Since launching this publication – in an Isle of Man hotel pub, of all places_ nearly 10 years ago, we’ve encountered some truly amazing and interesting people who also dig fast, sleek classic bikes. Among the first to phone in was singer and lifelong biker Billy Joel who called our offices so casually, we figured it was one of the staffers playing a prank on us. Years later, the Piano Man has proven endlessly helpful as his shop boss Alex Puls has helped wit tech knowledge and parts for our custom bike builds and allowed us to ride bikes from their 20th Century Cycles collection whenever we stop by. Comedian Alonzo Bodden is another high-profile bloke who shares a genuine passion for rapid two-wheeler and his friendship- not to mention his serious talents on a motorbike- have been a boon to us for years. Coming up in our 2017 Annual Issue that goes on sale at month’s end is action film star Jean Claude Van Damme who, with his son Kris, recently constructed a groovy Triumph Thruxton custom that CRM is proud to feature on teh cover. The bike is a tribute to JCVD’s longtime canine companion and the story of how two generations of this biking family came together to create it is moving in more ways than one. Check it out come Oct. 31- it’s a real, ahem, kick!