The 2009 Yorkshire MAG Fred Hill Memorial Run was held on Sunday 22nd February, rearranged from it's original date of 8th February, due to the snow and ice we suffered earlier in the month. And what a difference a fortnight made, warm (for February), dry roads, no rain and even a touch of sun. We had a most impressive turnout at Stork Lodge, including a few new members. Great to welcome along Bob, Lynn, Paul (on a girls bike !!!) and Neil too, from our buddy branch, Barnsley MAG.
Time to admire Mick's new bike, on it's inaugrual Wakefield MAG ridout, before we set off for the nice leisurely ride over to Squires. Twenty five of us on twenty one bikes set of at 10:00, taking the scenic route through Stanley, Methley, Castleford, past the ducks and swans at Fairburn Ings, then onto the old A1 route at Fairburn, through Ledsham village, then the back roads route to Squires, arriving at 10:45. We trailled a new rideout system too, a variation of which we will use for all our future rideouts. Our rideout marshals looked very smart indeed in their new Wakefield MAG branded marshals bibs.
At Squires we met up with a further 4 Wakefield members, so a most impressive turnout indeed from the branch. An excellent turnout at Squires too, with Leeds, Huddersfield, East Yorkshire & Scarborough MAG branches represented, as well as numerous other MCC's and individuals.
Time for teas & coffees before some 160 bikes set off on the run (on time !!!) at 11:30 . We followed the same route as previous years through Sherburn-in-Elmet, Tadcaster, Boston Spa, Harewood, then the picturesque country roads to the Sun Inn at Norwood, Nr Otley, our destination. It was a most pleasant run and a quite amazing sight seeing so many bikes. An amazing experience too riding amongst so many bikes. We got waves in all the small villages, kids thought it was great, car drivers just looked on in shock, wondering where all these bikes had come from.
The car park at the Sun Inn was a bit dodgy in places it has to be said, muddy hardcore being a pretty accurate description.
More coffees & teas at the Sun Inn, a catch up with old friends and of course, the obligatory group photos.
A huge thanks to all the Wakefield MAG members who attended and they are all duly rewarded with 75 branch points (as opposed to 10 for a normal ride-out) as this counts as a MAG demo run.
It was a fantastic rideout, amazing turnout, everyone immensely enjoyed themselves, and a very fitting memorial to Fred Hill, Yorkshireman, and a true MAG hero.
