Sailor Jerry Goes In Search Of The Ultimate Road Trip

Sailor Jerry is one of the most renowned and globally recognised brands of spiced rum around. It is the favourite tipple of many a person, and so easily conjures up the image of a well earned stiff drink at the end of a long day, or the enjoyment of drinks with friends at the weekend. The straight talking, no frills, swashbuckling essence of the brand though is strongly derived from the man who originally carried the moniker; Norman Keith Collins. Collins was a prominent and widely revered American tattoo artist, most notably famous for his tattooing of sailors. Born in Reno in 1911 before growing up in Northern California, Collins always exuded the spirit of an adventurer. He spent many of his adolescent years travelling across the country by stowing away on freight trains. It was during this time that he was given an early tutorage on the art of tattooing from a man he met along the way. After a few years of the vagabond lifestyle, Collins then enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 19, where he was subsequently exposed to the rich and immersive art and culture of South East Asia. It was after this time in the military that he returned his focus solely back on the work he loved as a tattoo artist, infusing his undoubtedly exception natural ability with the styles and influences he had picked up along his travels. Collins went on to become a real pioneer and a true legend in the tattooing industry. He helped develop techniques and methods which revolutionised the art-form, all based from his studio in the Chinatown area of Honolulu, Hawaii. Over the summer of 2015 Sailor Jerry drew on that original sense of adventure and free spirit to embark on a hell-raising road trip across the UK. Carried out on bike, they brought along a host of people different people including pro BMXers, talented tattooists, photographers, designers and music promoters. It was the aim for this totally epic trip to visit some of the most kick-ass and exciting places around the country, taking in some of the best events which can be found. Included in the travelling pack were James Jordan from Kingdom of Kicks, and photographer James A. Grant, who both described the experience as one of the best things they've ever done. And proclaiming some of the views they saw along the way alone were worth the trip. Starting in London on 22nd August the trip went to every corner of the UK, with stops in Brighton, Cardiff, Cumbria, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Nottingham, and Bedford. Bringing the party wherever they went, it included exclusive performances from American punk duo Merchandise, and London born KVB tearing up The Soup Kitchen in Manchester. The whole occasion finished back at Grillstock music festival in London on 6th September. The teams were met by chef Danny Cheetham, owner of East London's Psychic Burger and White Rabbit restaurants, where they were then treated to the mother of all BBQs which featured a specially compiled Sailor Jerry menu. Delights included marinated Spam fritters, topped with papaya, chilli, Sailor Jerry Rum and pineapple pickled slaw, American cheese and a fried egg, all served in a toasted brioche bun and drowned in BBQ Sauce. More than enough to make anyone's mouth water!! The Ride 2015 helps to show that biking really can be the most wonderful method of discovering the world around you, and satisfying that craving for adventure. Watch the video above, which follows the gang throughout the whole duration of the wonderful adventure. For more details, pics, and general inspiration visit the Sailor Jerry website, or follow them on Twitter @SailorJerryUK #TheRideSJUK, Facebook, and Instagram @sailorjerry.