Scrumpy run 2011

May 8th this year saw our annual

scrumpy run form up at Ilfracombe

in good weather with over 50 riders

attending. There was the usual interest from holidaymakers who

were keen to tell us what bikes they

used to have, ( sadly, none of them

still had these bikes in the back of their garages! ).

The run was enjoyed by all with no major breakdowns reported. Maurice had added a few miles in the afternoon and this seems to have stopped the mad dash back to the start seen on previous scrumpy runs. The Mayor was introduced by Chris and he did his choosing of the bike he favoured best. Prizes were then awarded before we all went back to the theatre cafe for a rather nice meal and drinks. Thanks to all who helped to make this another very enjoyable scrumpy.

April fools run 2

A few more photos of the April fools run one showing John marshaling us into Woody bay, ( is that Merv with camera ready in case someone has a problem? ), another showing Ray coming in, Brian and Lee enjoying a well earned cuppa and a shot of riders getting set to attack the sandwich bar.

April fools run

Sundays April fools run saw 27 riders arrive at the Corn Dolly in South Molton in good weather for a very good run over parts of Exmoor and North Devon to arrive at the Woody Bay station for lunch and dispersal.

This run was as usual organised by John Denny, and of course there was a ford to be navigated, ( only one this time ), one rider stopped in the ford which, considering the depth in the middle, was quite surprising.

Brian and Lee brought up the rear, this was Lee's first time in the role, they had a little work to do but not to onerous.

Many riders admitted they had seen parts of the moor they had not seen before, I must admit that this was my observation also, even Merv had not been on some of the lanes.

The run finished at Woody bay station so that riders could take advantage of the train ride if they wanted, John rightly felt that this stop would be in support of the railway following the excellent talk given recently at our club night.

All in all a very enjoyable run, thanks to John for the route and for leading, and to Brian and Lee for bringing up the rear.

The Spring Run part 2

Sunday morning dawned bright and clear but with a cold wind blowing from the north. Twenty-seven riders with cold fingers gathered at Whiddon Down services for Ray's Spring Run deep into Dartmoor. Among them was Mike Jennings and his wife from Torquay riding his lovely BMW R100S and Steib sidecar.

Travelling first towards Mortonhampstead we turned left at Easton and climbed steeply up to a high ridge of moorland, giving a fine view of Chagford. Dropping down into Mortonhampstead we turned abruply left and up again. This time to Mardon Down where we stopped to admire the view.

Then it was left onto the B3212 then right onto the B3193 for a grand ride along by the river till we turned right into Bovey Tracey for the lunch stop.

The afternoon route went past Haytor and through Widecombe In The Moor, Dartmeet, Two Bridges, Postbridge, Chagford and back to the start at Whiddon Down.

I would like to say that everyone had a trouble free ride. But alas it was not so. John Trible had his front brake cable fail which resulted in a fall when forced to stop suddenly by an unpredictable motorist and John Anstead had to return home from the lunch stop with a mysterious misfire.

Gordon became another casualty when his machine suddenly died. As you all know Triumphs very seldom give trouble and for one to just stop is almost unheard of. He first checked the spark - OK, then set about stripping the carb and carefully cleaned it out, but found nothing. After reassembling it he kicked it over and it roared into life. Must have been all that radon gas on the moor!

Our thanks to Ray who planned this excellent route and led us round it. Also thanks to Matt who sent in these photos.

The Spring Run

Hi Folks, here are a few photos of the Spring run over Dartmoor. I will write a full report later.

Other riders also took photos which will appear here when I get them.

Spring run March 13th

Only a week to go to the spring run folks, get your bikes out and meet us at the Little Chef Whidden down, Sunday March 13th, 10.30 for 11.00 start, its not a long run and lunch will be in Bovey, take this chance to show us your new bikes or work you have done over the winter....see you there. Oh and don't forget the AGM Thursday March 17th 20.00 in the Town Arms South Molton come and take part, open to all members.

THE DEVON SECTION DINNER

This years dinner was held at the club-night venue, the Town Arms, South Molton.

Our fears that the room might be too small to accomodate the 38 people who booked proved to be unfounded. It was cosy but fine. The meal provided was good value for money, and was popular with dog owners because the quantity of meat provided defeated most diners.

This years awards went to he following:

Jean's Trophy for most points on a Pre-war machine went to Ray Rowcliffe.

Lee Plain won the Ron Ley Cup for the Best Effort on the Scrumpy Run and the Thelbridge Trophy for the Best Girder-fork bike on the Autumn run.

The Woodman Shield for knowledge of the highway code was won by Rodney Hann.

The Reed Motors Tankard for Best Tele-fork Bike on the Autumn run went to Brian Cordy.

Ian Bryant was awarded the Les Soper Tankard for most points on a Non-British machine.

The VMCC Cup for most points on a Post-war Machine was won by Brian Cordy.

Maurice Ley was presented with the Scrumpy Run Shield and the Ilfracombe Shield which he won at this years Scrumpy Run.

There were plenty of prizes for the raffle and one persons luck was really in that night. I am still waiting to hear if he won the National Lottery as well! I thought it was a very good night and hope everyone else enjoyed it too. A good end to a successful club year.

Happy Christmas everyone and a peaceful New Year.