Windsor Castle

On the 13th of June 2006 the Blue Knights from England VIII organised a ride out to Windsor Castle near London to deliver a book of Birthday wishes signed by officers and staff from the Constabulary to commemorate Her Majesty the Queen's 80th Birthday.
The ride, the brainchild of president Alan "Gunner" Morris was published on the BK website and as a result 54 bikes and even more Knights from all over the UK including our good friends from Scotland 1 met in the early morning at Police Headquarters, Leicester in preparation for the ride.

This was all carried out with military precision and everybody was in good spirits despite not having had much sleep, this not being to the after effects of Jill's chilli the previous evening or the amount of beer consumed in the "Moon Bar" but an oversight on the sleeping arrangements! Gunner had arranged for travelling knights to sleep in the force Gym however this is a high tech place and has movement energy saving light switches, which switch the lights off when no movement is detected however the slightest movement switches them on again!!!!
After the book was presented to Gunner by our Deputy Chief Constable Mr. Lindley (a great supporter of the Blue Knights) The ride took us on a 80 mile trip on mostly motorway and picked up other Knights along the way. This event proved so popular that the ride had to be split into two with the Red team and the Blue team leaving at different times and following slightly alternative routes so as not to block up the highway and not to incur the wrath of the local Police!!

The teams that I was in became separated from the others as we entered Windsor but this had its benefits as we headed towards the traffic we were stopped in our tracks,

It was changing the Guard time and we were treated to a march past by the band and the guards in full regalia. After a rendezvous in a car park near the castle all the bikes rode to the castle along the "The Long Mile" a real impressive sight as cruisers, tourers and sports bikes made their way up to the castle gates. The superintendent of the castle met us there and the book was handed over to him . There was then a photo opportunity near to the castle tourists also took this up who photographed the spectacle for their own records.

It was then onto the local pub where food had been arranged and a great spread was put on and quickly devoured by all. Everyone then went their separate ways and some went round the castle. A great day out well done and thanks Gunner for all your careful planning. Just Prior to writing this report a message was received at Police Headquarters from the queen’s office in which the Queen thanked the Knights and Leicestershire Constabulary for their birthday wishes.

Doug "phatbiker" Marshall

Secretary England VIII