Great photos Rick.
It really was a great day. The fact that some of these vehicles still exist let alone exist in a condition that enables them to take part in the run is fantastic. I think the oldest vehicles were from 1896/8. I say vehicles because these were mainly tricycles or forecars.
Chevy Rick and I drove to Epsom racecourse where the Pioneer Run started. We looked around there and watched the riders set off at timed intervals with the oldest vehicles starting first. We then followed the route to Brighton.
The event programme included all the riders numbers, make and age of vehicle, cc/hp, rider's name and age and where they were from. This made really interesting reading as we spotted a rider. The oldest rider was 90 I think and the youngest was 21. There were a few women riders including one in her 70s. There were also riders from other countries. It was great to arrive at Brighton and see so many had already made it and when those you had passed pulled up at the side of the road with their repair kits out arrived in Madeira Drive, well I felt quite emotional to know they had made it.
I thoroughly recommend going to witness this spectacle and for those of you who might get to partake on the actual run then good luck because from what we saw yesterday it was not easy; not only do you have to contend with your own bike's eccentricities and mechanical problems but you also have to deal with the other "normal" traffic and their speed on today's congested and potholed roads. There were loads of modern bikes completing the route for fun but to be honest if I had been a rider on the Pioneer Run then I think I could have done without them weaving in and out while I was trying to concentrate on making the journey.
Has anyone on Manky taken part in the Pioneer Run or have a bike of this age? It would be interesting to know.
Take care, JJ
