A LONG-STANDING charity motorcyclist duo are set to rev their engines for the last time.

Turning back the clock 15 years to 2011, Bob Woodcock had the ride of his life fundraising for the Salvation Army.

Sometimes accompanied by friend, Melvyn Thomas, and their beloved mascots Boris the monkey and Bramwell the bear, Bob has travelled across the country each year for the charity, racking up over 100,000 miles on his trusty Triumph.

At 72 and 73 respectively, Bob and Melvyn made the difficult decision that this year’s ride will be their last and they hope to make it bigger and better than ever.

The duo will set off from the Royston Salvation Army Hall on May 5, at 10.15am, riding down to Land’s End and back up to John O’ Groats, arriving back at the hall on May 16.

Bob’s love of motorcycles runs in the family, with his grandson, Matthew, joining the seasoned riders on May 9, at Gretna Green, for the Scottish leg of the ride.

Overall, the motorcyclists will make a whopping 11 stops - Bristol, St Angus, Crediton, Penkridge, Gretna Green, Dumbarton, Inverness, Dunnet, Perth, Alnwick, Mablethorpe, then home.

Bob said: “I have done it for 15 years mostly alone, so now think I’ve done it enough, but I won’t be hanging my boots up just yet.

“I will be riding my Triumph Trophy 900, a 1996 model, and Melvyn will be riding his Royal Enfield 350.

“I’ve made a lot of friends over the years and will be seeing them along the way - overall the trip will be approximately 2,500 miles.”