RIDE FOR HEROES (R4H)
Fourteen military personnel from Prince William of Gloucester Barracks,
(The home of the RLC TA) are undertaking a round the coast of Britain
motorbike ride. The exercise aim's to raise awareness and fund-raise in support of the ‘Help for Heroes’ initiative, the role of the TA, in particular the RLC TA, and the TA100 centenary. In addition, the exercise will provide a platform for the promotion of the RLC TA within its recruiting initiative, whilst developing
and maintaining the TA’s traditional links with society and local communities.
The team (of which four will be riding each day) will complete a 4200 miles ride around the coast of Britain, on British Army issued Harley Davidson motorcycles, beginning at PWoG Barracks, Grantham on 6 Jun 08 and ending at the Lincoln Show to celebrate TA100 on the 19 Jun 08. There will be 12 scheduled
overnight stops, using military establishments from all the services, linked by a number of day-time fund-raising and recruiting events, supported by RLC TA Regiments, en-route.
Maj Bill Scott, the Officer in charge of the team said;
“the event is not for the faint hearted and will be a test of everyone’s stamina, endurance and teamwork. It is hoped the event will raise awareness of the essential support provided by the TA on operations, while marking its centenary. In addition raising fund will take place for those members of the Armed forces injured in the line of duty, on behalf of the 'Help for Heroes' initiative.
SHOULD YOU WISH TO SUPPORT THE R4H CHALLENGE AND MAKE A DONATION
AND KEEP UPTO DATE WITH THEIR PROGRESS THEN CHECK OUT;
www.justgiving.com/rideforheroes
or www.ta100.co.uk or e-mail; rideforheroes@hotmail.co.uk
Thank you for visiting the team's fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor us online.
28 May 2008
We only have 7 days to run before we begin the ‘Ride for Heroes’ around the British coastline. Despite all the planning and preparation you are never really sure it is all going to come together. Until that is, the first piece of equipment, the first piece of advertising, and of course the obligatory t-shirt arrives, then it hits, this is going to happen.
We have had some great support to date from around the country, none more so than at the recent shows, we have attended:
The Hendon Police College, Bike Safety Show where we ran into the British Legion Riders Branch, whose membership has risen to close on 1000. As you can see there is nothing a British Legion member will not do these days.
The enthusiasm we received from the crowds at the Thundersprint and BMF Shows was even more remarkable as the great British summer came to town and so out came the traditional waterproofs and wellies.
We must thank Phill Bates and Motorola for providing the communications for the riders. Which has been great news to the team as they will be able to make decisions on the move? A thank you must also to Green Leopard who has provided the moulded earpieces to all the riders. It is hoped the Dogcam mounted on the riders helmets will provide some good material for the daily dairy.
It is our intention to produce a daily update on our progress, on the website: www.justgiving.com/rideforheroes
We will be providing Lincs FM with a daily update on their breakfast Show by phone, so take the opportunity to tune in.
Enough for now, as we have some last minute adjustments to make, but before we go, for those who have given to our event already, we thank you, for those who have yet to dip their pockets, there is no time, than the now.
5 JUN 08 
The adventure begins tomorrow morning at 0730 hrs from the Guild Town Hall, we will have BBC Notts and Lincs FM on hand to cover our departure, so if you are around and want to wave farewell please come along.
The route in outline will see the team:
6th Jun - Depart Grantham to Alnwich via Skegness, North Newcastle.
7th Jun - Depart RAF Boulmer to RAF Lossiemouth via Edinburgh, Dundee Aberdeen, Elgin.
8th Jun - Depart RAF Lossiemouth to RN Depot Loch Ewe via Inverness, John O'Groats, Scourie
That gives you some idea of our first few days, watch space, to see how we get on, on day one.
06 JUN 08
THE DAY IS UPON US, 0600 PARADE TO DOUBLE CHECK THE CHECKS FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE JUST IN CASE SOMETHINGS GONE WRONG. EVERYONE HERE, GREAT THEN IT’S OFF TO THE KITCHEN FOR A HEARTY BREAKFAST, JUST TO SETTLE THE NERVES. 0710 ARRIVES AND THE ORDER TO MOUNT UP IS CALLED AS THE LADY MAYOR OF GRANTHAM, BBC NOTTS AND LINCS FM AWAIT US OUTSIDE THE GUILD HALL GRANTHAM.
AFTER A FINAL INTERVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPH, 0730 SOUNDS FOR THE START OF THE ADVENTURE AND WE ROLL OUT OF GRANTHAM ON A WARM IF OVERCAST AND MISTY MORNING.
WHAT A BUZZ FROM THE RIDERS, AS WE EXITED GRANTHAM AND HEADED TOWARDS THAT GREAT BEACH HOLIDAY DESTINATION OF TIMES PAST, SKEGNESS. IT WASN’T LONG BEFORE WE WERE PASSING BOSTON DEEPS AND THE WASH. THE SMELL AND NOISE HELPED THE IMAGINATION CREATE THE LANDSCAPE THE WEATHER WAS KEEPING FROM US. MABLETHORPE AND GRIMSBY CAME AND WENT, THE HUMBER BRIDGE OFFERED US OUR FIRST BREAK. AFTER A CHAT WITH SOME FELLOW BIKES ON THEIR WAY SOUTH, WHO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY A H4H WRISTBAND, WE HEADED NORTH THROUGH WITHERSEA, HORNSEA, BRIDLINGTON AND SCARBOROUGH. LUNCH CAME AT A VANTAGE POINT AT FYLINGTHROPE OVERLOOKING ROBIN HOOD’S BAY, AND WHAT A VIEW. WITH TIME PRESSING WE HAD LITTLE TIME TO TAKE IT ALL IN AS TEESIDE, HARTLEPOOL, SUNDERLAND, SOUTH SHIELDS AND COL MARK UNDERHILL’S TRAIN WAS CALLING. AFTER A QUICK CHANGE OF CLOTHING THE TRAIN WAS MADE WITH ONLY MINUTES TO SPARE. THE LAST LEG OF TODAY ALNWICK WAS COMPLETED WITH EASE.
ON DAY ONE WE COVERED SOME 382 MILES, DURING WHICH TIME THE LADS FOUND THEIR FEET AND CONFIDENCE ON THE BIKES. AT TIMES THE BIKES GAVE OUT SOME TIMELY REMINDERS, OF HOW FINE THE LINE BETWEEN TOTAL CONTROL AND NONE AT ALL. BUT ALL ARRIVED IN ONE PIECE AND MUCH WISER FOR THE DAY, IF NOT A LITTLE SORE ALL OVER.
MICKY AND MITCH ENSURED THAT A WARM WELCOME AWAITED US AT RAF BOULMER, AND AFTER THE TALES OF THE DAY, THE ALL-IN STEW WAS A REAL TREAT, AS WAS THE EN-SUITE TRANSIT ACCOMMODATION. THOSE RAF BOYS DO, DO IT IN STYLE AND EVERYONE WAS VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT STYLE. A VERY GOOD NIGHT SLEEP WAS HAD BY ALL. BRING ON TOMORROW…
7 JUN 08
DAY TWO STARTED WITH THE REMAINS OF LAST NIGHT’S RAIN LITTLE IN NATURE, BUT SOMETHING FOR US TO WATCH OUT FOR ON THE ROADS AT THE START OF THE DAY. THERE WERE TO BE NO WORRIES BY 1000 AS THE SUN WAS HGH IN THE SKY AND THE VIEWS WERE QUITE BEAUTIFUL.
0600 SAW THE PR PARTY AWAY AS THEY WERE TO MEET THE ARMY RECRUITING TEAM IN LIVINGSTON TO PROMOTE ‘RIDE FOR HEROES’ AND TO FUND RAISE. ARRIVING AT 0900 THEY WERE QUICKLY SET-UP, BUT IT WAS NOT UNTIL 1130 THAT THE CROWDS ARRIVED. STILL IT GAVE THE TEAM THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEST AND ADJUST THE STAND.
THE RIDERS DEPARTED BOULMER AT 0745 FOR WHAT WAS TO BE, ANOTHER LONG DAY. THEY MOVED QUICKLY ALONG THE COAST VIA SEAHOUSES OVERLOOKING THE FARNE ISLANDS, PASSING HOLY ISLAND INTO BERWICK, DUNBAR, NORTH BERWICK AND FINALLY LIVINGSTON. THIS WAS THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A LONGER STOP AND TO EAT.
THE REST OF THE DAY WAS SPENT ENJOYING THE FABULOUS SUNSHINE AND STUNNING SCENERY. ALL ALONG THE COAST FROM THE FORTH ROAD BRIDGE AROUND KIRKCALDY WITH THE FIRTH OF FORTH ON THE OFFSIDE THEN ST ANDREWS OVER THE FORTH OF TAY AND ONTO ARBROATH, MONTROSE, STONEHAVEN, ABERDEEN, PETERHEAD, FRASERBURGH AND FINALLY RUNNING INTO RAF LOSSIEMOUTH, FOR THE OVERNIGHT STOP.
THIS WAS A DAY FOR THE FAIR WEATHER BIKER, JUST A BEAUTIFULLY CLEAR DAY THIS ALLOWED US TO SEE FOR MILES. WHEN YOU ARE AT REST YOU GET THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND SPECTACULAR VIEWS, OF THE SCOTTISH
COUNTRYSIDE WITH TIME BEING NO ENEMY YOU ARE ABLE TO TAKE IT ALL IN. HOWEVER YOU DO NEED TO KEEP ONE EYE FIRMLY FIXED ON THE ROAD,
AS THERE ARE SOME TASTY CORNERS.
WE WERE AGAIN WINED AND DINED AT LOSSIEMOUTH THIS DOES HELP MAKE FOR GOOD PREPARATION FOR THE FOLLOWING DAYS RIDE.
SOME 402 MILES WERE COVERED TODAY TOTAL TODATE 782 MILES. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO STOPPING AT JOHN O’GROATS ON DAY THREE.
8 JUN 08
DAY THREE BEGAN WITH THE TEAM WAKING UPTO BRILLANT SUNSHINE, WHICH WAS TO ACCOMPANY THEM ALL DAY. DEPARTING LOSSIEMOUTH AT 0745 WE HEADED FOR INVERNESS, WHERE WE CROSSED THE MORAY OF FIRTH, OVER THE BLACISLETURNING NORTH EAST AND RIDING ALONG SIDE THE CROMARTY FIRTH. THEN CROSSING THE DORNOCH FIRTH (A LOT OF FIRTHS) AND RUNNING THEEASTCOAST TOWARDS WICK. FINALLY ARRIVING AT JOHN O’GROATS, WHERE THE RIDERS AND SUPPORT SPENT SOME TIME TAKING IN THE BREATHING TAKING VIEWS OF THEORKNEYSISLANDS, WHICH WERE CLEARLY VISIBLE ON A FANTASTIC SUMMER’S DAY. THE WHOLE RIDE TODAY WAS AN ENDLESS FEAST FOR THE EYES, NO MATTER WHERE YOU LOOKED THE LANDSCAPE WAS BEAUTIFUL. IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN THIS FAR NORTH THEN WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO SO SOONEST, IT WAS SIMPLY OUT OF THIS WORLD.
AFTER JOHN O’GROATS THE TEAM HEADED ALONG THENORTHCOAST CALLING AT SHOULD PLACES AS PORTSKERRA, ARMADALE, TONQUE AND SCOURIE. SCOURIE PROVED TO BE A SURPRISE IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE THE SCENERY WE HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED BUT, WE CAME ACROSS TWO EX-SOLDIERS, WHO WERE VERY PLEASED TO SEE US AND AN EXCHANGES OF STORIES ENSUED. THE TWO OLD SOLDIERS THEN BROUGHT TWO WRISTBANDS FOR A VERY GENEROUS DONATION OF £70, AND THERE WAS TO BE NO GIVING IT BACK. WE WISH THEM WELL.
THE FINAL PART OF THE DAY SAW US ARRIVE ATLOCH EWE HAVING PASSED THROUGH ULLAPOOL AND LAIDE. THE OVERNIGHT STOP ATLOCH EWE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE RN WAS AGAIN A SERVING OF OUTSTANDING FOOD. THE ACCOMMODATION WAS DIFFERENT BUT NO LESS WELCOME, CARAVANS, BUT WHAT A NIGHTS SLEEP.
9 JUN 08
DAY FOUR AND THE WEATHER TOOK A TURN FOR THE WORSE TODAY. NOT HEAVY RAIN BUT THAT FINE DRIZZLE THAT NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, WILL AFTER TIME FIND ITS WAY INSIDE THE BEST WETPROOFS IN THE WORLD, SO IT WAS A WET SET OF RIDERS THAT ARRIVED AT FASLANE.
ON LEAVING LOCH EWE THE TEAM ARIVED AT KYLE OF LOCHALSH AND CROSSED ONTO THE ISLE OF SKYE, HOPING TO ENJOY THE PLEASURES WE HAD BEEN TOLD THE ISLE OFFERED. THIS WAS NOT TO BE, AS THE WEATHER WAS PUTTING PAY TO ANY CHANCE OF SEEING ANYTHING BEYOND 100 METRES. WHAT A CHANGE A DAY BRINGS. THE FERRY CROSSING FROMARMADALEBAY TO MALLAIG WAS AGAIN SUBDUED BY THE WEATHER. THE RIDERS PUSHED ON IN TOFORTWILLIAM AND THEN SOUTH INTO FASLANE.
ROAD CONDITIONS WERE VERY DIFFICULT AND THE RIDERS HAD TO KEEP THEIR WITS ABOUT THEM. THIS PUT EXTRA STRAIN ON THE BODY BUT DESPITE THE BEST EFFORTS OF THE WEATHER MORAL WAS HIGH AND THE DESIRE FOR TOMORROWS RIDES WAS AT THE FORE.
10 JUN 08
DAY FIVE WAS TO BE A SHORT LEG, AND THEREFORE ALLOWED FOR A SLIGHTLY LATE START. THE HOPE BEING THIS WOULD ALLOW FOR SOME BETTER WEATHER TO DEVELOP, WE CAN ALL HOPE! IT WAS NOT TO BE, WE HAD A RATHER OVERCAST BUT DRY START TO THE DAY. LEAVING THE FOUR STAR ACCOMMODATION OF FASLANE BEHIND, WE HEADED FOR GREENOCK, CROSSING THE RIVER CLYDE VIA THE ERSKINE BRIDGE. THE ROADS PROVIDED GOOD GOING AND WE PORGRESS WITH GOOD SPEED, PAST LARGS IRVINE AND TROON. THE WEATHER DID ALLOW US TO GLIMPSE, THE ISLAND OF ARRAN IN THE DISTANCE. THEN AYR CAME AND WHEN AS DID THE RAIN, BUT THE AT LEAST TODAY, THE RAIN DID NOT PENERATE THE OVER LAYER OF CLOTHING. AFTER A COUPLE OF STOPS WE PUSHED ON INTO GIRVAN, BALLANTRAE AND FINALLY STRANREAR, WHERE WE HAD LUNCH AND ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO FUEL THE BIKES.
MOVING ON TO GLENLUCE AND DOWN THE WEST SHORE OF LUCE BAY INTO WHITHORN ON BURROW HEAD, WE WERE ABLE TO ENJOY A CLEARER VIEW OF THE LANDSCAPE AND THE GOING IMPROVED. THE FINAL RUN INTO KIRKCUDBRIGHT, TOOK US THROUGH NEWTOWN STEWART AND ANWORTH, WHICH SURRENDERED THE BARHOLM CASTLE SITTING THE HILLS OF THE GALLOWAY.
WE ARE SPENDING THE NIGHT ON THE MOD RANGE AT KIRKCUDBRIGHT, IN TWO OF THE WATCH TOWERS THAT STAND SENTRY OVER THE RANGES, BUT ALSO THE ENTRY TO THE SOLWAY FIRTH. WE WERE PRESENTED WITH A CHEQUE FOR £96 FROM THE STAFF OF THE RANGES, WHICH WAS A REAL SURPRISE BUT AS ALWAYS RECEIVED WITH THANKS, IT PROVED TO BE A BEAUTIFUL EVENING IF A LITTLE WINDY.
11 JUN 08
DAY SIX WILL FINISHES AT THE HALF WAY POINT AROUND THE BRITISH COASTLINE, THIS IS TO BE ONE OF THE ALONGEST LEGS, BEING SOME 386 MILES. STARTING EARLY AT 0645 TO ENSURE WE BEAT THE 200 MARINES WHO WERE EXERCISING, TO BREAKFAST, OR FACE LEAVING ON EMPTY BELLIES. THE WEATHER WAS ONCE AGAIN BACK ON OUR SIDE, WHICH WAS GOOD NEWS AS WE HAD A PLANNED STOP IN BLACKPOOL SPONSORED BY 88 PC REGT RLC, WHERE THE PR PARTY, HAVING LEFT AT 0530 WOULD BE WAITING FOR US.
WE WERE JOINED AGAIN TODAY BY COL UNDERHILL WHO IS STILL TRYING TO RE-CAPTURE THAT LOST YOUTH. THE RIDERS SET OFF KEEPING THE SOLWAY OF FIRTH TO THEIR OFFSIDE AND HUGGED THE COAST AROUND PAST ANNAN, CARLISLE, SILOTH, AND MARYPORT, INTO WHITEHAVEN. A SHORT STOP AND RE-FUEL, SET THE RIDERS FOR THE RUN INTO BLACKPOOL……MEAN WHILE THE PR PARTY WERE BEING WELCOMED IN BLACKPOOL, WHERE WITHOUT EXCEPTION THE GENERAL PUBLIC EXPRESSED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL THREE SERVICES. WE WERE EVEN PAID A VISIT BY FRANK ‘IT’S THE WAY I TELL’ CARSON, WHO HAS NOT LOST HIS COMIC WIT. THE BLACKPOOL GAZETTE AND BBC LANCS CAME ALONG TO MEET THE RIDERS AS THEY ROUNDED THE SEA FRONT INTO BLACKPOOL UNDER THE TOWER AND ONTO CHURCH STREET, TO SOME WIDE EYED FACES.
SOME £600 WAS RAISED, BUT MORE IMPORTANTELY THE SUPPORT AND WARMTH WAS EXCEPTIONAL. THANK YOU BLACKPOOL.
AFTER BLACKPOOL AND IN HIGH SPIRITS THE RIDERS WAVED FAREWELL TO PRESTON, SOUTHPORT, BOOTLE, AND WALLASEY. NESTON, ENGLAND AND CONNAH’S QUAY, WALES SAID FAREWELL AND GREETED THE RIDERS RESPECTIVELY. THE RUN INTO RAF VALLEY IN HOLYHEAD PASSED IN A BLUR AS DID RHYL, LLANDUDNO, AND BANGOR.
ONCE AGAIN THE RAF HAVE BEEN THE WARMEST OF HOSTS, WITH A GUIDED TOUR OF THE CAMP, A PHOTO SHOT WITH THE HAWK TRAINER AIRCRAFT. THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT IN THE PILOT SEAT, STILL A SCHOOL BOY WISH OF SOME, WAS MET WITH WIDE GRIMS OF APPROVAL.
12/13 JUN 08
DAY SEVEN AND EIGHT HAVE BEEN ENFORCED TO PROVIDE, REST FOR THE RIDERS AND PERMIT VITAL MAINTENANCE ON THE BIKES TO TAKE PLACE. A BIG THANK YOU GOES TO KEVIN RICE AND MARCUS PURSE FROM THE WORKSHOPS AT GRANTHM FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN SERVICING THE BIKES. ANOTHER THANK YOU GOES TO THE QM , SSGT KILNER AND SGT AIRD WHO TURNED UP WITH THE BBQ AND REFRESHMENTS. THE CO, LT COL DILLON AND RSM 5 REGT RLC, POPPED IN, WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT IN MATERIAL, EQUIPMENT AND PERSONEL THIS EVENT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE. EVERYONE IS NOW WELL RESTED, WATERED AND FED AND KEEN TO GET STARTED AGAIN, ROLL ON TOMORROW……..
14 JUNE 2008
AFTER AN EXCELLENT STAY AT RAF VALLEY THAT INCLUDED OUR OWN RUN OF THE GO-CART DERBY, WE MADE READY FOR THE LAST HALF OF OUR JOURNEY, AROUND WALES AND THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND. LEAVING RAF VALLEY WE THANKED ALL FOR THEIR HOSPITALLY AND THE 98 POUNDS THAT THEY HAD COLLECTED.
THE RIDERS COMPLETED THEIR CIRCUIT OF ANGLESEY TO THE NORTH PASSING THROUGH AMLWCH, CROSSING THE MENAI STRAIT TO BANGOR AND HEADING SOUTH ON THE OPEN ROADS TO CAERNARFON.
TRAVELLING ALONG THE LLEYN PENNINSULA TO ABERDARON AND BACK ON THE EASTERN SHORE TO PORTMADOG, WE WERE SOON LOOKING UPON SNOWDONIA NATIONAL PARK; WELL NOW AND THEN AS THE WEATHER WAS PEPPERED WITH RAIN AND POOR VISABILITY. WE PUSHED ON TO BARMOUTH, DOLGELLAU, TYWYN, AND MACHYNLLETH AND INTO ABERYSTWYTH FOR A WELL-DESERVED BREAK. THE RIDING WAS SLOW BUT AS WITH THE REST OF THE DAY CHALLENGING, NARROW ROADS WITH TIGHT BENDS ENSURED YOU KEPT YOUR WITS ABOUT YOU. SOON ABERAERON, CARDIGAN AND FISHGUARD WERE DISTANCE MEMORIES. ST DAVID’S HEAD OVERLOOKING ST BRIDGES BAY PROVIDED THE LAST MARKER BEFORE WE RODE INTO HAVERFORD WEST FOR THE OVERNIGHT STOP AT THE DRILL HALL OF 157 WELSH TPT REGT RLC.
SOME HOME COOKING BY THE TQMS MICK WAS SOMETHING STRAIGHT FROM THE RAMSEY GOOD COOKING GUIDE. WE ARE UNDER OATH NOT TO TELL HIS WIFE THAT HE CAN COOK.
15 JUNE 2008
AFTER WHAT WAS A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP ON THE FLOOR OF THE DRILL HALL. THE RIDERS WERE KEEN TO GET STARTED EARLY, AS TODAY WAS TO BE ALONG AND TESTING RIDE. WE HAD PLANNED THREE STOPS INTO THE DAY AT TENBY, CARDIFF AND TAUNTON, SO TIME WAS GOING TO BE CRITICAL TO MAKE ALL APPOINTMENTS.
IN THE END WE SENT THE TQMS ADV PARTY TO THE TENBY SHOW WITH THE SPARE BIKE. THIS PROVED TO BE EXTREMELY ENJOYABLE AND WAS REWARDED BY AN AWARD OF THE MOST TRAVELLED BIKE ON THE DAY. IT WAS RATHER A POOR RELATION TO THE OLD ROAD MASTERS OF YESTER YEAR.
THE PR PARTY MADE FOR CARDIFF AND WERE IN PLACE ON CHURCHILL WAY BY 1000 AND AWAITING THE RIDERS. THE RIDERS BY THIS TIME HAD PAST TENBY AND HUGGING THE COAST AND THEIR BIKES AS THE ROADS WERE AS CHALLENGING AS THE PREVIOUS DAY, WERE PUSHING ON TO PENDINE, CARMARTHEN SOUTH TO KIDWELLY, LLANELLI AND A LITTLE LOOK AT THE GOWER WEST OF SWANSEA. THE RIDERS THEN MADE BEST SPEED IN THE POURING RAIN TOWARDS CARDIFF, WHERE THE SUN WAS OUT, AS WERE THE SHOPPERS. COMING THROUGH BARRY INTO CARDIFF, THE RIDERS STOPPED IN THE CITY CENTRE, WHERE THE HEAVENS OPENED AND WASHED AWAY ANY FEELING OF SUMMER. THE CROWDS ALSO RAN FOR COVER, BUT IT WAS ONLY SHORT LIVED AND THE RIDERS LEFT WITH SUNSHINE ON THEIR FACES. ONCE AGAIN WE MUST THANK THOSE PEOPLE YOU OFFERED SUPPORT AND DONATED TO THE HELP FOR HEROES CHARITY. IT HAS SURPRISED US ALL, JUST HOW MUCH SUPPORT THERE IS FOR THE ARMED FORCES.
WITH ONE MORE STOP PLANNED, THE RIDERS HEADED FOR NEWPORT CROSSING THE RIVER SEVERN INTO AVONMOUTH, RUNNING SOUTH TO TAUNTON, TO PICK UP A CHEQUE FROM THE SOMERSET LODGES. MORE ON THIS LATER WATCH THE WEB SITE. NEXT AROUND THE COAST CAME WESTON-SUPER-MARE MINEHEAD, IFRACOMBE, BIDEFORD, HARTLAND AND BUDE. THEN FINALLY THROUGH BOSCASTLE, PADSTOW ARRIVING AT RAF ST MAWGAN FOR A WELL DESERVED REST. THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST TIRING DAY FOR ALL.
TOMORROW 16 JUN 08, WILL HAVE THE TEAM RUNNING ALONG THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND CALLING AT LANDS END, SIDMOUTH AND WEYMOUTN STOPPING AT BOVINGTON.
AFTER THAT;
17 JUN 08 – BOURNEMOUTH, PORTSMOUTH, BOGNOR REGIS, BRIGHTON, EASTBOURNE AND FINALLY FOLKSTONE.
18 JUN 08 – DOVER RAMSGATE, SHEERNESS, GRAVESEND, SOUTH-END-ON –SEA, MALDON, FELISTOW, LOWESTOFT, GREAT YARMOUHT AND KINGS LYNN.
19 JUN 08 – GRANTHAM AND LINCOLN SHOW.
We are hoping to get pictures on the page but rigth now this is proving difficult, but we hope to fit this.
16 JUNE 2008
BEFORE BIDDING FAREWELL TO RAF ST MAWGAN, THE TEAM HAD A PHOTO SHOOT IN FRONT OF THE SHACKLETON GATE GUARD A REMINDER OF TIMES PAST. THE SUN ONCE AGAIN WAS SHINING DOWN ON THE RIDERS, WHO NOW INCLUDED THE COMD WHO HAD ARRIVED THE NIGHT BEFORE, AND WAS ONCE AGAIN MOUNTED ON HIS STEADY BUT NOT TOO FAST STEED!
IT WAS NOT LONG BEFORE THE TEAM GOT INTO THEIR RYTHMN, OR WAS IT? IN FACT 10 MILES INTO THE RIDE OUR FIRST MECHANICAL CASUALTY HAPPENED. SO FOR ROB THIS WAS THE SHORTEST LEG EVER…BUT THERE WILL BE ANOTHER DAY. ONCE THE BIKE HAD BEEN RECOVERED THE RIDERS SET OFF AGAIN, MOVING THROUGH ST AGNES, ST IVES AND COMPLETING THE LAND’S END PHOTO CALL TO COMPLIMENT THE JOHN O’GROATS’ PHOTO. AFTER THAT IT WASPENZANCE, HELSTON AND THEN FALMONTH. AN ICE CREAM AND A FERRY LATER, THEY WERE THROUGH ST AUSTELL RUNNING SOUTH OF PLYMOUTH PASSING KINGSBRIDGE, PAIGNTON, TORQUAY, EXETER, EXMOUTH AND SIDMOUTH.
IT WAS JUST ABOUT NOW THAT THE TQMS WAS BEING TOLD THAT THE ACCOMMODATION HAD BEEN MOVED TO LULWORTH, NO GREAT PROBLEM TO COPE WITH, EXCEPT IF YOU’RE THE CHIEF, BUT THAT’S FOR ANOTHER DAY. THE SIGHTS FROM LULWORTH OUT INTO THEENGLISH CHANNELWERE WORTH IT.
THE RIDERS FINALLY MADE THEIR WAY IN AFTER ANOTHER COFFEE AND SIGHT SEEING STOP, AT LYME REGIS AND WEYMOUTH.
A LONG DAY, CAUSED BY MUCH LONGER STOPS THAN NORMAL, TO ONCE AGAIN ENJOY SOME BEAUTIFUL SCENERY. YET AGAIN PEOPLE WERE GIVING THEIR SUPPORT AND EVEN MENTIONING THAT THEY HAD HEARD ABOUT US ON THE RADIO…EXCELLENT.
DINNER AND THE BRIEFING OF THE DAY WAS SHORT AS WAS THE GAP BETWEEN SHOWERS AND SLEEP, A VERY QUITE NIGHT…
17 JUNE 2008
TODAY BEGAN WITH A FAREWELL AS THE COMD RETURNED BACK TO HIS OFFICE TO DO SOME WORK! A LATER START ENSURED A GOOD REST PERIOD. TODAY WE PLANNED TO STOP OFF INSOUTHAMPTON NEAR THE CIVI CENTRE. AFTER A HEARTY BREAKFAST IT WAS A SET OF CLEAN HEELS WE SHOWED LULWORTH CAMP.
WE COULD NOT ASK FOR BETTER WEATHER AS THE SUN QUICKLY WARMED THE RIDERS AS THEY MOVED ONTO POOLE, BOURNEMOUTH AND LYMINGTON, LOOKING OUT OVER THE SOLENT TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT AS THEY ARRIVED INSOUTHAMPTON. THE STOP WAS A QUICK ONE, BUT RESULTED IN A REQUEST FOR US TO ATTEND THE TA100 FREEDOM OFSOUTHAMPTONPARADE ON THE 21 JUN 08, WHICH WE WILL BE GLAD TO DO. SO IF YOU HAVE MISSED US OR WOULD LIKE TO DONATE OR PURCHASE SOME GOODIES THEN YOU WILL FIND US IN SOUTHAMPTON OUTSIDE THE CIVI CENTRE ON THE 21 JUN 08. DON’T BE SHY COME ALONG AND SAY HELLO.
THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY PLACED IN A BREEZE, BOGNOR REGIS,WORTHING, BRIGHTON, NEWHAVEN, EASTBOURNE, HASTINGS AND THEN FOLKSTONE, WHERE WE WILL OVERNIGHT AT ST MARTIN ON THE PLAIN, A CADET CAMP. AT TIMES THE GOING WAS A LITTLE SLOW DUE TO TRAFFIC. THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FIRST WEEK’S RIDE AND THIS WEEK IS THE CONGESTION ON THE ROADS AND THE AREAS OF POPULATION, WHICH AT TIMES SLOWS US TO A CRAWL. THE ROADS WHEN CLEAR DO PROVIDE FOR SOME EXCELLENT RIDING WITH SCENERY TO MATCH. ONLY TWO MORE DAYS TO GO, WE STOP ATSOUTHEND-ON-SEA TOMORROW SO IF YOU ARE AROUND COME AND SAY HELLO.
18 JUNE 2008
ST MARTIN ON THE PLAIN PROVIDED US WITH A REMINDER OF WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE ON EXERCISE. STILL A BED AND HOT FOOD IS ALL YOU NEED AND A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP.
THE SECOND TO LAST DAY OF OUR ADVENTURE WAS BEGINNING, WITH THE GOAL POST CLOSE ENOUGH TO TOUCH, THE BODY BEGINS TO DISPLAY THE STRAINS OF THE LAST 12 DAYS. SORE BACKS KNEES AND LEGS AND THAT TIRED FEELING YOU GET WHEN YOU HAVE SPENT THE DAY IN THE OPEN AIR WITH THE SUN BEATING DOWN ON YOU…YOU KNOW WHAT WE MEAN!
TODAY WE WERE TO TRAVEL TO SOUTHEND –ON-SEA TO ARRIVE BY 1300 TO BE MET BY THE TOWN MAYOR AND A NUMBER OF LOCAL DIGNITARIES, PARTICULARLY GARY SULLIVAN AN EX-SOLDIER, WHO WAS PRESENTING A CHEQUE TO THE RIDE FOR HEROES EVENT. AFTER SOME CAREFUL TIME APPREICATION, WE ARRIVED AT 1100 SOME TWO HOURS EARLY, SO TEA AND CAKES WERE THE ORDER OF THE DAY. AT 1300 WE MET UP WITH GRAY AND THE MAYOR AND RECEIVED A CHEQUE FOR £500, GRAY ALSO PLEDGED TO PURCHASE 4 OF OUR JACKETS FOR AN ADDITIONAL £400, THEY ARE IN THE POST GARY, AND ONCE AGAIN MANY THANKS.
AFTER THE WARM WELCOME AT SOUTHEND-ON-SEA THE REST OF THE DAY WAS A REAL BREEZE, FEELING GOOD ABOUT OURSELVES, AND HAVING SEEN THE SITES OF DOVER, RAMSGATE AND SHEERNESS WE HEADED NORTH TO MALDON, CLACTON-ON-SEA, FELIXSTOW, LOWESTOFT, GREAT YARMOUTH AND FINALLY INTO RAF MARHAM, KINGS LYNN.
TODAY PASSED VERY QUICKLY, TOMORROW HAS NO REAL PRESSURE REGARDING TIMINGS SO A GOOD LIE IN, IS MORE THAN WELCOME.
19 JUNE 08
THE LAST DAY OF RIDING, WILL SEE US CROSSING THE FINISH LINE, THIS WILL BE BOTH A JOYFUL IF NOT A SAD DAY.
AS PROMISED WE DID NOT EXIT RAF MARHAM UNTIL 0900, TO MEET UP WITH A LOCAL NEWS JOURNALIST FROM THE DAILY POST. A FEW MORE INTERVIEWS AND A PHOTOCALL, SAW US LEAVING MARHAM AND HEADING HOME TO GRANTHAM, HAVING FIRST COMPLETED THE CIRCUIT BY CALLING AT BOSTON, WHERE 14 DAYS EARLIER WE HAD STARTED OUR ‘RIDE FOR HEROES’.
ON ARRIVING BACK IN GRANTHAM WE WERE GREETED BY THE STATION PERSONNEL ON THE PARADE SQUARE, AND FOR SOME THE RIGOURS OF THE RIDE SUDDENLY SHOWED ON THEIR BODIES AS THE ACHES MASKED BY ADRENELIN CAME TO THE FORE. FAMILIES AND CLOSE FRIENDS WERE THERE ALSO TO SHARE IN THE TEAMS ACHEIVEMENT. WE THANK THEM ALL. BUT THERE IS NO TME TO WASTE AS WE HAD TO ATTEND THE LINCOLN SHOW, PART OF THE TA100 CELEBRATIONS. WE MOUNTED ALL THE RIDERS SOME 10 IN ALL ON BIKES AND RODE OUT INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE ARENA TO RECEIVE A WARM WELCOME AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM THE CROWD.
A LUNCH OF PIZZAS MADE BY OUR OWN CHEFS FROM THE RLC SET US UP FOR THE SHORT RIDE HOME AND THE ADMINISTRATION THAT FOLLOWS ALL THE HARD RIDING.
BUT WE HAVE NOT FINISHED YET, WE WILL BE IN LONDON ON THE 20 JUNE 08 TO MEET THE IRON LADY, BARONESS THATCHER, THEN DOWN TO SOUTHAMPTON ON THE 21 JUNE 08 FOR THE FREEDOM OF SOUTHAMPTON PARADE, SO PLEASE COME AND SAY HELLO.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF EVENTS IN AUGUST, SO WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE DETAIL…….. PHOTOGAPHS WILL FOLLOW.
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