Purrs & Pistons: Life on the Road with Ian and His Ginger Cat

Blog Title: Purrs & Pistons: Life on the Road with Ian and His Ginger Cat

By Ian Croasdell

When you think of the open road, roaring engines, and the unmistakable growl of a Harley-Davidson, you probably imagine leather jackets, tattoos, and a soundtrack by Metallica. What you probably don’t imagine is a ginger cat in a tiny helmet riding shotgun.

But welcome to my life.

Yes, me—Ian. A 6'4" muscle machine with a heart full of rebellion, a van full of tools, and a ginger fluffball named Simba who thinks he's the reincarnation of Steve McQueen.

The Dynamic Duo: Human and Feline Edition
Simba wasn't always a biker cat. He started out as a rescue kitten with attitude and a serious addiction to Dreamies. But somewhere between fixing kitchen taps and ranting about the state of the construction industry, I realized what I really needed wasn’t just a cat… it was a co-pilot.

So I strapped a custom cat basket to the back of my Harley, fitted him with a pair of goggles and a black helmet, and off we rode—man and meow, tearing up tarmac like the stars of an oddly wholesome buddy movie.

Life on the Road: Paws and Pavement
We’ve cruised through Wiltshire’s countryside, Simba occasionally sticking his head out like a ginger lion surveying his kingdom. He doesn’t flinch at potholes or barking dogs. He just sits there, cool as a cucumber dipped in catnip, like he owns the road—and honestly, I think he might.

People don’t expect to see a ginger cat on a Harley. We get everything from double-takes to full-on street selfies. I’ve had bikers nod at me like I’m in the Brotherhood of the Beard, then blink as they spot Simba and nearly drop their Greggs.

The Lessons Simba Teaches Me
Simba reminds me to slow down. Not just physically (he hates speeding), but mentally. Life is noise: emails, debt, politics, tax returns, Brexit, back pain. But Simba? He lives in the moment. If the sun’s shining and the wind’s right, it’s a perfect day. No worries. No ego. Just now.

And maybe that’s the real reason I take him on these rides. Not for the clicks or the cuddles (though both are great). But because when we’re riding together, I’m reminded that happiness is found in the little things—like a warm engine, a straight road, and a purring ball of sass wrapped in fur.

Final Thoughts from the Saddle
So here’s to the misfits. The lone wolves with cats. The grease-stained dreamers with hearts full of fire and petrol. And here’s to Simba, the ginger legend, who proves that even the roughest roads can be made smoother with a little purring.

Next time you see a Harley growling down the road, look twice. You just might catch a flash of orange fur and a tail in the wind.

Because real freedom? That’s shared between a man, a machine… and a cat who knows no fear.

—

Stay tuned for our next adventure: Simba’s first ride in a sidecar. Spoiler: it involves cat treats, sunglasses, and a startled sheep.