My Journey Into Photography: National Association for Bikers with a Disability

One part of my life that I care passionately about is Motorcycles. Bikes have been part of my life ever since Barry Sheene and Kenny Roberts were racing each other in the late 70's. The spectacle of those great champions at the height of their powers was a joy to behold, indeed their famous battle in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1979 cemented their place as Legends. Watching that race was when I knew I would be riding a bike when I was old enough. I bought a Yamaha YB100 on my 17th birthday and have never looked back. My biking life has had it's highs and lows over the years, but one constant has remained throughout the years I have been a part of the great biking community here in the UK. Camaraderie.

Bikers have a habit of sticking together and helping their friends, look at any Motorcycle Club and you will see that trait in abundance. It is also a trait I have learned and earned over the years as both a member of my local bike club, Wigan Pie Eaters and the National Association for Bikers with a Disability. The NABD began in 1991 when one chap was finding it hard to explain to the powers that be that the lack of a leg wasn't just cause for relieiving him of his bike licence. As with all good ideas in the 20th century, plans were drawn on the back of a cigarette packet, bit's of metal were cut, bent and welded together and the first adaption was built. One swift demonstration later, the chap proved it worked, was safe to use and kept his beoved bike licence.

Bikers cherish that all important bit of paper, (although now it's a credit card sized piece of plastic), It is a right of passage that we have proved we can indeed ride that beast and do it safely. One act of camaraderie between friends to help one biker contine to enjoy the freedom Biking brings to us started what has now become the most respected Bikers Charity on earth, the NABD. When word got around that a few good folk had proven that "Yes, We Can!", enquiries began filtering through and the NABD was formed to raise some money to help get adaptions made for more bikers and fitted to their machines.

Bikers love to have a party, enjoy a few beers with like minded folk and generally have a good time. The first NABD fundraising event was held at a pub in Edale, Derbyshire and was christened the You've Been Nabbed Rally. Enough money was raised to get more than a couple of people back on the road and plans were made to repeat the event the follwing year at the same venue.

"The Grapevine", that wonderful word of mouth passing of info ensured that the second rally one year later made it abundantly clear to everyone involved that a bigger venue was required. Lots of meetings, phonecalls, letters and the all important paperwork saw Capesthorne Hall become our home for the next few years and the event grew to a comfortable attendance of 3,000 people. Along the way many folk had volunteered their time to help the event run smoothy, including your's truly.

I had always had that sense of brotherhood that is inherent in Biking. A lot of bikers have served in the Military and a fair few like myself grew up in the Scout Association as kids. It was a no brainer for me that my hand be added to the many that reached out to help a fellow biker. I signed up as a member of the NABD in 1993 and have never looked back. I spent many years behind the scenes doing the myriad of things that need doing including being a DJ and managing the stage in the Family Marquee. It is so ingrained into who I am that I was honoured with the Sarah Russell Award for my years of service to the NABD. A truly humbling moment and one I didn't see coming until I was called up to receive it on stage.

in 2017 I took my trusty Pentax camera's with me to capture some of the fun we had that year on film and to get some much needed practice. My skills as a photographer began to grow rather quickly during the summer of 2017 and I was fortunate enough to get a couple of my images published in 100% Biker Magazine, a custom bike magazine here in the UK that has recently ceased publication. Given the fact that every photojurnalist had made the move to digital some years previously, I am humbled that a few of my film photo's were deemed worthy. The NABD also used some of those images in their advertising for the You've Been Nabbed Rally in 2018. This inspired me to push on and begin to think about making the move to digital, but that is for a future blog post. Here are a few images from the Rally that were published in 100% Biker and the advert for the event the following year.

If you wish to find out more about the NABD or buy a ticket for the 29th You've Been Nabbed Rally being held at the Royal Cheshire Showground here in the UK in May 2020, please visit www.nabd.org.uk