On the stroke of 11.00am, 254 machines with their 350 riders and pillion passengers, were 'flagged' away by Lion President Sue. They made their way passing Pevensey Castle, initially built by the Romans and the nearby church built by William the Conqueror in 1080 and a little later, by kind permission of the owners, the Bikes entered the grounds of Herstmonceux Castle to pass the moated 15th century fortress.

Some Riders opted for the shorter 54 mile route to avoid some of the hills and some took the 60 mile route. The shorter route missed the long Netherfield Hill, but at the cost of missing Battle High Street with its period houses and unique character. The halfway break took place at the suitably placed White Hart at Netherfield, and the ride continued south to enjoy the scenic and winding roads across the Seven Sisters, the South Downs and Beachy Head before the descent down to Eastbourne sea front and the finish. Now back on the Western Lawns the entrants enjoyed the lunch pack provided by the Lions with the valued help of wives and partners. Then at 3.00pm and with the help of The Mayor of Eastbourne Councillor Greg Szanto, The Mayoress and Lion President Sue Durham, trophies were awarded for the category winners and runners up.

SEE BELOW FOR RESULTS AND PICTURES

During the afternoon other important results were declared. First was the 'Guess the number of Balloons in a VW Beetle' competition run by "The Demelza Hospice Care for Children" and then The Lions 'Grand Summer Draw' took place with a number of Cash and other prizes.

The Grand Draw together with other Lions Fund Raising events was in support of The Sussex Air Ambulance and enabled the club to donate the sum of £4,200 to that very worthy cause.

Class A - Pre 1939  

1^st place - Steve Marks - 1920 Henderson 1301cc                                                       

Runner up - Tom Snow - 1938 Norton 40M 350cc

Class B - 1940 - 1949

1^st place - Cliff Ellis - 1944 - Ariel W/NG 350cc

Runner up - Roger Burgess - 1949 - BSA Twin Star 500cc

Class C - 1950 - 1962  

1^st place - Gary Bannister - 1951 Sunbeam S7 500cc

Runner up - Adrian Filmer - 1950 Vincent Rapide 1000cc

Class D - 1963 - 1976  

1^st place - Keith Webb - 1972 Laverda SF  750cc

Runner up - Andy Gates - 1969 Triumph TR6 650cc

 Class E - 1977 - 1990  

1^st place - Gary Bristow - 1981 Honda CBX 1047cc

Runner up - Mark Jordan - 1979 Ducati Darma 900cc

Class F - 1991 - Onwards  

1^st place - Graham Ross - 2006 Harley Davidson Fatboy 1584cc

Runner up - Peter Cheyney - 2008 Yamaha Royal Star Touring 1300cc

Special Awards

Eastbourne Lions 'Presidents Fancy' - Stuart Pugh 1975 Motto Guzzi

R.E. Allen Award - John Harris - 1960 Triumph 3TA

Best Harley Davidson Award - Graham Ross - 2006 Harley Davidson Fatboy

Oldest Rider Award - David Fletcher - 1957 Velocette LE