INTERNATIONAL BIKE MARSHALS
- Jun 6
- 2 min read
On Sunday 24th May, four members of the Bike Marshals team travelled to Northampton to take part in the Northampton Irish Tractor Club Run to Belmullet in Southern Ireland which was to start the following morning. A convoy of 15 vintage tractors will depart from Northampton raising money for disadvantaged children in the area and Ireland, the target was £60,00 On the evening our guys together with the hero tractor drivers were hosted by the Swan & Helmet Irish pub to a great meal and celebration drink (which had to be muted due to the riding the following day !) The following morning the team were back at the pub for a hearty full English/Irish Breakfast before the convoy lined up, many photos taken and the ceremonial ribbon was cut ahnd to the cheers and applause of the crowd Moto Gary led the tractors on the start of the run.
What a fantastic five days ensued. Monday was the hottest days of the year and riding large heavy motorcycles at very low speeds (13mph ) wearing PPE took its toll on everyone and unfortunately one of our members collapsed with heat stroke and was blue lighted to hospital and was kept in overnight. Pleased to say he has made a complete recovery and was discharged on the Tuesday afternoon but unfortunately was unable to continue on the run. Plan B was activated and our great friend Stu from Vehicle Escort Services joined us and provided an excellent service with his impressive van at the rear of the convoy.
The end of day 2 saw us in the docks at Birkenhead and onto the overnight sailing to Belfast. From there through Northern Ireland to the border into Eire when we swapped from MPH to KPH through magnificent Irish scenery eventually arriving at our destination, Belmullet where the whole town had turned out to welcome the convoy This followed an fantastic evening of Irish hospitality at its very best, again very much constrained due to the long ride home the following day The return trip home was very much quicker, via Dublin and the short Irish Sea crossing to Hollyhead and the team arrived at their various home locations at about 10pm rather tired but elated to be the first International Bike Marshals Team !
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