November started with a bang with a record 27 members attending the club night. With only four of us on bikes, we were able to remind the others it was a bike club! We welcomed Andy Woods, the lucky winner of the bike in the clubs national raffle and it looks like its going to be ridden. It's a bit of a squeeze in The Alma, but the landlord is quite happy and you all looked like you were enjoying a pint and a natter. Julian asked if anyone fancied a trip to a large auto Jumble at the Monza race circuit in September 2019. Its evidently a really good bikers weekend! Decisions needed soon to book accomodation.
We had a good ride and a day out at Duxford in October, thanks again to Kevin, and four of us made it to Snetterton for some spectating. We started November with lunch on the 3rd at The Horseshoes, Cockfield, and with an ambitious ride into Suffolk on the 6th, Benacre for Poppies, Crown Street Motors for nostalgia, Bungay Cafe for lunch and Draganfly for that rare occasion of needing BSA spares. It was dark when I got home clocking 156 miles, some of you doing more. About a dozen members attended the Copdock show and availed themselves of the Hospitality of the East Suffolk Section, and one or two tried the Pre 65 off road riding. There was talk of joining the green lane section, but common sense prevailed. Two of our members took part in the Pre 65 Scramble at Marks Tey. I believe the Green Lane group also did an 80 mile trip as well.
It is with regret that we have announce the passing of Section Member, John Randall, following a stroke. Although we had not seen John for some time, he was a long time Member, as well as a Maintenance Volunteer at the Langford Museum of Power. Details of the funeral arrangements will be posted when we recieve them. Colin.F.Smith. Treasurer North Essex Section. A.M.O.C.
Just an update on what has been another busy month for us. The Copdock show saw a good turnout of our members and some tried a bit of off road riding. And they were welcomed to the Suffolks for refreshment. Several turned up at the Pre65 scramble at Marks Tey with some members taking part.
We had a good ride out to Duxford for another auction, thanks to Kevin and to John Swann, and a couple of us had a ride out to Snetterton for a spot of spectating, with John a few days later. I gather some of our more senior members are going to give green laning a bit of a go so watch this space.
The first club night of 2019 falls on January 2nd, and rather than break with tradition, we will be meeting on the 2nd, hoping that several of you will have stayed at home over the New Year! The next club night is November 7th. The next ride will be on Tuesday November 6th into Suffolk, visiting Benacre Church, Crown Street Motors, Draganfly and the Bungay Cafe, leaving the Alma at 9.30am. And dont forget the lunch meeting is on Saturday 3rd of November. See you there. Gordon
Following last nights well attended clubnight, where we welcomed back Peter Warren, the rides for this month were agreed as follows. Wednesday 17th, ride to Duxford for a chance to view the museum,and/or attend the auction. We are fortunate to have Peter and Kevin Twitchet among our members who are Friends of Duxford, and keep us informed of the goings on. We shall leave the Alma at 9am,and Kevin will be there to welcome us and provide storage for helmets,etc.Its £20 for two to enter the auction and it gives you freedom to go around the Museum as well.
The following weekend, depending on the weather, John Swann and myself will have a ride to Snetterton to watch some more club bike racing. If you are interested, contact John or me directly. John has an excellent route and the racing is nonstop except for a lunch break. If its rubbish weather both days we may give it a miss.
Our September club night was well supported with ten of us going for a ride beforehand, thirteen bikes in total and 24 members attending. This was the last of the pre meeting runs for this year as the nights draw in.
The evening ride to visit Vic was scheduled for the 20th and John Swan led us around the countryside to end up at Parkeston. With a fish and chip shop and a pub close by, and a chance to visit Vics workshop, it proved a popular event with eleven of us taking part.Thanks to Vic for his hospitality and John for a good ride. Again this will be our last evening event for this year.
As reported we had a good turnout for our August club night, and nineteen of us visited the very impressive Merlin Project. I led a run to the Jampot Rally at Rushden, meeting with Chris mac at Kimbolton and with four club stalwarts doing the whole weekend at Rushden Rugby Club. I visited my daughter who lives nearby. Six of us ventured into Suffolk and we visited Cake Street Classics and some lovely BSA Rocket Gold Stars, and then onto Lowestoft and Crown Street Motors for a bit of nostalgia witha previous owner of my old Rocket.
I stayed on to meet up with my old ridng mates and returned the next day. John Swann kindly led the rest back home after lunch at Wrentham. Good trip!
Last night, Nineteen bikes left the Alma to visit the Merlin project, and the drop off system worked faultlessly for the first time! I think we were all overwhelmed by the standard of workmanship as well as the depth of skill shown by the owner. Very impressive. Next Tuesday 21st, is the trip into Suffolk. I shall be staying on after lunch to meet up with a lot of my riding mates in the evening. Anyone is welcome to stay on, I intend to leave for home at 9pm. John Swann will lead the run back home after lunch.Hope to see you there. Dont forget the run on the 18th to the Jampot Rally. We will be leaving the Alkma at 7am. Gordon
Our August Club Night last night was well attended after an interesting ride before hand when our attempt at using the drop off system with some 16 bikes didn't go quite as planned! Next time! With over twenty attending it was an enjoyable evening and good to see Vic up and about.
The June lunch meeting finally took place on July 7th and ten of us made it to The Ship, Tiptree. Later in July, John Swann led George and I on an interesting ride to Stradishal on roads new to both of us!
I forgot to say Bernie distributed BMF membership cards which entitle us to discounts etc. Do use them when you can.Gordon
Despite worries about road closures, we made it to the Hadleigh club BBQ thanks to Steve's efforts and seventeen members and six guests, enjoyed an excellent event on a lovely evening. We managed to get nine bikes and four guests in support of Chick Wickhams cancer charity event. We all enjoyed excellent local Tiptree jam and strawberries. We also recieved a piece of decorated plywood for parking the bikes which was far too good for purpose! Chick kindly offered a test track for the Scramblers, and both Vic and Julian did some valuable testing and as a result finished in all their events at Marks Tey.
There was another good turnout for the clubnight on the 4th of July. Julian led eleven bikes on a most interesting local ride, and we used the drop off system without a glitch. There were over twenty bikes in the car park and we also signed up two new members. It's very encouraging that we are attracting new members and good numbers for the rides.
- June 2018 update
- May Update Two PS
- May Update Two 2018
- May Update 2018
- April PS
- Gordons Blog April 2018
- March update
- February 2018
- January 2018 update
- December 2017
- Provisional List of Bike Rides for 2018
- November 2017 update
- November 2017
- PS trip into Suffolk
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- Pre 65 Scramble - Marks Tey
- May 2017 PS
- May 2017
- Mersea Myths April 2017
- April 2017
- PS March 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017 PS
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016