We are reaching the stage where our network of trained mental health First aider’s will be in three figures.
this will be a very important milestone for us and we are wanting to do this before we become a charity so it is very important we fill Julys course!
if you know somebody that would like to do the mental health first-aid and become part of our network please pass on the information
What a great week, met so many different people and was able to really share and celebrate what Mental Health Motorbike is. It has also given me a flavour of how that baton relay will be, especially as after each location there will be media events to factor in as well. I really need to build my general fitness before next May.
And so we arrive at our final day.
After yesterday’s sightseeing at Salisbury and Stonehenge we today return to a number of scheduled cafe stops where you can come and have a chat. Our last stop is the bike meet at The Raven at Whitchurch.
Times are subject to road conditions
Honey Cafe, Bronllys 27th May @9:00am
Crossgates Cafe, Llandrindod Wells 27th May @10:30am
Raven Cafe, Whitchurch 27th May @2:30pm
we started off earlier so missed the opening of the Chequered Flag but was able to leave some publicity there.
What an amazing if not a wet day. In the morning we did the DGR ride and this was fantastic we stayed dry and it was a lot of fun. We met loads of friends at the Churchill Arms (massive thank you to Tanya for looking after us), then we set off in the heavens opened. Three hours in torrential rain we were like drowned rats. We arrived in Plymouth safe and we even got to the front of a road traffic accident and gave our cards out to the armed response police team there and are now members on the group.
It was announced at the beginning of the DGR that over £20,000 had been raised by this one ride alone! Congratulations to Ian and the whole team of volunteers for managing this process. Great people
We had an early start and rode the DGR. We rode down Sandbanks but Harry and Sandra didn’t turn out. Afterwards we rode over to one of the nominated distribution locations, The Churchill Arms, where we met up with our partners DocBike.
We headed out to Plymouth via the fastest possible route rather than the planned ride. The rain was the heaviest I have ever ridden through. If we could have bailed we would but it wasn’t an option.
Today is going to be a little bit hectic its forecast wet weather we have a long ride down to Plymouth and we also have the DGO in between . What a fantastic day yesterday was with loads of really interesting to people and members from mental health motorbike at the T café and Sammy Millers museum, we even met the man himself Mr Sammy Miller and living legend! Great to see so many people. We will try and keep you up-to-date with what happens today but thanks for all your support
As I wheeled the bike out the rain started after what had promised to be a dry but overcast departure.
I made good time and met up with Nick Smallwood at Keele but not before what could have been a complete wipeout. Heading towards Holmes Chapel a thoughtful farmer had turned the road completely brown with mud. Despite me pointing the bike straight it threw a complete wobbler with the rear end fishtailing and front doing a full on tank slapper. I was just a complete passenger and I only thing it pulled through due to the 70/30 tyres. I think if I had road tyres I’d be down.
We met up with Paul Oxborough on time at Cherwell and arrived early at the H Cafe. We met up with some Mental Health Motorbike ambassadors and then got off to Sammy Millers Motorcycle museum where we got to meet the man himself.
The whole team is on the move as we converge on Cherwell Services near Bicester where we will meet for the first time. Managed to dodge the rain down the M1 and even saw some sunshine and felt the heat for 15 minutes. Lovely run and the roads were relatively quiet.
And so we depart.
I awoke to an email advising me that the Bournemouth to Poole ride had been modified due to the weather.
The start point has changed due to the prom being closed. (Apparently, there is 20,000 tonnes of sand to be removed)
This isn’t a problem to us. If we can find the updated starting location we will just be following the procession to Poole and then onto The Churchill Arms, Alderholt for 11:00am. We will be there for a couple of ours if you want to drop by.
Weather wise it looks like we will be starting this trip with the wet weather gear on. We’ve been there before and it certainly won’t dampen the spirits.
See you on the road!