Free Falling

Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb in Worcestershire hosted their first Severn Freewheelers Bike Festival on Sunday 13th September.

Money raised at the event supports the Severn Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service, a group of advanced motorcyclists providing a free out-of-hours courier service for hospitals in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, North Wiltshire and Herefordshire. Severn Freewheelers are one of the founding members of Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes.

A group of OMS British Hill Climbers once again took the challenge to Run the Hill on two wheels, having previously ridden at the Prescott Bike Festival in April.

2012 British Hill Climb Champion Trevor Willis took his collection of Italian machines to the event. A Ducati Panigale was Trevor's preferred ride for the day, whilst Mike Fitzsimons rode the Laverda Montjuic. Gary Hill's bike a Suzuki GT185, cried off the day before the event so Trevor offered Gary a ride on the other Ducati he owns.

Steve and Lynn Owen brought a couple of their bikes along; the 1945 Moto Guzzi 250cc Airone Corsa and a 1962 Greeves TE 250cc. The Guzzi was one of a number of Paddock Special bikes invited by the Severn Freewheelers.

The paddock was full of glorious machinery old and new and on the hillside enclosure were a number of static bike displays. Spectators too could take a ride on the hill in a range of three wheel machines. Whilst during the lunch break there were demonstration runs to wow the spectators.

A memorable day for all and in particular for one of the OMS riders who took a fall at the top of the hill. With some superficial damage to the bike and slightly more damage to the rider, there were no bones broken and they will be back on two wheels again soon.

Steve and Lynn in the paddock: photo Carol Fitzsimons

    Steve Owen on the Moto Guzzi Airone Corsa                                                         Lynn Owen on the Greeves TE

To view more Festival photos and read about the event click here.

Date: 23/09/2015 | Author: L.Owen