Autumn Codiwomple 031124

 

So here we are already at the final run of the year!, not to worry as 11 riders turned up at ‘The Quay cafe’ in Braunton to get ready for Andy’s famous coast run to the Hunters Inn. On my arrival, Andy was sitting at an outside table puffing the rain clouds away, ( successfully), and after we had all assembled, ( on a very varied collection of bikes ) ,he briefed us before he led us out across the marshes with John and Andy marshalling at the rear.

Now this is not a run which can be undertaken in the tourist season as we would not have had such easy passage through Croyde, Georgeham, Wollacombe, Combe Martin before arriving safely at the Hunters Inn. There were of course interesting views of beaches and valleys on the way.

After a good meal, Andy lead us back to Blackmoor Gate where members travelling south, left the run to head to South Molton and on to home.

Thanks to Andy for the weather and the route, and to John and Ian for bringing up the rear, I have to say that car drivers were quite kind to us today I thought. Now we have a planning meeting in 2 weeks, if anyone would like to lead a run in 2025 please tell John or any committee member before the meeting.

Dartmoor discovery run 15/09/24

 

Due to holidays, bereavement and other reasons just 7 riders and 1 pillion arrived at Whiddon Down services for Ian’s Dartmoor discovery run. Ian had arranged good weather and gave a pre run talk to make us aware that due to the fact that Dartmoor has few roads, some of the run would be on lanes, also as we were few in number, he suggested that we did not operate the usual drop off system and simply look in our mirrors, stopping if we lost sight of the next rider.

During our run today we crossed onto and off the moor on many lanes as warned and in several locations, seeing towns, a reservoir and visitor centres on route also swerving to avoid sheep, cattle and ponies, we even almost came to a stop whilst a squirrel ran down the road ahead of us. Lunch was taken in Princetown at the Fox Tor restaurant and a stop was made in Moretonhampstead.

Thanks to Ian for the route and congratulations to the riders for passing the ‘lanes’ test.

Next meet will be on the 26th at the Lymington Arms in Wembworthy from 1830.

Next run will be on the 20th October from Jonesey’s cafe at Winkleigh.

Cancellation

 Due to the heavy rain over the past few days and the promise of the same for tomorrow, the unanimous decision has been taken to cancel the three tors run scheduled for tomorrow the 8th of September.

There is the Bideford bike show taking place tomorrow for anyone ‘up North’ who would like an alternative.

Change of dates note

 Please be aware of a change to the Ruby run now to be held on October 20th , same venue and time.

Our AGM will be on Thursday 17th October, and planning meeting on Thursday 21st November, both to be held at the Coaching house South Molton.

An invitation is extended to all section members to attend the AGM, a poor attendance is usually seen but it is your club and it would be great if more members made the effort.

If you are willing to lead a run next year, please advise one of our secretaries or any committee member, you know what is involved, it’s not difficult and we would love to see new leaders and routes, come on don’t be shy!.

Next run is Ian’s Dartmoor discovery 15th September at Whiddon down services.

110824 Pete’s magical mystery tour

 

Pete’s first bit of magic for the day was to fix the weather for his run, so a dozen guys set off from the Riverside caravan park in great weather, for the run to a pick up in Tiverton. Here was where I joined the guys for the trip to Dunkeswell aerodrome. Pete claimed to be unsure of the route but he led us perfectly through Halberton, Willand, Uffculme, Craddock, Culmstock and Hemyock to arrive at Dunkeswell, then to Tubby’s cafe for a bite to eat.

After a bit of lunch, we all moved across to the main buildings to see the action of parachutists and wing walkers and aircraft coming and going. We then moved over to enter the small but well stocked museum and information centre where we learnt that the aerodrome housed USN Liberators who went out in search of U boats which they seem to have sunk a number of.

The return journey to Tiverton was a reverse of the morning route, after Tiverton, the few remaining riders returned to South Molton via Witheridge.

Thanks to Pete and to the two back markers, now the next meet is 22nd August at the Stags Head Filleigh starting at 1830, then looking ahead we have Tony’s Three Tors run from Torrington common at the earlier start of 0900.

Ray Rowcliffe run 140724

 

Ray would have been pleased with the turn out for this Ray Rowcliffe run he had been so very involved with the Devon section almost since its inception so it was good to remember him.

The weather was good all day and it was Ian B’s job to organise and lead it and what a good job he did. We all met at Jonsey’s cafe at Winkleigh and set off at 1100 towards Okehampton passing through Monkokehampton and Exbourne on the way.

Lunch was taken at the cafe on Kitt hill where they serve very good pasties, ( course we were in Cornwall ), and good views to boot. A few members set off here for home, Ian, ( t’other one ), set off with just 2 strands of his clutch cable hanging on, luckily he made it to his garage where it finally parted, phew!. The afternoon run was going very well until we 5 at the rear of the column were held up by slow traffic and when we did get going, we came to a junction with no marker!!!. From here, Mike and I rode to Tavistock and Okehampton where Mike went north and I to Crediton, Exeter and home.

Great ride, good comradeship and magic scenery what’s not to like!, thanks to Ian B for the excellent route and to our 2 hardy back marshals, John and Cliff.

Next meet is at the Grampus in Lee on the 25th.

Cliff’s coast-to-coast moped dash

Our esteemed Chairman (and honourable treasurer) Cliff, has sent us this report of his recent adventures with the Puch.

Last weekend I joined 41 other riders from the NACC (National Auto Cycle Club) to ride from Crimdon Beach, near Hartlepool on the East coast to Whitehaven on the West coast. A total of 147 miles over two days.

The run was for small engine motor cycles, mopeds and auto cycles.  Most of the bikes were classic or vintage and anyone with more than 5 bhp was considered a show off.

A friend of mine, Martin came over from Germany with his 1958 Puch MS50L and I used my 1956 Puch MS50L...there was going to be rivalry on which bike would run the best.

We set of at 10.00am on Saturday from the beach car park amidst clouds of blue two-stroke smoke. We passed through the villages of Trimdon, Fishburn and eventually 18 miles (1.5 hours) later to the first stop in Chilton for a welcome cup of tea.  At this point most of the bikes had stayed fairly close together as we navigated the relatively flat ground.  Departing Chilton we headed towards the Pennines.

We passed Shildon, Barnard Castle and eventually reach Middleton-in-Teesdale 29 miles later for a well earned lunch.  By this time the 1.7 bhp of the Puch's was beginning to show and the pace had slowed somewhat.  Fortified by fish and chips we set of for the last leg of the day towards Alston, England highest market town.  Having climbed for over 22 miles, Martin and I arrived at about 4.30pm and were pleased to find that we were not last.  The bikes had performed well, the only casualty being a nut that came lose on the brake lever of Martin’s bike.  

After a good night’s sleep we set of again at 10.00am heading Westward and continued to climb the Pennines (with much peddle assist).  We arrived at the highest point at 1900 feet only to be met with mist and fog.  I'm sure the views would have been great.  Passing through Penrith and along the Uldale fell road, our only company was sheep and the smell of two-stroke smoke.  At times we came to a junction and just sniffed the air to see which way to go. 

After 43 miles we reach our lunch stop in Bassenthwaite, it had taken us 3.5 hours and most of it was downhill.  By this time we had realised that the 1956 Puch was 0.25mph faster than the 1958 Puch.

The final 30 mile leg towards Whitehaven was in sunshine and we passed some of the finest scenery in Cumbria going through Cockermouth, near Crummock Water and along Lowes Water. Eventually reaching our final destination at about 4pm.  We were exhausted but happy and suffered no mechanical breakdowns.

Our final stats were: 147 miles covered, top speed achieved (going down the Pennines) 31 mph, 14 hours riding, average speed 10.5 mph, fuel used 6.5 litres, 105 mpg...and a lot of smoke!

Evening meet 200624

 

The weather was grand and the football was poor but due to illness and other commitments we were only 4 ( and a cat ), at the Bell Inn Chittlehampton for our June pub meet, nevertheless, we managed to discuss a range of topics such as, when is Andy picking up his all powerful 4 cylinder ( and 4 carbs ) bike?, and which of Ians Harleys does he intend to keep longest?. We learnt that Tony’s Buell has been sold on and he brought his newish steed with which he attempted to block traffic with his parking!.

Well it was an enjoyable evening in the sun, though I won’t sit facing the lowering sun next time!.

So folks next run is 14th July ( what already! ), meet at Jonsey’s cafe at Winkleigh for Ian to lead us around and about.

090624 Exmoor explorer

 

All the weather apps agreed, it was going to be a dry day!, also the weather was not going to be too hot, so 10 riders were tempted out to ride to the Quince Honey farm for this ride.

This run was mine to plan and lead, to this end, with my wife and our dog aboard, we set off to check the route over again on Thursday last which turned out to be a good move as there were 2 shut roads on the way, one was reasonably easy to bypass but the second one just after Exebridge, necessitated a longer main road diversion.

 

The run set off after my briefing with John and Cliff bringing up the rear on time so we first rode through South Molton before turning off to Molland, on the way, we passed the Black Cock Inn which is in part of the now defunct railway station. Once through Molland, we made our way up on to the lower Moor, passing first the memorial stone to Froude Hancock ( a local English rugby player ), and the Marsh bridge another interesting structure. The short narrow road up onto the lower moor proper, caused us to meet up with 3 horses on a corner which required a check of the brakes efficiency on my Honda.

With a moor speed of 40mph we were able to take in the many sights either side of us before we turned off to Exford, then it was a turn on the road to Wheddon Cross and then turn into the Rest and be Thankful where Andy took stock of his Honda’s ailments and lead him to make for home, I was pleased to see that he arrived home safely.

After a great meal we set off to Dunkery Beacon then on to the rather narrow road through Wootton Courtney to Timberscombe, ( sorry chaps no alternative route ). A climb out of Timberscombe took us over the top  

To arrive on the Minehead road A396, just before Exebridge and here we had to leave the route I planned and follow this road to the Black Cat where we turned right towards South Molton, then it was a left turn towards Roachill and the end of the run at the services.

My thanks to John and Cliff for following up the run and to all the riders for exemplary corner marking, another thanks to John for some of these pictures.

Now don’t forget skittles this Thursday at the Town Arms then it’s to July 14th for Ian B’s Ray Rowcliffe memorial run , incidentally, Ray’s son Graham hopes to join us for this one.

South Molton Vintage Rally 2024

Despite our numbers being down due to various ailments and mechanicals an enjoyable weekend was spent in the sunshine on our stand at the South Molton Vintage Rally.  

On Saturday Andy was a real hero and saved our day by arriving in his van to deliver and erect our gazebo before heading home to look after his wife who was laid up with a painful knee injury.   Later in the day our A&E team sprang into action when the Guzzi’s exhaust pipe came loose.  Ian went foraging at the tool stand and proudly came back with the required M8 nuts and delved into his Harley’s capacious panniers to produce a tool kit capable of a road-side rebuild.  Then Mike couldn’t be restrained from demonstrating his engineering prowess, quickly whipping off said exhaust pipe and skilfully repositioning everything with judicious use of our tent-peg mallet.

 We had more action on Sunday when Richard’s vintage Harley unfortunately suffered a clutch failure a mile or two from the gate. Although Richard said he was ready to throw the Harley into the hedge, help was on hand to push it to a safe spot and Richard was able to spend the day with us before being trucked home later that evening.  

All in all, another memorable weekend. 

Gordon took on a managerial role in our quality control department

 

Mike was fully focused on fixing the Guzzi and getting it right