Legendary photographer and lifelong motorcyclist Eric Kitchen will be guest of honour at this year’s eighth Moidart Peninsula Road Run on Thursday, April 28.
John McCrink, joint organiser of the run with Andrew Johnstone, said: “At a mere 84 years young, Eric is as fit, active and enthusiastic as ever and still enjoys covering events, particularly trials, which he’s been doing with great success since he bought his first 35mm Pentax camera way back in 1966.
“We look forward to welcoming entrants old and new to this year’s run, and hope those who bravely soldiered on through the snow
last year, and have elected to
come back again, will need sunglasses this time!” said John. A few places were still left when he contacted Old Bike Mart so it might still be worth calling John
on 01620 248304 (email [email protected]) if you fancy a ride.
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Competitors and spectators alike are familiar with Eric’s photography, which has graced motorcycle publications for many years and included coverage of world and British championship rounds, many hundreds of club events, arena trials, the Scott, Scottish Six Days, Pre-65 and Beamish Trials – and no one was surprised to see him at some of the remotest parts of the Moidart Peninsula, snapping away as the 80 riders breezed by. He’s been doing the same ever since.
“Not so many folk will be familiar with Eric’s own motorcycling background and pedigree,” said John. “His late father, Bill, was an accomplished trials and scrambles rider who also raced in the Isle of Man TT and was a professional speedway rider for many years,
even being selected to represent England on the shale!”
Eric is decidedly modest
about his own motorcycling achievements, though. Riding a
500T Norton, he won a first-class award in the 1953 Red Rose Trial, and on a Triumph twin in 1953 and 54 he had two excellent finishes in the Scottish Six Days Trial after riding the bike to the start in Edinburgh from his Lancashire home – a round trip of a mere 352 miles! Incidentally he still owns that very same Triumph Trophy.
Eric will be flagging the riders on their way from the Moidart Peninsula Run’s traditional starting point, the Viaduct Car Park in Kinlochleven, at around 9.30am.
Read more News and Features in the April issue of OBM – on sale now!
