Sunday is the annual Toy Run from Squires Cafe at Sherburn in Elmet to Harrogate. Full details are on www.squires-cafe.co.uk under the whats on section. Basically we buy a toy, (maximum value £10), wrap it up and then we all ride to Harrogate and drop it off. Do something good and get a shortish ride out. Apparently there will be TV and Media coverage.

Northern Riders - text alert sent out.

Anyone going on this?

Looks like me and possibly you Mate. I am planning to be at Squires for about 9.15 - 9.30.

I'll see you there then Gerard.

IF i get up early enough (60 mile ride to Squires from here) i may be there.
But!...................dont hold your breath....or you may turn a fetching blue colour!

Well that turned out well. Steve, Phil and Me met Ady at Squires. I have to say that beng part of a mass meeting like that is pretty impressive. Bikes of every type - every type of rider.
The organisation was slick and simple, you placed your order for food and a few minutes later it appeared at a nearby counter - Oh and the log in for the ride was good as well.

At the appointed time we set off towards the Sun Inn at Harrogate - well in truth somewhere in the countryside outside Harrogate. As we parked up it became apparent just how big this ride was. Bikes everywhere. When the car park was full I went for a walk back up the road. Bikes were parked along its length for as far as I could see. I was out of sight of the pub anyway. A late start saw us off to Ripon. As we rode people were waving and the good will was obvious. As usual one or two impatient car drivers but in general it was great to be part of something so full of good will. We entered the City and people were the same. I was near the front - ish so I can only imagine the length of the column. I had parked, helmet off an was walking about and bikes were still arriving for some time. Some people had made a big effort to dress up both their bikes and themselves. Plenty of Santas and Elves. A couple of Star Wars Storm Troopers were a bit incongruous but what the hell, they made an effort.

I was impressed by the number of Trad Scooters on the ride and spoke to a few riders. A lot had made the effort from the Bradford and Harrogate Clubs. A guy from Bradford told me that black ice had claimed a couple of riders in Bradford first thing that morning on the way to the ride. So I hope they are OK. I followed a couple of Guys on Vespas on L plates, so I assume they were 125's. Loads of Trikes and Bikes not so many Maxis. I spoke wih two Guys, mentioned the Muppets as I do so hopefully they will appear on here soon.

Overall a great ride out en masse. The discipline was good no crazy overtaking apart from one Marshall on a 125 who overtook so needlessly close to both Ady and then me it was a bit of a surprise. Marshalling at junctions was excellent by volunteers by members of the West Yorks IAM.

Theres an Easter Egg run planned so I for one will be on that and would reccomend it to all.

Gerard glad you enjoyed your day out,i went to Whitehaven by car loaded with 160 tins of food and pet food for the Cumbria mag two tins charity ride.The ride starts at Keswick and visits Cockermouth,Maryport,Workington ending up at the harbour square,Age uk,Whitehaven where soup,bread roll and tea/coffee were free to all riders,about 100 riders turned out,no maxis or scooters to be seen.Donations were well up this year filling the van.This years collection went to Age uk (West Cumbria),R.S.P.A and Animal Concern.

Video of the bikes from a marshall



1st maxi is i think Fingers(Steve) at 3.07 followed closely by the rest of us at 3.12. 3.13- and finally me at 3.21