PW_1_2024

Spotlight on the SIGS

International Motorcycle Rally 2023: North Wales Paul Firth, Chairman, UK Motorcycle SIG

Menai Straits with Menai Bridge in background

Casting my mind back to 2019 after our first motorcycle rally in Huddersfield, I remember saying that I would never organise another one. Fast forward to June 2023 and here we were at another IPA motorcycle rally. Hosted in North Wales this time, which is considerably nearer home for me. The weekend saw the arrival of 70 motorcycles to the Hand Hotel in Llangollen. T he lead up to everyone arriving seemed like one of those promotion questions that you might face. The challenges began with Wolfgang’s riding partner Hans, worked with me to ensure everything that could be done for Wolfgang was done, and he was looked after very well by all involved. He is now back home recovering from his injuries.

Friday morning saw members joining their ride leaders, to explore the fantastic countryside and amazing roads that North Wales has to offer. I think it’s fair to say everybody got back with a big smile and had had a wonderful time. Friday nights festivities continued in the bar and restaurant. Saturday was an opportunity to choose a different ride, with the running of the same routes again, so that people could enjoy different options. A special mention for Joe Anderson, who visited in 2019 from Australia, and made the trip again this year, it was great to see you again, Joe. Also, to Pam Harbour, who conquered her fear of heights, and managed to cross the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a world heritage site a few miles out of the town. It would be remiss not to mention one of our German colleagues, Wolfgang Koller, who regretfully hit a dry-stone wall, just outside of Dolgellau. Wolfgang had to be taken by ambulance to hospital in Bangor, with a serious shoulder injury. Another special mention to one of our members Carolyn Barns, who was one of the first on the scene of the incident. Caroline, a retired nurse, was able to provide all the roadside care needed. Wolfgang was very lucky that Carolyn was there.

five miles of road works with surface dressing on the A5, making riding incredibly difficult. Then on my alternative route, there was a serious road traffic collision, which closed the road completely. Undeterred, members started arriving from noon, to be greeted by our rally planning group, who had been there from 9am. They had placed temporary signs along the A5 and surrounding areas to help locate a hotel which, although large, is not easy to find. Julian Grubb arrived bright and early to put up direction signs, only for local highways to remove them. It’s apparently not allowed to place anything on the precious street furniture, even if it’s only for an hour. We are grateful for Julian’s effort, although it turned out to be for nought. The rest of the planning committee were busy stopping locals ignoring the “private car park” signs, to use it for their daily shop. As a local, I was aware of this, so we were prepared. We did allow the three police motorcycles from North Wales in, and it’s great to see that the traditions of drinking opportunity to explore the options for the Friday and the Saturday that had been prepared and planned meticulously. There were six options for different rides with a maximum of 10 per group and also a coach trip, taking those not wishing to ride, over to Llandudno and Great Orme for the day. I have to say the shorter rides and the coach were very popular, given the long journey that some had undertaken to arrive in Llangollen the previous day! copious amounts of tea are still evident. After the evening meal, members had the

Despite the incident above, Saturday evening went off really well, and everybody said they’d had a wonderful time at the rally. The burning question once again from all the delegates being, “when will the next one be?” On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone involved in the planning, the organising and the delivery of the event over the weekend. I can’t name everyone but a special mention to Stuart & Sally McMillan, Steve, Lovegrove, and all the ride, leads and TEC’s. Bringing together 80 or so IPA members from across the UK and Europe is no mean feat. It does show just how much friendship and an enjoyment of a special interest like motorcycling can bring people together.

Caernarfon

Great Orme, Llandudno

Llangollen Town Crier

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POLICE WORLD Vol 69 No.1, 2024