Hundreds of Harley-Davidson motorbikes roar through Norfolk as part of fundraising rally

Mid-Norfolk may have experienced torrential storms on Friday, but on Saturday Fakenham heard a very different kind of thunder.

Hundreds of Harley-Davidson motorbikes purred their way up to the north Norfolk coast after mustering in town for the 26th East of England Rally, organised by the Fenlanders Harley Owners’ Group.

Thousands of onlookers lined Market Place as more than 400 bikes motored through Fakenham and onto Wells-next-the-Sea and Sheringham for the event, where a town centre celebration has been taking place, before heading to Holt, where they were due at 2.55pm.

Rally road captain Neil Sturman, from Fakenham, said he was delighted with the turnout, despite less than ideal weather in the lead-up to the rally.

He said: “No other bike sounds like a Harley - they’ve got such a cult following and the riders are lovely people. This is the fifth year we’ve had bringing them through the town and it’s been really popular.”

MORE: Thousands set to arrive for one of UK’s biggest Harley Davidson ralliesMore tickets were sold to this year’s rally than ever before, but a number of participants who had travelled from elsewhere in the country and were camping could not take part as they were flooded out on Friday.

John Bowles, 59, of Little Snoring, was there with his 2006 touring bike, which he has ridden all over Europe.

He said: “When you buy a Harley-Davidson you don’t just buy a motorbike, you buy into a culture.

“It’s good that so many people have been coming down to see what they’re all about, and it helps build a more positive perception of motorbikes.

“I’ve been coming to motorbike rallies since 1989, and I’ve never seen one scrap of bother.

“It’s very family orientated and the kids love it.”

The rally raised money for Sheringham Lifeboat and the East of England Ambulance Service.

Eastern Daily Press: Carolyn Tester with her Harley Davidson at the rally in Fakenham.Picture: Nick Butcher Carolyn Tester with her Harley Davidson at the rally in Fakenham.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: World Leaders arrive in Fakenham for the Harley Davidson Rally.Picture: Nick Butcher World Leaders arrive in Fakenham for the Harley Davidson Rally.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)