SAM'S TRIUMPHANT STORY AT THE MALLE MILE 2024

     "There was a moment The Mile idea started and it’s the same story that has been repeated by a million motorcyclists over the last 100 years and I’m certain it will continue to happen for the next 100 years, you suddenly find yourself on a deserted road, or in a deserted field with a motorcycle and the thought pops into your head, ‘I wonder how fast I can go?’. Waiting at the lights with a friend beside you, a shared glance, the light goes green, the flag drops, the gate opens, before your conscious brain has a chance to rationalise the situation, or make a plan, the throttle is open, the sparks are flying, the noise is increasing and you’re thrust forward, into the drag race, into the future." - Malle London

I never made it to the first Malle Mile, only 40 something people did, but when I saw the pictures it looked epic, and I had to make sure I went to the 2nd one. It was a crazy, eclectic mix of motorcycle enthusiasts that could all hang out and ride together, at, I think it was Kevington Hall at the time. A chance to blast around on bikes in a wild but strangely controlled manner. A kinda controlled motorcycle race festival with great sportsmanship. We spent a few years doing it there.

I suppose when I think about it, it was where Stockwell Racing started, or at least the idea of it, as it was the first time I met my now great friend, Jake Young. I was pitched against him and got my arse kicked on the race track. Back then there was a broad spectrum of different motorcycles, old and new, with, you know, rat bikes, classic and vintage stuff. Fast forward a few years and people are now starting their year building bikes specifically for The Mile with new models, most converted with a Scrambler feel or even restoring old Scramblers; classic, vintage models to ride at the event. It was the first place I properly raced a Harley-Davidson too. 

With the Stockwell Racing Sportster Flat Track bikes having a full season under our belts in the National Championship we thought we'd enter them in the 2019 Malle Mile. Swapped out the Flat Track tires for 19" knobblies and installed a front brake (Flat Track bikes don't have front brakes). Those bikes have since become iconic for Malle fans and we've achieved many race wins on them over the years. It's all come together for a proud moment seeing a 20-foot advertisement at this years Malle, with our race bike in action front and centre.

This year was the 10th anniversary of The Mile. My 9th and first without racing. The event is now held at Grimsthorpe Castle, near Bourne, Lincolnshire, the hometown of our very own, Sam James of Triumph London. Sam has been with us at Triumph London for 5 years now and has become a senior and respected member of the team, but he hasn’t always been 'on the tools'.

Sam grew up in the little town of Bourne, just a stone's throw from the very grand Grimsthorpe Castle. At the age of 17, he spent two years working in the Tea Rooms of the Castle, serving drinks and sandwiches and probably even the odd Ploughman's to the flocks of visitors each day. A bit of a family tradition it would seem. His Grandfather worked there as an Engineer for 40+ years. His Gran worked in the kitchen. His Mum and two Aunties have all worked there as Tour Guides. They are all still residents of the surrounding area.

Sebastian Miller, Heir to the Grimsthorpe Estate and current resident, called us at Triumph London and requested to have his very own custom Bonneville T120 built and that it be delivered to him during the Malle Mile, along with being raced and entered into the 'Art of Custom' exhibition. Our custom team all felt it would be a very proud moment, given his history with the castle, for Sam to lead the project and build the bike for Sebastian.

For the build we wanted to honour the Triumph's of the 60s and 70s, a bike that you might see Bud Ekins ride in a Hare & Hound scramble race while maintaining all the modern benefits of a T120. We opted for a shortened subframe and saddle, custom made flat track inspired handlebars, polished aluminium classic scrambler mudguards, a one-off shotgun exhaust system from Hitchcox Motorcycles, and knobbly tyres to name a few. More to come from Hitchcox & Stockwell Design very soon.

Paired with myself as Sam's assistant, the build began. Simple, classy, and classic was the brief and a deadline of the 18th July was decided so we could hand the bike over to Sebastian at the event. Fast forward a few weeks later at Grimsthorpe, to Sam rolling the finished bike out of the van at the Malle Mile. A mix of nervousness and excitement. 

What Sam didn’t know was that we'd entered him and the custom built T120 into the races at Malle (with Sebastian's consent of course). He, as expected, took it in his stride. Saturday afternoon 100 custom built motorcycles and race bikes were entered into the ‘Art of Custom’ exhibition, displayed in front of the castle for a panel of judges to cast their eyes over and choose who they would award, right before the sprint race would take place from the castle gates. The jury featured DeBolex Customs, Revival Cycles of the USA, Ziggy Moto, Stockwell Design & Goblin Works, who had the task of making or breaking hearts.

The Malle Mile Sprint Race would soon take place from the castle gates. Each custom entry and rider was ready to leave the gates of the Castle head to head against a rival rider and sprint away from the start line in knockout heats. Sam coolly and calmly, yet quite likely a bag of nerves, took an impressive victory in his first two heats. Can you imagine the grin on his face when crossing the finish line!

Later that evening the Malle hosts and founders, Robert and Jonny would join the panel of judges on stage to announce the winners of the award for each category. As each award is given out, to Sam's surprise "Sam James of Triumph London"  is called out for the award of ‘Best Custom for use on the Great Malle Rally’. What a proud moment for a guy that grew up a stone's throw away from the castle and used to walk his dogs across the lawns of the venue as a child, to now be on stage collecting an award for a bike he has built to Sebastian Miller, heir to the castle. 

With Sebastian, his family, Sam's colleagues, and the thousands who entered Malle watching in delight, it was a touching moment to witness a huge achievement for both Sam and Triumph London, in an extremely proud day for the local lad.

The hosts, Robert and Jonny, who had been riding together for years, started a successful luggage company from an idea in a bar at 2 am, then decided they wanted to create an event to help promote their brand, and it's got better every year since. 

The Malle Mile is an annual event hosted alongside Rally and Race events all around the world, from the UK to the Arctic and more, all while supporting charities. It allows people like us to go and experience amazing days out and make so many memories through ridiculously fun gatherings that end up being the moto party of the year. It's shocking how much everyone gets on while thrashing bikes around all day. 

It's the most wild, yet somehow, most controlled bike event I've ever been to. Honestly, it's my favourite motorcycle event in the world. I've attended, promoted & worked countless events across different countries and continents, and for entertainment, riding, parties, racing, music, everything, along with getting to enjoy it in such an awesome place, I mean in castle grounds, it's stunning. You can only admire what Robert, Jonny, and the team at Malle London have managed to do with it, and it makes me happy knowing it's only getting bigger and bigger each year.