Seventeen-year-old motorcyclist tackles Trans Euro Trail adventure immediately after A1 licence pass

As a teenager, just riding your bike to the next town over can seem like a big adventure. But for 17-year-old Luke Blackley, that wasn’t enough, and the young rider opted to tackle a 4000-mile ride through Europe aboard his Rieju 125 – just weeks after passing his A1 test. 

Together with his father, Gordon Blackley, the pair set off for a dad and lad dream ride through six countries, with the intention of following the Trans Euro Trail (TET). 

Luke said: “I had ridden TET Sardinia on the back of Dad’s GS Trophy when I was 12. I knew how cool these trips were and had heard the stories – endlessly. So I was coming and that was that. I was 17 so could ride myself, so why wouldn’t I be able to go?” 

Initially, Gordon, a veteran of the Isle of Man TT, had assumed his son would be okay to travel abroad armed with just his CBT, but at the last minute learned this not to be the case. 

Gordon said: “It sent us into a frenzy of trying to get him through his test, that saw me teaching him, to the point of passing theory, Mod 1 and Mod 2 inside of a month. All the schools said it was impossible, but teeth were gritted and we did it.” 

Preparation was so tight that straight from sitting an aptitude test for the RAF in Newcastle, Luke then had to head straight for his theory test which was held in Middlesborough. 

Despite the pressure, Luke passed all three components of his A1 licence first time around, meaning he could ditch the L-plates and head abroad. 

The challenges didn’t end there however, and the pair experienced their share of roadside drama – including Luke’s suspension linkage bearings collapsing mid trip. Nonetheless, the pair remain in good spirits about the journey together. 

“I’m struggling to think of any disagreements; just two ready-made mates on a trip together,” said Gordon.  

“For me the highlight of the trip was a constant throughout it. We really did not plan, but tried to keep well away from anything touristy, so that we lived and saw the real versions of the countries that we were passing through; rough camping on all but one night. 

“It was a stunning trip; I imagine Luke will remember it for the rest of his life and it has shown him what he’s capable of and to just get out there and do it.” 

Luke added: “I would go again tomorrow, life was just so simple: Ride bike, find food, water and fuel, rough camp, repeat; does life get any better?”