Riding for charity!

After an awesome 2017, another great year is progressing. This is a year for great bike ride challenges and for raising money for good causes with what I like most: riding my bike!

In 2018 we had a blast during the 50/50 Challenge (50 challenges for 50 years Triumph Trident). We raised a total sum of 16000 Pounds, all for the Donna Louise Trust. I ended second in the class "Europe and the ROW". Proud as one can be with that achievement. For the RBLR1000, I was gifted with many sponsors who supported the RBL through me. In total, with 150 lunatics, we raised 33000 Pounds for the British Legion. Also we (with Brabant Motors) raised a lot of money during the Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride. I rode a lot this year and I loved almost every kilometre of it.

In 2019, it is a whee bit quiter when it comes to riding for Charities. I september I will ride for the Veritable Poppy project and again for the DGR. Just follow me.

 

 


We did it!

We did it! On 16th September 2019, Philip and I, we rode an SS1000 for the Veritable Poppy Project. The aim of the project is and was to install a ceramic poppy at every war grave in the Municipality of Gennep. This project is run by Bianca, my better half! We did it, by the end of October they were all sponsored, thank you all who supported this great cause! 

Lees meer »

comparing the numbers

As you might know, I have a special interest in the 2nd World War. This by trying to understand what happened near my hometown Gennep. I like to know who are buried here, help the families left behind and spread the information. But also I like to understand the bigger picture on why it happened and what the impact of the war was and is.

Lees meer »

Getting ready for the ride

Going to ride the Gentlemens Ride requires some preparation, at least for me… 😊. First, since I ride my Street Triple a fair bit, I needed a new front tyre. For some reason, the rear tyre seems to last longer. And yes I am a careful rider. Where else to change this than at Brabant Motors. https://brabantmotors.nl/

Lees meer »

Riding the RBLR1000

Sunday morning at Squires Cafe, Yorkshire, I am having an old fashioned instant coffee at the café and thinking about the weekend I had.

Lees meer »

Delivering the money

After some great events, the Remembrance Run and the Opening of the new workshop of Brabant Motors, you gave me quite some  money to be donated to the Donna Louise Childrens Hospice. Yesterday, 11-June, was the day I passes on that money to the initiator of the 50/50 challenge, John Young.

Lees meer »

Riding in Britain

Whilst riding in Britain and doing a lot a the challenges here I realised the words of John Young. The challenge is more than just raising money. I went to places I usually would never visit. Who would go to the Industrial Estate of Small Heath to experience the downfall of British industry? Or visit the lovely Braunston Marina? In former visits I never really rode around the Birmingham area. On the Michelin maps there were no green roads, it had no hill, let alone mountains. But it was really great to ride around the canals, the marinas, and riding the twisty roads. Realising that these roads could have been used to test ride all those famous bikes.

Lees meer »

Getting physically ready for the rides.

The one challenge of the 50 I longed for to fulfill was the challenge for the SS1000, the 1000 miles in 24 hours. Also, there were others that would make into nice tours, day or weekend trips. The point was looking over my shoulder was getting harder, and my arms were getting heavy after 8 hours of riding.  Is it safe to ride those long distances and hours? I thought I was getting too old for those rides.

Lees meer »

Het oranje varkentje on tour

Na een succesvolle Remembrance Run op 5 mei waarbij ook het oranje varkentje weer rijkelijk bedeeld is, gaat hij binnenkort weer op tour. Op 19 mei viert Brabant Motors de uitbreiding van hun mooie winkel. En het oranje varkentje is er dan ook weer.

Lees meer »

A challenge within a challenge

One of the challenges of the 50/50 challenge is to ride a SS1000. A Saddle Sore 1000 is a challenge to ride 1000 miles (= 1600 km) within 24 hours. That is some challenge. I am used to ride long distances but 1600 km in one go is quite something. There is one great SS1000 to go for and that is the RBLR1000 in June in the UK. This is a charity run to raise money for the Royal British Legion, a charity that takes care of ex-servicemen in the UK. So that will be a charity run within a charity challenge.

Lees meer »

The infamous 5E

One of the challenges is to ride 50 50 miles dayrides. In practice for me this is just to think about taking photos at the start of the ride and at the end. Thinking about it, I am used to just riding a big ride around the block, but it has become more. Usually I have a goal when I do so. Simple goals like taking photos of war cemeteries, go to work, visit a bike rally. But now it is also for the infamous Challenge 5E. (and getting an expert in taking photos of cockpits.....)

Lees meer »