'Up & Down' Charity Ride
13-19th September 2009
in aid of "Child Victims of Crime"
Page 1
Monday 14th September.
The first real day of the event dawned cool and dull. The team had to leave before breakfast at the Premier (boo hoo) and were on the road at 0700. Muddy was so eager he had set his clock an hour too soon! Seen off by Kev and Madrider the team were escorted to Lands End by Devon and Cornwall motorcyclist Fred Hilton, who by his size, didn’t look to have missed too many breakfasts. Photos were taken at Lands End to prove our visit before Fred continued his escort East towards Devon. The pace set by the bikes was too much for the X5 and the halves of the team soon parted company on the twisty Cornish roads. Due to being out of radio contact the team were next to be together at M5, Taunton Deane Services where we were met by Charlie Han, Pete Lambourn, John Rook, Adrians wife on her own bike, Helen and Stuart Crocombe, friends of Pecky, Tim Peters of BMW, Dave Orme of telent (just to clarify, telent corporate name is officially spelt with a lower case T) and Alex Lovell and her BBC filmcrew. TV star Greg to the fore again. Off we went again with the BBC film crew filming en-route in convoy, to arrive at Avon and Somerset HQ for the official send-off. Met by CC Colin Port and head of Police Authority Dr Moira Hamlin, who presented a cheque for £1000. Great start. Rob inherits the nickname “Claudio” from then on, as he was the teams photographer, mimicking the name of Ewan McGregor and Charlie Bormans teammate in their Long Way Round epic ride. He really wasn’t best pleased. Leaving Portishead the team had a motorcycle escort over the Severn Bridge into Wales to Gwent HQ, Cwmbran, where we were met by ACC Geoff Farrah who presented us with a cheque for £500. Taking the trouble to turn out to see the team were members of BK Wales 1, Dave Taylor-Cantrill, Colin Wilkins, John Green, Rob Williams and Ron Barnes, who rode with us to a coffee break at Hereford Asda (We know how to live!). Cheers guys! Onward to the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Solihull where the very friendly staff had laid on a superb buffet. The whole dressed salmon looked a bit the worse for wear by the time we left. Steve and Leonie Tromans of England XIII met us there and presented us with a £20 cheque from their Chapter. Cookie found the time to practise his furniture removing skills when, whilst changing his helmet visor, a part flew off and down the back of a heavy bureau. Nice one John! That man will do anything to keep up the teams morale! Last run was to the Hurricane Premier Inn , Stafford for our next overnight stop. By this time we were realising that the vehicle to vehicle communications left a little to be desired. Transmissions from the support car and Cookie were clear but Gregs were very distorted. Couldn’t put it all down to the Scots accent! This situation continued throughout but the fact that we could communicate between vehicles was a great asset.
Tuesday 15th September
A good breakfast at the Hurricane and the team packed up for the next days ride. By this time we all had our systems in place. Muddy and John seemed to tolerate one anothers snoring and Pat dealt with Robs by wearing biking ear plugs! Meeting us before departure were Jenny Raine of CVOC with her two small boys and Carole Jelley of telent, on her immaculate pearl white Ducati Monster. Carole led for a while and impressed the team with her riding skills, staying with us to Nottinghamshire Police HQ, Sherwood Lodge, where we were met by ACC Ian Ackerley. Joining us on the outskirts of Nottingham was Graham Buxton of England VI. and at Sherwood Lodge, C/I and member of Eng VI Diane Haden and Tracey Walker, COPS representative and widow of Notts Pc and dog handler Ged Walker, of whom team member Pat has fond memories, having worked with him on the Forces Special Operations Unit. As the teams and Chapters only ex-Notts member, Pat was particularly disappointed when the team received no contribution from the Force. It transpired they had already made a contribution to the charity through a member of CVOC staff engaged on a recent cycle ride. Pat considered this a poor show however.
Joining us was BMWs Andrew Buxton on an 800GS. Andrew had featured highly in the provision of our vehicles. Carole Jelley left us on our departure from Nottingham and Andrew accompanied us to the huge BMW UK Vehicle Preparation Centre at Thorne, where, whilst the bikes were checked and a full height crack in the X5s screen was repaired, the team enjoyed a lunch and a tour of the facility by Mick McKone, M/Cycle Coordinator. Wish I had a £1 for each shiny BMW on site!
With Andrew Buxton, we headed North leaving England and entering Scotland (or “Gods Country” according to Greg and Rob). A little after dark unfortunately, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, we were met by local Police motorcyclists Kenny Brown and partner who escorted us up the cobbled streets to the Castle where we were privileged to be allowed access to the courtyard and gate to the main castle building, for photographs. Pecky nearly got the team lynched by posing with a Flag of St George at the Castle gate! We were escorted out again and made our way to the Falkirk Premier Inn, to be met by Gregs parents and representatives of the local Masons who had already made a donation to The Ride. They provided us with much haddock and chips (we had arrived too late to dine at the Inn) and although Pat lives in one of England’s biggest fishing ports, Brixham, his opinion was that the haddock was the best and the biggest he had eaten. A huge bottle of Irn Bru accompanied the meal! Another England/Scotland skirmish nearly occurred when the over keen barman made to whip away our partly consumed drinks at “time”. We English are not accustomed to that! Greg was delighted to see his parents as he had not been North of the Border for a year. Ear plugs in place and off to bed again! 396 miles completed that day.
Wednesday 16th September
Following breakfast at the Falkirk Premier, the team were met by Scotland 1 BKs Gordon Waddell and Stephen Somerville, who accompanied them to the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan Castle, a very impressive building and grounds. Met by a very friendly and interested ACC Geates (the man with the shiniest shoes in the Universe!) and C/I Calum Welsh who presented Cookie with a cheque for £229.50 quickly snatched away by Treasurer Muddy! A quick look around the grounds revealed the Scottish Police Memorial and an individual one for Jim McNulty, co-founder, with Christine Fulton, of COPS and the Scottish Police Memorial Trust. A quick visit to the workshops was made for small adjustments to Cookies and Andrew Buxtons bikes, Andrew then leaving the team. Our admiration must go to him, not only for his assistance with the sponsorship of the vehicles but for keeping up with the team, only having passed his test a few months before!
The team pressed on up the A9, passing picturesque Stirling Castle and on to Pitlochry where a photo opportunity was taken with a huge barrel outside the Bells distillery. As the dull weather improved, so did the scenery. On up Glen Garry (with Dire Straits on the X5 stereo) towards Aviemore, spotting an RAF Tornado and an impressive bird of prey, possibly an osprey on the way. A pause for a photo at Corrbridge then on to meet Robs father at the Seaforth Club, Nairn where the team enjoyed sandwiches, tea and a meeting with Robs girlfriend Melanie. I think Rob enjoyed the meeting more than most! Upon leaving Nairn, we followed Robs Dads advice on route, passing Inverness, over the Moray Firth and across the Black Isle and on to a wonderful biking road across Dava Moor where the riders sent on the X5 ahead to scout the road so they could fully enjoy the stretch. Pat will admit to being a bit jealous at this point. Stopping at the Easter Fearn viewing point Muddy decided to gallop through the heather demonstrating the stretchy nature of his pink motorcycling underpants. A passing car full of young ladies nearly ran off the road in amazement!
Eventually the team reached the second main location of the tour, John O’Groats. A photocall followed in the cold and windy weather. A contribution was volunteered by an Audi driver who had just made the journey from Lands End in 14 hours, just to say he’d done it. As the team left John O’Groats it became obvious that reaching the next planned overnight stop at the Fort William Premier Inn was not on. Rob and Melanie then pulled a rabbit out of the metaphorical hat by arranging rooms at the top class Golf View hotel, Nairn, where Mel works. The rooms were wonderful and the service in the bar similarly good! Individual rooms meant no snoring too! 451 miles that day and very little opportunity to update the blog as using a lap-top not velcro’d to your knee when trying to keep up with five motorbikes on twisty Scottish roads doesn’t work!
Thursday 17th September
The last full day began early as the team bid farewell to their comfy rooms at the Golf View Hotel, before breakfast. Passing Inverness, Greg continued his helpful “Tour Guide” commentary as we passed notable landmarks. Pity his radio was still not at 100%. This part of the journey would prove to have the most dramatic scenery. Arriving at Loch Ness, Greg took the team to the Tourist Centre where photos were taken with a huge “Nessie” model, assisted by a real life caricature of a Japanese tourist. It was cool during the morning and an unusual thin layer of cloud stretched along the Loch, just above the water. At a brief comfort stop the team thought they had spotted The Monster but realised it was just Muddy, jumping in and out of the water in full motorcycle clothing! The man needs therapy! Fort William passed then Glen Coe, which probably took the biscuit as the most spectacular part of the run. A voice over the radio was heard saying “Remind me why we live in England”. No one volunteered an answer. Continuing on past Loch Lomond we were joined by two Blue Knights from the local Chapter who accompanied us to Dumbarton and the Scottish Maritime Museum, home of the Denny Tank, the Worlds first commercial ship experiment tank, 330 feet long. We were met by Police, the press and not least Robs Mum who works in the café there. We were presented with £500 raised by raffling two of Robs pit-crew helmets, Brawn and McLaren, given a short but comprehensive and interesting tour of the scale boat hull testing manufacturing and testing facility, before a very well received full Scottish breakfast, including square sausage, much to Gregs delight! courtesy of Jim Smith who runs the Corner Café.
Now fortified, the team travelled by the A and M74 to Lockerbie, where, at the Queens Hotel we were met by local police motorcycle officers, BKs Bill Dempster, Richard Jones and John Muirhead of Scotland 1, and presented with a cheque for £130 from Lockerbie and District Rotary Club, by President Alan Batemen, Treasurer Harry Smith and Asst. Sec. John Carpenter. The Rotarians also provided us with a first class two course meal which the team managed to gratefully consume, despite it only being about 1 ½ hrs since our magnificent breakfast! The team also received a Police plaque from Pc Jim Cowie.
A Police escort then led us to Gretna Green and the famous Blacksmiths shop. The very helpful custodian, of Irish descent, explained the history to us and there then followed a bizarre and surreal ceremony between El Presidente Cookie and a slightly shorter black gowned person with long black hair, bearing a faint resemblance to Muddy! Tina and Lesley, I think you need an explanation. Shortly afterwards, John and Amanda’s day was made when they were asked by the custodian to act as witnesses to a real wedding, the participants being, by coincidence, almost neighbours of Amanda.
Pressing on, the team were met by a Police car escort who took us to view the illuminations at Blackpool, an impressive sight, bearing in mind all the team were “Illumination Virgins”. An intention to ride the Pepsi-Max Big One (by some of the team at least) were scuppered as the Pleasure Beach was closed.
A late arrival at Lancs Police HQ, our overnight stop followed and the Support Car collected fish and chips for all, which were consumed in the bar, where an end of course party and disco with karaoke was underway. (Need for earplugs again!) Unless you were fairly young, the music and singing was loud and awful, the one highlight being when Greg got up to do his Elvis impression. Not at all bad. A late night in bed for most, later still for Amanda and Pat, trying to get the blog up to date. 0215 saw Pat practising words he had not used in an age, directed at an awkward lap-top, before giving in and collapsing.
Friday 18th September
After a decent Lancs Police breakfast, the team packed up for the last time before heading off on the “last lap”, all now a little more than tired and a bit grumpy. Al Kinsey of England 1 met us and led us off. Cracking down the M6 and M5, the team were met at Frankley Services by three riders from sponsors telent, including Ruth Venn, who had arranged the rendezvous. They continued with us, including a rest stop at Michael Wood, through serious congestion near Bristol, which prevented an anticipated Police escort, to our destination at Avon and Somerset HQ. The team were met by Chief Supt Tony Oliver and Supt Andy Williams, Jason Rogers of BWOC on his Kawasaki, family and friends for a final photocall, before the final short journey to Weston RPU for dispersal. Congratulations and hugs all round! A Total of 2211 miles had been completed. All would agree that the last 6 days had been an unforgettable experience to be cherished. Friendships were reinforced and some fantastic sights had been viewed.
Saturday 19th September. Charity Knight.
The finishing touch to a fantastic week was the Charity Knight at the Bristol Marriott Hotel, a black tie affair allowing all 400 guests to look at their best, especially Greg, Rob and Muddy, resplendent in their kilts! The appearance of Stavros Flatley had resulted in a sell out. Guests, including The Lord Lieutenant of Bristol, Mrs Mary Prior MBE. JP, Lord Mayor of Bristol, Cllr Christopher Davies, ACC Andy Marsh and Chair of the Police Authority Dr Moira Hamlin and partners were treated to a beautiful aria by an equally beautiful singer Chantelle, cracking covers band Trouble and Strife, disco by Knight Charlie Han and brilliant buffet by the Hotel. Highlight for most was the performance by Stavros Flatley who included the team, dressed (or was it undressed) appropriately for his finale. He remained all evening signing autographs and posing with guests for photographs. Eyecatchers Photography was present, providing a professional photographic momento of the evening for guests if required, as many did. Charity funds were enormously increased by the main auction, by Dreweatts, of the many magnificent donated prizes, very humourously executed. Highlight for the petrolheads was a visit to the Brawn Formula 1 team, which raised a superb amount and for the ladies, muscled “John” from Butlers in the Buff! A “silent auction” and raffle added to the interest and income for the Charity. Special thanks must go to Pam Hobley, Roz Williams and Jenny Wozniak for their sterling efforts on the night and before, assisted by Tina C on the night, labouring over the lap-top.
After Muddy completed his sums, a fantastic evening concluded with a presentation to Child Victims of Crime of the magnificent sum of £19250 which even stunned the team!
The Charity Knight had boosted the money already raised by nearly £7500 and the final total at the time of writing stands at around the £25000 mark!
Many congratulations to all concerned and thanks to all who assisted in any way, particularly the major sponsors. The money raised will do much good.
Pat Sturman
Editor