Paul Ryan – Historian

Paul Ryan – Historian Back to Officers page

I passed my two wheel test in June 1968 on a Vespa 150 Sportique and changed from a Mod to a Rocker in the same year – kept falling off the scooter in the wet! Bought a Triumph Tiger Cub then had a succession of British bikes till January 1992 when I bought my first Harley – a 1200 Sportster. After six months I went for a Classic Glide 1340cc and have had three further Glides and a Road King since.

Jackie and I have been together for 53 years and married for 46 years – three children and three grandchildren with another on the way.

I joined the Essex HOG Chapter in 1992 and spent 28 years as a Road Captain, 10 years as Assistant Director and two years as Historian – in 2019 we joined Lakeside HOG Chapter as well and although we are no longer members of Essex we will remain with Lakeside due to the friendships we have made.

We have extensively toured Europe and have ridden the east coast of Australia and around California – as well as many, many rallies in the UK over the years.

In 1994 I was part of a seven man team that went to the North Pole (not on the bike!) which raised £100k for the NSPCC – thank heavens for fur lined pants!!!

After retiring from work with sixteen years spent in Grocery Retail, twenty seven years running nightclubs in the South East (including three in Norwich), three years owning a pub and restaurant near Brentwood in Essex and eight years as a Purchasing Manager in Industrial Consumables, we moved from South Woodham Ferrers in Essex to Swaffham in April 2022 and decided to join the ICENI HOG Chapter on recommendation – Good Decision!

See you out and about – Paul (Smurf)