Pioneer Run 2019

“Red sky in the morning – shepherd’s warning” is part of an oft-quoted saying to indicate that the day’s weather might not be that good.

However, for Ian Kerr MBE, on Sunday, March 24, it signalled a glorious warm and sunny day for the 80th Pioneer Run, in stark contrast to the snow and ice that disrupted last year’s event. Instead of the start area being a skating rink, it was bathed in bright early morning sun that was to stay with the event all day, meaning the area around Madeira Drive on Brighton’s seafront was just awash with spectators’ motorcycles.

Many of these had followed the ancient bikes taking part, down through the lanes of Surrey and Sussex, to the coastal resort from the start. As regular readers will know, the very first run was in 1930 and started from Croydon Aerodrome.

It attracted 77 entrants, with George Brough being first away in a field that included many notable works riders and just one female rider.

How times have changed, with more than 300 machines now regularly taking part and a healthy number of female entrants and personalities included.

Read more and view more images in the May 2019 issue of OBM – on sale now!