Neil Burden indulges in the usual tired anti-motorcycle clichés in a CiF article that is the predictable ill-informed bollocks one expects from the Grauniad.
I have recently discovered the hugely unwelcome news (courtesy of an RAC road sign) that over 10,000 bikers plan to invade Wootton Bassett next Sunday, Mothering Sunday. As residents of the high street for the past 20 years, this is particularly vexing to my family. The children may have to review the planned family day at home, and take the cards, chocolates and flowers elsewhere in an attempt to escape the fumes, the noise and the congestion.
Oh, FFS! This is nothing more than blatant scaremongering using the old mods and rockers imagery. Of course people will be able to do whatever they planned to do on Mothering Sunday, you hysterical little cretin. And, as with any parade, it will all be over in a few moments once it has passed. This is not some wild west town waiting for a gunfight, Jeebus! It’s also worth pointing out to this moron that modern motorcycles are subject to legislation and type approval regarding noise output. The average modern motorcycle is pretty much as quiet as the average modern car. And perhaps I should also point out to this terminally ignorant dunderhead that modern motorcycles are expensive things and the entry bar to riding one is set fairly high due to successive governments thinking that it is their place to dissuade us from riding them. For our own good, of course. So, rather than being the preferred transport of hooligans – as this article slyly insinuates – we are, for the most part, fairly well off and generally middle aged and above. I.e. responsible taxpaying citizens who happen to like a different mode of transport. Still, never let reality get in the way of prejudice, eh?
As an aside, I do have to say here that the Wootton Bassett parade doesn’t float my boat; so even if I was in the UK, I wouldn’t attend. I prefer to ride alone or at the most with two or three others. I really don’t like mass ride-outs.
What is particularly perplexing about all this, however, is that this invasion is apparently sanctioned by the police, Wiltshire council and the MoD. The town council were not consulted. Nor were the residents. It turns out that the rally is taking place under the aegis of the charity known as Afghan Heroes. According to its website, by arranging for 10,331 registered (and who knows how many unregistered) bikers to thunder along the high street, it is “honouring the people of Wootton Bassett and the soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan”.
That’s because the charity went through the appropriate channels to obtain approval. And notice the snide little bracketed comment. Contrary to the insinuation, no one may take part unless they have registered. Indeed, if you follow the link to MCN that Burden provides, you see this:
All those attending RAF Lyneham will require to pre-register, giving Name, Address, DOB and Bike Registration.
This is to enable security clearance to be carried out by the RAF. REGISTRATION CLOSES MONDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 2010.
Anyone who does not register WILL NOT be allowed onto RAF Lyneham.
Registration will be through a secure site, this will be posted out on Monday.
So this buffoon cannot even be bothered to read the links he provides to support his article.
This bigotry is nothing new to me. I’ve endured the clichéd “hells angel” comments from the uninformed for over thirty years. I’m more or less immune to it now. If I’m inclined, I’ll give a sharp retort, but for the most part I treat them to contemptuous silence.
But, this article has served to illustrate the Guardian at its worst once more. Motorcyclists aren’t members of Hideous Harridan Harman’s protected species (not that I would want to be). Consequently in the eyes of the loathsome, perpetually arrogant, snobbish, self-righteous, humourless, dull, relentlessly middle class, cowardly and cheap Guardian, they are fair game. Just consider this, if it was a parade of black, muslim, one-legged, lesbian cyclists would the Groan be publishing a comment piece full of insinuation and cheap shots?
Thought not.
It’s not that this article – predictably piss poor though it is – indulges in the usual double helping of bigotry and prejudice, it’s the topping of hypocrisy that riles. But, then, I shouldn’t be surprised by that – and I guess I’m not.
“What is particularly perplexing about all this, however, is that this invasion is apparently sanctioned by the police, Wiltshire council and the MoD.”
‘Authorities allow free movement of the population!’ shock horror…
Yes, you can see why that’d upset a Guardianista, can’t you?
.-= My last blog ..Sensible Suggestions On Asylum? =-.
Indeed.
Hmm. From the MCN neews link;
XX The ride will be starting at Leigh Delamere Service Station J17 (eastbound) of the M4. Please start arriving from 10:30am. Each rider will pay £5 and receive an Afghan Heroes wristband, which will be their entry pass to RAF Lyneham.
The lead riders will be leaving at 12 noon promptly. The route will be along the M4 to J16 before heading along the A-Roads towards Wootton Bassett.
We will be riding through at a slow speed before continuing along to RAF Lyneham.XX
So, although you must be registered to get into the base, you do NOT have to be registered to take part in the run?
Just pay your 5 quid and go, just that you won’t get in the base?
Must admit though, I have been on HUNDREDS of runs, both at this level and as an MC member. To go on the run without taking part in the “free-bees” later seems a bit crap to me.
.-= My last blog ..Gates of Vienna News Feed 3/10/2010 =-.
Gee, I’d like to go and see that.
.-= My last blog ..Spam stats =-.
Motorcycling over here in BC is viewed completely differently. It’s just a ‘leisure pursuit’ like fishing or hunting. You do it or you don’t. There’s not the mindless, knee-jerk, blinkered ‘anti-biker’ prejudice like you find in the UK.
Such a display of support for Canadian troops through our town would have people on the streets applauding and cheering. Oh yes, and CBC and local media would cover it favourably.
Likewise here in France. The anti-bike mentality is a peculiarly British snobbery.
10,000 bikers- that is a lot! Sure there’s that many bikes pre-registered, but I doubt they’ll all turn up. I’ve been on the Essex Air Ambulance ride with three thousand bikes, on dual carriageways, so it would clog the roads a bit:-that service station will need to be huge to accommodate the start.
Of course, on the EAA run there are lots of people in lay-bys and on overbridges cheering and waving. Maybe the good gentleman’s children might enjoy the show too?
My suspicious mind makes me wonder if the affront isn’t to the pretend dignity of the town council, rather than to the residents- been there so many times.
Whew! I’d never heard of the charity until now. Good luck to them.
Linked.
The ride is actually starting from the old airfield of Hullavington now. People were required to select an arrival time, hourly from 8am (no more than 2000 per hour). The ride out will then go out in groups from 11am, escorted by marshals and police, through wootton bassett, before dispersing at a local roundabout. There is no longer a visit to Lyneham unfortunately.
So this has been carefully managed. Even more wonderful is the copy and past journalism in a local newsrag
http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/5052821.15_000_bikers_heading_our_way_this_weekend/
It attracted so much ire in the comments section that the newsrag was forced to do some minimal journalism to present the other side
http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/5057328.Bikers_hit_back_over_procession_concern/
And yes, I am from Swindon, and yes I will be there to support our fallen heroes and their families, and also to make a nod to the folks in Bassett who have given up their time to show their respects to the fallen
I`m by no means a biker & to be honest motorcycles scare me ! However – I feel totally compelled to travel from Somerset to this ride to show my support in what the bikers are doing & also to show my own appreciation to all the Folk in Wootton Bassette who turn out time after time for the return of our fallen Family & Friends, Many thanks to you all.
I’m totally with you on calling the Graun a load of old misery-guts, and frankly 10,000 bikes would be an awesome spectacle that I’d quite like to see and hear.
But to say the average bike is as quiet as the average car is stretching things a bit. Maybe it would be as quiet if it were driven gently within the speed limit – as it no doubt is for the purposes of measurement and certification. But honestly – how often does it happen in fact?
Most bikes I see wait behind me impatiently while I’m driving at the speed limit, then once the lane is clear roar past with a mighty vroom and vanish into the distance at – what speed? I’ve no idea, but way over any legal or sensible limit. Presumably it helps that the average speed cameras photograph you from the front – and bikes have no front number plate. Handy, that.
One can quite see how it would be pretty alarming for animals and small children.
Disclaimer – I do realise this parade is a slow one. I am making a general point.