Embedded Files
The 2015 Beddgelert Rhino.
This year’s Rhino rally at Beddgelert in Snowdonia was the smallest gathering I had seen in the 14 years I have been attending this event. It was however, in my opinion, up there with the best of them. I turned up on my trusty K75RT as it was getting dark having travelled a staggering 11 miles from home. Others had travelled as much as 300 miles or more. Why bother I hear you say? Well, you can’t beat a good winter camp with good company and the best time and place for that is Beddgelert in February.
There were around 30 camping with possibly another 25 softies staying a mile away in the village at various B&B’s. In the past, we have had as many as 95 camping but like all clubs we have suffered a huge drop in the number of people actually actively motorcycling. This is due to several factors that I am sure you have all discussed at some point, so I won’t go into it again here. After pitching the tent in the dark, carefully placing the sleeping mats and bags inside out of the rain, then chucking them all out again to search for my wallet assisted by half the campsite scouring the grass with torches, order and calm was restored when I found it in the sleeve of my bike jacket.
In due course everybody walked down to the village to swap biking tales and drink beer. The local council have been kind enough to paint some white lines down the middle of the road from the village to the campsite. This safety feature has enabled many an inebriated member to find the campsite again at chucking out time by walking along it, or at least attempting to stay close to it and well away from those jagged and dangerous stone walls. Being a safety conscious event organiser, I have a risk assessment on this and it concludes that since nobody has been run over in the 24 year history of the Rhino rally then it has to be a perfectly safe means of finding your tent. Garth Forbes discovered that the white lines don’t actually stop at the campsite, he overshot and had to double back (well before reaching the end of the road 12 miles away in Caernarfon I’m glad to say) He really should know better! He founded the Rhino in 1990 and as far as I know he hasn’t missed a single one.
Saturday morning arrived as it always does after Friday evening and nine people on seven bikes gathered for an unofficial ride out. The Rhino has no formalities and no organised stuff, it’s just a gathering place for likeminded people who may or may not decide to group together and ride their bikes on the Saturday, or perhaps do other interesting things. As I am the local I was placed in the lead. ”Are we doing the drop off system?” somebody asked – of course not – if you can’t keep up then that’s just too bad. I would of course do my best to keep it all together (with some degree of success on this occasion). We headed out of Beddgelert in a southerly direction on roads built by God when he passed his bike test.
Winter riding is the best thing ever. In February you have the roads to yourself. In the summer we are cursed by hooligans on sports bikes from the heavily populated English regions over the border (some of the locals aren’t too sensible either). It’s actually very dangerous and I avoid riding on those sunny summer weekends, not for fear of cars but other bikers, some of whom leave their DNA and even larger body bits scattered all over North Wales. The laws of natural selection should have put a stop to it by now but they keep on coming.
I had the wife on the pillion so decided to take advantage of this and do some narrow gated roads, her heated jacket wasn’t working so I thought jumping on and off the bike would help to keep her warm. Halfway across this section Bob Harrison pulled up alongside and said his Yamaha twin was now behaving like a single so we headed for civilisation (of sorts) in Bleunau Ffestiniog. A phone call later the recovery people were on their way and we left him there whilst we continued onto higher ground heading for Pentrefoelas and the Denbigh moors. The sun was shining and snow lay by the roadside, it was simply stunning, and I felt privileged to be leading a bunch or real motorcyclists who were clearly having a brilliant time.
We called at long time club members Arthur and Linda Allen’s farmhouse home near Denbigh , drank their tea pots dry and ate all their cakes, not to mention talking motorcycles and sheep. All too soon it was time to go again and we took a slightly different route via Llyn Tryweryn back to Bleunau Ffestiniog, Bob and his bike had been removed, either by the recovery people or one of the local tribes – either way his fate was out of our hands so we shrugged our shoulders and continued to enjoy ourselves. Bob would not have wanted it any other way!
On our return to the campsite some of us took advantage of the camp wardens catering by ordering curry, or in my case pizza. These pizzas are legendary, I have a huge appetite and always finish what I have before me but these things beat me every time. They are 12 inched diameter and several inches high (or so it seems) When Jesus fed the five thousand he had one of these pizzas and not a loaf of bread and some fish as the good book says. He didn’t need a miracle, just one pizza from the Beddgelert campsite!!!!
Saturday night was very much a repeat of Friday night down the pub then we went to bed and woke up to a wet and windy Sunday. Some braved 300 miles of wind and rain to get home, I braved the 11miles back to my home with a huge grin on my face and already looking forward to next year’s Rhino at Beddgelert.
Rhys Jones.
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The March Glenluce Mick Reed Weekend.
Mick Reed passed away a couple of years ago, he had for countless years organised the March Glenluce camping weekend because he, like many others, thought quite correctly that we needed an excuse to get on our bikes after the worst of the dark and biker unfriendly winter. It was the whole point of the Glenluce weekend, so when we heard it had been moved to April Barry Warner decided to organise it anyway for the traditional March weekend.
Glenluce is a small village around 10 miles from Stranraer that has been bypassed by the A75. It has a half decent pub-hotel and a great little campsite in an old walled garden with a river running along its boundary. It’s a quiet place, and I can’t help thinking that the biggest event since around last October is the March gathering of a handful of dedicated motorcyclists. It may have been the last March gathering because plans are afoot to place static caravans on our beloved turf!!!! Hay-ho, that’s life, looks like Mick Reeds weekend may be moving to another site next year.
After setting up camp after the 330 mile trip from North Wales the conversation was mainly about where Bob Crawley would be leading us on Saturday's ride out. Bob is not exactly a local but he knows the roads better than most locals and does a cracking ride out. Nobody had any idea where we would be heading but we knew it would be good so that’s all we needed to know.
Young Garth turned up, he has been motorcycling and camping since shortly after the big bang and it was good to see him. He has gone a little soft since he got into his mid-seventies and now carries a 500w oil filled radiator with him on winter camping trips. It looks like rather an uncomfortable object to have inside ones sleeping bag, (see picture)it must be like hugging one of those cat walk models with protruding ribs. It seems to do the trick though and we resisted the temptation to unplug him on the way back from the pub later that evening.
The highlight of the Saturday ride out was being accompanied by Colin and his dog Jock in their K1100 outfit, it was simply brilliant to see people’s faces lighting up with smiles and laughter on seeing Jock In the side car enjoying every minute of it all. I was amazed at how well the outfit kept up with the enthusiastic pace of the day’s proceedings, only dropping back a bit in my mirrors on the fastest of left hand bends (perhaps Colin needs a heavier dog?). A couple of coffee stops later we were back at the campsite having covered miles and miles.
The evening was spent, yes you guessed it, in the pub and we awoke to a hard frost on Sunday morning so packing up was a little hard on the fingers. There was nothing else to do now except enjoy the 330 mile ride home avoiding the cursed M6 as much as possible.
I wonder where next year’s Mick Reed memorial weekend will be held? Wherever it is, I am sure Mick's spirit will find us and he will be having just as much fun as the rest of us.
Rhys Jones.
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Mike Gibson's Midweek Run 18-March-2015
The morning of the first run of the season dawned to the sound of car drivers scraping frost from their car windows. However, by the time that 13 bikes (one with pillion, and three new faces) assembled at Devil's Bridge the Spring sun had done its work and dissipated the last vestige of cold. We left Kirkby Lonsdale and headed into the Lake District without any mishap with the 'drop-off' system. (Well, we may have been a little rusty after the Winter layoff!) Ambleside saw us taking our morning coffee break at the Wateredge Inn, on the shore of Windermere at Waterhead. Duly refreshed, and after a group photo by the lake, we carried on to Hawkshead village and then onwards to Newby Bridge. Turning right, here, a short stretch of the A590 took us to the minor road up on to Brow Edge and the Bigland estate. The country lanes then led us to Cartmel village and our lunch stop at the Cavendish Arms. (A roaring fire here wasn't really necessary to warm us, but it did create a pleasant atmosphere.)
The inner man, and woman, satisfied we then rode through the Cartmel valley back towards Newby Bridge. A diversion through the village of Staveley landed us on the Bowness road, which connected with the Gummers Howe road and down into the Winster and Lyth valleys. This Lyth valley road now allowed a bit of 'progress' to be made after the slower country lanes. Joining the A590, we turned eastwards as far as the Brettargh Holt roundabout to pick up the lane through the villages of Sedgwick and Natland to find the 'back road' from Kendal to Kirkby Lonsdale. 'Back road' it may be, but one can certainly make progress along it! Before long we had all returned to Devil's Bridge, and a fair crowd of other motorcyclists taking advantage of the pleasant Spring day. Touch wood, the day augured well for the rest of the year (!). (Perhaps the three new faces were sufficiently pleased with their experience of the run to join us again in the future. I hope so.)
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New Members Lunch Run 26/04/15.
Blue skies greeted the 8 riders and 3 pillions for the annual new members runs starting at Barton Grange north off Preston. Three K1600 outnumbered the RT and GS marque. More importantly three new members Simon, Hubert and Ken up from Chester joined the run.
A very short trip up the A6 and then into the lanes to go over Harris End Fell via Oakenclough and on through the Trough of Bowland passed Dunsop Bridge to pick up the lane at the Inn at Whitewell to go over Cow Ark to Slaidburn for a Coffee Break. After the break we turned up the Skaithe onto the Lythe Lane past Stocks Reservoir towards Bentham before turning left on to Silly Lane (yes it’s called that) to Bye pass Bentham and drop down into Wray. This route gives some great views of the area and almost has no traffic. Wray had Scarecrows on every corner for the annual scarecrow festival and even a couple of vintage bikes. Dropping on to the A683 for a couple of miles before taking to the lanes again through Littledale and stopping at the top for a great view of Morecambe Bay before going on to Abbeystead and the final halt at Glasson Dock. Well the K1600s proved you don’t need a GS to manage small lanes and I don’t even think they got dirty!
Thank you all hope you had as good a time as I did.
Graham Fell.
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Chocolate and Cheese Run 17-May-2015
10 riders and one brave pillion set off in cool windy weather from Barton Grange Garden Centre with Graham Fell leading due to Phil Cosgrove unfortunately being unavailable on the day. We soon left the main roads behind, taking to the back lanes and passing the Grizedale reservoirs before Quernmore, Caton, Hornby and Gressington where we said hello to mile after mile of freshly gravelled roads before circling Kirkby Lonsdale. Travelling up through the Old Scotch Road and passing Killington Lake, we continued to Tebay and our coffee stop at the Orton Scar Café just across the road from the renowned chocolate factory. After coffee and cakes we continued on minor roads through the two Musgroves, Little and Great, before Brough and over a very windy Tan Hill to Arkengarthdale and Reeth. In Reeth we were treated to the sight of a group of nicely turned out vintage bikes as they were leaving their lunch venue. We pressed on via Redmire and Askrigg to a very busy Hawes and lunch at the Wensleydale Pantry located over the Spar shop on Main Street, where Graham had reserved a long table for us all. The café has a wide choice of meals and as I was unsupervised for the day I threw caution to the wind and enjoyed a tasty beef burger.
After lingering over lunch, Eddy and I left for our respective homes while Graham and the rest of the contingent went off to visit the cheese factory prior to riding through Dentdale and Dent to the finishing point at Devil’s Bridge. Many thanks to Graham and our back markers for organising the run and all the other participants for your very pleasant company, you made my day!
Bill Smithson.
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Mike Gibson's Midweek Run 20-May-2015
Despite a good forecast there was some rain to start the day. However, at Devil’s Bridge it was fine and dry to welcome another 12 bikes (one with Liz on pillion). Heading into the Lakes, the sky was promising but the road was busy with traffic. Our morning coffee break was taken at the Glen Rothay Hotel in Rydal. Here, Ray from Windermere had to break off the ride due to feeling unwell. The rest of us carried on through the Lakes to Keswick where we navigated a shortcut to the Borrowdale valley. By this time the sun was well and truly making its presence felt – nice and warm! Climbing up the Honister pass we came across the last thing you would have wanted to meet at the top – a tour coach ascending from the western side!! Safely past, we descended to Buttermere village for the lunch stop at the Bridge Hotel.
Following a leisurely lunch, we next headed northwards up to Newlands Hause. Here, if anyone watched the TV series ‘Safe House’, is one of the locations used in the programme. Leaving the summit the narrow road led us to join the A66 at Braithwaite village. Now, turning eastwards, we rode to Rheged (where we had a minor 'hiccup' - but we'll not go into that!) to pick up the Ullswater road to Pooley Bridge. From there our next waypoint was the A6 at Eamont Bridge. The A6 took us, after a coffee break at Clifton, up over Shap Fell towards Kendal, and the usual diversion to the A591. This then led to the M6 junction, and then back to Kirkby Lonsdale.
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June Section Meeting
Sunday 14th June was our monthly meeting at St. Michaels on Wyre Village Hall. It was a very wet start to the day and I felt all our planning had probably been a waste of time and wondered how to fill in an afternoon with a buffet for approximately 60 people. Do we have any Bingo cards?!! I set off at 10 to arrive early to open the hall for the ‘Churchtown Ladies’ the caterers who moved into the kitchen and started to prepare the buffet. Working very efficiently, I left them to it.
Alan arrived shortly after and we set up the tables. Slowly people started to arrive including 3 men from Bowker Southport Superbikes who had brought some demo models along for the members to test ride. The weather was drying up and they soon set to work taking bookings for the afternoon. The Diary was misprinted at 1pm start instead of 12 but suddenly members were arriving en-masse.
The buffet was ready for 1pm and everyone headed for the table. There wasn’t much left for the birds this time and our fears of eating salads for a week soon dissolved by seeing a room full of members enjoying the food and a chat. Some members had already been out on test rides and others waited to go. The weather was now brightening and the sun trying to shine.
Two new members, Dean Warren and Andrew Mathers were there and I hope they were made to feel welcome. I thought Andrew’s online application had a fault saying YOB 1991 but worked out he was 24 and old enough to drive!! He is now known as the section’s youngest member.
The afternoon appeared to go well and once again I’d like to thank Andy, Gary and Steve from BSS for giving up their time for us. Also I’d like to thank all the helpers in the hall, outside with the bikes – particularly Graham Fell and Stan Wood, and especially the ladies in the kitchen with the washing up. Thanks everyone! Same time, same place next year!!
Lynn
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Mike Gibson's Midweek Run 17-June-2015
"Infamy, infamy, they've got it in for me!" To quote the late actor, Kenneth Williams, in one of the 'Carry On' films. 'They' being the 'Rain gods'. Yes, you've guessed - we had rain on the day. (Fine and warm the day before and reasonably fine the day after. Grrr!) Just light drizzle to start with, but it upgraded later. We (just the four of us) left Devil's Bridge, heading eastwards along the A65. Our morning coffee break was taken in the Anchor Inn at Gargrave (not much wet stuff here). After a pleasant drink and comparing experiences with neighbours we returned to the bikes to ride off in more persistent rain. Following a minor road to Cracoe the sky became brighter as the rain, perversely, became heavier! However, riding up the Wharfedale valley the rain eased and we came across drier roads. Climbing up over into Bishopdale the sun made a fleeting appearance before we stopped at the Aysgarth Falls hotel for lunch. Here, the fish finger ciabatta buns proved popular and delicious, as I chose a superior version of the humble bacon sandwich.
Duly replete, we carried on along the Wensleydale valley, through Hawes and up to the Moorcock Inn at Garsdale Head. Now turning northwards the road took us to Kirkby Stephen, where the sun made a more sustained appearance. From here we picked up the A683 towards Sedbergh. However, the road was initially infested with sheep. Stopping off at the Fat Lamb Inn, near Ravenstonedale, for a coffee break it was observed that, perhaps, it should be renamed the 'Suicidal Sheep Inn'. The final run down to Kirkby Lonsdale was made without further mishap. A round trip of about 100 miles in quite mixed conditions, but nonetheless enjoyable.
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Paul Stewart's Takoda Camping Weekend.
19 people and 11 motorcycles made it to the new mid summer camp venue in Kirkby Stephen. The site is owned by a motor cyclist so we were made welcome. On the site there is a lounge you can use for when the weather is bad or the midges are biting. We used it on Saturday night rather than going into town. Friday night saw the hardy types head to Kirby Stephen for food and beer where there is lots of choice. Saturday morning started off wet but this dried up later morning. There were 3 ride outs on Saturday - Bob and Pam and Bob and Pam went to Carlisle; a group went to the Altberg factory in Richmond via the Swaledale road, we also took in the cheese factory in Hawes. I pick my boots up in October! The other group did a loop via Middleton-in-Teesdale, taking in the biker cafe at Manor Farm.
Saturday evening saw glorious weather with everybody either picnicking or barbequing and making the best of the late evening sun.
Thanks to everyone who turned up and supported the event.
Paul & Heather.
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Section Meeting 12-July-2015.
About 50 members enjoyed an excellent presentation by the Mountain Rescue Group.
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Mike Gibson's Midweek Run 15-July-2015
Well, it was looking like a traditional summer’s day – fluffy white clouds in a blue sky. At last, summer’s here! The day then demanded an appropriate route. A fine group of 14 bikes (one with pillion, and a contingent from the Yorkshire section) set off towards the Lake District, then diverted around Kendal to join the A6 up and over Shap Fell. This road is a particularly fine stretch of tarmac (other traffic permitting) with a combination of tight(ish) corners and sweeping bends separated by decent straights. The only fly in the ointment was a ‘safety camera’ van at the end of a long straight. Fortunately, we turned off before it on to the lane down to Shap Wells Hotel for our coffee break. Returning to the A6 after a leisurely drink we carried on northwards to Penrith where we picked up the Hartside pass road – another fine stretch of tarmac. Our enjoyment of this road was somewhat marred by too many ‘tin boxes’. Nevertheless, we duly arrived at the lunch stop at the Hartside Top café, and joined in with the multitude of bikers refuelling.
The afternoon route took us down to Alston and the road to Middleton-in-Teesdale – another excellent strip of tarmac through some wild and rugged scenery. From Middleton (Where the Yorkshire lads broke off the run to return home) we rode through the North Pennine AONB to Brough, and onwards to Kirkby Stephen. We then skirted the Howgills massif on the A683 (another road for ‘progress’), through the book town of Sedbergh, and finally back to Devil’s Bridge. A very enjoyable ride of about 130 miles in just about ideal conditions. Here’s hoping the rest of this year’s runs will be as good.
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John Bell's 'After Breakfast' Run 02-August-2015
I got out of bed at 06.00 this morning to join John Bell at Penrith for his monthly run as listed in the Journal and Northern Section Diary of Events.
The F800 was already fully fuelled and I left at 07.20 for the run north to the Rooster café just off Junction 40 M6. The A6 over Shap Fell was slightly damp and shrouded in thick mist but pleasant to ride without any other traffic to impede my progress. I turned at Shap for M6 and made a steady pace at around ($&) or so mph and soon met up with John, Bob and Pam Harrison on the café car park which was quite busy with other riders but sadly again, not of The BMW Club persuasion.
After breakfast (my second that morning) we set off for a run over the moors and fells via Melmerby, Hartside and Alston. Passing through Nenthead I thought John was going off-road when he turned on to a narrow track and passed a few houses before making a U turn. It wasn’t a mistake - he had a surprise in store for us.
Check this link to see what it was - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-22796230 you can also see more on this link - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2335693/Builder-scales-work-creates-THREE-miniature-villages-garden-including-12ft-high-model-Big-Ben.html
After the photo stop and a good look round we continued past Killhope Mining Museum, Weardale and St. John’s Chapel before turning right for Langdon Beck. Without any Black Grouse displaying their courting techniques this morning we pressed on via High Force to Middleton-in Teesdale and Brough for a brief but necessary comfort stop.
Onward again to Kirkby Stephen and Outgill, then taking a shortcut at Appersett to bypass Hawes before picking up the B6255 for Ingleton. Another left turn through Burton in Lonsdale to Hornby and Bull Beck picnic area where the run finished.
Thanks John, Pam and Bob for a very pleasant day, traffic free, mainly dry run, which finished better than it started.
Don’t forget to visit the links above!
Bill Smithson.
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Alan Davies' Dornoch Hotel Weekend 14-16 August 2016.
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Graham Fell's 4G Dales Run 16-August-2015
I arrived at the start point at 08.40 and thought for a moment that I might have the wrong date or start time as the car park was totally deserted. Unusually for me I was a ‘twirly’, if you don’t know what a ‘twirly’ is, try using your bus pass before 9.30 am.
Just as I switched the phone on to ring home and verify time and date, Graham arrived followed by another 4 machines ridden by Phil and Joan, Derek and Nicky, John solo, plus Simon (Southport) also solo.
All 6 bikes then headed off for the Dales led by Graham. The drop-off system wasn’t needed as we all kept in view all day riding in a close group. A rough indication of the route taken was Oakenclough, Quernmore, Arkholme, via Devil’s Bridge to Barbon, Dent and on to Ingleton for the eagerly anticipated coffee stop.
From a crowded and busy Ingleton we continued on more quiet lanes via Clapham, Austwick, Stainforth, Halton Gill, Arncliffe, Kettlewell and Starbotton to West Burton joining the A684 for a short distance to Swinithwaite where we stopped for lunch at Berry’s Farm Shop and café http://www.berrysfarmshop.com/
After lunch we continued our journey via Melmerby, Lofthouse, passing by the reservoirs to Pateley Bridge. I’d mentioned to Graham earlier that I would probably need fuel before the run finished, so the rest of the group turned on to the garage forecourt at Pateley Bridge. Ooops! Sorry, everyone! I still had enough fuel available for another 108 miles. Everyone restarted and we continued to Settle via Cracoe and Airton with a brief stop at TJ’s café.
Altogether I covered 219 miles relatively free of traffic apart from the kamikaze cyclists racing from Dent to Ingleton trying their best to overtake us on the very narrow track. For any fuel conscious members reading this, I had a job squeezing 13 litres of petrol in the F800 tank after 219 miles!
PS - The 4 G’s were Gates, Grass, Gravel and a Geriatric.
PPS - I should have added two more G’s for Grin factor and Good company.
Thanks to Graham and everyone else for a very pleasant dry day out criss-crossing the scenic Yorkshire Dales.
Bill Smithson.
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Mike Gibson's Midweek Run 19-August-2015
A bit like the ‘beautiful game’ it was a day of two halves. The morning saw 13 of us on 12 bikes leave Devil’s Bridge in warm, sunny conditions to ride towards the Lake District. Turning west on the A590, we followed that to Greenodd village where we next picked up the road to the western Lakes. Along here we encountered a load of large slate boulders on its way to be made into something expensive. Fortunately we weren’t delayed too long, and we entered Broughton-in-Furness for our morning coffee (and other things). Refreshed, we then rode to the Whicham valley to encounter a flock of sheep being relocated! That hiatus passed, we joined the A595 to make progress, in increasingly cloudy weather, to find our lunch stop at the Blackbeck Hotel near Beckermet. Here, the first drops of rain were felt – a good time to stop! Hopefully it would be fine by the time we returned to the bikes.
Following a ‘leisurely’ lunch (they did well to accommodate us) we did return to the bikes, but in a bit more rain than hoped for!! Nevertheless, ever onwards! Egremont soon came and went, and several villages before we arrived at Cockermouth. Now the A66 led us to the north western end of Bassenthwaite lake and the minor roads to the A591 along the eastern shore. Avoiding Keswick, we rejoined the A66 to Penrith where the A6 took us over Shap fell. On the summit we encountered low cloud, with visibility down to less than 100 yards (or metres, if you insist). Interesting! We took our usual diversion to avoid Kendal and ended the day just short of the M6. Well, time was getting on. A round (literally, for a circumnavigation of the Lakes) trip of about 145 miles in good company.
(One of the riders was a newish club member, and on his first club ride. I hope we didn’t put him off and he can join us again in the future.)
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John Bell's After Breakfast Run 06-September-2015
Again an early start for me, but an even earlier start for five riders out of The Magnificent Seven who turned out for this event. Seven riders was the best turnout on a breakfast run for many years and a pleasing first for John.
In view of the fact that the previous month’s route had not been ridden by most of the attendees, John wondered whether the same route as before would be OK. It was, so we set off to cover the same ground with a visit to the villages in the garden at Nenthead our first priority. The weather was much better on this occasion plus the views across Teesdale and Weardale were a lot clearer. The rest of the day's route was covered in last months report so a repeat here isn't necessary.
Thanks again to John and the rest of the team, John, Mike Gibson monthly ride-out stalwart, Dave Tilston, Alan Davies Section Treasurer, David Mathers and last but not least, Andrew Mathers long distance adventurer, who is also our newest and youngest Section member.
Bill Smithson.
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Mike Gibson's Midweek Run 16-September-2015
Well, we had a perfect Autumnal start to the day – cool, sunny and a crisply defined horizon. ‘We’ being 15 other enthusiasts on 14 bikes (Walter and Liz on his liquid-cooled GS). Mind you, one of our number fell foul of the ‘drop off’ system (more later). We set off on the Sedbergh road, deviating through the village of Barbon to ride the minor road along Barbondale, our first dale of the day. The next dale was Dentdale, which took us to the Ingleton-Hawes road, and a chance to blow the cobwebs out of the engines. Hawes came and went, as did one of our bikes (reason unknown!). Picking up the Buttertubs road we landed at the Simonstone Hall Hotel for our morning coffee break, which was taken on the terrace. Refreshed, we returned to the Wensleydale valley road (our third dale), but on the northern side of the dale which is often quieter than the main valley road. Turning left at Redmire, the moor road lifted us up over the ridge (magnificent view included) into Swaledale, our fourth dale. Dropping down to Grinton, we then joined the Arkengarthdale road at Reeth, to give us our fifth dale. This open moorland road led us ever higher to the lunch stop at the Tan Hill Inn, allegedly the highest inn in England.
Following a quite leisurely meal (it took quite a while to serve us all, as well as the other visitors) we rode the high road west to drop down into Kirkby Stephen. Continuing westwards, after a few miles the road followed the course of the old railway – which would have meant making progress were it not for several four-wheeled vehicles cluttering the place! Diverting through the village of Orton, the A6 over Shap beckoned. Well, it’s too good a road to miss, really!! Our usual ‘rat run’ around Kendal saw us returning to Devil’s Bridge via the A591/590 and A65. Following the ‘wind down’ and a cup of tea or ice cream (yes, it was that warm) everyone made their way home, hopefully satisfied with the run.
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THE BMW CLUB Northern Section
MINUTES of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – ST. MICHAEL’S VILLAGE HALL 11th October 2015 at 2.10pm
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Secretary Lynn Sumner
Treasurer: Alan Davies
Social Secretary: Robert Harrison
Committee Members: Jim Hough (NCM Representative) Paul Stewart
1. Apologies for Absence: Jim & Ann Hough, Peter McCombie.
2. Minutes of the AGM held on 12th October 2014 at St. Michael’s Village Hall, St. Michael’s on Wyre, having been circulated prior to the meeting, are now accepted.
Proposed: Tony Moores; Seconded: Phil Cosgrove
3. Matters arising from those Minutes: None
4. Officers Reports:
Secretary’s Report:
At 30th September 2015 the Northern Section membership stood at 353 plus 88 associates. This was the same as last year after non renewals and new members gained in the year with 2 additional associates.
From 1st October 2015 5 new members joined bringing the figures to 358 and 88.
Following the rise in subscription 3 years ago from £25 to £27, some members had still not cancelled their Standing Orders which resulted in paying twice. At the National AGM this year the subscription was again increased by a further £3 to £30 per full member, still £2 for an associate and from £32 to £35 for Oversea’s membership.
The capitation, or portion of the subscription that is refunded to the Section, remains at £4.50 per full member and £1.70 for an associate.
This year, following the decision at last year’s Northern Section AGM, the trailer and some equipment was sold off and the monies received were lodged in the emergency reserve fund.
It was decided at last year’s meeting to set up a Facebook page for the Northern Section. This was achieved by Paul Stewart and has a membership of 59 people.
Our meets at Rixton over the winter were well attended with a Jacobs Join in December, Pie & Peas in January plus raffle and a Bring & Buy in February. The Hall has been booked for 2016.
I was informed the venue at St. Michaels on Wyre was too far to travel for the southern part of the section but likewise could be said that Rixton is too far for the Northern part of the Section but both places do have a reasonable turnout. The Hall has been rebooked for 2016.
I attended the National AGM at Harrogate in April. There was a good attendance with 152 voting members there. Thanks to the 24 Northern members who went.
Once again Southport Superbikes brought a selection of bikes to the June meeting and the weather was good. A free buffet, provided by the Section, again prepared by The Churchtown Ladies, was excellent fare for the event.
The Section website, still maintained by Mike Gibson, needs your reports of rides to keep the site interesting. Thanks again to Mike for his hard work.
I’d like to thank all the members of the committee for their input during the last 12 months but particularly thank, on behalf of the Section, Rhys Jones who is standing down from committee this year. Rhys had served the Section for many years organising rides and events. He will however continue to organise the Beddgelert Rally early in the year. We wish him all the best.
Lastly my thanks go to all those members who have organised ride outs and events during the year, to those who have given a hand in the kitchen on a regular basis, and those who have generally helped in the promotion of the Northern Section of The BMW Club.
Lynn Sumner – Secretary
Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer, Alan Davies, gave his Report setting out some of the Income and Expenditure during the year.
The January raffle raised £192.00 which was up £87 and went back into Section funds.
Food and refreshments had been provided free at each monthly meeting. The donations in lieu totalled £127.73 and were sent to Air Ambulance Services.
Capitation raised £1764.60, down by £5.04
Advertising in the Diary of Events £395, down by £25
Printing costs for Diaries and stickers £434.40 down by £83.20
Alan said the accounts were in a healthy position and up on last year by £1198.65 due to the sale of the trailer and some equipment.
It was proposed that the Accounts be accepted and approved.
Proposer: Bob Harrison. Seconder: Mike Gibson.
Social Secretary’s Report:
The Social Secretary, Robert Harrison, prepared the following:
A special thank you to all those Club members who gave their time and effort to organise both the regular monthly events, rideouts and the one off camping and hotel weekends, Graham Fell, Mike Gibson, Bill Smithson, Alan Davies, Paul Stewart, John Bell, Bob Crawley, Barry Warner, Rhys Jones and Phil Cosgrove.
The extremes of events in 2015 were represented by the surprising number of 44 Club members who attended Alan Davies's Dornoch Hotel Weekend in August and the failure of anyone to keep John Bell company at his first breakfast run in July.
All suggestions for future events are most welcome. If you need help or guidance just speak to me or any committee member.
We look forward to a busy year in 2016 and the calendar is in progress.
National Committee Representative’s Report: None
5. Election of Officers:
The following nominations were received 28 days prior to the meeting and passed unanimously:
Secretary: Lynn Sumner Proposed: Bill Smithson
Seconded: Stewart Lowthian
Treasurer: Alan Davies Proposed: Bill Smithson
Seconded: Stewart Lowthian
Social Secretary: Robert Harrison Proposed: Bill Smithson
Seconded: Graham Fell
Committee Members: Paul Stewart Proposed: Graham Fell
Seconded: Alan Davies
Jim Hough Proposed: Ann Hough
Seconded: Lynn Sumner
Jim Hough was nominated for the post of National Committee Representative for a 2nd year and was duly appointed by the elected Committee.
6. Proposals: There were no written proposals presented before 13th September 2015
7. Any other business:
a) It was suggested by Heather Stewart to hold a Christmas Dinner possibly somewhere with overnight accommodation and arrange it jointly with another section.
b) Tony Moores asked Alan Davies who bought the trailer and equipment. Alan said the trailer and most of the equipment was sold on Ebay to the Christian Motorcyclist Association and smaller items of equipment went locally and at our Section Bring & Buy Sales.
c) Bill Smithson congratulated Alan Davies on the good price he got for the trailer & equipment.
d) Alan Davies asked for suggestions on how to use the funds from the sale.
e) John Bell announced that the meetings at the Harraby Inn would cease due to lack of support.
The meeting closed at 2.32pm
Dated 12th October 2015
Signed: Lynn Sumner Northern Section Secretary
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Mike Gibson's Midweek Run 21-October-2105
Typically Autumn, the weather was wet and windy (but only to start with). It was gratifying to see another 6 bikes turn up, one with pillion, despite the discouraging forecast. Undeterred, we left Devil's Bridge to ride to Sedbergh, as the light drizzle abated, and onwards towards Kirkby Stephen. On the way we stopped off at The Fat Lamb Inn for our morning coffee break. Here, the day took on a more encouraging aspect when the sun (almost) broke through. Well, we had been chasing the bright patches for a few miles by now! Ever onwards, we passed through Kirkby Stephen to Brough, where we picked up the moor road through the North Pennines AONB to Middleton-in-Teesdale. Here, lunch was taken at The Teesdale Inn (of which, more later).
After lunch the Alston road beckoned. What could we do but heed the call? By now, the low clouds had disappeared and the sun was truly shining on us - heaven! However, in the distance we could see that the cloud was once again on the hilltops. The nearer we rode to the hills, the more we entered the cloud! Not for long, though, the drop towards Alston was clear but with a bit more wind for us to contend with. Leaving the town on the Hartside road revealed (!) much more cloud on the summit, where visibility was down to less than 75 yards. Interesting! We managed to find the cafe at the top, which was empty of any other motorcycles. Most unusual! It was here that an unpleasant consequence of lunch afflicted Liz - she requires a gluten-free diet, but there must have been some in her meal. The pain she was feeling meant that she and Walter had to break off from the run, and find some pain relief quickly!
Following a tea break, we dropped out of the cloud and stiff breeze towards Penrith. The Autumn colours along the shores of Ullswater were next on the itinerary, followed by the climb up and over Kirkstone pass. This being the highest road pass in the Lakes at 1576 feet, give or take. Windermere town was detoured via a pleasant minor road, and the A591 led us to Low Sizergh Barn Shop, and its tearoom, just south of Kendal for our final drink of the day. The total distance worked out at about 125 miles, and we never had any problems with wet leaves on the road, thankfully!
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Mike Gibson's Midweek Run 04-November-2015.
There was some concern that the fog of the recent days may have put people off turning up for the run. Not to worry: another 9 bikes arrived at Devil’s Bridge in, admittedly, overcast conditions. A threat of more fog to come? We left to ride westwards towards the Lakes, diverting slightly to take the ‘old’ A65 with its one or two sweeping corners. Mmm, corners! Then, minor lanes to avoid Kendal led to the road through to Windermere and on to Ambleside. It was along this part of the route that we came upon what must rank as the Marie Celeste of roadworks! A long tailback necessitated judicious filtering up to the traffic lights. And - 20 yards of cones, no workmen and no hole in the ground!! We next stopped at the Wateredge Inn at Waterhead for our morning break, when the drizzle caught up with us. Returning to the bikes, the wet stuff had dissipated so we continued to Coniston and then over the hill to Hawkshead. (As it happened, fog had returned to a degree, but only on the tops of the fells!) From here the road led to Newby Bridge where we joined the main road eastwards for a mile to pick up the minor road to Cartmel village. Lunch now beckoned at the Cavendish Arms Hotel!
Refreshed and refuelled, we backtracked slightly to follow more lanes leading to the top of Lindale hill, and the A590 to Levens Bridge. Here, the A6 was followed through Milnthorpe to near Carnforth. Now, the B-road could be used for progress back to Kirkby Lonsdale; using care where the surface had been muddied by the usual agricultural traffic.
Talking of care, although some of the roads were decorated with wet leaves the conditions weren’t as bad as they might have been. No slips, no slides and therefore no injuries to man or bike.
And so ended the final ride of 2015 – a year of mixed fortunes, but quite satisfactory. Here’s to more of the same next year. I hope you can join us, you’ll be most welcome.
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