Alun’s epic ride clocks up £11,000

With stops along the way, the British Airways captain was raising money and awareness for CLIC Sargent (Cancer and Leukaemia in Child-ren) after the charity proved invaluable during the successful treatment of his grandson.

Alun will be on our stand at Beaulieu with his Connie and will be happy to answer questions about his ride which proves not only can we all do something positive but that classic bikes can still cut it on the road.

Alun deserves special congratulations. He passed his target and collected £11,000 thanks also go to Spike Island and Alun's wife Sue for their help and assistance.

The challenge included a lap of the Isle of Man circuit and Alun tells that best in an extract from his story as he waited for the Captain's Escort' that would accompany him round those famous roads.

"One after another, they arrived, and what a wonderful sight and sound they made.

"The Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC) contingent comprised Tony East (1965 Thunderbird), Ken Blackburn (Velocette Venom), Clive Kneale (sprung-hub Speed Twin), Harry Cardy (oil-in-frame Thund-erbird), Juan Clague (1948 BSA A7) and Ashley Gardner like Alun a captain at BA Connect (1973 Suzuki GT750 water-cooled Kettle').

"All of these kind gentlemen are residents of the Isle of Man, of course, but the team was completed by the arrival of Brian Selwood, of the Royal Enfield Owners' Club.

"He has attended the TT races regularly for many years and has also served as a track marshal.

"On this occasion he had ridden his 2000 Royal Enfield 500cc Bullet up from Aldershot a couple of weeks early in order to join us on the ride and thus I was escorted by this most distinguished company, seated upon seven of the most beautifully prepared bikes I have ever seen, on my lap of the circuit.

"What a fabulous experience, what wonderful friends, and what a fantastic result was in store."

Fuller coverage of the ride will follow in future On Two Wheels.