Peter’s story
UPDATE v3: Wash up
2025 RBRR – Dexter’s Midnight Runners
Post Run Report
Dear Supporters,
We’re absolutely delighted to say: we made it! Dexter’s Midnight Runners completed the Club Triumph 2025 Round Britain Reliability Run — 2,000 miles in 48 hours, and we couldn’t have done it without your incredible support.
It all began, as many great adventures do, with a bit of a panic. After months of preparation, we had set off from Suffolk to Knebworth full of hope and horsepower.… only to find our Amp meter dropping worryingly below normal before we’d even reached the start. That meant our battery wasn’t charging — and without power, we were dead in the water.
But this is where the Triumph community showed its spirit of adventure. The moment we arrived, help descended in the form of James, a respected electrical mechanic (guru) from Devon, and a flurry of other seasoned drivers all eager to lend a hand. Within minutes, a spare alternator had been sourced and installed, and at exactly 5:55pm — just in time — Dexter was back in line and ready to roll. It was pouring with rain by then, but we didn’t care. We were on the grid, grateful, relieved, and raring to go.
The A1 run to Wetherby was fast and smooth, with Henry at the wheel. Although not technically a race, we’d started at the back of the pack and knew the roads well, so Dexter was soon stretching his legs. Storm Amy, which had been threatening all week, was still nowhere in sight — until just south of Edinburgh. Then the rain came sideways, the wind picked up, and the temperature dropped. In a modern car, you’d barely notice. In a 1959 Triumph, it’s a whole other story. Let’s just say we were glad we’d packed waterproof trousers.
As we reached more checkpoints and fell into the rhythm of the run, the storm grew stronger and the road conditions were poor and littered with debris. At one point, we crossed a bridge where the windsock was flailing (having a tantrum is how I described it) when moments later we were physically blown across into another (thankfully empty) lane. Scotland wasn’t going easy on us.
Sleeping in a small, noisy and wet car, mid-storm, in the dead of night isn’t exactly a peaceful setting for a kip — but with a bit of planning, we managed the occasional doze. Seeing other Triumphs on the road at dawn lifted our spirits, and when we finally reached a wild, windswept John O’Groats, we grabbed our obligatory photos and coffee before jumping straight back in the car. Breakfast would have to wait — we were running on pure adrenaline – Lands Ends here we come!
The drive south through the western Highlands was meant to be one of Dexter’s highlights. But with main roads closed by fallen trees, we had to double back and take a long, winding B-road that added both time and tension, as just when we thought things were settling, that familiar needle on the Amp meter dropped again. And then flicked up. And then down. And up. And down. Our hearts followed every bounce.
With patchy signal, I managed to get a message out to the group chat. Darren, a seasoned fellow driver, let us know that his car had broken down earlier but had a brand new alternator sitting at the Glasgow checkpoint. We picked it up just in case and pressed on, praying we wouldn’t need it. Of course, we did.
Somewhere en route to Tebay Services in Cumbria, alternator No. 2 gave out for good. We coasted into the checkpoint, signed the sheet — just in time — and found ourselves stranded in a freezing, windswept car park at midnight. It seemed all the cars were ahead of us by now, including the talented James, and RAC support was hours away. Henry, that said, was full of confidence after watching the first alternator swap at Knebworth, was ready to have a go at fitting the third one himself — but with limited light and worsening weather, I felt it was too risky given we both are complete amateurs! I messaged Julia, who put out a call for help on Facebook via the Triumph enthusiast and engineer pages … and within minutes, we had a reply!
Enter Lie (pronounced Lee), an RBRR veteran who had just settled into a pub and was about to order his third pint when his phone pinged. Recognising our plight, he jumped into his car and arrived at Tebay before the RAC even picked up the job. Within moments, he was under the bonnet, new alternator fitted and working perfectly. Turns out he knows the team at Club Triumph and couldn’t resist helping a fellow driver in need. What a hero.
Back on the road, we pushed hard — four and a half hours flat-out to Monmouth Services — and caught up with the pack just in time. From there, it was a fast but joyful final push to Land’s End, where we rolled in, exhausted and elated. Their full English breakfast tasted better than any meal we’d had in months. Photos taken, spirits high, we turned around and completed the final four legs back to the finish at Knebworth House, crossing the line among 74 finishers out of 90 starters. We were stiff, sore, and slightly deaf from engine noise, but we were smiling.
If you kindly donated to the Club’s chosen charity Parkinson’s UK in the belief that we’d make it round — thank you. Your generosity, encouragement, and faith truly kept us going through some long, cold miles. Thanks to you all, with Gift Aid, we’ve more than achieved our £4,000 fundraising target from across the two platforms (JustGiving and Wonderful) and every penny will go toward supporting vital research and care. The fundraising sites are still open if you would still like to make a donation.
This wasn’t just a road trip. It was a test of endurance, teamwork, community, and above all — kindness. The Spirit of Triumph rolls on! And we’ll carry those memories with us long after the engine cools.
Until next time,
Thank you.
Peter & Henry Ewart
Dexter’s Midnight Runners
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