Photo Gallery from 2023 Fossils.

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 Sunday the 16th July dawned dry and fair for this year`s WMCC Fossils Charity ride. The WMCC Fossils  `team` had been watching the weather closely all week and when it rained on the Friday before and  Goodwood Festival of Speed was cancelled on the Saturday because of high winds, we were all a bit  concerned….. 

However, the weather forecast for the Sunday was good and everyone was looking forward to a  great day. The route this year was in Hampshire, about 40 miles long taking in a variety of roads and  lanes between Horndean and the Bishop`s Waltham area with a half-time stop at Wickham, before  returning to the college.  By 05.30 the route marking team were already hard at work. At 07.00 we had access to Horndean Technical College hall and the team got stuck in, putting out  rider`s signing-on tables, more tables and chairs and preparing the hall for the bike display. We had  the benefit of a stage already erected which worked well for the initial display bikes, 7 of which  `went up`, together with the lectern and tables for the category awards.   Shortly after 08.00 the first bikes and riders started to arrive, much to the team`s relief! As part of this year`s bike display, we had 20 riders who wanted to ride the Fossils and display their  machines as well, so we sent this group out earlier than the main ride, at 10.00. All the signing-on tables were manned by volunteers and by half past eight, the car parking and hall  marshals were in place to start signing riders on. Bacon butties and sausage rolls were available in  the college bar, courtesy of HTC. Route markers have been tampered with in the past, so three WMCC members rode the route  before anybody else to make sure all the markers were where they should be – which was the case  and, where required on some junctions, route marshals were in place. With the ride and display folks ready, they were flagged off from the college at 10.00 sharp.

 The parking marshals and signing on teams were kept very busy as bikes continued to arrive for the  main ride. Meanwhile, more bikes were turning up for the hall display or, if they were too big, such  as some of the combinations, they were displayed at the front of the college. Before the main ride all riders were given a full briefing and at 11.00 were flagged off in groups of  10.     The ride and display bikes started to return at 11.30 and were quickly arranged into the hall display,  giving them time to cool down before the main group of riders came back. The burger van arrived late morning and was positioned in the front car park, with the Hampshire  and IoW Air Ambulance, the SERV Wessex Blood Bikes (our two chosen charities) and the Institute of  Advanced Motorists stands. We also had a stand in the hall for the Mental Health Motorbike, their  team including a WMCC member. The main group of riders started to return from 12.30 giving them plenty of time to grab something  to eat and drink from the burger van and catch up with their mates.   

 With a full hall (well over one hundred people returned) the WMCC Chairman invited  representatives of our charities up onto the stage and talk about what they do and their importance  to the biking community. The representatives for the IAM and the Mental Health Motorbike also  gave everyone an insight to what they did.     The Class awards began at 14.00, judged by the WMCC vice-chairman, with awards given for the  best pre-1945 machine, the best `46 to `65, `66 to `85 and `85 to present, and, of course, The Fossils  award for the best pre 1985, machines voted for by the riders taking part in the run. The final activity of the event was to draw the numbers for the raffle prizes. These prizes included  vouchers for motorcycle clothing, the weekend loan of a brand-new Triumph motorcycle and £250  cash. It was interesting that 3 tickets had to be drawn for the £250 prize before a winner came  forward!   

The afternoon was rounded off by the chairman thanking all who attended for coming, the WMCC  and non-WMCC volunteers who organised the day, the charities and external exhibitors, the  individuals and clubs who allowed us to display their bikes, and the Fossils sponsors. It must be mentioned that all the costs of running the event were covered by sponsorship and a  special thanks go to our sponsors - J&S, Cowplain; Proparts, Lovedean; Helmet City, Chichester;  Destination Triumph; Boarhunt Garage; Havant Motor Factors; Hunter Simmons and South Coast  Opticians. The feedback we have had has been very positive and it seems that everyone had an enjoyable day,  contributing to these great charitable causes.  And lastly, the numbers - at the final tally we had 130 entrants, raising a net amount of £2650 for  our chosen charities, to be divided equally between them.