Sailors ride for charity

Bikers from HMS Ark Royal endured negative temperatures and a string of mechanical problems to beat their ship to Gibraltar. The team of seven riders and two support crew parted company with Ark Royal in Portsmouth and met up again days later on the Rock.

The guys had an eventful journey through France and Spain punctuated by breakdowns and bad weather, but managed to raise more than £3,000 for the Royal British Legion. 

“The first hundred miles passed with no problems,” said Paddy Leckey. “Then danger sprang her little trap. Robbie Robertson’s back wheel locked and his bike began to swerve. He got off the bike, and glancing over it he saw his brand new chain that had been fitted only the previous day had parted causing the back wheel to lock up.”

By the time Robertson had realised this, the rest of the group had disappeared and he was temporarily stranded. Eventually his mechanical problems were put behind him, only for Leckey to discover his Honda Hornet’s wheel bearings had gone.

The journey continued with few hitches, and the fellas were able to make their destination on time and meet Ark Royal for the return journey to the UK.