In 1964 Royal Enfield embarked on the Top to Tip Challenge. John O'Groats to Lands End in 24 hours on the then new Continental GT model. The ride is being recreated this coming weekend and Speedmonkey is taking part!
On Saturday 10th May 2014 at 10pm five Royal Enfield Continental GTs will set off from John O'Groats bound for Lands End. Each bike will cover over 900 miles with six riders in relay riding a leg each.
The bikes will take a detour to Silverstone at 1pm on Sunday 11th May at 1pm, where 76 year old ex-racer John Cooper will lap Silverstone. On the 1964 ride John lapped Silverstone where he reached a top speed of 73mph, which made the bike 'Britain's Fastest 250'.
Silverstone has also been chosen as a stopping off point because it is the venue for Royal Enfield's first exclusive store in the UK.
I will be in one of the teams at Silverstone and will cock a leg over the 2014 Continental GT for a 109 mile ride down to Shepton Mallet in Somerset whereafter the final rider will take over the bike for the last stretch down to Lands End.
Royal Enfield is the World's oldest motorcycle company in continuous production, having produced its first bike in 1901. The Continental GT is the lightest, fastest bike the company has produced.
Riders for Health partnered with Royal Enfield to auction a place on the ride. Andrea Coleman, co-founder and CEO of Riders for Health, said: “Motorcyclists form a strong community – their bikes tie them together, wherever they are from. It is why Riders for Health receives support from motorcyclists all over the world. The machine that people use for fun in the UK is the tool that Riders for Health is using to help save lives in Africa every time we mobilise a health worker with a well maintained motorcycle, transforming health care for 14 million people. This is why we are so pleased to be involved in the Royal Enfield Top to Tip challenge.”
I'm looking forward to the ride, in fact I can't wait!
Matt Hubbard