Report on the GIANTS Run 2025

What an eventful one this turned out to be.

First, the good:

Using Spire Hill Farm as a venue once again, with the on-site restaurant under new ownership, was a gamble that handsomely paid off. Many thanks to Barrie and his team for looking after us so well. With kind weather this year, the GIANTS were able to camp and park in the adjacent field and about 25 riders and friends enjoyed a short shakedown ride on Saturday evening, visiting one of the famous Dorset red fingerposts before going onto Laycock cider barn for pizza and the all-important cider! This fine evening set the tone for a most enjoyable weekend for the vast majority.

Sunday brought us more dry weather and the courtyard was awash with bikes and riders by 10.00. Always a sell-out event, it was wonderful to see so many new GIANTS amongst a sea of familiar faces; around 100 bikes were booked in and nearly the full complement presented in the courtyard. After the welcome and safety briefing, all riders were waved off in small groups by section president Marie, looking every inch the Dorset Britannia! A choice of shorter route (about 37 miles via the Cerne Giant) or longer run to the coastal road (65 miles) saw the riders deviate soon after King’s Stag to enjoy the day, returning to Spire Hill for a welcome lunch of pie and mash. Fond farewells and gifts of cider (to take home!) finished off a splendid day for almost everyone. We’d like to thank Charterhouse Auctioneers for their kind sponsorship of the celebratory ciders.

Now, the not so good:

Sadly, one of the riders, a GIANTS regular, was involved in what we understand to be a low-speed riding accident. Unfortunately, the outcome of the crash turned out to be extremely serious, requiring emergency services and the Air Ambulance, taking him to Southampton hospital where he is currently being treated for a serious cranial injury; it’s very early days, but the signs appear to be encouraging, albeit full recovery will likely take a long while. We are in regular contact with family and close friends and wish them, plus everyone involved in the immediate aftermath, a speedy and full recovery.

Despite this, very sad ending to our weekend, Paul and I have received nothing but nice comments about the event, the routes, the food, atmosphere and we would like to thank everyone who attended and help make GIANTS such a special event, our volunteer helpers, caterers, farmer and weather gods for being kind. And of course, those who attended Peter immediately after the crash, the emergency services and air ambulance.

Thank you

The two Pauls

With permission, the photos below are by Paul Miles, Duncan Shanks, Paul Skinner, Paul Wirdnam and Ray Dickinson