Harley bikers in bridge challenge

Harley riders rev up to raise £15,000

Up to 100 Harley Davidson motorcyclists have travelled back and forth over the River Thames, in a bid to cross 20 London bridges in four hours.

The Surrey Chapter UK members aimed to raise £15,000 for a new playground at Sherwood Park School for children with disabilities in Sutton, south London.

Riders set off from St Katherine's Dock near Tower Bridge at 1000 BST.

The long convoy was due to end its 80-mile journey at Hampton Court Palace, in south-west London.

Slow traffic

Before setting off on Sunday, David Russell, of the Harley members' group, said the ride would not be easy in forecast temperatures of 28C.

"Our engines are 1400 to 1500CC, the same size as a car, so they produce a lot of heat.

"They do get very hot if you are running along in slow traffic in leathers, it's not the most comfortable of rides."

He added that the school, which is the group's adopted charity, need an all-weather playground because the current gravel leaves the children with cuts and scratches whenever they fall.