Vintage to Voltage - a trial on trails between two cities
London to Paris by 92-year-old thumper and new electric motorcycle, on green lanes, for three good causes.
Carla McKenzie and Julie Diplock are two unusual businesswomen who have taken on a very unusual challenge: to ride an ancient 1926 Triumph and a state-of-the-art Zero electric motorcycle from London to Paris, but avoiding tarmac as much possible, using old carriageways and green lanes. The trip will take place in September and raise funds for three charities.
Both in their fifties, Carla and Julie have been passionate motorcyclists for most of their lives and between them have owned and ridden a huge variety of machines. Carla is the Managing Director of MYA Consulting, a successful hotel and catering consultancy based in Stroud. She is no stranger to motorcycle adventures, having ridden across the USA with wounded veterans as pillions several times. In 2015 she completed an epic challenge for charity, riding a British trail bike from John O’Groats to Land’s End, using as many green lanes as possible, having only just learnt to trail ride. This latest project combines her enthusiasm for both trail riding and electric motorcycles.
Julie lives on Romney Marsh. She founded Elk Promotions, which runs classic motorcycle and autojumble events across Kent and Sussex. Julie worked as a courier in the despatch riding heyday of the 1980s, progressing to track and sprint riding and regularly uses her collection of veteran, vintage and classic bikes on the road.
Some trials and tribulations are anticipated; specifically, finding places to charge the Zero in rural locations and overcoming the mechanical and riding challenges of piloting a 1926 Triumph model Q on muddy green lanes, with hand gear-change and lever throttle! Training is underway with a regime of fitness and trail riding practice for the event. Even on a purpose-built modern machine, trail riding requires a whole different mindset and skills from riding on tarmac roads.
The whole trip is self-funded, apart from the potential DFDS sponsorship of the ferry, tbc. It will highlight the evolution of the motorcycle over the past century, but more importantly, it will raise money for three charitable causes close to these women’s hearts. The Lt Dougie Dalzell MC Memorial Trust (DDMT) offers support and assistance to soldiers who are currently serving or have served, in the Armed Forces. The Kent, Sussex, and Surrey (KSS) air ambulance provide an emergency service to patients who have suffered trauma or medical emergencies. The Joan Seeley Memorial Trust provides pain relief and medical equipment for hospitals and hospices throughout the UK.
The ladies will leave Westminster on Tuesday 18th September and are planning to arrive in Paris on the 21st of September. (Dates to be confirmed).
Comments
08/08/18 - The electric will get there in no time, no problem. The thumper might take about a fortnight longer, with numerous AA call outs in between and a dubious boj job involving a shoe lace and a kettle whistle - but the rider will have the biggest smile on their face.
...and a numb arse.
08/08/18 - Oil! Don’t forget the magic oil that covers your hands looking at old bikes and you can never wash off
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