Girder fork run 240917

The first 3 bikes turn up

Tony's |Norton looks great

Nice to see Paul on his ES2

Brian pulls away to lead

Brian follows

Tony gets going at number 4

Ray brings up the rear

5 eligible bikes and riders turned out today at Morrisons Tiverton for this the last Girder fork run for 2017, as you know, we have included this year any bike born before 1960. The bikes attracted quite a lot of interest as they usually do and in addition there were 2 ineligible  bikes at the scene, one was mine as I had come to take a few pics and the other was a 500cc Royal Enfield who came to ride behind the pack for the ride. Todays route was chosen by Brian who led away out of the car park and on to the Rackenford road, then out past Rackenford and on towards South Molton, a right turn off the road took us towards the Cabin and here I left as I was not eligible and had come just so far for the ride. Ray tells me that the bikes ran on without any trouble but they ran into rain near South Molton. A very nice lunch was held at the Bell Inn Chittlehampton during which the rain kept coming such that the decision was taken to end the run there and make way home. Ray reported that the rain stopped almost suddenly as he skirted Rackenford on the way back, shame really but thanks to Brian for the run and for leading and to Ray who did back marker duties. Now our next run will be the Autumn run on October 8th from Sainsburys Barnstaple.
Now I will put a couple of photos from Merv's funeral if you don't mind to show just some of the 45 bikes that attended.

Christmas menu at the Town Arms 25th November 2017

Names and monies to Chris or Richard please, seating is limited this year so get your name in early.

View of club night 21st September 2017 from the Chairman

 

There have been several occasions over time when I have sought to understand the reasons for a chronically low turn-out at the Town Arms on club nights. More often than not, the response has been that if some suitable entertainment was provided, then people would come. In reply to this, I have said that the Committee would be very happy to invite guest speakers and arrange other activities but there was no likelihood of such invitations being extended if there was not a probability of a worthwhile number of members supporting these occasions. Last night's monthly gathering was an excellent demonstration of this chicken/egg situation.

Gordon went to considerable trouble to arrange a talk given by a member of the Freewheelers about his association and the important work it does. Despite plenty of advance notice and Gordon having circulated many leaflets advertising the event, only a thirteen people (and two of them were women pressed into service!) bothered to turn up; even the pub dogs were absent on this occasion. I found having to apologise for this lamentable attendance to "Freewheeling Rob" who had ridden to us from Bideford to be an embarrassing experience - one which should have been wholly unnecessary.

The purpose of my comments should be obvious so I shall not labour the point; a word to the wise should be sufficient but as I have said on past occasions, the quality and frequency of club night diversions rests with the membership. It's up to you.

Nevertheless, we were able to make a useful donation to the Frewheelers' coffers and enjoyed an interesting introduction to their work.

Sad news

Many of you will, I'm sure, remember my cousin Merv who has been a great supporter of the Devon section since I came back to motorbikes and joined the Devon section some nearly 30 years ago, well sadly I must tell you that Merv lost his long fight against cancer last week and passed away aged 79. I have hung on to writing this post until I had the details of his funeral which I now have. It will be at 12.30 on Tuesday the 19th September at the Glyn valley crematorium in Bodmin. Flowers are restricted to family only with donations being invited for the Little Harbour childrens hospice. There is to be a bike parade following the hearse starting at a Slade house in Wadebridge at 11.00, I think Ian B knows where this is. Merv was a prolific picture taker and you may have seen or been given photos taken by him, usually at times of a breakdown!. In his riding days, he brought many riders with him from Cornwall to the Scrumpy run, the Exmoor run and many others. R I P Merv.