November 8th saw the 11th annual Salvation Army Toy Run take place. Normally starting from Wilmott Street near Oxford Road, this years’ start point was moved to Cassidy Street behind the Wing Yip Chinese food wholesalers off Oldham Road (don’t think they know what hit them!).

As usual, the event was well supported by PMC members who met in the Working Men’s club car park at 9.00am for the trip down to the start point. Over 30 members turned up and many of them dressed themselves (and their bikes) for the occasion.

The club normally holds a “best dressed bike” competition and this year one member went all out for the win covering his bike in fake fur - using double sided tape and judiciously applied glue from a hot-melt glue gun won, I suspect, at a PMC meeting raffle (we had millions of ’em – think everybody’s won one!). The reindeer bike was the star of the car park being petted by everyone who saw it, nice one Phil.

Despite the forecast it didn’t rain for the PMC members trip to town or for the whole of the toy run (seems the organisers have friends up there). Riding into the car park art around 10 am we were greeted by literally hundreds of bikers who had already plotted up. The ranks of parked bikes continued to swell well beyond the capacity of the parking area as rider upon rider arrived for the run.

Helping to marshal the event gave some PMC members a unique perspective on the run. Blocking junctions along the way (with the sanction and help of two police riders) it was amazing to see the procession of bikes go on and on and on – the parade past lasting some 15 minutes or so.

Eventually ending up at the Trafford Centre the riders congregated in the Orient for a presentation and thanks speech by none other than Steve Berry.

Thanks to all the PMC members who took part in the run and especially to those who marshalled.

Check out some the pics below and jump to the ride-out forum to see more.