I had a very small article published in the MAG (Motorcycle Action Group) Magazine “The Road” Issue #48. The article is on the Combat Stress Charity 3 day Bike tour of Wales we ran this year.

For those of you unaware, we organised a 3 day circuit of Wales on motorcycles in aid of the charity Combat Stress. Basically it was a no-brainer. Get a large group of people who love Motorcycles, ride around Wales stopping off at various places, and having a few drinks overnight. Then get those people to gather sponsorship, and to pay a fee to come along, and you end up raising thousands for charity.

Ride for Combat Stress

On the 3rd May 2013 a group of bikers from all over the UK met up in Connah’s Quay, North Wales for a three day sponsored tour of Wales for the benefit of the military charity Combat Stress.

While the event was organised by Freemasons who are bikers, it ‘was open to all, and about 40 bikes made the run,

The tour started off from the Masonic Lodge at Connah’s Quay where they were waved off by Lord and Lady Barry Jones.

The Bikers followed the coastline of North Wales, with a quick stop over in Anglesey, before continuing down the coast to Aberystwyth where they spent the night, also throwing an impromptu live music concert in the nearest pub to where they were staying.

The second day saw them continuing along the coast of Wales, visiting Swansea and Cardiff where they met Falklands veteran Simon Weston. Then it was on to Brecon where they stopped for the second night, before heading north through Wales on the final leg of their tour, ending up where they started in Connah’s Quay, after a trip of 550 miles spread over three Days.

Between sponsorship, Lodge donations and the end of tour entertainment evening, over £15,500 was raised all of which went to Combat Stress since everyone taking part paid for their own petrol, food, and accommodation.

Combat Stress is the leading UK charity specialising in the care of veterans’ mental health ‘They are currently supporting just over 5,000 ex- Service men and women. This includes 637 who served in Iraq and 284 who served in Afghanistan.