This ride has developed a lot since the 1990s when it was pre 79 only. The problem with bringing in non ridden bikes is that it is an annual ride and not a show. It never was a bike show and bikes were just those people ride around on. After the event where 3 non ridden bikes won prizes, they determined prizes were only for those who completed the ride. Tricky for the organisers as they now judge bikes before the start.
It was stated on the BSA that won, that it was built with all genuine BSA parts which was absolute rubbish as the silencers were Megaton revers cone type which had never been fitted to any BSA but the obvious problem was LED lights which were not invented back in 1967.
I did nose in on judging to see what they looked for and one Yamaha RD 400 was superb. They commented it could not be in the awards due to it having a mural on the tank top. Odd to see this mural on such a well presented bike which deserve a prize. There is a prize for worst condition bikes as always and that went to a BSA that looked like it had ridden around the World. All standard and a bit rusty but still old paint. Looked great and ran very well.
In the last 4 years, nearly everyone i knew in this club is no longer there so it has to be age. The riders with old bikes still have enthusiasm but frailty is stopping the long rides. Today i have very bruised feet caused by the footrests.
Such is life but i dont need to walk much now.
I love this ride and missed just 2 in the last 28 years. 1 was the covid year and the other when a tappet adjuster nut unscrewed on the way to the event which bent the pushrod.
I think next year there will be a lot more 2 stroke Japanese and they look and sound great.
Seeing some of the younger riders on adventure bikes, i expect they struggle in the small lanes with potholed roads just due to the weight of these bikes. I took a large bike once and when riding at 10 mph for some of it in the crowded lanes, realised i made an error bringing it