Evening run to Sportsmans Arms Sandyway 160418

Roy was first to arrive

Dermot stands back in amazement at my Triumph

toasting by the fire

a warm up after the ride out and before the ride back

9 of us warmed ourselves by the fire at the Sportsmans Arms last evening after a cool ride out from as far as Westward Hoe and Tiverton, as usual, the world was put to rights with some emphasis on Ariel motorcycles which had let Doug down on the ride across on the night. It was discovered that a glass of wine on special offer cost more than a pint of beer so obviously there were no wine drinkers among us!.

This is just the first of a few of our planned evening ride outs and I would urge you to come to the next ones as they are on evenings that should be both warmer and lighter.

There is a fish and chip meet at our usual South Molton venue The Welcome Fryer do come and support the section there, I shall be in Llandudno on the day so will rely on Steve and others to get me some photos and information on numbers etc:.

Club night next Thursday will be a talk by an ex motorcycle police officer so please come as it would be embarrassing for him to find himself talking to just a few people.

Next run is the relay rally 6th May, see you somewhere on route I hope chaps.

April fools run 8th April 2018

full up and resting

Good to see Ray back in the runs

Despite the bad weather forecast earlier in the week and the grey, misty, drizzly, and foggy start to the day, 17 riders turned out for this years April fools run starting at the Rest and be Thankful at Wheddon cross. This run should have been Keith's to organise and lead but due to him still recovering from surgery, ( get well soon mate ), a volunteer was called for, to take the run over at short notice, before I could stop him, Ray put up his hand thereby giving the job to us!, ( must sit closer to him next time so that I can kick him in the leg before he sticks his hand up! ).

A welcome was given to riders from Somerset, one from Wells, and after my pep talk at the beginning where I outlined the problems with the conditions Ray found with last years route and the need for me to quickly come up with a run on more major a road network, the run set off on time with Chris and Mike agreeing to be back marshals for the day. The road towards Taunton was taken for just a few miles before I turned off towards Dulverton on the lovely road that goes over the spine of the hills before dropping down towards Bury. No chance today of going through the Bury ford as it would surely be too swollen, so that was given a miss and we went on to Bampton. Once through Bampton, a turn was made on minor roads to Huntsham and eventually the Redwoods Inn in Uplowman.

We had been asked to arrive at or before 12 as the pub was expecting 60 people from the Rolls Royce club which we managed to do with some margin. The question as to whether there would be an afternoon run was answered unanimously when a dozen or so riders elected to continue so I led them out of Uplowman and turned off the road to Hockworthy, ( no Dermot not where you expected to hock some Rolls Royces' ). After that pass we went on to Bampton to pick up the old A361 towards South Molton. This road allowed us to open the bikes up a bit to give them a little free rein before arriving at the honey farm and the end of the run.
Thanks to Chris and Mike for back marshal duties and well done to Ray who stayed the whole course today so soon after his medical emergency just a few months ago.
Now can I remind you of the evening run on the 16th to the Sportsmans arms and fish and chips on the 21st, see you there folks.

no Maurice that isn't yours

we beat the RR club to the pub

  

The Redwoods Inn fits us in on a busy day

This Sundays April Fool run

Just a note to keep you informed about this coming Sundays April fool run.

Keith is still recovering from his operation and so Ray offered, ( I told him to sit on his hands ! ), to sort a run out, I found last years route which Ray ran around last Saturday, unfortunately he found the roads in a very bad state due to the water and mud and since rain is forecast from now until Sunday, it seems that we would find it the same or worse. The answer is that there will be a run but it is likely to be on more major a road network than planned so we ask that you bear this in mind if attending.

On a good point, the Rest and be Thankful has agreed to open up for us at 10.00 and the Redwoods Inn in Uplowman has agreed to have us providing we arrive early as they have 60 members of the Rolls Royce club coming for lunch later.

Hope to see you in person, ( in spirit doesn't count ).