October run

 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.

Bustard run photo

 

One of Andys photo's 

Andy's Bustard adventure

 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!.

September 12th ride

 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.

Club night September 16th

 

Great club night, Chris brought photos of the baton relay rally and Devon sections involvement and Maurice brought a few albums of the many, many bikes he has owned over the years, seems like everything from a Ninja to a 1920's Sunbeam, some he admitted were more successful than others!.

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? ).

Facebook

 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.

Sunday 12th September run

 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.