Scooter Rally at Ryde

The lads from The Reading Comedy MODS Scooters at Ryde by Barbara Leatham Photography (c) 2014The lads from The Reading Comedy MODS Scooters on the sea front at Ryde in the Isle of Wight for the Scooter Rally August Bank Holiday weekend 2014

The lads from The Reading Comedy MODS Scooters at Ryde

What A Heavenly Surprise

Last week I was in the Isle of Wight to watch and support my hubby while he took part in the Isle of Wight Challenge (a small run around the Isle's coastal path, a mere 106k) 

After taking him to the start at 0730hrs I dashed back to the chalet and took the kids, and my mother-in-law, to Ryde for the morning. There has never been a day I was so grateful to have taken a camera with me. Little did I know, but there was a HUGE Scooter Rally that weekend. It was amazing. Vespa and Lambretta heaven, MODS all over the place. Every where I turned was a fabulous photo opportunity.

I stole a photo of a set of bikes that had taken up residence along the wall overlooking the sea front; then I went over to talk to the guys, my eyes lighting up when I saw they were from Reading (Berkshire) and not far from where I used to live - proof that the world is smaller every day.

My two kids were invited to sit on the bikes, and proud to say they opted to the one with the RAF Roundel flag on the back - being ex RAF I'd have had it no other way.

So here are the images from the morning; I can only wish it had been for longer than the hour I had. My sincere thanks to the gentlemen from The Reading Comedy MODS Scooters for letting my kids fall in love with their scooters and allowing me the opportunity to take the photos.

Comedy MODS Reading Branch at Ryde in the Isle of Wight by Barbara Leatham Photography (c) 2014Comedy MODS Reading Branch at the sea front in Ryde on the Isle of Wight.

Reading Comedy MODS at the Ryde Scooter Rally August 2014 by Barbara Leatham Photography (c) 2014Comedy MODS Reading Branch at Ryde in the Isle of Wight My son and daughter sitting one a beautiful scooter on the sea front of Ryde

Scooter details at the Ryde Scooter Rally August 2014 by Barbara Leatham Photography (c) 2014Scooter details at the Ryde Scooter Rally August 2014. Red helmet, a hung monkey, chrome, detailed paintwork

Scooter details at the Ryde Scooter Rally August 2014 by Barbara Leatham Photography (c) 2014Parked up on the high street, these scooters looking stunning in the sunshine. With a union flag helmet and an alternative roundel

Scooter details at the Ryde Scooter Rally August 2014 by Barbara Leatham Photography (c) 2014Iconic classic details, Union flags, lots of lights, classic colours, fabulous scooters - Vespa, Lambretta heaven

Scooter details at the Ryde Scooter Rally August 2014 by Barbara Leatham Photography (c) 2014This scooter is customised to the max. Serious paint work

Scooter details at the Ryde Scooter Rally August 2014 by Barbara Leatham Photography (c) 2014Lights, paintwork, chrome, Vespa and Lambretta customised and looking fantastic in the sunshine

Scooter details at the Ryde Scooter Rally August 2014 by Barbara Leatham Photography (c) 2014Vespa and Lambretta scooters on the promenade at Ryde on the Isle of Wight

The Ryde Scooter Rally August 2014 by Barbara Leatham Photography (c) 2014A dapper looking gentleman on his scooter giving directions to a fellow scooterist at Ryde's Scooter Rally in the August Bank Holiday Weekend

The Ryde Scooter Rally August 2014 by Barbara Leatham Photography (c) 2014These two battered scooters looking authentic and pretty amazing in contrast to the bikes around them - at the Ryde Scooter Rally

Scooter details at the Ryde Scooter Rally August 2014 by Barbara Leatham Photography (c) 2014I love these details, the pale green Roundel really caught my eye, but especially the Bad Manners cartoon Ska at it's best

Scooter all lined up at the Ryde Scooter Rally August 2014 by Barbara Leatham Photography (c) 2014These scooters were just a fraction of those riding about the Island over the three days of the Rally. Amazing to see so many all together.

Scooter details at the Ryde Scooter Rally August 2014 by Barbara Leatham Photography (c) 2014This Vespa detail is possibly my favourite of the day, a simple chrome union flag on a silver scooter, quality

I hope I get to the Isle again in the future just to have the opportunity to capture more of these amazing scooters, as well as more of the people who actually own them. It's a real culture that's thriving all over the UK and other countries, but it really comes to life when you get all of these people together.