JUNE 2008

     We have suffered some bad weather in our area especially over Easter and into April.  This resulted in Gary turning back home as he was snowbound on the A14 whilst riding to Red Marley on Easter Saturday.  That was only the first encounter of the bad weather, the second being the Bimble, held on 13^th April when we joined the Velo fellows for what has now become an annual run.  Unfortunately our ride was cut short by frantic waving and pointing from Bob riding in front of us, as when he looked in his mirror, he noticed that we were surrounded in a blue haze emitting from the exhausts of the A10.  We hastily pulled onto the side of the road and I jumped off to see oil gushing from the engine making a puddle in the road.  A couple of phone calls and about 45 minutes later, Sarah came to our rescue and we loaded the A10 into the Espace and headed for home to examine the damage.  The others enjoyed the ride out to a pumping station near Ely but were caught in a hailstorm on the way home.  Well at least we stayed dry! 

      The first meeting in April, was well attended and has a story to tell.......

 It started out as a normal BSA gathering at the local pub with everyone looking forward to the warmer weather when we could enjoy the countryside, riding our classic machines.

It was quite late and a few of the members had departed when the door opened and a voice cried ‘Tony has broken down up the road’, Well to a man and three women we stood dunking our  beer and diet coke and made a hasty exit for the door as here was a biker in need of some help.

We all scampered up the road to where Tony highlighted in the lights from the garage stood squinting down glumly at his quiet steed, having lost his glasses down the drain grating that his bike was parked over. We all gathered round and made a few suggestions as to how to get some life into his motor, when up stepped our hero who made a few grunts and tickles, kicked it a few times and the motor although missing a few beats fired haphazardly into life.  Tony quickly straddled the throbbing beast and after a few false dawns and a few pops and bangs proceeded down the road. Alas he didn't get very far and surrounded by his fellow comrades again, a rope was found and attached to Dick, our chairman's car. Tony was told to hold onto the rope with one hand, Oh no!  we cried put it round the damper and hold the end so as to be able to have control of the bike and also be able to let it go if things looked bad  - we thought.

But our cries went unheeded and off went Dick, the rope, and Tony - but not the bike and they all fell in a heap on the road. After we picked Tony up and dusted him down, Robert (the strapping youngster in the club) looking at a bewildered Tony elected to push the bike home for him and with all the will in the world a few tried to help, but were unable to keep up with him. Ahh the strength of youth.  We all then decided to go home as it was late and went to bed a little bit wiser. We hope!     Anon

        Tony would like to thank everyone who stopped and helped him on that evening, and special thanks to Robert for pushing his bike home.

 

JANUARY 2008      

     DDecember was once again a busy month with two meetings and our Christmas dinner at the Yare held on the 2^nd Tuesday in December.  A splendid meal was enjoyed by about 30 members and guests and our thanks go again to John for organising this event.  The bad weather this year prevented Robert from taking his usual Christmas Day ride out but he did use his B31 to go Christmas shopping.  Sounds like a good idea to avoid the traffic jams and parking problems. 

      With Christmas and New Year festivities over for another year, we are planning our event calendar for the coming year, and this month we start with an extra General Meeting to be held at Norwich Airport Club room on Tuesday 12^th  February at 7.30 pm.  Please contact either me or Ringo to confirm date and time.  Also this month on 19^th we have our Quiz Nite, with Clint acting as quizmaster, so come along to have a bit of fun and brush up on your motorcycle knowledge

MARCH

      We held an extra general meeting on 12^th February to discuss club matters and events for the coming year.  Ringo booked a room at Norwich Airport’s Happy Landings bar but as we all waited in vain for someone to unlock the building and let us in we decided after nearly an hour, to go to the nearby Marsham Arms instead.  20 members attended and discussions took place about the camping weekend which is to be held in June and also some ideas for monthly runs.  The following week was our annual quiz n chips night which was again well attended.  This year Stan, Brian and Roger all got 30 points but in the tie breaker round it was again Brian who collected the trophy.  

     The Thetford Bimble with the Velo Fellows meets on Sunday 13th April at Millwrights in Toftwood at 10.30 for 11.00 start and is always a great way to start events for the coming months.  The following Sunday 20^th April, County School Station North Elmham is holding its war time open day and is another event not to be missed. Just more note for your diary, the Best of British bike show run by the Mid Norfolk Railway at Dereham station is to be held on Sunday 18^th May.