{"id":2173,"date":"2025-11-11T12:08:27","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T12:08:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/davesphoto.co.uk\/?p=2173"},"modified":"2025-11-17T15:48:28","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T15:48:28","slug":"ride-of-remembrance-london-9th-november-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/davesphoto.co.uk\/index.php\/2025\/11\/11\/ride-of-remembrance-london-9th-november-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Ride of Remembrance \u2013 London, 9th November 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Yesterday, around a hundred Vespas and Lambrettas<\/strong> gathered for the annual Ride of Remembrance<\/strong>, hosted by the Wasp London Scooter Club<\/strong>. Riders met opposite Urban Rider in Fulham<\/strong>, with the route taking us through London to Hyde Park Corner<\/strong> before finishing at The Duke\u2019s Head in Putney<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was also my first meet as a member of the Vespa Club of Great Britain<\/strong>, joining the Wasp London Scooter Club<\/strong> under its umbrella. I\u2019ll admit, pulling up at Eel Common for the first time felt a little like the first day at school \u2014 new faces, new names, and that quiet sense of \u201cwho\u2019s the new guy?\u201d<\/em> in the air. But the atmosphere was friendly, the banter easy, and once the engines fired up, any awkwardness disappeared into the sound of shared purpose. Hopefully, after a few more rides, this camera-carrying newcomer will be seen not as a stranger, but as part of the fold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A group of scooter ladies<\/strong> were raising funds for charity, selling official Poppy Appeal<\/strong> items \u2014 a reminder that remembrance is kept alive not just by money, but by the people who give their time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 11 a.m. the two-minute silence<\/strong> was fully observed. Hundreds of engines fell quiet, and for a moment the city itself seemed to pause. When we rode on toward Hyde Park, the sight drew attention from passers-by \u2014 flags flying, cameras out, people smiling and waving. It was a wonderful thing to see, proof that shared remembrance still brings people together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we parked up at Hyde Park, the scooters instantly became a small tourist attraction. Questions, photos, and curious onlookers reminded us just how much colour and character the scooter scene still adds to London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the day there were moments of humour too. At one zebra crossing, every rider stopped to let an elderly lady cross \u2014 until a rental cyclist tried to barge through, unaware that two police officers were standing nearby. Let\u2019s just say he got a proper dressing-down, and the lady gave us all a happy wave as we rode off. A little reminder that respect never goes out of style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ride ended at the pub in Putney<\/strong>, where laughter and conversation flowed as easily as the beer. It was a respectfully cheerful close to a somber day \u2014 one that reminded us of the millions who gave their lives to defeat tyranny.
Let\u2019s hope history isn\u2019t repeating itself.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alongside the video footage, I shot a roll of Kodak Gold 200<\/strong> on my Canon AE-1<\/strong>. For a brief moment, I thought the camera had finally given up on me \u2014 the shutter started taking an age to release on a couple of frames. Turned out the culprit was the on switch<\/em> not engaging properly. Once I\u2019d realised, everything returned to normal and the rest of the roll was spent with pure pleasure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gallery is below and are straight scans with no edits to capture that vintage feel of Kodak film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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These frames, soft and honest, have the colour and warmth that only film can give. They\u2019ll appear soon on davesphoto.co.uk<\/em> as a small companion gallery to this ride<\/s> \u2014 a reminder that even in a digital age, there\u2019s still something special about the mechanical rhythm of film and the patience it asks of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For now, here are a few shots taken on my Nokia 235 4G<\/strong> \u2014 proof that even low-tech tools can still capture moments with a touch of old-school charm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Scooters<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Riders<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Flags<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Phoenix,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Scooters<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Note of Thanks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To the Wasp London Scooter Club<\/strong> for organising such a meaningful ride, and to every rider who turned up in honour of those who can\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOR THE MILLIONS WHO GAVE EVERYTHING,
SO WE COULD LIVE \u2014 AND RIDE \u2014 FREE.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udfa5 Watch the full film on YouTube: @DavesAdventuresUK<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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