Girder fork run June 26th 2016

As I was in North Yorks, Ray has sent me the following write up and Brian the photos for this run:

10 riders assembled at the Town Arms under a cloudy sky and threatening rain, but we still set off, with Ray leading, turning left out of South Molton towards Torrington. After about 4 miles, the road was taken to Chittlehampton then on through the village when a turn was made right to Cobbaton. The road then allowed some great views over Dartmoor as we headed into North Tawton, then the A377 was followed for some 10 miles before a right turn to Atherington. We then turned off this road into the Cranford Inn for an excellent lunch where we were made most welcome by the Landlady and everyone seemed well satisfied. After lunch, we left the pub and made our way to Torrington where most of the North Devon riders left us to make their way home, we then made our way to Winkleigh and on to Morchard Station, here Brian left us to make his way back to Exeter which left just 3 of us to make our way to Witheridge and somewhere along the way we lost Darryl, we went back along the road for about 3 miles and saw him dissappearing in the opposite direction, after trying to catch him for a couple of miles, we gave up after realising he was apparently ok and continued on our original route back home to Tiverton.
A great day out with dry roads all day as the threatening rain did not materialise, I hope that all riders enjoyed their day out and we shall see them all on the next girder run.

Evening run 20th June 2016

I wonder if the people who stayed home to watch the England v Slovakia match thought it was worth missing out on another great evening run to the Exeter Inn in Chittlehamholt where we were well received and even given bowls of free chips at our tables. 10 riders and 2 family members enjoyed the evening where the usual very serious and meaningful conversations took place!. Someone left a yellow sam browne belt at the Inn, which the landlord passed to Roy, so if you were that person please see him for it's return. There is a girder fork run this Sunday starting from the Town Arms in South Molton so if you have such a vehicle and Ray has not yet grabbed you to come, please do so, it's the usual 1030 for an 1100 start. I must mention Keiths excellent photo spotting night at the last club night, it was a very good evening for the members that attended, it really checks your powers of observation, thank you Keith.

where are the riders

Ah, they are inside scoffing chips!

Ah well we have to wait then

Ron Ley run 12th June 2016

15 riders signed on for this run despite the drizzle and forecast for much of the same until at least the afternoon, however, those that did come were set for a good day out if the comments at the end were anything to go by. As well as the riders, there were a few people who turned up to see us set off, and it was nice to see to riders join us from the Dartmoor section and Jack who followed us in his car. Today it was my time to lead on a route which I had picked to give us a taste of narrow and open roads through the countryside and over the moor. We set off on time after a brief from myself and set off on the Torrington road out of South Molton, I turned us off within a couple of miles to ride through Clapworthy, George Nympton, Marionsleigh and Alswear before coming to Rose Ash and the track past our Wednesday venue, The Cabin!. This allowed me to cross the riders over the Link road by bridge and on to Dulverton, there was then the climb up on to the moor passing Tarr steps and it was on this hill that Darryl's bike registered a complaint which took only a few moments to sort out. A drop down off the moor was then the route to Winsford then on to the A396 for the run to the midday stop which was at the Rest and be Thankful at Wheddon Cross, I was asked why I had used this venue for lunch as I usually use the Lion Inn at Timberscombe, well unfortunately,it seems, that Inn has closed due to the sad demise of the landlord. Everyone continued on the run for the afternoon which was up to Timberscombe then turn off to the pretty villages of Wooton Courtney and Luccombe before the turn and hill climb to Dunkery beacon, the view here was excellent on the day and well worth slowing down for. It then remained to lead everyone back to Quince Honey farm through Exford and Simonsbath. Thanks to Ray and Keith who kindly agreed to be my back Marshals for the day and to Mike for his sterling work signing us on. Now our next ride out is on the 20th June for an evening ride to the Exeter Inn at Chittlehamholt at 7pm, then a girder fork run from the Town Arms at South Molton on the 26th June so plenty of rides to keep you all riding, please support them folks. Club night is this thursday for Keiths excellent competition night please come and support us.

The female bikes at 'the ladies'!

riders Rest and are Thankful!

you have to park where you can here!

Baton changeover day 2 24th May 2016

A bright sunny day was forecast and this was indeed the case when 4 of us turned up at Morrisons car park Tiverton for a 0930 start to take the Baton to our Cornish cousins at Red post, we were aware that we would be picking up other riders on the way so off we went on time. I led for the trip down so our route was first to Bickleigh before turning on to the Crediton road. Traffic held us up a bit here and there but it was a working day after all. Taking the Crediton 'by-pass', we headed for Copplestone where we then turned off for Bow, once through Bow, we cracked on to pick up Ian at the North Tawton cross roads, soon then it was off the Okehampton road to Jacobstow and Hatherleigh. The route after Hatherleigh was to Holsworthy and then to the Bude road, here we were held up a while by a number of vehicles following a Range Rover making us all wonder why people buy such a capable vehicle but use it like a Morris 8!. A grand reception awaited us at Red post where we met up with a goodly number of their members, unforunately, the Cornish guys had been informed the evening before that the Red post inn had closed!, however the official handover still happened in their car park after which everyone moved on to a garden centre just a mile away for coffee and food, a very enjoyable and dry ride.

ready for the off at Morrisons

arriving at Red post

Dermot explains the procedure

time for the gather me round

changeover ovber a nice Velo

Baton changeover Tiverton 23rd May 2016

We met the Somerset section at the Tiverton basin of the Grand Western canal for the baton changeover today 23rd, the weather was fine but cloudy and we arrived on site in good time as the Somerset section had come across road closed ahead signs on the way and one of their number had broken down. Rodney Hann was on hand to see the baton pass into our hands and set off whilst they had a well earned snack and cuppa at the adjoining tea gardens.Tomorrow will see us take the baton to our Cornish cousins at Red post so watch this space.

The moment of changeover

The Baton and diary

We eagerly await arrival of baton

Ray's ramble 18th May

Sadly, probably due to the weather forecast, only 5 riders turned up for Ray's ramble on Wednesday starting at the cabin at 11am, Steve had taken a couple of hours off work to get some riding in and John T had ridden all the way up from the Holsworthy area. Ray led us out dead on time in sunshine and we were on our way to Chulmleigh, here Ray took it upon himself to show us all the backstreets of the town befor we set off for Chawleigh, here just as we were heading towards blue skies, Ray lead us towards a big black cloud and we ran into rain!. The route was then onto the A377 to Morchard road , were we turned off to Black Dog and the Thelbridge Inn. The rain gave up as we came into Witheridge and remained like that all the way back to the cabin for a well earned coffee. Thanks to Ray for the interesting route and to all for coming, next run is the baton run which will leave Morrisons car park at 0930 on the 24th May for the run to Red post.

Sunshine at the start

Scrumpy run 8th May 2016

After some months of planning, ( mostly by our esteemed secretary Chris ), meetings and preparation, the Scrumpy run for 2016 has been and gone, many thanks to all who helped to make the event another success for the 40 or so riders who took part, particular thanks to Maurice for the route, to John C who turned up on the day to help the committee with marshaling, to Sandra who helped Mike with the signing on and to all committee members who turned out of bed in the early hours to set things up. The day turned out dry and bright, which is unusual enough for the Scrumpy run, but all thought of walking around in shirtsleeves were put aside as the wind was blowing merrily across the site. As usual, members of the public came to view and to tell tall tales of their past escapades on bikes, it also seems that if we wear an orange jacket and place ourselves at or near the entrance to the site, people think we are knowledgable about car parking, toilets, cash machines bus times, and any other local information!. The run set off a little after 11am as riders followed the suggested route and any other route they thought might take them somewhere near Exmoor, Ray and I set off some 10 minutes after the main party in order to ensure there were no problems. We got as far as the narrow road leading to the Valley of rocks when we came across Brian and Steve who were having difficulties with starting, at the same time, a rider walked down toward us begging a lift as his bike had given up, he jumped on the back of my bike but our combined weight caused the rear suspension to bottom which cut an extra tread down the centre of my rear tyre!, I was able to off load him to cousin Merv who took him into Lynton, we also learnt here that a rider had unfortunately come off on the roundabout and had been brushed off and sent on. Having seen the main party arrive safely at the lunchtime stop ( albeit a Vincent was chucking out oil ), we came back to site to prepare for their return. The Mayor arrived at 3pm to present the prizes which were to John M for oldest bike and rider, to Cyril and his TRIUMPH for the most votes by the the riders on the run today and to Mike K for his noddy bike as it reminded the Mayor of his youth when the local bobby had such a machine. Tea was provided by the council as usual up at the pavilion and was enjoyed by a reasonable number of people who stayed for it. Now if I have missed anyone then I'm sorry, it is a big event for us and requires a lot of work and

Girders on display

ready to go chaps

Teles line up

a real variety of bikes

the Mayor talks noddy bikes

Mikes bike is Mayors choice

John M is the oldest bike and rider

Cyril gets the riders vote

now we will have to start on next years Scrumpy!, don't forget Rays ramble on the 18th see you there.