A MYSTERY RUN!

Everyone was very pleased that the recent fine spell of weather lasted through to this run, which for most of our riders started a long way from home.
Watchet car park was the start venue for the run, it also doubles as a Station car park on the West Somerset Railway, an old branch line of the Great Western Railway with some great historic steam locomotives. http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
We were pleased to be joined on the run by Rod and Carol Hann from Dorset, and by Chris and Carol Tiso from Somerset.
Keith led the ride through the lanes and over the hills and dales of West Somerset's very picturesque countryside. This part of the country has many pretty villages with facinating names such as Chapel Leigh, Fitzhead and Huish Campflower.
The lunch stop was at The Raleghs Cross Inn, at Brendon Hill, where they served us an excellent Carvery lunch. http://raleghscross.co.uk/
The afternoon route took us on some faster roads with splendid Devon/Somerset views of Exmoor, though Winsford and Withypool and on to South Molton where we had tea at the Corn Dolly Cafe. Always a treat!

Thanks Keith, it was a splendid day out.

August Girder Fork Run

We have been very lucky so far this year with the weather we have had on of our runs. Sunday was no exeption to this run of good luck and we were presented with another fine and sunny day.

I was also lucky enough to be offered the use of one of Ray's bikes for the run. This I am sorry to report was available because Gordon ,who would normally ride it, is laid up temporarily with an injured leg and heavy bruising, having fallen from his bycycle on a wet road. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Twelve riders in all, set out from The Mitre in Witheridge and rode by a roundabout route though South Molton and on to Chittlehampton for lunch at The Bell Inn.

During lunch the landlords wife made her choice best bike. This was won by Barrie Lowe with his 1952, 750cc Harley. Well done Barrie.

After lunch we enjoyed a fine afternoon run through the lanes to the finish at the Corn Dolly in South Molton with a nice cup of tea. I am pleased to report that no-one fell off and no-one broke down.

 

SOCIAL RUN AUGUST

Twenty-two riders, plus some who only came to the start, enjoyed coffee and home made toast and marmalade at Black Cat Corner. These were kindly provided as they have been in past years by Fred and Ruth.
At 11am sharp Ray led us off on the run. This took us into Bampton and then over Exmoor through some very pretty villages to a lunch stop on the outskirts of Taunton.
After a fine lunch we rode, via Wiveliscombe and the Wellington monument, to West Buckland
and the Chelston Nursing Home where refreshments were provided. Ray's wife Jean was very happy here and the residents still like to see us on our bikes.
Although we rode on some very wet roads we were lucky not to encounter any rain. Some of the back roads were extremely muddy but fortunately no-one had any falls and none of us broke down.

Our thanks goes to Fred and Ruth for the breakfast and to Ray for the route. Another enjoyable day out.

Evening rideout 16th July

The rain had stopped for this rideout but the roads were still wet, however, Ray, Keith and I set out for the Anchor at Exebridge where we were joined by Matt who was able to walk in as he lives nearby. Keith was taking his recently acquired and recommissioned Triumph T21 and was generally pleased with its performance, I expect we shall see this bike on runs from now on. The landlady came to welcome us and, judging by the standard of food people were eating, runs a good pub. We were also joined by 2 local people who were keen to tell us of their motorcycling histories. The run back was also in the dry and to top it all the roads had dried out even more, lets hope that a ride in August might be in much drier conditions.Next event is a fish and chips evening at South Molton on August 8th followed by a social run from the Black Cat on August 12th, see you there folks.

Exmoor Run Photos.

Here are a few more photos taken on the Exmoor Run. These were taken at Malmsmead.

Murray may have had a bad day

but 21 riders who turned out today for the Exmoor run certainly did not!. We all gathered at the Blackberries in Bampton for a 11.00

start. This was Chris' run so he led

us out on the road towards Dulverton.

From there we headed along the

river and over the moor to

Withypool, this was a diversion as

the heavy rains of yesterday made

the ford dodgey. Next was Exford where a short stop was had, here

Barrys Norton had to be coaxed into life for the second time. more travel on the moor saw us arrive for coffee at Malmesmeade, this all

in good weather so coffee was taken outside in the sunshine.

After coffee we all set off towards Simonsbath along a lovely road,

finally the remainder of the run was taken past the Poltimore arms

and through Gunn and Goodleigh to arrive at Brendas where a

lovely spread of food awaited. It was great to see cousin Merv here

having travelled up from Cornwall

the furthest he has travelled for

some 3 months. After a good

chinwag, everyone went home.

Thanks go again to Brenda and her

helpers, to Chris for the route, to

Matt who sent me some photo's,

Mike and I brought up the rear. 

 

 

Girder fork run June 24th 2012

 

June 24th started out a bit damp but brightened as the day wore on for the 6 members who turned out at the Town Arms in South Molton for the girder fork run. Numbers were down due to holidays etc:, but the run set off with Bill leading in his van due to him having a chest cold. Lunch was taken at Chittlehampton in the Bell, where 2 riders had to leave the run, the remaining 4 made it without hitch to D & S supplies at Winkleigh. A good run, we are hoping for more next time

 

when hopefully holidays will not clash. Thanks to Bill for leading and to Rod and Brian for the photo's.