On October 18th, thousands of Harley-Davidsons and other motorbikes paraded from Severn View Services to Chepstow, hogging all the lanes of the Old Severn Bridge in aid of charity.
One participant, Jacqui Sullivan, Chepstow County Councillor shares her view of a local, annual spectacle unique to our part of the world:
My day started early ... into town to dress the stage which had been erected in Beaufort Square with Harley Davidson banners and bunting. The various stalls were setting up and there was already a buzz around the town.
Chris Harding, the Assistant Director of Great Western Chapter UK had offered me a ride on his bike and he arrived bright and early with his beautiful, gleaming machine "Poison Ivy". He was keen to get over to Aust Services, so before I could calm the butterflies in my stomach I found myself on the back of "Poison Ivy" and zooming up Chepstow High Street and out of town. It had been 25 years since I last sat on the back of a bike and it was exhilarating!
Arriving at Aust Services just after 9am I could understand his hurry ... there were already several hundred bikes in place and we had to manoeuvre around them to the front of the queue as we were to be in the lead group of bikes. Bikes were coming into the services car park in a continual stream so I found a spot up the grass bank at the back of the services to watch them flood in. It was like a carnival atmosphere as bikers from different Chapters met up with friends, everyone was in an excited mood.
By 10.30am there was barely room to squeeze another bike in so I made my way to find Chris and "Poison Ivy" amongst the thousands of bikes ... it was like looking for a needle in a haystack - the area was just a sea of bikes!
At 10.55 the air was electric. Everyone pulled on their helmets and gloves and bikes were started up. I was trembling with excitement as we set off up to the tolls escorted by police motorcycles. Groups of people were standing along the bridge and as we got level with the exit to Chepstow the crowds grew bigger and bigger. Everyone was waving - spectators at bikers and bikers at spectators!!
Every bridge along the M48 was packed with people even cars driving towards the Severn Bridge pulled over onto the hard-shoulder to watch the spectacular sight going past them. We left the M48 at Magor and turned back towards Chepstow through the villages, riding through streets lined with cheering crowds, young and old, who had turned out in force to support the thousands of bikes that were roaring through their villages.
As we got to Highbeach Roundabout in Chepstow the crowds deepened and excitement grew, as we drove into town I felt extremely emotional. For four years I have helped organise the event in Chepstow but this was the first time I had seen for myself what the 'Hogs' experience on their ride. To see thousands of people turn out to welcome them was so awesome, it is something I will never forget!!
THE FUTURE OF HOGGING THE BRIDGE:
There have been rumours that Hoggin' the Bridge 10 could be the last. However, seeing the reaction of the crowds that weekend it was agreed that it MUST be kept as an annual event for Chepstow. As the Hoggin' the Bridge has grown and grown in the last four years we will be looking for help from local community groups to assist on the day with marshaling in the car parks and generally helping out with the organisation. Any group who comes on board will benefit from the fundraising that takes place on the day. If your group is interested in getting involved please email jacquisullivan@monmouthshire.gov.uk or call 01291 627393.
Jacqui Sullivan,
County Councillor, Chepstow