Bikers rally around for Essex Air Ambulance

11:45am Monday 17th September 2012 in News By Helen Barnett

Crossing the line - the biker end their 62-mile run in Harwich Crossing the line - the biker end their 62-mile run in Harwich

THOUSANDS of motorcycles roared across the county to raise money for Essex Air Ambulance.

The 13th Motorcycle Run from Ford Dunton Technical Centre to Harwich Green attracted more than 4,000 bikes and 3,000 spectators as they descended on Harwich for an afternoon of entertainment on Sunday.

Before riders started their 62-mile journey audiences got a taste for adrenalin watching Mark Chennell, also known as Sparky Stuns, perform an explosive motorcycle display.

Essex Air Ambulance crew performed a call out scenario in real time to show spectators how the helicopter and paramedics deal with an incident.

The charity’s chief executive Jane Gurney was the first to cross the finish line in Harwich and made her entrance on the back of a Goldwing bike.

The event, in its tenth year at Harwich Green, welcomed Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Hope Murphy to perform on stage. Bands ‘Squabbler’ and ‘Soulved’ and Team Kinetix also played live.

Youngsters took part in giant football and skittles, plus arts and crafts, while bike enthusiasts could take a look around merchandise stalls and motorcycle displays.

Wendy Marcon, events manager for Essex and Hertfordshire Air Ambulance Trust, said: “It went really well. Harwich Green was absolutely mobbed. I think there was more people at the finish line than last year.

“The real life scenario we set up brought the message home about what the air ambulance is all about.

“We are a much loved charity and do a lot of fun things but it all comes down to raising money so people can save lives - that it what we work so hard for.

“I want to thank everyone for coming to the event. It was great to see so many local people come to support us. That is what makes a difference.”

Comments(12)

Sdapeze says...
12:08pm Mon 17 Sep 12

A great event - again! Well done Harwich for allowing it to happen and giving us all such a wondeful welcome. They'd still be discussing it if it was suggested for Colchester, with the inevitable result of no!

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calamity says...
12:16pm Mon 17 Sep 12

It was brilliant as always but despite the many conveniences the wait for the loo was far too long. Sorry did not like the band @Squabbler@ singer not very good. Please lower the volume. But all in all a good time was had by all.

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calamity says...
2:57pm Mon 17 Sep 12

Brilliant day shame about the long queues for the loos and too too loud music. Still a great day though.

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Reginald47 says...
10:47pm Mon 17 Sep 12

I know before I start this that some people won't like it, but I have to say it. I had the misfortune to be a motorist on the A12 on Sunday driving from Chelmsford to Colchester. It was the most frightening 35 minutes of my life and I have had a clean licence for many years. It was like being a fly in a swarm of wasps. Literally hundreds of motorcycles overtaking, undertaking, cutting me up, riding too fast, then riding too slowly in the outside lane, all with complete disregard for anyone else on the road. Hands off the handlebars at every bridge to wave at people. It was highly dangerous, no policing in sight and then I find in the Gazette today that it was all in aid of Essex Air Ambulance!! Astoundingly dangerous, frightening and intimidating.

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Boris says...
11:55pm Mon 17 Sep 12

Reginald47 wrote:
I know before I start this that some people won't like it, but I have to say it. I had the misfortune to be a motorist on the A12 on Sunday driving from Chelmsford to Colchester. It was the most frightening 35 minutes of my life and I have had a clean licence for many years. It was like being a fly in a swarm of wasps. Literally hundreds of motorcycles overtaking, undertaking, cutting me up, riding too fast, then riding too slowly in the outside lane, all with complete disregard for anyone else on the road. Hands off the handlebars at every bridge to wave at people. It was highly dangerous, no policing in sight and then I find in the Gazette today that it was all in aid of Essex Air Ambulance!! Astoundingly dangerous, frightening and intimidating.
I was also among swarms of them for a few miles on the A12 on Sunday but did not see any of the bad behaviour that you mention. This rally takes place every year on the middle Sunday in September so, if bikers bother you, avoid the A12 on that day in future years.
Well done Sdapeze and everyone else for taking part in this worthwhile cause.

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BooBoo1 says...
7:58am Tue 18 Sep 12

I was also on the A12 on sunday part of the bike run, I was riding pillion. My fiance is a very experienced rider and he was appalled at some of the riding displayed by some of the partiicipants, we saw undertaking speeding up slowing down and irratic riding generally and I did see one rider take both hands of the handle bars! We enjoy taking part in this event and would hope that it continues for such a worthwhile cause, I would like to say that it is the minority not the majority that behave idiotically.
Another comment we didi not enjoy the band at all out of tune weak and bad mixing, you should have my fiance there next year, he is briliant at singing and can play the guitar. thanks

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Concerned of Clacton says...
10:23am Tue 18 Sep 12

I as driving back from Chelmsford when this ride was happening & I was amazed to see this ride was for the Air amulance. As usual with all organised events like this it is spoilt & remembered for the very small percentage of idiots, & therefore suprised the Air Ambulance was not put into use. I saw riders undertaking other riders, then riding like a slalom through others. Riders were in the outside lane suddenly slowing & then accelerating away, taking hands off the bars.....the worst bit of riding I saw was a male on a street fighter just on the A120 at Colchester in a group of three in black & white camo trousers who for about 1-2 miles continually turned round to the rear not looking where he was going for about 300 yrds & slowing from 70 to about 30 as he did so. What an idiot, may be he can come on here & explain this?!? As for the idiot above who states that maybe next year if you don't want to be caught up in this, to stay off the A12 next yr. What a complet idiot....its a public road, & the rles still apply, or may be you are one of the idiots who think you have the rights to take over for the day & the rules don't apply to you? Again pleae explain your thoughts here.
A very good event, I hope it continues, but may be the idiots can stay at home next yr. May be also give 1 in 50 ridrs the responsibilty of riding as a marshall with a tabbard on to let them stand out & may be they can stop this aggresive riding some how.

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Sdapeze says...
5:21pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Poor old Concerned of Clacton. I wonder what you do for fun. Personally, when I ride my motorcycle, I am 18 again. I guess I am one of the idiots that you are talking about. I guess you are one of the one to a car idiots that cause traffic jams on our roads. Each to their own. I hope you enjoy driving your little box on wheels around and being concerned about trivia in general.

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loxley manor says...
9:49pm Tue 18 Sep 12

It is no surprise that in any event you will have the odd idiot or two - or in this case a few too many. Having been a motorcylist for over 30 years, i have witnessed almost all types of behaviour. It is a shame that there are people who make fools of themselves. The respect from others is greatly reduced because of this. I am just so pleased that the air ambulance wasn't needed - it did come close..
But overall a great day and well done to the organisers. I also felt 18 again - although i am refering to the band and their amature efforts - Need a vocalist really.... Boo Boo 1's comments deserve credit !!

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noggynoo says...
11:29am Wed 19 Sep 12

I was on the A12 sunday riding pillion with my hubby. I have to say the worst single piece of driving the whole route was an idiot in a white Audi who nearly took a biker out right in front of us.
Regarding bad riding & bikers taking their hand off the handlebars to wave.
Do you car drivers never take your hands off the wheel to do something? Never taken your hand off the wheel to open your window? Or fiddle with the radio? Or answer your mobile phone. Jeez, you take your hand off the wheel every time you change gear. Does it make you a dangerous driver every time you change gear? No, of course it doesn't. It is possible to ride a motorbike one handed (& retain control) to wave at people who have given up their sunday morning to watch 5000 bikes take part in a charity event.
As for feeling intimidated, now you know how us bikers feel for the other 364 days of the year surrounded by little metal boxes being driven by idiots who can't drive properly.
Finally, God forbid, if any of you car drivers ever needed the services of the EAA , just remember it was there for you partly because those intimidating bikers got out of bed very early one sunday morning to do their bit for charity. Can you say the same? Rest assured, the event will take place next year, same time, same place, so if you're feeling intimidated avoid the A12 like hubby & I do for the other 364 days of the year.

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Reginald47 says...
1:17pm Wed 19 Sep 12

OK, I give in. It's obviously OK to break the law with impunity if you're on a motorbike, feeling 18 all over again, and doing it for charity. But if you undertake (illegally naturally) and cut me up at speed (illegally naturally) you might get clipped and it won't be my fault. But like the Audi driver, you'll blame me won't you. And you'll have more to worry about that the queue for the toilets or the poor musical entertainment,

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Sean 27 says...
6:46pm Fri 21 Sep 12

noggynoo wrote:
I was on the A12 sunday riding pillion with my hubby. I have to say the worst single piece of driving the whole route was an idiot in a white Audi who nearly took a biker out right in front of us.
Regarding bad riding & bikers taking their hand off the handlebars to wave.
Do you car drivers never take your hands off the wheel to do something? Never taken your hand off the wheel to open your window? Or fiddle with the radio? Or answer your mobile phone. Jeez, you take your hand off the wheel every time you change gear. Does it make you a dangerous driver every time you change gear? No, of course it doesn't. It is possible to ride a motorbike one handed (& retain control) to wave at people who have given up their sunday morning to watch 5000 bikes take part in a charity event.
As for feeling intimidated, now you know how us bikers feel for the other 364 days of the year surrounded by little metal boxes being driven by idiots who can't drive properly.
Finally, God forbid, if any of you car drivers ever needed the services of the EAA , just remember it was there for you partly because those intimidating bikers got out of bed very early one sunday morning to do their bit for charity. Can you say the same? Rest assured, the event will take place next year, same time, same place, so if you're feeling intimidated avoid the A12 like hubby & I do for the other 364 days of the year.
Sunday 16th September 2012 and with the fair weather arriving for a Sunday of bikes it made sense toget up early and join the precession from dunton to harwich. Dunton was ok but was missing Craig jones and being my third year I felt almost disappointed but made the best of it eating and drinking whilst talking to like minded people. Dunton starts to kick the motorcycles out at 11am and we proceed along the 60mile route to harwich. A127 incident free and in good spirits A130 incident free and loving it. Then the A12 gotta be honest at this point all vehicles near to me behaved themselves it was the motorcyclists that was the problem. Approaching marks tey turn off a white Audi tt gets cut up by a black motorcycle causing it to brake sharply. Clearly not interested in anyone else's safety he deliberately holds the car up then him and the bike carrying the pillion proceed to give him the finger. The car allowed the few motorcycles that nearly rear ended him to pass even apologising which I might add is more than the bikes done considering they was in the wrong. The bike run is a charity event to be enjoyed by all that includes idiots unable to adhere to road regulations like the black motorcycle and the suzuki carrying the pillion. yes they do undertake, overtake and I can see it would put some motorists on edge and being honest no its not on it's a bike run not a race it's the same every year a few bikes let the majority down. I think the price for the run needs to increase and perhaps policing the event would be a good idea as its only going to take one of the idiots to crash and if it's fatal the event will more than likely be canceled. So thanks to all for a great day but grow up in time for next year. Arrival in harwich was similar to what a few must experience as winning a race or experiencing a heros welcome however harwich entertainment fell flat once again. I think it's time to hold the destination elsewhere as the same trade stands , radio station, is getting a little monotonous. Cheers Sean.

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