The following was sent to me as a Comment on an earlier Article but I think it deserves special attention:

Hi Guys,

I thought you would be interested to know that I had a rude awakening on Thursday morning.  Police banging on my doors and windows, when I opened the door I was arrested and taken to Longsight Police station where I spent hours locked up in a cell and then charged with impersonating a Police Officer.

It was an awful experiance and it may still lose me my bike, all this because I led the Toy run on my well known ex-police bike.

That’s it, I have had enough of charity work, that Toy Run has cost me over £500 in various forms….

I am convinced the police have a different agenda and I just cannot afford the luxury of helping others as leader for all these charity runs, the police have no continuity they want me to help when it suites them and arrest me when it doesn’t, I will miss all the runs but i feel bullied and victimised but thank you all for your support.

Peter

GoldWings gather for the Annual Toy Run into Manchester

Being grounded still, I was unable to attend last Saturday’s Toy Run in person, but there was a decent turn out of GoldWings, among many, many other bikes.

And it was by all accounts a successful event, in spite of withdrawal of Police assistance and some messing about of the organisers about the route they would be allowed to use.

There is a write up of the Event on Dave Turvey’s Blog and there are some interesting comments about the unhelpfulness of the Police on the GoldWings North West Website.

It would appear that despite three Police cars and two bikes being available to spend two hours accepting Salvation Army hospitality before the run started, Police assistance for this annual Charity Event had already been refused this year on the grounds of insufficient resources.  Police were nevertheless on hand as the Parade started to stop and book the lead bike for looking a bit too much like the real thing for their taste.

There is an unfortunate pattern developing of Police Forces in various parts of the Country being unhelpful to biking charity events during this past year and it might be spreading.  The problems we had at this year’s Blackpool Light Parade were due to a Police error of communication and should not recur next year – and they did not (despite misinformation to the contrary) result in any prosecutions.  Nevertheless it did disrupt our Parade unnecessarily and we could have done without it.

There was a mass “re-occupation” of North Wales by bikers this year in protest at what has been pretty blatant picking-on of bikers for nit-picking routine stops to discourage then from riding in that area.  MCN are currently running another campaign for nominations for a Police Plonker of the Year Award.  Bikers can if necessary organise themselves very effectively to protest.

Hopefully someone somewhere at a senior level in Greater Manchester Police will realise that a charity run of this sort, organised well and run safely at a moderate speed is something the Police should be supporting as best they can rather than disrupting it to prosecute a minor technical Construction & Use offence which, in the circumstances, had road safety value rather than presenting any significant risk or nuisance to anyone.

Thousands of bikers honour the Fallen

CLICK ON ANY IMAGE FOR AN ENLARGEMENT

The day dawned dark, damp, misty and unfamiliarly early as the alarm clock jangled me from my sleep and catapulted me into Saturday morning, 6:00am.  The weather forecast was hastily checked, sandwiches and flasks assembled, and by 07:00, we were on our way down to Knutsford Services in order to meet the other hardy souls attending RTTW 2009.

For those who may not have heard of the event, and to be honest, it was only just over a week earlier (thanks to a chance encounter at Southport Air Show), that Goldwings North West learned of what was to be a wholly worthwhile and moving occasion, here’s the lowdown.

RTTW or Ride To The Wall, was created last year by Martin Dickinson and his team of volunteers.  The idea behind the event was to give motorcyclists the opportunity to publicly remember those friends and family serving in the Armed Forces who had sadly lost their lives, and to show their solidarity and support for those currently serving in conflicts at present. As they put it: Our vision: ‘To remember those that can no longer ride by our side’.

To do this, they arranged a run from Tamworth Services to the National Memorial Arboretum. continues………

Stunt Riding Display at the 2009 BLP

The Eighth Annual Blackpool Illuminations GoldWing Light Parade will run on Saturday September 4th 2010 as part of a residential weekend of biking and social activities.

The Organisers are actively seeking a new residential venue following the closure of Pontin’s Blackpool Holiday Centre – but if there is one thing Blackpool’s not short of it’s visitor accommodation, so there will be plenty of options.

We will be looking for somewhere big enough for everyone to stay in,  secure parking for the bikes and entertainment facilities.  An announcement will be made as soon as practicable.

Two potentially suitable alternative venues have already been identified and we are already  in negotiations with the proprietors. There is also a possibility that the former Pontin’s Site at Squires Gate may reopen for the 2010 Season under a new banner, so we may end up being spoiled for choice.  Anyway there is no doubt that a suitable venue can be arranged and the 2010 Event will certainly be going ahead.

As already reported, our difficulties with the Police for the 2009 Parade have been resolved and indeed useful experience was gained of an alternative and, as it turned out, better approach to running the Parade.  By starting off just before dusk and riding one way along the Prom in twilight before turning back on ourselves to ride back in darkness we ended up with a longer and in many ways better ride.

The crowds turned out to watch us in droves and by mustering within Pontin’s we had none of the difficulties of previous years with crowds swarming all over the mustering area. Apart from the parade getting fragmented (because Police deliberately broke the Parade up, which won’t happen again) the 2009 Parade worked very well.  Many people commented that the buzz from the spectating crowds was something special this time, so the basic idea of riding the Prom in both directions and starting earlier is clearly worth repeating.

The Organising Team is being strengthened this year too and it’s already well on with the job of making next year’s Event even better.  Members of the Central Florida Drill Team are keen to come back next year so we’re working on that and a number of new features too.

So book your time off work for the weekend of  September 3rd to 6th 2010, it’s going to be a great weekend!

As an Event Organiser it often seems like one step forward, like sorting the Parade arrangements for next year with the Police, is followed by two steps back when some other problem crops up.  So the news that Pontin’s are closing their Blackpool Holiday Park in a few weeks time is not exactly welcome.

It seems the Site was leased (from the previous owner of Pontin’s, who also owns other Blackpool attractions like the Tower and Piers) and Pontin’s have not renewed it.  Presumably because it couldn’t pay its way.

It remains to be seen whether the site will live on under another badge or not, we’ll have to wait and see. The Owner of the Site is said to have a track record of resurrecting failing pleasure businesses, so assuming Pontin’s have closed it because it was not doing well enough, he might be precisely the guy to give it another lease of life. I thought the buildings looked in pretty good condition this year, so we can live in hope.

One thing is for sure, the Blackpool Illuminations GoldWing Light Parade will run again next year, even if we do have to find a new accommodation venue. Where there’s a will there’s a way – so book your time off work, it’s going to be another Great Weekend next September 3rd-6th, wherever it’s based.

In response to an email I sent yesterday I had a phone call from an Inspector of Blackpool Police this evening, explaining that there had been a communication error at their end.  The Traffic Officers who stopped GoldWings at Squires Gate traffic lights had not been briefed to assist us through that junction on Saturday evening as planned.

I am completely satisfied that the problem we had will not happen again next year.  The Inspector and I will be getting together as soon as I get back off holiday to start working together to ensure it doesn’t.

We have already had a brief discussion about opportunities for improved arrangements for next year, building on what we ourselves learned this year, for example about the value of starting from Pontin’s as well as finishing there.

I am pleased to say that the issue we had with Blackpool Police about this years Parade has been resolved and we can look forward to a good working relationship with them next year.

As I write this, early on Monday morning at Pontin’s, the sun is shining and Wingers are starting to move around, getting themselves and their Wings ready for the homeward journey before breakfast. It’s a lovely, quiet and peaceful morning and a nice way to finish off a great weekend.

The final Ride Out of the Weekend, calling on our Event Sponsors Knutsford Honda

Our last Ride Out of the Weekend will be setting off after breakfast and offers a coffee stop at Knutsford Honda, our Event Sponsor’s Dealership Site on the A50 near Lymm, where Sean and his Team will already have unloaded their van full of accessories and set them up in their new home – an upstairs Showroom extension built specially for them.  (They are continuing their 20% special discount for a few more weeks so don’t miss it!)

This year’s Light Parade was well attended in spite of UK’s economic gloom (over 150 bikes left Pontin’s to ride the Illuminations) there was a great atmosphere.  The Parade itself was run differently this year, partly continues………

Eric & Bridget, Owners of Knutsford Honda, have bought Pricedright too

Pricedright Ltd, which started only a couple of years ago but has become the UK’s premier mail order GoldWing Accessory business offering keen prices, stock  on the shelves all the time and a rapid dispatching service.  Now it has been bought by Knutsford Honda.

This is part of their strategy to become a full service GoldWing Specialist Official Honda Dealer.  They are based on the A50 just East of M6 Junction 20 at the site of the former GoldWings International.  The Showrooms have been extensively refurbished so it’s not just a case of GoldWings International being re-born, Knutsford Honda are taking things to a whole new level.

Pricedright’s extensive stock is to be transferred to the Knutsford Showroom as soon as practicable and specially converted accommodation is being built to house an expanded Clothing and Accessory Department.

The new Department will be completed and stocked up fairly soon but Knutsford Honda will also be taking a big chunk of their accessory stock to the Blackpool Light Parade (coming soon, it’s only the weekend after next) and so for the opening offers which there are sure to be, Blackpool is the place to go.

Sean Davis and his Team will be on site at Pontin’s from Friday lunchtime (September 4th) and over the weekend.  They are also bringing along their Chief Techician Paul, who will assist with fitting lighting and accessories on request.

Indoor accommodation is available at Pontin’s for fitting accessories and lights to your bike, so this opportunity to buy stuff at special offer prices and then fit it or have it fitted is going to be very useful.

If you wish to pre-order any accessories and maybe claim your place at the head of Paul’s queue for fitting at Pontin’s, ring Knutsford Honda on 01925 752600.

You can still place internet order using Pricedright’s website.  Knutsford Honda plan to continue the Premier Dealer status which Pricedright have enjoyed with Big Bike Parts and Add On, so they should be very competitive.  They will also be continuing to stock Pricedright’s range of heated clothing and Draggin jeans etc.

So save your pennies  – this year’s real GoldWing bargains are going to be at the Blackpool Light Parade!

Could this be the secret destination?

The Appy Wanderers Duo, Barry and Dave are planning a Treasure Hunt around the Yorkshire Dales for Sunday the 20th of September, ending up (if you solve all the clues) with a barbeque at or near a Dales Pub.

Barry would like to know if there will be sufficient interest to go ahead with it.

It’s not going to be difficult, so don’t worry, and I suspect that if you get lost and get too hungry to bother with any more treasure hunting, Barry will have a cunning plan to help you find the barbeque anyway.

You will be given locations to get to (so bring a decent map of the Dales) and when you reach them you will collect a clue.  When you have collected all the clues, you will continues………

Gary's visitor at Tram Sunday

CLICK ON ANY PHOTO FOR A FULL SIZE VIEW.

It was an uncertain weather prospect as GoldWings North West met at 8.30am just outside Fleetwood to ride in together to display our bikes as part of the Town’s annual Tram Sunday.  The skies were very showery-looking indeed and it wasn’t all that warm.  Our thoughts were of coffee and bacon butties and where we could get them, or at least mine were.

As I rode into Fleetwood with the last four bikes, along three quaters of a mile of closed-off main street, it was a slightly spooky experience.  There were people putting up stalls and stands here and there but they were still thin on the ground.  It was a quiet Sunday morning but with only early arrivals among the other display vehicles in position, parked against the kerb.  It was like a flashback to how the street might have looked early on a Sunday morning forty or continues………