Help for Heroes, Lee Rigby memorial ride.

[gumpt1oo]

Yesterday I took part in the Lee Rigby Memorial ride. The ride was from the Filling Station Cafe in Keswick, across to Wallsend on the east coast to the start of Hadrian's Wall, then returning across to the west coast following the route of the wall on the Roman Military road, then back to the cafe. The ride was 218 miles, but I did another 98 miles to get to and from the Cafe, so my old T140 did 316 miles yesterday!
Here is the route,
ridewithgps.com/routes/2906298

I set off from home at 7.00am calling at Ambleside for a couple of pictures next to Windermere,






then carried on through the Lake District to the Filling Station Cafe at Keswick.






The Police had asked us not to do a mass start as they did not want 65 bikes all traveling together, so the start time was anytime between 8am and 10am.
I set off about 8.30am in bright sunshine and about 24degC, but by the time I got to Alston it was about 18degC cloudy and drizzling with rain. It was a welcome relief for me after 3 weeks of temperatures in the high 20's!



When I arrived at Wallsend I met up with a chap on a 1955 500 Ariel Single, called Guy. He is 69 years young and had set off before me. We got chatting and ended up riding together all day.
Remains of Segedunum Fort and start of the wall,


Guy's Ariel






There were 7 checkpoints along the way and at each you got your 'wall passport' stamped.
Wall Passport,



The first checkpoint was at the Robin Hood Inn at the start of the Military Road,



The military road is almost as straight as an arrow, the Roman's did not build many 'twisties'!



continued............

[gumpt1oo]

From the Robin Hood Inn we continued across country on the Military road calling at Chesters Fort.
Bikes arriving at the checkpoint


then on to Housteads, where Guy had to adjust the Ariel clutch as it was slipping a bit.


We then continued on to Birdoswald where there are the largest remaining sections of the wall,








a hooligan on the wall!








We continued on from Birdoswald and took a little detour to have a look at the Solway Aviation Museum,


Well it is not every day you get the opportunity to have your bike pic taken next to a Vulcan Bomber!



from here we continued on through Carlisle and to the End of Hadrian's Wall at Bowness on Solway and back into the Sunshine.










From here we continued across the Solway coast to Maryport before returning to the cafe for some food.
Then it was another 50 miles for me back home again.
It was a brilliant day in a good cause.
65 riders took part in total and all raised sponsor money for Help for Heroes. 9 of us formed a team, and when we get all the money collected we have raised £5000 between us.
It was such a success, it is going to be an annual event.
It was a long day on the old Bonnie, but well worth it!
A BIG THANK YOU TO KIERON (LAKE) FOR ORGANISING THIS EVENT!

[ventura]

Great write up and photos Steve!!

Just sorry I couldn't be there with you guys.
Great route, great ride and of course a great cause.
Well done to Lake too for your fine efforts.
Hopefully I'll make it next year.


PS.... I was born only half a mile from your photo of Segedunum Fort!!




V.

[davidc]

Man, you are a really good photographer, Gump, great shots. 316 miles on a Meriden machine makes the rider know without a doubt he has gone for a motorcycle ride, that's for sure.

Who is Lee Rigby?

[gumpt1oo]

Hi DC, Lee Rigby is the soldier who was murdered outside his barracks in London.
He was targeted by 2 muslim extremists for wearing a 'Help for Heroes' jacket.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23263754

[davidc]

Jul 21, 2013 11:15:15 GMT -5 gumpt1oo said:

Hi DC, Lee Rigby is the soldier who was murdered outside his barracks in London.
He was targeted by 2 muslim extremists for wearing a 'Help for Heroes' jacket.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23263754

Ooooh, I had forgotten the fellows name, but I sure remember that terrible incident. That is a fine gesture for that soldier. Man, these are troubled times in which we live.

[Lake]

Thats a great write up Steve, I'm only sorry I didn't spend any time with you on the day (I got stuck at the /start', and then it went downhill from then on).

I saw Guy today - he had a great time!

Everyone loved the day and people are already talking about doing something next year. We're working on a few ideas at the moment; another End 2 End ride, a soapbox downhill race, and even a fully blown weekend bike 'festival' complete with a beer tent and stage for live music (obviously not at the cafe).

Great photos as usual!

[UraniumC]

Wow.

Great write up and photos.

Don't know how I missed it first time around, but glad to have stumbled upon it now...

[sprocket42]

Excellent stuff and a good cause, used to spend a lot of time around Bowness and Maryport myself many moons ago.