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.
Eight bikes left the Alma today, on one of Pauls magical mystery tours, finishing on Mersea island in the rain. Julian joined us, and after lunch we explored one of Paul's garages after tea and biscuits.
The June club night had a record number of bikes, 23 in the car park, and 23 members , seven guests and five apologies for abscence. One new member signed up and there were two guests on a G3. The ride out was well supported with one or two teething troubles over the drop off system but we are getting there. The BMF membership with its insurance were discussed and I'm pleased to say that it was generally accepted as the right thing to do and how we pay for it in the future will be up for further discussion.
Paul settled all the orders for t-shirts etc. and Brian had some of Bill Bullens books on offer in support of the club funds. Colin reported on the e-mail numbers, so please keep them coming.
We have a ride to the Hadleigh Club BBQ coming up on June 15th leaving the Alma at 7pm with Steve in charge, We are supporting Chick Wickham on June 30th, (an e-mail will be coming) and the ladies lunch is now on July 7th at the Ship, Tiptree. The next club night is July 4th. See you there. Gordon
Forgot to say, dont forget the pre meeting ride starts at 7 on clubnight, And Julian took part in the Pre 65 scamble meeting on Sunday 27th, results as yet unknown! Gordon
edit Ed Blue tit family make nest in Copford pub cigarette bin
Another good turnout for our May club night despite several apologies for abscence including mine. Several rides were put in the diary for May, a visit to Coidfathers, always popular, courtesy of Julian and Paul, a ride to Diss and the scrapyard, with John Swann, and invite to a VMCC evening run, and thanks to Bernie, for remembering, a trip on bank Holiday Monday to support Derek at the Alma Car and bike show.
The Lunch meeting was put off until June 2nd because of the Bank holiday and is to be held in Norfolk at The Old Bell, Saham Toney, IP25 7HD. Paul was able to distribute some of the new clothing recently ordered. The visit to Codfathers was a success, but only after a very scary incident involving a couple of vans colliding in front of us. Fortunately no one from the club was hurt but never the less it did bring the issue of club insurance to the fore once more. With ten members and two guests on the ride it demonstrated how easily it is to get caught up in someone else's accident. And Chris joined us from the depths of Norfolk for the evening.
The Mersea Myths ride proved to be very popular with twelve bikes including seven classics enjoying a trip around the Essex countryside.Together with three guests,we all enjoyed excellent fish and chips on Mersea island. Unfortunately for Colin, this trip did nothing to dispel the belief that the residents of the Island are all well off! There was a good turnout for the lunch meet at The Wooden Fender, Ardleigh,and fourteen members and guests enjoyed good company and lovely food.Rumour has it we might just venture over the border into Norfolk next time!
We turned up in good time at The Bell, Castle Hedingham for the Intersection Meet. Despite being booked some months previously, they refused to open for us before 12 o clock and the car park was full of cars.Just down the road, The Wheatsheaf was open and they made us all very welcome, so everyone decamped there for lunch! The weather forecast didnt do much for the event, but around thirty bikes turned up, with a dozen of our section. Members from other sections made up the rest and it was good to see them. Next year we may well return to The Wheatsheaf, as they did an excellent job catering for us all with no prior warning, and there is a good car park!
The May club night is the next event and with lots to discuss,and T shirts to be distributed ,I hope to see you there .Gordon
We have mentioned making one of the Marks Tey Pre 65 Scramble meetings into a section event. The dates for this year are May 27th,June 17th,October 14th, and November 4th. If you do fancy having a go, and any of the dates suit you, please let us know at the next club night, or by e mailing Colin.
There were a few absentees for the April Club Night, myself included. Phil led a ride that saw six bikes have a swift tour of the depths of Essex, another bike arrived and there twenty present at the meeting. Colin reported his petrol tank saga succesfully sorted by George.
The March events, a ride to Pin Mill, and the lunch meet were well supported and enjoyed by those taking part. It was decided to schedule Jim's ride for Monday 16th, leaving from Hadleigh Market Square, and that the Colchester contingent would meet up at the BP garage on Ipswich road at 10.45am and make their way to Hadleigh for 11.30am start.
The first evening ride revisiting Mersea Myths will be on Wednesday 25th, leaving the Alma at 7.00pm finishing with fish & chips. The lunch meeting is at the Wooden Fender, Ardleigh on the 28th and the Intersection Meeting on the next day, Sunday 29th at The Bell Inn Castle Hedingham, from 11am. As we are helping with the organisation, I hope to leave Colchester about 10.15am to be there in time to help.
Just a quick update in the midst of some unpleasant weather and I hope you are all keeping safe and warm. Unfortunately we had to call off the ride to Pin Mill as it was snowing in Colchester and minus 1 at 9 am on the 26th. Not worth risking and it clearly got worse as the day went on. I hope we can have that ride in March.
Sorry I missed the lunch meeting on the 24th,which had mixed revues, but it was lovely in Spain. Once again the country is at a standstill, as the local authorities fail to keep on top of the problem. Same old excuses. Hopefully the weather will have improved by the next club night, Wednesday March 7th. We will be looking for ideas and volunteers for rides this year. Gordon
- 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
- Pre-65 Scrambles