Happy Birthday! #Ride5000miles marks four years and 13,000 members

Published: 01 February 2021 Updated: 01 February 2021

Daniel Simpson takes a break off-road
Angi and Andy Todd have enjoyed their time in #ride5000miles
Angi Todd with her Honda CB125R and Andy's Kawasaki Versys 650
Daniel Simpson has been trying his hand at green laning
Angi rode a Honda CB125R before her Triumph Street Twin
Dean Jewell has been packing in the miles on his Yamaha MT-10

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A little over four years ago, on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, MCN’s #ride5000miles Facebook group was born, welcoming riders from across the globe to share inspiring tales, offer advice and encourage others to get more from their biking.

The forum has since grown rapidly, recently passing 13,000 members, with new riders joining every day. To mark the special day, members have shared what #R5K means to them and how it’s changed their biking lives.

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Hinckley-based Triumph Street Twin rider, Angi Todd, 46, bagged her CBT certificate in April 2019, before passing her test in August 2020. She says the group helped inspire her to pursue biking and she has gone on to cover 11,000 miles across two bikes in 17 months.

Angi and Andy Todd grab a selfie on a ride

“If I hadn’t been invited to the group by my husband, Andy, and seen some of the members’ comments, I really don’t think I’d have done what I did,” she beamed. “I’m on quite a lot of mixed groups and #R5K is the best for not putting you down for being a female.”

With her new-found passion for riding and hopes that restrictions will ease as the year progresses, Angi is now planning a trip either to the south coast or Scotland’s North Coast 500.

Elsewhere, born again biker, Daniel Simpson, 29, got back on two wheels last year after a 10-year absence. Heading into Europe twice on his Royal Enfield Himalayan in 2020, as well as having a go at his own maintenance, Daniel has now completed 15,000 miles and says the group was a big help when getting back on two wheels.

“This has been the most fun I’ve had since getting my 125 at 17,” Daniel said. “I filter the group to find little tips and how to do things and there’s all sorts of great wisdom. It’s been hugely beneficial for getting back into the hobby.”

Dean prepares for another ride on his Yamaha MT-10

And finally, to 41-year-old Dean Jewell, from Swansea, who has jumped from around 3500 miles across his last two bikes, to 7000 in the past 18 months on his Yamaha MT-10, adding: “#Ride5000miles shows you can do nice, high mileage and find nice roads on your doorstep!”