If this is your first introduction to 'Dambusters' here are some highlights for you to enjoy from last year ..... a top ride .... a top bunch of riders ....... and a top welcome and commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Dams Raid, May 1943. .... and about £14,000 raised for charity too ...... roll on 2014!!!
Our Launch Event hosted by RAF Scampton and the 'real' Dambusters 617 Squadron who laid on a fantastic set of flypasts with the Tornado fast jets!!
Some poignant visits along the way .....
Our arrival and welcome at the Mohne Dam by the local biking community from around the Mohne was extra-ordinary and lead by the Mayor and Vice-Mayor. Indeed the Vice-Mayor lead the joint Anglo-German Ride Out around the Mohnesee in the afternoon. Top bloke indeed.
We were also allowed to ride down to the foot of the Mohne Dam itself, a privilege not normally allowed even for locals.
.... and then at Midnight to coincide with the actual anniversary of when the Lancasters went into the attack the local Mayor gave Dambusters2013 the unique opportunity to ride our bikes across the famous Mohne Dam itself as part of the joint Anglo-German commemoration before joining us to lay wreaths on the waters of the Mohnesee itself to remember all the lives lost as a result of the dams Raid. It was just the coolest evening and night imaginable.
The following morning it was calm, serene and beautiful. Very difficult to reconcile with what the view would have been like in 1943 on the same morning, 17th May, when a 100 yard wide breach in the dam would have been dominating the view!
Finally, the Dambusters Riders at the foot of the Mohne Dam - 16th May 2013. Thanks to all who took part - an amazing event which we will do our best to top in 2014.
The website for Dambusters2014 will launch in January 2014. Just keep the 17th - 19th September free ..... and you'll need you passport too - we're going to Arnhem!
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