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Ride Out in support of Help for Heroes, Sunday 10th April 2011 |
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The Bangor Section of the VJMC was delighted to support the Northern Ireland Fire Service’s effort to raise money for Help for Heroes. The fundraiser was held at Comber Fire Station on Sunday 10th April 2011 with entertainment provided for all the family on the warmest day of the year to date.
The Fire Service put on a mock accident display, demonstrating some of the implications such an occurrence can have on individuals and those around them. The N.I. Junior Trials champion gave regular riding displays over a specially prepared course.
Children enjoyed bouncy castles, slides, “pillow fights” and candy floss while a barbeque offered burgers and hot dogs to the less energetic. The Police Service of Northern Ireland ran a Bike Safe and Adelaide Insurance operated an adjacent marquee. A Red Bull mobile disco truck provided the music.
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We enjoyed a display of classic road and off-road race bikes, including a couple which had been raced by Joey Dunlop. In contrast, we were also treated to seeing the ultramodern machine that Kirk Jamison will be riding at this year's Northwest 200.
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John had the opportunity to take a trip down memory lane whenever Brian offered him a ride on his Suzuki TS 125. John had affectionate memories of a TS 100 from his early days of motorcycling and the re-acquaintance certainly put a broad smile on this face.
After everyone had had their fill of burgers we set out for a ride out around the Newtownards peninsula. There were fourteen of us on twelve bikes and the first stop was Ballyhalbert harbour where we had a chat, watched a jet-ski in action and enjoyed seeing a retro-styled kit-car. It passed the time while we waited for Brian to catch us up on the Suzuki TS 125.
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Next stop was a café in the town of Portaferry on Strangford Lough. Having given Brian a head start on the TS 125 this time we all arrived together. Most of us opted for a coffee but a few of the lads decided to go for a glass of cold shandy. It was a warm and sunny day after all.
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The last stop before heading for home was a visit to the ruins of Nendrum Monastery, one of the very earliest Christian sites in Ireland. It was founded in the sixth century on an island accessible by bridges and offers panoramic views across Strangford Lough. The remains of the pre-Norman monastery include a church, round tower and other stone buildings. A striking feature still remaining today is a sundial on the church wall. The site also hosts a small museum.
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