Mervs memorial run 270518

well it was clean at the start

the bikes assemble at Quince

the Cornish contingent made good time

welcome cuppa at Horner

Roger safely guided the Cornish riders up from Camelford for Mervs memorial run on Sunday 27th May 2018, there he met riders from the Devon section and others who wished to join the run in his memory.
I was asked by the family and the Cornish section to work out a route around Exmoor to pass by areas that Merv enjoyed visiting, to that end, I was determined to pass through a ford, pass by deer viewing and scenic points he loved and cross a few bridges he found fascinating.
After a briefing, we set off through South Molton on to the A361 for a short distance before heading through Molland to get on to the moor. We travelled past the P. Froude memorial, ( deer viewing ), and on to Marsh bridge which has an interesting history. A sharp turn lead us up on to the moor again to pass the lane down to Tarr steps, then a right turn down to Exford. Here we began to notice some foggy mist which increased as we rode on until it was quite established by the time we turned off to Dunkery. The ride over Dunkery was something else!, I could only see a few feet in front of me which was a great shame as I had intended to stop on the top to take in the view. All riders safely made it to Horner for a cup of tea and chat before we set off again at 1400 to ride back through the ford at Cloutsham to Exford.
The weather cleared back to sunshine for the run through Withypool and over the lower moor back to South Molton. I checked everyone back to the North Gate Inn at Aller cross and all were accounted for so that was great, thanks to Roger and Chris for being back markers and to Peter Lee for informing us about the collection today in aid of Hospice care.
I feel we did a good run in memory of Merv, it was nice to see the girls taking part and Pam following in the car which made it all very memorable, unfortunately, Roger tells me that there were two incidents on the way back to Cornwall but all were safely recovered.
Our next run is June 10th for the Dartmoor run to start at D & S supplies at Winkleigh, then there is the evening meet on the 18th at the Jubilee Inn for 1900.

safe arrival at Aller cross

which way shall we go home?

Scrumpy run 130518

the bikes arrive at Mullacot

we take up a lot of the Cook Island car park

part of the queue to sign on with Mike

we arrive at the Blue ball

 Judging by the number of people who came over to congratulate Chris and the marshals for the days run, it seems that the new Scrumpy run was mainly well received, there were a few people who would like the run to have remained as it always was, but with increasing rules and regulations around the licence from North Devon D C  plus the committee members never getting a chance to do the scrumpy run and the storage and transportation of the posts and barriers, the committee voted to make the run a normal Devon section VMCC run.
30 people signed on for the day and I think there were others who preferred not to join the main run that chose not to. A number of riders elected to 'do their own thing' as they wished to pause to take in the views and take some photographs, so the number of riders following Chris after his pre run brief was 15. Mike did his usual stalwart signing on role and also agreed to accompany myself as back marshal for the day.
There were a few hiccups on the run, in one episode, Chris came across a 6 wheel coach which had become completely jammed on a hard corner such that no on could get past so we reversed course and Chris led us to lunch a different way.
On arrival at the Blue Ball, Chris was met by the manager who reassured him that he understood that whilst Chris had made a reservation for 40 riders for lunch based on previous intelligence, on the day our visitors had admitted that they had booked a carvery for the evening so would not need lunch and so Chris had rung ahead to apologise and down grade the booking.
There was only one breakdown when a Norton twin, ridden by one of our visitors, lost its spark, I stayed directing traffic until his mate in the three wheeler came along, they later arrived at the Blue Ball having forced the Mag to behave.
The afternoon run found us heading back to South Molton across the moor with no further incident.
Well done and thanks to Chris for the route and leading, to Mike for agreeing to do back marshal with me and to Richard for remembering the cheque book!, also one other person you may not have seen, Keith was taking photos at the valley of rocks, I'm sure we will see these at some time in the future.
Club night is this Thursday and the next run will be June 10th for the Dartmoor run led by Ian.

Maurice strides out to find his bike

Relay rally May 6th 2018

we arrive at Honiton checkpoint

Rodney and Carol arrive

 I have always believed that an editor has a certain amount of leeway when deciding what is written in order to keep any embarrassment reflecting on himself, however, I cannot really get away with this breakdown which befell me on the relay rally as I had 2 section members following me through the checkpoints and therefore 'saw it all'. My 650 Triumph overheated and stopped, Ray kindly went back to get his trailer and with Richards help, it was loaded and returned to Tiverton.
I understand that Dermot had 16 riders check in at Abbotsham but haven't yet raised Keith to find out how many came to Bickleigh. Whilst it was very hot for us in mid devon, Dermot tells me that it was very cool with a mist up north.
Don't forget the scrumpy run this Sunday starting at Mullacott cross this year.

Richard insists the blog must be written!

who needs the AA when Ray provides the trailer

Fish and Chips 210418

hungry smiles?

another good turnout meant a separate table for Steves' family

I was on holiday for this event but am grateful to Steve for the photo's and Ray the info.

It seems that the Welcome fryer did what they are good at yet again and looked after the 20 plus section members and family who turned up on the 21st of April for fish and chips. This is always a popular event and venue so the committee will certainly be putting it on again next year, in fact there will be another trip to the Welcome Fryer on August 1st so come along and see what it's all about.