Afghan Heroes Ride, Sunday 14 March

[czwotzit]

its 8:30 and i've just got home from the rideout to wootton Bassett. What a great day well worth the 400 mile round trip. Everyone had their own reasons for going, I found it quite emotional especially riding through the town with the people lining the streets. Look up the bbc website for a video of a fraction of the ride.

Congratulations must got to the people who gave up their time and also to all the bikers who turned up.

Andre

 

[haga lout]

just got home brill day got to the airfield at 10 this morrning did the ride at 3,15 thanks to the people that organized it all. saw a bloke on a gsa12 drop his bike on way in at 10,15 ish when his pllian stud up on the pegs to see how big the crowd was. was it you ?

 

[duds]

I am a Wootton Basset local and have to say that I have not heard any moans about the ride, either prior, during or since the event. As you will have seen today there was a huge amount of support not just in the town but throughout Wiltshire along the route. I think the comment picked up from the Swindon Advertiser may have been blown out of proportion.

Fantastic job done by the organisers and police in keeping the whole thing going, It must have been a nightmare.

 

[czwotzit]

wasn't me - I was solo. Saw a lot of gs and gsa around it was mighty impressive with both runways full of bikes.

A fair number of bikes were overheating on the way into WB and the locals were helping out where they could.

 

[BAKERMAN]

I was interviewed by BBC Wiltshire Sound

 

[Mutley]

Quick question though, why were you so against the ride, are you a Wootton Bassett local?

I'm merely pointing out that, whilst you all may have had a fantastic day out, support for your presence was far from universal. There were some well publicised objectors to the ride out when it was first proposed. The people interviewed that I saw on the news were, amongst others, the committee of the local RBL.

You'll recognise those chaps cheffy, they're the ones that have the flags and stand ion the street every time a body comes back. If they didn't want me there then I'm more than happy to respect that.

If they have changed their minds and I haven't seen it then I'm all in support of what happened today. If they haven't then I think you've jumped on a band wagon where you weren't welcome.

Happy to be corrected though. Did you stop by the RBL for a pint?

 

[Rederic]

A big thumbs up to the all the people who put so much effort into making today,s event happen
Cracking day even the sun come out and a big thank you to the people of W/B and dont forget the real heroes who are putting there lives on the line every minute they are on active service wherever it is

 

[cheffy]

I'm merely pointing out that, whilst you all may have had a fantastic day out, support for your presence was far from universal. There were some well publicised objectors to the ride out when it was first proposed. The people interviewed that I saw on the news were, amongst others, the committee of the local RBL.

You'll recognise those chaps cheffy, they're the ones that have the flags and stand ion the street every time a body comes back. If they didn't want me there then I'm more than happy to respect that.

If they have changed their minds and I haven't seen it then I'm all in support of what happened today. If they haven't then I think you've jumped on a band wagon where you weren't welcome.

Happy to be corrected though. Did you stop by the RBL for a pint?

As a fuly paid up member of the RBL and having served 24 yrs in the mob I am often in the leg iron having a pint, I didn't today though as I paid heed to the organisers wish and proceeded on to my sisters house for a cuppa and see my Mum! Trust me when I say that watching some of my nephews best mates (4 of them) come through Wootton Bassett in Hearses is not my idea of fun, if for one moment I thought that this was an inappropriate ride I would have stayed away myself! Read the other guys posts and maybe one or two of the other 10,000+ riders views on it..... i don't think that any of us were jumping on the BANDWAGON! I will be doing the RTTW as well this year and if by the Swindon Advertisers review of today is correct the Mayor of Wootton would like us back again next year! Can't all be bad can it?

Not my GSA on its side either hope it wasn't damaged!

 

[bladerunner]

Excellent day. Really nice atmosphere - no argy bargy and no moaning about delays - bikers are a good bunch. The police were excellent and the union flags and old biddies out in the sun clapping sent a lump to the throat.

Glad I went and thanks to WB for the welcome - no bullshit, this was a good do!

 

[cheffy]

Here you go Mutley this might help you to understand what the day was about regardless of personal views from either side of the argument.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJaRlXphNJg

 

[Dave56]

Watched the BBC`s coverage of the ride on the News channel and I have to say that I actually felt real pride at seeing bikers portrade in such a postive light. Well done to all who both organised and took-part.
And to our brave lads and lasses in Iraq and Afganistan, you are never far from our thoughts..............

 

[Lord Snooty]

I'm merely pointing out that, whilst you all may have had a fantastic day out, support for your presence was far from universal. There were some well publicised objectors to the ride out when it was first proposed. The people interviewed that I saw on the news were, amongst others, the committee of the local RBL.

You'll recognise those chaps cheffy, they're the ones that have the flags and stand ion the street every time a body comes back. If they didn't want me there then I'm more than happy to respect that.

If they have changed their minds and I haven't seen it then I'm all in support of what happened today. If they haven't then I think you've jumped on a band wagon where you weren't welcome.

Happy to be corrected though. Did you stop by the RBL for a pint?

Howie, I'm sorry mate but you are coming across as a very uptight self righteous knob. There may have been one or two WB people who had misgivings about the event but the vast majority came out and supported it - I know, I was there and I found it to be one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done.

And as for taking on a 24 year veteran of the Armed Forces in debate - well mate his measured responses have already beaten you in that argument.

We were welcome in WB, of that there is no question and if it is repeated I will be there again whilst you pontifiate from your armchair.

 

[Invicta Moto]

The run went off fine. Okay there were some problems at the airfield with getting everyone away but we showed that even when having to wait a few hours there was no trouble at all. Okay a few riders felt it necessary to short cut the wait and ride across the grass on the right of the runway - the slow side of the runway that is.

All the way there were people out waving and giving us the thumbs up. Without a copy of the census I have no idea if they were representative of the local population!

All I need now is a wristband as they had run out when we arrived at 11am!

I'll do the Whitstable Easter Egg Run in a fortnight. The streets will be lined with people waving and applauding as we show that bikers aren't all that bad or miserable c*nts that like to moan all the time. Plus another charity benefits.

 

[pbboxer]

just back from a 520 mile day and what a memorable, uplifting day it was too.

Amazing support all the way along the route and a really warm welcome in WB.

Whatever the knockers say, I bet this event will be remebered as a positive, well run day. Many thanks to the helpers and also the Police.

There were people there riding, who'd lost children out there. there were people there riding who have relatives still serving. There were those of us remembering fallen colleagues and also thanking the people of Wootton Bassett, for their kindness and respect through recent times.

I was going to address Mutley's posts and was very close to letting him know just how I feel, but then I figured, fuck him.

 

[Lord Snooty]

Spotted at the ride today

I think he came from Bath

 

[gary-postman]

I got back from the run earlier today and can honestly say that I feel good having taken part in the run. I didn't know about it until a few days ago and after reading the website thought it might be difficult to be involved in the ride.
I'm glad I went.
Thank you WB for your warm welcome.
If there is another run next year I'll be there.
Gary

 

[L'Escargot]

Went with the Wife and some friends,I'm 59 years young and must admit that although the wait to get off the Airfield was quite lengthy I would'nt have missed it for the world ! At one junction enroute to WB,an elderly Gentleman standing alone on a grass bank raised his cap to us as we rode by,this and the Old Ladies sitting in wheelchairs waving the Union Flag made me proud to be British,for the first time in a bloody long time !!
I'll also admit to having a tear in my eye,seeing all those people with placards saying 'Thank You' and clapping us when it is they who deserve the thanks for all the times they have turned out to show their respects for our Boys coming home.
Thank you Wooton Bassett.
I read this on the Afghan Heroes blog site,thought you might like to share it.

It started with a rumble as the riders got near
Why are they coming, why are they here
I think it’s to say thank-you to those we hold dear.
Then came that feeling, and then came the roar
The feeling of power, unity and more
They rode as one, an unstoppable force
In one mighty army who believes in its cause.
Remember those fallen and shout out their name
Don’t let our heroes, be forgotten or loss be in vein.
And then came the silence, but their voice had been heard.
Remember those fallen and those that remain
Bring them home Wootton so we may see them again.
JD Scott.

 

[Paul Rochdale]

There will always be knockers with this kind of event but hey, it was something I'm really glad I didn't miss. Wonderful wonderful atmosphere, the whole range of motorcyclists from scooters to Hells Angels and back to GSs. Very well organised. The Police were low key and efficient. Tears of emotion riding through WB, and the locals loved us. My boy (two tours of Afghanistan texted us to thank us for our support). Nuff said.

To Mike and Dave (GSs) thanks for the ride there and sorry we became split up. Sensible and smooth riders, a good example of how to ride.

 

[Greger]

Went with the Wife and some friends,I'm 59 years young and must admit that although the wait to get off the Airfield was quite lengthy I would'nt have missed it for the world ! At one junction enroute to WB,an elderly Gentleman standing alone on a grass bank raised his cap to us as we rode by,this and the Old Ladies sitting in wheelchairs waving the Union Flag made me proud to be British,for the first time in a bloody long time !!
I'll also admit to having a tear in my eye,seeing all those people with placards saying 'Thank You' and clapping us when it is they who deserve the thanks for all the times they have turned out to show their respects for our Boys coming home.
Thank you Wooton Bassett.
I read this on the Afghan Heroes blog site,thought you might like to share it.

It started with a rumble as the riders got near
Why are they coming, why are they here
I think it’s to say thank-you to those we hold dear.
Then came that feeling, and then came the roar
The feeling of power, unity and more
They rode as one, an unstoppable force
In one mighty army who believes in its cause.
Remember those fallen and shout out their name
Don’t let our heroes, be forgotten or loss be in vein.
And then came the silence, but their voice had been heard.
Remember those fallen and those that remain
Bring them home Wootton so we may see them again.
JD Scott.

Very good words - they sum up my own thoughts and feelings and I wish I had been able to register, I would have liked to show my respect by riding in the rally today.

 

[sieve68]

25000

spoke to the organisers after everyone had left the airfield and they think there were around 25000 bikes that passed through the start line as an ex squaddie with tours of iraq ect under my belt it is wonderfull to see the support for the lads.
oh and just for the record i live on the route and the bikes started coming past at about 0700Hrs on there way to Hulavington and the last bikes passed about 1730Hrs and there were people out showing there support till the end including residents from the Nursing home In Malmesbury.
oh and the last group of bikes that went out was 2500 strong.
A great day and it shows that Britain isn't as broken as some people would have us believe.