A Conversation with Benedict Ireland
Racing stories, 77 crashes, and a family legacy on two wheels.
If you love real motorcycle stories—the kind that move from family garages to racetracks, from early crashes to lifelong lessons—this week’s Miles Shared interview is one you won’t want to miss.
I sat down with Benedict Ireland, a London motorcycle rider whose life on two wheels spans four generations. His grandfather kept a remarkable collection of 45–50 motorcycles: Vincent Black Shadows, BMWs, Soviet-era Urals, and rare machines that defined entire eras of British motorcycling. His father rode. His brothers rode. Now his young son is discovering motorcycles in the same way—wide-eyed and endlessly curious.
It’s a powerful reminder that motorcycling isn’t just a hobby.
For many families, it’s a lineage.
From childhood crashes to the start of a racing career
Ben learned to ride young—starting with a Puch Maxi at age four, which ended in a memorable crash in the garden. A Kawasaki 175 followed, with much the same result. But those early mishaps didn’t slow him down. They were simply the beginning of a lifetime of riding.
Everything changed in the late 1990s when his brother gave him a single gift: a track day.
That one moment launched Ben into amateur motorcycle racing across the UK and Europe. In this interview, he talks openly about what those years were like—privateer budgets, long nights in garages, the thrill of lining up on the grid, and the hard-earned lessons that come only after pushing a motorcycle to its limits.
Ben also shares the part most riders never say out loud: he survived 77 crashes across his riding life.
His stories aren’t sensational—they’re honest, reflective, and grounded in experience. Exactly what makes a great motorcycle interview worth listening to.
A shift from racing to exploration
Ben has raced on many of of the iconic European circuits, including Nürburgring, Silverstone, Donington Park, and Hockenheim.
Like many riders with decades of experience, Ben’s relationship with motorcycles is evolving. The speed is still there, but the purpose is different. He talks about reconnecting with the joy of discovery—longer trips, slower days, and moments shared with his son.
One of my favorite parts of the interview is the story of taking his son to the Ace Café, the historic home of British café racer culture. You can hear the pride and nostalgia in his voice. It’s the feeling every rider knows: the moment you share the thing you love most with someone who suddenly understands it.
Next year, Ben is planning a London to Italy motorcycle trip for the MotoGP—a journey that blends endurance, scenery, and the freedom that only long-distance riding can offer.
A motorcycle interview worth watching
This conversation is full of insight, humor, and hard-earned wisdom from someone who has lived nearly every chapter of motorcycling—youthful crashes, racing culture, bucket-list circuits, beloved bikes, and a father’s hope for the next generation.
If you’re interested in authentic motorcycle stories, racing memories, or long-distance touring, this is one of the most compelling interviews I’ve hosted on Miles Shared.
Whether you’re a racer, a tourer, or someone who just loves hearing real stories from real riders, I think you’ll find a lot to enjoy.