Report by Paul M / Pinky (text) and Paul W / Perky (photos and videos). Please note: there are many more photos and videos taken by many of the riders and these can be viewed on our new “The GIANTS Run” Facebook page. You do not have to be a Facebook user to view these…just click here.
We held our 2023 GIANTS run last weekend with all 100 spaces pre-booked; the run actually sold out in less than a week when we opened booking last November.
Saturday Informal Run and Evening Meal
The Saturday night campers were offered an informal ride around for an hour or so and three run leaders – Bernard and the two Pauls led groups of about eight people each early Saturday evening, followed by an optional meal at Spire Hill farm, where we enjoyed excellent home made burgers followed by Dorset apple cake.
Sunday Main Event
GIANTS itself gets going early Sunday morning and by 10.00 we had nearly 100 motorcycles arrayed in the courtyard. The only thing better than the sight of so many girder forked machines on one place was the sound (and the smell!) as President Carol Hann ceremonially waved the riders away on their chosen routes.
Routes
The shorter route, around 35 miles, went down to the Giant at Cerne Abbas, returning via Round Chimney’s farm tea room, whereas the longer-route rider took in a 65 mile route heading broadly East before crossing over the A30 and back across the Deverills, with a stop at Ginny’s café. Our secretary Paul W planned and printed the routes and without exception they were praised by all who took part.
After the run it was time for a lunch of sausage cassoulet before packing up and heading home, clutching a bottle of commemorative GIANTS ale.
A huge thank you to Paul W and especially our volunteers on the day, without whom the 100 bikes would have been piled in heaps and the carpark left in chaos. GIANTS reflects very well on the mighty Dorset section!
Assembling at Spire Hill
At Cerne Abbas and Round Chimney’s Farm & Café, Boys Hill
