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!
