The 25th annual Plymouth MegaRide was a resounding success with more than 1,000 bikers, pillion passengers and spectators thronging the Hoe amid glorious sunshine.
Organiser Ritch Bounds said he hoped a few thousand pounds would be raised by the event to benefit the Cornwall Air Ambulance and the Devon Air Ambulance and thanked all those who ensured it was a success.
He said: “The MegaRide began 25 years ago when Ron and Michell Densley and the Plymouth Motorcycle Club organised a ride out which saw around 400 riders set off from the Novotel at Marsh Mills.
“Over the years it has grown and grown and was moved to the Lee Mill industrial estate where we begin the ride.”
Bikers began massing at around 9am this morning and at 11.30am are led out of the industrial estate by police motorcylists and Devon Freewheelers, up along the A38 to Marley Head before turning back towards Plymouth. From Marsh Mills they head along the Embankment, along Gydnia Way and Exeter Street before turning towards Bretonside and Notte Street before heading towards the Hoe Promenade where they park up and enjoy the sights.
Spectators lined much of the route, parked up in laybys and on over-bridges, waving the bikers as they went past, some of whom were dressed up in a mixture of fun outfits, along with the usual leathers.
Live music, trade stands and food stalls, as well as fun activities for children ensured a family-friendly day out for thousands who came to marvel at the bikes, trikes and quad bikes of all ages, colours, size and shape.
This year the MegaRide was day two of the Ocean City Motorcycle Festival which hopes to be a mainstay of the Plymouth summer calendar of events, joining the British Fireworks Championship, the Transat, the Jazz and Blues Festival and the Pirate’s Weekend.
Over the years the MegaRide has raised money for deserving charities including the Dartmoor Mountain Rescue, Operation Henry (an Ivybridge-based cancer charity), Diabetes UK, Scope, MacMillan nurses and the Friends & Families of Special Children.
Ritch said: “It’s the largest ride-out in the South West and possible one of the largest in the country. We’ve had people come down from as far as Newcastle and beyond, so it’s very popular. The Plymouth Motorcycle Club, who spend a lot of time and effort organising it, are joined by other city-based motorcycle groups and it’s a great event for people to come along and enjoy, especially on a nice day like today.”
Source: PlymouthLive