Ride of the Ruperts
Now in its 8th Year the Ride of the Ruperts is a charity ride raising money for a
local charity who give wheelchairs to children to help them have an active life.
But since the first ride, which was started by a few friends who enjoyed the Distinguished
Gentleman’s ride, but wanted to raise money for a more local cause, the charity has
added in a Ride of the Rupettes ride, mainly for female riders but not exclusive
and they do charity walks too. Though dressing up for either events is optional many
make the effort
The ride is £20 to enter but many of the 205 registered riders, also then fundraise
and there is an award for the most raised, best dressed etc, with many sponsors giving
decent awards such as watches and sat nav’s.
This year there were some challenges as the regular start point was unavailable,
but thankfully the guys at Hailsham Ducati came through and opened up on a Sunday
for them and a BBQ breakfast was sorted. A new 53-mile route was then created, but
as many of the ride leaders are seasoned tour riders they know how to make it a safe
and inclusive for all. With a regroup planned at a local school and ending at the
well know biker pub, the six bells Chiddingly.
During the week we all kept an eye on the weather, but amazingly the Sunday arrived
gloriously sunny and the bikes from a 1912 AJS to modern Harleys poured in and from
the start the smiles showed it would be a great day. It’s a ride also which brings
many friends together for once of the last good weather rides. I loved the Honda
postie bikes and the red Enfield with a rubber tyre front mudguard.
Before the ride Stephen the organiser got us all together and let us know in the
last 8 years, we had raised a magnificent £200,000 and this was the best year at
a staggering £56,000.
There is already talk of same time same place next year
Well done to all the riders, details of future rides can be found on the website
https://rideoftheruperts.co.uk/
Two albums of photos before ride, the ride and a wobbly video
