Matts little trip

Matt at the Ace café

Matt has asked me to publish his write up of a recent trip;
A recent weekend staying with a fellow Ariel owner, gave me a chance to visit the famous Ace Café. Rob went down on his trusty Huntmaster and was good enough to lend me his 500 Indian Bullet.
A pretty miserable Saturday morning grind down the A1 and then past the new Wembley stadium on the North Circular, found us enjoying some rare November sunshine at the famous café. A mug of tea followed by sausage and mash was followed by a more interesting ride home via the old bus station where they filmed 'Summer Holiday' then past the home of George Bernard Shaw where T. E. Lawrence was a frequent guest, we had a look at the garage where he would park his Brough.

Guy Fawkes run 3rd Nov 2013

Ready to go lads

not more coffee!

12 riders turned up in what was promised to be a wet days riding for the  Guy Fawkes run, some had come through rain whilst others had seen none, what was it going to be like on the run?. After some coffee we all set off following Chris who was the run leader for the day, he promised not to take us through to many country lanes as the leaves and rain had made them slippery. The route took us to Umberleigh then over the touch of Alton Towers roller coaster to Torrington, here everybody expected Chris to turn off towards Winkleigh, but he, realising the weather was better than expected, led us for some way on the Okehampton road before turning off to Iddesleigh and Winkleigh then down to our lunch stop at Eggesford where we all had an excellent roast lunch. There were no breakdowns for Mike or myself as rear marshals to see to and the rain was minimal, nice to have first sight of Maurice's Triumph T90, must mention here our treasurer, Keith, who was missing as his knee is now giving him to much concern to be able to ride safely, he is to have a knee replacement shortly.  Thanks to Chris for the route and the back marshals, many have criticised our drop off system, in fact I personally took a lot of flak earlier this year on the subject, but I have to say that it works very well and most of us cannot envisage going back to the previous free for all. Now whilst I have your attention, the Christmas lunch is on Saturday the 7th December not the 14th as stated in the journal, please give your names to Chris so we can have an idea of numbers, it will be midday at the Tiverton Hotel, last year was a cracking event so come along.

handy parking at corn dolly

Time to go home before the rain

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