Weather
Cruise to town for easy riders
From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Thursday 19th Jul 2001.
HUNDREDS of families and bike enthusiasts revelled in the sunshine in Calne for a mammoth motorcycle meet and fair.
Around 70 Harley Davidsons, a host of Hondas and numerous vintage cycles thronged to the meet, organised by the town's Rotary Club in Castlefields and the town centre.
A fair in Castle Park entertained crowds, who were wowed by the entrance of the Harleys at 10am, before being dazzled by a succession of competitions, events and attractions throughout the day, before the Harleys left again just after 3pm.
Organisers declared the motorcycle meet a success and said they would like to hold it again next year.
"It was a day for motorcycle enthusiasts and it can only be classed as a highly successful day," said Alan Smith, Rotary Club president, who said at one point it was impossible to see the grass outside Marden Court as the area was awash with motorcycles.
"We have had so many comments from people saying it was a great day and asking whether we will do it again, which we hope to do," he said.
The Harleys cruised in from as far afield as Bridgwater, Oxford and Germany.
Barago clubs from across the region also revved into town, as well as bikers from Devizes Motorcycle Club, the Swindon Grass Track and the Newbury AJS and Matchless Club.
Mr Smith said one of the highlights of the meet was a scrambling event in Castle Park.
"We had 12 riders from the Chippenham part of the Wiltshire Trial Riders Association taking part," he said. "It was going on throughout the day and it was so impressive watching the riders go down the banks, into the river and back up again, and it drew huge crowds."
Jack Parsons, 73, of Hither Close, Chippenham, won a prize for the oldest bike in the show with his 1913 116 cc motorcycle from J.E. Smith's of Gloucester.
Proceeds from Saturday's event will go to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and the Accident and Emergency Unit at the Royal United Hospital, Bath.
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