Richard Piper

Longest Day Up is a motorbike challenge to travel from Lands End to John O'Groats on the longest day of the year between sunrise and sunset. In case that was not enough of a challenge, the run does not allow the use of motorways. Bikes must have been bought for no more than £300, which in itself is probably the biggest challenge as the motely collection of bikes demonstrates. I have undertaken the Longest Day Up in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The first two times I undertook and completed the run on my trusty and rusty Honda CX500 that was rescued from a long hibernation in a green house lasting 25 years. In 2017, she conked out about 15 miles from the start at Hayle. A hire car got me home and I then joined the event near Carlisle on my Yamaha TDM. In 2018, the CX stripped it's shaft drive on a shake down road test just before the start of the event and I undertook the trip on the faithful TDM again, narrowly missing out on carrying the obligatory inflatable penalty crocodile (given for the most outrageously and clearly over budget bike), as someone had blagged a new Yamaha Tracer from a dealer just prior to the event. The CX was sold and I am now doing the run on a Suzuki GS500, that was left outside, under a cover for about 5 years, but has suffered accordingly and has required some major top-end surgery including replacing the oil cooler that had mysteriously been removed! I am doing the LDU again, in memory of wife's parents who both succumbed to cancer and also a very good friend and because it is a great way of raising funds for a great cause.