July 2024 - Club Night

It was another well attend meeting with a couple of apologies, 27 members, 2 guests and 16 bikes. The ride out numbers reached to 15 ( 8 Classic and 7 Modern) and we made quite the spectacle on the roads with wisps of 2 stroke smoke in the air.  Caroline and I took up Tail-End Charlie a position usual held by Kevin Lee; don’t worry Kevin I will be handing back the Jacket next meeting as you are more skilled at it than I.

 

Everything looked good for a dry pre-meeting ride out, but about 30 mins before we all left our homes, the heavens opened. Strangely it was very localised, members from Mersea and Ardleigh experienced a fair down pour, yet Colchester just the odd fine rain. Despite this, the roads dried and we were able to leave the Cricketers as planned. Shaun Parker led us off on another of his special rides. Amazingly the drop off system worked, and we all made it out and back in one group. It’s been a very good few weeks for riding. We had a run out to the Fish and Chip shop at Mersea – thanks to Paul. The meal was good, but I was shocked at the price of a cuppa Tea - £2.20 for a tea bag, milk and hot water seems a little over the top, but it was wet and warm and again the weather wasn’t the best.

We have several events coming up. Kevin O’Brien of the South Essex kindly advised us about the Battlesbridge Motorcycle Show and Autojumble on the 7^th July and if we want to bring our classics, he could help accommodate us.

The Hadleigh club, which we have a long-standing relationship with, has invited the members to their 40^th Anniversary on the 21^st July and we will use the opportunity to get as many members as possible to ride out to the event.

We are also organising a ride out this Saturday (6^th July) to Shotley Marina, which has a museum and apparently a very interesting church – thanks Tom for the info -, with several war graves, including some German mariners. The ShipWreck Pub does a fine piece of carrot cake, so they better have some available for the hungry. So lots to see and do.

 

Julian gave us some detail on an event he visited in France, where there were lots of Classic bikes and racers. The pictures looked amazing and apparently, it’s an annual event. One to look at for next year perhaps.

 

Let’s hope July providers us all with some more Sun and dry tarmac as the nights are now drawing in.

June 2024 - Club Night

Again, the weather held out for Club night, a bit cold but the sun was shining.  As we arrived at the Cricketers there was already several bikes there ready for the ride out.  Shaun took control and emphasised that the drop of system would apply as usual – as we always need reminding. We set off with 20 bikes (13 modern and 7 classics) in procession, heading off towards Copford, passing our old haunt of The Alma and beyond. The drop off system was working well, however, 2/3 into the ride we lost several members. After several minutes we decide to set off back to the pub, expecting that the missing will have done the same. Unfortunately, we discovered that one of the members had taken a tumble having caught his wheel in a rut in the road.  The bike was not too bad, but he was obviously in some pain. We later found he had damaged his ankle and sprained his thumb. I also had some problems with my G9, which I have also now discovered has lost all compression on the righthand cylinder, but the old dear got myself and Caroline home.

With Club night started we had a few items on the agenda. Shaun advised – after some negotiation - that the Gordon Levett tribute ride out will take place on the 31^st Aug with route to be agreed. If anyone wants to take part, they will be more than welcome. Paul has also organised a Fish and Chip run for next Thursday (13^th June) leaving the Cricketers at 18:30, so don’t be late or you will miss your supper. The only other topic we had for Club night was the future Sammy Miller Trip. We are now collecting deposits and numbers are looking good and as we are sharing the trip with the South Essex section it will be a good opportunity to join forces and compare notes and perhaps create partnerships for other ventures. Again, friends and family are welcome, the 53-seater coach has plenty of room, the more the merrier. Hope everyone is enjoying the summer, lets hope it warms up a bit.

     

 

May 2024 - Club Night

What a cracking May club night.

The weather held off and we managed to do a pre-meeting ride out, led by Paul. it was a bit magical mystery tour, 15 went out and 15 returned, despite 6 of us heading in the wrong direction at Kelvedon. We returned to the Cricketers for the usual refreshments and Cheesy Chips. After the usual period of chitter chatter amongst the members, we called to order to go over this months announcements.

I am please to say we now have 2 new members. Justyn Willis and Tom Trimby have decide to join the band of merry motor cycles. Its nice to know that we must be doing something right for there are new people who want to hang out with us.

In attendance this month we had 27 members and 2 guest, a very healthy membership and the room in the pub was quite busy.

 

There were a few items on the agenda.

Julian has offered to arrange a Mini-Bus to take members – sharing the cost of hire – the Kempton Park Auto Jumble on 11^th May. He has only had 2 takers, which was surprising as it is a great opportunity to visit if you don’t want to drive yourself. If anyone is interested please contact Julian directly.

The Sammy Miller Coach trip has generated a lot of enthusiasm and we have now agreed a date of the 19^th Oct. We have provisionally booked Kings Coaches ( their 53 Seater ) for this date. As we are unlikely to fill all the seats, we have been in communication with Kevin O’Brien of South Essex Section to ask if they would like to take part as a joint venture of both Sections.  Filling 53 seats will reduce the cost per person making it more affordable for all, not just the Coach but group entry bookings incur a 17.5% discount, so everyone wins.

Pre 65 – Julian advised there is a meeting this Sunday in Maylandsea. It appears they have enough Marshalls, but if anyone is interested they can register.

Paul and Kim will be organising a Fish and Chip run to Mersea very soon, date and time to be confirmed. Also Dale has kindly offered to led the June Club Night Pre-Meeting Rideout.

Lastly Shuan Parker will be organising a Gordon Levett Memorial ride in August. Please keep an eye out for this item and attend if possible as it pays tribute to the effort Gordon put into the club.

 

April 2024 - Club Night

At last, it had stopped raining and now that we are in BST there was just enough light for our first pre-meeting club night ride out. Although it was a bit chilly, 10 hardy souls decide to risk it and we set off on a semi familiar route. We had to abandon our first idea of a route, as a recon a few days before showed the road had multiple potholes, covered with water, gravel, mud, which are not the best conditions for 2 wheels – but becoming an all too familiar condition. We set off and after about 30 minutes we all arrived back at The Cricketers for drinks and chips.

Post Ride Out

We had 3 apologies: Peter, Shaun and Reg were unavailable and sent their apologies. But still a great turn out of 30 members and 2 guests.

The April meeting was quite a milestone for the club, as we agreed to switch over to a yearly subscription. After circulating the idea a few months earlier and receiving lots of positive feedback we informed all members of this change and April would become Yearly Subs Month. Making change is always difficult but we believe this would be in the best interest of the club and its members. And to also mark this new era in the Club all members receive a membership card, which we will see if any local businesses would be generous enough to offer us some discount and presentation of their membership card.

Membership Card

A few weeks back I met - purely by accident - Kevin O’Brien of the South Essex Section and since then we have exchanged a few mails on perhaps some joint ventures. Having discussed this at the Club Night, we agreed this could be beneficial to both sections so Kevin and I will discuss further.

We agreed that the birthday announcements would be reduced further and now only send a physical card on a special birthday.

The Pre65 event at Marks Tey appeared have been a success, apparently the course wasn’t that bad – considering the weather of late. However, Steve Toy advised that any Green Laneing would be a challenge but if anyone was interested, he would see what he could do.

Spring and Summer are on their way so hopefully we can get out on the bikes more (ride out volunteer leads always welcome) so keep a eye on the Emails, WhatsApp and WebSite/Facebook pages for any updates.