Letters

I have received two E mails from members which I am reproducing as they were presented, for you all to read; first one from Matt:

Riding with the Devon section for the last few years has been the best of times. Glorious days spent encountering moorland meanders, hedgerow hazards and coastal cruising, all spiced up with great company, tall tales and all the usual banter.

But all good things must come to an end.

As some of you know, I will be shortly moving back up to my old riding territory in the peak district to be nearer the family. All things being well Ashbourne will hear the familiar clatter of Ariel tappets in three weeks time. I have asked Gordon for references which I hope will get me into the North Staffordshire section.

Gentlemen - every mile of every run has been a privilege and a pleasure.

Keep them shiny side up and rubber side down.
Matt

And now one from Dermot:

Sehr geerte Herr Blogmeister,

Now I wish it to be known that my mid-life ( and gearbox ) crisis finally is over and my brief embrace of multi-cylinderism, being ascribed as a consequence of this temporary aberration, mercifully a thing of the past. You need make no further reference to this sad episode. Nevertheless, my passage from 108hp Honda to rather less hp from a Douglas Dragonfly with much in between has proved both interesting and enjoyable. I am indebted to Ray Rowcliffe, Cyril Finch and Ian Loram for their generosity and trust in lending me wheels whilst the Ariel has been hors de combat - clearly, the mountains of Cantabria provided several changes too many for the ailing Burman.

But all is will be well very shortly and you can look forward to more spectacular backfires in the coming season.

D.

Guy Fawkes run 1st Nov 2015

Mike signs us on

we fill up the car park

Sadly this, our Guy Fawkes run, was the last on this years calendar, 16 riders signed on at the 'Blackberries' in Bampton for the run which was mine to organise and lead. I must say that despite the fact that the Blackberries was pretty full up with Bampton festival goers, they were very accommodating with coffee and cakes available for anyone who needed them. This was also, sadly,  Matt's last run with us as he is relocating up North to be nearer his family, ( actually I think he fancies having a go at some Northern tunes on his squeezebox!). After signing on with Mike, and a briefing on the run ahead, I lead the riders out of Bampton and soon turned on the road to Morebath, then it was on to Upton where I turned everyone off towards wimbleball lake, the weather up to now had been dry but foggy and misty, the view at the bridge over the lake was so good with the lake surface just like a mirror, that I paused the ride here for everyone to have a look. When we set off again, I took the run over to drop into Timberscombe, then it was a turn on to the main Minehead road for just a few hundred yards before turning off on to the road through the pretty villages of Wotton Courtney and Luccombe, these places would be much busier in the tourist season so I didn't want to miss the trip off season. After Luccombe and a few miles, a sharp left saw us climb up to the road past Dunkery in sunshine, here I slowed to give everyone a good view. After this, a drop down to the main road and a run to our lunch stop and finish at the Rest and be Thankful at Wheddon Cross where we were served with an excellent meal. My thanks to Chris and Mike who agreed to be back markers for the day, it seems from comments at the finish that the riders enjoyed the route and, as there were no incidents of any sort, a good rideout in pleasant company, thanks for coming. Ray was unable to come today as he is currently recovering from an illness which Chris brought riders up to date on at the start, also Keith would have liked to come but was required elsewhere. Now don't forget the annual dinner which is on Saturday 5th December 12 for 12.30, not the 6th as stated in the journal, why not give Keith a ring to book a place, it's always a good event and would round off a good riding season with all your riding pals.

sunny at the lunch stop

a Norton explanation

Grahams' Norton gets it's first run out