Tony Conlon, former hospital chaplain
Your bike? A Honda VFR 800 V-tech.
How did you become a biker? I rode on the backs of bikes for years before deciding to buy one. My first bike was a Suzuki Marauder 250cc. Then I went up to the Marauder 800cc. After that I bought a Suzuki Bandit 600cc. I loved the Bandit - it was a great bike and I might even go back to it because I'm thinking of selling this bike. It was my dream bike but it's very powerful - I don't use the power in it.
What do you use your bike for? For pleasure and travelling. I've done lots of charity runs around Ireland - I went around the coast for three days on the Marauder 800cc for Multiple Sclerosis and I do the annual run for Temple Street Hospital. I've also done the Bubblegum Run for the past two years.
What does it cost you to insure your bike? €800, which is high.
Taken any training? Yes, and I found it absolutely brilliant. I didn't grow up with bikes so I found the training very useful. I think it's very important for safe riding. I'd love to become a trainer - maybe I'll do it this year.
Are you a fan of motorbike sports? Yes, I love the Moto GP and the Superbikes - and road racing is a great passion of mine. I was in Estoril last year at the Moto GP and I thought it was fantastic. To see guys like Biaggi and Gibernau and Rossi in the flesh was magnificent. It was a great buzz - I'll be going again next year. I also really enjoyed the Superbikes at Mondello the past two years. I try to get to as many road races as I can.
Do you think road racing is a dangerous sport? I think the organisers can only do so much with safety and the sport in itself is dangerous, but then every sport carries risk. I think you should just feel the fear and do it!
Your racing hero? Definitely Martin Finnegan - and I think Ryan Farquhar is a nice guy.
Had any biking accidents? I had one near-miss when I was overtaking a car. The sun was very low so I don't think the driver saw me because he decided to turn right and I had to jam on. I was all right, thank God. I saw so many injuries and deaths from bikes working as a hospital chaplain that I am very safety conscious.
Any tips for safe riding? Get lots of training and ride within your ability. I'd also use the old adage, "be safe, be seen", and wear a high visibility vest and keep your lights on during the day. I'd also recommend getting the bike serviced regularly - you see so many couriers riding around with missing headlights and the likes.
Any biking issues for the government? One of my pet hates as a biker is the condition of roads in this country. The over-banding seal around patched-up tarmac can be treacherous for bikers. I also think the general upkeep of the roads is a disgrace - there's always muck and debris which can be very dangerous when you're riding a bike. I also think the standard of driving in this country is appalling. Only recently I saw a man driving along with his newspaper spread out on the steering wheel! I'm very pro-bikes and would love to see a fair deal from the government for bikers. ... - PATRICIA WESTON