Annual section dinner

 

 Here are just a few photos of members attending a very good and
successful section annual dinner at the Tiverton Hotel on the 1st Dec.,
the meal was excellent as was the service and a great time was had by
all, having a room all to ourselves made the speech's and presentations
much more enjoyable. Thanks must go to Chris for organising the event,
to Ray for his input and to Matt for the trophy organisation, also to all
the committee members for their work.

Prizes awarded were:
Jeans Trophy: Brian Cordey,  VMCC Post war cup:  Keith Cleeve
Les Soper Tankard:  Chris Wood,  Thelbridge Trophy: Brian Cordey
Reed Motors Tankard:  Graham Saunders
Woodman Family Shield:  Gordon Clatworthy
Piston Broke award:  Gordon Clatworthy

Prizes previously awarded:
Ron Ley memorial Trophy:  Barry
Scrumpy Run Shield:  Dave Barkshire.   Bridge Garage Cup:  Tony Petherick
Ron Chugg Cup:  John Morey.  Ilfracombe Shield:  Mike Dixon.

The committee agreed this year to hold this dinner in the middle of the day so that everyone could travel to and from in the light, I think this idea was appreciated. Nice to see Mervyn and Pam who travelled up from Cornwall to be with us, thanks once again to all who attended, the organisers and the Hotel.

Devon section annual dinner

The annual dinner for the section will be on the Saturday 1st December at the Tiverton Hotel at 12 noon, please see Chris or give him a ring so we can have some idea of numbers. Noon has been chosen as many have said they are not happy turning out in the evening and having to drive back in the dark, so here is our chance to come in the daylight folks.

Autumn run update

I am advised by Brian that he has received a very nice E mail from the Cancer charity thanking us all for attending at the Tesco start and stating that over £50 had been collected so well done all.

Autumn run 2012

The verdicts are given

Ready for the off

lunch stop

New Fountain Inn

28 riders turned up from all over the South West to join Brians Autumn run, there we met other motorcycles from the local area who had arrived to help support the Cancer charity who were collecting on site. The weather was cold and for some it had been a foggy start but the forecast was good so spirits were high. Brian issued voting slips and a sheet of questions taken from the motorcycle theory test, as well as the route sheet of course. After a gather round, photos were taken of the riders and bikes and we were off. The run went to Bickleigh and Silverton before crossing the old A38 and finding us on rural roads to Talaton and Whimple for lunch. I have to say that the Inn did us proud, dealing with us all in an orderley and speedy way. Whilst we were eating, Shirley and Brian sorted the voting and question slips, then announced the winners outside which were: Most voted for Girder - won by Brian Cordey with his Triumph, then most voted for Tele - won by Graham Saunders with his Triumph and the winner of the theory test was Gordon Clatworthy ( also riding a Triumph )!!. Well done all.

The afternoon run took us out onto what used to be the A30 for a short while before we made our way through to Tipton-St-John where unfortunately, Grahams Triumph after winning the most voted for tele, had a brainstorm and stopped with what looked like battery failure, The remainder went via Woodbury common and arrived safely at Exmouth sea front for ice creams before departing for home.

Thanks to Brian and Shirley for organising this run, to Gordon and Ray for back marking and to the Inn. I don't know how much money was collected for the cancer charity but if I find out I will put a note in this blog.

The Worlds Fastest Indian

Matt has sent me this info which may well be of interest to you, he says: The film club at Dulverton town hall this Friday is 'The World's Fastest Indian'. Starring Anthony Hopkins, it's a real 'feelgood' film that tells the tale of quirky eccentric New Zealander Bert Munroe who turns up in America determined to win the land speed record for motorcycles. £4 on the door, there's a bar and Lyn and I usually retire to The Lion afterwards for a small sherry. Be good if you could come. Tickets from The Post Office or on the door.

Midweek run Oct 3rd

It was unfortunate that the VMCC magazine did not arrive as is usual at the beginning of the month as it contained details of a midweek run starting at the cabin at 11am. This was a new idea to give everyone a chance to have a short run on a Wednesday before they would normally go to the cabin. 9 people did turn up however and so the run went ahead lead by Ray with myself and Chris at the rear. Ray lead us back to Witheridge and through Thelbridge to Morchard, Black Dog then back through Witheridge to the cabin. The weather remained dry for the run though the roads were a bit soggy in places. Everyone who came said that they really enjoyed it so this may become an idea to carry forward so watch this space!. Thanks to Ray for the run, see you at Creditons Tesco on Sunday for Brians Autumn run.

A MYSTERY RUN!

Everyone was very pleased that the recent fine spell of weather lasted through to this run, which for most of our riders started a long way from home.
Watchet car park was the start venue for the run, it also doubles as a Station car park on the West Somerset Railway, an old branch line of the Great Western Railway with some great historic steam locomotives. http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
We were pleased to be joined on the run by Rod and Carol Hann from Dorset, and by Chris and Carol Tiso from Somerset.
Keith led the ride through the lanes and over the hills and dales of West Somerset's very picturesque countryside. This part of the country has many pretty villages with facinating names such as Chapel Leigh, Fitzhead and Huish Campflower.
The lunch stop was at The Raleghs Cross Inn, at Brendon Hill, where they served us an excellent Carvery lunch. http://raleghscross.co.uk/
The afternoon route took us on some faster roads with splendid Devon/Somerset views of Exmoor, though Winsford and Withypool and on to South Molton where we had tea at the Corn Dolly Cafe. Always a treat!

Thanks Keith, it was a splendid day out.

August Girder Fork Run

We have been very lucky so far this year with the weather we have had on of our runs. Sunday was no exeption to this run of good luck and we were presented with another fine and sunny day.

I was also lucky enough to be offered the use of one of Ray's bikes for the run. This I am sorry to report was available because Gordon ,who would normally ride it, is laid up temporarily with an injured leg and heavy bruising, having fallen from his bycycle on a wet road. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Twelve riders in all, set out from The Mitre in Witheridge and rode by a roundabout route though South Molton and on to Chittlehampton for lunch at The Bell Inn.

During lunch the landlords wife made her choice best bike. This was won by Barrie Lowe with his 1952, 750cc Harley. Well done Barrie.

After lunch we enjoyed a fine afternoon run through the lanes to the finish at the Corn Dolly in South Molton with a nice cup of tea. I am pleased to report that no-one fell off and no-one broke down.

 

SOCIAL RUN AUGUST

Twenty-two riders, plus some who only came to the start, enjoyed coffee and home made toast and marmalade at Black Cat Corner. These were kindly provided as they have been in past years by Fred and Ruth.
At 11am sharp Ray led us off on the run. This took us into Bampton and then over Exmoor through some very pretty villages to a lunch stop on the outskirts of Taunton.
After a fine lunch we rode, via Wiveliscombe and the Wellington monument, to West Buckland
and the Chelston Nursing Home where refreshments were provided. Ray's wife Jean was very happy here and the residents still like to see us on our bikes.
Although we rode on some very wet roads we were lucky not to encounter any rain. Some of the back roads were extremely muddy but fortunately no-one had any falls and none of us broke down.

Our thanks goes to Fred and Ruth for the breakfast and to Ray for the route. Another enjoyable day out.

Evening rideout 16th July

The rain had stopped for this rideout but the roads were still wet, however, Ray, Keith and I set out for the Anchor at Exebridge where we were joined by Matt who was able to walk in as he lives nearby. Keith was taking his recently acquired and recommissioned Triumph T21 and was generally pleased with its performance, I expect we shall see this bike on runs from now on. The landlady came to welcome us and, judging by the standard of food people were eating, runs a good pub. We were also joined by 2 local people who were keen to tell us of their motorcycling histories. The run back was also in the dry and to top it all the roads had dried out even more, lets hope that a ride in August might be in much drier conditions.Next event is a fish and chips evening at South Molton on August 8th followed by a social run from the Black Cat on August 12th, see you there folks.

Exmoor Run Photos.

Here are a few more photos taken on the Exmoor Run. These were taken at Malmsmead.

Murray may have had a bad day

but 21 riders who turned out today for the Exmoor run certainly did not!. We all gathered at the Blackberries in Bampton for a 11.00

start. This was Chris' run so he led

us out on the road towards Dulverton.

From there we headed along the

river and over the moor to

Withypool, this was a diversion as

the heavy rains of yesterday made

the ford dodgey. Next was Exford where a short stop was had, here

Barrys Norton had to be coaxed into life for the second time. more travel on the moor saw us arrive for coffee at Malmesmeade, this all

in good weather so coffee was taken outside in the sunshine.

After coffee we all set off towards Simonsbath along a lovely road,

finally the remainder of the run was taken past the Poltimore arms

and through Gunn and Goodleigh to arrive at Brendas where a

lovely spread of food awaited. It was great to see cousin Merv here

having travelled up from Cornwall

the furthest he has travelled for

some 3 months. After a good

chinwag, everyone went home.

Thanks go again to Brenda and her

helpers, to Chris for the route, to

Matt who sent me some photo's,

Mike and I brought up the rear. 

 

 

Girder fork run June 24th 2012

 

June 24th started out a bit damp but brightened as the day wore on for the 6 members who turned out at the Town Arms in South Molton for the girder fork run. Numbers were down due to holidays etc:, but the run set off with Bill leading in his van due to him having a chest cold. Lunch was taken at Chittlehampton in the Bell, where 2 riders had to leave the run, the remaining 4 made it without hitch to D & S supplies at Winkleigh. A good run, we are hoping for more next time

 

when hopefully holidays will not clash. Thanks to Bill for leading and to Rod and Brian for the photo's.

 

The cabin

 

 

Matt has sent a few interesting photo's taken at the cabin recently, thanks Matt. I am posting them in case there is anyone reading this blog who doesn't come to the meet, which is every Wednesday around noon, and have a cuppa and a chat with other like minded Motorcyclists. You don't have to be a member of our or any other club, just come on any bike and join us.
Ray, Chris, Keith and I are back now from our wanderings in France, we had a great time with reasonable weather, seems like you didn't have very good weather here for the Monday evening run or the Thursday ride a bike night, lets hope it picks up for the Exmoor run which is on July 8th, meet at the Blackberries in Bampton for a 11am start, see you there.

Ron Ley run 10th June 2012

The weather was wet with rain promissed all day, I had already received apologies from good supporting members who were otherwise involved for the day so I rode out to Junction 28 of the M5 with little hope of seeing anyone else turn up, but there were 3 bikes already on site with another 2 soon following.  A discussion with those present with me explaining where we were going on this my route led a vote to 'press on'. Tony got to wear a red marshals jacket at the rear for the first time and off we went, me obviously leading.

The route took us towards Honiton as far as Colliton where we turned off to climb through Broadhembury towards Dunkeswell and on to Smeatharpe, both sites of airfields during the 2nd WW, in fact at the lunch time stop, Brian told us that his Dad was a gunner stationed at Dunkeswell. We turned towards Blagdon then swung across the spine of the Blackdowns passing Wellington Monument to our lunch stop at the Blue Ball. This route is a wonderful run when it's nice and sunny but the guys seemed to enjoy it so we tucked into lunch in good spirits.
Rain picked up a bit so the afternoon run carried on through Tone Vale
to bring us out at the back of Wellington, then on to Milverton and Wiveliscombe, here instead of turning up towards the two big resevoirs, Clatworthy and Wimbleball, by mutual agreement, we continued on to Bampton where the North Devon guys carried on and Brian and I turned off for Tiverton and Exeter.
A big well done for the guys turning out, this is the 2nd year running that the Ron Ley run has been very wet, we are overdue a dry one next year.

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.