The Round Britain Rally is an annual event for bikers and trikers (and plastic pigs) and it’s all about seeing places, riding the roads less travelled, and not least, finding out about Britain. And it’s addictive!

In April you get a list of ‘landmarks’ and instructions, then you visit as many (or as few) as you choose, taking a photograph of your bike at each. In October you send in the photos for judging and the wait begins – was it the right celtic cross? Will I get points for a photo of a gate because I couldn’t reach a building? There’s at least one landmark in every county in England, Wales and Scotland – some are easy to find, some are difficult. They might be a castle or a milepost but they’re always interesting, and wherever you are there are several not far away. So whether you spend all your spare time and your two weeks holiday on the bike or just a weekend here and there, the RBR is for everyone. Awards start with a ‘Finishers Certificate’ for up to 199 points through to the 100% All Rounder. I’ve never got better than Silver but the real reward is the travelling and the places you see and the people you meet!

The bikes used vary enormously – there are the usual suspects for touring – BMWs, Pan Euros etc, modern sports bike, very old bikes, and one rider got a 100% all-rounder on a 100cc Chinese 2-stroke which he bought in a box and put together! Anyone lucky enough to have a choice can register more than one bike for the rally. As soon as the list arrives the research begins, maybe on the ‘net or at the library, some have loads of reference books and maps! Some just visit the area via the tourist information centre – not always entirely succesful! My first move is to plot all the landmarks on a big map of Britain so I can see how the places relate to each other, as I usually do the RBR with other trips, going to rallies and visiting friends and relations and sometimes finding some great B&B’s. The best maps are the Ordance Survey Landrangers but I tend to use a large scale road atlas based on OS maps. I use the computer for route-planning and research and I love finding out about all the places – if ever I don’t have the time or the money to do the rally, I’ll probably enter anyway, and do the research as a pastime! There’s Satnav of course if you’re that way inclined! Ah yes, the cost – well that depends on how many points you’re going for, where you stay, and whether you make special trips. The entry fee pays for the paperwork and the rather splendid awards, B&Bs start at about £25 a night depending on the season, camping can be as little as £6, and staying with friends or relatives is cheaper still, though they tend to expect you to spend some time with them! Then there’s fuel, but hey, you’re a biker, you’ll be riding anyway……

For me, the Round Britain Rally opened up a whole new world. I discovered that I love travelling on my own and places that seemed far away are nearer than I thought. I’ve visited small castles like Skenfrith, next to cottage gardens down little lanes. I’ve broken down on the north Pennine moors, I’ve seen the old Norton factory in Birmingham, and stood on a Cornish hilltop with a few wet sheep for company, surrounded by the almost surreal monoliths of a wind farm – eerie but rather beautiful. And I can’t wait for the start of next year’s rally!

RBR May09 Cheshire