November 2024 Club Night

We have now had our yearly Club trip, which was to the Sammy Miller Museum in New Milton. We were hoping to make it a joint venture with other sections and clubs but it wasn’t meant to be. At one point it even looked like we would have to cancel as the costs for a Coach was too much for the number of people who wanted to go. But our luck was in, as one of the members stepped up and offered to drive a Minibus and that brought the costs down. This was met with grateful appreciation from the 17 people who wanted to go.  A big thanks has to go to Kym Stroud who without his driving skills, the trip would not have taken place. We managed to set off early, thanks to the people at JD Robertson in Colchester for opening early and after 2 quick stops and with a blue sky above us we made it there by 12:45, giving 3-4 hours to look around. It was well worth the effort to organise. We even got to speak to Sammy as he started his Scrambler, we thought he was on his way home. But instead, he went into a field and treated us to a display of trail riding and all at the young age of 91 years. What a fella!

The November Club night was a different affair as we were asked to use a part of the Cricketers in the main bar. They had a function booked and needed the room. We were happy to vacate as its good that the Pub is being used and let’s hope it continues to survive, unlike many others.

There were only a few items on the agenda and as we were out in the Public it was not fair on the other punters to hear me shouting above them. The Christmas meal is still scheduled for the 8^th Jan and deposits were collected. A good fair number of people will be attending and of course this will be our Awards Ceremony as well.

Historically we don’t have a December club night as the Cricketers needs the room for festive goers, so we agreed on a Club Breakfast meeting instead. We will meet on Saturday the 14^th December at 09:00am at the Marks Tey Bungalow Dinner. We won’t book, so people can just turn up if they fancy. We thought this would make a nice change that not seeing everyone until January seem a long time.

We did mute the subject of a Club Calendar for 2025 based on pictures from the last 12 months meetings and events, but it received a luke warm response so we won’t move on that idea.

So as the year is coming to a close, Myself, Caroline and Kim would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. See in 2025 – if not for Breakfast.

 

 

 

 

October 2024 Club Night

Hi Everyone,

With the ever decreasing light and autumnal weather setting in there was no pre-meeting ride out this time. No surprise to anyone of this fact, we can all look out of the window and see. There were no brave souls riding to the meeting as was evident by the lack of machines in the coned off area, which the Cricketers kindly do for us each meeting. We still had a good turnout with 21 members, 1 guest and 3 apologies.

Bernie was one of the apologies as he is still recovering from his knee operation, we wish him well and a speedy recovery. Our most travelled member Reg, was packing up in preparation for his bike trip to Spain, fair to say we are all envious. Blue sky, warm air, clear roads, minimal traffic and little or no pot holes – can we all come!!

There were only a few items on the agenda. The Sammy Miller trip is still going ahead on the 19^th Oct but at a reduce quantity of trippers.  We plan to leave Colchester as early as possible but this is depending on how soon on Saturday or Friday we can obtain the Minibus. All in, it is costing £33 per person including entry, not bad really.

The Christmas meal and Awards ceremony has been booked for 8^th Jan 2025 at the Cricketers. With everyone being busy in December it will give us something to look forward to early in the year. Also, as our December club night doesn’t take place due to the Cricketers being booked for the festive season. We will organise a breakfast meeting on a Saturday close to that date as this will give us an event to get together. Time and place to be decided – watch out for Email, WhatsApp, Facebook detail.

Myself and Caroline will be going to the Stafford show on the 12^th Oct and will also be doing a reconnaissance of the Triumph Factory on the Sunday as a potential venue for next years Coach Trip. Maybe we can get the South Essex, East Suffolk sections and Hadleigh Club involved in next year’s trip. I’ll reach out to them in Jan 2025.

I think Paul is still holding onto summer season fashions.

Couldn’t help thinking these 2 characters looked familiar!

 

 

Sammy Miller Trip Details - 19th Oct

Current start time is 08:30am to 09:00am from the below location, but we are hoping to obtain the minbus earleir if so watch out for further update and annoucements.

Kym Stroud has again obtain permission for us to use the Fire and Rescue Work Shop Car Park (same place as our trip to the NMM last year) for us to park and it will be the pick up point for the trip. Please use the parking spaces highlighted below – NOT the Ambulance Station.

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service
London Rd, Colchester CO3 9BL

September 2024 Club Night

It’s been quite an eventful month for the club. We managed to get a pre-meeting ride out despite localised rain fall that stopped several members from getting their bikes out. Shaun took us on one of his ad hoc mystery tours around Boxted and Langham. It still amazes me how each time we go out I find us on roads I never knew existed. Who knew there were that many hills in and around Colchester.

3 of the Club members went to the Isle of Man Manx GP and sent some cracking pictures of their holiday. Unfortunately, there was a minor breakdown of one of the bikes but nothing serious.

Bernie finally got his knee operation and although there was a potential for infection all seems to be going well, hopefully he will be up and running very soon. Who knows, he may even get back to riding.

The Gordon Levett memorial ride out took place on the 31^st Aug to Shotley Marina. Thanks to Shaun Parker for arranging and leading. The weather held out and despite the Shotley Arms not doing food we did manage some Tea and Cake. A few of us then went onto the Jubilee Café in Ardleigh for a spot of Lunch. 9 Bikes in total (including Shaun’s Dad) took part. This will be a yearly event around the same date each year. Gordon was a lovely fella and he played a big part in running the club, his departure was all too quick.

The Sammy Miller trip will still take place on the 19^th Oct but has been scaled down. We couldn’t get enough people to fill a Coach and make it financially viable. But thanks to Kym Stroud stepping in and volunteering to drive a Minibus the trip will take place. Unfortunately, with only 17 Seats, we won’t be able to make this a combined trip with the South Essex section. However, there is always next year when we will organise another adventure.

I know it’s early to mention the C word, but we have booked our Club Christmas and Annual awards at the Cricketers. This will take place on Jan 8^th. With December being a busy time for everyone and it’s nice to have something in Jan to look forward to.