Tag: #ForTheRide

Chris Allen Q&A: From Paratrooper to Publishing

Former paratrooper and motorcycling enthusiast Chris Allen has been deployed to Africa, South East Asia and Central America, retiring as Major. After hanging up his army boots, Chris led international security operations in East Timor, oversaw counter terrorism measures in the wake of the September 11 attacks and was headhunted to protect our nation’s Sydney Opera House. In 2008 he was appointed Sheriff of NSW. Chris is now a full-time author residing and riding on the South Coast. We chat to him about the inspiration for his action-adventure novels and the vital role motorcycling serves in his personal life.  

Chris Allen Author
Where did your love of motorcycling begin?

“Honestly, years ago but I only finally got around to taking it up in 2017. When I was in the Army, a lot of my mates had bikes and it was one of those things that I wanted to do but didn’t prioritise. Around 2017-18 I was going through a very tough period personally and a friend suggested I take up riding. I know the cliché is that any middle-aged man buying a motorbike is a classic mid-life crisis, but in my case – and I know this to be true for many others – it was all about my mental health. The process of learning to ride, choosing the right bike (a Yamaha 650 V Star, which I called ‘The Sheriff’) getting out on the road and embracing the total experience of riding got me through one of the toughest periods of my life. For me it’s all about quiet solitude and peace of mind. I absolutely love it!”

Image of Chris Allen and his Yamaha V Star ©Simona Janek/Samantha Theron
Chris and “The Sheriff” ©Simona Janek/Samantha Theron

What model are you riding now?

“I have a beautiful 2014 1700cc Triumph Thunderbird LT, which I call ‘The Major’. In one of life’s meant-to-be moments, I’d brought ‘The Sheriff’ into City Coast Motorcycles for a service and rego check. Once I’d handed it over to Les, I decided to have a wander around the showroom for what I thought would be a casual browse. I was chatting with Tim about bikes and looking at the new Triumph Bonneville range, when my eyes fell upon the Thunderbird. It was love at first sight; a classic cruiser in the red and black livery, with all the quality and style that you can only really get with a Triumph. I couldn’t ignore the fact that it was exactly what I wanted. So, I took it for a test ride and the next day found myself trading in my beloved 650 and taking the reins of a 1700. The first time I sat on the bike and was getting ready to head off down Keira Street, I remember feeling pretty intimidated because I’d never ridden anything more than my 650. I have to say though, as soon as I eased off the clutch and got going, the Thunderbird pretty much rode itself. It was an incredible experience and I loved it immediately.”

You served as a paratrooper for many years. Did you get to ride on two wheels on any missions?

“As much as I’d love to say ‘Yes’ to this, sadly the answer is ‘No’. Although, the prospect of a Steve McQueen Great Escape moment would have been sensational! That said, as a paratrooper there was never a shortage of opportunities for an adrenalin rush. From memory, McQueen rode an early 1960s Triumph in the Great Escape, which they modified to look like a wartime German BMW.”

Chris is a former paratrooper who served with the Australian Army
Chris is a former paratrooper who served with the Australian Army, retiring at the rank of Major

As a returned soldier, what role does motorcycling play in your life today?

“For me and a lot of other ex-soldiers, motorcycling is all about mental health and the total enjoyment of the experience. Every ride is different, and you have to be thinking all the time. That’s why it’s so good for you mentally. If you’re going through something in your life and you’re feeling totally consumed by it, getting on the bike allows you to reset. Whenever I’m in the garage and look at the Thunderbird I know there’s an adventure just waiting to happen. And, if you can, that’s the moment to gear up. Once I was off my Ps and my boys were old enough, I started taking them both out for rides. They loved it immediately. I take the approach that it’s super important to give kids a healthy respect for riding as early as possible. In short, motorcycling has been life-changing for me. It’s something that can only be truly understood by doing it.”

You are a well-established author. Do you derive inspiration from real life experience?

“Yeah, a lot of the general background to my main characters and the situations they experience are loosely based on my own career and life, and also some of my closest friends. Obviously, however, when you’re writing action thrillers you have to make everything much larger than life in order to make it exciting for the reader. I wouldn’t survive half of the stuff I’ve thrown at my main protagonist, Alex Morgan, in the Intrepid series! He was lucky to survive the first book! I’ve taken the approach that it’s important to find a strong balance between realism and escapism. I like to make the reader feel like they’re right in the middle of the action while also taking them on an adventure. The greatest compliment I’ve had from many of my readers is when they tell me they’ve missed their bus or train stop because they’ve been so engrossed in the story. As a writer, you know you’ve done something right when that happens…even though I feel bad that they’ve missed their stop!”

In 2008 Chris was appointed Sheriff of New South Wales
In 2008 Chris was appointed Sheriff of New South Wales

OK Chris, what’s the connection – how does your Triumph Thunderbird LT (The Major) fit into the current book you’re penning?

“I’m really excited about this new book. It’s a departure from my Alex Morgan/Intrepid series which is unapologetically, very action-oriented. The new book features a character named Benjamin Rhett and is much more of a traditional thriller. It’s set mostly here on the NSW south coast – in and around Wollongong, along with some international connections. The reason I said discovering the Thunderbird at City Coast Motorcycles was a meant-to-be moment, is that when I originally started developing Benjamin Rhett’s story a couple of years ago, I knew that motorcycling was going to be an important part of Ben’s lifestyle. At that time, I’d been researching what my next bike would be and when I recently started working on the draft from 2019, I found that I had already written in the Triumph Thunderbird LT (in red & black livery) as the bike! So, you can imagine that when I was chatting with Tim that day and saw the bike just sitting there, I knew I had to have it. Like me, Ben is in his 50s and riding is a huge part of his mental health regime. He has a lot of personal history and trauma to come to terms with and the Triumph is integral to that process”

Has your character Benjamin Rhett always loved motorcycles, or is this a new relationship?

“I’ve kept this story relatively close to my own experience of riding. So, yeah, for Ben it’s a new relationship that came into his life at a time when he really needed it.”

Author Chris Allen with his 2014 Triumph Thunderbird LT
Chris says. “it was love at first sight” when his eyes fell upon a 2014 Triumph Thunderbird LT at City Coast Motorcycles

Where’s your favourite place to go for a cruise?

“The NSW South Coast is one of the best locations to ride motorbikes. From the National Park north of Stanwell Tops, over the Sea Cliff Bridge and along the coast, all the way down to Berry, Nowra or beyond to Jervis Bay, you can’t go wrong. Depends on my mood. I even enjoy the ride up to Sydney occasionally, although I hate dealing with the traffic once you’re up there.”

The Thunderbird’s perfect for a cruise with a pillion. Have you taken your boys for a spin?

“I actually haven’t taken the boys out on the LT yet!! I’ve been waiting for the nicer weather and focusing on me getting more familiar with the bike.”

Where to from here, Chris; are there any other bikes you’re planning to add to your collection?

“It’d be very easy to try and sound cool by saying Triumph’s Speed Triple 1200 or the Rocket 3, but I’ll leave those to the younger folks! To be honest I’m more inclined towards the Tiger adventure bike range, the 900 or 1200. A great mate of mine has recently bought one and he loves it. I can’t see myself ever getting rid of my Thunderbird, so if I was to get a Tiger, they’d be sharing space in the garage.”

Defender, Hunter, Avenger and Helldiver by Chris Allen
Chris Allen is a full-time author, penning adult adventure/thriller fiction including the Intrepid series

Chris has four novels in his Intrepid series: Defender, Hunter, Avenger and Helldiver. He is currently finishing the first trilogy in the Intrepid series called, The Dark Heart which will be released in 2022 and includes the stories: Ranger, Shapeshifter and Spider. Chris is also working on the first in a new thriller series featuring motorcycle enthusiast and south coast resident, Benjamin Rhett! This new book will be in all good book stores in 2023.

Visit Chris Allen’s Official Website

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Triumph Motorcycle Prizes Awarded in Wollongong for DGR

Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) hosts Tim and Jane Sim from City Coast Motorcycles were privileged to award a pair of new Triumphs to global top fundraisers, Phill Critcher and Ermond Morelli.

2021 DGR Prizewinners Phill Critcher and Ermond Morelli
Congratulations to 2021 DGR top global fundraisers Phill Critcher and Ermond Morelli (2nd & 3rd place)

Given the event took place in over nine hundred cities and two of the three prize winners hailed from the same location – Wollongong, Australia – it was a double celebration, marked by the presence of Founder Mark Hawwa along with Ramsey Sayed and Mikey Stojcevski from DGR HQ.

“What a fantastic day down here in Wollongong with City Coast Motorcycles giving away two new Triumphs – a Bobber and a Bonneville T120 – to Phill and Ermond for being the two highest fundraisers in Australia and two of the three highest fundraisers, globally,” said Mark.

“It shows just how well Wollongong punches above its weight in regard to the riding community, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride and people helping other men in need.”

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Prizewinners
(L to R): ) DGR Operations Manager Ramsey Sayed, 2nd global prize winner Phill Critcher, Team FC’s Ken Smith, DGR Founder & Director Mark Hawwa, 3rd global prize winner Ermond Morelli, Team FC’s Colin Carr, DGR General Manager Mikey Stojcevski and DGR – Wollongong Ride Host Jane Sim

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a niche event uniting classic and vintage style motorcycle riders all over the world. Participants raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention programs on behalf of charity partner, The Movember Foundation.

Phill and Ermond have participated since 2018 when they established their team of four, The FC’s (Four Cure). It has grown to seven-strong and in 2021 it ranked the third highest fundraising team worldwide.

DGR Fundraising Team "Four Cure"
Distinguished Fundraising Team “The FC’s”

2021 marked the fifth year our family-owned Triumph dealership has presented DGR – Wollongong. In that time the local ride has amassed some $350,000 (AUD) for men’s health. Dealer Principal Tim is humbled by the result:

“It’s been an honour having Mark, Ramsey and Mikey from DGR join us in delivering these magnificent Triumphs, today,” said Tim.

“Jane and I couldn’t be prouder of our local event which gets so much love and support from the Wollongong region.”

Tim and Jane Sim - DGR Wollongong 2021
Tim and Jane lead the 2021 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride – Wollongong. Image courtesy of Jay Dubbs for Keogh’s Vision

Phill Critcher who placed second globally said DGR 2021 was a terrific day for all:

“This time we started at Stanwall Park and finishing at the Mt Kembla hotel really topped it off. The venue and afternoon of good music, drinks and plenty of conversation with fellow riders was great. All I spoke to were impressed with the day.

“Firstly, thank you to our hosts Tim and Jane from City Coast Motorcycles and congratulations on the successful effort they put in to organising this day.

“A big congratulations to the Wollongong participants that put in, yet again, a great fundraising effort.

DGR 2017
The inaugural DGR – Wollongong held in 2017. Since then Ride presented by City Coast Motorcycles has gone on to raise $350,000 (AUD) for men’s health.

“To Mark and his team at Basecamp DGR, congratulations! I hope you guys are proud of the team you have, and the continual growing success of this fundraising event. The international attention this has created is phenomenal. An idea created by a ‘few guys in Sydney’, well done fellas!

“To all the sponsors that support this event, thank you. You are a big part of the success of this totally admiral charity event that I’m sure touches most in society today in some way.

Triumph DGR Partner
Triumph is the Global Sponsor of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride and has now committed to another five years.

“Finally, to our team “Four Cure” – warm up your engine boys for 2022; we’re off again. I would like to thank the members that didn’t turn up to the presentation at City Coast Motorcycles last Thursday. Our team donation to start the fundraiser, commences at $4,000. Your generosity should be acknowledged.

“Anyone that would like to have a great little ride in good company with some vintage and classic bikes to look at, come and join us all on the 22nd of May and support prostate cancer research and men’s mental health.

Phill Critcher riding Bonneville Bobber
DGR Global Prize winner Phill rides his new Bonneville Bobber

Phill could not wait to take in our beautiful coastal scenery on his new Bobber and reported back within the hour:

“Just got to Kiama and it honestly feels great,” said Phill.

“The only road bikes I’ve ever ridden are the Z900 and Harleys. This is beautiful, I really am so happy with the bike!

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2022 will be held on Sunday May 22nd. Registrations will open on March 28th at gentlemansride.com

Save the Date for DGR 22 May 2022