Sundays usually find the Badlanders on a ride out. We vary our
routes and destinations which usually include stopping off for lunch somewhere
along the way.
One particular Sunday in May found us on the Alston to Penrith
road where we pulled into a pub car park (I think it was The Elks Head
Whitfield). As we rode in I noticed some posters saying 'Bike Stop. Photo
Shoot.'
After the meal we went outside where a man introduced himself as
Nick Hurren and told us that he was a mature student doing his final project
for his degree in photography. His intention was to produce a book of
photographs of the different bikes and riders that use the A686 "This book
documents the landscape and motorcycle riders of the A686, from Northumberland
through Alston to the
Hartside
Pass in
Cumbria. The aim of the project was
to gain an understanding of the riders and why they are attracted to the
A686."
He then asked if he could take photographs of us, of course we
were very reluctant and camera shy (ahem!) so we raced each other into the
village hall next to the pub! The hall was set out like a studio with lights
and brollies and a big white sheet for the background. Nick then proceeded to
take loads of photos...group shots, lads only, girls only, individual shots,
helmets on, helmets off, jackets on, jackets off...
When he was finished he said that he couldn't promise that we
would all be in his book but once it was published we could view some of the
pages online and could buy copies from the website. He also told us that all
profits from the sale of the book would be donated to Great North Air Ambulance.
In June I received an email from Nick to say that the book,
Spirit of the
Open Road
was published and could be previewed on line. It was possible to view the first
15 pages online but our photos were amongst the portraits which were at the end
of the book so could not be viewed.Nevertheless we all ordered copies and were absolutely thrilled when we saw
the finished article.
The book is 42 pages and we feature on 9 of them! Those featured
in the book are Carole & Joe Fairrie, Maurice & Maria Savage, Dave
& Diane Kent, Janet & Les Robertson and Paul Adamson. We had a great
day out, riding bikes, having fun and it just goes to prove that you never know
just what's around the next bend!! The photos can be seen here
If you
would like to see more details about the book or purchase a copy (All
profits are donated to the North East Air Ambulance) click here.
