More than 1300 motorcyclists took part in this year’s Beatson Bikers ride on Sunday, raising over £36,000 for Beatson Cancer Charity.
The event, now in its third year, is organised by Beatson Cancer Charity and sponsored by Optical Express and the Moulsdale Foundation. For the first time, riders set off from the Moulsdale Foundation’s Classic and Performance Car and Motorcycle Museum before following a 38-mile route around the outskirts of Glasgow, finishing at the Beatson Cancer Centre.
Among the riders was Scottish racing legend Niall Mackenzie, the three-time British Superbike champion and former 500cc Grand Prix rider, who lined up alongside the rest of the field at the start.
“It was brilliant to see so many riders come together for such a deserving cause, raising vital funds for those affected by cancer,” said Mackenzie.
“I am proud to have lined up alongside the 1300 bikers on the start line at the Moulsdale Foundation Museum and have played a small part in this event that will make such an important impact on the work of the Beatson Cancer Charity.”
The first ride in 2024 drew more than 250 riders. “Last year that grew to over 750 and this year we almost doubled that again with over 1300 riders,” said Beatson Cancer Charity Ambassador Derek Provan OBE, who came up with the idea.
“Our biker community brings with you a positivity and enjoyment to supporting the event that makes it very special. With involvement from the biker community, we support Beatson in ensuring that no-one should go through cancer alone.”
Before setting off, riders were served hot breakfast rolls, tea and coffee at the museum café. The money raised there was doubled by the Moulsdale Foundation to £4520 and donated to the charity, helping push the total past £36,000.
Beatson Cancer Charity supports people affected by cancer across the west of Scotland, funding research, clinical care and wellbeing services for patients and their families.
Gillian Hailstones, CEO of Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “Beatson Bikers is a brilliant example of people coming together to support those affected by cancer. We’re incredibly grateful to the Moulsdale Foundation and Optical Express for their support and to every rider who took part.
“Bringing more than 1300 bikers together for this year’s event was a fantastic sight, but most importantly, the money raised will help us continue to provide support to people and families affected by cancer.”
Over the past 36 years, the Moulsdale Foundation and companies owned or controlled by David Moulsdale say they have donated more than £36 million to causes in the UK and abroad, including youth and sporting groups, cancer charities, environmental campaigns and children’s charities. The Foundation also runs open days throughout the year, opening the collection up to the public.
The Bishopbriggs museum is home to a number of notable vehicles, including the Vauxhall Nova once driven by the late World Rally Champion Colin McRae, Formula 1 cars driven by David Coulthard MBE, and the Ford Lotus Cortina used by the Great Train Robbery gang in 1963.
Roughly 1300 riders is a cracking turnout, and it’s great to hear bikers have turned out in such numbers for a noble cause. Well done, all.
Ben Clarke began riding (legally) at 21-years-old when he passed his direct access one month before shipping his Yamaha XT660 R to Miami and embarking on a 13,500-mile tour of the USA and Central America. He's worked at MCN for the last six years…