What does a photographer do when he is called to join a bike rally by a local club…….jump on!!
54 bikes met at Poole beach on sunday from all over the country ….oh…. & Wales. Bikes of all shapes and sizes met for a very relaxed cruise along the seafront. I had been lent a green chopperesque bike (below) for the day and took me by surprise when it reminded me of days gone past cruising with friends. The only thing missing for me was hair!
I have to say the most enjoyable thing about the ride for me was the reaction of the public, especially the kids, as we all rode past. Not a single tut or huff all stood to the side whipped out their phone, took photos/video or clapped and cheered. Many a grey haired lady put out their hand for a high five as we went past. An experience I wont forget for a long time. It seems that bikes unite people of all ages and take them back to their youth.
First stop Bournemouth pier
Parked up by the carrousel ride immediately a crowd arrived phone cameras in hand asking questions about the bikes and chatting with people that,without their bikes, would of crossed the street to avoid.
Our arival at the coffee shop here took the staff by surprise as 50 odd people queued for their coffee, sandwiches and bacon baps. Although one bike had an ingenious invention on his bike. The army style burrito bike (also below) had a drop side barbecue in one of the attached gas canisters, awesome!
One the way back we stopped for a little photo shoot on the beach at Boscombe pier, with this many bikes it was too good to miss. I’d been carrying my camera rucksack all this way not. All the bikes down onto the beach, group shot, I switched into work mode organising people then offered individual shots which most wanted. It was quite nice to shoot something a little different.
Crank Jesters is a group purely organised through Facebook and this is only the second cruise in Bournemouth. Wonder how many new members will arrive next year? I’ll be one there for sure. Great fun Thanks for inviting me guys.
