Report on the GIANTS Run 2021

We held our second GIANTS Run yesterday.  At times, we thought it would never happen.  We started taking bookings for this run back in November 2019 after our successful first GIANTS Run and long before the Coronavirus pandemic. The GIANTS Run in June 2020 was cancelled for obvious reasons but, after several more date changes due to lockdown restrictions, Sunday 25th July 2021 finally arrived!  GIANTS Run day!

Some statistics: After a few cancellations due to date conflicts, illness, bike problems, etc., we had 74 registered to attend.  Of these, we finally had 56 riders on the day  and 18 no-shows.  I hope the no-shows weren’t put off by the weather because, despite a dodgy forecast, it was largely dry.

It was a great day! Lots of positive comments about the run and venue, with people asking if it was possible to book ahead for GIANTS Run 2022.

Thanks are due to:

• Paul Miles, our Section Chairman, who has made this event happen.
• Andy Grew, Martin Goodman, Phil Allen and Bernard Jones for traffic management
• Philippa Wirdnam and Cressy Miles for looking after the sign-on.
• Margot and her team at Thyme After Time Café for laying on some excellent food on Saturday evening, Sunday breakfast and Sunday lunch.
• Pete Dungey, in his finest Dorset Section jumper, who kindly waved us all off at the start.
• And last, but not least, all those riders and pillions who took part.

Saturday Afternoon

Camping was kindly provide by the farmer at Spire Hill Farm; we had about 10 camping on Saturday night.

In the late afternoon, a few local Dorset Section members assembled at Spire Hill and took our guests on a short bike ride up to Shaftesbury to see Gold Hill. Once back at Spire Hill, it was time for a drink, Margot’s lasagne dinner and a chin wag.

Sunday Morning

Photos mainly by Paul Wirdnam, Paul Miles and Adie Ray