Skittles May 17th

Unfortunately only 6 members turned up for our skittles evening, 3 wives did also attend so 6 games were played, honour was satisfied at the end of the evening when the final score line was 3 games to each team. This was a very enjoyable evening and it's a shame there were so few people attending, the committee do try to put on interesting evenings so if you have ideas to get more people to attend then please let us know.

Scrumpy run 2012

setting up

The committee were on site before 0900 to set up for the annual Scrumpy run, it wasn't long before the first riders were coming in. The weather was good, and 34 riders signed on, although everyone agrees there did seem to be more bikes on the site. Dick and Keith set off to mark the turn into shute lane and to take photos, then Maurice led the riders out for the run. It was great to see riders from the Cotswold, Cornwall and Dorset sections enjoying the day.
Only one minor mishap was reported to the Marshals which resulted in a rider cutting off home with back brake only. Lunch was taken at Countisbury as usual and riders began arriving back from 14.00.
The Mayor arrived to vote for his choice and to make the presentations at 15.00, they were: John Morey oldest combined age of bike and rider, Tony Petherick

Ian on a British M/C

took the entrants choice, Mike Dickson was the Mayors choice and Dave Barkshire best machine voted by guest, sandwiches were laid on by the Ilfracombe council and enjoyed by all.
 Thanks must go to Maurice for the run and to the committee who have to set up the site and police it through the day before stripping it all out at days end.

Navigator on the lean

Graham gives the sq 4 an outing Liz
clings on

Relay rally 2012

6th May 2012 the date of this years relay rally dawned cold but dry as I set out with Ray for Bickleigh to start the run, there we found Keith and Rod already on site and set up ( pic 1 ),. After a chat we set off for Red Post run by the Cornwall section, there we found Stan manning the tent and also much to our delight was Merv taking videos and pics as usual, in addition we had our photos and details taken by Rowena from Real Classic magazine The weather at Red post was still fine but we were glad to get there as hands were losing all feeling from the cold ( pic 2 ). 

After a good long chat and a nice warm cup of coffee we set off to Abbotsham where we found Chris and Dick manning the fort ( pic 3 ). A good lunch was had here whilst we waited for Steve who was joining us as it was his first relay rally, he was held up by the link road being blocked but after having a good look at the bikes including a MZ and a nice BSA or two we set off for Bickleigh through Great Torrington, Winkleigh, Copplestone and Crediton, here we saw a very nice 3 wheeler which we had seen earlier at Abbotsham ( pic 4 ). We were lucky throughout the day by avoiding the rain as Merv tells me that they had steady rain at Red post from mid afternoon.

Thanks must go to Keith and Rod at Bickleigh and Chris and Dick at Abbotsham. Keith tells me that 45 bikes signed on at Bickleigh from Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset, Chris advises that 40 bikes signed on at Abbotsham, 2 having travelled from St Just!. A good day which I'm sure everyone looks forward to, see you next week for the Scrumpy run.

April fools run

Would very many riders turn up for the April fools run which this year fell on Easter Sunday?, that was the worry for the committee but we need not have been concerned as 25 riders and passenger turned up at the Blackberries in Bampton raring to go on the run, this time organised by Ray with a bit of help from yours truly, thanks go to the staff at Blackberries who opened early to feed us with coffee or tea and cake.
I am always pleased to see people turn up with riders who are not now as mobile as years ago and help them through the run, sometimes starting thie bikes, sometimes stopping off at junctions to help mark the way, it's what the club is all about, as I know that some riders without the help would not come, you know who you are so I'll just say...good for you.
The run set out towards South Molton on the old A361 past the Black Cat with Ray in the lead and Chris and myself Marshaling at the rear, before turning off to cross the Link road on the way to Rackenford, crossing the Link road was carefully carried out by all and the run carried on through Witheridge and Thelbridge towards Chawleigh. This stretch of road is a very pleasant motorcycling route, once through Chawleigh, the route took us to cross the A377 at Eggesford before arriving at Eggesford garden centre for a very nice lunch stop. We had a little light drizzle here for a short while and since the group did not wish to stand about, we restarted just after 13.00, minus a few riders who had to shoot off for family commitments etc:.
The afternoon run took us through a tour of Winkleigh then Wembworthy and on to Iddesleigh and Dolton, during this part of the run we passed Noels pad. On arriving at the main road, a 5 mile run into Torrington followed ending at the common for a nice ice cream, yum yum!.
No breakdowns and junction marking perfect so lets hope the standard set on the first 2 runs of the year continues.
Lets see you all turn out for the relay rally and the scrumpy run next month, Thanks to Ray and the marshals for a very enjoyable run.

Now I had taken a number of pics during the day and reviewed them on the camera when I came home, however, when the SD card was plugged into my computer they dissappeared!!, so if anyone can let me have some I will publish them later, thanks.

Club events for 2012

Spring run 2012

39 riders and passengers signed on at the Anchor in Exebridge on a nice dry spring day for Matchless Matts moorland meander. We soon ran the Anchor out of coffee cups but they fitted us all in and refreshed we set off.

With Matt at the front and Gordon and Chris at the rear, we turned out of the pub and set course on the road towards Minehead. From there the route took us off the minehead road towards Bury, though we avoided the ford. During the morning, the route took us through or near Skilgate, Upton, Brompton Regis, Withiel Florey, Winsford, Exford, Withypool, Twitchen, Molland and Oldways end before arriving back at the Anchor for dinner, a total of 50 miles.

One ford was traversed without misshap although it was fairly deep, and no-one broke down or left their posts, when the drop off marking method works it is a very good system and will be used all the time. This was a very enjoyable run which everyone seemed to enjoy, our thanks to Matt for that, it's not easy to work out a route which has the right combination of lanes and roads but this was right there.

After lunch, 2 new riders joined us for the afternoon jaunt, for one rider it was his first run with us since joining apart from last summers evening ride outs so nice to see you Steve, come again. This afternoon run took us across the road at the round house and over the top towards Huntsham before dropping back towards Cove where we finished.

So all in all a good enjoyable day was had by all lets hope that the rest of this years runs follow this pattern, Woody will post a few photo's later when he can locate his camera under the workmens tools and dustsheets, see you on the April fools run when I hope we will be again in good numbers.

New Years Day Run 2012

Ten riders took advantage of the mild New Year's weather to take part in the run which started at Blackberries in Bampton with coffee, and a natter. I am sure that the numbers would have been more if family commitments had not prevented many from attending.

Rod Farr led us on a splendid run over the hills and through floods to lunch at The Bell at Chittlehamton where we all went our separate ways.

It was just a short run and I am glad to able to report that there where no breakdowns or other mishaps.

We were all glad it wasn't like last year! Lets hope it continues!

We are now all looking forward to the next run on March 11th which starts at The Anchor, Exebridge gathering at 10.30 for 11.00.