Newcastle Toy run 2007 
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| Overcast skies threatening to repeat the previous years, wettest on record Newcastle Toy Run, did not deter the thousands of bikers that fronted for the 30th running of this event, and even as the run was departing there were still riders arriving to join the horde that was steadily filtering out of the markets at Sandgate. For about twenty minutes all I could see from my vantage point about fifty metres down the road from the markets car-park, were rows of bikes five or six wide coming towards me, and behind them, a solid mass of helmets worn by the riders that were constantly replacing those leaving from the front. It is hard to gauge how many turned up this year, but I was informed that the front of the run arrived at the foreshore before the last bikes had left the markets, and that folks, in anyone’s language equates to an absolute shit load. |
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| The logistics of putting this run on have to be huge, and in view of that, this year there were presentations of gifts of appreciation to the large number of the people responsible for ensuring that we all made it safely to the runs end. Now, I know I have said it before, but, if you are riding on this or any other run for that matter, and you see someone who is doing the marshalling, just yell out “thanks mate” as you go by, it’s only a little thing but it would be no doubt be most appreciated by someone who might have been stood there for a couple of hours in all sorts of weather. Also, when you consider the longevity of this Toy Run, and little things like the fact, that, a lot of the riders attending this 30th running were not even born when it all started, it certainly puts into perspective the amount of effort that Big John and all those behind him have put into it over the years, so, if you want to be a part of one of the best biker gift and fund raisers for the Salvo’s in NSW, make sure you front up next year, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. |
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| In closing, I would like to point out that the people in the group photo in front of the stage and toys, (top of the page) are about a quarter of the original riders that were on the very first run, take a bow folks, you really started something big. |
Merry Christmas to all the kids. Crusty |