Move over Valentino Rossi, there’s a possible future contender on the track as 87-year-old Rose Smith got a sports bike birthday surprise.
Rose Smith from Kingsbridge celebrated her 87th birthday with a meal at the Start Bay Inn on Sunday, August 30, with daughter Anji, son-in-law Phil, grandson Dan and fiancee Anna, as well as her granddaughter Alice and husband Tom.
Little did she know the grandchildren had made plans earlier in the week to take her for a ride down Slapton Line on Dan’s 164 bhp Honda CBR 1100 XX Super Blackbird.
Not one to shy away from trying something new, Rose donned safety gear and with help from her daughter, granddaughter and daughter-in-law climbed into the pillion seat on one of the fastest production bikes since the Kawasaki Ninja with a top speed of 178.5mph.
Dan and Rose travelled the length of the line and back where they were greeted by cheers from the family shortly followed by South West Motor Bike Club the Widows Sons in an unplanned turn of events.
After disembarking this powerhouse Rose said: “I feel like I can do anything now!”, proving that it’s never too late to try something new.
The family spent the rest of the evening in the garden enjoying cream teas and a game of boules – which turned into another first for Rose.
Although judging by the thrashing she gave everyone, the family remain sceptical of that fact.