Bike4Life: Thousands of bikers set for Shropshire charity ride
One of the biggest biking events in the country will be held this weekend.
This year’s Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival is expected to attract more than 12,000 bikers to Shropshire on Sunday.
Starting from Meole Brace in Shrewsbury, the ride will take around 3,500 participants along a 23-mile route to RAF Cosford.
Thousands more will be visiting Cosford for the festival.
This year the ride out will be led by former England Rugby Captain and 2003 World Cup Winner Mike Tindall MBE.
Mike will ride alongside former World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty, and former British Superbike champion and Moto GP presenter, Steve Parrish.
He said: "I am delighted to not only support this years Bike4Life event again, but to also lead out the 3,500 bikers which is a huge honour.
"This is the one time in the year when the biking community gets together to pay its thanks for the lifesaving work of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.
"Being on a motorbike you are far more vulnerable than someone in a car who has much greater degree of protection. As a biker you are also constantly exposed to hazards on the roads and much more serious injuries in the event of a collision. Speed and emergency lifesaving care are critical in these situations to saving bikers lives.
"As a biker myself I fully support the lifesaving work of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and the Bike4Life event, it’s important for all of us in the biking community to come together and support such a great cause.”
All tickets for the ride out have now been sold.
Riders who have secured a place will soon be sent instructions on joining via email.
Organisers asked that riders do not turn up to the ride out if they do not have a ticket.
Tickets for the festival can still be purchased online.
Bike4Life are also encouraging people who are not participating in the Ride Out to attend the festival from 10am until 4pm and view the convoy of bikes entering the festival from midday.
The festival will consist of over 20 food vendors, biker merchandise trade stands and live bands providing entertainment throughout.
The acts announced so far are hard rock band Redline, covers band Epic Volume, indie band Searching Grey and rock band 4th Labyrinth. Festival-only tickets cost £5.
The event is held to support the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, which needs around £7 million to operate each year.
Last year more than £73,000 was raised in the event, with more than 3,500 motorcyclists taking part in the ride out.
Earlier this month it was announced that all riders taking part in the event will be getting free travel along the M6 toll.
James Hodson, director of motorway operations and facilities for M6Toll, said: "Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is responsible for amazing life-saving work. We have a great relationship with the charity, and will always look to support them where possible.”
Sofia Voutianitis, for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: "Bike4Life is a fantastic day out for thousands of people, and it’s through support from organisations like M6toll that we can hold such a brilliant event.”
