Thousands of motorcyclists honour fallen with pilgrimage to National Memorial Arboretum 07102023 CREDIT National Memorial Arboretum — Ride to the Wall is a unique event that gives motorcyclists an opportunity to gather together at a place of remembrance (Picture: National Memorial Arboretum).

Veterans

Thousands of motorcyclists honour fallen with National Memorial Arboretum pilgrimage

Thousands of motorcyclists were welcomed back to the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) in Staffordshire for the 16th Ride to the Wall event.

To pay tribute to those who "can no longer ride by our side" the motorcyclists take part in an annual pilgrimage followed by a remembrance service, remembering fallen UK Armed Service personnel whose names are engraved on the NMA's walls.

Since the first Ride to the Wall (RTTW) event in 2008, 'Wallers' has raised more than £1.35m to support the National Memorial Arboretum.

Motorcyclists travelled from 11 different starting points across the country to the memorial ground.

The NMA site hosts more than 400 memorials to those who have served and sacrificed in national service, with 150 acres of gardens, grounds and woodlands.

More than 5,000 motorcyclists were estimated to have attended this year's event.

The next RTTW is on 5 October 2024. Reactions on social media to this year's event can be seen below.

Thank you so much to the thousands of motorcyclists that we welcomed back to the Arboretum today for the 16th #RTTW, an annual event that pays tribute to the fallen service men and women named on the walls of Armed Forces Memorial in a truly unique way. pic.twitter.com/8yPtjUwpa1
— National Memorial Arboretum (@Nat_Mem_Arb) October 7, 2023

Just some of the bikes at Knutsford Services ready to head down to @Nat_Mem_Arb for todays Ride to the Wall #RTTW pic.twitter.com/bkssccRrlz
— BeckeRs ? (@beckers1000) October 7, 2023

Beautiful day for it! #RTTW pic.twitter.com/LYIbbsmAuG
— Dan Dan (@Burychadchad) October 7, 2023

Just a fraction of the hundreds of bikes @chrissandys and I saw going up the M5 as part of #RTTW.
Love seeing bikes together like that ? pic.twitter.com/btdU5V2rs1
— Claire Sandys (@clairesandys) October 7, 2023

#ProjectServator officers this morning assisted @LeicsPoliceRPU with the safe passage of the Ride To The Wall #RTTW event to the National Memorial Arboretum, part of which left from @DoningtonPark this morning.
An amazing turnout for a very worthy cause. pic.twitter.com/zG0jMe4150
— East Midlands Airport Police ? (@EMAPolice) October 7, 2023

#RTTW Especially proud to be a biker today . Powerful place the Arboretum. Remember them. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/p1Xef9lE1V
— Martin Hall (@martinhall18) October 7, 2023