Museum welcomes quartet on 'epic' 3,000 mile challenge and IOM TT winner

A MUSEUM welcomed a quartet of charity bikers as they take on an epic 3,000 mile journey.

The Sammy Miller Museum welcomed the four air traffic controllers on Sunday, April 21 as they take on their Big Tour 24 challenge.

Throughout April, they have been taking on a journey from Edinburgh to Gibraltar, visiting every NATS and NATS Solutions air traffic control unit along the way.

Wayne Clark, from Aberdeen Airport and Richard Fell, Shaun Bellairs-Wray and Harvey McVicar from Swanwick Area Control Centre are raising money for Prostate Cancer UK and Aerobility during their challenge.

The riders were joined by more than 20 other riders, including Lee Morrison, a stunt coordinator for James Bond.

James Hillier, winner of the Isle of Man TT and finisher of Paris-Dakar at his first attempt, also joined, riding his late grandfather’s pristine 1960s Triumph T120.

Prostate Cancer UK is a charity of personal significance to Wayne and the staff in Aberdeen as an ex-staff member and close friend from the unit died in May 2023 from the disease.

The team are hoping the ride will help raise awareness and encourage men to get checked.

Sammy said: “I’m blown away by the outstanding enthusiasm of the riders, riding all the way to Spain for these wonderful causes. They’re bright lights shining in the grey and dark world that we live in.

“I’d like to thank the Triumph factory for supplying the bikes and the clothing and James Hiller, another great Triumph supporter, for helping the riders to complete their mission.”

The Big Tour 24 riders are keeping a blog of their journey.

They came to the museum on the eighth day of the challenge, and said: “The legend, Sammy Miller was waiting for us when we arrived.

“I’m not going to try and explain who he is, just google him.

“Suffice to say, I’ve never seen such huge trophy cabinets or met a man that knows so many details about every single motorcycle in his vast collection.

“We were also given free roam of his very impressive museum which has every type of motorcycle you could possibly think of.

“It’s definitely worth a visit in the area – allow a good couple of hours.”

For more information on the challenge and to donate, visit 24in24.co.uk and for more information on the museum, visit its website.