Autumn run details

For those of you who have asked me for details of this Sundays run, they are: start at Sainsburys car park Roundswell nr. Barnstaple 10.30 for 11.00, lunch at Brooks garden centre near Stratton, and finish at Bideford quay, come along.

WATER AND WHEELS RUN

Rays original idea for this run was that we would would start at Tiverton with a ride on the Tiverton Canal and then go for a run on the bikes.
 That was until we discovered the price of the tickets for the Canal trip.
The next idea was to visit some reservoirs on the run.
 With this in mind Ray and Gordon planned what I am sure would have been a very enjoyable and interesting route which included a trip to the new motor museum at Mortonhampstead. Then as fate would have it Ray had a nasty - are there any other kind- Angina attack and was whisked off to hospital. Gordon meanwhile had gone of to Ireland for a long weekend.
Ray contacted me on the Saturday before the run and asked to take over the route. As I don't know the area well I chose my own route from the map and the Water and Wheels run became the Wheels only run.
The weather was overcast but dry when 15 of us set out from Morrisons car park and up along the road towards Witheridge, taking the left fork before the village we passed through Chawleigh and dropped down to Eggesford staion.
Turning right we rode on to Winkleigh and the down to Motonhapstead for lunch.
After a fine meal we rode up to the Motor Museum for a browse around the various cars and bikes on display there.
On the road again to Postbridge where we passed the Clapper bridge and then turned left through the lanes where we passed another Clapper bridge, to Ponsworthy and on to Widecombe in the Moor.Then an easy ride down through Haytor Vale to the House of Marbles in Bovey Tracey where we enjoyed some refreshments before making our way home.
The weather stayed dry for the run and I am pleased to say that there were no breakdowns or mishaps to any of the bikes or riders.
You will be pleased to hear that after a week in hospital Ray is now home and recovering well.

Some advance info

Here are the details for the run 22nd Sept 2013 which is Ray's water and wheels run as promised. Meet at Morrison's car park Tiverton 1030 for a 1100 start, Ray has yet to finalise the route which I will probably do with him on Monday next but reservoirs will likely be visited, hope you will come in good numbers to support the run.
Here are a few more photo's taken by Merv on my Fall run last Sunday, thanks cous.

The riders gather

Follow me chaps

Smile for the camera

Jack's away

Cyril comes in but where's Brian

The carvery

Tony and Graham set off home

Fall run 2013

The bikes arrive

Mike sets up his office

 14 riders and 2 well wishers gathered at Bickleigh mill for the Fall run 2013. Mike set up his 'office' under the canopy in sunshine to sign us all on, it's a good job you do Mike. Brian and Cyril agreed to do back marshal duties for me and at 11am sharp we were away after a briefing. I led the troops across Bickleigh bridge and then towards Cadeleigh, there are some wonderful views as we climbed up from the valley floor though I'm not sure how much the riders saw as they were concentrating on the narrowish road ahead. Pennymore and Puddington passed through, then on to Black Dog, ( now where else could you hear names like that? ). Thelbridge was passed on the way to Witheridge then on towards Knowstone and East Anstey where we joined the road ( now in the rain ) to Exebridge and our stop at the Anchor inn. With the sun shining again and a full stomach, I led the run through  Dulverton on the B3223 to climb on to Exmoor through a lovely wooded route, here we slowed a little to take in the great views over this part of the moor. A turn was then made down to Withypool and from there the road to South Molton lead us over another part of the moor before reluctantly turning off towards Twitchen and South Molton arriving at the Quince honey farm for the finish. Nice to see our 2 well wishers ( Merv and Pam) , who travelled up from Cornwall to see us turn out and to grab a picture or two of Deer ( well they don't have them down there ! ). I must also mention Jack who came so far with us and if it weren't for the weather would likely have gone further, Rob, we all appreciate you riding with Jack, good for you. Everyone seemed to enjoy the run, ( least no-one would say otherwise as I look a big guy with all my padding on! ), thanks to the Mill, Anchor and Honey farm. The next run is on the 22nd, I will find more details from Ray when I can get him to speak English again after his French run, and will post it so keep looking .

Maurice is ready to go

at the lunch stop

more bikes at lunch time

They just buzzed in!

Girder fork run Aug 2013

Brian inspects Ray's Matchless

How many more will come?

I may have a certificate coming as today I actually started Ray's Ariel!. 8 other riders saw this happen, we started at Ray's in what was promised to be a warmish dry day, 2 riders had to tour Tiverton to find us but all was well and we were away just after 11am. Ray was leading on his Matchless and Brian agreed to do back marker duty. We were led out of Tiverton on the road to Witheridge but turned off to Thelbridge just before. We turned right in Black Dog to Morchard Bishop then across the A377 headed for Bow. From Bow we passed through Spreyton then on to Whiddon Down and to the lunch stop at Moretonhampstead. After a great lunch during which there was a shower of rain!!, we headed back to the finish in Exeter via Doccombe, Dunsford and Longdown, where a cuppa was enjoyed at the Cowick Barton. Well done to Tony who's Vin was voted for by the pub, also thanks to Ray for a great run and for letting me loose on his Ariel also to Brian at the back, everyone enjoyed the day, no breakdowns just a loose mirror, see you at Bickleigh mill on 8th September for an 11am start.

Our riders are inside eating and we have to carry the extra weight!

Coffee at The Cowick Barton

well wasn't that a good day chaps

Social run Aug 11th 2013

I couldn't attend this event for family reasons but Ray has kindly given me a report and Chris has promised to provide some photo's. About 20 riders turned up for the event at the Black Cat where refreshments were once again very kindly provided by Fred and Ruth before the start. Most unusually for a Triumph!, Keith's refused to start and after much trying, Ray agreed to lead the  run, Cyril agreed to remain behind to see if the bike could be persuaded to burst into life, this apparently did not happen so Cyril had to return with a trailer for a lift home. All went well with the run until on passing the Blue Ball, the next turning showed a blocked road, Ray carried on hoping to make a left and return on route but all roads heading in the direction proved to also be blocked, when the run was obviously going to end in a farm yard, the decision was made to reverse the route to Wellington and take the road to the Monument and get back on course, this worked fine and all riders turned up at the Barley Mow farm shop for an excellent lunch. The run left at 1350 but there was a slip up when some riders set off in the wrong direction, so a wait was put in place at worlds end for a catch up and fuel, no-one seems to have been bothered as it was a fine day and there were no additional hiccups partly because the markers stayed at their posts so well done folks. The run finished back at the Blackberries at about 1600. Keith tells me that he has not yet had time to sort out the Triumph but I will keep you posted, thanks to Ray for stepping in to lead and to Chris and Ian for bringing up the rear. There has been no take up to my request for leading the September run so I will endeavour to work one out, meet up at the Bickleigh mill near Tiverton on 8th September, see you there

Fish and chips evening Aug 7th

The Welcome Fryer lived up to it's name and made 14 of us welcome for this evening meet, 12 came by car but Steve and I turned out on bikes for what turned out to be a lovely evening to ride. The meal was excellent and the service superb, well done to the staff. A good meal was enjoyed and a good evening of socialising for those present, I'm not sure why more don't turn out for this event but we will keep putting it on the calendar. This event was the last official engagement for our Chairman Mick who has had to resign due to moving down south to improve the GPO telegram service in Dartmouth!!, we all hope you find your new home to your liking Mick and hope to see you from time to time.