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  • Home
  • Matt the Motorcyclist
  • How did this start...?
  • The 2022 Challenges.
  • The Team and their Steeds
  • Challenge 1-JoG to LE
  • Challenge 2-Nurburgring.
  • Donations
  • Ratana Ride Merchandise
  • The Blog
  • Contact Us
  • With Thanks...

London to John O'Groats, to Lands ENd, to Egrfc.

rEADY FOR THE OFF...

Gretna Green - What a turn out !

Leeming Bar - 2nd Stop

Pictured at the very start, all smiling and happy, and accompanied by our superb colleagues from Herts and Beds Police.


At this stage all was good, the sun was out, and untold excitement awaited...

Leeming Bar - 2nd Stop

Gretna Green - What a turn out !

Leeming Bar - 2nd Stop

Still all smiles with only a few pain killers taken. Stuart, being the youngest and fittest, simply showing that he was able to climb onto the truck brought along by Martin's son, just in case one of the bikes needed a lift..

Thanks Sam, but it wasn't needed - yet... 

Gretna Green - What a turn out !

Gretna Green - What a turn out !

Gretna Green - What a turn out !

When we arrived in Gretna Green we were met by colleagues from Police Scotland and The Blue Knights. An awe inspiring reception and escort which made some of the aches and pains disappear. We were now in Scotland and all remained good... 


6 hours 30 minutes / 280 miles

The Tornado strikes

Somewhere in scotland

Somewhere in scotland

After our escort from Police Scotland The Tornado struck, not for the first time as it transpired.

Matt discovered that to feed The Tornado's oil addiction, adjustments were needed to the fairing and the socket set started to become his best friend



Somewhere in scotland

Somewhere in scotland

Somewhere in scotland

By the time this picture was taken we were all cold, tired, and probably a tad grumpy. We'd been on the road for around 13 hours having covered something like 590 miles. Ratana's Rocket is seen filing up (again) having found the last 24 hour petrol station before John O'Groats.

Beer time..

Somewhere in scotland

Beer time..

Having all made it to John O'Groats, book in, and thawed out a tad (although by Mark's headgear not enough), Martin and Mark raise a glass to Matt Ratana, knowing full well that had he been with them, his personality would have taken over the pub and we'd have all been doing The Hakka...


14 hours 30 minutes / 640 miles

Day 2 begins..

The Tornado Strikes - Again

The Tornado Strikes - Again

All still alive after the gentle ride to JoG, all with a full hearty breakfast on board, and all bikes running. All was good until Mark pointed out we had an extra 200 or so miles to do today - Thanks Mark...

The Tornado Strikes - Again

The Tornado Strikes - Again

The Tornado Strikes - Again

To add to her oil addiction, Matt's Tornado decided she was overdressed and thought she would prefer to be unidentifiable. Therefore Gaffa tape joined the socket set on Matt's BFF list and her number plate was secured.

Nearly there Paul - Not

The Tornado Strikes - Again

Nearly there Paul - Not

Demonstrating his grasp of geography, Paul was initially excited that we were now in middle England. When he was informed "Err, sorry mate, we've only just crossed the border" well you can see how jolly pleased he was....

Wait for a Tornado

ANother Grim time..

Wait for a Tornado

Using the magic that is a mobile phone, Stuart had, rather surprisingly, received a call from Pete telling him that he and Matt were still at the previous service station stop as The Tornado was missing some bolts from her brake callipers. Lloyd is simply wondering why he was doing this. 


21 hours riding / 920 miles

Cold Beaters

ANother Grim time..

Wait for a Tornado

Suffering from the cold on the unfaired Ratana's Rocket, Stu adds some insolation...

ANother Grim time..

ANother Grim time..

ANother Grim time..

By now we'd lost Stu and Ratana's Rocket, since leaving London we'd been riding for xx hours and had covered xx miles. The mood was one of "Lets just get there" and we still had 120 miles to go.. Happiness was something we lacked....


29 hours 30 minutes / 1360 miles

and sleep.....

Day 3 - The final stretch

Day 3 - The final stretch

The 7 remaining bikes had made it to Lands End where the fantastic Niko's had waited all night for us. Lloyd demonstrates what we all did - bed and sleep.... I don't think I've ever been in a more comfortable and needed bed...


32 hours riding / 1480 miles

Day 3 - The final stretch

Day 3 - The final stretch

Day 3 - The final stretch

Leaving Lands End are the remaining 7 bikes, pictured together for the final time as shortly after this photo was taken White Lightning thought she would challenge Lloyd by dumping all her brake fluid on the floor..

Falling like flies

Day 3 - The final stretch

Falling like flies

With a mere 30 miles to go before we reached our target, Red's Rocket wanted to check how good The AA were by letting go of her clutch, therefore she was transported home attached to the rear of the big yellow van to await Paul's mechanical expertise.

Made it...

Eight bikes left, six made it to East Grinstead, with Matt's statue standing in for Mark who had to leave early. The reception at EGRFC was brilliant putting the smiles back on our faces..


39 hours riding / 1480 miles


Bring on The Nurburgring...

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