Harry’s Sunbeam ride
When Classic Bike Guide editor Matt Hull and I heard that Sunbeam-riding fundraiser, 23-year-old Harry Bott, was going to be in the Norfolk coastal town of Hunstanton, we hotfooted it over to greet him on arrival and to buy him a cuppa.
It was one of the final stops on Harry’s 8000-mile ride around the British and Irish coastline, visiting all of the 238 RNLI Lifeboat stations of the British Isles on a 96-year-old Sunbeam. When we saw him, on October 3, he was ticking off number 220 – he completed his task, station number 238, on Sunday,
October 15.
Harry’s road trip began on April 6, 2022, on his 1926 Sunbeam Model 1, a 350cc sidevalve, that used to belong to his great-grandad and has taken him through England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the Channel Islands.
Using on app on his phone, mounted on the handlebars of the Sunbeam, he often followed cycle routes, in his efforts to avoid main roads. Additionally, the intrepid youngster said he feels lucky to have picked the driest summer in his lifetime (as he spent most of his nights in his tent) to complete the ride, and says it feels strange to finally be reaching journey’s end.
“It’s a weird feeling knowing that it will soon all be over. It’s a bit against the odds but I’ve seen the entire British coastline,” said Harry, who has been welcomed by the volunteer lifeboat crews at many of the stations he has visited.
The mechanical engineering graduate had the chance to put his skills to the test, tinkering with the bike’s engine to keep himself on the road.
“I’ve been lucky with the weather, and the bike, with only one major fix and a few minor tweaks along the way,” he said.
For six months, he has battled the changeable British weather – at times reducing the little Sunbeam’s speed to just 20mph; 40/45mph is normal – and has raised nearly £7000 for the charity that saves lives at sea.
Harry said: “It’s pretty amazing, and a lot more than I thought I would raise – my original target was £4000, so I’ve had to up the target along the way.
“I love sailing and enjoying the coast and it’s great to know the RNLI are there to help if someone gets into trouble, and as they’re entirely reliant on donations, I felt it was an important charity to give back to.”
RNLI Fundraising Director Jayne George said: “Harry’s fundraising journey has been a truly remarkable adventure and his commitment to raising funds for our mission is unquestionable.
“Fundraisers like Harry are the lifeblood of the RNLI, the money they raise powers our rescues on beaches and from lifeboat stations – each one is a lifesaver.
“Harry has earned his place in our fundraising crew. Welcome aboard Harry.”
Harry was inspired to embark on the trek after he and his dad Richard restored his greatgrandad’s motorcycle, bought in the 1930s and kept in the family ever since. His greatgrandad used it to commute to his job as a shipping agent in Falmouth until the 1950s when it was stored in a barn where it remained for 67 years.
To donate to the charity go to www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/harry-bott