Harley riders from all over the UK and some European countries converge on the village of Baildon for their annual August Bank Holiday meeting. The bikers tend to be older, more mature guys (and girls), they still party a bit, and enjoy the odd pint of beer, but tend to be on the whole, just nice people. At mid day the bikers congregate in the main street which is closed to normal traffic and then leave an hour later in a mass convoy to deliver toys to a local Childrens hospital. The event raises money for charity and draws a big crowd to the village to watch the riders leave.
I like photographing the badges on motorcycle jackets, I thought this one was a bit unusual!
I remember the days when the thought of a Harley Davidson rally was a terrifying thing.
ReplyDeleteThe bike test is so extreme these days (far harder than getting licence to drive a car) that youngsters have all but dropped out leaving most riders middle-aged and beyond. Born in the days before Facebook & iPods, we still retain some of the engineering and shed tinkering skills needed to keep old bikes on the road and if we can do a bit of good while enjoying ourselves why not. Many thanks to all the people of Baildon (& Otley during the ride out) for your warm welcome, smiles and good cheer.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are great would you consider posting them on http://www.facebook.com/GoBradford.
ReplyDeleteThis event shows that the popular belief that bikers, especially those who tend to be older, are roughneck people and that they just cause mayhem wherever they go in their bikes. Many of them are actually caring people! And I think this is actually a great way to change that misconception!
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