Monday 12 June 2017

West Devon run 110617

Mike takes the money!

even mine!

the first bikes arrive

yes that's right it's Dermots Ariel!

Ah lunch time

and still the sun shines



and still they come

Grahams bike will be the leader today








19 riders arrived at Grahams today for the West Devon run, the start was to be at his house which is in Holwill Junction and his yard was well signposted from the road so we didn't miss it. The weather was dry and sunny with much of the same forecast for most of the day. Graham and his family kindly set us up with tea, coffee and biscuits on arrival for which we were grateful. The run started on time with a turn out on to the road to Hatherleigh but before long we were lead off this road on towards Sheepwash. Unfortunately, a little further on we came to a very narrow lane and there was a large pick up truck filling the lane and heading toward us, the driver reluctantly put his nearside wheel onto the grass on his side and then started waving us to pull over even closer to our side of the road whilst he kept coming. There was water and mud covering the verge on our side and as he passed me I ran onto the water which was hiding a chunk of missing road!, once my front wheel dropped into that my bike gently toppled over. Once upright, I found that my RHS footrest was pointing skyward and my mirror and indicator were broken so once I had marked the next junction I elected to return home. Now as I understand it, the run arrived at the lunch time venue without any further misshap, but when run set off again, only about 9 riders continued. Here I'm told there was an interesting sideshow put on once again by Dermot in that his crash helmet was seen bouncing across the road, after he had retrieved and put it back on, he found that he had lost sight of the run so set off 'in pursuit' but could not find them or Grahams place and so had to run home!, ( I am grateful to Dermot of course for giving me these interesting events to write about! ). It seems that Chris and Mike headed for home a little later so I imagine just 5 or 6 arrived back with Graham.
Thanks to Graham for leading the run, to his family for the refreshments and to Mike and John for doing back marker duties and for some of the photos. Now the next run will be an evening meet at Chittlehamholt on 19th June then a girder run on June 25th from Rays place Cherry garden cottage  in Tiverton, ( pre 60's bikes are also welcomed ).