New Years Day Run 2012

Ten riders took advantage of the mild New Year's weather to take part in the run which started at Blackberries in Bampton with coffee, and a natter. I am sure that the numbers would have been more if family commitments had not prevented many from attending.

Rod Farr led us on a splendid run over the hills and through floods to lunch at The Bell at Chittlehamton where we all went our separate ways.

It was just a short run and I am glad to able to report that there where no breakdowns or other mishaps.

We were all glad it wasn't like last year! Lets hope it continues!

We are now all looking forward to the next run on March 11th which starts at The Anchor, Exebridge gathering at 10.30 for 11.00.

The Christmas Bash 2011

Our section of the VMCC met for the annual Christmas Dinner on December 10th at the Fox & Hounds at Eggesford. Around 43 people attended, including partners & friends.

Things didn't quite go to plan! On arrival it was a surprise & disappointment to find that we didn't have the room to ourselves as had been promised, there were two other parties sharing it. Ray had specifically asked for sole use because of the trophy awards & the Chairman's review of the year. The management have since said that for sole use you have to have a booking for over 50 people.

The meal was slightly unusual too & has recieved mixed comments. Because of the noise levels in the room the review of the year had to be abandoned & the trophies were given out as best they could. Here are the photos of some of the award winners.

Despite the problems it was great to see everyone on the night & I think we all had a good catch up. So thanks to all who attended & lets hope for a trouble free night next year!

GUY FAWKS RUN.

Twenty-eight riders took advantage of the unexpectedly fine weather to take part in the final run of the year.
Starting at the Corn Dolly in South Molton the run took us through Twitchen and up over Exmoor, passing White Post and crossing Hawkridge and East Anstey Common. Crossing over the Link road via the bridge at Hares Down the road leads past the Log Cabin Cafe and on to Chulmleigh where we had lunch at the Red Lion Hotel.
Whilst we had no mechanical breakdowns we did have a serious system failure. Two men left their posts before the tail end marshals arrived. Both were at vital check points which caused many of the riders to travel miles from the route and arrive at the lunch stop over half an hour late. The culprits then compounded the crime by not telling subseqent markers what they had done. This meant some riders
waiting around for ages. Despite these problems everyone seemed to enjoy the run and the good weather.

Club night Oct. 20th

Guest speaker this night was a well known face to us all, usually with a camera pointing at us to record our embarrassing and awkward or humourous moments, yes it was Merv Pearce.
Mervyn was there at the pub even before I arrived with Ray to give him a hand to set up. There was a slight hiccup as the pub was double booked so our room upstairs was not available, however we all ( near 30 of us ), managed. Merv split everyone up into 5 teams and circulated 5 boards, 3 had photos and 2 objects to be identified, all this took some 40 minutes and lead to a lot of head scratching. Some of the photos brought back good memories. When the boards had been marked and prizes awarded, Merv showed us a 30 minute film he took of our Autumn run, as usual with his filming, there were some action shots. This was a cracking evening, thanks must go to Merv for the hard work putting it all together, he of course then had a long 2 hour run home.
Next meet is November 6th for the Guy Fawkes run, starts at the Corn Dolly in South Molton, don't miss this our last run of the year, ( where has the year gone eh! ), it's only a half day so see you there.

Autumn run October 9th 2011

25 riders and 2 passengers braved the mist and drizzle to arrive at Den and Sandras to sample the bacon, sausage and egg rolls that Sandra and her team have become famous for supplying to all who attend this run. Brian, who organises this run every year, fell off a ladder last week and so could not lead, I was asked to take over which is what happened, I asked Ray to ride just behind me to appoint the markers so that I could concentrate on the route and this he did, thanks Ray. Keith and Ian agreed to be rear marshals so off we went.

The route passed over the hills to the picturesque bridge at Bickleigh, then on to Silverton and Hele before crossing the old A38 and on through Talaton. Lunch stop was at The New Fountain Inn in Whimple where an excellent meal was served. 5 of us guessed the highway code questions correctly and since I had to take over running this element, I had to withdraw and find 4 more questions for the remaining 4 riders. 3 passed this element so another 4 questions were posed which 2 riders passed, at this point a draw was called else I was going to be there all afternoon, so well done to Steve and Mervyn. Ray announced the winners of the most like to take home bikes and we were ready once again for the off.

The run took us out on to the old A30 briefly then on to the Fairmile road before riding through the centre of Ottery. West hill was visited next and Newton Poppleford before turning down for a wonderful run along the Budleigh Salterton seafront where the people were walking around in shorts and T shirts!. From here we rode on into Exmouth where we parked up on the sea front where we always attract a lot of attention whilst eating our ice creams.

Thanks are due to Brian for the route and to Shirley who I know will have helped with the setting of the questions, to Ray, Keith and Ian and of course to Den and Sandra and team of helpers for the wonderful breakfast treats.

At the lunchtime stop, a rider from Dorset joined us so we were at 26 at the finish, Den managed the whole route this year and Mervyn now knows where to put his camera for safety!.

Run to Haynes Motor Museum

Six riders who were foolish enough to believe the weather forcasters when they said that Sunday would be " dry with the slight chance of a shower" met at J27 on Sunday Sept. 25th at 9.30am.

The plan was to meet with some members from the Somerset section for a trip to The Haynes Motor Museum at Sparkford. http://www.haynesmotormuseum.com/ 

One of the Somerset boys had bike trouble on the way so it was arranged to meet them at the destination.

We set off in good spirits because Ray had told us that the present rain was a "clearing-up" shower. Then we made our way through persistant rain over the Blackdown Hills to Sparkford.

Arriving in the car park, in rain that was now nearly horizontal in the strong wind, we were met by one member from Somerset. The others, about ten in all came in shortly after.

There are a geat many interesting and exotic cars and bikes on display in the museum all in beautiful

condition. I would like to have stayed longer but with my feet squelching about in my boots and a hundred mile ride home we left after about two hours.

The ride home was achieved in the dry but with a strong wind blowing in our faces.

Thanks to Ray for guiding us which he is good at, but don't listen to his weather predictions, which he is rubbish at!

Club night Sept. 15th. 2011

Thanks to Mick for a well thought out quiz for the evening, unfortunately only 14 people attended but there was a good time had by all. Now next month, Merv is coming all the way up from Cornwall to give us a presentation, so please can we have a good turn out for that?, it's on October 20th. see you there.