It caused havoc on our site and it was all hands to the pump unblocking drains and brushing water out of the sheds whilst desperately watching the weather forecast …
Signage couldn’t go out and the wet arena meant that the published itinerary had to be scrapped but irrespective the show must go on!
The clubs and exhibitors were all in place by 10am and despite the light rain visitors started to file in.
It wasn’t long before the site began to fill but it was obvious that because of the wet weather many had resorted to the car!
As a result by 1pm over 1000 car parking spaces in and around County Hall had been filled and we resorted to the overflow car parks at New College, we’ll discuss with the County Council the possibility of using the Park and Ride or next year!
And to the show.
It would be a huge list to mention all the sponsors and supporters who chip in to make the day the success whether it is the volunteers who put in time or businesses that provide free or discounted services, we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.
A few people however really do deserve singling out for a mention.
HM Plant is a company that has supported BikeWise for almost a decade and they have brought so much to the show.
This year was no exception bringing racers Neil Hodgson and Leon Hunt as well as Dick Shepherd and his amazing collection of Triumph movie bikes.
Behind every successful company however is a character driving it and we owe a huge thank you to John Jones, the CEO of HM Plant, and his wife Kath both of whom have been unswerving in their support and passion for BikeWise.
Dave Coates supported by his wife Sandra has attended BikeWise for eighteen years and is the consummate professional in everything he does, despite the problems we had with weather and itinerary Dave was there warming up the crowd on his scooter while the tarmac dried up!
Dave and Sandra will be shortly celebrating 25 years of marriage and the BikeWise team would like to congratulate them and wish them well for the future!
For the police dog team who put on an energetic and passionate display it was a bitter sweet moment as police dog Bruce on his seventh BikeWise was on his last working day, he’s off to put his Paws Up and relax!
No rest for his handler PC Gordon King though its straight back into work with his new dog Holly a potential future BikeWise star in the making !
An extensive list of causes that we’ve been able to donate to as a result of your generosity in the past can be found on the BikeWise website and yet again we’ll be making significant donations once the bills have been paid.
Next year will be our twentieth BikeWise and the last show at the current Aykley Heads complex before our new HQ is completed just over the road.
We look forward to welcoming old and new visitors so keep an eye on the BikeWise website for next years date.
Finally however and most importantly to those of you that have supported BikeWise whether by attending, making a donation of money or time or those who have simply promoted what we do by retweeting or sharing on Facebook the BikeWise Team owe you a very big thank you.
Quite simply without your relentless support BikeWise wouldn’t happen!
Ride safe.
Sgt Iain Rodgers
Durham Motorcycle Section