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,
http://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 £6000 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!

 

[hemibee]

Thanks for sharing these. Wish I could have joined in on the ride, I hope next year is an even better turn out.

 

[DaveM]

Well done to you guys for doing something like this. Yet another stunning ride report thanks Steve

 

[Mad On Triumphs]

Steve £6000, you guys are fantastic, I'm so glad that the weather and the ride was just perfect. Thanks also for the route, I've kept that in my, "Great Rides in UK" folder. ( Well there's only 2 rides in it so far, and they've both come from you )
Hats off to you all

 

[CarlS]

Steve, I thank you and all who participated. That is looks like a really cool ride. Thanks for the ride report, the pics, and for supporting a worthy cause.

 

[Bonnie79D]

Steve, I thank you and all who participated. That is looks like a really cool ride. Thanks for the ride report, the pics, and for supporting a worthy cause.

Hi Steve,

I couldn't have said it better.

 

[Gromit]

The photos are fantastic, thank you but the purpose of the ride and the amazing amount of money raised, well that just brought a tear to this old duck's eyes.