Just in a news release from Dot Jones with Centennial Ride news.

April update.

On Monday August 18th 1913 one hundred and sixty riders set off from Carlisle to follow the route of the first day of the International Six Days Trial. The ISDT has grown in strength through the years to become the International Six Days Enduro with teams from all around the world competing for the World Trophy. In that very first ISDT there were fifty nine motorcycle manufacturers represented, one of which was a Campion ridden by a Mr George who won a Silver Medal.

On Sunday August 18th 2013 the Mayor of Carlisle will drop the flag to send a Campion 4 hp model as the first machine to follow the same route on the Centennial Ride. This Ride will start and finish in Carlisle, alongside the Castle to celebrate the centenary of the ISDT/E. The riders will enjoy lunch in Keswick just like the competitors on that first day. Amongst the machines already entered in the Centennial Ride are many with a long association with the ISDT including a 1931 AJS 498cc that was ridden by George Rowley from Wolverhampton. In those days machines were used in all disciplines of sport and George rode in the 1931 TT in the Isle of Man before making a few modifications to the bike ready for the ISDT.The following year in Merano, Italy George again rode his AJS to win the final Speed Test which suprisingly took place on the seventh Day and helped Team GB win back the World Trophy from the Italians who had been hoping to complete a hat trick of wins. There will be a brace of Jawas that competed in the 50th ISDT held in the Isle of Man and many examples of special Triumphs built by Eric Cheney. As yet there are no Morgan three wheelers or sidecars entered so please search around for at least one of each of these to make the entry list as varied as possible.We also need a few lady riders to represent those early pioneers.The last machine will be a KTM EXC complete with decals for the 2013 ISDE in Sardinia, so there will be one hundred years of bike development clearly on display.

The Ride is not restricted to machines or riders that have taken part in an ISDT but open to all as long as the machine is of a type that could have taken part. The route of the Ride is sadly now all tarmac but travels through fantastic scenery and over many iconic passes in the Lake District National Park. On Saturday evening everyone will gather at the Swallow Lynton Hotel in Carlisle for a buffet and natter when memorabilia will be on display. Please bring along any films, photographs, DVD’s, posters, pin badges etc for everyone to enjoy.

As part of this ISDT/E Festival there is also a Centennial Rally taking place over three days in the forests north of Carlisle. With classes for vintage enduro machines, trail bikes and rally bikes and this will be a fantastic event. Regulations and entry forms for the Centennial Rally and Ride are on line at www.bigbikerallychallenge.co.uk and for further information contact Dot Jones by email at isde100@live.co.uk.

For accommodation visit http://www.discovercarlisle.gov.uk or call the Swallow Hotel on 01228 525255 for special room rates.