Ruby Run, 11th October 2026

Cliff led eight of us off from Jonesy’s Café on his Ruby Run following a nice mix of roads to Bude via Hatherleigh and Holsworthy.  Pasties, coffee and relaxing chat were enjoyed over lunch in the café on Bude Quay before heading north on a damp A39.  Here your scribe, running as back marker, had a butt-clenching moment as the engine died at speed on the twisties before the Hartland turn.  Luckily, I was able to run off onto a conveniently placed farm track . Dick turned back to find me scratching my head and pondering why my electrics were totally dead.  Fuses were all intact, battery terminals were fine but finally a slight wiggle of the main earth lead at the frame connection flashed some power to the ignition.  None of the tools in my fancy little Oxford  tool kit would reach the inaccessible earth mount on the frame.  However, Dick saved the day by miraculously producing a nice thin 13mm spanner to nip-up the offending bolt and off we went.  The rest of the crew were waiting patiently for us at the finish on Bideford Quay, where I was duly embarrassed to explain the fault.  Fortunately, Pete wasn’t there to rip the wotsit out of Italian Guzzi electrics which, ironically, in this case were fixed by a Ducati rider!  Thanks go to Cliff for leading an eventful and enjoyable run. 

Evening meet The Rising Sun 240926

Thanks John for this better picture.
 

We came to the Rising Sun at Umberleigh last evening for this our last evening pub meets for this year already!. The first picture did not come out well due to the coming darkness and the long shutter speed but you get the drift as riders chose a convenient place to park up which was right under the no parking sign ( doesn’t apply to bikes!). There was the usual chatter around bikes and foreign travel on them and very pleasant it was outside on the terrace. The A377 was blocked from there towards Crediton for a way so for me the only way to get there was from South Molton which had just had fresh grit laid, phew!.

Now the next run is on the 11th October which is the Ruby run led by Cliff who has been a stalwart through this year stepping in when folk are not available, the run will start from Jonesey’s café at Winkleigh.

Baton changeover 130926

 

A number of Devon section riders turned up in bad weather at the Riverside caravan park for the run led by Cliff to the Willowbrook garden centre in Wellington to pass on the VMCC baton to our neighbouring Somerset section. By the time they reached Bampton the weather had become more ride friendly and everyone arrived at the changeover venue pretty well dry. A free cup of coffee or tea was made available and the official changeover took place where Cliff passed the baton to the Somerset section president. I missed the joining point at Bampton apparently by just a few minutes and left after the changeover to nurse my Honda home as it was giving symptoms of a flat battery. Now the next evening meet is on the 24th at the Rising Sun in Umberleigh.

Evening meet 200826

 

I was just 4 miles from our evening changed venue now at the Stags Head Filleigh when the heavens opened up and I arrived drenched, John and Tony arrived just 20 minutes later perfectly dry!. The planned meet in George Nympton had to be replaced as it was found to have closed. I imagine the weather, holidays and other happenings arose to keep the usual guys turning out. A lot of discussion rested around Tony’s latest BSA Spitfire ( see photo ), which is now going ok following some work by himself, he told us that he has the larger fuel tank coming so it will look somewhat different when that happens. Fortunately, the ride back was in the dry but it is certainly getting dark earlier now and made me think about the strength of my lights. Now September 13th sees us passing the baton on to the Somerset section, details to follow in what’s app.

West Devon Borders Run, 9th August 2026

A mere handful of Devon Section riders showed up at Strawberry Fields Farm Shop, Lifton, to join Dave and Di Beacham's West Devon Borders Run.  All I can say is that you missed a perfect day out!  We were heavily outnumbered by the Cornish Section fyrd (Google that). So much so that Dave ordered a double drop-off (two marker bikes at each junction), which worked very efficiently, giving everyone a turn at the front of our long line. As always, Dave and Di  chose a varied route along the tiniest lanes and faster roads with views ranging from hot, dusty farmyards to impressive vistas of Dartmoor and beyond.  A leisurely lunch was taken at The Castle Inn, Lydford, giving everyone chance to cool down and rehydrate before the Cornwall crew meandered their way back across the border and I peeled off north to head home on quiet roads.  Thanks to Dave and Di for such a well prepared and executed run. 

  

Evening pub meet, 30th July 2026

A small, lucky group of us enjoyed a fine sunny evening sitting outside shooting the breeze at The Bell, Chittlehampton. Fortunately, no Morris dancers were around to amuse us this time.  Gordon sent his apologies, having set out from Tiverton only to find the link road blocked, followed by long delays on the diversion, so a return to base was required.  I'm ashamed to say that I was so busy enjoying my beer and balti that I forgot to take any photos.  Apart from this one, which feels like a quintessentially English village scene, except, of course, for the illegal Italian alien! 

 

Baton relay and mystery run 190726

 

With a much better day forecast, we arrived at Jonsey’s café Winkleigh for this baton change and run. Ian would normally lead today but with the sad passing of his wife Jean, Cliff had agreed to set a route instead. The Dartmoor section arrived at 1120 and the changeover took place, the baton being passed to Cliff on our behalf, now we will hold it until a changeover to the Somerset section at a later date. I had brought a photographic booklet of the 60th baton changeover which was of interest to all though I must admit that some of us look much older or have passed on.

I had to drive home at this point as I still can’t yet wear a crash helmet but I understand that Cliff lead a great run down to Tiverton then back up to South Molton. Unfortunately, it appears that Ian S appears to have had troubles at the start from the café and apologies have been given all around for not noticing.

Next outing is 30th July at the Bell inn at Chittlehampton.