Motorcycling, Fellowship and Freemasonry in West Kent
For many people, motorcycling is more than simply a way of getting from A to B. It is about the freedom of the open road, the enjoyment of riding with friends and, perhaps most importantly, the camaraderie that develops between people who share a passion for two wheels.
The Motorcycling Lodge of West Kent No. 9899 brings that spirit of motorcycling together with the traditions and fellowship of Freemasonry.
The Lodge was consecrated on 20 March 2015 and forms part of the Province of West Kent. It meets at Masonic halls in Dartford and Wrotham, with its regular meetings complemented by an active programme of motorcycle rides and social activities.
What makes the Lodge particularly interesting is that membership isn’t restricted to people who currently ride a motorcycle. The Lodge describes itself as being open to anyone with an interest in motorcycling — you don’t even have to own or ride a bike. That makes the Lodge about the shared enthusiasm for motorcycling as much as the machines themselves.
For those who do ride, however, there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy the road together. Members organise regular ride-outs, as well as longer motorcycle trips around the United Kingdom and overseas. The Lodge also makes a point of visiting and supporting other motorcycling Lodges, helping to create friendships that extend well beyond West Kent.
That sense of fellowship is at the heart of the Lodge. Motorcycling has always had its own strong community spirit, and the Lodge provides another way for like-minded people to meet, socialise and share experiences — whether that is around a Masonic table, over a meal, or parked up together after a day’s riding.
There is also a strong charitable side to the Lodge. Members have taken part in motorcycle fundraising events supporting good causes. One notable example was a major ride involving the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association, visiting Masonic Provinces across the South West and raising money for Lifelites. The event covered twelve Provinces in a 24-hour challenge and ultimately raised thousands of pounds for charity.
The Lodge has also supported local organisations. Bexley SNAP, for example, has publicly thanked the Motorcycling Lodge of West Kent for helping secure a grant which contributed towards a sensory wall for children and young people using its services.
The connection with the wider Masonic motorcycling community is another important part of the story. The West Kent Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association was chartered in 2018 and provides another opportunity for Freemasons who enjoy motorcycling to ride together and support charitable causes. Although the Widows Sons and the Motorcycling Lodge are separate organisations, they share a natural enthusiasm for combining motorcycling, friendship and charity.
Ultimately, the Motorcycling Lodge of West Kent is about bringing people together. The motorcycles may provide the common interest, but the friendships, fellowship, charity and shared experiences are what give the Lodge its character.
Whether arriving at a meeting in leathers and boots, joining a Sunday ride-out, travelling further afield with fellow riders, or simply enjoying the company of people who understand the attraction of motorcycling, members of Motorcycling Lodge No. 9899 are part of a community where motorcycling and fellowship go hand in hand.
And perhaps that is the greatest attraction of all: the opportunity to enjoy the road, make new friends and put something back into the community along the way.