Sunday saw the annual bike run from Laindon, near Basildon, to Harwich to raise money for the Essex Air Ambulance.
http://www.essexairambulance.uk.com/news-events/news/thousands-support-essex-motorcycle-runThe Air Ambulance is run purely on donations, the Government doesn't provide a penny towards it. It's sole purpose is to get medical help where it's needed,fast, and convey casualties to hospital quickly. It is, sadly, an all-too familiar sight around where I live and attends more than a few motorcycle accidents. Needless to say, it's well supported by the local biking community and it's a privilege to help keep them flying.
http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/14736404.IN_PICTURES__Thousands_of_riders_take_part_in_the_annual_Essex_Air_Ambulance_Motorcycle_Run/For me, the day started early. I live around 55 miles from the starting point, and wanted to get there on time to leave with the rest of them. I could have joined them en route nearer to the finish (many do
), but where would the fun be in that?
Sorry SOHC'ers, but the Norton was the order of the day. It's a party atmosphere, with a lot of riders in fancy dress and the Norton just seemed to fit in better than the moody black F2. And I like to show it off at every opportunity
Here it is parked and waiting for the off. Nice of someone to turn up and park his Harley next to a proper bike ha ha...
This is quite possibly one of the biggest attended biking events in the UK. Here's a couple of pics showing the riders about to be escorted out by the marshalls. This is just one of three holding areas on the day...
And the bottleneck out to the road...
The run down to Harwich is 60 miles, mainly on dual-carriageway. The footbridges the whole of the route were crowded with spectators and wellwishers, waving and clapping us on. It actually gets you quite emotional when you realise just how much the Air Ambulance is thought of around here.
The run culminated at Harwich where a family Festival was held. This video shows what it's all about. Plenty more Go-Pro clips on YouTube, worth checking out.
As if to emphasise the whole point of the day, just as I arrived in Harwich and about twenty bikes in front of me, a trailer came loose from a car travelling in the opposite direction and slewed across the road. A Ducati hit it side on and the rider went flying over the top.
http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/News/14736110.Motorcyclist_suffers_life_threatening_injuries_on_A120_after_trailer_detaches_and_collides_with_bike/?commentSort=nPoor bugger was literally two minutes away from the finish line. He was airlifted to hospital.
So, a good, but thoughtful day. 55 year old rider and 58 year old motorcycle coped pretty well doing the eventual 130-odd miles covered over the day, and 48hrs later the pins and needles have gone and full sensation in my hands has been resumed
