Vega was all organised for me by Tim Scott (Business Manager) and Paul Alcock (Sales Executive), these two worked tirelessly with my Insurance company to ensure that I got what I really wanted! Thanks guys.

Anyway, a little more about Vega.. she’s an Air-Cooled, Evolution® 96 cubic inch beauty, with some unique artwork on her, including the 110th Anniversary Fuel Tank Medallion. Vega is number 398 of 1450 produced.

Vega rides slightly lower than Scarlett did, as Harley-Davidson reduced the ground clearance to 110mm from Scarlett’s ground clearance of 120mm. It’s been baffling me why Vega feels different to Scarlett did, the ground clearance is lower, the seat is a different design, Vega is also a shorter bike than Scarlett was and the wheels are different sizes too, as well as the fuel tank being almost 2 litres smaller than Scarlett was, it all makes for a different ride, a better ride..

The whole feeling of the ride is different on Vega, it’s hard to determine why, the ride position seems more comfortable and laid back, the engine is more responsive on the power, even the handlebars feel different, with the mini pull-back look giving a relaxed riding position.

The electronic controls have all been upgraded too, the Trip computer is now on the left hand side of the handlebars, there is a “flash” option too.

All in all, I think that the new slightly modified 110th Anniversary Vega is an even better bike than Scarlett was, and she was a superb ride, despite me only having her for 5 months.. the Anniversary model has some beautiful artwork on her, as can be seen from these photographs.

Met up with 400+ same attitude people at Leicester Forest East Services and rode northbound on the M1 heading to Alrewas, destination the National Memorial Arboretum. We all rode as a group northbound, then turned onto the A50 heading westwards towards the Midlands, destination the NMA. I think that the car drivers were extremely surprised to see so many bikers together, most of them couldn’t fathom out how to deal with so many bikes on one stretch of road of course.

I think that there were approximately 10,000 bikes attending RTTW 5, Scooter Clubs, MCC’s, Harley Chapters and everyone rode with one thought “To honour those who could no longer ride alongside us”. Bikers get a bad reputation generally, but as the the Colonel stated “Bikers have BIG hearts..” and who wants to argue with that sentiment? Who would have believed a sermon from “The God Squad” about male genitalia and squirrels in front of 15,000 people.. it happened, but you had to be there to appreciate it!

A video link was sent from the troops in Afghanistan, the Founder Martin Dickinson made a short but apt speech and this was followed by more speeches and many grown men trying (and failing!) to hide the tears..

Overall, it was a brilliantly organised day, the team of Road Marshall’s got everyone there safely, parked up and processed to the NMA, where we were able to wander around the NMA, inspecting the memorials and talking with like minded bikers, some ex-military, some with family in the military and some who had lost family and friends, talking in my case with a chap who had cut his teeth maintaining the same Oerlikon Gun as I had in the Royal Navy.

We were also treated to a superb fly-by from a Dakota DC3, flown VERY low for the benefit of the crowd, with the crew frantically waving out of the rear door as the sun shone brightly.. God DOES love Bikers!!

All I can say is roll on RTTW 6 in 2013, count me in!!

• RTTW is founded on the principles of Remembrance and Respect.
• To remember those that can no longer ride by our side.
• To give all motorcyclists an opportunity to pay their respects to the memory of the fallen and express our gratitude for their sacrifice.
• To show support for the Armed Forces currently serving both at home and abroad.
• To raise money for the upkeep of the venue that serves to perpetuate the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.