Firstly thanks to Clive for putting my ad up on the Ferrets site initially and for bringing the event to the attention of the members. A massive thank you to all those that have given so generously with their sponsorship. With the financial climate as it is at the moment it is fantastic to know that people are still prepared to give towards causes that they believe in.

I set off from Squires Cafe bar at 08.30am on Saturday 20th June. The first riders were across the start line at 8am and we looked like lemming as we were all marshalled through in four lanes and went through rigorous speedometer and paperwork checks.

My route saw me heading initially in the direction of Manchester and the

M62 motorway. Within 10 miles of the start the heavens opened and I suddenly wondered if my choice of route going North in a clockwise direction had been a wise one!

There were four mandatory checkpoints along the 1,000 mile route and receipts had to be time and date stamped for validation purposes upon my return. My first stop amid the downpour on the M62 was Birch Services where I was greeted with around forty other motorcyclists all trying to fill up and get on their way as quickly as possible. Judging by the cashiers expression I have no doubt that she wished she had pulled a "sickie" that morning - it was chaos!

Our first casualty of the day was here. A Triumph Sprint hit the deck having slipped on spilt diesel and it resulted in one broken gear changer (Thankfully with so many people there and somebody "knowing someone who can" - the bike got back on the road and still completed in

time)

Moving on North the rain stayed with me in slight showers up until Penrith when finally as I saw the sign depicting the birthplace of Thomas Carlyle as I entered Scotland.

Glorious sunshine followed me through into Glasgow, around the Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, through the eerie but beautiful Glen Coe and into Fort William.

Following another mandatory fuel stop and taking on more water and some fruit I pressed on further North calling in at the Royal Marine Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, then onto Inverness. I think if the weather had not been as sunny I may have been getting a bit low on moral by now as I saw the sign for my Northernmost checkpoint was still 98 miles away at Wick.

The A9 to Wick from Inverness was beautiful and twisting, a motorcyclists dream (and not a Police Officer in sight!!) and it was a shame to have to pass by some breathtaking views and stunning buildings.

(My shutter release finger was screaming to get at the Nikon by this stage!) Oncoming traffic seemed to consist of some of the other riders who had opted to take the Scotland anti-clockwise route and had made better time on the uncluttered tourist roads into the Highlands.

Wick was windy and cold so I put on my winter gloves (something that I was not going to bring) and my headover and an extra layer. It was 9.30pm and I set off on the homeward leg having covered just under 500 miles to this point. From Wick it was back down to Inverness and then picking up the A9 to Aviemore - it was remarkable how it did not actually get dark until 11.30pm which certainly helped with making some speedy and efficient progress.

I rode the A9 through Aviemore and Perth in darkness and stopped on the Edinburgh ring road for another mandatory fuel stop. The queues at each petrol station were getting less and less with regard to other Legion riders as we had now all become pretty well split up with each bike travelling at different speeds.

From Edinburgh I picked up the A1 signposted for "England" and Berwick Upon Tweed which would be my last checkpoint. By now I was beginning to feel the pain in the top of my shoulders and in my wrists and I even recall singing "You take the high road and I'll take the low road" just to take my mind off things. ( I also wondered at this point if I would be in more pain if I were on the Bird)

Berwick was soon upon me and I had less than 200 miles to go - it was starting to become light but I was just about all in. I parked my trusty machine up and using my stuffed waterproof suit as a pillow, I treated myself to a twenty minute power nap - if there is a heaven I think I found it there and then on a Shell forecourt - a concrete mattress has never felt so good.

With the way home now clear but chilly I picked up the A1 again and passed by Holy Island to my left and then the Angel of the North - this particular stretch of road was particularly quiet and it was one of those scary moments when I realised that I didn't really recall much of it as I was pulling into Scotch Corner Services for a final top up.

I left for the final push at 06.40am and I watched the counter tick off each of the 48 miles until my final destination was in sight. I had perked up considerably as I took the last turn off the A1 and headed back to my start point.

As I came around the bend, the marshals were there to greet me and point me to an area where once again the paperwork had to be checked. I arrived back having completed 1034 miles in the saddle since the previous morning - I had done it and the feeling of personal satisfaction was immense.

Following the paperwork check, my details will be sent off to the Iron Butt Association where hopefully I will be certificated into the "Iron Butt Association - the worlds toughest riders", however if the truth be told I really don't think I would do another one - I did find it very tiring

With your help and generosity I have raised just over £400 towards the Poppy Appeal. It has been suggested that if all pledges are honoured, we as the Riders Branch of the Royal British Legion will have raised in excess of £10,000 for this event which is a terrific achievement.

Thank you once again for your support and your pledges - I feel honoured to have completed the ride for the benefit of the Legion.

Service Not Self

Regards and thanks

Paul

(Lensman)