The Club Christmas Lunch

Hi Folks,
For those that have booked to come to the Christmas Lunch, here is a copy of the Menu.
If you have not yet booked there is still time to do so. Please show your support for the Club and come along to this very enjoyable event. Book with Keith on 01884 257942

Traditional Devonshire Turkey with all the Trimmings

Roast Topside of Beef and Yorkshire Pudding

Braised Pheasant in Red Wine with Root Vegetables

Baked Fillet of Salmon served with Baby Vegetables and Marinated Fennel

Roasted Chickpea and Butternut Squash Cassoulet

Grilled Rump Steak with French Fries and Béarnaise Sauce (£6.50 Supplement)

All served with a selection of Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables

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Traditional Christmas Pudding and Brandy Sauce

Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream

Poached Pear with Chocolate Sauce

Selection of Cheese and Water Biscuits

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Freshly Filtered Coffee and Mince Pies 

 

Guy Fawkes run 2016

We were made very welcome at the Waggoners ( formerley Blackberries ) in Bampton at the start of this years Guy Fawkes run, sadly this was the last run of the year and I was pleased to see 20 riders turn up for the free coffee and a selection of lovely cakes which were made available for us. This run was mine to organise and lead and so I was very pleased to see that the weather was cool but dry all day. After a brief from myself, we all set off at 1100, well I say we all set off but actually a Rudge and a Velo decided they didn't want to play though Roys Velo did get going after being politely spoken to, course as I was leading, I had no knowledge of these happenings but Keith and Ian had to sort it out. Chris took some excellent photos which he has kindly put below but was suffering a bit with elbow troubles so didn't want to risk the ride. The route was out of Bampton on the Watchet road before turning off in Upton, a few more miles and turnings saw us arrive at the Bessom bridge where I stopped the ride so we could all have a great view of the lake. The route then was cross country to pick up the road to Timberscombe, this involves quite a steep downhill to the village itself on the valley floor. We then turned on to the Dunster road for a short while before turning off to Luccombe and then turn off and climb up to Dunkery where I paused again where we were able to great views of Wales and Hinkley. Unfortunately, it seems someone left their post at the turn up to Dunkery which meant that a few riders had an extra couple of miles before turning back to pick up the correct road. After Dunkery, it was just a few miles downhill to the Rest and be Thankful at Wheddon cross where we were made very welcome as usual. The Guy Fawkes run has always been a half day but after our excellent meal, I offered to lead everyone back to South Molton over the lower moor, unfortunately, Rays Ariel decided to give up at Exford and he had to wait for pick up though he did manage to find his way into a house where he could drink loads of tea whilst waiting for the truck. Well folks we have had a better year for weather this year and have seen some excellent rides, the committee have chosen the rides for next year so we look forward to the next run starting in March. Thanks to the Waggoners and to the Rest and be Thankful and of course to Keith and Ian for bringing up the rear, don't forget to contact Keith for a place at the Christmas annual dinner, always a good function and as it's in the middle of the day you don't have to turn out at night, this year the section is subsidising this event again and the charge for the meal is only £14, hope to see you there folks.

gathering at the Waggoners

cool but sunny wow!

coffee and cakes on reflection!

A welcome at the Waggoners

what a lovely view

a pause at Dunkery with Wales behind

Hinkley is in the distance

why do we always gather at the loo!

Always a good venue

Photos of Guy Fawkes run, Bampton.

Here are some photos of club members leaving Blackberries at the start of the Guy Fawkes run.

Club night 20th Oct

This was expected to be a presentation by Darol Baker but unfortunately he rang Chris to say that he was stuck up in Gloucester with a car problem, however, when I mentioned this at Chris' request at our usual Wednesday meet, Ray immediately said that he would prepare a short talk on the bikes he has owned, then Steve also volunteered to give a presentation on his visit to Romania in 2015 on a charity run, the purpose of which mainly was to deliver a first response vehicle to the fire department of the village and to install fire alarms in private houses. Thanks are due to both Ray and Steve for stepping in providing informative and enjoyable presentations on the night, we of course still have Darols' talk to look forward to at a future date

Guy Fawkes run update

As promised I can now update you on the start venue for the Guy Fawkes run scheduled for the 6th November, it will be as printed on the calendar, I finally managed to speak to the new owners and they will be delighted to have us start our run from their premises, so please make your way to the Blackberries restaurant in Bampton on Sunday 6th November for the last run of the year, it will be the same run as last year which seemed to be well received - hope to see you there.

Autumn run Oct. 9th 2016

20 riders and 2 pillion passengers turned up at Sainsburys Barnstaple for the Autumn run organised and lead by Chris, now it seems that he has recently returned from a holiday in France and because he enjoyed such good weather, he decided we should have a bit of the same, because although it was quite cool to start, the whole days run turned out to be dry and sunny wow!. The bikes were lined up in front of the supermarket and a pretty tasty line up it was with 4 Vincent / HRD's and Tony's new Norton, also Ian who turned up on his trusty Norton which carried him recently on his 4 corners of the UK charity run, all these attracted a very interested crowd, many only to keen to explain their motorcycling experiences at length. Mike and John agreed to do rear Marshal duties so Chris gathered us around for a briefing during which he warned of the turn off the Bideford old bridge and the acute turn down to Weare Giffard. The run set off on time and we followed the old road into Bideford and on to the Torrington road prior to turning off to Weare Giffard, this was a new road for me and it seems for many of the riders. The run then passed through Torrington and on to the road to Exeter as far as Beaford where we turned off. We soon picked up the A386 passing through Merton and Meeth before turning up at Northlew for lunch. Whilst at the lunch stop, it became apparent that we had lost sight of Dermot somewhere on route, careful questioning and reasoning lead us to realise that he went adrift at the Weare turning, hoping he was OK and realising that backtracking that far was not feasible, I volunteered to ring to check he was ok as soon as I got home. The afternoon run saw us dive off towards Sheepwash, Peters Marland and Taddiport before arriving at Torrington Common for some ice creams. Many thanks to Chris for this run and for laying on the good weather, to Mike and John for rear Marshal duties. Now to put your minds at ease, I can tell you that I did ring Dermot as soon as I arrived home to find that he was safely home, it appears that it was the turning to Weare that lead to his downfall and the telling of how that happened will raise a chuckle when he tells you!, don't forget the last run of the season which is the Guy Fawkes run on the 6th November, now there is a small problem with this runs start, when I rang up today to make sure all was well with us to begin the run as usual from their restaurant, there was no reply and when I looked into it, it looks as if they are out of business so I am currently looking for a new start venue in Bampton so watch this space.

some of the line up

time to sign on

now who's looking guilty?

Girder fork run 25th September 2016

I remember when there were near 20 girder fork bikes on any girder fork only run, but alas for lots of reasons that day has sadly passed so it was that 5 girders turned up at Rays today for his run and one of those was myself who took up Rays kind offer to ride his Ariel 350 for the day. Course when I agreed to take up his offer I did not know that he was going to remove one of the cylinders and put the gearbox in upside down, however, I didn't say anything and by the end of the day I nearly had it right!. On arrival at his house, we were treated to tea or coffee and teacakes all served up by Margaret , ( thank you ), which left Ray free to give us a quick briefing and show me how the missing cylinder machine could be mastered. We were lead out dead on time but after only a few hundred yards, Rays NG decided that being ignored for a couple of months could not be forgiven without protest so it came to a stop, a bit of fettling where Brian found a screw loose!, lead to a restart after which no bike gave any trouble for the rest of the day. Ray lead us out of Tivvy via the annoying double lights obstructions on the way toward Halberton, but we soon turned off to Uplowman where we followed the road straight through the village. Due to the heavy rain which had fallen overnight, the mud and stones on the road led us to wonder if Ray was taking us trialing!. On entering Huntsham, an about turn was on the cards where Ray was checking our ability to turn in a narrow road!, then we were led down an even narrower and muddier lane for him to check our ability to stay in the saddle, but all to soon, he thought we had all passed and he led us through Dulverton and on to Bury, now here we all paused at the ford, would anyone be brave enough to go through?, answer was NO, due to the previous nights heavy rain it was decided to take the stony bridge instead. Soon we were at the Lowtrow Inn where we were well looked after, the meal coming very quickly after ordering and patrons were seen taking photos of our now muddy steeds. The afternoon run saw us head back over the hills to Bampton and then over Bampton down to Tiverton and the end of the run. Many thanks to Ray for the tea and coffee and the route, a very enjoyable day despite the showers which came and went throughout the morning and lunchtime, now the next run for your calendar is the Autumn run starting from Sainsburys Barnstaple on October 9th, see you there folks, now where is the hose pipe and cloth?.

ready for the off at Rays

safely at the lunch stop

who wants some roast?

I get into the photo!