Here is a copy of our calendar for 2022, I hope that all the events will go ahead as planned but do keep an eye as ever on the blog and Facebook page for up to date information. If the print is small for you, just click on the calendar and it will come up larger on your screen.
Your committee and I wish you all a very happy Christmas and new year.
At the beginning of this year, it seemed unlikely that our section would have many runs to enjoy, what a pleasant surprise it is that I am reporting on the last of a full calendar of runs for 2021, and what better to report than Andy's Frosty finger run. It was decided that this should be a midweek run and Andy kindly agreed to organise it. A new venue to us was chosen which was the Quay cafe at Braunton, and 9 riders braved the cold to turn up. I must say that the weather was promised to be sort of ok though some of us had a damp start and mucky run. After a briefing from Andy which included warnings of short and narrow hump back bridges, and with Chris and I on marshal duties, the run set off on time turning right on to a lane which ran over a fen like area with swans, streams oh and yes, the hump backed bridges. Pretty soon we came out on to the Saunton road and on to Croyde, Woolacombe, Morthoe and Georgeham, a very nice ride along the coast which was probably better at that time of the week as I am sure it would have been much busier had we tried the run on a weekend. Doug's Ariel decided to have a rest above Woolacombe but was giving a talking to and restarted ok, other than that, I am pleased to report that there were no further episodes.
The run ended at Blackmoor gate where 6 of us partook of a good chatter and a meal, Andy had promised a prize for the rider who had travelled the furthest and that proved to be your truly so I accepted a bottle of 'bubbly' but unlike Lewis Hamilton, I declined the need to shake it up and spray it over my fellow riders!.
Thanks to Andy for a lovely run and thanks to everyone who have organised and lead runs this year, if you would like to sort one for 2022, please let one of us know before the 16th as we are planning for next year.
Members enjoyed an excellent evening at the Town Arms playing skittles, There was a little doubt as whether we would have the skittles alley for the evening but at the last minute, Chris was informed that all was clear. Two teams were formed under the captaincy of Myself and Chris and 5 games were played amongst much merriment and banter, I'm pleased to say that my team won but with a great deal of help from the evenings highest scorer Louise, well done that gal!.
Chris supplied some cake etc: to round off the evening, ( ta mate ), and the Town Arms did their best to limit Andy's drinking by being slow to serve him!. it was great to see Maurice so soon after his op who was successful in scoring all through despite stating that he could only count up to 10.
Now do try to make Andy's run on Wednesday 3rd November starting at the Quay cafe in Braunton a new venue for us, and on a second point, the committee are meeting in November to plan for next year so if you would like to organise a run or have suggestions please do let us know.
Andy has kindly agreed to lead this run, here are his details:
After lunch, Mike resumed the lead and took us via Tamar lakes and Stibb cross to Torrington common. Some of the roads and lanes were in a pitiful state for which I blame the County authorities, where does the money go!.
Cliff got picked up and taken home with a wait of just 45 minutes and Graham was able to help Andy with the loan of a couple of plugs.
Thanks to Mike and Ian for the part they played in leading and to Graham for his assistance on the road, also hope Chris soon gets better to get on his BMW for the November ride out, details for this run will be forthcoming so watch this space.
There will be a run on the 10th October starting from Jonsey's cafe at Winkleigh, this run will be organised and led by Chris, lunch will be at Red Post and the finish will be back at Jonsey's, hope you can make it ( fuel allowing! ).
There are a couple of advanced notices, firstly, Chris has rung the Town Arms with a view to us having use of the skittles alley for our October club night but they have a problem with the alley being out of use at the moment due to it being full of tables etc, they will try to clear it out and let us know, if they can then you may bring your better halves, watch this space for updates.
On a second point, there will be a run in November, it will be a Wednesday run to try out this new approach, timing will be the same and Andy has kindly agreed to organise and lead it so watch this space for more info folks.
Whilst not being an organised VMCC event, the Bustard run is well attended by VMCC members, Andy has submitted this report for us to see;
Saturday morning found us loading up the trusty old Berlingo with my 1928 sunbeam model 6, Poppy the Spaniel, Louise my long suffering “responsible adult”, assorted tools, fuel and riding gear and a weekends worth of camping gear.
A few weeks ago Louise had entered me for this run. She mistakenly assumed that the title was a typo and this would be ideal for me. It turns out that a bustard is a very large bird that became extinct in the UK in 1832. There are now approx 100 birds thriving following a programme to reintroduce them at a centre on the Salisbury plains.
The Bustard run was organised to include both Sunbeam cars and bikes of the pre war era.
Sunday morning started drizzly at the campsite just a few miles from the meeting point at the Bustard centre but soon cleared to blue skies and warm autumnal breeze.
There were approx 7 Marston Sunbeams at the start, and a couple of invited interlopers ( a Velo
Viper and a very tidy1930s Rudge)
The run started off going through some very quaint lanes and villages at what I would generously say was a “sedate” pace. It soon opened up to the rolling hills and big views of the plains, ancient barrows and carvings in the chalk hills were the order of the day. About 2/3rds of the way round the route split, there was an opportunity for the more adventurous to complete the run on one of the many unmetalled military roads that criss cross the plain. I stayed with the tarmac and was pleased I did as with a smaller group and a different lead the pace quickened and became much more involving. After all these bikes were regular TT winners in their day and are much happier at a decent pace rather than chugging around oiling their plug and spluttering and spitting like a bored toddler.
All the bikes and riders returned with no mishaps, smiling faces and some dustier than others.
We were treated to a short Landy ride to the Bustard visitor centre where we could view these magnificent birds from a hide set up overlooking the valley. Apparently the larger mature group were out and about somewhere else and with their 2m wingspan that could have been some distance.
Whilst this wasn't a VMCC event it was well supported by members and hopefully it will grow and improve with time.
Andy included some photos with this report which I cannot transfer at this time, maybe later!.
Ian offered and organised this ride and I asked him if he would do a write up for the blog as I was tied up for the day at a funeral service and so could not attend, here is his submission:
About seven of us met at the Whiddon Down Service Area and proceeded on the old A30 through Sticklepath , Okehampton then onto Sourton. Following the A386 to Mary Tavy then up to Peter Tavy across Hartford Bridge to join the Dartmoor road to Princetown. Lunch stop was a picnic, just as well because the usual cafe was shut due to Corvid outbreak. We then proceeded to Two Bridges then on to Huccaby Bridge to Venford Reservoir, Holne Chase then Holne Bridge back up to Hemsworthy Gate down to Haytor Rocks. Leaving the Moor we carried on down to Bovey Tracy back up to Moretonhampstead to finish at Whiddon Down. About 70 miles. The weather kept fine but a bit cloudy. As usual the Moor was fully occupied with people, sheep, ponies and cattle all of them very unpredictable for their actions! Fortunately we had no incidents either mechanical or physical as we all arrived back at the start quite safely and dispersed accordingly .
Thanks to Ian for that run, now Chris will organise a run on the 10th October, so watch this place or our new facebook page for details.
I took in the competition bags which were handed back to me by Steve who's turn it was to fill them this year except that he has stood down from his involvement at the moment. I had filled them with what I thought were fairly easy to guess items but in the event the highest score was a tie between Andy and Nick so a quick 'which hand is it in' gave the win to Nick who has to do the honours next year.
There will be a run on the 10th October which Chris will organise and I will do a short run in November date to be announced, ( we are wondering about a midweek run? ).
Andy has come up with an idea which could be used in conjunction with our blogspot and Email, to offer an interesting and possibly far reaching vehicle to inform and share for ourselves and others concerning the activities of the section and of individuals who may want to sell or swap bikes or parts and to give information on our runs and meets. In order to launch with some initial material, he would like any items sent to a new and dedicated E mail address for items to be included, which is 'devonvmcc.fb@gmail.com' .
Access to the blog has always been via Chris or myself and it may be that this has been considered as being a lengthy process, perhaps you will see that access to this facebook page will be easier and you will get confident in using it to keep in touch and to pass information, perhaps tell about a recent ride or work on your bike, to post information on parts you want or want to get rid if.
Give it a try folks and thanks to Andy for the idea and work setting this up.
There will be a run this Sunday the 12th starting from Whiddon down services at 11, Ian will organise and lead, lunch will be around Princetown, no organised lunch venue has been set so grab something in the town or take sandwiches, hope you can make it.
The next Club night has been booked at The Town Arms for Thursday September the 16th at the usual start time of 7.30pm. This will be a natter night as we haven't been able to plan anything yet.
I have started an email Group which allows me to pass on information more quickly than trusting that people will look at this Blog. At the moment I have 10 names in the Group. If you would like to be included please send me your email address. Group members can also contact the rest of the Group as a whole or individually.
You will all know that the Devon section chose 3 'waypoints' for this rally of 2021, one of these was at Torrington common, now Chris and I had the idea to meet at this site on Wednesday the 25th at 2pm and it was thought that if as many Devon section people could attend at the same time as possible, we could have our picture taken together in front of the 'Mayflower' replica and Chris would send it to the club for hopeful inclusion in the VMCC journal, so how about it folks?, are you game?, good see you there then.
You may have noticed that there seems to be a discrepancy regarding the start venue for this Sundays run between Chris's note in this blog and the Devon section notes, this has arisen simply because the lead time to the Magazines notes being written and their appearance, does not allow for last minute changes necessary for many reasons, so please be advised that the start is as Chris has stated here, i.e The Quince Honey farm will be the start and finish for this run, hope to see you there.
I have spoken with Sue from the Town Arms and she kindly to start letting clubs use the room again. I have therefor, booked the room for the 19th of August for our first club night in yonks.
We will hold the overdue AGM on this evening so please come if you are able. After many years service Keith will no longer be our Treasurer. This post has to be filled or the Section cannot continue.
The Committee has lost several members so if you feel able to help please volunteer.
The meeting will start at the usual time of 7.30pm. The pub is open for drinks.
The August Run is on the 8th and will start at Quince H F, S Molton. The lunch stop is at the Blue Ball, Countisbury, with a return to Qince after lunch. The route comprises some lanes, A roads and some big hills.
Quince have asked that we do not arrive before about 10.30am as they have a large party of Vintage Car drivers booked in for breakfast. after that time we have tables reserved.
Sunday roast lunch at the Blue Ball cost £ 13, when I enquired about a childrens portion the lady I spoke with (one of the owners) said she would always order a childs portion because full portions were too quite large. I could not eat all of the meal I had today Childrens portions cost £8
A Sunday Run is being organised for the 8th of August. The start will be at Quince Honey Farm at 11.00am. I am hoping to have the lunch stop in Brendon and we will return to Quince after lunch. Gordon has checked his seaweed and assures me that the weather will.be, and I quote "warm and sunny". See you there.
7 riders arrived at Jonsey's cafe in Winkleigh for this run, I imagine numbers were down because of the weather and the weather forecast. Those that did turn up had ridden through damp conditions, some even rain, I found lovely dry roads once I had cleared the hills from Bickleigh, down into, and through Crediton. The coffees were good and the catch up put the world right chat also very enjoyable. Ian briefed us on the route warning that some of the lanes were a bit narrow and to be aware of potholes, ( a seemingly increasing feature of our Devon road network ), and we set off pretty well dead on 1100 with Ian obviously in the lead and yours truly as the rear marker. within just 200 yards, Tony's lovely Norton decided it was not going to play ball today and came to a stop with fuel starvation, he had a good idea of what was wrong so I set off to catch up the run. the first hour was all in the dry and some of the views on the way to Hatherleigh were very good, Ian tells me that when he pre ran the run on the previous Wednesday, the weather was much better and the view was really good. Just coming into Hatherleigh, Grahams Triumph, which had been missing for a few miles came to a stop, he was happy where he was as he was near home and could freewheel down into the garage and contact the family for a trailer lift home, it turned out his battery had died.
The weather deteriorated at 1200 and it began to rain, in fact it came in quite heavy for a while, Ian pulled us over at one point until it eased slightly. Northlew, Bratton Clovelly, Roadford and Ashwater was our route before we arrived at a farm shop / Cafe just outside Hatherleigh. two of our 5 decided to go home from this lunchtime stop so we, the remaining 3, went in for a nice pasty and salad plus more enjoyable conversation. Although the rain had eased off somewhat, we decided to end the run there and make our own way home, in my case, the rain again increased and my near 50 mile run home resulted in my being very wet through and left me dissappointed with my 'weatherproof trousers'.
All in all, a good day out in good company riding our bikes what could be better, I spoke to both Tony and Graham by phone to find they had both safely got home, I reckon we should call this run Ian's all weather run in all types of road!, thanks to him then and to you guys who turned up, sorry to those who could not come for health reasons like Chris and Maurice, keep and eye on this blog for the next run in August, then we shall want some volunteers to organise September and October, speak to Chris or myself please, sorry there are no photos but the rain and other things meant they did not get taken.
Ian has taken charge of this our 2nd run this year, I hope you will give him your support and also hope the weather will be better than my run last month. The run will start at Jonesy's cafe this coming Sunday which is on the old airfield at Winkleigh pretty well where D & S supplies were for those who remember this often used start point.
Ian promises a run around the local area down to Holsworthy etc, and for a lunch stop he will guide us not to a pub but to a place where we can get a pasty and a drink, the afternoon run will end at Torrington common, so dust off the bikes and hope to see you there.
Despite the weather, the weather forecast, Fathers day and Covid restrictions, 7 intrepid riders turned up on Sunday for the Devon sections first run for the best part of a year. Ian and John had to ride through rain whereas the rest of us had to deal with low visibility which made it seem that we were riding through cloud!. Quince and the Rest and be Thankful were very understanding as I had originally booked for 15 to 20 and adjusted seating as we required, both venues were very Covid aware and served us at the table.
For the morning run, I led back through South Molton before turning off on the Rackenford road at Bish Mill, then it was a left to safely cross the A361 and head for Molland. It was just after Molland whilst climbing on to the lower moor that we first came across a poor misty outlook which spoilt the wonderful views we should have had such as my wife and I had enjoyed when proving the route the previous Tuesday. I was concerned that the fords at Exford and Winsford might be high due to the rain which had fallen the previous evening but when we came across them after Lanacre bridge, we found they were fine. I changed the route here to keep off the higher roads as this seemed to be where the mist was thick and so we arrived at the Rest and be Thankful from the main Minehead road all in one piece.
After a very nice meal, I decided the planned route over the top past Wimbleball was not on due again to the 'low cloud' so we headed back on the valley road to Exebrige then on to Oldways End before returning to Quince.
Thanks to Chris doing back marker duties and to all who turned up for the day, we are hoping to have a run on the 11th July and one on the 2nd Sunday in August, then we want to have an important and necessary AGM so keep tuned folks.
Hope you are getting ready for our run, there a few housekeeping notes you should know:
You must wear a mask to enter and leave the cafe at Quince and the Rest and be Thankful, unless you are sat down at a table.
Tables at both places have been set aside for us.
We can ride all together up to 30 but we must sit at tables for 6.
Food at both locations will be brought to you.
Hope to see you folks.
Well guys the time has come, we have a run on the 20th June, I know you will say that is not the second Sunday but it has been difficult arranging venues and other snags and so that is the date of our hopeful return to normality, it is hoped that future runs will revert to the second Sunday.
The run will start from Quince honey farm near South Molton, now for those of you that don't know, Quince has moved from it's location just off the centre of South Molton to it's new location just on the South Molton side of the Aller, ( Northgate Inn ) roundabout, it is pretty well signed. Quince will set aside tables for 20 from 10am so I do hope you guys will support this run. Lunch will be at the Rest and be Thankful at Wheddon Cross, and we will disperse back at Quince.
Please let as many as you can about this run as it has taken time and patience to organise and would benefit from a good attendance, so stick it on the calendar and pass the word.
Many of you will have seen the brief article in the VMCC mag that suggested an alternative for the Relay Rally which has had to be cancelled due to the covid restrictions. It has been proposed that each Section nominate three Way Points that can be visited by VMCC members during the period covering June to September. Visits can take place at anytime since the points do not have to be maned. A booklet containing all the Way Points will be issued in due course. Those riders with a competitive nature are asked to take photos as proof of their visit. After the event photos are submitted the Allen house and a winner declared.
The three Way Points submitted by the Devon Section are :
1 Torrington Common
2 Lynmouth Cliff Railway
3 Dunkery Beacon.
These were chosen because they met the required criteria. e.g near food and fuel, easy to get to and not in a large town or city.
Sadly I have to report the death of John Boyd. John joined the Devon Section when it was in its infancy and until recently participated in many of our runs. Johj stopped riding a few years ago after a bad bout of pneumonia.
I thought I would just have a catch up on the situation as I understand it today folks. I had been waiting for Boris to announce his way forward at the end of February and had hoped that the spring run could take place in one form or another, but as you will know, that is out of the question as is the run in May, so we are now looking to June to recommence our section runs.
The committee have not produced a calendar for 2021 yet for obvious reasons, but I would like to appeal to section members to work out a route on paper now so that when we can move forward, we would have a few members willing to lead us over the hills and dales.
I have kept in touch with Chris who is doing a great job with the notes etc: and am trying to get around to ringing as many members that I have numbers for, in the mean time keep your bikes fettled, use them to fetch a pint of milk or medicines etc when the weather allows and watch this space when I hope we can have better news.
