LEOMINSTER CLASSIC MOTOR CYCLE CLUB NEWSLETTER Website: www.lcmcc.uk Email: [email protected]

April 2018

Eddy...and others..go to Sammy Millers Museum

This meant a 5 o clock get up for me, followed by picking up my son Doug from Knighton, arriving at the pick up point around 7.15 after several miles of thick mist. Ron and Chris soon followed, then others. We boarded a luxury coach and did a circuit of Hereford for various pickups. The trip down was quite uneventful, even the sun came out, until we reached the New Forest. Ten miles of narrow lanes in a giant coach saw us eventually arrive at the museum. Here we split up to peruse the exotic motorcycles most of which you do not see at normal bike events except for a MK 1V Douglas which was a year younger than mine which I use as a winter hack. The racing bikes were topped by the magnificent Moto Guzzi V8.

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Later in the day Sammy Miller took us into the workshop giving us an informal talk on the restoration of his bikes. Somehow this turned into a discussion between Sammy and Chris Moore on the size of nipples!! Circumnavigating miles of lanes again saw us on the motorway being treated to torrential rain, thunder and lightning before arriving back in Hereford around 8 o clock. Altogether it was an excellent day, just a pity that more members did not take up this opportunity after all the hard work Steve Hackett had put into organising it. Eddy Whittingham (photos Steve Hackett)

FROM THE EASY CHAIR Funds are currently £3,010 in the Skipton BS and £1,786 in the TSB current a/c. Membership has risen to 158. With renewals pretty much now stalled, it was agreed to run the one-off £10 offer to new members at the Ancient to Modern Show in May. There were 34 members from last year who had chosen not to renew (compared to 46 the previous year); all had been sent reminders. March Club Night hosted Clive Edwards and Sue Price from Heartstart, one of our smaller nominated charities this year. They provided an informative and interesting glimpse at the service they provide and several members expressed an interest in attending a two- hour course on how to kick-start an old bloke using a defibrillator. Let us know if you would like the Club to set something up – it may save someone’s life! Sadly, we have heard nothing back from the Speed Festival committee about our attendance there on 8th April so we have reluctantly decided to drop any thoughts of an organised ride up the hill or to have a stand there. I do hope the event goes ahead OK but wonder how successful it will be given the rather poor advance notification. Not only did we visit the Sammy Miller Museum but he gave us a tour of the workshop and treated us to some choice anecdotes and insights into current work in progress. I even got to shake his hand – a great day out. Read Ed’s article elsewhere in the newsletter. The Triumph factory experience was suggested as another future visit; if you would like to organise this then please get in touch. Two of my Nifty Fifty runs have been snowed off this year, and Wistanstow Show was cancelled because rain and mud rendered the parking impossible. Let’s hope spring is truly on the way now along with some good riding weather. Steve Hackett

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MAG (MOTORCYCLE ACTION GROUP) UPDATE

Three new HGV ‘supercabs’ are to take to the roads as part of a unique initiative to tackle dangerous driving on ’s motorways and major A roads. Highways England has announced plans to fund three new unmarked HGV cabs after a single one used by police forces across the country was used to help catch over 4,000 dangerous drivers in its first two years. The three new cabs will patrol motorways and main trunk roads, and have been fitted with wide-angle cameras to capture unsafe driving behaviour. They also have a derestricted speed limiter which means they can travel at speeds up to the national speed limit, and flashing lights have been installed for use by police forces in an emergency. The cabs allow police officers to film evidence of unsafe driving behaviour by pulling up alongside vehicles. Drivers are then pulled over by police cars following behind. Richard Leonard, Highways England’s Head of Road Safety, said: “Highways England has been funding a single cab for the past couple of years and we’ve been impressed with the impact it’s had on improving safety. Over 4,000 dangerous drivers have been pulled over, with police action ranging from verbal warnings to prosecutions. We’ve found that the vast majority of drivers are sensible behind the wheel but a few have got into bad habits, or are simply ignoring the law and putting themselves and others at risk. We’ve therefore decided to fund two extra unmarked HGV cabs to continue to target dangerous driving on England’s motorways and major A roads, improving safety for everyone”. In total, 28 police forces have taken part in the HGV cab safety initiative since it began in April 2015, pulling over 4,176 drivers in relation to 5,039 offences in its first two years. Nearly two thirds of the drivers who were stopped were illegally using a mobile phone while driving, despite the latest statistics showing that mobile phone use is a factor in an average of two deaths on the roads every month. Offences have included a driver being pulled over by Devon and Cornwall Police who was found to have sent 10 replies to 10 texts within one hour; a driver in Surrey who was seen trying to put toothpaste on a toothbrush; and a driver in the East Midlands who was spotted steering with his knees while he ate his lunch and used his mobile phone. The three new unmarked HGV cabs are being supplied as part of a three-year contract with Dawson Rentals, which will also be responsible for maintaining the vehicles. Khan’s bike tax will charge poorest workers £12.50 a day for ‘privilege of emptying his bin’ MAG has challenged Mayor, Sadiq Khan, to justify some of the biggest transport contradictions in London’s history – following what they feel is a discriminatory plan to charge motorcyclists for using the eco-friendly option of powered two wheelers (PTWs).London’s Regional Rep, Tim Fawthrop, called Khan’s comments about motorcycles in a letter to Conservative MP (now Minister) Kelly Tolhurst “extraordinary and discriminatory.‟ Tim says ,in his reply to Ms Tolhurst, Mayor Khan states that charging users of older bikes £12.50 a day will – and I’m quoting his words directly here – deter the use of older vehicles, including those with highly polluting twostroke engines. Doesn’t he realise that these bikes often do more than 120 miles per gallon, and produce far fewer emissions than many exempt vehicles? He doesn’t offer a single data source for his claims yet the poorest workers in London who depend on older motorcycles to get to, say, City Hall to clean his office, and whose commute currently costs about £1.20 a day, will pay an extra £12.50 every day to him and his authority – for the privilege of emptying his bin. That’s not just wrong, it’s disgusting. So, I’ve got three questions for him: 1 Why are riders of older, small-capacity bikes being charged when other forms of transport, e.g. taxis, which produce considerably higher emissions with a single occupant, aren’t? We’re not asking for taxis to be charged – only for a level playing field.

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2 Why does the Mayor want to force riders onto a public transport system that will expose them to up to eight times more particulate matter, according to publicly available research, than using private transport such as a motorbike, when the whole purpose of the change is meant to be environmental and health related? 3 Will Khan compensate the thousands of low-paid workers using small, older motorbikes because it’s all they can afford, and what scheme will he be setting up to pay the difference in cost between cheap, older bikes and expensive public transport? If he can’t answer these questions satisfactorily, he’ll be proving that this tax on older bikes is discriminatory and a social injustice that could seal his political fate at the next Mayoral election. MAG is asking all riders to contact the Mayor and ask these three questions.

Sue (Editor: [email protected]) BIGFOOTS MUSINGS ON ALL SORTS

Februarys winter meet was a right good do with 18 of us decended on The 3 Horseshoes,Little Cowarne. Good food, service and company on a very sunny but cold day. We had 3 wheelers and 1 solo turn up and we all got home before the beast from the east got us.

It’s been a long time since we’ve had weather like we’ve just seen. I can remember heading for North Wales one Easter in early April and going over the mountain road from Dylife to Machynlleth. At the highest point, I went through a snow drift up to the side windows of my 4 x 4. When I came home on the Monday it had all gone. That was a few years back.

While the dreaded stuff was falling I was perusing the Hereford Times and saw that Micky Double of Hereford Rebore has passed away at 81. I’m sure a lot of us spent time at his workshops getting various bikes rebored. I also saw that after 50 years of trading in Hereford Bob Gallier is selling up. I can remember him racing a Triumph grass outfit in the 60’s/70’s and using an Ariel VB and Drift to collect and deliver bikes. Another little bit of history gone from Hereford.

March Club night was interesting, a talk by Hereford Heartstart with one of the presenters being ex member Sue Price. They have to raise their own funds to pay for the kit they need, approx £25,000 per year. It seams very odd to me that organisations like this and RNLI, Air Ambulance, Hospices etc have to raise millions each year. Well, hopefully we have seen the last of the white stuff and April will see the car park full of bikes.

I spent the 1st trip of the year to the van in Snowdonia cleaning off the winter coat of green although I must admit it did blend in well with the background. Well it’s back to white now and I even managed a walk on Anglesey but by heck it was very soggey under foot on the field paths, if you stand still for long you get your own moat.

March 14th and on a fine day Dave P and myself formed a 3 wheel convoy delivering posters for Whithington Show. A very nice day, saw a 30’s Morgan V Twin in Lucas’s workshop, met Sue our editor, drank hot chocolate and managed to miss 90% of the potholes. Be careful out there, some nasty holes about 6” to a foor deep.

Well, another weekend spoiled through the mini beast, another 3” of snow in the yard. Hopefully this really is the end of a winter that seams to have gone on and on. Lets hope we can now start clocking up the miles.

Ride safe,

Bigfoot

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Review: Ted Simon: Rolling Through The Isles

There are some intriguing questions in life: How many bikes to own at any given time? How many beans make five? What’s the optimum ratio of material to holes in a teenager’s jeans? These are just some of the big ideas I have struggled with over the years and I was rather pleased to discover that Ted Simon has been equally perplexed, if not by these specific questions, by others equally quirky or important. There can’t be many bikers who have yet to read of Ted’s exploits in Jupiter’s Travels, his million-selling book detailing his Triumph over the world. So, if like me your travelling is done vicariously from the armchair while the likes of Charlie and Ewan, Sam Manicom, Steph Jeavons et al take the risks, you will no doubt be keen to see what he finds out about England when he revisits old haunts from his childhood and youth. Where Jupiter’s Travels often detailed how delays and corrupt officials were commonly experienced, they were generally outweighed by the unexpected kindness of strangers. His second book, Dreaming of Jupiter, saw a much more cynical Ted, perhaps because he was now older and wiser yet also a little naive to expect to be able to rediscover the same people, places and values when he attempted to recreate his earlier epic journey; so, I was intrigued to see how his views on good old Blighty would unfold. Like many bikers of advancing years he decided that he had fallen off too many bikes and broken multiple bones too often so opted for a three-wheel scooter for this outing. “From time to time it occurred to me to experiment with the bike and see what it could do, […] I found myself in a queue of traffic on a downhill stretch, having to edge along slowly. I thought, since it will stand up on its three-wheels when they’re locked, why not just switch off the motor and let it roll down the hill under gravity? I found out why not. To my surprise, it rolled off sharply to the left and, before I could do anything about it, fell over.” No broken bones just hurt pride, this time but clearly still out for adventure! An enjoyable journey discovering the benefits of satellite navigation – when you turn off motorways and switch on ‘interesting route’; fail to find the centre of Milton Keynes – does it exist? – and on many occasions find yourself agreeing with his assessment of how the world works now compared to how you thought it did in the past. Did I find the answers to my big questions? Well, there’s no correct answer to how many bikes to have, the whimsical bean count doesn’t really matter and, I suspect I too will be having a slash in my trousers before much longer. Steve Hackett

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Winter Meet

Good turnout at the Three Horseshoes, Little Cowerne, today. 18 members enjoying a drink or a Sunday carvery. Sorry I couldn't get them all in the picture.

Alan Spencer

Mid-Week Meet (photo Steve Hackett)

The New Strand, Eardisley

NEWS BITS

Hereford Council inspecting potholes. Apparently “they’re not bad enough yet.... to do anything about them” ! (supplied by Frank Edgar) The March raffle made £34. Thanks to all those who donated prizes: Phil Ball, John Peters, Steve Hackett, Steve Keith, John Wilshaw, Barbara Baber and Andy Williams. Thanks also to raffle babe, Barbara Baber.

The Club welcomes new members: Chris and Debbie Ingram from Kingstone and Robert Williams from Leigh, Worcester. Last months competition winner was Andy Williams

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FOR SALE

Honda CB 500 1994 watercooled twin, one of their best bikes, ideal tourer with same power as Vincent Shadow ready to go MOT to Oct18 £950 Contact Peter Tustin (Malvern) Phone: 07903166239 for more information. 400cc Burgman, Year 2001 miles 28692, £950 OVNO, Brian Ruck, 07843 737377

MEMBERS SERVICES

John Baber: Car components, service equipment, motorcycle batteries and car number plates discounted to club members. 07798 573337 or 01981 250004 Ian & Richard Logan: welding services 01886 888419. Lynda Wilshaw Classic Cakes. Homemade cakes baked for any occasion. Phone 01432 760540

RECOMMENDED BY MEMBERS:

Eric Rees Motorcycles: (Run by Ray Griffiths) Discount MOTs for club members: General repairs & servicing on all bikes. Agent for Helite AirBag jackets. Phone 01432 266164. Andy Morgan is offering a 20% discount for members off his website prices for vapour blasting at ATM Vapour Blasting. Contact him at 07989 448418. He also has an ultrasonic cleaning tank. – recommended by Ken Griffiths Clothing alterations, repairs & tailoring (including) leather: Sew Bright 01432 352622 (Highly recommended by many members) Drive chain oiler. Tutoro, Lydney 01594 841097 (recommended by Bigfoot) Sheepskin seat covers, canvas bags, sheepskin slippers and boots (Local supplier) web site: http://www.yurtmatters.co.uk Email: [email protected] Tel 07952 99832 or 01981 510271 (made comfy sheepskin seat cover for Bigfoots Ariel) Not strictly a recommendation but LCMCC club members are eligible for 10% discount on items purchased online at the Green Spark Plug Company. Enter the discount code CLUBMEM10 in the coupon code area of the checkout. website: http://www.gsparkplug.com/more detail here: http://lcmcc.uk/blog/2016/02/12/members-discount-at-green-spark-plug-company/ www.aidansweeney.co.uk/ . AidanSweeney, Traditional Gents Outfitters, 7-8 The Market Arcade Brecon Powys LD3 9DA - For anyone like me whose waistline has disappeared and finds it necessary to wear braces: It can be difficult finding a pair with decent clips that don't let go with a twang at critical moments, without resorting to the industrial type with crocodile clips. I can recommend these, not cheap but I have wasted (waisted) loads on supposed quality braces with inferior clips and Aidan is a smashing bloke to deal with. – Brian Johnson

Motorcycle leathers repaired, altered, patched and stitched. All leatherwork considered. Traditional quality shoe & boot repairs. Cobblers Cabin, Chepstow 01291 628528 – Sue Moore

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OJR Motorcycle Service/Repairs Richard Powell, Outfall Road, Hereford, HR1 1XY. 07391 697166 email [email protected] – Bigfoot

Ross on Wye PC Repair, services range from Virus Removal, Hardware Upgrading, Memory Upgrading, Screen Replacements on Laptops and Notebooks, Hard Drive Upgrades, Anti-Virus Upgrades, Performance Tweaking, all covered under a No-Fix-No-Fee Policy(or if fault re occurs within 5 days), with No Inspection Fees. You pay only for the completed work and for any replacement parts. Luke Sutton Tel: 07973 993 049 Email: [email protected] – Sue Moore

CLUB SHOP

Club shirts & other clothes etc.: Clubsport have set up an online shopping facility for us: www.clubsport.co.uk/index.php/clubshops/category/85--classic-motorcycle-club Or you can order at any of their shops: Leominster (South Street), Hereford (All Saints Court), (Bye Street), Ludlow (Old Street), Newtown (Broad Street), Ross on Wye (High Street) and Kington (Church Street). Please note: The design for the club logo is held at the Clubsport base in Kington but any branch’s staff can find it amongst the local sports clubs listed on their in-house computer system. Badges, Stickers etc: Enamel lapel badges £1.00, Club stickers (small £1 large £1.50) all available from Bob Dean at club nights

Disclaimer: The Leominster Classic Motorcycle Club and committee cannot accept liability or be held responsible for any loss, accident, injury, death or loss of claims due to tips or suggestions given in this newsletter. The articles in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or club committee.

Note: Any information that Leominster Classic Motorcycle Club holds remains confidential. Your personal data is stored on digital media in accordance with the provisions and requirements of the Data Protection Act of 1988 and will only be used to contact you on club matters.

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MID-WEEK MEET – 18th April

Venue: The Cob House Fisheries, WR6 6YE Meet from 12.00 noon for lunch or just a drink and a natter

Nifty Fifty Run Details – 22nd April

Start: 9.30am Holmer Road Service Station, Hereford End: Flag & Whistle, Toddington Distance: approx 50 miles Organiser: Steve Hackett 01432 272244 or 07731 509 995 on day

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2018

All Club events (including runs) should be organized through the Events Coordinator Sue Moore email [email protected] ,TEXT ONLY on 07857 250023 or PM through Facebook

(Events in italics are non-club events and advisory only, details should be checked)

APRIL 1st/2nd Red Marley

Wed 4th Club Night-speaker from Animal Assistance

Sun 8th Bromyard Speed Festival

Sun 8th Malvern Festival of Transport

Wed 11th Committee Meeting

14th/15th Prescott Festival of Bikes

Wed 18th Mid-Week Meet – Cobb House

Sun 22nd Nifty Fifty Run to Flag & Whistle, Toddington

Sun 22nd Bike4Life rideout

MAY JUNE

Wed 2nd Club Night Wed 6th Club Night Sat 5th H J Pugh, Ledbury Sales Sun 10th Aberdyfi Run

Sun 6th Ancient to Modern Wed 13th Committee Meeting

Wed 9th Committee Meeting Sun 17th Banbury Run

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Wed 16th Mid-week Meet, Flag & Whistle, Mon 18th National Ride to Work Week Toddington

Sun 20th Nifty Fifty – Old Station, New Wed 20th Mid-week Meet, Steel Horse Café Radnor

Sun 24th Nifty Fifty Run to Daniels Mill, Bridgnorth Sun 24th Herefordshire on the Edge

JULY AUGUST

Wed 4th Open Night & Hog Roast Wed 1st Club Night

Sun 8th George Vaughan run Sun 5th Weston-Super-Mare Run

Wed 11th Committee Meeting Wed 8th Committee Meeting Wed 18th Mid-week Meet, Owls Nest 11th/12th Tortworth Vintage Rally, Wickwar,Glos Llandovery (details www.shakespearesrally.com)

Sun 22nd Nifty Fifty Run to Maltings, Clun Wed 15th Mid-week Meet, Tally Ho Inn

Sun 29th Stratford on Avon Mechanical Sun 19th Nifty Fifty Run to Lucksall Hereford Design Museum Run

(Longer term outlook can be found on the website)

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