About Ride To The Wall – RTTW
RTTW is a unique motorcycling event which gives motorcyclists an opportunity to gather together at a place of remembrance, to pay their respects to our serving and fallen service men and women and in doing so, raise funds solely for the purpose of perpetuating their memory and recognising the sacrifice made.
Last year’s event saw a welcome change with dry weather all day meaning attendees were treated to a flypast by both a Spitfire and Lancaster bomber (one of only 2 left flying) and attendance increased after two uncertain years of the Covid crisis. In June 2022 the organisers were able to present a cheque to the Arboretum taking the total raised to date to £1.35 million.
This year’s Ride To The Wall was the 16th year to remember the names on the walls of the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.
After last year’s successful event the day final came for the 2023 Ride To The Wall. The day started at 0530 hrs on Saturday the 7th of October 2023. Four members of the Quarrymen met up at McDonalds, Burley services on the A31. Darren Beel , Tony Collins , Keith Riches and Tony Pereira then departed at 0600 hrs heading north to Chieveley Services where they met up with their mother chapter The Stonecutters and a couple of other RTTW riders.
Next stop was Cherwell Services on the A40. This was the official meet up point before then riding to the National Memorial Arboretum. At this meeting point there were close to 300 bikers.
Once all the bikes were organised into one very long line of ride two abreast, it was time to set off North in convoy. This was well organised by the Official RTTW Marshall who made sure everyone knew exactly what was going to happen and what they expected. As you can imagine trying to organise hundreds of bikers is no easy task but was done exceptionally well which only made the experience for the Quarrymen that much better as it was a couple of our first time Riding To The Wall.
We got on the motorway and the convoy extended as far as the eye could see and was a real attraction to passing motorists. As the convoy started getting closer to the National Memorial Arboretum members of the public began waving from the bridges overhead and laybys on the smaller roads. There were quite a few lump in the throat moments as it dawned on us we were doing this for our fallen service men and women. The closer the convoy got to the NMA, the more conveys we saw heading to the destination.
A big thanks must go to the marshals along the route who temporarily closed roads to allow the convoys to get through in one group and for the support you showed all the riders. Without you there would have been some big problems.
After riding for about an hour and a half we saw yet another overhead bridge packed with people cheering and waving. The bridge was also covered in all different flags from all over the world and also regimental flags. This turned out to be the road the riders would also use to get to the NMA and it was lined either side with people taking photos, cheering and waving at all the riders.
Due to the amount of bikers in attendance some bikers were directed into the NMA while others were directed to a huge field just across the road where again the RTTW marshalls played a huge part in stopping this part becoming a disaster.
On entering the National Memorial Arboretum we were joined by the thousands of people who had also come to pay their respects. We decided to explore the site. As we exited towards the gardens and Wall we were treated to the amazing The British Army Band Colchester display.
Moving on from the The British Army band we came across the Masonic Memorial Garden where we spent some time looking around and taking photos.
As we walked around the National Memorial Arboretum we couldn’t help but notice the special buzz and emotion as old friends met up again to remember their friends and family that were sadly lost in conflict. The whole place was filled with ‘Wallers’ (the term used for visitors to the National Memorial Arboretum).
The whole day was a very special one and one we are grateful to have shared it with so many others who have travelled from across the world to attend and pay their respects. It was also particularly nice to see so many other Chapters of The Widows Sons Motorcycle Association in attendance. As freemasons we paid our respect by forming a chain while ‘Grumpy’ explained the reason for this chain and what it represents.
The Quarrymen would like to thank the organisers and all the marshalls that put so much effort into making the day as successful as it was. We will definitely be returning next year and look forward to yet another fantastic experience.
We would also definitely recommend attending this event and for any future updates or to book in for next years RTTW check out their website https://www.rttw.org/index.php where you will be able to donate, buy merchandise and book tickets.
On behalf of the President Paul Bishop, his Officers and the members of the Quarrymen
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
