Hoggin' the Bridge 10
18th October 2009
2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the Bridgwater Chapter of the Harley Owners Group (HOG) and also the 10th running of their “Hoggin’ the Bridge” ride, which has proved to be a terrific success and huge charity fund raiser for them over the years. Originally organised for Harley riders, they recognised its appeal and opened it up for any bike rider to participate.
Sunday 18th October dawned cold but dry and England 14 participants and friends assembled at Gordano Services, M5, in preparation for the ride. Prior to this, I had ridden up from Torbay, meeting Pete Lambourn en-route, then teaming up with Cookie at Weston to indulge ourselves with a breakfast at the recommended “Copper Kettle” café (which was closed!) I realised at this point that the morning just had to get better for me as I was colder than most, having dreamily donned my jacket at home, at 0645, not realising the lining was not in it! To say I was cold on reaching Weston was an understatement. Sometimes I think I shouldn’t be let out on my own. A substitute breakfast was taken at Gordano where Cookie, Pete and I met with Amanda and Holly, who had driven from Oxford and also Muddy. Amanda had her wandering furry hot water bottle returned, which had gone AWOL on the first night of the “Ride Up and Down” in Cornwall! No, it’s all true. Loaned riding gear was donned by the girls and we all met with Simon and Claire on their Rocket and Suzuki, Steve and Gill on their Honda, Trev and son Jack on the Tangerine Dream, and friends of Simon (some of whom had already ridden with us on Simons Cheddar Gorgeous rideout) Penny (Suzuki), Ginger Hayward (Trident), Paul Nesbit-Bell and Haley (Daytona), Haleys Dad Doug (Buell), Hardy Hussain (VFR800) and Mark and Sue (V-Rod), plus another couple who I have failed to identify, on their rather loud Harley (there were to be a few of those about!)
Prior to leaving Gordano the temperature had reached a decent level and the skies were clearing and so we made our way to the starting point at the Severn View Services on the M48 at Aust. Holly replaced Jack on Trevs trike for the first leg, Jack rode with me and Amanda with Muddy. At Aust we managed to squeeze onto the car park with the thousands of bikes already there! What a sight it was, with bikes and riders of all sizes and descriptions but Harley being predominant of course. Ear plugs were essential wear! Chapter members were inevitably separated in the chaos on entering but soon joined up again. A circling microlight was photographing the scene.
1100 signalled the start and similar to The London Marathon, a mass of bodies (on bikes on this occasion) all began the slow job of filtering out of a small exit. Our Chapter members met again immediately after the toll booths on the Bridge approach and continued together. Jack had rejoined Dad Trev and Holly was back with me. In pleasant weather, the huge column of bikes wound their way across the Bridge and into Wales, with supporters and spectators at every junction and vantage point, waving and taking photos. We turned off at Magor and followed a more interesting route towards Chepstow, through villages such as Rogiet and Caldicot, the roadside being lined with waving and cheering supporters throughout.
The event really does seem to have become quite an annual spectacle! Nearly 2 ½ hrs later we arrived in a packed Chepstow and although most England 14 members managed to park together in the melee, we initially lost Trevs trike and the Derwin Honda but later found one another. After an important initial bladder stop and cuppa in a very sociable church, commemorative T shirts and badges were obtained and the search for sustainance ended at the same fast food kiosk as last year, in a town centre car park near the castle, where large quantities of tomato sauce were consumed, adorning various combinations of chips, burgers and hot dogs. All low calorie versions doctor, honest.
We wandered around the town centre, meeting friends and like minded two (and three) wheeled enthusiasts before returning eventually to Gordano and making our various ways home, having had an enjoyable day and feeling we had helped raise money for charity and been involved once again in the phenomenon that Hoggin’ the Bridge has become. Last year saw in excess of 3500 participants raise around £14500 and in the spirit of “Children in Need” this years total is likely to be higher, if the numbers at the start were anything to go by.
Pat Sturman
Chapter Editor. PHOTO GALLERY