Scores of vintage and custom motorcycles arrived in Margate last night (September 25) for The Mile Beach Race 2020.
The vintage motorcycle beach sprint is the first to be held in the country.
Organisers say social distancing and environmental measures are in place.
Video Frank Leppard
Organisers Malle London say: “We have been working with Thanet council over the last year to create an environmental plan that ensures The Mile Beach Race leaves the beach in a better condition than when we arrived and leaves only footprints in the sand.
“Like The Malle Mile Festival the entire event is plastic free. Before and after the race the entirety of Margate Sands is being combed by our dedicated Marshall team, removing any debris and rubbish from the beach and recycling it safely.
“There will be many electric motorcycles in the beach race and more each year no doubt, but the majority of entries are vintage race bikes powered by engines. We’ve set up several initiatives to keep the beach environment pristine. We have a pre/post race washing station for all race motorcycles to remove any oil before and any any sand after.
“Our environmental Malle Marshals will also be on hand to watch out for any drops of oil on the beach and they’re equipped to dispose safely of any sand that may be affected throughout the day.
“For all Malle events in 2020, including The Malle Mile, The Mile Beach Race and The Malle Rallies, we are working with ‘The International Tree Foundation’ to plant a tree for every rider who enters the race – with an aim to plant a minimum of 1000 trees in 2020 – off setting and locking away carbon and protecting the global environment.”
However, concerns have been raised by residents over social distancing, environmental impacts and the strong smell of diesel.
The event is raising money for ‘Two Wheels For Life’ and their partner ’Riders For Health’.
For 30 years the charity has trained local health care professionals to use motorcycles to reach the remotest parts of Africa where other vehicles simply cannot reach, bringing medicine, doctors and the modern digitisation of medical paper based-systems.
To date they have reached and supported over 12 million people. Learn more about their work at: www.twowheelsforlife.org
Programme
SATURDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER – RACE DAY
10AM – THE MILE BEACH RACE HEATS
1PM – THE MILE BEACH RACE KNOCKOUTS
5PM – THE MILE BEACH RACE DERBY
6PM – THE PODIUM AWARDS
7-9PM – ‘THE TROPHY ROOM’ AT THE RAG & BONE MAN
7-10PM – ‘THE PODIUM ROOM’ AT THE FORT ROAD YARD
SUNDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER – RIDE OUT
9.30AM – THE MALLE RALLY 100 – REGISTRATION
10AM-3PM – THE MALLE RALLY 100 – A PUBLIC 100 MILE ROAD RALLY ACROSS THE KENT DOWNS. STARTING & FINISHING AT MARGATE HARBOUR.
Find out more at https://mallelondon.com/beach-race/
What a stupid idea. Have the council declared a climate emergency or not? The whole of Marine Parade stinks of diesel. I note the efforts to safeguard the environment but the noise and air pollution for local residents outweigh these.
Just an observation Ms South – all the motorcycles that took part in the racing or carried spectators to the event run on PETROL so the ‘stink of diesel’ could only have come from the emergency vehicles ( I doubt ) or the many buses that were running with no passengers!! As for the noise pollution, the wind was noisier!
Don’t know how you managed to smell diesel as no motorcycle is powered by diesel
Why do some people have to moan about every little thing? We have had enough negativity so far this year. Lighten up for goodness sake!!
Obviously Judyg lives no where near this event, cares little about the environment and is a real bundle of positive fun.
No wonder the worlds in the state it is with people like Judyg around. There’s a pandemic and a climate crisis going on – or hadn’t she noticed! As long as a few people are still enjoying themselves then I suppose that’s fine.
Unfortunately it isn’t “just a few”. I went past there just now, and there were literally 100’s of people crowded very close together… expect a surge of cases locally within a week or so!
I should add that normally I’m supportive of events like this and I’ve even marshalled at them.
Well we had 20k on the beach very very crowded numerous times in the summer and some weeks after this we had no reported cases in thanet at all. And tbh it was so windy and being outdoors so more chance if winning the lottery.
Miserable buggers the lot of you. And for your information, I live quite close to the beach.
Go for it lass live and let live I say
Life is to short to drink cheap wine or blended whisky
Oh dear. Lighten up!
They where not social distanceing on th beach at margate
So it’s okay for motorcycles to be on the beach, but not for the Lifeboat! Due to all the objections on ‘safey’ grounds, we are now losing our fabulous All Weather Lifeboat, which is being replaced with an Inshore open rib, IF a suitable new location for a boathouse can be found.
I agree – lighten up.
We get it about environment, seaweed, seagulls, and red and white dots on buildings.
Keep harping on about the environment and diesel and smell and red and white dots on a building creates a hat full of harmful emotions.
Why not create laughter and joy for a change?
100% agree. We’ve all had enough of the doom and gloom this year!! Why be so negative, we all deserve a break. But as I said some people thrive on moaning about anything and everything.
yes a some people thrive on doing sweet f.a. about anything just out to have a good time, have a laugh and then they wonder why the worlds in the state it is. Chronic Individualism rules!
I was a participant of this event. It was supposed to be on the last weekend of May but got cancelled due to Covid.
To those of you with concerns regarding social distancing, although it may not have looked like it from the promenade, all participants were adhering to the guidelines-helmets or face coverings were worn and standing in groups of 6 or less. Failing that, we were stood and racing in 50mph winds 😂