Star-spangled Evel Knievels embark on epic charity ride-out across the Western Isles

A group of motorcyclists dressed as 1970s stunt legend Evel Knievel are embarking on an epic tour of the Western Isles this week.

The magnificent cape-flapping band of five from Wales are raising cash for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Organiser Jason Lewis of RIDE Cymru Motorcycle Club said: “We find people under 40 think we are Elvis Presley, but joys over that age know exactly who we are!”

Evel Knievel was an American daredevil, a cult icon internationally famous for performing spectacular death-defying motorbike jumps

Dressed in eye-catching star-studded white, red and blue outfits favoured by their hero, the group will stop for donations along the route in exchange for selfies. An online page for donations is available at www.justgiving.com/capitals2022.

Since launching in 2012 some £187,000 has been donated to charity by Ride Cymru which is the only UK group of its kind endorsed by the Knievel family of Butte Montana, who follow their events online.

This afternoon they arrive off the ferry in South Uist after travelling from Wales to Mallaig.

An overnight stay at the Pollachar is planned. The itinerary sees them heading north to the Berneray ferry tomorrow and onward for a stop over at Tarbert. A lap through Harris and Lewis is on the cards for Thursday.

On Friday morning they return to the mainland via Stornoway and Ullapool and then ride south to Tyndrum for the Scottish National Rally where more identically dressed Knievels will join in.

Some 2000 miles of tarmac will be under the wheels by the time they return home from their Hebridean adventure.

Fifty of them rode in mainland Scotland in June as part of their main fundraising event which this year was RIDE Capitals Knievels - a 1,200 mile route which included Edinburgh, London, Cardiff and many special ‘Evel locations’.

Amongst their ranks they had the Ayrshire Knievel and the East Kilbride Knievel who represent Scotland each year in their event.

Outer Hebrides Knievels and the Scottish National Rally concludes this year’s fundraising events with £37,000 collected for Macmillan Cancer Support.

They’ve experienced tremendous momentum since launched by Jason Lewis in 2012. That one-off ride-out has taken off, expanding each year and adding new sections of the UK as challenge routes.

Star-spangled Evel Knievels on epic charity ride-out across the Western Isles

30 August 2022

Ready to board MV Lord of the Isles for Lochboisdale

Onboard MV Lord of the Isles with Capt Mark Macdonald