As seen in 100% biker issue 236
As Blue neatly put in an editorial earlier this year, it would be amazing to know how much money that bikers raise throughout the year on all the various runs and rallies that are for charity. We really are a generous bunch, and then there are the wish list rides etc which may not involve cash but bring joy to others. I know that this ride raised in excess of £4000 which by any standards is not to be sniffed at.
With all the events on though I have to be a little cautious about how many events I go on, as the 100% Towers biscuit fund does not allow for subbing charity events or in fact biscuits after the great bourbon v rich tea debacle of 2015. So I pick those like most of us which have a personal affiliation.
Sometimes well-
Slightly different while riders and pillions were asked to dress dapper in the spirit of the DGR, there were no rules on the style of bike was allowed, learner friendly and the ride was limited to 200 riders, each of us having paid a minimum pre book fee of £10. I believe 180 bikes actually turned up. There certainly was an eclectic range of bikes too from trikes, learners, 1970’s Honda 200’s and big single sunbeam flat tanker from 1920’s to modern Harleys and triumphs. A first for me also was a volunteer breakdown van following as well.
Blessed with an almost perfect riding morning we amassed at the start, with a slightly different breakfast of tea and cheese on toast for some. And we were informed of the 70 mile route to the destination of the Custom Café at Bexhill, a popular biker café, who not only had closed for the afternoon just for this event, but were also given 10% of all takings to the cause as well.
I had volunteered to be one of the small team of drop off Marshalls behind the lead
rider to help all get to the two pre-
The drop off system worked wonders as you never were quite lost (ok I hadn’t a clue where I was half the time on these little roads) and some markers were almost making signalling a dance routine. At the first stop the sunbeam sneaked off to reappear closer to the end, while the breakdown van dealt with a bust brat bike. Each stop also was a chance to see more friends you hadn’t seen in years or realised were on the run and this is what made the ride such fun.
The views on the route were stunning too as we went through glorious Sussex villages and the sea popping up and down into view regularly.
The end was almost an anti-
Well done to all there is already talk of a ROTR 2 in 2019