
Great video by the way!
The name rings a bell, but can't quite remember him. What did he ride?
@@t20racerman he raced a 1965 Ducati 250 narrow case (no.39) silver and red.
@@hugooliver3835Ah yes, I do remember. 😊
Although we often raced together we raced in different categories (twins v singles) which is why I wasn't sure who you meant. Say hi to him from me 👋👋
@@t20racerman will do!! It’s nice for me to hear from people he raced against because I was only little and don’t remember much of it unfortunately. And I’ve looked on RUclips many times trying to find videos of him racing but I can’t find any!! Anyways, all the best to you!
Nice.
😊
White laning more than green laning(!), cracking bike tho'
That's true! 😊
It is indeed a lovely bike - great for off-roading
Never quite as much fun as one thinks..the tyres dont grip like they do on mud, the ground is hard and the pretty snow doesn't cushion the body in a fall like the eyes convince the brain that it might......
Can't spend your life wrapped in cotton wool! I raced Classic bikes for over a decade... and I well know how much crashing hurts. Still raced though 😊
Can't believe that is fromm 1944 it looks better than a Royal Enfield Britain has sold it soul
Agree. It's a '49 engine in a '44 frame, with an early 50s gearbox. Should have girder forks to be 'authentic' but the ones fitted are 40s/early 50s
There used to be a famous and successful trials rider who rode an Ariel 500, can't remember his name right now.
Sammy Miller. 😊
@@t20racerman Of course. very many thanks.
Could you put a ( anxiety trigger warning) on this video please TY.
Ha ha - good idea! 🤣
@@t20racerman 😂
Totally bonkers.
Totally British.
🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
😂 And such fun!
“Stupid but fun!” You said it hh
Yup! 😂
Not something all the hipsters on their "scramblers" would dare attempt 😉😆
Very true! 😁
Nice Bike.. But thats not DEEP snow.. 😊
It's deep for South East England! 😁 Rarely get much snow here.
Let go of the clutch lever going downhill! Turkey.
The entire video was uphill....
if it weren't for doing something stupid, we'd never have adventures.
So true! 😁