Saturday 23 May 2009

More Scrumpy Run Photos

Here are a few more photos of the Scrumpy Run kindly supplied by Steve, Keith and Merve.









Tuesday 19 May 2009

Cornwall section's Lands End Run

If you are looking for a good LONG run with fine scenery and weather to match, then the Cornwall Section's Lands End Run is for you.

Starting at Bodmin Station on June 7th the first bike leaves at 9.40am. The route winds its way to the north coast, which it then follows along to St Ives. Then its on via the northern road through Treen and St Just to Land's End.

The scenery is magnificent (second only to Devon, of course!) and a warm welcome awaits you with coffee at the Bodmin Station cafe.

The run is a long one of around 120 miles, but you can rest and recover during a lengthy lunch stop at the Portreath Arms Hotel after 78 miles.

I have taken part in this Run for the past two years and have entered again this year. You can appreciate how much I enjoy this run by the fact that I have a 50 mile trip to the start and a 100 mile ride home at the end. Other riders come from even further afield.

So if you fancy a good day out, entry forms can be had from: Stan Weston, telephone 01872 510478.

Tuesday 12 May 2009

Social Run

Devon Section's next run is the Social Run which starts at Black Cat, near Bampton, on June 14th. 10.30am for 11.00am start. A route of about 60 miles with a pub lunch. As the man said "Always a good day out".















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Monday 11 May 2009

The Scrumpy Run


The Weather Gods were kind to us this year when they provided an abundance of sunshine for Devon's annual Scrumpy Run. Over sixty riders signed on for a days motorcycling on Exmoor.


Soon after 9am bikes began arriving at Ilfracombe sea front where they lined up to await the 11am start. They were much admired by delighted holiday makers and locals, many of whom welcomed the chance to talk to the owners and take photographs.

From Ilfracombe the route took the riders to Coombe Martin and the dreaded Shoot Lane which leads steeply up to Knap Down and on to Stony Corner where a left turn led them across Trentishoe Down. Then came Hunter's Inn and the second 1 in 4 climb up to Martinhoe for the ride through the woods at Woody Bay and the Lee Abbey toll road. On through the beautiful Valley of the Rocks and down from Lynton to Lynmouth. The next 1 in 4 hill out of Lynmouth is Countisbury, at the top of which the Blue Ball Inn provided a welcome break for lunch.

After lunch the route took the riders through more fabulous Exmoor scenery before returning to Ilfracombe sea front. Here the bikes were lined up once more to await the presentation of awards by the Mayor of Ilfracombe.

Steve Griffen collected two awards for his eye catching 1950 BSA B31, one as the entrants choice and one as the choice of a special guest, this year it was Carol Hann. Rodney Han is the Club's area rep.

The "Mayors Choice of Machine" award went to 92 year old John Brunyee with his Cammy Velo.

85 year old Charlie Plain took the award for the "Highest Combined Age of Bike and Rider" with his 1926 AJS.

And yes they did both complete the run on their bikes!

Our thanks is due to the Committee for all the work entailed in organising this great day out.

The pictures show some of the riders leaving and returning to Ilfracombe. Also, the Mayor presenting Charlie and John with their awards.



















Wednesday 6 May 2009

From the Archive

The first ever Scrumpy Run started from Sidwell Street in Exeter in 1973. Some forty-five entrants took part in the run which, by a roundabout route, took them to the lunch stop at Colyton where this photo was taken.
Later Scrumpy Runs started at Ilfracombe. Initially the machines were lined up by the putting green in front of the Pavillion. However, as numbers increased the parade was moved to the promanade in front of the old Pavillion where it is still held, although the old Pavillion has now been removed.This photo shows Eric Lewis chatting to Les Rowcliffe and his son Ray by the putting green.