Breakfast run 24th August 2014

I am relying on feedback from Ray and Keith as I was not on this run due to a family reunion. I understand that 12 riders turned up in the square at Hatherleigh for this breakfast run, 5 riders from Tiverton only just making it in time as Keith's Triumph decided on the way that his trousers were a bit dirty so it began to wash them with petrol!, apparently a hole in the downpipe was the culprit and this was soon fixed up. The run set off for Torrington where Ray had arranged a breakfast meal at the Torrington arms, this was seemingly very enjoyable and with full stomachs the run set off for Winkleigh via a choice of routes!!, due to some riders missing an unmarked turn and then losing the new leader, never mind, almost all safely arrived at Winkleigh and the missing rider was located at home. The weather turned out to be very much better than expected and the whole run was accomplished in the dry and all riders were home by mid afternoon. This was the first time we have put on a breakfast run for some time and we would like to know what you think to repeating it. Apparently a Badger accompanied the run but not quite sure how this came about, something to do with Dermot's Matchless?. Next run folks is the Fall run 14th September starting from the Blackberries in Bampton usual time of 1030 for 1100 start.

Club night 21st August 2014

16 members turned up at our ride a bike and natter night last evening, at the beginning of the year we were asked to provide a couple of evenings where their was no organised happenings so that members could just natter and this certainly worked as there was a good level of nattering going on all the evening. There were at least 6 bikes turn up, I presume more would have appeared if the weather had been a bit more promising, as it was the run in was in the dry and so was the run home, there was only a bit of drizzle whilst the evening progressed. Announcements made included the success of the fish n chips and evening meet runs this month, the competition night next month and the breakfast run on Sunday next at 9am starting at Hatherleigh square. I also meant to thank the people who brought draw prizes last night and previous club nights, last evening there were 4 prizes to be drawn - thanks folks. A bit of advanced notice for you all is that the date of the Christmas lunch this year will be the 6th December 12 noon at the Tiverton hotel, cost will be a subsidised rate of £14, that's very good for a full Christmas meal, names and monies together to Chris from now on please.
Our October club night will be a talk from our very own area rep Rodney Hann, Rod supports us very well so mark it in your diary now.

Evening meet 18th August 2014

The early arrivals

Jack's the only one eating!

Sadly, Mondays meet at the Mitre pub in Witheridge was the last of our evening meets this year, it doesn't seem possible that we are at that point already, ah well!, it was a lovely sunny evening and so we commandeered a table outside on the pavement and put the world to rights. 10 VMCC members attended, one chap came all the way from Birmingham!, oh all right he was on holiday in Braunton, he had looked on the VMCC website, saw we had a meet and came to say hello, Matt spent most of the time talking to him as he ( Matt ) had lived in Wolverhampton for 20 years and so could speak the language!. A variety of subjects were dicussed, from tax requirements when travelling abroad to the pain of losing pets at end of life. I think that Mike travelled the farthest and Bill the shortest as he lives just 100 yards along the road. I really enjoyed the run home, we don't often have to run on headlights in the fading light these days, it's OK if you remember to take off the sunglasses before you set off. Next run is on Sunday 24th, meet Ray at Hatherleigh square at 9am, oh and it's club night this Thursday at 8 pm, ride a bike as I have ordered good weather, see you then.

Black Cat 10th August 2014

Is it going to rain?

No the sun has come out

'Possibly due to the threats from the tail end of Hurricane Bertha (I'm sure I went out with her in the '70's) a small, but perfectly formed, contingent met up at The Black Cat. I'd planned a route through some of the Devon lanes in the area, climbing up out of the valley and then a long stretch of unclassified road from East Knowstone through to North Molton, before climbing up onto Exmoor through to Withypool. Back down through Winsford, skirting Brompton Regis, and then into Exebridge for a very welcome pint at The Anchor.

A shorter run in the afternoon on the lovely little B road from Exebridge up to Ralegh's Cross, turning off towards Huish Champflower, then down into Wiveliscombe and back to The Black Cat.

Amazingly we stayed dry throughout the 70 miles.

Thank you to Fred for the tea and toast, and to Ray, Cyril, Tony, Dermott, Brian, Mike and  particularly 'Rear Gunner' Ian for turning up. Job's a Gud Un !

 Thanks to Matt for the route and for this write up together with the photo's, next run will be the breakfast run to meet at Hatheleigh square at 9am.

Fish and chips run 060814

So deep in conversation, only a few notice the camera

18 section members and their partners turned up at the welcome fryer this evening to enjoy each others company and eat very good fish and chips. We were as usual well looked after by the staff and the conversation flowed well, various topics were explored, the colour of bathroom suites!, driving a lorry in Scotland in the snow and taking a much needed leak in a field when a hunt arrived being just a few of the items requiring airing and sorting!. Thanks to all who turned out, it really is a good night out for all. Don't forget the run this Sunday, starts at the Black Cat 1030 for 1100, Matt is in charge as I have my Grandsons Christening to attend so I hope you'll come to support Matt and his run, then there is the last evening run of the year which is on Monday the 18th August for 7pm, see you there folks.