My first Toy Run!

Being a toy run virgin I was, it’s fair to say, rather excited by the whole affair. I even sacrificed getting plastered at a party the night before so I could get up without a hangover and look like a fool in my Santa suit.

But not only was this my first toy run, it was my first ride out with more than three bikes!!  

After waking up on the hour every hour all through the night before like a wittle excited schoolgirl, I got up, donned my suit, tinselled up the bike and headed out.

On the way to Thame to meet up with Fff Pete etc. I was already grinning like a Cheshire cat, loads of people waved, beeped their horns (maybe that was my riding) and generally had a smile on their faces. Except some wa**er in a landrover who decided to cut me up at a roundabout – buy hey, I wasn’t about to let him ruin my day.

The ride out with everyone who met at Thame was fantastic and it felt amazing to have everyone waving and grinning and beeping at you on the way to Foster Wheelers….but I hadn’t seen anything yet… 

On arrival at Foster Wheelers I was greeted by the site of an absolute shedload of bikers, bikes and Santa’s, I don’t think I have ever seen that many bikes in one place (apart from on Men & Motors – no, not the late night version!). It was an amazing feeling to be part of something so big, everyone was friendly and saying hello to everyone else, there were even mince pies to munch on brought by thoughtful members of the Vultures.

When kick off time came, everyone started kitting up and getting on their bikes, then someone started revving….then someone else started revving louder… then someone else even louder…. An almighty crescendo of revvvvvvvvvvving filled the car park, I don’t know exactly how many bikes were there, but the noise was phenomenal. This will sound cheesy, but I felt more relaxed and like I’d found my way in life than I have ever done before, just being surrounded by all that good feeling and revving and horn beeping was an experience I will never forget.

The ride out to Barnado’s was the icing on the cake of an already great day, people lining the streets, cars beeping, their occupants waving. And the final arrival and present giving was quite emotional, I’m normally a bit of a selfish bugger truth be told, but remembering how happy all my Christmases were as a kid, I felt genuinely good about helping to make Christmas better for those who are not as fortunate as I was.

I was still high as kite from all the adrenaline of the day when I got home, and my poor mum had to make me at least three cups of tea before I finally succumbed and collapsed on the sofa, too tired to make it up the stairs to bed!

I had an amazing day, with brilliant company, its certainly an experience I will never forget…. And I definitely have the bug now, I’m booking annual leave so I can come on all the runs and rallys next year that clash with my stupid shifts!!!!

Thanks Vultures for a making me feel so welcome as a ‘fairly’ new member, and for a fantastic day.

Elly (no longer a ride out virgin) Long

Dressed for the Occasion – The Christmas Toy run 2004       It was that time of year to treat ourselves to some new clothes so I picked up a Santa suit each from Woolies, which came in pretty handy as we then had something new to wear for the Toy run.  I went for the A line number; heard somewhere that’s what they were wearing on the Catwalks this year.  Bob had new jacket, trousers hat and beard.

As we set off from home, having stuck some gold bells on the bike and two on my helmet to look like earrings – I like accessories.  I suddenly thought how visible we looked.  Maybe the Santa suit look should be the new bikers dress ! ?? 

 Anyway with the short ride from Basingstoke to the Foster Wheeler building (I used to work for them when I was 17 years old !) joining a few other bikers on the way; as we entered the car park we noticed a number of other riders with the same good taste in clothing.  Parking up on the right side of the car park as suggested, we were early, but after a short time, Richard, Jackie, Irene, Barry, Ken, Nick and some others turned up (sorry if I’ve forgotten you and offended anyone), and Irene got out a picnic for us all, sandwiches and mincepies.  I suggested next year she set up on a tressel table which would be a lot better, and have a larger selection of food stuff.  I declined her offer of something to eat, I was thinking about my figure in the new A line number. 

Whilst waiting for the off at 2pm, a lot of us played the part of David Bailey and took some interesting snaps.  We were all beginning to get into the swing of things.  So off we set just after 2pm with the usual crush of getting out the place – actually everyone was very polite and we all got out safely.  With the Paparazzi lined up and hordes of people clapping us as we left the car park I was beginning to know what it must be like as a celebrity.  Thank God I’d washed my hair and put on some mascara. 

My twin sister Hazel had expressed an interest about coming along to watch us all so we had given her a suggestion as to where to park and watch, so whilst riding round one of the roundabouts in Lower Earley I had someone shouting my name and waving.  She thoroughly enjoyed the event and said it had taken over 25 minutes for all the bikes to pass.  She’d also got talking to the Marshalls and had been handing out leaflets to the motorists explaining what we were doing.  She’s got a job for next year now !  THANKS Hazel.

Highlights of the Reading Toy Run 2004

Another great turn of the VSOC with members from Thames Valley, South London & Surrey, The Roadrunners and the Solent, throw in a few friends and we had about 30 bikes, 90% of our crew wore Santa Suits which attracted the attention of the press and well, everyone really! A few highlights below that spring to mind…but you had to be there!

• Warmth! Sweating and melting in leathers, thermals and Santa Suits.
• The Santa Crocodile across the car park, stopping the traffic in its tracks!
• Taking loads of daft Photos, while juggling coffee (Thanks Steve) and boxes of Mince Pies.
• Fff Pete’s brief interview with the press…
• Dave’s longer interview with the press after they asked “Are there any vicar’s present?” “No but we have loads of tarts here!”
• The press asking ”Are you in charge, no, he is, are you in charge, no he is, ....  and asking Steve Tyson “Where are you from?”  “Wandsworth”.  “Did you ride all the way?”  “I hope so! “ A classic Steve’ism!
• Having a three way convergence as we leave Foster Wheelers, was it divine intervention as we all met perfectly?!
• Riding as a large VSOC group with no hassles or impatient car drivers to contend with.
• Chatting with a lady who’s worked at Barnado’s for 30 odd years!
• Saz, Anne and Dave being interviewed and photographed by the Baptist Times and Anne giving her name and age to the interviewer, just like all the kids did! (Why is everyone so shocked at us appearing in the Baptist Times?) I personally like Baps, I just couldn’t eat a whole one.
• The Mayor of Wokingham wanting his photo taken with Arlene!
• Colin coming up trumps with our excellent Centre 12 pennants.
• Dave being recognised by a complete stranger, even without his red dress and blonde wig!
• Johns indicators not indicating on the one day they needed too.
• Arls bike not wanting to slow down……. Arl says the throttle was sticking… or is it her riding style?
• Shouting “Fix or Fiddle” -  when any of our lot one a raffle prize!
• Johns decorated bike resembling him in a beard and Santa hat!  
• Going in the pub afterwards and asking for an Egg Nog and the looks on the bar maids faces!

      Dave K