Created: 13 April 2020

Last Updated: 02 May 2020

It's been such lovely weather and with petrol heading downwards in price, the temptation to get a bike out and go for a ride has been enormous. But we of the baby boomer generation were brought up to do as we were told, something thats gone out of the window in the last few decades. So it's down to running them up in the garage, if only to remind the neighbours that you are still about! I've only got one that makes a bit of a noise so Im not too worried. I've still got the goldie silencers in the garage roof that were sawn in half, the entire contents removed, brazed together and rechromed! I had to run a bigger main jet in the amal TT in the day, but the noise was fantastic.

Living where we do there is a lot of traffic including lots of bikes. Its 30mph in all directions, and yet the number of bikes winding it through the gears as they leave the junction, nice to listen to, is a bit dangerous, as lots of them must be approaching the national speed limit in second or third gear. I feel a bit of a hypocrite as I was a bit of a hooligan as a youth! And any of you who have tried to do the grocery shopping on a bike will know, that even with proper luggage, its not all that practical, even if, like George, you have a tank bag!  Most of the bikes I have seen have no luggage, and no haversacks, and you cant get much in your pockets. Of course the car boy racers do their bit as well as they make huge ammounts of noise, including all the popping and banging, even if their performance is in the large part, unimpressive. If you want to see how a real car goes try 1977 Carrera 3 at Nurburgring on YouTube. I did hear that some of the popular routes for bikes around the country were being exploited by a few as they were more or less deserted of other traffic. I'm sure none of us would condone that sort of thing, but I do understand the reasoning! Those of us of a certain age will be sad to hear about Sir Stirling Moss. As a lad, I remember having a green Vanwall race car by Corgi. I can remember seeing the results of his Goodwood accident on TV. He was a a truly great sportsman and driver, and an example to us all.

Finally, I would remind you all to keep sending in your contributions to Colin, so he can keep up the standard of the drivel over the next few weeks. Otherwise you might be getting more from me and George! Keep safe Gordon.

Created: 30 March 2020

Last Updated: 30 March 2020

Just when we thought things would start to get going with the riding, we all are confined to barracks. This week would have seen our first pre meeting ride. As it is all we can offer is more of Colins E mails. Please do all you can to improve the content of the drivel by sending in your stories. Keep safe. Gordon

Created: 26 March 2020

Last Updated: 26 March 2020

For those of you who recieve the Jampot Magazine, clearly the events mentioned in the section notes have had to be cancelled. Bare in mind the notes were written at the beginning of March. How much has happened in three weeks! Colin will keep you amused (hopefully) with his e mails. Just remember if you want the quality of these e mails to improve, send your stories to Colin. Im having a bit of trouble with the front discs on my BMW . If you do have bikes with discs, its worthwhile moving the bike about and pulling the brake lever a few times to keep things moving.Those of you with dual membership, keep an eye on the hadleigh club site as well.  Keep safe. Gordon

Created: 18 March 2020

Last Updated: 19 March 2020

Because of the current crisis with the Corona Virus we have decided to cancel all club events until further notice. Keep an eye on this website to keep up to date. If you have any questions, or need some help, please contact Colin or myself by e-mail. Gordon

Created: 05 March 2020

Last Updated: 05 March 2020

Peter Roberts has suggested that we have a Motorcycle Parts for Sale listing for members on our website,as we have all probably got stuff hidden away that we will never get to use. He has also volunteered to organise it so if any of you have anything to sell please let him know. You can cotact him using the e mail address. 161@LEHOVEL12.PLUS.COM. It goes without saying that we dont want to list a lot of old rubbish! Gordon

Created: 05 March 2020

Last Updated: 05 March 2020

It was good to see you all at another good turnout at the club night yesterday evening. We also had a special guest, Tony, of the Merlin Special! I hope some of you had a chat with him. You must come along when we get the invite to see it running.I can guarantee that you will be impressed by every single aspect of it. Colin kept you all up to date with whats going on. There are still some WW2 air force books up for sale, as well as club clothing. We agreed the next ride out will be on March 19th, leaving the Alma at 10-30 with Lunch at Andrewsfield. You can always meet us there. There is a lot going on in April so keep a look out on thge website for details. We will discuss the possibilities at the April 1st Club Night. This will also be the first evening ride out before a clubnight leaving the Alma at 7pm for a short trip around the local backroads. I hope to see you at one or both! Gordon

Created: 22 February 2020

Last Updated: 22 February 2020

Just four of us ventured from The Alma on the 19th for a trip into Essex, and once we made it to Maldon, John Walsh took us on a lovely ride around a series of very enjoyable sweeping bends in the depths of the countryside. Unfortunately one of the colchester contingent called it a day in Maldon due to misfire. After lunch we had a swift ride back to colchester in some light rain, but again we were lucky with the weather, it could have been much worse. Dont forget the February lunch meeting at the Wooden Fender, Ardleigh, on Saturday 29th. Next club night on the 4th of March. Gordon

Created: 12 February 2020

Last Updated: 12 February 2020

Just a quick note to say that the daytime run on the 19th will be leaving the Alma at 10-30, or if its more convenient, we will be meeting up with John Walsh at Tescos Car Park Maldon at 11-00. Weather Permitting of course! Gordon

Created: 06 February 2020

Last Updated: 06 February 2020

The February clubnight was well attended, with some 30 members and one guest. And four on Bikes which is always a good sign. Colin brought us all up to date with the goings on in January. It was agreed to do a daytime run into the depths of Essex on February 19th. We will venture in the Maldon direction, where John Walsh has kindly agreed to meet us,and to give us the benefit of his local knowledge and show us some of the sights,as well as a good venue for lunch. Leaving the Alma at 10-30. It also looks as if we might get to see and hear the merlin project in march if steve can arrange it. If it happens and you havent seen it before its really a must do! WEe also need to arrange a ride for March.We have also had a very generous invite from the Essex Section of the VMCC to their Bluebell Camping weekend at the Museum of Power, Langford,running from  Wednesday April 15th until Monday 20th. Camping is not compulsory but there will be a ride every day and we as a club,have been invited to take part in all of them. The only restriction is that they would like the bikes to be more than 25 years old.I will post the details of the runs on the events page. If you do want to take part just let me know and I will forward the details and booking forms. If there is lunch involved, you need to book the food in advance. I hope to have a go at one or two myself, and you can go on your own or with friends if you have any! The thursday run looks interesting as there is both a road run and an off road run ending at the same venue. Gordon

Created: 20 January 2020

Last Updated: 29 January 2020

Our January club night was well attended, and one member came on a bike, and managed to dodge the rain. Good to see the Alma wasn't damaged too much and that lots of the locals had lent their help and support to get it back up and running, the same day it was damaged. There were the usual announcements, and David Lane gave us a brief rundown of some of the important bikes he had owned and worked on over the years, including the replica of Steve McQeen's Triumph from The Great Escape. I did get to sit on the Thruxton Bonneville he mentioned, but missed out on riding it. The owner brought it to the Donkey & Buskins when he was in the UK.

Read more: January 2020 update