Prick & Thistle

Hosted by Mike Robins

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Oct 2024

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About the show

Mike & Andrew discuss their various experiences of owning & managing two franchise Ducati motorcycle dealerships in Scotland, as part of the Ducati Manchester Group. They have different backgrounds, but are both biking nuts, who over the years have loved road riding, racing, track days, off road riding, adventure touring and Club membership. They own and ride a wide range of Ducati motorcycles and attend various events, factory visits and race meets in the UK and overseas. They have a good network of industry contacts from the biking world and beyond. In this Podcast they talk about all of this stuff. Get in touch with us at chat@prickandthistle.co.uk All views expressed in the podcast are those of Prick & Thistle, as we do not represent Ducati UK, nor Ducati Motor Holdings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to episodes

16 recent

October 26, 20241 hr 4 min

Two old guys reminisce, then with audio challenges discuss the current motorcycle retail environment

we haven't podcasted for a while. we have been focused on the business. dealing with potentially very challenging business issues. but, it's not just us. the UK motorcycle retailing trade is having it tough just now. we chat about that from our point of view. annoyingly, after 30 or so minutes, we experienced terrible audio quality. sorry about that. hopefully it won't happen again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 13, 202456 min

Sugar coated sticky ring

Mike's off to Spain on his Streetfighter, as long as he can find out what blood group he is. The track days at Angelsey were epic once the toilets had been negotiated, even for 'Rider A'. Investment grade Sport homes are on our shopping list. Was it Pecco's fault or Alex's fault? We discuss. Incoming new Ducati models for 2025 and winter riding for pensioners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 4, 202455 min

"Wet, sweaty & broken", Marc Marquez is coming & Pusher's "great escape" - WDW2024 (Part 2)

Andrew recorded Mike's arrival back to the hotel room, from the dinner on the first night of WDW2024. We apologise for the fruity language. We offer a canter around the many attractions of the event, including the Race of Champions, and then marvel at the antics of the travelling group on the route northwards, back towards the ferry home. We do a relatively deep dive on Glenn Irwin's Race of Champions ride. We include Pusher's legendary 'great escape' from the mid-Alpine mountains by rail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 27, 202453 min

10 countries in 10 days - tinkles, fags & fuel - WDW2024 (Part 1)

We've been away for a month. Lots of Ducati related things have happened over the last four weeks, and we've also been on holiday. This podcast episode is 'Part 1' of the things that we can remember from the highlight of the last month - our customer tour from Scotland to World Ducati Week 2024, at the San Marino Circuit near Rimini, Italy. We'll be back very soon with 'Part 2' and soon after that with 'Part 3' - 'what happened next.....'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 17, 202448 min

There are no tigers in the Serengeti...but Andrew went to Donnington & Mike did 2,002 KM on a Multistrada Rally.

We are gearing up for World Ducati Week 2024. But, not before Andrew spent a weekend at Donnington Race Circuit for the WSBK UK round. Meanwhile, Mike was unexpectedly riding 2.002 KM for a 3 day UK tour on a Multistrada Rally, as part of the Ducati Multistrada Rally 60.000KM European Tour. We also receive listener feedback whicj challenges our knowledge of global flora & fauna. If only we have taken geography more seriously at school....... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 3, 20241 hr 3 min

Shaun the Sheep shimmies his way to the ABR Festival 2024

This episode is mostly about Andrew's, Mike's and Ian 'Simmo' Simpson's experience at the Adventure Rider Bike Festival 2024 at Ragley Hall, near Alcester. As ever, the latest MotoGP news is discussed and we telegraph future episodes that we feature Hal's technical training in Bologna and one of our good friends and customers who has spent a lifetime in the music industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 21, 20241 hr 9 min

Eggs, rain, tyres & workshop deep dive (part 1)

Andrew cooks his lunchtime eggs in a kettle whilst discussing our local BSB round from last weekend at Knockhill circuit. Motorcycle tyres for the race track and for off road rising, get an outing, as does the rain in various locations. We offer a behind the scenes perspective on the workshop operations of the dealership in the first of a two part series. We finish with Ben's water divining using parts of a toasting grill and an electric blanket. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 1, 20241 hr 7 min

Specials, Lane Blockers & Net Promoter Scores

The current roster of special edition bikes by Ducati prompts Mike to try and remember Ducati's historic collaborations. Mike's laptop is broken and Andrew is happy. To rent or buy? Why we hate lane blockers. How many riders does it take to create a traffic jam? Even if you don't buy a Ducati from us, you still get to mark our homework. The MotoGP paddock is alive with rumours of rider signings for 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 18, 20241 hr 2 min

The last Jaffa cake, the verdant bush & The Dirty Baker's Dozen - "Clear!"

The weather is good and both Mike & Andrew have been out riding. Mike damaged his bike riding over some stones and Andrew's been splitting lanes again. The Green Welly Demo Day is nearly upon us and we are offering some bikes at knockdown prices. "Clear" is the signal to pull out around a blind left hand bend, if you trust your riding pals. Well done Glenn Irwin on being the winningest Superbike rider at the NW200. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 3, 202459 min

Fuel light bingo, matching bikes & handbags and Top Gun handles

The temperature is now in double figures and we've been riding out to the seaside for fish, chips and ice cream with the official Ducati Club. When the fuel light comes on, Mike ponders whether he'll make it to the next filling station. We Ride as One will have us out again next weekend, meeting at 11am at the Kelpies in Falkirk, or watching BSB at Oulton Park. The bearded glamour of flip top lids are discussed, as well as 'fully fitted' Cardo Comms. Our guest this week is legend road & track racer Ian Simpson, who has been planning our customer 'Run to Rimini' 10 day tour to WDW2024 in July. Andrew marvels at the MotoGP round in Jerez and postulates that Marc Marquez is going to be Pecco Bagnaia's closest rival for the Championship in 2024. Finally, it's back to Glasgow to face the new blanket 20mph city wide speed limit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.