The Yeovil Freewheelers, also known as the YFW Blood Bikes provide a 24/7 service to deliver urgently needed medical supplies such as blood and blood products, blood samples, biopsies, MRI scans, X-rays, prescription drugs, breast milk and a variety of medical equipment and medical documents to hospitals in and around Dorset. The group started their mammoth ride from the Shell Garage in Dorchester and from there headed to Lands End where they arrived at 2.50am.
Jack Gooding, one of the riders said: “It was hard going, and some time was lost due to night closures on the A30, which we were on and off of during the early stages.” It was at this point that the bikers split off into two groups based on the range of the bikes being ridden and they proceeded to ride to John O'Groats, Scotland, approximately 835 miles away. Blood bike charity ride (Image: YFW Blood Bikes) One of the groups was made up of members Steve Barnes, Kris Knapton and Andrew Wiley who required five fuel stops on their travels, arriving at the Scottish border at 11.
40am and finally reaching John O’Groats at 7.45pm – completing their challenge in 20 hours and 45 minutes. The blood bikers at John O'Groats (Image: YFW Blood Bikes) Kris said: “As the ride went on, I quickly began to understand why it was called a saddle sore as each fuel stop, it hurt getting off the bike.
" Nigel Massey, Jack Gooding and Kristian Saunders formed part of the group that has a shorter range, meaning more fuel stops for them.