There is a fine line between a passionate motorcyclist and an endurance rider. That line is usually measured in standard UK highway miles. The annual RBL1000 Poppy Appeal challenge brings together 100 riders with one deceptively brutal goal: conquer 1,000 miles in a single 24-hour window. It is a grueling test of physical stamina, mental resilience, and mechanical persistence—all executed with an overwhelming sense of pride to raise vital funds for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
Walking the starting grid, the sheer diversity of machinery makes you smile. There were zero elitist boundaries. Towering Triumph Rocket 3s sat side-by-side with high-strung Ducatis, brand-new Honda NT1100s, and even a courageous soul on a tiny Honda Grom. It instantly proved that charity endurance riding doesn’t care about your wallet or your spec sheet. It cares about your dedication to the cause.
A golden rule for the trip, burned into the mind of every rider is: prepare your bike well, plan your ride and ride to your plan. With massive checkpoint gaps sometimes stretching over 300 miles, monitored by Iron Butt UK, precision was everything. Long-distance riding requires strict logistical discipline. Scenic breaks don’t exist. You stop only for fuel, a quick stretch, and a swift departure; and, perhaps a bite of flapjack. For the mature rider, it also means acknowledging that your body needs a bit of tactical assistance. Looking at one rider’s setup was a masterpiece of budget engineering: padded cycling shorts, an air-cushioned seat, a continuous hydration pack and a homemade visor-cleaning kit consisting of a recycled ice cream tub and a damp microfibre cloth. Oh, and a flip lid container for boiled sweets and enough room for half a bar of flapjack. An item that one rider found was really helpful, a throttle control fitting. It gives tired hands a rest from constantly gripping the throttle.
Of course, a 1,000-mile journey across British tarmac guarantees a healthy dose of chaotic humour. First, the TomTom decided to play a prank at Haydock. It navigated a rider off the M6 motorway, only to loop directly back onto it, straight into a major road closure! This cost an unexpected 11-mile scenic detour. Then came the economic shock of paying, a painful, 1.779per-litre for unleaded at Tebay Services. Bikers like to get every mile possible out of the tank. It reminded the rider of the financial economy of short-shifting at 50–60 mph behind the average speed cameras on the A9 to Inverness to drastically boost MPG. It also means fewer stops.
The road threw everything they had at the riders. At twilight on the poorly lit A1, a rogue fox attempted a last-minute game of chicken with the front tire—a genuine “oh shit” moment that instantly validated the years of dedicated advanced rider training. Skill at high-speed braking is vital. The 30mph test braking manoeuvre is just not good enough. The next problem was a brand-new LED tail light. It chose the final dark stretch of the M62 to malfunction, transforming the brake indicator into an uncoordinated disco ball that thoroughly entertained the drivers behind me before the rider rolled into Squires Café.
Crossing the line in 20 hours and 40 minutes, the first SAM rider was well ahead of his 22-hour estimate. Exhaustion evaporated into pure triumph. Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists (SAM) are very grateful to James Quartermaine and Stephen Bennett for sharing their story. They would like to thank everyone for generously donating to their JustGiving pages. If you would like to contribute, just click on their names. Thank you.
Stephen says: ‘The memory of squeezing through the Glen Coe mountain passes just before the evening road closures will keep me smiling until I return’.
Riding a motorcycle comes with risks. In an accident, motorcyclists’ injuries are likely to be more serious than those of other road users. To reduce these risks, the Biker I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) Card is a simple but essential tool for riders. It’s easy to use and convenient to carry. It can be folded to fit in your wallet and handed to anyone who needs it, not just accident responders.
The Biker I.C.E. Card contains all necessary information. It has contact information, important health, medical and doctor’s details, a list of medications and your doctor’s contact. If you’re in an accident, emergency services can use the card to quickly understand your health and medical needs t0 provide you with the best care possible.
Just fill in your email address below. We will keep you updated of any design changes. The card is given as FREE public service that you can use and share as many times as you like. You simply add details like your NHS or travel insurance numbers, as these can help emergency responders access your healthcare records or handle costs when travelling abroad.
Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists, well known for our quality assured advanced rider training, support the use of this card. It can be a critical safety tool. While training improves road safety, the card ensures you get the right help should things go wrong.
Download your Biker I.C.E. Card NOW, for safer rides and peace of mind!
