Team GoldWings North West

Firstly being part of the GoldWings North West Team and successfully completing the RBLR 1000, I’ve read some of the other reports and decided to stray slightly from the norm and talk more about preparation leading up to and including this event.

Returning back to last year when Lesley and Barry Halley mentioned the RBLR to me, I was to say, slightly apprehensive about taking part and I spent a day or two pondering the pros and cons.  Eventually I made the decision to go ahead and do it.

Months later there were various entries on the Goldwings North West website about tactics and the first ideas were being talked about between Lesley, Barry, Crezz , Dave & Tonia, Ted, Jimmy  and me and it was agreed the best place to start was going to be a meeting at the 1^st Anniversary Ball in Leyland.  As we all know now sadly events over took us and we all mourned the passing away of our beloved Lesley.

Besides taking the children and family members out as pillions the only other person I’d taken on the back was Lesley’s sister, Lynne.  She had been so excited back in Sep 2009 after Lesley had arranged for her to be my waving partner whilst cruising up and down Blackpool promenade during BLP 2009, and she loved the atmosphere, the crowds and especially all the small children waving and smiling back at us as we all showed off our lights.

Long distance riding practice started in March, this was Lindesfarne in April

About the second week of March, after returning from the U.S.A, I decided to ask Lynne if she fancied being my pillion on the RBLR. At first she refused and thought I was joking, but having explained that I was serious Lynne considered the idea for a week and then made the decision to accompany me.  (Lynne – It’s not something I would’ve considered normally although Lesley was always encouraging me to go out for a ride with Barry – but I was too chicken until the BLP.  Lesley has gone off on the greatest adventure so I had to ‘seize the day’ – to do something exciting and unusual that would’ve made her proud. )  I was thrilled that Lynne had accepted but the proviso was that we go out on some warm up rides to get some miles under our belts first since she had only ever been 10 miles as pillion during the BLP 2009!!

Approaching Hartside Tops

So on 26^th March we arranged a 322 miles ride.  We set off from Fleetwood, M55, M6, A59 to Grassington, then Patley Bridge, Knaresborough, York, Scarborough, Bridlington, Driffield, then M62 west across the country and then M60, M6 and finally M55 again. This tour took 12 hours with stops at Patley Bridge, York, Scarborough, Bridlington and Birch services.  (Lynne – OMG I loved it right away!!  I felt so comfortable and secure I suddenly realised why Lesley loved it so much and I never had a moment’s second thought!!!)

At the time we did not have communication between us so we only spoke when going slow which involved turning my head sideways and shouting at Lynne.  The ride went smoothly generally, but I found that my buttocks started to get painful around the 250 mile mark and I realised that underwear, Jeans and motorbike trousers do nothing to assist blood circulation.  So this ride was constructive and we had covered the first leg of the RBLR 1000 route.

Lowther Castle

On 28^th Apr, Lynne and I covered a route in her car from Fleetwood M55, M6 north, to Gretna Green, then east all the way to Berwick on Tweed.  We stopped at Lindisfarne but the tide was coming in so we went south to Bamburgh Castle, which was fascinating by the way, and on to Seahouses to have lunch.  From there we went south to Durham then across the country coming back to Penrith via the A686.  At least we noted the road was full of potholes and there were plenty of roundabouts too.

On 29^th Apr, Ted and I fitted an autocom system to the bike with headsets for both my helmets which works brilliantly.  What a difference being able to speak to your pillion makes and it opened up a whole new experience whilst riding.  I cannot see now how I managed without it and it is so nice to get feedback on your riding skills when attempting overtaking manoeuvres (lol!), as I found out. (Lynne – Ok there was that one time where Steve said ‘I can overtake here’ and I unthinkingly said ‘No you can’t!’ forgetting that he could hear me!!!  Bless him – he didn’t!!)

Scottish Trip May 2010

A few days later I decided it was time to change the Oil and filter.  Having read an article on the GWNW website about oil from Morrisons I dually purchased said oil and gave Heavenly Louise new lube for the up and coming long distance rides.

On 7^th May, Lynne and I managed a 480 mile tour to Scotland, again a 12 hour journey which was M6, Glasgow, Fort William (stopped for lunch), east towards the A9 above Pitlochry then south through Stirling and across to Glasgow and south on the M6 back to Lynne’s home in Penrith.   On this trip I was not only testing the Autocom which performed faultlessly, but also tested a memory foam cushion which did help with comfort on the latter part of the journey.  With me still having pain on my right side even with this extra cushion from 350 miles onward, I found out that having my wallet in my back pocket was causing problems, so I stopped placing it there – simple!

Next bike prep job I was to  change the front wheel bearings, fitted new rear brake pads and checked rear bearings, swinging arm, suspension etc.

Ready to go - complete with extra seat padding!

On 12th Jun Ted and I fitted a slide mount CB to HL and now I had the capacity to communicate not only with Lynne, but other team members which turned out a great asset during the RBLR 1000.  Ted and I tested the CB on a ride out on runs to St Annes, and then to Knott End using a different channel and fine tuned the aerial for better reception. All ok!

So now having done all this preparation , covering a route from Pitlochry then south to the M62 and across to the M6 and up as far as Fort William we had completed 50% of the intended route and both felt we were ready for the final challenge.

We're Off!

On 18^th June we rode to Castleford, meeting up with Ted and Chris at Birch Services on the way.  I had decided to use a slightly deflated air cushion and a sheepskin which provided the right support for my posterior and it did make a difference.

From Castleford we headed up to Squires Cafe that night to meet the rest of the team there for the briefing and we knew the adventure had begun!

19^th – 20^th June RBLR1000.  You’ve maybe read other reports and all I can add is it was a fantastic journey to make.  The scenery in Scotland is stunning and the wind from Inverness to Wick and back had to be experienced to be appreciated.  It was exhilarating but not easy – especially on the homeward stretch in the few dark hours of the night!  Our body clocks were seriously out for a couple of days and while Lynne did very well, with only the tips of her ears painful due to the helmet, it took a couple of days for my buttocks to recover!!

One of many fuel stops

On, 26^th Jun, I rode HL down to John Carr’s just off the A6 and, having covered 8,000 miles over 12 months and basically replacing all worn parts, was happy that she flew through the inspection with flying colours and passed the MOT with no problems.

So what’s next you may ask?

Well, we are looking forward to more rides out through the summer -  after the  GWNW meeting on the 27^th I rode north to Lynne’s and we had a ride out to Hartside Top Cafe on the A686, taking HL for a burn up long and winding roads then back via Lowther Castle, the weather was great and the scenery was fantastic too.

Next on the list are Buxton, RAF Woodvale, Kirkby Lonsdale and the BLP 2010 in September.

Finshing as a Team

Finally, I was the one who compared child birth to this ride in that at the time when you finish you say, “never again in a million years!”, but once the pain, tiredness and stress go, you remember all the good things, experiences and you say,“well, maybe one more!!”

So next year it looks like we will do the RBLR1000 again as we both now have the bug – big style!

You can read another report on this Ride by Dave & Toni Bayliss on the GoldWings North West website.

The next RBLR1000 Ride is planned for 18th-19th June 2011.  For further information please visit the  RBLR1000 Website.

Also available with black lettering on an orange ground

2010 Pose on the Prom Patches and garments are now available for purchase on line.

They are both available in two colours, black and orange, so orange on a black background or black on orange .

The Orange colour scheme chosen for this year honours Blackpool Football Club, which plays in Tangerine Orange and has just won promotion to play in the Premier League next Season.

The garments come with the 2010 Pose on the Prom Badge embroidered, without a border,  on the left breast.  Orange garments get black lettering and vice versa.  The bike is red this year as a change too.

You can place you orders now by visiting the Regalia Page of the GoldWing Light Parade at Blackpool Illuminations website.

The regalia is being supplied by Alan Mason’s Storm Embroidery.  Alan is a Winger himself and has supplied regalia for many years.  Both Patches and Garments can be ordered on line and paid for using any credit or debit card using the PayPal system.  Alan’s phone number is also provided in case you need to ask for more information.

The prices are very keen and there is also a maximum postage charge of only £2 per order, so it pays to buy everything at once rather than doing it in dribs and drabs.

Marshalling Organiser Barry and the two Police Motorcyclists

A mass motorcycle ride took place in the Lake District on Sunday 6th June in support of the Help for Heroes Charity.

Over 500 bikes of all types took part and the event went very smoothly indeed.  All credit to the brave dozen or so Cumbrians who rode mopeds and some in fancy dress.  Wingers were dressed in conventional biking gear except for Dave Sharp did his bit by dressing as a butcher.

One moped broke down and one moped rider went down at low speed on a roundabout and suffered a small graze but that was all – it was a very safe as well as successful Event.

The weather forecast which I looked at the day before was for a warm day with a risk of only light showers but there were gloomier forecasts too (for heavy rain) and this probably kept some away.  Over 600 riders had registered and made a donation so it was very worthwhile.

There was the odd spot of light rain en route but nothing worth stopping to put wet weather gear on and overall the Ride went splendidly.

Marshal's bikes bore a large pink "M" on windscreens, to bring out their femine side

The rendezvous  at Birthwaite Fold Car Park in Bowness, which the Council had kindly reserved for the exclusive use of the Event for the morning, worked very well as a meeting place.  It is a large car park fairly close to the Lake just to the South of the Bowness waterfront and, crucially, it had toilets and a bacon buttie bar.

There were plenty of Marshals to help greet and park the bikes and a PA system to allow the celebrity guests to be introduced and have few words.  Likewise there were lots of Marshals to assist with the Ride itself, all riding GoldWings.  It was a really friendly occasion.   The Ride took us on a scenic route of about 60 miles to Cockermouth where parking and parking marshals  (and even more importantly food and drink)  was laid on.

Barry Walton of Colin Appleyards Motorcycles and  Appy Wanderers, his  GoldWing Touring Club took the leading role in organising the marshalling for this Ride and he did a truly magnificent job by using his contacts in the GoldWing Community to gather over 50 Wingers to help out.  Well done Barry (and Dave and others) it was a terrific effort.  Cumbria Wings, Yorkshire Wings, Trent Wings and Lancs & Lakes were all out in force as were Members of Appy Wanderers and GoldWings North West.  Well done Barry for creating this opportunity for Wingers of all clubs or no club to work together in friendship.  It is a credit to you that the job was done on such a friendly and enjoyable basis.

Bikers trying to look the part at Cockermouth

Riders were invited to make a donation by visiting the Ride Website and may still do so.

On a personal note I would like to thank Lancs & Lakes for their friendliness and for inviting me to ride back to Bowness in company with them, which I really appreciated.  The whole day was handled in a friendly way by all the Wingers who were there.  It was a fine example of what Wingers can achieve when they join together to help a good cause.

Cumbria Police deserve a mention for their excellent cooperation and assistance too.  Thanks to Barry’s careful planning and his use of his contacts to assemble such a large group of Wingers to provide plenty of Marshals, the Police managed to keep the Ride moving using only two Motorcycle Officers.  I started off (as a spare Marshal) riding about two thirds of the way back in the Ride and – amazingly – I didn’t have to stop once until I chose to do so (to take post at a junction where a Police bike was stopping traffic) which I think was pretty good for a ride of 500 bikes, which is said to have been four miles long.

Red kit of Lancs & Lakes prominent in the Marshals Parking Area

Barry told me that when he stopped en route home where some other bikers had also stopped, one of them recognised him as the organiser of the marshalling and said how well he thought it had gone, as had many others when we got to Cockermouth.  This grateful biker endeared himself to Barry by adding “I thought you lot who ride GoldWings were all tossers who trimmed their bikes with fairy lights and towed them everywhere but you showed me today that you can ride them as well.”

I think this illustrates  the value to the GoldWing community of being seen by other bikers to be able to conduct expert marshalling for large rides like this one and to ride our GoldWings competently.

Let’s do it again next year!  (The Organisers are looking into the first Sunday in July and are keen to have GoldWings doing the marshalling again, confirmation and details in due course)

You can access information about the group of hotels and B&Bs which form the Venue for this Event directly by clicking here.  The Warwick Hotel is already full but there is still a choice of other hotels and B&Bs along the same Crescent.

Planning for the event is proceeding nicely and both Blackpool Council and last year’s Event Sponsors Knutsford Honda are both on board for this year too.

It’s going to be a Great Weekend!

Two well known riders and a very conspicuous bike

The weather was really very generous to this year’s Thundersprint and Northwich in Cheshire, the Venue of this annual sprint racing event, enjoyed what would have been a very nice day indeed even in Summer.  Out came the Factor 50 and faces and balding pates were enthusiastically rubbed with it.

Special dispensation had been given by the Organisers, apparently with some hesitation, to allow us to arrive after the deadline for the road closure into the site – providing that we pushed our bikes for the 400 yards or so from the barrier to our display position.  In a fine example to our national Conservative and Liberal Democrat politicians of the art of negotiation and compromise, we declined this invitation and suggested that mass GoldWings, at least in our hands, presented less of a hazard to pedestrians (and ourselves) being ridden rather than pushed.

Common sense prevailed and a Very Senior Organiser offered to walk in front of us to see us safely to our display area.  The walking pace was negotiated up to a brisk trot on his part and together with our counter-offer of making lots of sound (music) and light (strobes) to part the crowds (which weren’t particular heavy at that early hour, so it was more a question of startling a few early birds out of the way) and by this means we made our  arrival fairly conspicuous.  Freddy Mercury singing “I want to ride my bicycle” at full volume on a the powerful audio system of the leading bike, a 2008 US spec GL1800, did the trick.  We arrived in style and we were certainly noticed, which is of course what Wingers like to happen.

GoldWings prominently displayed on the main Sponsor's Stand

The Federation of UK GoldWing Clubs, or at least some of it, in the form of contingents from GoldWings North West and GoldWings North Wales, arrived to adorn the Display Area of its Sponsor, Knutsford Honda, which happened also to be Main Sponsor of the Event, occupying pole position on the whole site, which might have had something to do with why the Organisers agreed to let us in late.  It was all Sunday morning and some of us had needed to take breakfast at our Truckstop rendezvous before we rode as a group into Northwich.   We did made a fair effort and got there by just after 9am.

A superb GL1000 was part of our display

Which is how Bill Squires, who was Tail End Charlie for the group ride into Northwich, but somehow always seems to land on his feet when parking his bike for display purposes, or putting it another way only occasionally on his crash bars, found himself with the pole position of pole positions, right on the end of the front row, next to where the Celebrity Guest was to sign autographs and sell books and DVDs.

Bill being observant, even though it was just after 9am on a Sunday morning, spotted that some of these books were about Mike Hailwood.  Naturally even Wingers who knew nothing at all of motorcycle racing had heard of him, so ears were pricked up.  Surely it couldn’t be him?

Race bikes need help to get going

Well of course it couldn’t be Mike Hailwood because tragically he was killed shortly before his 41st birthday (in 1981) on his way to buy his family some fish and chips.  So the Celebrity had to be Jim Redman MBE, Six Times World Champion and Six Time TT Winner, who was this Classic Motorcycle Event’s Star attraction, whom Eric Warburton, Proprietor of Knutsford Honda, happens to know quite well, hence the Personal Appearance on the Knutsford Honda Stand.  (Eric knows lots of famous people, including Jimmie Ryan, who was also present.)

Jim Redman could not have had much exposure to GoldWings during his racing career for Honda because it was between 1959 and 1966 and he appeared to be quite interested in the elaborate features of Bill’s GL1800 – or at least he was polite enough to give that impression.  He was also polite enough not to ask why Bill’s Bike bore such a remarkable number plate, which Jim had noticed as he first approached the Personal Appearance pitch.

Seeing the funny side

However the pair of them got on really quite well and had posed for the photo at the head of this Article before Jim’s curiosity got the better of him.  In effect Jim let the cat out of the bag because unknown to Bill his bike had been fitted with a special show plate for the occasion by a helpful friend who likes to assist Bill’s to promote his bike’s unusual colour whenever he can.  The second photo shows Bill’s expression when he realised he’d been got, again.

Meanwhile the Thundersprint lived up to its name by providing deafening reminders of the noise which classic racing bikes and replicas make, as they passed right by the front of the Stand in their way to the Course.  The Sprint Course is only 400 yards long and the bikes finish it in less than 30 seconds but it’s still quite a spectacle, which is why it attracts such crowds.  Over 100,000 people visit Northwich each year on Thundersprint day.

That's racing - but he'll be back for more in a fortnight

Nor is it without risk as this poor rider discovered, who suffered a few broken ribs and a painfully bruised arm and shoulder as well as damage to his bike.  Happily he is confident that he will be racing again at the next event on their calendar in two weeks time.

The whole Town Centre is given over to the Event, which is free, as is parking, so the pie shops do great business and there are bikes parked everywhere and every second person you meet in the streets seems to be wearing leather and carrying a helmet.  There are dozens of stalls selling biking gear of all sorts and for all tastes.  Or rather all tastes which are into leather, skulls and such like rather than the shiny bits which Wingers tend to go for.

Tacky Ted, as he became known in GoldWings North West, has now sold his GL1100, which had become conspicuous enough to earn him his nickname, and bought an almost standard black GL1800 so the Club waits with baited breath to see how this bike’s appearance will develop.  Ted, hoping to become known as Tasteful Ted, has welcomed the suggestion that before attaching anything to his new bike he submits a proposal to a Committee of Taste which the Club will try to provide.

This unusual helmet garnish captured Joanna's interest

At Thundersprint however Ted did escape the leash and came back with some stick-on skulls, so his prospects of achieving a change of nickname are still uncertain.  He did pass the first test of his resolve by discretely transferring the gift of a colourful toy windmill which someone had attached to his bike to someone else’s.

There were lots and lots of people and the GoldWings were thronged with more than their share of them.  At time you could hardly see the bikes for the people moving among them.  It was gratifying to be the centre of such attention, especially of course to Bill.

The Paddock was open to strollers and very gratifying it was to wander around there.  There can be little doubt that valuable though our GoldWings were, the collective value of the bikes in the Paddock was far greater. There were replicas as well as restored original racers and one of these really caught my eye.

A 2009 Egli-Vincent

The Egli-Vincent is a modern bike and you can have one built for you if you wish.  It is very much in the style of a Vincent or rather of an Egli-Vincent, which was a series of developments of the Vincent produced in Switzerland in the late 60′s and early 70′s.  The original company, Vincent Engineeringf, was British but  became defunct and production stopped in 1959.  The modern Egli-Vincent is made in France and follows the quality precedents set by the Swiss bikes – and have the approval of Freitz Egli, the creator of the Swiss bikes.  If you need to ask the price, you can’t afford one.

Thundersprint is a proper race meeting so there are practice and qualifying sessions and all the bikes have to submit to safety scrutineering, which starts at 6am.   Our long lie (in my case until 6.15am) and late arrival was by these standards shameful.  These guys take things very seriously. In addition to Nortons and Triumphs and BSAs there were Tritons and  Tribsas and Tridents and if you had only ever read about these, as I had, the paddock was a visual feast.

A superbly presented Ducati

There was also considerable spectator sport in watch these bikes being started because of course none of them (except the modern Egli-Vincent) had electric starter motors, nor did many have kick starts.  Engine starting was achieved by either pushing the bikes or using a motorised contraption to the same effect which turned the back wheel while the bike sits, somewhat precariously, on  stand.  Thankfully modern Health & Safety requirements haven’t emasculated this process too much and I didn’t see anyone having to erect a safety net in case the bike fell off its stand during this process and suddenly shot forward.

The Organisers even laid on a Spitfire overflight

Indeed the whole Event gave the impression of a considered and proportionate approach to guarding the safety of all concerned; there were plenty of Stewards and they did make sure that the bikes (except GoldWings) were pushed whenever they were being moved through areas where the public were were at large, such as between the Paddock and the fenced-off roadway leading to the Race Course.  The GoldWings were subject to movement restrictions and the safety of the public was actively but also efficiently considered.  Decisions were made, arrangements were put into effect.  The Event was very well organised.

Hopefully Knutsford Honda will sponsor the Event next year and will ask us to display again; if so I suspect we’ll be resorting to drawing lots for which GoldWings can be accommodated.  It was a very enjoyable day.

VIP police motorcyclists get personal bodyguards so they can concentrate on looking cool

CLICK ON ANY PICTURE FOR AN ENLARGED VIEW

Rise Safe Back Safe has been holding an annual free event for bikers for five years and it’s built up to be quite a show and well worth going to.  This year it was in Blackpool again but had moved away from the Promenade to the resort’s huge Central Car Park.  This turned out to be a much better venue, with plenty of space, nicely sheltered from any wind and very easy to get to.

There were lots of biking organisations present and some dealers and traders together with an impressive stunt riding display and Honda’s Your First Licence arena for children which was as popular as always.  Since Ride Safe Back Safe is a Safety Partnership scheme run by the Police there were also lots and lots and lots of motorcycle policemen around, most of whom looked relaxed and smiling, with not a single wagging finger being displayed anywhere.

But from a Wingers viewpoint it was notable this year for the bringing together, for the first time at any Event, of GWOCGB’s Lancs & Lakes Region and GoldWings North West, both of which were displaying their bikes.

Barry receives his Award

The GoldWings were all to be located in one section of the venue (this was the Event Organiser’s decision) so it brought Wingers who have known each other for years but been estranged for a while back together again, whether they liked it or not.   GoldWings North West was of course formed just over a year ago by Wingers who used to be Members of Lancs & Lakes.  Would there be tensions?  Would naughty words be spoken? Would handbags be swung in anger?

Caught in the act!

Some of those to whom the encounter was a complete surprise perhaps did take a moment to adjust but this didn’t amount to much and in no time at all civil and indeed fairly friendly relations were established.  As one Winger said to a Club-mate who was giving the impression of  building up steam, we’re all Wingers so why don’t you shut up – and very sensibly he did so.

Spot the unusual feature on this GL1200 trike?

Civility blossomed quickly into friendly dialogue and the Winger who had initially got hot under the collar ended up being the first one to float the idea of further joint ventures.   No one was picking arguments or trying to score points.  Although discrete counting of bikes to see which Club had the biggest turnout probably took place, no one was tactless enough to flaunt the result.

Cumbria Police's Ducati

Suffice it to say that there was a decent turnout from both Clubs and the overall effect was a splendid display of GoldWings which neither Club could have mustered without the other.

To do this on a GoldWing, first remove your windscreen

Also more or less coincidentally, two GoldWing Awards were handed over.

Firstly GoldWing North West’s brand new Award, the Lesley Halley Award for Outstanding Contribution, their equivalent of Winger of the Year, was awarded for the first time.  It was originally proposed as the Club’s annual Outstanding Member Award but some spoilsport thought that name might be open to misinterpretation.

Now that's a patch!

The decision to establish this Award and to name it after Lesley, a very popular and active  Member who tragically died very suddenly in January this year, had been made a while ago.  Likewise the decision that the first recipient should be Lesley herself, posthumously and jointly with her widower Barry, also a very active and popular Member, had already been announced.   But it then took a little time to get an Award made.

Clubs and their bikes side by side on display

Therein lies a tale because by strange accident of circumstances the Volcanic Ash Episode lent a helping hand.  GoldWing North West’s Chairman, Ian Duxbury found himself stranded in the Shetlands, where he had gone on business, for several days.  He couldn’t speak Shetlandish very well so he found solace in the company of the puffins  – in preference to the sheep which, since he lives in a rural area, was surprising to those who know him well.  Eventually things got so bad that apparently he even resorted  to shopping in order to pass the time.  (Now that is shameful, a Winger, shopping!)

More buttons and switches than a GoldWing

The Shetlands is probably the last place you would expect to find a well-stocked trophy shop but they’ve got a good one,  so Ian’s time up there was not entirely spent on drinking whiskey and puffin puffins and he had to stay sober enough to specify the engraving correctly.  “Leshley” was as close as he could manage verbally and his handwriting was also too slurred for reliable communication but after some practice he succeed in spelling out the letters one by one on a chart.

The RSBS Rendezvous being the first practical opportunity,  Barry was presented with the Award by Ian in the Blackpool sunshine.

Brian and his unique Ferrari sidecar enjoying the sea air

A short while later, since diplomatic relations had by then been well and truly been restored, I took the opportunity to return Lancs & Lakes Winger of the Year Award, of which I had been, very proudly, last year’s recipient.  In a way my Award had been posthumous too because by the time I was selected for it by ballot of the Region’s Members, the National Committee had summarily expelled me from their Club.

Handing back Lancs & Lakes Winger of the Year Award

However that was all ancient history on this sunny afternoon in Blackpool and as the photo shows,  I was able to present the Shield to the Lancs & Lakes Rep, Lynne Mason with a handshake and a smile.  This was all done with excellent humour all round, as Lynne illustrated by joking that after the year she’d had she might very well decide to present it to herself!

Womblemobile with admiring Groupie being chatted up

By comparison, the rest of the goings on at the rendezvous were pretty tame – just wheelies performed sitting on the handlebars in front of a row of police bikes, Wingers eating burgers, Wingers eating hot dogs, Bill self-righteously eating fresh fruit because he’s on a diet again.  Just the usual stuff.

There was however a Womblemobile on display which caught my eye as technically unusual.  It had image-reversed writing on it’s skyward-facing bonnet and this puzzled me for a while.  Then I worked out that it was probably there for the benefit of police helicopter pilots who might not otherwise be able to work out what the vehicle was through their rear view mirrors.  Can anyone think of a better reason?

This morning’s GoldWings North West Club Meeting had to be cut short so that we could get to Blackpool in reasonable time and next month’s Meeting might have to be curtailed too, so packed with events is our Season becoming.  Sooner or later however I’m sure we’ll hear the full story of what puffin puffins actually involves, possibly with a practical demonstration since I understand Ian volunteered to bring a few dust-clogged puffins home for R&R in sunny Lancashire, since he had spare room in his pigeon loft.  His pigeons, having come home to roost too, showed initial nervousness on first encounter with strangers but are now getting on well, as all fellow-Wingers should, and sharing their corn humorously, as of course I am trying to do with you.

Leader's Parking Perks!

I would normally write this sort of Article on our Club Website, but why not give the wider readership of this Blog a bit of parochial news occasionally too?

Today GoldWings North West rode out to Sandbach, a self declared “historic” town in Cheshire which owes its recent fame to having given its name to what has been said to be Britain’s very worst Motorway Services.  We were there to take part in their annual Transport Festival, a static display combined with a Parade around the Town.

It’s a type of gathering which happens all over UK, attracting all sorts of proudly-owned vehicles from, in this case, steam rollers through classic cars to motorcycles and ancient push bikes.  At this Event there are no static-only displays; everything must take part in the Parade as a condition of admission.  So thankfully there were none of those chuffing stationary engines you see at some steam events.

After several days of sunshine, and warm temperatures for April too, it had been a surprise to wake up to cold, damp fog and less than 100m visibility, so the ride to our rendezvous at Lymm Truckstop (Junction 20 of the M6) was more than a little chilly.

Bill, on his diet again

Thanks to the wonders of CB radio Bill and I had had no difficulty making our own pre-rendezvous rendezvous as he rode past Junction 31 of the M6 before heading South to meet the others.  As we rode into the car park three GoldWings were already parked up; their owners (all lorry drivers) having very sensibly arrived early in order to go for a Trucker’s fry up breakfast.  Frank carries a wad of Vouchers for this purpose.  Every job has its perks.

It was temptingly close!

As Bill and I parked up I spotted another biker nearby, standing next to his Suzuki Something, looking distinctly chilly as he waited for his mates to arrive.  I felt compelled to suggest that he had the look of a man who’s bike had neither heated seat nor heated grips.  You can either be tactfully humble as a GoldWing owner or you can flaunt it;  I’ve had enough stick over the years from the riders of lessor machines to be inclined, when opportunities like this arise, away from humility towards something more like friendly patronisation.  Fortunately he could see the irony and smiled.

Inconspicously the most valuable bike present

But by the time everyone had arrived and the Truckers among us had emerged from the Cafeteria it was time to mount up for the relatively short journey to Sandbach.  By the time we got there the sun was shining brightly and it was warm enough for the jackets to come off.  The Marshals had directed us to park in a side street with a steep camber and crumbling, pot-holed tarmac rather than on the main drag this year but as you will see from the pictures this side street was not without its compensations and in the event plenty of spectators found us and admired the bikes.

With a bit of help from a Winger (not of our Club and sadly I failed to get his name to thank him publicly) whose trike was already nicely parked nearby we eventually got our bikes in some sort of order and safely on their stands.  Then we were off for a stroll around the Town to look as what else was on show, find a coffee and in my case a bacon butty.  At this stage Bill was sticking to his diet and adopted a somewhat pious and perhaps even smug air about my self-indulgence.

Cheshire Police's finest leading the Parade, Cadet Constable Sasha Price!

This is a much smaller and less specialised event than Tatton Park’s Stars and Stripes (early July) and perhaps because it’s relatively early in the Season it seemed to me to attract the real vehicle enthusiasts.  There were some really unusual vehicles as well as an exceptionally high overall standard of presentation.  All sorts and all parked cheek by jowel with just enough room in between to wander among them.  Happy nostalgic moments were passed wandering among them.  Part way through this meander Bill quietly slipped away.

Among them was a collection of three ex-police cars, all faithfully equipped with period police equipment as well as livery and blue lights – and it was nice to see with them an elderly Range Rover which is still is service with Cheshire Police (but I suspect in some reserve capacity) as well as one of their current Traffic Police fleet.

Thoughtful reflection?

The second most valuable motorcycle at the Event was almost certainly one or other of the GoldWings but the one you would have really had to dig deep to buy, in the unlikely event that it was for sale, would be the V Twin HRD, parked up relatively anonymously among other elderly bikes, resting one of its twin side stands on a block of wood.

The Parade was scheduled for 1pm but the Chippy alongside which we had been parked had nevertheless been very well patronised by the time we were called to mount up.  (Bill had of course fallen for temptation and sneaked away to eat a cheese and onion pie followed half an hour later by fish and chips.)

In front of the Parade was a real (but classic) Police Range Rover followed in line astern by the three ex-police cars, one of which was a retired unmarked police car, still with its covert blue lighting and it’s technical toys inside – all with their blue lights flashing.  And, a very nice touch,  in the real police car was a young girl wearing a police helmet.  Well done Cheshire Police for capturing the spirit of the occasion as well as policing the event effectively.

Wanabe's all, and conspicuously without hassle

Riding behind the Police at the Parade Speed of no more than 2mph (presumably based on what the Steam Roller could manage flat out) was a bit of a riding challenge and saw some of the old British bikes falling by the wayside, maybe over-heating.  But it was all well-intentioned, all done in good humour and the crowds were there to appreciate it.

Some of us stayed the course and others, including me, took an opportunity of an early exit to head for Knutsford Honda, our “home” dealership, just a few miles up the road.  There we had a friendly welcome and a brew – and I even took the opportunity of a short test ride on Honda’s new VFR1200.  Quite a bike it is too.

Next weekend after our Club’s monthly meeting we’re going to Lancashire Constabulary’s Ride Safe Back Safe Event on Blackpool’s Main Car Park.  And the weekend after that we’re with Knutsford Honda again at Northwich’s Thundersprint.  They are the Event’s Main Sponsor and at their request we’re filling their prime -position display area with Goldwings.  HondaUK’s big Exhibition Roof Unit, which we had at the 2008 GoldWing Light Parade, will be there to provide a privileged view of the Sprint Track.  Hopefully our sister club, GoldWings North Wales, will be involved in that one too.

I had the good fortune to enjoyed 200 miles of biking roads in the North Pennines and Lakes on a nice sunny day out during last week now that I’m retired and this was by no means the first of the year.  And yesterday was spent tinkering and polishing in the garage rather than battling the weekend traffic.  This was a very a  pleasant way to spend a Sunday.  I’m pleased to say that the 2010 Biking Season is  well under way.

Crezz holding his Route Map

An active Member of GoldWings North West, Adrian Cresswell, known as Crezz (soon to Iron Butt Crezz) will be leading a team from GoldWings North West to take part in the second RBLR 1000 mile endurance ride in support of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

In October 2008, the Royal British Legion Riders Branch (RBLR) came up with the idea of breaking the world record for the largest number of riders completing a 1000 miles ride in less than 24 hours, all starting and finishing at the same place.  The RBLR1000 was born and it’s being repeated this year!

The inaugural Event started from Squires Cafe, near Leeds, in June 2009. The 1000 mile ride was done using one of two routes, a Northern Route into Scotland or a Southern Route taking in the West Country. There were 162 riders and 9 pillions who completed the ride, which would have smashed the world record if the Americans hadn’t pipped them to the post.  However the Event did break both the European and UK records and so far has raised over £33,000 for the Poppy Appeal.

This year there is the same gruelling requirement to complete 1,000 miles in less than 24 hours using either a Northern or Southern circular route starting and finishing at Squires Cafe, the popular biker’s meeting place, just north east of Leeds in Yorkshire, which will get you an Iron Butt Certificate as well as the opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause.  Riders are encouraged to raise sponsorship from their friends as well as registering themselves.

Crezz's 1000 mile Route

Endurance riding of this kind has become popular in UK  in recent years, following a style pioneered in the States.  There is now an Iron Butt Association in UK and riding the RBLR1000 will qualify you for one of their Certificates.

GoldWings which have been properly serviced can easily cope with a challenge of this sort, even the older ones, but can the riders?

Riding in company helps and there is plenty of advice on the RBLR1000 Website, which includes a Forum, about how plan your ride and keep going.  The Event is timed for the longest day of the year and therefore also the shortest period of darkness, but even so riding safely through the unavoidable 6 hours or so of darkness you will encounter is said to be one of the more difficult aspects – and planning your start time to avoid riding on roads where you might encounter deer wandering into your path is also part of the challenge.  Crezz is planning to take one of the Northern Routes, which takes you up to John O’Groats and back.

This Event is not for the feint-hearted and nor for those with tender nether regions – at least unless they have the luxury of a GoldWing to do it on.  This is therefore an opportunity for Wingers to extract real envy from riders of mere sports bikes.   Be charitable Wingers, give the sports bike jockeys a nice wave as you ride on by while they stand at the roadside, rubbing frantically to get the circulation back into their buttocks.

Have you got what it takes?  Would you like to ride this challenge or support it by sponsoring Crezz or his team?  Either way Crezz would be delighted to hear from any Winger who would like to ride along or offer sponsorship and you can ring him on 07874 222 352.

This is an annual event which raises money for local children, children’s charities and donates Easter eggs to hospitalised children.

Traditionally it takes place on the Sunday immediately preceding Easter and so it again for 2010.

Several thousand participants are expected to take part in the Event.  It’s usually very well organised with lots of Stewards and Marshals – and the Organisers would be delighted to hear from any Winger who is willing to help.

Riders from GoldWings North Wales will be attending, so visit their Club Website for the rendezvous if you would like to meet up and ride with them

Picture from the BBC News Website - click on the image for an enlargement

An estimated 15,000 bikers and passengers turned out to honour the people of Wootton Bassett yesterday, saying thank you for their efforts to honour the Fallen of our Armed Forces as they are repatriated.

A detailed report with a video and lots of pictures can be viewed on the  BBC News Website.

The idea of this ride was being kicked around a local bike club of which 18 year old Elizabeth Stevens was a Member and it took off spectacularly when she decided to put it on Facebook.

The bikers gathered at Hullavington Airfield and were organised into groups leaving at intervals throughout the day to ride through Wootton Bassett.

The charity Afghan Heroes became involved, the Town’s Mayor was supportive and so were Wiltshire Police, who did their bit to make the Event happen safely.

Well done all concerned; this was a splendid example of what bikers can do to contribute positively to our Society.