Reports of Section Runs and Meetings for June and
July 2009
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Friday
24th July to Sunday 26th
July 2009 - The Dragon Tour
The
ride up to Llandovery, produced a few heavy showers but all those that
had entered were settled in and assembled for the evening meal. We were
down on numbers this year and only had 65 entries, perhaps a sign of
the times or is it that people have had enough of the event, one does
wonder. Most of us had a very pleasant evening in the sixth form bar
which had been re-furbished and was opened up just for our use.
Saturday
promised to be better weatherwise and sure enough the sun appeared
quite a bit. Bill Phelps's Triumph and sidecar was the first to fall
foul of gremlins, about 15 miles out with a siezed gearbox and no
clutch. It was a question of draging the bike up onto the recovery
trailer as the gearbox really was locked solid with the split link for
the final drive chain hiding up at the gearbox end so that the chain
couldn't be removed to be able to wheel the outfit. The next failure
was Bill Plenty's bike with a rear wheel puncture, so that bike was
loaded into Ray's van, which was helping with the back-up. We now had a
situation where the trailer was full and so was the van - a quick
prayer was said that we didn't get any more breakdowns during the day.
The
first coffee stop was at the Railway Inn in Llanpumpsaint where, just
before the stop, we found that the road was closed. Luckily the detour
was fairly easy to sort out. Onwards then to the lunch stop at the
Gwbert Hotel on the Teifi estuary where we were all fed a more than
adequate Ploughmans lunch. The afternoon run headed back towards
Lampeter for a coffee stop at the Cwmanne Tavern before taking the
mountain road to Ffarmers and then on back to the college for our
evening meal, followed by another social evening in the sixth form bar.
Sunday
dawned and it was sure raining this time and quite a few decided either
not to go out on a bike or to go in thier cars. The mid morning coffee
stop was at Erwood Station and a total of 28 out of 65 turned
up.
As it happened the weather didn't turn out too bad, which was good for
the few who braved the elements. Back at the college, we had a Sunday
lunch before saying our farewells and heading homewards.
Wednesday
22nd July 2009 -
4th Evening ride out
The
weather, having been a
bit off and on for several weeks seemed as if it
would be ok for the fourth evening ride. 'Occasional showers' was what
was forecast and the weather didn't disappoint, as Jean and I were in
St Fagans at around 6pm when the heavens opened - things didn't look
good for getting the bike out, I must say. My feelings are that I don't
need to get a soaking if I can avoid it, anyway, as things turned out
the clouds had gone by 6.30pm and the sun was shining with the promise
of a nice evening. The meeting place was the Victoria Inn in
Sigingstone and when we arrived on the Morini only Vince
Chivers
and his bike were there and he was begining to wonder if he had the
wrong night. Soon, though, others began to arrive and in all some 14
members turned up. There were three bikes that I don't recollect having
seen before, with Ray's new 50th edition Bonneville looking
very
nice.
Monday 13th July 2009 - BBQ
evening
What
a lousy night - weather wise, we sure did have a few downpours. Over 50
brave souls attended and it was nice to see that they all had hearty
appetites. We had Paul St Mard and Pierre Gyselinck with us all the way
from Belgium, seems that Jeans Chilli now has a world wide appeal. I'm
sure that all of us wish to thank the girls for all their work, those
doing the cooking as well as those washing up - jobs that need to be
done.
Wednesday 24th June 2009 - third
evening ride out
What
a super evening for riding a motorcycle. The venue chosen was the
Griffin Inn at Gilfach Goch and some 25 members machines turned up
along with three locals. We were made especially welcome by the pub
staff. Some new bike pictures and members have been added to
the Bike Park, which is building up nicely. All together a
very
successful summers evening ride.
Monday
15th June 2009 - Bring a bike night
The
weather was very kind to us
as well over 30 bikes turned up for the annual 'Bring a bike Night'.
Ken Hughes won the John Wells trophy with his Sunbeam S7, voted for by
a members ballot,
whilst Barry Cooper received the Chairmans choice award for
his lovely Russian IZH.
Sunday 14th
June - Official NACC
run
Around
a dozen or so members turned up at Cowbridge Common on a nice dry and
sunny day for one of their runs around the Vale. Coffee stop was at the
Llandow race circuit and after that a shorter run was made back to the
starting point on the Downs. The only problem being Jack Madge's Suzuki
FZ50 overheating on Primrose hill. All in all a very pleasant day.
Monday 1st June -
The Fish and
Chip run
Some
35 machines assembled at the
Downs Cafe on Cowbridge common for the annual evening ride, which ends
with a fish and chip supper. The weather was superb and everyone,
following Dave Danielsen, made it back to the club where, Graham, the
caterer produced a good meal of Fish and Chips. Terry Hopes
has sent a few photos -
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