No, but riding to get a better healthier life and make some friends along the way.
Have you ever watched any cycling event on Tv or in real life and watch how graceful, steady and well controlled the motorbike escorts were for these races…even to the point of offering a protection to the group of riders and wonder how they can do that?
Well, Sunday 1st September, a biker escort from Merlin and Leicester & Rutland Widow Sons went out with 110 cyclists as part of the Tour de Province in partnership with Burlington Lodge (exceptionally turned out in their fine Lycra!) and HUUB in conjunction with Umbrella and Rolls Royce.
There was a true mix of cyclists ably and fantastically helped along with the Mickleover Cycling Club.
This sportive happens every year and it was a first for a motorbikes to be used as escort to cover the 36 and 56 mile routes that started with Breakfast from The Grange Masonic Hall in Derby which lead us through some beautiful countryside and had a rest stop at Sudbury hall, met with a toastie, soup and a drink with a chance to have a natter with some of the riders who were all very welcoming and appreciative of us riding with them.
Then it was the return leg back to the Hall and to be rewarded with a lovely bit of cake and a pint!
But what we don’t notice is how well informed and actually aware these cyclists are. Always with the hand signals warning of potholes, speed humps and pedestrians. And the tightness of the groups. Also, the camaraderie and willingness to urge people to keep moving and assist where possible.
But even more appreciative is that these riders get unnecessary hassle off drivers and we were there to act as a protection to make them feel safe and secure and to enjoy their ride.
We as bikers are very well aware of the dangers of being unnoticed and sometimes vilified for no real reason except to acknowledge that some drivers and riders are ignorant of the Highway Code. We are always on the look out for hazards and that’s without an escort, so how did our cyclists feel when knowing they had a couple of bikes behind them keeping traffic at bay?
The feed back was all positive and praise. Everyone felt safe and secure knowing that they could ride and enjoy the moment without looking over their shoulders and be potentially physically and verbally abused.
And as a biker we appreciated that its easy doing thirty or forty miles an hour to our destination, but average 12 and then your senses and control are heightened, and you realise how vulnerable these cyclists are.
As one person put it:
“Loved having our Guardian Angels outriders, the attitude of motorists to us today was incredible different to our normal rides”
So with that I think the Guardian Angels will gladly do the same next year and hopefully a few more lodges will take part
