NAME:Mike

AGE: 43

BIKE: Kawasaki ZZR600D

STRATEGY: To keep the bike (and me) going at all costs!

WHAT YOU THINK THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE CHALLENGE WILL BE: Everything after hour 3.... Which is the longest I've ever previously been in the seat for without stopping.

PREVIOUS LONGEST BIKE TRIP: From my home to watch the Northwest 200 over in Ireland, it was a long ride out (for me anyway) but broken up into a couple of 2/3 Hour stints which pales into insignificance against this monster of a challenge!

NAME: Iain

AGE: 52 (going on 12)

BIKE: 1997 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion

STRATEGY: Not to run out of fuel and keep heading North!

WHAT YOU THINK THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE CHALLENGE WILL BE: Getting the bike running and through an MOT!

PREVIOUS LONGEST BIKE TRIP: Southampton to Heerlen in the South Netherlands via Dover. Left Southampton at 10pm on a Thursday night to meet others in Farnborough then a 4am Ferry from Dover and another 300 miles in Europe all for a few beers and a bike rally to do the return trip on the Sunday with a massive hangover!

NAME: Bob

AGE: 41

BIKE: 1996 Kawasaki ZZR600 that, as of 25/03/24 still doesn't run properly……

STRATEGY: Ignore the pain from my knackered hip, forget my advancing years and head north!

WHAT YOU THINK THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE CHALLENGE WILL BE: Convincing myself after 15 hours I can get to the finish!

PREVIOUS LONGEST BIKE TRIP: 450 miles - not quite half of the LDC….😱😱😱

NAME: Andrew

AGE:

BIKE:

STRATEGY:

WHAT YOU THINK THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE CHALLENGE WILL BE:

PREVIOUS LONGEST BIKE TRIP:

NAME: Nige

AGE: 51

BIKE: 750 SRAD 1996

STRATEGY: head down and push on, just keep going!

WHAT YOU THINK THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE CHALLENGE WILL BE: the last stint always the hardest, mostly as very tired by this point and will be dark. The last 100 miles are tight and twisty in places so vision becomes a struggle.

PREVIOUS LONGEST BIKE TRIP: well I’ve done this event now a few times, first time was its second year when it was longest day DOWN! 3 of us did it together and had some unscheduled stops plus got lost, we got to LE just in time for last orders and I decided then that it was possible to beat the sunset rather than the following sunrise.The next year I took part I did it alone in 2016. I beat the sunset to JOG, just! It’s not a race and I don’t really mind if there first I just really enjoy getting my head down and enjoying the ride. If anyone buddies up with me from the morning then great but if not I’ll happily crunch the miles whilst singing my favourite songs.

NAME: Harry

AGE: 62

BIKE: Honda Dull Ville

STRATEGY: To keep peddling.

WHAT YOU THINK THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE CHALLENGE WILL BE: The uphill Bits

PREVIOUS LONGEST BIKE TRIP: 500 Miles

NAME: Richard

AGE: 60 + a lot more months!

BIKE: Honda CB 500

STRATEGY: Hold on tight, keep pointing north and not to run out of fuel.

WHAT YOU THINK THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE CHALLENGE WILL BE: Staying focused, not getting lost and, when the going gets tough, remembering why and for whom I am doing it, as my discomfort is nothing compared to those battling this cruel disease.

PREVIOUS LONGEST BIKE TRIP: Four previous LDU’s and one LDD (when we started at JOG) in 2015.

NAME: Ian

AGE: 50

BIKE: Yamaha xj600 seca 2

STRATEGY: Steady away but keep moving.

WHAT YOU THINK THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE CHALLENGE WILL BE: Worrying about the bike making it all the way unlike last time.

PREVIOUS LONGEST BIKE TRIP: LDU 2021, Roughly 1000 miles.

NAME: Rene, or Reggie

AGE: 40

BIKE: Suzuki GSXF1100

STRATEGY: Send it.

WHAT YOU THINK THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE CHALLENGE WILL BE: Staying awake, keep the bike in one piece.

PREVIOUS LONGEST BIKE TRIP: Dumfries - Calais - Home on a sunday, working on monday. Unfaired GSXR that wouldn't start when cold, so I just kept going.

NAME: Steve

AGE: 55

BIKE: 1992 Triumph Trophy 1200

STRATEGY: Get to the start line, shit myself, get to the finish line.

WHAT YOU THINK THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE CHALLENGE WILL BE: Focusing on just the essential work required to get my bike its MoT, rather than polishing and painting every nut and bolt.

PREVIOUS LONGEST BIKE TRIP: 4040 miles crossing the US over two weeks. Single day longest ride has probably only been 300 miles.

NAME: Derek

AGE: 67 but I don't act my age

BIKE: 1989 Suzuki GS500e

STRATEGY: Go North and stay awake.

WHAT YOU THINK THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE CHALLENGE WILL BE: Stopping my knees from seizing up

PREVIOUS LONGEST BIKE TRIP: 650 mile (Northampton - Lyon)

NAME: Dan

AGE: 49 (should know better)

BIKE: FZR 32.5

STRATEGY: get to the start

WHAT YOU THINK THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE CHALLENGE WILL BE: my arthritic right knee seizing in the arctic Scottish conditions!

PREVIOUS LONGEST BIKE TRIP: LDU21