The BMW Club Journal March 2013 £2.50
2 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 The Journal CONTENTS March 2013 The Official BMW Club within Regular/Occasional items the UK and Republic of Ireland From The Editor’s Desk ...... 4 www.thebmwclub.org.uk General Enquiries: 0800 0854045 Club Officers ...... 6 FREEPOST: THE BMW CLUB The BMW Club is the Trading name of The B.M.W. Motorcycle Club Ltd; Registered in England; Registration Number 4261129 President’s Platform ...... 7 whose Registered Office: c/o Veitch Penny LLP 1, Manor Court Dix’s Field Exeter Devon England EX1 1UP Torque Reaction ...... 9 All Rights Reserved Star Letter ...... 15 For problems regarding distribution of The Journal, please contact your Section Secretary. Should there still be a problem then contact the National Membership Secretary whose contact Mutual Aid (Club member ads) . . . . . 75 details are listed on page 6. The Editor reserves the right to alter/amend any item or image submitted to The Journal. Such amendments will usually only be Small Business Advertisments . . . . . 79 to make an item more readable or easier to understand. Submission of items/images will be taken as acceptance of this condition. .53 We (The BMW Club) are the owner or licensee of all Intellectual The BMW Club - Out and About Property rights in this publication. You may not copy or distribute its contents without the express written permission of ourselves Articles/Features or the original author. The Oirschot & Omstreken International BMW EDITORIAL TEAM Motor Weekend ...... 21 Correspondence on any Journal matter not covered by the officers listed below should be sent A Bee-Line through Paris ...... 23 to the Editor who will forward it as appropriate. For general Club administration and membership matters please see the list of Club officers on Page 6. Obituary ...... 27 Editor: Stewart Lowthian, 29 Wagg Street, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 4BA. Touring - The Second Time Around . . . .29 01260 279 126 [email protected] Features/Articles: Peter Wright. Why Would I Want to Fit an Intercom? . . 45 [email protected] DISCLAIMER Torque Reaction: Paul Nadin, 49 Berkshire Drive, The BMW Club Journal accepts for publication articles and letters written in good faith; however, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1SB. 01260 279 443 the views expressed in articles and letters which are published are not necessarily those of the [email protected] Editor of The Journal or those of The BMW Club or its officers or members. The information, including advice and suggested modifications published in the The BMW Mutual Aid: Maurice Weldon, 21 Lawnwood Drive, Club Journal has not been approved, tested or otherwise checked by The BMW Club Journal Goldthorpe, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S63 9GD or The BMW Club. Before acting on information, advice or suggested modifications published 07752 904 334 [email protected] in The BMW Club Journal you should always obtain technical advice, and if appropriate have a professional motorcycle engineer carry out the work for you. Commercial Display Advertisements: Jim Bruce, The BMW Club Journal and The BMW Club cannot accept liability for any loss, damage or The Firs, Bayview Crescent, Broadford, Isle of claims occurring as a result of any modifications or work or other action carried out on the Skye IV49 9DB 01471 820 408 advice or based on the suggestions given in any article or letter published in The BMW Club [email protected] Journal and (save for death or personal injury arising from The BMW Club Journal’s negligence) all such liability is hereby excluded. Small Business Advertisements: Charles Knight, The BMW Club Journal is published for and on behalf of The B.M.W. Motorcycle Club Ltd. 4 Homelands, New Road, Porchfield, Isle of Wight, The BMW Motorcycle Club Ltd, The BMW Club Journal, it’s Editor and Officers accept PO30 4LS ,01983 520 847 no liability in respect of loss or damage occasioned directly or indirectly as a result of the 07521 695 992 [email protected] publication of any advertisement in The BMW Club Journal or Website. Section News: Steve Foreman 01536 722 048 [email protected] Diary of Events: Bob Barker. This month’s cover photo from Brian [email protected] Morgan taken at Cenarth Falls shows an Around The Compass: Bob Barker (see above). R1100 RT and a R100 GS PD shrugging Club/Section Display Ads: Piers Kurrein. off the weather. [email protected]
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 3 From The Editor’s Desk
The content of The Journal the Compass the best way to make use of the space available or will a quarter or half page in Everyone has their own opinion as to what colour encourage more members to take part? should, or sometimes should not, feature in The Journal. A commercial magazine Writing to The Journal publishes articles written to a specified word count by professional journalists, I’ve been thinking of writing this paragraph illustrated with photographs for some time now but an email designed before they’re taken. forwarded to me by Dick Boyd In contrast, The Journal uses from a non-renewing member articles submitted by members has convinced me that it’s time illustrated with photographs to get on with it. If you write to taken as souvenirs of an event. me (by post or email) then unless The inevitable consequence of it’s obvious from what you’ve this is that I, in common with written I assume that your my predecessors, print what’s letter is only for me. If you want been given to us rather than what we might your correspondence to be included in Torque dream of printing. This is actually a very good Reaction then please send it to Paul Nadin, thing as it goes a long way to ensuring at least whose addresses (postal and electronic) are on a reasonable balance of different types of page 3. The inclusion of members letters is, of content. Also in contrast with a commercial necessity, done independently of the Editor for magazine, we don’t have rigidly specified the simple reason that members are entitled spaces for the different components ofThe to debate editorial policy whether the Editor Journal. My newspaper, for some magical agrees with them or not. The email that Dick reason, always seems to print the same number forwarded to me referred to one sent directly of readers letters every day. The reality is that to me a year ago with no reference to it being the Letters Editor selects the most appropriate for publication. My correspondent disagreed and the rest never reach the pages. I can’t do strongly with me over part of the content of that, nor can I compel social secretaries to The Journal. My reply, which invited him to organise exactly the right number of events to use Torque Reaction as a place to debate the fill four pages of Diary of Events each month. issue and also asked for clarification of a term At the moment, the problem is that sections I’d never met before, went unanswered but are doing what a social organisation in good appeared to have offended the gentleman. I’m order should be doing:- organising events. open to discussion regarding all aspects of The The consequence of this is that there are lots Journal, by any convenient means, and will of advertisements for them. Whether this is a obviously be at the AGM where things can be good thing or not (I think it is) is a subject for discussed face to face, which in my experience members to discuss. Is a few lines in Around is infinitely preferable to exchanging emails. 4 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 Deadlines secretaries are emailing members to remind them as this incurs no cost. Even this has I’ve distant memories of TV programmes been difficult when members have changed featuring stereotypes of newspaper producers email addresses so, if you use email, please running around shouting “hold the front give your current address to your section page” and other similar clichés when secretary as it makes his or her life easier (and something important happened at the last cheaper) to contact you this way. We have at minute. To ensure domestic harmony at the time of writing 162 standing orders for Editorial Towers I take great pains to ensure £25 which should have been for £27 and 26 that The Journal is as far removed from that members whose banks have failed to cancel as possible. To achieve this I need to start each previous standing orders and maybe for other edition long before it’s due at the printers and reasons have paid twice. If you have renewed long before all the regular contributions, all of by standing order then please check your which are unpredictable in length, reach me. records to make sure that you’ve paid £27, not For the last three years I’ve managed to make £25 or £52 by paying twice (could be differing everything fit and look at least reasonable amounts with associates etc.). without problems but a recent exchange with someone who went to ridiculous lengths to A worthwhile suggestion tell me what I could omit to make space for his contribution, which he seemed to regard Martin Macrae suggested last month that as more important than everyone else’s, means technical articles could perhaps be available that from now on, anything reaching me after separately or on-line. This is no problem the cutoff date for Torque Reaction, which is with anything I’ve done, and with a little always printed on page 9, is entirely dependent work everything Martin did could be made on whether I have space for it. available but there appear to be no electronic copies of earlier Journals. Phil Hawkesley and HQ Section a band of volunteers have laboriously scanned earlier editions, which are available via the Dick Boyd is temporarily acting as website, but quite reasonably no-one is going HeadQuarters Section secretary. If your to turn paper into images when they should membership hasn’t been renewed correctly, already exist. or you know someone who’s in that position, Something that Martin introduced, which Dick’s contact details are on page 6. I continued because it was such an obviously good idea, was putting the current edition This year’s renewals of The Journal on the Forum in a members- only area to get round postal service problems. This year’s renewals have not gone smoothly, A significant number of Yorkshire section primarily because a great many members have members appear to have missed their January missed the sections on the renewal form Journals for this very reason. If your copy ever advising that the subscription has changed. fails to appear within a few days of the Forum As a result, membership secretaries are having copy appearing or other members receiving to contact people to advise them that they theirs then contact your section secretary, owe the club £2. The problem with this is firstly for a replacement copy and secondly so that posting a letter uses up a significant part he or she can keep track of delivery problems of the sum due so wherever possible, section so they can be looked into. The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 5 National Officers & Section Secretaries National and other officers Section Secretaries PRESIDENT: Dick Boyd, Stewart Place, South Road, East Anglia: Secretary Cliff Batley, 46 Newmans Garmouth, Morayshire IV32 7LX Road, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 1UA 01343 870 389 [email protected] 07966 015 607 [email protected] Secretary: Dave Cooper, Greensleeves, Exmouth Membership-Dik Langan 0845 003 6880 Road, Exton, Exeter. Devon EX3 0PQ [email protected] 01392 876 991 [email protected] Irish: Jim Sweeney, Fearna, Straleek, Celbridge, Treasurer: Jim Lepley, 7 Landale Gardens, Co Kildare. Tel: 087 2300736 [email protected] Burntisland, Fife KY3 9HN London: John Lynch, 166 Chaulden Lane, 01592 874 592 [email protected] Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP1 2BT 01442 267694/ NATIONAL Social Secretary: Mark Dutton, 13 07860 663092 [email protected] Greenfield Drive, Great Tey, Colchester, Essex CO6 1AA 01206 212 232 or 07703 179 062 Mercia: John Humpherson, 14 Highmoor Close, [email protected] Willenhall, West Midlands. WV12 5UU 01922 710 694 [email protected] National Membership Secretary: FREEPOST, The BMW Club, Glenthorne, Yeoford Road, Midland: John Winn,16 Ardington Road, Cheriton Bishop, EX6 6JA Northampton, NN1 5LJ. 0800 085 4045 [email protected] 01604 631 043 [email protected] Standing orders: [email protected] North East: Simon Johnston, c/o 5 School Row, POST/5 Tool Hire Secretary: Mike Delacoe, North Broomhill, Morpeth, NE56 9TY 4 Charwelton Road, Preston Capes, Daventry 07702 709063 [email protected] NN11 3TA 01327 360 945 [email protected] Northern: Lynn Tagg, 63 Ambrose Court, Pre/5 Tool Hire SecRETARY: Peter Dunn, Moss Lane, Leyland, Preston. PR25.4XA. 101Station Road, Thatcham, Berks RG19 4QH 01772 431 324 [email protected] 07941 075 165 [email protected] Oxford: Tim Read, 15 The Limes, South Cerney, Merchandise SecRETARY: Cath Broughton, 17 Cirencester, Glos GL7 5RF Strawberry Hill, Northampton NN3 5HL 01285 869 320 [email protected] 01604 416 896 [email protected] See Merchandise advertisment for contact times. Scottish: Marjorie Burnett, Crawick Lea, Glasgow Road, Sanquahar, Dumfrieshire. DG4 6BZ Vintage & CLASSIC Register Secretary: 01659 50091 [email protected] Robin Walker, 37 Heron Drive, Bracken Park, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire DN21 1GJ South east: Shaun Mulligan 47, High Street 01427 610 329 [email protected] Halling, Rochester, Kent. ME2 1BP Sporting Register Secretary: Robert Bensley, 01634 241 215 [email protected] Oak Tree Farm, Heath Road, Banham NR16 2HS Southern: Richard Tavener, 34 Nursery Close, 01953 888 415 [email protected] Frimley Green, Camberley, Surrey GU16 6JZ Safety officer: Colin Bembridge. 01252 838 384 02089 538 807 [email protected] [email protected] Events Logistics: Brian Johnston, 10 Saffron South West: Debbie Sampson ‘Trevilla’, Road, Tickhill, Doncaster DN11 9PW. 01302 743 032 18, Ropehaven Road St. Austell Cornwall PL25 4DU. or 07950 319 197 [email protected] 01726 61642 [email protected] Marketing/Commercial Sales: Position Vacant Ulster: Charlie McConnell, 6 Cameron Park, Sidecar Register Secretary: Position vacant. Ballymena, Co Antrim BT42 1QJ. GS Register Secretary: Position vacant. 028 2564 7730 [email protected] Assistant Secretary for America: Western: Sue Ross 7 Pintail Grove Kidderminster Position vacant. Worcs. DY10 4RT. 100,000 MILE AWARD: Jason Goodwill 01847 893 935 01562 820 458 [email protected] [email protected]. Yorkshire: Simon Crossley. C/O 2 Birstwith WEBMASTER: Nick Fearn Grange, Birstwith, Harrogate. North Yorkshire, [email protected] HG3 3AH. 07742 951 610 yorkshire.secretary@ TECHNICAL OFFICER: Mike Fishwick Sirgon, 24250 bmwclubuk.net Daglan, France. [email protected] HQ Register: Dick Boyd, Stewart Place, South Forum Administrator: John King. Road, Garmouth, Morayshire IV32 7LX [email protected] 01343 870 389 [email protected] Forum Address: http://forum.bmw-club.org.uk Delegates to other organisations Vice-Presidents: BMF: Primary contact: Tony Cartmell Cliff Batley [email protected] Other delegates; Jeff Dymond, John Lewis, Mark 01787 373 919 Dutton Graham Walker 21 Whitehouse Ave, Burnhope, Durham DH70AJ 07931710991 [email protected] FBHVC: M McNair Peter Dunn [email protected] DVLA: Steve Perry [email protected]
Please restrict any calls or enquiries to these Club officials to between the hours of 10am and 9pm, and let the Editor know if any of these details need amendment
6 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 President’s Platform Well here we are 2nd of February and the membership actually had more members renewals all over apart from the stragglers, who than at the same time for 2012. So that was just need rounding up. A number of members, good news to hear. Also along with that news only sent £25 for membership but we renewed came the knowledge that the HQ Register you anyway. I hope that the members that were renewals had not been processed. A number short in payment will rectify this situation and of members have under payed by £2 and this send another £2 to their Section Membership needs to be corrected and the money chased. It Secretaries. £2 is a small amount per member was decided at the latest National Committee but when multiplied by the membership, it Meeting that all members that have not paid becomes a much larger amount. For those of the full fee i.e. £27 for full membership and you overseas, you should have paid £32 and £32 for overseas. will later in the year have if you can rectify that matter we will be most their membership terminated if the club does appreciative. not receive a full membership fee. Hopefully Keith Freak has sent me the latest before that action is invoked the deficiency information on the events that the FIM are will have been corrected by sending the deficit running in 2013. First of all there is the 68th amount to your poor overworked Section FIM Rally in Epernay, France 18th-20th July. Membership Sec., to process and update the Then the 32nd FIM Motocamp in Bredebro, database. Denmark 19th-24th August and finally the 1st Latest news that I have seen on the FIM Mototour of Nations in Northern Italy Motorcycle grapevine is that BMW have sold 5th September – 8th. The last one sounds right Husqvana who they purchased in 2007, to up my street. If you want further information Pierer Industrie AG, the holding company of on these events. Those of you familiar with the Austrian investor Stefan Pierer, which also FIM Rally or Motocamp will have noticed a owns a 51 percent stake of motorcycle maker new event i.e. the Motortour which will cover KTM AG, signed an agreement to buy the a route of 600/700 km in Northern Italy with brand for an undisclosed sum, the Munich- pre-booked hotels at start at Udine, half way based manufacturer said today in a statement. and finish at Trieste. The FIM Rally will be “Husqvarna didn’t fit to BMW’s long-term held in the champagne town of Epernay in strategy,” Pierer said today in a telephone Northern France, whilst the Motocamp interview. He aims to end losses at the brand, will be held at a sports centre in the town which will remain independent, by 2014. of Bredebro in Denmark. Both events have Husqvarna sold 10,751 motorcycles last year, websites www.fimrally2013.eu and www. an increase of 16 percent. Deliveries of BMW- fim-motocamp.eu giving more details of what brand motorbikes increased 2 percent in 2012 they have too offer. Rather than send all the to 106,358 vehicles globally, marking a record sets of regulations out to the participants the for the 90-year-old marque. If you look on the regulations can be downloaded from a new internet you will find that Alpha racing and site www.fimteamgb.co.uk BMW are seperating and there are a number Now back to Renewals for a bit more of S1000rr’s and associated racing kit up for information. On the 6/02/2013 the club sale, however still too expensive for me at The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 7 master just ferries logo 7/10/09 09:08 Page 1
£50,000. BMW ITALIA has been promoted to the factory team in World Superbikes as the WRGB08_Regs_02_MotorsportTravel:WRGB08_Regs_02_MotorsportTraveljust ferries 10/3/08 3:21 PM Page 1 WRGB08_Regs_02_MotorsportTravel:WRGB08_Regs_02_MotorsportTraveljf 10/3/08 3:21 PMGerman Page 1 manufacturer announces that it will WRGB08_Regs_02_MotorsportTravel:WRGB08_Regs_02_MotorsportTravelscale 10/3/08 back 3:21 its PMefforts Page 1 in 2013.The ‘strategic realignment’ will see BMW Motorrad Italia take responsibility for the factory race and test team, alongside chassis development. Whereas BMW will maintain responsibility for the power train and electronics in Munich. Marco Melandri has one of the S1000RR seats DISCOUNT FERRIES reserved for himself while who will fill the WITH ALLDISCOUNT THE MAJOR FERRIES COMPANIES remaining seat is anyone’s guess at this time. WITH ALL THEDISCOUNT MAJOR COMPANIES FERRIES • Dover – Calais: Sea FranceWITH • ALL Portsmouth THE MAJOR – Lehavre: COMPANIES LD LinesIt • is rumoured that BMW could be entering • Harwich• – Dover Hoek: – Calais: Stena Sea • France Channel • Portsmouth Islands –– Lehavre: St Malo: LD Lines Condor • LinesMotoGP • in 2013 with their own factory • Ireland:• Harwich Irish• Dover Ferries, – Hoek: – Calais: Stena Stena • Sea Channel • Isle France Islands of Man • – Portsmouth St except Malo: Condor TT and– Lines Lehavre: Manx • GPLD Lines • • •• Ireland: Harwich Irish Ferries, – Hoek: Stena Stena • Isle • of Channel Man except Islands TT and Manx– St Malo: GP • Condoreffort, Lines watch • this space. •BOOKINGS Ireland: Irish & Ferries,INFORMATION: Stena • Isle of Man except TT and ManxI hope GP • that you like the new membership BOOKINGS & INFORMATION: Tel: 01759 301010BOOKINGS Fax: &01 INFORMATION:759 301030 cards and the HP4 very tasty email:Tel: [email protected]:0175901759 301010 301010 Fax: 01759 Fax: 30103001759 301030 That’s my lot for this month www.motorsport-travel.comemail: [email protected] email:Email: [email protected] [email protected] Take care on the roads. Emailwww.motorsport-travel.com [email protected] Webwww.motorsport-travel.com site:site www.just-ferries.com Your President, Dick Boyd
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8 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 Please send all submissions for April’s Torque Reaction to Paul Torque Nadin (details on page 3) before Reaction March 5th please. A Plea for Direct Debits or any other measure that the membership agree. When the standing order system was Your “plea” in the December issue of The introduced, I noted that the president made Journal for the Standing Order reference to the point that the subs would not have to go be name & number raised alarm bells and up for the foreseeable future, and I felt then I’ve just checked my reference on the standing that the club should have been considering a order and found it was only my number! regular small increase rather than holding the Will that be sufficient? Unless you advise me subscription. otherwise, I will assume so, as it has worked I’ll watch this one with interest! since the standing order system was started. Terry Peel. London Section. I use on-line banking and updated the standing order amount electronically with And a reply from Jim a few key strokes and indeed I note that the Lepley. updated amount has been sent to the club’s bank, so the reference is as originally set up. I am aware of the Direct Debit option, we used I have only been a member since 2005 and to use it but I understand that the security was a little surprised that the club moved to a restrictions on the member actually processing standing order system when arguably a direct these became rather onerous (window bars debit system might have been more effective to prevent burglary etc.) and the costs to the from the club’s point of view. Club involved in additional training every As you will know, a direct debit can be year for that member was increasing so it was amended by the receiver, using all the normal discontinued - before my time as treasurer. safeguards of the direct debit system, without We are now stuck with the ‘old fashioned’ the giver having to do anything. Mostly those method and must accept your comments about members will continue with membership membership renewals. As an extra alternative because they have to actively stop it. From I have created a Paypal account for the Club any club’s point of view, this tends to mean and payment can be made to my email address that they can almost rely on a steady income [email protected] stream. Jim Lepley. Treasurer. With a standing order that has to be altered The BMW Club. by the member, there may be members who let it lapse out of apathy, or forgetfulness Review of Hi-Vis Rules in and this is indeed true of any method of France renewal including PayPal, direct electronic BACS instruction or even the cheque (I can’t Along with, no doubt, the firm approbation of remember when I last wrote a cheque!). all those haters of safety equipment, helmets, Direct debit would also have allowed seat belts and now especially the so-called the club to make regular (annual) increases ‘wally-jackets’ Paddy Tyson notes MAG’s to the subscription, in line with inflation welcome to the potential retraction by the The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 9 French government’s requirement to wear to be a good choice. a “brassard jaune réfléchissant” (reflective Darren did a load of work for me and now yellow armband). the bike is as good as it ever was. His rates were May we then expect celebrations along the reasonable and he even opened up especially lines of ‘no-helmet days’ or ‘riding in the buff for me over Christmas just so that I could (warm) days’? Why must motorcycling always collect the bike at a time convenient to me. be associated with a complete rejection of I have no connection with him other than safety measures by some of its adherents? as a very satisfied customer. Just thought If wearing hi-vis material improves, even others might like to know. He advertises in by just 1%, the chance of my surviving the the back of the magazine. imperfections of my own and others’ driving Dave White. Southern Section. then I welcome it - for the few years that remain to me. More from M.A.G. Hi-vis Nev. P.S. However, I would welcome a little Forty years ago, the Vietnam Peace Agreement thought from the ‘designers’ of such bikes was signed, the Tory Government led Britain as my 1200RT, on which the instruments into Europe, the Twin Towers were completed become unreadable when the sun shines on in New York, Skylab was launched into my hi-vis waistcoat. Do the ‘designers’ never orbit, Pinochet led a coup in Chile, Nixon actually ride the bikes in real world conditions? accepted responsibility for Watergate, David Neville Dalton. Oxford Section. Bowie swore he’d never perform another gig and in a house on Verne Drive in Ampthill, Reliable Service Bedfordshire, the Motorcycle Action Group was founded, as an organisation “opposed to Some time ago I started looking for a reliable all oppressive and discriminatory legislation service/restoration business to get my old aimed at motorcycling.” K75 back on the road. I settled on Studley’s So it’s our 40th Birthday and I hope Motorcycles in Dorchester and it turned out you’ll help us celebrate one way or another
10 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 throughout the year. See the website and your the surrounding Authorities were involved so copy of The ROAD magazine for events and that where the trial routes run into another parties throughout the year, get someone you Council’s ‘patch’ there is no difference to know to join MAG so they can enjoy £25 of the motorcycle right of way. This is in stark adventure motorcycle DVDs as a special gift contrast to London, where the rules governing from Continental Tyres!, consider MAG if bus lane access can change every few hundred you plan any fund-raising events yourself. yards. revel in the ease of use of the new MAG If you live in the Brighton area, please use website which will be launched soon, making the access responsibly as motorcycle traffic will campaigns materials and merchandise easy be under scrutiny for the 18 month trial and to access, expect loads of great offers from the naysayers will be looking for any excuse to corporate members and much more to be deny us continued access. revealed! If you live in Leicester you may well be The year started well for MAG and our getting access to bus lanes there too. Leicester campaigning, with another MP joining MAG is barely a year old, but has already made us as a full member the first day the MAG its mark on local government, with written office opened. Welcome Mike Weatherly, and oral evidence given to Transport Scrutiny Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade on Committees, and a meeting with the Mayor to the south coast, who duly received his DVD address all issues regarding motorcycling and pack from Continental tyres. how Leicester can become more biker friendly. Staying in the Brighton area, we got news Apart from now considering bikes in bus that on the 22nd April, some of Brighton’s bus lanes, the Mayor has decided to increase the lanes will be opened to motorcyclists. This is amount of secure bike parking and signage, the culmination of lots of hard work by Chris directed by the local MAG members. Cordell and all the members of Brighton Coventry MAG have secured convenient MAG. What’s even more impressive, is rather secure bike parking and are now working on than let the Local Authority run into all the bus lanes too. mistakes of old, the campaign ensured that In Buxton, the continued work of Peak and
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 11 * District MAG has now reaped the rewards New Tool Pack. of new bike parking areas and confirmation NOW last week that further secure parking will be Once in a while a product comes on the provided. market that makes you stop and think, why AVAILABLE! In London, Transport for London (TfL) didn’t somebody think of this before now. RIDING OTHER has been putting together a £900 million The product I refer to is a range of top junction ‘improvement’ scheme, which quality industrial grade tools that come initially wanted to improve road junctions in a variety of small pouch’s that take up MOTORCYCLES COVER in the interest of cyclists. MAG was the practically no space. They are made by a only Riders Group to successfully appeal for German tool manufacturing co called Wera, inclusion on the Design Review Group, and and the amount of thought and cleverness through Dr Leon Mannings MAG was able that went into the design is something we have to impress on TfL how important it was that come to expect from German manufacturing. no improvements for cyclists should be at the You can pick and choose between any expense of, or a danger to, motorcyclists. combination of torx Philips sockets, (listed as You may think that would sound obvious, tool check or bit check), mini ratchets, torque but it really isn’t and the importance of MAG screwdrivers, to mention just a few, or any being involved in all these situations was other combination you might be able to think quickly demonstrated when TfL decided up. to entirely junk the first of its schemes when I have searched the market for something Leon demonstrated just how bikers would be like this for years without success, and finally adversely affected. stumbled on this exciting range which I can It’s the development and maturity of MAG only describe as truly brilliant and which I as a lobby group that reaps all these rewards would like to share it with like minded club for riders and I’m sure we will continue to members. With you every mile influence decision makers with your help, You can check out the full range on wera- Footman James is one of the leading specialist insurance brokers for as we go through this year. The more we are tools.co.uk. Irish club members can check out classic motorcycle owners and collectors. We always go the extra involved on the inside, the more we make a Ted Jonstens on the Monread road in Naas, mile to secure our most competitive rates for you. UP TO tangible difference. We do have battles ahead co Kildare, where a gentleman named Lorcan All Footman James policies offer more of the benefi ts that are £750 regarding EU legislation too, but I’m sure gave me a full demo. important to you. they’re going to be fun! I’ll outline the latest If this reads like an advertisement I can HELMET & developments on the Super MoT next week. assure the readers that I have no connection Policies include as standard: LEATHERS • The agreed value of your classic In France the latest news is that the with either wera or Ted Jonstens. I just feel that COVER* breathalyser scheme, having already been lots of readers would find these tools extremely • Specialist claims repairer – choose a repairer you trust • Limited mileage postponed to March 1st, has now been delayed useful as they cover practically anything you AND 24 hour breakdown recovery in both UK and Europe to an indeterminate future date, one less thing could need while touring, all in a pouch you to carry on holiday and one less ludicrous fine can hold in your hand. At home in this market, our friendly UK to face! (see http://www.connexionfrance. Chris Keogh. Irish Section. team is available to quote. com/Breath-test-fines-Valls-Perrichon-road- deaths-CNSR-14429-view-article.html ) On the Subject of 0843 357 1042 Happy 40th! Trailers and Turntables Visit: footmanjames.co.uk We share your passion Paddy Tyson. Campaigns Coordinator. Some of you may recall my Unigo mono- We can also quote you for your Modern Car Modern Motorcycle Household Motorcycle Action Group. wheeled trailer which had gargantuan capacity Footman James is a trading name of Aon UK Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in respect of insurance mediation activities only. for camping gear, clothes, clobber etc. Well, Telephone calls may be monitored or recorded for your protection. * Subject to eligibility criteria. Terms and conditions apply. FP7776.01.13 Aon is one of the world’s largest insurance brokers, providing insurance solutions for thousands of customers worldwide. Aon UK Limited negotiates with all major UK insurers. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm and Sat 9am - 1pm. 12 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 *
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Aon is one of the world’s largest insurance brokers, providing insurance solutions for thousands of customers worldwide. Aon UK Limited negotiates with all major UK insurers. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm and Sat 9am - 1pm. having gone to three wheels (even more room drop your centre stand and then, as you would for ‘rubbish’) this little gismo is temporarily normally do, foot on stand, pull the bike back redundant. and onto the turntable, it’s as easy as that. Whilst trawling I found a UK You can then spin the bike round on the manufacturer who is doing a mono wheel spot, i.e. enables you to go forwards into the trailer. Appearance wise it’s is very similar to garage and forwards out again. Two sizes 350 the Uni’. If you are interested take a look at and 450 (ml) will take 300kgs; the size 350 is http://www.mono-trail.co.uk/ and / or e-mail around £70 and the size 450 around £115. for specs on the USA version to mail: tobill@ Had the ‘350’ for years, works well, don’t uni-go-trailers.com , or write to Unigo 546 need it now as got 3 wheels on my wagon Ellis Road South Jacksonville FL32254 USA. anyway but try http://www.movetechuk. Not much between them in price and very com/ tel nos. 01204537680. The British similar in capacity / size, but there might be Turntable Co. Ltd. import duty on USA model. Another option is http://www. Of course a 2 wheel trailer will do the movetechuk.com/ This one is a platform same thing but then you have width limits to arrangement so room is needed for it. It consider as well. will take 450kgs, price approx. £235. email: For trailer regulations for solo / combo [email protected] bikes go to; http://www.legislation.gov. They also do a ‘wheel dolly’ which takes uksi/1986 125lbs priced at around £80. On the subject of turntables, various So instead of spinning the bike around on options from a small mat on to which you one foot of the centre stand, any of these will
14 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 StarAs chosen Letter by The Editor Information on a K100 Transmission Fix and Hypoid EP 90 gear RS oil. I have had no further loss since June 2012. I ride a 1985 K100 RS which is most reliable, 2). I began to notice some vibration however, during last summer, a couple throughout the bike when rolling the of things cropped up, and I wondered if throttle back from about 70mph down these may be of interest for inclusion in the to 50mph. This turned out to be a loose newsletter:- nearside centre stand screw and spacer. 1). Occasionally, when parked following Using new items from Motorworks and a run, a small patch of oil would appear on tightening securely solved this problem. the floor underneath the gearbox. It was All fairly simple stuff but it may help obviously gear box oil, and only small patch. someone. To try and cure this, I drained the gearbox Paul W Cull. Northern Section. and re-filled using a 50/50 mix of “Lucas”
keep you hernia free - cos they hurt!!! No connection with any of these companies. The Star Letter is sponsored by Nippy Andy Stork. Gloucester. Norman, whose Throttle Rocker as pictured here is awarded for the Editor’s choice of Our Trip to Le Touquet letter. beach race 3rd Feb 2013 See www.nippynormans.com for their full product range. We left home at 4.30 am, met with another and left Diss at 5.00, minus 3 degrees, (I don’t mean the girls stayed at home, although she did say “when will I see you again”, then she said “take good care of yourself” I’m a “woman in love” all I have is “my simple heart”) (I said I’m “givin’ up givin’ in”, I’m just “the runner” you’re the “toast of love”, “the golden lady”). Away the two of us went, a bit cold round the gills! I had normal textiles over normal clothes, over normal thermal underwear but over all that I had a padded over suit and heated gloves. I honestly was not cold but we stopped at Thurrock for a stretch and chat as
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 15 you do - we were early and not in a rush and said “it’s a (word I had not heard before and that’s a first for me! In Kent it seemed colder cannot remember) long way, especially when but we soon reached Dover where we met the you think, for 8 hours you’re swimming other three (not the degrees). against the tide and getting nowhere”. I took some ginger with me because Off we went to see Hitler’s big gun and someone had said it was good for sea sickness, the war cemetery at Estaples, then on to Le (stopping it that is - who’d want something to Touquet. Several things have changed since cause it?) but as we sailed out of the harbour I last went, there were nowhere near as many it was obvious that it was not needed so we all people there. Now there are big television tucked into the biggest breakfast we’d ever screens, the circuit is run in the opposite had. direction and four strokes outnumber the two We rode up to Cap Blanc Nez, it was a strokes. bit hazy but we could see Dover clearly, it We watched from the beach, saw the was blowing a gale, (gale was not one of the number 1 bike the cameras had been 3 degrees), didn’t even take our hats off, (I following, another bike spun round and don’t mean the wind didn’t blow our hats covered us in sand so we thought it’s time for a off), I pointed out the spot where a friend of coffee! 5 minutes of watching hero’s racing on mine told me he came ashore when he swam the sand was enough for us. the channel in 1952, (can anyone who was not We took the coast road back to Calais and there that day guess who it was? I’ll tell you from the cliffs we could see the waves crashing he’s still a club member), I’d said it doesn’t onto the beach. Later, as I was tucking into a look far to swim, he soon corrected me and bowl of mussels (or were they moules) Simon
16 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 reminded me of the sea and said “You’ll bring clear in my mind what the magazines should that lot up later on the boat” When we sailed be about, which was protecting the interests of out of Calais it was as calm as the morning, motorcyclists with a few local interest stories got home at 10.30 after an uneventful ride up to try and make it interesting for readers. the A12 with 9 degrees, now what did they Time moved on and now Motorcycle Rider sing? is contracted out by the BMF. It is, to me, just Robert Bensley. another motorcycle magazine with little BMF Sporting Register Secretary. or road riding content. Agreed that the BMF is now a lame duck (which really saddens me Volunteer or as I was a founder member and it now appears professional to have little control over the content) a lesson may be learnt there by clubs who want to To the Editor. remain masters of their own destiny. Your comments about club magazines being Bruce Preston. Southern Section. run by a professional company rather than by unpaid volunteers rang a few bells with me – Old Journals Editors Desk, February Journal. I became editor of the BMW Club I am an ex Mercian member of the club and Newsletter, as it was then, in 1957 and as I have Journals going back around 30 years. there were only 80 club members at that time I don’t want to just throw them away and producing it was not too difficult. Within a wondered if anyone would like them for free. few years the membership had risen to over I live in Tamworth, Staffs, and if anyone 500 and the foolscap magazine was produced wants them they can contact me by email and by volunteers at the home of my much missed arrange to pick them up. I would be willing to friend, the late Keith Sanders, at that time the arrange to meet somewhere if it’s not too far. Sports Secretary. As time moved the magazine They have been dry stored so here’s hoping. progressed to the professionally printed A5 I shall be away until the end of May so please magazine we have today now called The contact me after then if you are interested. Journal. Bob Ballantyne. Tamworth. I well understand the editors concern at [email protected] how vulnerable The Journal would be if he were not able to do the work. Perhaps one step Advice on valve might be to appoint an Assistant Editor who hardening anyone? would shadow every stage of the magazine as it was produced by the Editor? Many years back We all know how our beloved machines are we mislaid a couple of editors and I was twice now able to cope with unleaded petrol by called in to hold the fort until the next AGM the manufacturers fitting (as they say) with but at least I had the necessary skills. hardened valves and valve seats. After my retirement asBMW Newsletter Now my question is, should I ever want to Editor I became editor of Unity, the magazine grind in a new valve, would I be removing the of the British Motorcyclists Federation, soon hardened surface from both valve and valve to be renamed Motorcycle Rider. This was seat to such a degree that it would shorten an oddball size, a little larger than A5 and, the life of those parts concerned, or are like the BMW Newsletter, was produced by they designed to take such drastic measures volunteers up to the printing stage. I was very without any harm being done. The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 17 And also what effect is this rubbish fuel programmes and found my copy...... I was that we are now compelled to use (i.e. ethanol there! related) going to have regarding damage to Sure enough, in the competitors’ list, there our combusting engines. was Uncle: - 34 - L. Murley (B.M.W. 730). I’m sure that someone out there can answer The attachments are photographs of some my questions - and thanks for a great Club and of the pages and they add that extra bit of a great Journal. provenance to the bike. David Brooks. Bath. Paul Ennis. Birmingham
The Vintage and Classic Club Accounts - Treasurer’s Message Thanks for adding the Vintage and Classic Register Newsletter to this month’s journal. There is a copy of the Club accounts for Although my BMW interest these days is 2011/12 with this month’s Journal. I am very mainly early K’s (and they will be 30 years old willing to answer any questions or queries you this coming October!) I always like to read may have about the accounts, but please get articles from people who know what goes on them to me before the 25th March. I regret inside their bikes! that due to personal family commitments it I was fascinated with Ian Murley’s account will not be possible to research any questions of the history of his R11, and when I read that received after the 25th March until after the it was used at the Val Des Terres hill climb AGM. in Guernsey and probably the last ride there I will be at the AGM and will obviously be was in 1962, I went to my collection of racing available to try and answer any questions or
18 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 queries raised there. Thanks Jim Jim Lepley email: [email protected] Phone: 01592 874592 Address: Page 6 of Journal.
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 19 RIDE FOR THE ADVENTURE
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20 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 BMW Motor Weekend on 29 March – 1 April 2013
Like every year BMW Club Oirschot forget sheets and / or sleeping bag), but there & Omstreken organizes also in 2013 its is also a quiet camping ground. International BMW Motor Weekend during Free coffee and tea the whole weekend over. the coming Easter Weekend (Friday 29 March Loads of enjoyment can be had by all with – Monday 1 April) for all BMW motorbikers motorbike talk and other chats. and their passengers. Following this successful The cost for all this is as follows: event in previous years, we will also make it a When using the bunkhouse: Eur. 93,-- per marvellous weekend in 2013. And to make the person weekend last a little longer, we also this year When staying at the campsite: Eur. 78,-- will start on Friday from 15.00 h onwards. per person Like all 33 previous times we have again So this is including 3 dinners and 3 composed an interesting program: breakfasts. Starting on Friday at 15.00 h. reception and subscription, with tea / coffee and cakes. To ease the organization of the weekend Program booklet and remembrance tile for for us, we would be pleased if a planned all participants. participation to our weekend is announced Photo puzzle / questionary in advance (without engagement). If one On Friday evening for all to participate: wants to be sure of a bunkhouse reservation Old games from our province of Brabant. a pre-announcement is even more advisable, On Saturday morning a guided walk because of the limited places. through the neighbouring nature reserve. By E-mail: [email protected] Saturday afternoon free program (we have By phone: +31 40 2051521 (Kees Dankers touristic information available), but one can / Mars v.d. Bruggen) also participate in a fairly easy, short, all-road More information can also be found on tour. www.bmwcluboirschot.nl On Saturday evening a music night (DJ) On Sunday afternoon a nice ride-out of Address of the accomodation: about 130 km. Route decription available for Farmcamp “De Roerdomp” serveal GPS versions. Ontginningsweg 10 On Sunday evening prizegiving with 5091 KN Westelbeers unique, handmade, prizes. And after that a cozy campfire and possibly some live-music. To avoid any misunderstandings and And furthermore: disappointments: Our weekend is only Three wholesome dinners and three accessible with a BMW motorbike (type and continental breakfasts age, also of the rider, doesn’t matter). Bunkhouse accommodation available (this We hope to see you in the south of the must be booked in advance, and please don’t Netherlands during the Easter weekend! The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 21 22 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 A Bee-Line through Paris Pat Cammish suggests an economical short cut If you’re like us and prefer to spend your Charles de Gaulle airport where jumbo jets money on holiday rather than forking out lots taxi directly over the motorway take the A3 of it just to cross the Channel you might be towards Porte de Bagnolet, which is the eastern interested to read on. The short hop routes to entry gate to the Boulevard Peripherique (BP) Boulogne, Calais or Dunkirk are a fraction of where you take Peripherique Sud (south). the cost of those that take you to the western The BP is a true ring road, a fast moving ports. Norfolk Line to uninterrupted circle Dunkirk is especially of at least 4 or 5 lanes good value. The boats where, unbelievably, are modern and two wheels rule. All efficient and they don’t the entry and exit generally do booze gates (portes) and cruises. Book ahead the medium and long and you can get a distance destinations return for around £25 are clearly signed well or less. in advance and lane All very well you discipline is very good. might say but I can Traffic flow and state is hear the groans now…. constantly monitored What about Paris, and the gantry signs with its worse than have estimated times Spaghetti Junction of arrival at major tangle of outer circular junctions and these roads, which have are pretty accurate, nothing circular although those are car about them?… and times and on a bike you have to deal with The pillion’s view of the you will be faster! the infamous road Boulevard Periphique Once on the BP behaviour of the inhabitants. A lot of people you are in for a treat as there is an unwritten we have spoken to prefer to avoid the city but firmly enforced rule which decrees that altogether and spend time and money in so the two outer lanes of traffic must keep to the doing. opposite edges of their lane markings and, like Pas de problem…..Have no fear, you can go the parting of the Red Sea, provide a pathway in a straight line right through the city. for the fast moving Parisian bikes and big From Dunkirk head due south via St Omer scooters which zoom imperiously through, and join the A 26 from Calais and then the waterproof leg blankets flapping. From time A1 heading directly to Porte de La Chapelle to time the police on R1200RTs also sweep , the northern entry gate to the Boulevard past gesticulating forcefully to make people Peripherique de l’Interieur. After passing leave more room and even banging on the car The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 23 24 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 roof of the odd provincial or foreign motorist unaware of what he should be doing. Travelling on a bike, even with big panniers, you can cross the city between the airports of Charles de Gaulle and Orly in 30-40 minutes. Accustomed to the unpredictability of London motorists, we never quite dare to reach the speed of the local bikes but generally, the worse the traffic is, the faster you can go. Admittedly Paris is much smaller than London but can you imagine doing Stansted to Gatwick via London Bridge in even double that time, or being sane at the end of it? Travelling clockwise on the BP, your pillion passenger gets to do a fair bit of sightseeing too snapping the Sacre Coeur, the Eiffel Tower, and the riverboats on the Seine as you whizz over the bridge at the Porte de Bercy. Take the A6b at Porte d’Italie if you’re heading for the A77 and the A10 towards Orleans, Limoges and all points south. Simples!
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 25 26 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 John Peter Hine 25th May 1946 to 3rd February 2013
Remembered by Mike and Jody Grinter, Max and Wendy Parry and many other friends
John Hine, who died in New Zealand from held at his death. injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, John did not confine his touring to Europe. was an internationally renowned touring He was one of the first westerners to tour motorcyclist. the Soviet Union by motorcycle after the John was educated at Harvey Grammar relaxation of border controls. Following the School, Folkestone and Bristol University. He dissolution of the USSR he toured Russia and graduated in 1967 with a degree in Economics many of the former USSR republics. He also and Accounting. After qualifying as a made tours of North America, South America chartered accountant he joined KPMG, where and the antipodes. he remained until his retirement in 2002. Besides his interests in motorcycling John purchased his first BMW (a K100RT) John was an enthusiastic photographer; his in about 1985 and thereafter he always owned portfolio of motorcycle touring photographs at least one BMW. For many years he was a is impressive both for its size and its quality. regular FIM Rally participant. He was a At the time of his death he was undertaking member of the BMF, the BMW Club, Left the process of digitising his enormous Lane and the International Motorcyclists photographic collection. He also had a keen Tour Club (IMTC). In his 35 years as an interest in steam trains and a deep knowledge IMTC member he served as a Regional of military and naval history. Representative, Treasurer, Chairman, He is survived by his treasured goddaughter Secretary and Vice-President, the position he Charlotte and his many friends..
John was always a gentleman John (right) with his good friend Mike and could appear very serious Grinter whilst on holiday in Croatia but he did have a silly side.
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 27 28 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 Touring - The Second Time Around Derek & Moira Proctor Share Their ‘Born Again’ Journey
This is not an instruction manual, nor is it a ... of starting from scratch as far as the gear was “This is how it should be done” ... lecture. There concerned - but I’m getting ahead of myself, is no intent here to try and teach my grannies let’s start with ... how to suck eggs! If you asked a hundred bikers to name their ideal touring bike, and The Bike! how they would set it up and identify the gear In the spring of 2009 I dug the black and they would choose for continental touring - silver R90S out of the back of the garage, you would get a hundred different ‘recipes’ - where it had stood for the last thirty years, and and that’s exactly how it should be. The next I started on a two-month overhaul. I’d bought few pages describe our (that’s mine and the the bike new in 1976 for the exorbitant price ‘boss’s’) ingredients for successful touring - of £1700, and it had cost me very little in the and the processes that we went through to get way of maintenance until now. However, what to where we are today. with cleaning and washing out of carburettors, We all have dreams and aspirations, and engine, gearbox, brake systems and tank; of course a ‘bucket list’. The tricky bit for us fitting electronic ignition, new cables, hoses, fellows (well at least for me) is making sure brake pads & shoes, mirrors, battery, tyres and that our other half’s dreams and aspirations tubes etc., etc., - I just about spent the same are the same as ours, and that we are both again over this two-month period. Now this is reading the same ‘bucket list’. Over the years, the incredible bit - I took the bike to the same Moira’s appetite for getting up close to nature garage where it had its last MOT some thirty and depriving herself of creature comforts has years ago - and it passed! Not only that - it was waned somewhat. Visiting places where sun- examined by the same mechanic who tested it factor numbers are not a daily consideration way back then! We were both amazed. is definitely not part of her dreams. So a lot of So tested, taxed and insured, off I went for hard selling was required on my part to get the a run up the Northumberland coast. Thirty- item of ...‘continental touring on a motorbike’ three years ago this bike had only just been ... that was on my ‘bucket list’, on to Moira’s superseded by the R100S, and was still at the ‘bucket list’, and, more importantly, to keep ‘cutting-edge’ of bike sophistication. It was it there! A lot of the decision making that my pride and joy and, in my opinion, it was follows below, over both the bike and the gear, a better bike than the R100S, and definitely was made with this agenda in mind. better looking. We have come back to biking after a long The run north on that day up the coastal layoff, some thirty years to be precise. It’s not road from Newcastle was OK, and I suppose that we lost interest in biking, it’s just that kids we were really just getting to know each other and then grandkids (and work!) seemed to be again. Reaching Bamburgh, I headed inland always getting in the way. So it really was a case to pick up the A1, then turned south where I The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 29 Here we are in Seahouses with the R90S in the late 70s or early 80s
could let the engine ‘breathe’ a bit on the dual That was it - touring was back on the agenda! carriageway sections. Now, I’m reasonably fit, The new bike finally arrived at Barrie but arriving back home in Newcastle that day Robson’s York showroom in the October of I was worn out. I couldn’t remember being the same year. buffeted and pulled about like that thirty- No emails please - the R90S was sold at the odd years ago on that same forty-minute same time to make room for the new bike. run south back to Newcastle. The next three I opted for the LE model, simply because I outings were no better. I was slowly coming wanted black, and that was the only way I could to the conclusion that if there was no pleasure get black. The bonus was that the LE came to be had from riding, then the coveted plans with all the extras that BMW listed for the of continental touring with the wife were just model, including the Garmin Navigator IV, so not going to materialise. there was never going to be anything nagging With a borrowed helmet for Moira we away at me, wishing that I had specified this set off yet again - this time to York for the extra or that extra. That doesn’t mean that day - just to see what she felt about getting bits and pieces of add-ons didn’t start landing back in the saddle for extended periods. It on the doormat almost immediately, and was an unequivocal ‘thumbs down’. Like me, continue to do so up to the present moment Moira also couldn’t remember being that - much to Moira’s astonishment. She couldn’t uncomfortable thirty-odd years ago. quite grasp the fact, and still hasn’t, that a Now this next section is not for the squeamish, circa £14000 bike could need more money nor for those members of the Vintage Register or spent on it. Silly girl! those with rose-tinted glasses - and I won’t take It’s funny the things you don’t kindly to receiving abusive letters or emails just notice when you have the ‘love because I no longer have a sensitive side to my goggles’ on. It took a couple of nature. weeks for me to get around As a ‘last clutch of the straw’ I went along t o to our local BMW dealer and had a test ride on an R1200RT, just to see what the difference was between old-and-new. The difference between sitting behind the RT screen and the R90S’s ‘bikini’ fairing was as chalk is to cheese, and the boss agreed when I took her along for a second test run a few days later. 30 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 trying the horn (what horn?), and then there’s BMW one just didn’t put a dent in the capacity the oil-cooler. How do you clean the flies out of shortfall, so I went for the Wunderlich Xtreme that after each run? It didn’t take long for the tank bag which was great, but was still not big internet to introduce me to Nippy Norman, enough! I then found a rack manufactured by and for a trading relationship to commence. Louis, which would fit neatly on top of the rear Many of the ‘accessories’ described below were box and would take the sixty-litre SW Motech acquired from Norman, with other suppliers ‘drybag’ that I spotted on the web. It’s probably used including GetGeared and Motorworks. worth mentioning here the unforeseen benefit The horn problem was solved with the of this drybag. As it transpired, when we purchase of a Magnum MSX horn twin-pack, finally packed everything for that first trip, and a Centech AP-1 auxiliary power fuse the drybag was almost empty! So we used it board. (Moira carries a couple of spare pairs of to carry the very small number of items we knickers around with her now - just in case I would need for the first night on the boat have a need to use the horn!) (Portsmouth to Santander) – namely: one pair The Wunderlich oil-cooler grill also works of knickers, one pair of ‘underdogs’, two tee- well, and does exactly what I had hoped it shirts, boat shoes, etc., etc. would do - keeping the oil-cooler free of flies. On the ferry, (any ferry), having secured It’s also easy to clean and, I suppose, keeps the bike, the two helmets fit snugly into the it safe from flying stones. Talking of which drybag on top of the other bits and bobs, brings me nicely to the headlight glass. How resulting in only two items, the drybag and the expensive is a replacement? Very - is my guess. tank bag, to lug up to the cabin. (As ‘essentials’ Also, how often is it likely that it will collect a - the hairdryer and the straighteners go in the stone large enough, or travelling fast enough, tank bag.) Compared to what other bikers to break or crack it? For circa £30, a Perspex struggle with in the same situation, this is a headlight protector seemed to be a reasonable great result! ‘insurance’ measure - borne out by the three We were now almost there, except for or four ‘dinks’ that are now visible on its front the fact that the BMW mounting for the face. Navigator satnav was about as much use as an The next question to be addressed related ashtray. The Xtreme tank bag masked the unit to the pannier cases. Do you take them off completely, but to be fair, the mount would the bike and lug them up to the room (or probably not have worked even with the the cabin) at each stopover, when they will BMW tank bag. I had never felt comfortable undoubtedly get scuffed and knocked? I don’t with the position of the satnav mount - low think so. So it was back to Barrie Robson for down on the top of the fork yoke. So I fitted the three inner bags, at BMW prices. (I still a Wunderlich high-level GPS mount - which haven’t told Moira how much they cost.) I have to say is superb, giving an almost ‘head- After drawing up a clothes list of what we up display’ feel to the instrument. My eyes thought we would need for a three-week tour, now barely need to leave the road. and assembling it altogether, we had a trial We were now ready, and very nearly at the packing exercise. At this point I should tell end of the winter. The only other small bit you that we are not into camping. A hairdryer of kit that went on the bike before that first and hair straighteners are not luxuries - they spring tour in 2010 was a side-stand foot- are essentials. We were still short of carrying enlarger. Whether or not this item has been of capacity. ... any use I’ll never know, but the bike has never The obvious answer was a tank bag. The fallen over. The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 31 Now this is worth mentioning, as it would ‘High-and-Wide’ replacement screen and was be interesting to know how many other RT instantly rewarded with more shelter around owners have experienced the same problem. ... the shoulders. More astonishingly, there I bought a CTEK XS800 trickle-charger was less helmet turbulence, at a lower screen to keep the battery charged up over the winter height at comparable speeds. The significance months, but it wouldn’t work with the bike’s of this is that the top edge of the screen no CAN-bus wiring system, or at least I couldn’t longer coincides with my forward line-of- get it to work. I had to solve the problem by sight. This is a big result! I’m no longer having fitting a third power outlet on the offside rear, to constantly crane my neck to get the edge of mirroring the existing one on the nearside, the screen low enough not to be irritating. and wiring it through the auxiliary fuse panel The issue of passenger comfort took a lot I had installed to wire-up the horns - and it longer to resolve, probably because of the works perfectly! amount of money involved! It came down to After returning from that first tour three a choice between two seat systems, and the issues needed to be addressed. The first was Touratech Kahedo option won out. At the the comfort of the passenger. Moira was OK same time as the heated Kahedo seats were for the first hour-and-a-half of any journey, purchased I also fitted the Wunderlich pillion but then she was starting to get stiff and felt foot-peg lowering kit. the need to stretch her legs. She didn’t have In search of improved comfort a lot of to tell me, I could feel her starting to fidget the choices are a bit of a ‘leap-of-faith’, as no about, lifting her feet off the pegs to straighten matter how many reports you read, you can and flex her legs. The second and much bigger never be certain that what you opt to go with issue though, was her sliding up my back is going to suit you personally. Thankfully the under braking, and not ‘severe’ braking either. Kahedo seats and the foot-peg lowering kit The third issue was the amount of shelter the worked and have been a resounding success. BMW screen was providing. It was certainly They have completely eliminated the sliding 100% better than the ‘bikini’ screen on the forward problem, and Moira’s comfort span R90S, but having found a comfort zone I can now reach three or even four hours before wanted more. In a leap of faith I ordered a she starts to fidget. There was also an incident during the first tour, when the rubber cover to the high tension spark lead on the nearside rocker cover came into contact with a low wall as I was getting the bike out of a garage. In a typical ‘shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted’ action, this prompted the purchase of the Touratech aluminium cylinder head guards as ‘insurance’ against future mishaps - and there have been a few. Here we are loaded up and ready for the Finally, like many tourists, we off on the first tour in the spring of 2010 end up going home with more 32 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 baggage than we started with! On a bike, Bike Kit as you all know, this can be a problem. We In this section I’m only going to list the haven’t succumbed to sombreros or stuffed items that we carry - as opposed to those that donkeys yet, but we find the odd bottle of a are fitted on the bike as permanent kit - i.e. particularly nice red, or a couple of sticks of they never come off the bike: chorizo and a block of that lovely cheese from that little farm just outside Zahara. Oh yes, • First-aid kit. and a flask of that particularly yummy olive • Tyre repair kit. oil from Baena - hard to resist - and they just • Spare headlight bulb. have to be carried home. All of them, for some • Spare brake-light bulb. reason, are very weighty items. • Toolkit. After the third tour things were starting • A Pacsafe seventy-litre waterproof to get out of hand. Despite moving the heavy rucksack cover – to protect the expen- items into the panniers, the displaced clothes sive Kahedo seats when the bike is left and shoes still ended up in the drybag, which outside. was getting fuller and heavier by the mile. It • Leatherman multi-tool. was starting to affect the bike’s stability, not • A 150 ml plastic bottle of engine oil - only when negotiating tight uphill hairpins I’ve never needed more than this, even or narrow streets - even just standing still on the longest trip. demanded maximum concentration. I had to • An Abus disc lock and ‘tell-tale’ re- get the weight off that rack on the top box. minder. The tops of the pannier cases were the only • A Pacsafe eighty-litre Stuffsafe net. places I could see to transfer the weight to. This is great for securing the helmets Accordingly, a couple of thirty-litre drybags / and tank bag on top of the rear box ‘tote’ bags were ordered during the summer of when the bike is fully loaded and left. 2011, but never made it into service until the • Several bungee straps. autumn of 2012. In use, they lie on top of the • A small bottle of screen & visor panniers and are secured with a single webbing cleaner. strap looped through the passenger grab • A spare pair of glasses - I’m a ‘four- handle. They work a treat - no more stability eyes’. issues - at least not until Moira realises that she • A few cloths and a sponge. can double the quantities of wine and cheese! • A copy of my licence and insurance Not fitted yet, but it will be before the document in a bag, along with the start of next spring (2013), is the MachineArt handbook. Avant ‘Fender Extender’, as featured in • A torch, and finally ... December’s Journal. This is another case of • The spare plastic bike key securely ‘shutting the stable door after the horse has taped to the bike frame - where only I bolted’. When giving the bike its final clean know it is! this year (2012) before the winter layup, I These are all stowed away in either the front noticed that the balance-pipe was badly pitted ‘glovebox’ or the tail-box, or draped over the right behind the front tyre. It required some mudguard under the rear seat. particularly vigorous ‘elbow grease’ to restore some semblance of decency. I know the Rider and Passenger Kit damage cannot be undone, but perhaps any Now this for us was the most difficult bit of further deterioration can be prevented. the decision making, and the bit we got most The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 33 wrong! When the subject of bike touring was rolled up really tight these are quite small, but first discussed, I introduced the concept of they are fairly weighty items. new materials and new bike-wear to Moira. For my hands I have a pair of Halvarssons That is ‘new’ as compared with thirty-odd lightweight summer gloves, and Moira has years ago! I was told that ... “If I have to be a pair of Jofama summer gloves - which for trussed up in all that gear, you can forget about some reason are her favourite bit of kit! For the whole idea.” ... So it was back to leather body warmth we have Berghaus microfleeces jackets and jeans, which is exactly what she and a set of thermal underwear each - which had in mind all along, and it’s exactly what we more or less completes the ‘uniform’. went around in thirty-odd years ago. ... Boots have been the biggest bane of our The first stop was the Lewis Leathers lives. I started off by buying a pair of a high- website to replicate what we had worn way back end brand at £130, which were waterproof and then. Moira’s still recovering from the shock! as ‘smart’ as anything else I could find on the I have to admit that the prices also raised my market – which actually wasn’t very ‘smart’ to eyebrows. I’ve still got the Sportsman jacket be honest. However, no matter how much I that I bought from Lewis Leathers thirty-five wore them, and not just when out on the bike, years ago, and it’s still in excellent condition. they never softened up or got ‘broke in’. They The problem is that it’s two, or maybe even were heavy, numb, and looked at all times like three, sizes too small! The road racing boots bike boots. I ended up going on that first tour I had at that time disappeared during the last with those boots and a pair of dress shoes for house move. Moira’s stuff disappeared long, evening wear. When we returned, cost or no long before that. cost, an order went off to Lewis Leathers for We started hunting through all the other a pair of their pattern No.177 Road Racer leather gear on the internet, and finally picked Boots, the same as I had bought thirty-five up a couple of BKS jackets that we liked from years ago - and it’s the best £££! that I’ve ever M&S Motorcycles, one of our local dealers on spent. They are light, flexible and look and feel Westgate Road in Newcastle. Whilst buying just like a pair of dress shoes when the jeans the jackets we also discovered Red Route are worn outside. The big bonus is that I can jeans. I was made-up with the pair I tried on, now feel the gear shift and the brake levers! as they were a size smaller in the waist than I The dress shoes now stay at home. usually take. Against all the odds, and much Moira is still looking, and still wearing her to my amazement, Moira also found a pair expensive high street knee boots. Boots are a that she loved. She’s usually very particular problem with her. If they don’t look smart - about how her backside looks in jeans, so this they ain’t going on! was a big result! The jackets and jeans have Helmets have been another disaster area now been ‘worn-in’ nicely and suit us down to for us. The first ones we bought lasted one the ground. tour before being thrown into the back of the The only downside to leather jackets garage. They were flip-up and Bluetooth-ready and jeans is that we need to carry all-in-one - and that element worked fine. However, lightweight rain suits with us all the time. The Moira found hers very heavy, and prone to RT is a surprisingly ‘dry’ bike, and we can wind noise and turbulence at higher speeds. delay getting suited-up until it starts to rain After a longish journey she often had a ‘properly’. However, for when it does really headache and a stiff or sore neck. I didn’t have start to rain we have Frank Thomas one-piece quite the same problems, but mine did cost rain suits for the purpose. When folded and me a pair of glasses. I would blame the helmet 34 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 of course - and I wasn’t carrying a spare pair when walking and exploring, it doubles up as with me on that first trip. The problem was Moira’s ‘office’ when we are on the move. Just that I could not put this helmet on, or take it under the top zip she has an organiser of sorts, off, without first taking off my glasses, and the permanently attached, where the passports are inevitable happened. I got distracted whilst kept. There are also compartments for credit putting the helmet on in Avila, and I rode off cards, notes and for road & tunnel toll tickets, with the glasses perched on top of the drybag. and a purse for loose change. It only took about ten kilometres for me to Talk about obsessive! - She even has a realise that I couldn’t read any signs, or tell the couple of small carabiners clipped to each side difference between a donkey and a truck at a of the sack to fasten her left and right gloves to, hundred paces, and then to understand the before taking them off to deal with ‘business’ reason why. When we stopped there was no at a booth. I now just ride up to the booth, as sign of the glasses. The rest of the holiday was directed from behind, cash or card is offered done in ‘Braille’. up, and I just head off when told to ‘gee-up’. We now have a pair of Nolan 43 Air Very organised my wife - we now go through helmets and we love them. Mine goes on and toll booths, passport controls, etc., etc., like comes off with the glasses ‘in-situ’, and Moira the proverbial through a goose! The bit that has no side-effects, apart from the hair - but makes me smile is when I can feel her tugging that would be a problem with any helmet! at the sack as we set off again. She puts the There is also now a spare pair of old glasses gloves back on before unclipping them. Moira stowed away in the RT’s tail compartment! likes those gloves and there is no way she is Now for a piece of kit that falls between going to lose them! two stools, but needs to be mentioned as it does The latest bits of kit, which haven’t have surprising benefits, and it makes me smile. been tried or used yet, were acquired as a Like many tourists, in addition to Moira’s consequence of the run up through France, shoulder bag, we ended up buying in Leon on and then from the south coast of the UK to our first visit, a small fifteen-litre haversack. Newcastle, during the last week of September This has now become an indispensable bit 2012. You may recall the dreadful weather of our kit and is always worn by me, on- that enveloped the whole of Europe that and-off the bike. Apart from its general use week, with flooding from as far afield as
The well-dressed pillion And her portable office
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 35 Malaga, where a bridge was washed away, to of Moira’s in them. Anyway, it’s a small point the northeast of England, where the A1 was but it works very well for us. Order now reigns closed for several days. where chaos once ruled. We were victims, like many others at that time, of the Brittany Ferries strike. We had Planning to make our own way home from the north We had a travel plan when we started all coast of Spain. Moira suffered badly from the this, and still have, but it has been modified cold throughout the whole three days that it somewhat over the last three years. Like many took us to get home. Her immediate reaction other couples we have done the long-haul on getting home was ... “Never again.” ... and holidays and the lying-on-the-beach holidays, I had a real sweat on for a couple of months, but neither of these appeals to us anymore. We thinking touring was off the agenda. That was seem to have developed this appetite to have a until I suggested introducing some external closer look at our European neighbours, and heating equipment into the equation. ... see what they have been up to over the last So, for Christmas 2012, instead of a torque couple of thousand years. More to the point, wrench, Moira got a Keis body warmer and a we want to do it under our own steam and pair of heated inner gloves. I only got the body through our own endeavours. warmer, as the heated grips on the RT are the The initial plan was to start off in Spain best things since sliced bread. In practice, for a couple of tours, then France for a couple the body warmers will probably lie under the tours, then the Benelux countries, followed by top box inner bag when not needed, or in the Germany and, if we were still ‘on our perches bottom of the drybag. - Austria, Switzerland, Italy and whatever Finally, and this really is heavy, obsessive comes after that. The problem is ...we cannot stuff - and it’s me this time. ... Harking back to get out of Spain! Before each trip we say to the way we used to tour thirty-odd years ago, ourselves that this will be the last Spanish tour the Krauser panniers were always taken off the for the time being - we’ll head off to Germany bike and lugged up to the room with us. I have next spring. But then we’ll travel through a this abiding memory of a nicely-packed case new area in Spain and realise that those bits being opened on arrival, and by the evening that we have just missed this time, simply can’t of the same day it being a jumbled mess - be left for a few years – they need to be visited staying that way for the rest of the holiday. as soon as possible! This time around I couldn’t believe that there We have done our fair share of the wasn’t a better way of organising things, and Spanish Mediterranean beaches and the I was determined to find it. A search on the Balearic Islands, but we had never visited internet found a company called the Clever the Atlantic or Biscay coasts - or the interior Baggers (www.thecleverbaggers.co.uk). They of mainland Spain. Over the winter of 2009 sell a range of cotton drawstring bags in all and 2010 we came up with a tour which sizes – they’re very lightweight and cheap. We consisted primarily of a circuit of the more pack our stuff into the drawstring bags first, obvious ‘World Heritage’ sites – including: before filling the pannier bags. All my socks Salamanca, Toledo, Avila and Segovia, but go into one cotton bag; all Moira’s knickers go also visiting Leon, Madrid, Burgos and of into another. Tee shirts go into into another, course, Santander. This first tour taught us underdogs into another, etc., etc. They also do two lessons. First, it’s not only the ‘Heritage’ shoe bags - so my pair of sandals goes in one sites in Spain that are worth visiting. In fact bag, and the other six (!) bags each have a pair we enjoyed Leon, Burgos and Madrid just 36 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 as much as we enjoyed Toledo and Segovia - the ferry booking as late as possible, in order and more than we enjoyed Salamanca. It was to accommodate any last-minute emergency obvious back then that there was a lot more or crisis at home. These unfortunately seem to be done and to be seen in Spain than we to come around more and more frequently, first thought. The second lesson we learnt as elderly relatives and friends start to fall ill was not to stay too long in the same place. or ‘off their perches’. Hotels are no longer pre- Even if we were riding out each day to look booked way in advance. However, Moira will at different towns or sites, it was better to just have done a lot of work before we leave home, move on after two or three days. I think we whittling down a list of suitable hotels to three were starting to get hooked on riding into new or four for each venue we intend to stay at. territory, and the excitement and anticipation We carry an Asus ‘netbook’ PC around of a new venue and a new hotel. with us, and use this to make bookings In hindsight, the first tour was planned through www.booking.com, and for picking very naively. We had scheduled everything - up our e-mails. We also use it for posting our down to what we would do every day and the daily blog, and Moira keeps in touch with the route we would take to do it. The hotels were family and friends on Skype. The Wi-Fi in booked months in advance, often selecting the Spain is good, probably better than in the UK, cheapest option, with no cancellation clause. and I cannot remember the last hotel we stayed Even the restaurants we would eat at, and in that didn’t have it installed somewhere in the bars we would drink at - based on advice the building, if not in every room, for free. We gleaned from the dozens of travel books we now tend to book hotels only two or three days poured over during the winter months - were in advance. However, a booking will be made, pencilled in for visiting. More than once even if it is only that morning before we set on that first tour we wandered around the off. Gone are the days of running around like streets of some Spanish city for several hours, headless chickens after arriving in a new town looking for a particular restaurant that some or city, looking for a hotel room. It’s not worth pretentious ‘critic’ had written glowingly the stress it causes and the time it wastes. This about some five years earlier, only to find it system allows us to spend extra days at a venue wasn’t where he said it was, or it had closed if we so wish, or even cut short a stay and move down. In other words - we made a lot of on, as happened in the spring of 2011 when we mistakes. However, in the process we learned rescheduled the entire tour! a lot about ourselves, and about Spain and the We have also learned that most restaurants, Spanish people. cafes and bars in Spain are good - in fact, very We still have elements of that first tour in good. You are likely to be unlucky with a our present-day planning, but gone is the rigid choice of restaurant or bar at some time during day-to-day schedule, the pre-booking of hotels any holiday, but we now have a strategy, that months in advance, and the marking-up of we are honing, designed to prevent this, and it restaurants and bars to visit. goes like this. ... If a place is full of locals - it’s We also still have a list of venues planned good. If a place is full of locals and it’s noisy to get us from and back to Santander, and the - it’s better. If a place is full of locals and it’s roads that we will take to get us around this noisy and they are singing and dancing - it’s route are also decided and programmed into the the best ... “Simples!” ... as the Spanish would satnav way in advance. However, flexibility is say. now the key element to our planning. Now, we Don’t be afraid to wander off into the will even leave our departure date flexible, and ‘rougher’ parts of town to find these places - The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 37 though not too far and not too rough! Heads Michelin Guides. will swivel when you walk in, and the place Do your homework over the winter will go quiet for a second or two before months. Look to see what each place has normal service is resumed, but you will find to offer and what there is to see in the that the barman will push you in front of surrounding locality. Spain is ‘busting at the his other customers, make you welcome, and seams’ with ancient monuments and areas of help you through the tapas or drinks menu. outstanding natural beauty. One of our first You’re probably the first tourist to bother calls at any new venue is the Tourist Office. going ‘off-piste’ and visit his bar, and they will They are always very helpful and will provide be genuinely pleased to have you there. We’ve maps, a bit of local information, and tell you spent some of our most memorable nights in which are the popular bars and cafes. There Spain in places just like this. Just remember - are rides to ride, walks to walk, hills to climb if you have been well looked after, pay the bill and castles to explore, and for those of you with a reasonable (10%) tip, and leave with a who need forgiveness, cathedrals to pray in! big smile, a ... “Gracias” ... and a wave. If you Spain really is a treasure trove for those of us haven’t, don’t stay too long, settle your bill and who like that sort of thing. leave quietly. I normally choose the roads between our Choosing a route for us is fairly easy. It venues from the Michelin 500 series maps starts with having a target for the end of the of Spain, of which there are eight. The roads ‘outbound’ leg. For us, our one overriding lined with green on their maps are what they criteria, and our target, is to get to somewhere designate as ‘scenic’, roads and they usually where there is a reasonable guarantee of are, but then there are some roads on their sunshine and warmth. In other words we are maps which look as if they are so featureless heading for Andalucia - but how we get there- you wouldn’t look at them twice. Yet these and-back is up for grabs each time. Next we roads might traverse the most barren of high decide on the travel times between venues that ground or desert, which for me makes them we feel comfortable with. Three or four hours very alluring. As it’s often said - beauty is in travelling time at 90 km/h, with a coffee stop the eye of the beholder. and a look around halfway, is comfortable for There are not many ‘bad’ roads in Spain. us. Our coffee stops are often, but not always, If you were to draw a forty-kilometre radius in town or village centres, as getting in and circle around Madrid, you’d probably out of these easily is the great advantage of encompass about 95% of the ‘bad’ ones. It’s a being on a bike. Also, in Spain parking should maintenance issue. Outside of this ‘zone’, road never be a problem. As long as you are sensible, maintenance is not a problem, and the quality any old bit of street or pavement is accepted of the road surfacing is generally excellent. practice. You do need to keep an open mind about the Good starting places for finding out condition of some of the mountain passes if information on potential stopovers and visits you are riding them in early spring, as they are are the Michelin Green Guide for Spain and prone to frost damage, and it does take a while the Michelin Green Guide for Andalucia. for the road gangs to catch up with this work These are all we use now, and all we carry with as the snow recedes. However, by the time the us. There is a full shelf of travel books on Spain summer comes around this maintenance work at home. Some are good and some are not so will usually all have been completed. good. However, none of them, in my opinion, For a biker, Spanish roads are generally very are as clear, concise and informative as the two ‘reliable’. What I mean by this is that when 38 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 they put a speed limit on a road, the bend months practising these skills. You need to radius and the sight lines have been designed learn how to use your satnav in order to get for that speed. If there is an anomaly, say a the best out of it. You never know when you tight bend or a blind summit, it will be advised will need to put this experience into practice with a speed reduction sign. In my experience ‘in-the-field’. I cannot remember ever being caught out by a badly designed or wrongly-signed road in What’s Worked and What Hasn’t Spain. I’m not saying that they are not out Well, as you might expect - as I wouldn’t there – it’s just that I haven’t found one yet. be writing this article otherwise – it’s the bike that is the ‘superstar’ of this show. The ‘love A Word or Two on Satnavs ... goggles’ are still well and truly on. Over the I personally couldn’t live without one, but 21000 miles run since new, the only significant some people still do and are proud of it. But for non-service item to be replaced/repaired has me, after having identified our preferred route been the non-return valve in the engine oil- and programmed it into the satnav, just being feed line This never stopped progress - it just ‘told’ to go this way or that, and having total ruined a perfectly good pair of underpants confidence in the instruction, adds so much on the first morning it happened in Polencia! more to the riding enjoyment. Now you can The noise for the first five or ten seconds or so laugh at this if you like, but the biggest bonus when the engine was fired up was shocking. of touring with a satnav is ... there are no more The only other issue has been the replacement arguments! ... and what’s more - I can swear at of two headlight lamps. It’s amazing the the machine using the choicest of language - confidence that this degree of reliability gives and it never answers me back! What’s more - it you to just head off without any hesitation or never goes off in a huff! anxiety. Before I decided to sell the R90S I had I thought that I had damaged or worn the impulsively bought a TomTom Rider2, which locking cams on the rear box as a consequence I spent the summer of 2009 learning how to of the extra weight carried on the rack. use. I liked it a lot, so much so in fact that However, when I voiced these concerns with we set off withtwo satnavs on that first tour the guys at Barrie Robson’s, they demonstrated of 2010, because I preferred the instruction that all the rear boxes on the RTs in the format of the TomTom to that of the Garmin showroom had more or less the same degree of Navigator. However, for ease of inputting a ‘slog’ (or slack), old and new. I no longer have route the Garmin is by far the best and most any ‘slog’, and if you are concerned about the logical, and overall the easiest to use. Now that movement in your rear box mounting here’s I’m familiar with the instruction format of the what to do. ... Navigator I use it in preference to the TomTom Take four two-inch long strips of cotton- all the time. Compiling a route on my desktop PC at home is quick and easy. Downloading to the satnav takes only a matter of minutes. I could now almost do it in my sleep. Some of the routes I’ve taken Moira down she reckons that’s exactly what I have done! If you are going down the detailed route- planning and inputting avenue, it’s worth spending several days during the winter The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 39 based insulating tape and wrap each around the four locking bars on the top-box base plate, to the top and underside of the bar equally. Then carefully offer up the box, without disturbing the tape, and lock the cams into position. You’ll feel a little bit more resistance than normal when you do this, but the ‘slog’ will have disappeared. The Touratech aluminium rocker cover guards have worked very well, and I guess that there is even a return on the ‘insurance’ after those three weeks we were thinking ... premium paid for them. “That was a long trip.”... By contrast, our last Other than that, I’m struggling to find tour was four weeks, and if it hadn’t been anything negative to say about the bike, or the for impending bad weather we would quite kit that I’ve put on the bike. Likewise with happily have turned around and repeated it ‘in the kit we wear. It has all, touch wood, done reverse’, and converted it into an eight-week everything we expected of it, and in some tour - and we would still have thought it too cases more. short. Well that’s about it. Looking back at our I suppose this begs the question - where do first tentative and stumbling steps back into Born Again Bikers (BABs) - draw the line? motorcycle touring in the spring of 2010, it’s I think I can answer that - when the money amusing to recall that on returning home runs out - or when they fall off their perches!
40 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 41 42 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 43 44 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 Why Would I Want to Fit an Intercom? Peter Wright finds an answer ...
Kath’s extensive repertoire of ‘nudges’ in just wasn’t playing. (She finally joined us on my ribcage had always met our on-bike the road to Pamplona a couple of hours later communication requirements – why change – not a whisper of an apology or a word of an a tried and tested system? We both held that explanation). There was nothing else for it, so view right up until the point where I missed we departed the port and joined the morning the San Sebastian junction on the A8, on rush hour traffic heading east, skirting the the outskirts of Bilbao, at the end of June southern suburbs of the city. last year. To put things into context, there The second challenge to my inbuilt GPS were two factors that contributed to this came about ten minutes later, in the form of a significant navigational failure on my part. blue Peugeot 207 (I can clearly remember the Firstly, as we queued at the exit to the Bilbao shiny 207 badge), that cut across ‘a midge’s’ in ferry terminal, ‘TomTom Jane’ (not what front of me, almost took out my front wheel, I called her at the time), thought that she and narrowly avoided colliding with the car was still in Portsmouth. Jane offered the on- to my right. I’d never practised emergency screen explanation ... ‘Satellites not located’ ... braking manoeuvres, two-up, on a fully-loaded I gesticulated to the sky, but to no avail, Jane RT. Suffice to say that the brakes, suspension,
‘Jane’ refuses to take the hint
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 45 and ‘black-box’ coped perfectly, and the bike remained upright and unruffled – which was more than could be said for the rider. I was really shaken up, travelling in a 70 mph traffic jam, sans satnav – I wasn’t a happy bunny. A muffled ...“You’ve just passed the junction for San Sebastian” ... from Kath didn’t make me feel a whole lot better. After further adventures – including an unplanned tour of the south-eastern suburbs of Bilbao - and a very long day, sat over a cold beer that night in Hossegor, just north of Biarritz, Kath proclaimed ... “I think that we should get an intercom.”... Kath had already told me that she had seen that we were going to miss the junction that morning, but knew that no amount of ‘nudging’ or arm-waving was going to help in the circumstances. The logic of the argument was very persuasive – if we wanted to benefit from two pairs of eyes, then we needed to be able to speak with one another. ...“OK, I’ll start looking for one as soon as we get back, but don’t blame me if Jane gets jealous.” I thought the comment deserved at least a smile from Kath, but, as I said, it had been a long day. ... Fast forward a couple of weeks, and, after a great holiday in the Dordogne, returning via Saumur and Caen, I was back home on the BMW Forum and Google, investigating the intercom options, and riders’ experiences and opinions of the various systems. I narrowed the options down in that we only required rider/pillion - as opposed to rider/pillion/rider - voice capability. We also had no requirement for mobile phone or MP3/audio functionality. What was essential was that the chosen system was compatible with my TomTom Rider 2, that it was ‘wireless’, and that it was affordable. Those of you familiar with the Rider 2 will know that the system comes complete with a Cardo Scala Rider Bluetooth headset. In my case, the Scala Rider headset was attached, with some difficulty I might add, to the shell of my BMW System 6 helmet. As I had gone 46 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 through the trauma of taking a scalpel to the System 6 ‘skirt’ and lining in order to fit the original Scala Rider headset, and I knew that this unit worked well with the TomTom, I decided to see what options Cardo offered in the way of intercom systems that met our requirements. The logic was that if one Cardo headset fitted the helmet and worked with the TomTom, then they all would. A quick ‘Google’ pointed to the Cardo Scala Rider TeamSet PRO as fitting the bill – even though it came with functionality that we would probably never use. ‘Try-before-you-buy’ isn’t an option with this kind of kit, so I looked for the best price (about £150 at the time, but I’ve seen it as ‘low’ as £120), took a deep breath and ordered the system.
What’s in the Box? Quite a lot actually, including: two headset units, each comprising a helmet clamp with two low profile speakers and microphone; two rechargeable and demountable Bluetooth transmitter/receiver units incorporating on/off, volume and ‘pairing’ controls; carry
Transmitter/Receiver Units, Carry Pouches & Charger
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 47 48 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 pouches, for the transmitter/receiver units; removed and stored in the carry pouches a dual voltage universal travel charger; Allen provided when not in use. keys for the helmet clamps; ‘glue-plates’ as an alternative to the helmet clamps; microphone System Set Up & Interfacing with the ‘sponges’ (flat and round); MP3 cables (if you TomTom must) and a very comprehensive instruction The units are already ‘paired’, so apart from manual. charging the transmitter/receiver units and adjusting the volume to your preference(s), the Fitting the Headsets system is ready to use as an intercom ‘out-of- As mentioned above, the System 6 shell the-box’. design makes it awkward to fit the Cardo Scala I needed to ‘introduce’ my TeamSet PRO Rider helmet clamp – it was much easier to fit transmitter/receiver (identified by the red the clamp to Kath’s Shoei Raid II. Having said tape) to the TomTom Rider 2. This was simple that, once fitted, there should be little need to enough (via Change Preferences / Connect to remove the unit. Headset), ignoring the TomTom warning that If you’re not happy carrying out minor ... ‘Not all headset functions supported.’ ... or cosmetic surgery on the ‘skirt’ of the System words to that effect. I assumed the message 6 (the same applies to Schuberths I believe), was referring to functions that I had no use for, then you could use the ‘glue plates’ provided. so just ignored it. A quick ride to check that all However, the usual caveat re. adhesive and was in order, and that was it – job done. its possible effect on the shell of the helmet applies. Other Functionality The transmitter/receiver units simply slide If you want to use the system with a onto the terminal mounts on the headset mobile phone, then you can set which takes assemblies, and are designed to be easily precedence – mobile or GPS audio instructions
Scala Rider Headset, Mounting Headset & Mounting Bracket Bracket & ‘Glue-Plate installed on the System 6
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 49 50 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 – both override intercom communications. rider/pillion communications only, Kath and The system, according to the manual, also I have ‘communicated’ at a range of at least incorporates VOX technology for voice- fifty metres using the headsets. I can’t see controlled receipt/rejection of incoming calls. any reason why the system can’t be used for I’ve found that turning my mobile off and short-range rider/rider exchanges. The range is putting it in a pannier also works. presumably limited by the relatively low power If you want to attach your headset to an of the rechargeable batteries incorporated in MP3, then the audio output from the player the transmitter/receiver units. takes the lowest precedence – quite right too. In conclusion, I had my doubts about ‘three-on-a-bike’, but I am now a convert – and Using the Intercom With & Without the an added benefit is that my ribs are mending TomTom nicely! Used solely as an intercom, the system is voice - or more accurately, sound - activated. Postscript – I never did work out what made You need to experiment with the position of Jane so uncooperative in Bilbao. Maybe she the microphones in order to prevent wind took exception to being locked away on the noise activating the system. The System 6 is bike in the bowels of the ‘Finistere’ - but it was good in this respect as the ‘skirt’ reduces wind only a two-berth cabin after all. ... Perhaps the noise to a minimum. Kath’s Raid II needed GPS reception in Bilbao is generally poor - but a little more ‘draught-proofing’ to prevent then surely it is no better in the middle of the premature communication. ... Pyrenees on the road to Pamplona? Maybe I had Once we’d adjusted the individual volume left the TomTom receiver switched ‘on’ while on controls, the system worked just as claimed. the ferry, and it took a couple of hours for Jane There is only a short delay on voice-activating to summon the energy to join us. Whatever, it the units, and we have found the sound quality was untypical behaviour, and, abiding by the to be very good. Cardo claim ten hours talk- principle that my TomTom complements, and time and a week standby on a full charge. We doesn’t replace, the relevant Michelin maps, I’ve just take the charger away and ‘top-up’ every generally been very satisfied with my TomTom night. Rider 2 over the last four years of frequent use. The transmitter/receivers are very neat and appear to be well made – they simply slide onto the headset assemblies. We leave the units on the helmets whenever we are riding in order to protect the terminals on the headsets from the elements. Used with the TomTom, I have occasionally ‘lost’ audio output from the satnav. This has happened at the beginning of a journey or after a stop, and I believe that it is down to the order that you ‘pair’ and ‘un-pair’ the units. I’ve had no problems if I turn my intercom on, then Kath’s, then the TomTom – turning them off in the reverse order. A final note on functionality - although Fig 5 – Transmitter/ the Cardo blurb states that the system is for Receiver Unit installed The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 51 52 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 The BMW Club... Out and About On the following pages, you’ll find details of the Club’s ‘social’ side, including information about past and future events, and where you can get together with friends old and new. Why not try something for yourself this month? 54 Where We Meet 54 A complete list of regular section events,with adresses, dates and contact details 55 Diary of Events - March & April 55 Find out what’s on in the next few days/weeks 58 Around the Compass 58 Events coming up which may need booking, including UK and European Trips/weekends 62 The Social Scene 62 The National Social Secretary invites us to be sociable 65 Section & Register News 65 Keep in touch with what’s happening in the Club’s regional Sections. Includes reports of past (and upcoming) events, and general news about your own area. Contact details are provided at the end of each Section’s entry
2013 BMF Discount Code - BMW13J683
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 53 Where We Meet Please send Where We Meet changes to the Editor EAST ANGLIA: The Shoulder of Mutton, Halstead Road, Warrington, 2nd Sunday November to March, 1.00pm. Ford Street, Aldham, Essex CO6 3LL, 12:00, 1st Sunday. The Chipping Village Hall, Chipping, 2nd Sunday April to October, Shoulder of Mutton, Halstead Road, Ford Street, Aldham, 1.00pm. The Tynwald Inn, St Johns, Isle of Man, 3rd Essex, CO6 3LL, 12:00, 3rd Sunday. The Three Tunns, Tuesday, 7.30pm. The Border Rose, Rochdale Rd, Walsden, Wethersfield Road, Finchingfield, Essex, CM7 4NR, 12:00, Todmorden, 3rd Friday, 7.30pm. The Harraby Inn, London 1st Wednesday. The Lamb and Flag, Main Street, Welney, Rd, Carlisle, last Monday, 7.30pm. Cambs, PE14 9RB, 12:00, 3rd Wednesday. Also various OXFORD: The Harcourt Arms at Stanton Harcourt, 2nd meets through the year, so please see the Diary Of Events Tuesday, 19:30. The Fox and Hounds at Sunnyside, Theale, IRISH: Cork - Ride Out meet at 6.30pm TexOil Petrol Nr Reading, RG7 4BE, 4th Tuesday, 20.00. Uffington Village Station, Glounthaune, every Tuesday, May-September, Hall, Oxfordshire, winter Sundays,14:00. The Churchill Arms Con O’Leary, contact 086 8252774 conor@olearystone. at West Lavington (A360) Hight Street West Lavington SN10 com. Dublin Meeting – Last Thursday 8.00pm, West County 4JB, first Thursday of the month at 7.00 Hotel, Chapelizod, Jim Sweeney 0872300736 email: jim@ SCOTTISH: 1st Sunday @ Spittal of Glenshee Hotel, lucanstudios.ie Dublin ride-outs – 2nd Sunday, March- Glenshee, Perthshire PH10 7QF at 12.30pm. 1st Monday November meet at: Spa Hotel (near Lucan) 10:00am, Jim @ Meldrums Hotel, Ceres, Fife KY15 5NA at 7.30pm. 2nd Sweeney 0872300736 email: [email protected] Limerick Sunday @ The Bankfoot Inn, Bankfoot, Perthshire PH1 meeting - 1st Thursday, 8.00pm. Woodfield House Hotel, 4AB at 12.00 noon. 3rd Sunday @ Buccleuch Arms Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick, Pat Mulcahy 087 2377312. North West High Street, Moffat DG10 9ET at 12.30pm. 4th Sunday @ Meeting – 2nd Sunday, Coffey’s Café, Carrick-on-Shannon, Hopeville Social Club, Harlaw Road, Inverurie at 12.30pm. 12.00 noon; Patrick Munnelly 086 3383499 email: tapmun@ SOUTHERN: The Rising Sun, 27 Spring Lane, Colden hotmail.com Common, Winchester, SO21 1SB, 20.00 second Tuesday. LONDON: Section meets are as rideouts and are irregular, The Seven Stars, Newark Lane, Ripley, Surrey, GU23 6DL please see their website and the Journal Diary for meets. 20.00, alt Tuesdays. The Half Moon, 32 London Road, Peter Jones 07710887958, Nick Fry 01438749913 for Petersfield, GU31 4BE, just North of Petersfield on the old advice. A3, alt Thursdays. The Horton Inn, Cranborne Road, Horton, MERCIA: Repton Village Hall, Askew Grove, Repton, Wimborne, BH21 5AD, 01258 840252, 20.00 3rd Thursday. Derbys DE65 6GR, see diary for dates and times. The “Old Gits” Loomies Diner on A32 at West Meon Hut cross Clock Warehouse, London Road, Shardlow, Derby. DE72 roads A272 & A32, Hampshire first Wednesday, 12 noon. 2GL, 2nd Wednesday, 1900hrs. The Dog, Henley Road, SOUTH EAST: ‘The Bull’, Lower Road, East Farleigh, nr Mappleborough Green, Studley, B80 7DR, 2nd Thursday, Maidstone, ME15 0HD, 1st/3rd Wednesdays, 20.00. ‘The 1930hrs. New Inn. Wolvey Road, Bulkington CV12 9JF, Roebuck’, on the B2124 at Laughton, 2nd Friday, 20.00. 1st Tuesday, 19.30hrs. Brunch/ Breakfast at Windy Ridge Borders meet, last Friday, 20.00. Lunchtime meet,noon last Cafe, Winkhill Leek ST13 7PN, 1st Sunday from May to Sunday. See Diary for details. October, 1030hrs. Hoar Park, The Craft Village, Nuneaton SOUTH WEST: The Weary Traveller, Station Rd., Road, Church End, CV10 0QU, every Wednesday at 0930 Cullompton, EX15 1BQ. 100 yards from M5 J28 on the hrs for breakfast. Last Wednesday of every the month. The A318. New meeting places are being looked for. All meets Bradford Arms, Ivetsy Bank, Wheaton Aston, Stafford. ST19 12:00 as per calendar of events. 9QT 1930hrs ULSTER: Corr’s Corner, Glengormley, Co. Antrim, 8.00pm MIDLAND: All year round gatherings: The Three Kings, on first Tuesday (except January & July). Wednesday Saltersway, Threekingham, Lincs NG34 0AU, 01529 240249, evening runs Corr’s Corner, 7.00pm from beginning of April 1st Tuesday 7.30pm; The Old Reindeer, Main St., Edingley to end of August. Sunday/Wednesday morning runs 11am Notts, NG22 8DE, 2nd Thursday 7.30pm; The Horseshoe, 2 Corr’s Corner throughout the year, weather dependant. Overstone Rd, Sywell, Northamptonshire, NN6 0AW, 01604 WESTERN: The Hood Memorial Hall, Devauden, Chepstow. 642286, 3rd Tuesday 7.30pm; The King’s Head, Kingsway, NP16 6PL, 13.30hrs, 2nd Sunday. New Inn, Claines, Tealby, Lincs LN8 3YA, 01673 838347, 3rd Thursday 7.30pm. Worcester, 2000hrs, 1st Tuesday. The Lamb Inn, Wotton Winter gatherings: The Community Centre, Great Lane, Road, Iron Acton, Bristol, South Glos BS37 9UZ, 19.30hrs, Greetham, Rutland and The Rangers Cycle Clubhouse, off 1st Wednesday. 99 Neath Road, Rhos, Pontardawe, Islington Road, Towcester, Northants occasional Sundays, Swansea SA8 3EH, 19.30hrs, 4th Wednesday. October to March. Alternating Breakfast meets see Diary or Forum for details. YORKSHIRE: Cracoe Village Hall BD23 6LQ on B6265 north of Skipton through Rylstone, 1st Sunday, 12 noon. NORTH EAST: ‘The Travellers Rest’ in the village of Witton The Cubley Hall Inn, Mortimer Road, Penistone, Sheffield, Gilbert just off the A691 on the road to Lanchester at S36 9DF, off A629, 2nd Sunday 12 noon. The Bear Inn, 19.30hrs 1st Wednesday. The Wagon Inn, 3 miles NW of South Cave, HU15 2AS on the A1034 off the A63, Brough, Ponteland on A696, NE20 0DH, 19.30hrs 3rd Wednesday. 2nd Monday, 8pm. Squires Cafe Bar, Sherburn in Elmet Unless otherwise noted all runs start from Durham Services, LS25 5LQ, on the B1222 from the A1 or the A162, 3rd Bowburn J61 A1(M). Tuesday, 7pm. How Stean Gorge Cafe HG3 5SF north of NORTHERN: The Briars Hall Hotel, Burscough, 1st Friday, Pateley Bridge near Lofthouse, 3rd Sunday, 12 noon. The 8.00pm. Skipton Market Place, Skipton, 2nd Tuesday, Bikers Café Fimbar Road Fridaythorpe Driffield YO25 9RX 1.00pm. Rixton Community Hall, Manchester Rd, Rixton, last Saturday, 12 noon
54 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 Diary Of Events: March & April March = April = Weekends = Red Text Diary of Events closing date is the 5th of each month
These activities have been arranged as agent for and on behalf of The BMW Club. All organisers are covered by our insurance, provided the event guidelines are followed.
Farleigh.8pm. March Southern Old Gits meet at Loomies. 1 Northern Natter Night 8:00pm, The Briars Hall. Western Evening meeting 1930 - Lamb Inn, Details Vera Hunt 01257 464429 Wotton Road, Iron Acton, Bristol, South 2 Western Fish & Chips at Papa’s Fish & Chip Glos BS37 9UZ No booking just turn Restaurant, 20 Waterloo St Weston- up for a chat 1900hrs Super-Mare. BS23 1LN WWW. 7 Irish Limerick meeting Woodfield House papasukltd.com numbers required Hotel, Ennis Road 8:00 PM Pat Denis Bradbeer 01454 775786 Mulcahy 087 2377312 3 East Anglia Shoulder of Mutton - Aldham Oxford Natter night, The Churchhill Arms West 12:00 Lavington SN104JB Mercia Bowling with Derek and Vi Sheldon. 8 S. East The Roebuck at Laughton B2124 BN8 Strykers Bowl. Castle Grounds, River 6BG.7.30pm Drive, Tamworth. B79 7ND contact tel 10 East Anglia Cafe Meet - Tubby T’s Cafe, Bury 01827 712613 Rd, Stradishall,Suffolk, CB8 9XX 10:00 Midland Lunch time meet. Towcester - Irish N.W Area Meeting Coffee’s Cafe A5 Rangers Clubhouse, Bottom Of Carrick on Shannon, 12.00 noon. Islington Road, Towcester, Northants Patrick Munnelly 086 3383499 email: 12-30pm. Contact John & Janet Winn [email protected] 01604 631043 Midland Bring and Buy - The Community S. West Pub Meet 12-noon. The Weary Centre,Great Lane, Greetham, Traveller, Cullompton, Devon EX15 Rutland. Further details contact Paul 1BQ. Chris Crocker 01884 252759 Carpenter : 07966 473668 Scottish Lunch meet: Spittal of Glenshee Hotel N. East Lunch Time Ride In to the Bluebell Pub, PH10 7QF.12.30 just off the A6096 at Stanley for 1pm. Southern Winter Talk at Rake Village Hall 2.00pm Northern Section Meeting 1:00pm @ Rixton - Hampshire Air Ambulance Village Hall. Details Peter McCombie Yorkshire Marigolds Hot Snacks PLUS Bring & 01228 594792 Buy, Village Hall Cracoe 12 noon Oxford Indoor meet Talk Uffington 2:00pm 4 Scottish Natter nite: Meldrums Hotel, Ceres Scottish Lunch meet: Bankfoot Inn, Bankfoot, KY15 5NA Perth PH1 4AB. 12.00 5 Mercia Natter Night 1930 hrs New Inn. Wolvey Western Monthly Meeting Devauden 13.30 Road, Bulkington. CV12 9JF hrs Bikers have Talent. Show us Midland Pub Meet - The Three Kings, your talents for crafts, Art etc. Tables Saltersway, Threekingham, Lincs. available for display. NG34 oAU : 19.30 Yorkshire Lunchtime meet Cubley Hall Hotel, Southern Pub meet Seven Stars, Newark Lane, Mortimer Rd, Penistone. S36 9DF 12 Ripley, Surrey noon Ulster Club Meeting 8pm Corr’s Corner. 11 Yorkshire Natter night Bear Inn, South Cave Western Evening Meeting 2000hrs at the New Market Place. 8pm Inn, Claines, Worcs 20.00 hrs Bob 12 Oxford Natter night, Harcourt Arms, Stanton Dunn – 01384 390344 Harcourt 7.30 pm 6 East Anglia Three Tunns - Finchingfield 12:00 Southern Pub meet, Rising Sun. N. East 7.30pm. Travellers Rest, Front Street 13 Mercia Natter Night 19.00 hrs Clock Witton Gilbert. Talk by the North Warehouse, London Road, Shardlow, East Ambulance Service and Social Derby DE72 2GL Evening. S. East Midweek run from Coopers Tun. S. East Clubnight at The Bull,East Wells.10.30am
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 55 14 Mercia Natter Night 1930 hrs The Dog. Henley 22-24 Mercia Bed and Breakfast weekend. Clun Road, Mappleborough Green, Studley Farmhouse, Clun, Craven Arms. B80 7DR Shropshire SY7 8JB £40 p.p per night Midland Pub Meet - The Old Reindeer, Main B&B contact Anthony Whitfield 01588 Street, Edingley, Notts, NG22 8DE. : 640432 19:30 22-24 Oxford Bournemouth Hotel Weekend Rob & Northern Meet Slaidburn 1:00pm. Details Barry Marion 01235 850111. See AtC. Warner 01617 611702 24 East Anglia Club meet - The Adventure Bike Southern Pub meet Half Moon, 32 London Road, Shop unit 19 inca business park, Peterfield, GU31 4BE Acton, Sudbury, CO10 0BB 10:00 Free 15-17 Scottish Mick Reed’s Glenluce camping bacon rolls etc. weekend. See ARC London Ride along with The Pioneer Run to 16 Western Meet for Lunch 1200 and visit Brighton. Leaving from A3 BP Services designer shops at Harlequin Cafe, at 0930 hrs Kilver Court, Kilver Street, Shepton Scottish Lunch meet: Hopeville Social Club, Mallet, Somerset. BA4 5NF www. Inverurie AB51 4SR .12.30 kilvercourt.com Southern Breakfast Run 10am - Venue TBC, see 17 East Anglia The Chequers - wimbotsham website for further details. 12:00 Ulster Mad March Hare Run. 10-30am Scrabo MIdland Ride Out : Destination TBA. Depart Tower Newtownards. The Super Sausage Cafe - Watling Western Easter Ride out To be arranged contact Street (A5), Potterspury, Towcester, Denis Bradbeer 01454 775786 or Northampton, NN12 7QD 9.30am. [email protected] Paul Carpenter : 07966 473668 25 Northern Natter Night 7:30pm @The Harraby S. East Pioneer Run. With Geoff F. Depart 8am Inn, Carlisle. Details John Bell 01228 Layby opp.Oakdene Cafe Wrotham. 535173 A20/M26. ( 01474 365880) 26 Oxford Natter night, The Fox & Hounds, S. West Pub Meet 12 noon The Worlds End, Theale, Nr Reading, 8.00pm Bradford End, Somerset TA4 1ET Yorkshire Natter night. Gildersome Conservative Scottish Lunch meet: Buccleuch Arms, Moffat Club. Street lane, Gildersome 8pm DG10 9ET. 12.30 27 Mercia Natter Night 1930 hrs The Bradford Southern Ides of March - Treasure Hunt, full Arms. Ivetsy Bank, Wheaton Aston, details to be posted on the website. Stafford. ST19 9QT Yorkshire Lunchtime meet How Stean Cafe, Western Evening Meeting 1930 at 99 Neath Lofthouse. 12 noon Road, Rhos, Pontardawe, Nr Swansea 18 Northern Natter Night 7:00pm @ The Border SA8 3EH contact Brian Price – 01792 Rose, Rochdale Rd, Todmorden. 862152 Details Alan Stretton 01706 656606 28 Irish Dublin Meeting. West County Hotel, 19 Midland Pub Meet : The Horseshoe, 2 Overstone Chapelizod. 8:00 PM Jim Sweeney Rd, Sywell, Northamptonshire ,NN6 087 2300736 email: jim@lucanstudios. 0AW : 19.30 ie Northern IOM Group. 7.30pm The Tynwald Inn, Southern Pub meet Half Moon, 32 London Road, St Johns, Isle of Man. Contact Harvey Peterfield, GU31 4BE Garton 01624 625140. 29 S. East Borders.7.30pm.Dog & Duck. Plucks Southern Pub meet Seven Stars, Newark Lane, Gutter nr Stourmouth.CT3 1JB Ripley, Surrey 29-1 Apr S. West C a m p i n g E a s t e r Yorkshire Natter night Squires Cafe Bar, Weekend, St Agnes Camping, Sherburn-in-Elmet. 8pm including the last section of the Lands 20 East Anglia The Lamb and Flag - Welney End Trial Les will do a guided tour, Les 12:00 Madge 0164724523 More details on N. East Waggon Inn, nr Ponteland. For 7.30pm. the website Tyre Kicking session. 30 Yorkshire Lunchtime meet The Bikers Cafe, S. East Guess the Picture, The Bull ,East Fimber Rd. Fridaythorpe YO25 9RX Farleigh.8pm 12 noon Western Meet for Lunch 1200 at The Old 31 Mercia Repton Village Hall. Askew Grove, Royal Ship, Luckington, Wiltshire Repton, Derby’s DE65 6GR Bring & SN14 6PA 1200 noon for lunch Buy stallholders 9am - members from and a chat Numbers required 10am Food available Denis Bradbeer - 01454 775786 Midland Joint Meeting With The Mercia Section 21 Midland Pub Meet : The Kings Head, Kingsway, - Repton Village Hall, Askew Grove, Tealby, Lincs, LN8 3YA Repton, Derby DE65 6GR. Contact Southern Pub meet Horton Inn, Cranborne Road, Colin Ainsworth 07799 653789 : 10am Horton, Wimborne, BH21 5DA Oxford Easter
56 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 S. East Hunt the Hawk Treasure Hunt. Western Meet for Lunch at Ms Miggins Breakfast from 9am Depart 10.30 from Coffee Shop & Restaurant, Brewers Fayre Paddock Wood Hop Countrywide Store, Hazel Farm TN12 6PY(John, 01622 744665) Park,Dymock Road, Ledbury HR8 2JQ George and June Lukins 01432 April 830287 11 Mercia Natter Night 1930 hrs The Dog. Henley 1 Scottish Natter nite: Meldrums Hotel, Ceres Road, Mappleborough Green, Studley KY15 5NA B80 7DR 2 Mercia Natter Night 1930 hrs New Inn. Wolvey 12 S. East The Roebuck at Laughton.7.30pm Road, Bulkington. CV12 9JF 14 East Anglia Flog it at Fornham 10:30 Ulster No Club Meeting. Irish Leinster Ride-out Spa Hotel (near 3 East Anglia Three Tunns - Finchingfield 12:00 Lucan) 10.00 am Jim Sweeney 087 N. East 7.30pm. Travellers Rest pub, Front 2300736 email: [email protected] Street, Witton Gilbert. Social Evening. Irish N.W Area Meeting Coffee’s Cafe Northern Midweek Run to Lakes Vyrnwy & Bala Carrick on Shannon, 12.00 noon. from J&S car park, Oakmere, 9.30 Patrick Munnelly 086 3383499 email: a.m. Details: Peter Wright, Tel. 01925 [email protected] 762599. N. East Lunch time ride in to the Beehive Pub S. East Clubnight at The Bull,East between Earsdon and Hartley, Whitley Farleigh.8pm. Bay for 1pm. Western Evening meeting 1930 - Lamb Inn, Oxford Ride out Foxton Locks Brian & Lillian Wotton Road, Iron Acton, Bristol, South Garforth Glos BS37 9UZ No booking just turn S. East Breakfast at 7Diner from 10am. Depart up for a chat 1900hrs 11am.for Pauls Cake Run. ETA for 4 Irish Limerick meeting Woodfield House cakes. 2.30pm (07901 97793) Hotel, Ennis Road 8:00 PM Pat S. West Sunday ride out with John Dyke see Mulcahy 087 2377312 website for details Oxford Natter night, The Churchhill Arms West Scottish Lunch meet: Bankfoot Inn, Bankfoot, Lavington SN104JB Perth PH1 4AB. 12.00 5-7 Western Camping Weekend at the Tudor Arms Ulster Meet and Eat. 1pm Bushmills Garden Camp Site, Slimbridge, Glos GL2 7BP Centre. Hosted by Alan & Liz of the Hedingham Western Monthly Section Meeting The Sidecar owners Club Contact 07815 Hood Memorial Hall Devauden. 101925 for info. Those were the days. Bring your 7 East Anglia Shoulder of Mutton - Aldham photos of when you were a bit younger 12:00 for all to see. Promise we won’t laugh. Mercia Windy Ridge Café. Breakfast / Brunch Yorkshire Lunchtime meet Cubley Hall Hotel. 10.30 am Winkhill, Leek.ST13 7PN Penistone. S36 9DF 12 noon S. West Sunday ride out 12.00 noon Subway 16 Irish Cork Ride Out. 6.30pm TexOil nr Launceston then on to visit a War Petrol Station, Glounthaune. Con Museum Phil 07850983144 O’Leary, contact 086 8252774 conor@ Scottish Lunch meet: Spittal of Glenshee Hotel olearystone.com; PH10 7QF.12.30 Northern IOM Group. 7.30pm The Tynwald Inn, Western Visit to the Prescott Bike Festival, St Johns, Isle of Man. Contact Harvey Gotherington, Cheltenham GL52 9RD Garton 01624 625140. www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk See Yorkshire Natter night Squires Cafe Bar, you there? Advance tickets £12.00 Sherburn-in-Elmet. 8pm [email protected]. 17 East Anglia The Lamb and Flag - Welney Yorkshire Cracoe Village Hall. Marigolds Hot 12:00 Snacks 12 noon N. East Waggon Inn, nr Ponteland for 7.30pm. 8 Yorkshire Natter night Bear Inn, South Cave Tyre Kicking session Market Place. 8pm S. East Quiz Nite with Quizmaster, The Hawk. 9 Oxford Natter night, Harcourt Arms, Stanton The Bull,East Farleigh.8pm. Harcourt 7.30 pm S. West Wed. fish and chips 7.30 pm Exmouth Western Evening Meeting – 2000 hrs New Inn, sea front Dave Cooper on 01392 Ombersley Road, Worcester, WR3 877886 7DH Bob Dunn – 01384 390344 Western Meet for Lunch 1200 at The Tunnel 10 Mercia Natter Night 1900 hrs Clock Warehouse. House Inn Tarlton Road Nr Cirencester London Road, Shardlow, Derby. DE72 GL7 6PW Gordon Williams 01454 2GL 317135 S. East Midweek run from Coopers Tun. 19-21 S. East Nat.AGM.The Billing Aquadrome Wells.10.30am Northampton. Camp&Hotel. See
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 57 Journal for details. BR2 6DU 20 Mercia National AGM Billing Aquadrome. 26-28 S. East Derby Dales, Lion Hotel weekend Northants Belper DE56 1AX. (Colin&Sheila 078 N. East National AGM at the Billing Aquadrome, 7831 2788) Northampton. For full details watch the 27 Oxford BMW GS Day. More Info Steve Moxey Club Journal. (National Event) 07771663915 21 East Anglia The Chequers - wimbotsham Scottish Lunch meet: Hopeville Social Club, 12:00 Inverurie AB51 4SR.12.30 S. West Sunday Pub meet 12 noon Yorkshire Lunchtime meet The Bikers Cafe, Wetherspoons Union Rooms Plymouth Fimber Road. Fridaythorpe. YO25 9RX PL1 2SU Don on 01840 212913 12 noon Scottish Lunch meet: Buccleuch Arms, Moffat 27-28 Vintage Stafford Classic Show 27th-28th April DG10 9ET. 12.30 2013 Yorkshire Alpine Quiz “ The Pennine Way” 28 East Anglia Cafe Meet - Fairlands Diner 25 details one month in advance only. Fairland Street Wymondham Norfolk [email protected] or SAE to NR18 0AW 10:00 Steve 24, Patterdale Drive. Rawcliffe. York. YO30 5TW London Mick Miles`s Cotswold Run for lunch. Leaving Beaconsfield at 0930 hrs 23 Irish Cork Ride Out. 6.30pm TexOil Petrol Station, Glounthaune. Con Mercia Brian Coopers Run to Lacock Abbey O’Leary, contact 086 8252774 conor@ and Village. Meet at the OK Diner olearystone.com; Cannock WS11 0BN, 0915 for a 0930 Oxford Natter night, The Fox & Hounds, start. Calling at McDonalds, Wychbold, Theale, Nr Reading, 8.00pm WR9 7PA, for approx 1015hrs. Contact Brian Cooper on 01785 713565 24 Mercia Natter Night 1930 hrs The Bradford Arms. Ivetsy Bank, Wheaton Aston, Oxford Curry Colin & Anita Stafford. ST19 9QT S. East Lunchtime at Hadlow College Cafe. N. East Lucky Few Run. Leader is Derek TN11 0AL.Run 2pm Proctor tel. 0191 281 2414 For details Western Visit to the Royal Observer Post 1200hrs contact him as above. Start at the at Broadway Tower, meet at the Tower waggon 10am. Cafe 1200hrs for coffee and tour at Western Evening Meeting 1930 at 99 Neath 1300hrs. Tour costs £6.50 for both Road, Rhos, Pontardawe, Nr Swansea Tower and ROP or £3.50 for just ROP. SA8 3EH contact Brian Price – 01792 Jerry Riches 01454 632811 862152 30 Irish Cork Ride Out. 6.30pm TexOil 25 Irish Dublin Meeting. West County Hotel, Petrol Station, Glounthaune. Con Chapelizod. 8:00 PM Jim Sweeney O’Leary, contact 086 8252774 conor@ 087 2300736 email: jim@lucanstudios. olearystone.com; ie Yorkshire Natter night. Gildersome Conservative 26 S. East Borders.7.30pm.Kings Arms Biggin Hill Club. Street lane, Gildersome 8pm Around The Compass Please send Around The Compass changes to [email protected] with “Compass” as the subject 15th – 17th March: Scottish Section Mick Reed’s Arms. Shropshire SY7 8JB £40 p.p per night B&B Glenluce: Glenluce Caravan Park, Balkail Ave, contact Anthony Whitfield 01588 640432 Glenluce, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire DG8 22nd - 24th March: Oxford Section, Bournemouth 0QR. Camping £7 per night. No need to book. The Hotel Weekend. More info Rob and Marion trailer and marquee do not go to Glenluce. People 0123585011 tend to get together in the evening in the Kelvin House Hotel which is opposite the camp site. If you 29th march to 1st April. S.West Section Easter don’t fancy camping in March but want to enjoy the Weekend. St Agnes Camping including the last company of other BMW members there is plenty of section of the Lands End Trial. Les will do a guided other accommodation available details on Scottish tour. Les Madge 0164724523 More details on the Section website. Contact: Judy tel.01592 874592 website. or email: [email protected] 3rd – 6th May: Scottish Section Hotel weekend 22nd -24th March. Mercia Section Bed and Rob Roy Hotel, Aberfoyle FK8 3UX: £99.00 per Breakfast weekend. Clun Farmhouse, Clun, Craven person for 3 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
58 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 including Saturday night dance (based on 2 and Southern Sections, at Church Farm Camping sharing). (£10.00 per night single supplement) and Caravan Park, Sixpeny Hanley, Salisbury SP5 Book direct with the Hotel: tel.no. 01877 382 245 5ND, for details Sally Robinson 01395 597725 email: [email protected] quote BMW Club. 31st - 2nd June: Oxford Section Camping at Deposit of £20.00 per person required when Lechlade book direct with camp site 01367252348 booking, balance to be paid 7 days prior to arrival. The Hotel is located at the gateway to the stunning 31st - 3rd June: Irish Section Boreen Co. Cavan, Trossachs and is set within Scotland’s first National 3 nights B&B, 1 evening meal Euro 175 OR 2 nights Park. Aberfoyle is a short stroll along the banks of B&B, 1 evening meal Euro 150. Enquiries/bookings the River Forth many attractions in the area more to: Elaine Simpson Tel: 00353 (0) 830043775 information on Scottish Section website. Contact: email: [email protected] all payments to: BMW Judy tel.01592 874592 or email: scottish.social@ Club Irish Section - payments can be made via bmwclubuk.net paypal contact Elaine for details 3 - 6th May. Ulster Section Scottish Weekend, 7 - 8th June. S.West Section Blackrock Rally. Nethy Bridge. The Blackcock Inn, Mollard, South Molton. north Devon EX36 3NW 01769 550297 Special rally 10th - 12 th May: North East Section, 1st prices see website for details. Camping, rooms, B Camping weekend at Bamburgh organised by and B static caravans, indoor pool and breakfast Graham Walker. Tel 07931 710991. available from pub on site, ride outs plus more. 10th – 12th May: Scottish Section Lochearnhead Invititation to all members including the the vintage Log Cabin Bunkhouse weekend. The basic section. Book with site and jim isherwood on 01769 accommodation is more than made up for by the 573258. superb location and good company around the 7th - 9th June. Yorkshire Section camping at log fire in the old railway station. Cabins have fan Coniston Hall Farm, Hawes Bank, Coniston in heaters and padded sleeping platforms (extra the Lake district. Large basic, clean, lake side sleeping mattress is definitely recommended). camping area with shop on site. Only 20mins walk Bedding and towels are NOT provided.Good into Coniston, plenty of shops, pubs, restaurants, toilet/shower block. Cost: £20.00 per person garage etc. Fabulous scenery, twisty roads, and bed/breakfast/dinner for the weekend. Booking is walking country. Stuart & Elaine 01274 832309. essential. To book please contact Judy or Jim by (On the 8th We will be joining Piers and his ride out Sunday 5th May: Tel.no. 01592 874592 or email: to visit the Lakeland Motor Museum at Keswick, [email protected]. There are hotels, see advert in the Journal.) chalets, B&B within easy walking distance. Details on Scottish section website. 13th - 16th June Vintage Register: The Welsh Rally, Llwyngwair Holiday Park, Newport, Pembs, 10th - 12th May Midland & Yorkshire camping SA42 0LX weekend at Low Farm Touring and Camping Park, Spring Lane, Folkingham, Sleaford, Lincs NG34 14th -16th June. Northern Section. Inaugural 0SJ. Tents, caravans, motorhomes welcome. Eskdale camping weekend at the Fisherground Village has shop, pub & tearoom. Indoor get Campsite, Fellside Cottage, Eskdale, Cumbria together & bbq Sat evening. Info Sue 07749 CA19 1TF.To book contact Paul Stewart on 01772 850220 or see ad in Journal. 679198 11-12th May. S.West Section South Dartmoor 14th – 17th June: Western Section 50th Rally at the Welcome Stranger Liverton TQ12 Anniversary Celebration Rally. Camping, caravans 6JA. A pub with a campsite!!! Mark Coben 01626 and mobile homes welcome at Porlock Caravan 335621 Park, Porlock, Somerset, TA24 8ND. B&B and Hotel accommodation available in the village. 3 17 - 19th May. Ulster Section North West 200 nights camping for the price of 2 including free hog Weekend camping, Coleraine Rugby Club. roast for all attendees on Friday evening. Private 24th – 27th May: Scottish Section second bar in Porlock Village Hall, free tea and coffee Rathaid (Boreen Reivers) Run will take place in available all weekend. Guided walks around this the Great Glen with Fort Augustus as the centre. beautiful area and rideouts on some fantastic Two days riding back roads and forestry tracks. roads. Live entertainment, Saturday evening meal, Please register your interest soon as this event a quiz and a grand raffle with some amazing prizes is bound to be popular and will book up quickly. will be sure to keep you entertained all weekend. Watch Scottish Section website for more details. All Club Members and their families welcome. Organiser Nigel Macdonald Tel no. 01387 372727 Booking essential. Contact Denis Bradbeer or email: [email protected]. on 01454 775786 or e-mail western.social@ 25 - 27th May. Three Section Rally on Whitson bmwclubuk.net Bank holiday weekend with the Southwest, Western 21st – 23rd June: Scottish Section Longest Day
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 59 Rally in Ullapool: Broomfield Campsite is on the 28th – 30th June: Scottish Section Fort banks of scenic Loch Broom. No booking required Augustus camping and Lodge weekend: Camping for camping. Camping price £5 pppn. An area will - no need to book. Cost: £8.00 p.p.p.n. (when be set aside for the club. If you don’t camp there checking in to the site state you’re with BMW are plenty of hotels and B&Bs nearby. The section Club for this special rate). Part of the camp site trailer and marquee will be there as a central allocated for our use only. Marquee will be there. meeting place for all attending. Free tea & coffee Free tea & coffee all weekend. Stravaiger’s Hostel all weekend. BBQ available for cooking. A superb & Bunkhouse : www.highlandbunkhouse.co.uk is location with wonderful quiet roads to ride. A good on the campsite. Book direct Tel: 01320 366257 walking area. Why not make a holiday of it and or [email protected] Price: £22.00 attend the Fort Augustus weekend 28th - 30th June pppn in twin room. £17.00 pppn in a bunk room. as well ? More information on Scottish Section Includes light continental breakfast. Office open website. Contact: Judy on Tel. 01592 874592 or Easter - September: 8am - 1 pm & 4pm - 6pm. email: [email protected] Early booking advised. Plenty of Hotels and B&Bs close by. The Great Glen Way and the Caledonian 21-24 June. Oxford Section Hotel weekend in Canal pass through Fort Augustus. Walk along the Champagne region of France. Details Dave the canal and watch the boats negotiate Neptunes and Rosemary Hicks 01869 240 529 Staircase. Ride superb roads. More information 21 - 24th June. Ulster Section Scottish Camping on Scottish Section website. Contact: Judy on Tel. Weekend. 01592 874592 or email: scottish.social@bmwclub. net 22nd - 23rd June: North East Section. Peter Cullen’s ‘Reivers Weekend’. Details to be 6 - 7th July. S.West Section Summer Rally, confirmed. Tiverton Rugby Club EX16 6SG, including a fish and chip supper Chris Crocker01884 252759. 28th - 30th June. Western Section. Townsend Touring Park, Pembridge, Leominster, HR6 9HB. 19 - 21st July: Irish Section Ride To Meat - BBQ, £5.50 /person / night for a small tent. Free BBQ on Camping & B+B weekend. Enquiries/bookings to: Saturday Numbers required. Colin Ross – 01562 Elaine Simpson Tel: 00353 (0) 830043775 email: 820458 [email protected] all payments to: BMW Club Irish Section - payments can be made via paypal contact Elaine for details 19th - 21st July. Yorkshire Section camping weekend at Brookside CC Park, Burton upon Stather. This popular site is run by BMW members and offers really good facilities. Its on the river side with Pub. Contact. Dennis 01924 824088. 26th – 28th July Scottish Section Camping weekend Resipole Farm, Loch Sunart, Acharacle, Argyll, PH36 4HX. A beautiful remote location. Superb camping and touring park looking onto Loch Sunart with hills towering behind. Plenty of walks direct from the site. A wonderful area in which to observe wild life. Marine Wildlife Safari boat trips available (approx 1 mile from site). Many places of interest in the area. Empty roads, some single track to ride stunning scenery. Small well stocked shop on site. Bread and milk delivered daily. No hotels, restaurants or shops in walking distance of the site. Marquee and trailer will be there. Free tea and coffee. Barbecue available for use. Bring your own food. Lodges on site are available for rent on a weekly basis. www.resipole. co.uk Tel. 01967431235. More information on Scottish Section website. Contact: Judy tel.01592 874592 or email: [email protected] 27 - 28th July. S.West Section at the Aberdare Races, camping in Wales, Robin Wale 07791798704 see website for more details.
60 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 9 - 11th August. S.West Section Slimbridge bookings to Keith Jackson 01332 668159 Camping, Tudor Caravan Park , Slimbridge GL1 20 - 22nd Sept. Ulster Section 30th Anniversary 7BP Keith Hackett 07940531980. see website for more details. hotel weekend. Details T.B.C. 30th Aug - 8 Sept. Northern Section Social 20th - 22nd Sept. Yorkshire section camping Secretary’s Bucket List Tour. Centred around the at Serenity Caravan Park,High Street, Hinderwell Milau bridge area of southern France. Contact TS13 5JH. 8m North of Whitby on the A174 betwixt Peter McCombie on 01228 594792. Staithes and Runswick Bay, and 1 Mile to the 30th Aug - 2 Sept. Ulster Section Scottish Cleveland Way. Village pubs and shops. This is an Camping Weekend. adults only park. Tents just turn up but caravans/ 3-16 Sept. Oxford Section Hotel Tour to Spain. campervans need to book on 01947 841122. Stuart Contact details TBA. & Elaine 01274 832309 6th - 8th Sept: North East Section, 2nd Camping 27th – 29th Sept: Scottish Section Glencoe weekend at Bamburgh organised by Graham Gathering: Invercoe campsite, Glencoe, Argyll, Walker. Tel 07931 710991. Final details to be PH49 4HP. An excellent campsite on the shores confirmed. of Loch Leven. Spectacular views. Area set aside 6 - 8 Sept S.West Section. Tavistock Rally for our club. Hobbit Houses, static caravans and Harford Bridge Holiday Park, Peter Tavy Tavistock chalets available for hire. For details of site facilities PL19 9LS Bar meals near by, Optional Pasty call Invercoe Campsite 01855 811210 or www. supper on Friday night. Dartmoor ride on the invercoe.co.uk Mention you will be attending the Saturday. Debbie and Phil Sampson 01726 61642 BMW Event when enquiring. Camping: backpacker 07850983144 rate.The marquee will not be there so please take 7th - 14th Sep. 2013. Mercia Section self catering your own cooking stoves to use in the brick gazebo. holiday in new chalet style units in a holiday park on Many B&Bs and hotels in the area details on the South coast of Brittany in the resort of Benodet. Scottish Section website. Contact: Judy tel.01592 Each unit is fully equipped for self catering with 874592 or email:[email protected] sun loungers and BBQ. This is a venue we have used before. The site is quiet with indoor and 27 - 30th Sept: Irish Section Thatch Rally - outdoor swimming pools, tavern, restaurant, full details later. Enquiries/bookings to: Elaine shop, takeaway and gymnasium and is within Simpson Tel: 00353 (0) 830043775 email: easy walking distance of a large supermarche and [email protected] all payments to: BMW Club plenty of off-site restaurants. Cost £280 per couple Irish Section - payments can be made via paypal - £100 deposit will be required. For further details, contact Elaine for details contact Colin Ainsworth 07799 653789 - email [email protected] 18 - 20th Oct: Irish Section North West Hotel 13th – 15th Sept: Scottish Section: Borders Weekend - Leenane, Euro 99 per person 2 nights Camping Rally in Moffat: An excellent Campsite B&B & 2 evening meals. Enquiries/bookings to: a short walk from the centre of the busy Borders Elaine Simpson Tel: 00353 (0) 830043775 email: town of Moffat. Good riding roads and many [email protected] all payments to: BMW Club attractions in the area. Marquee and trailer will be Irish Section - payments can be made via paypal there. Free tea and coffee. Barbecue available for contact Elaine for details cooking. No need to book with the campsite BUT they are asking us for numbers so if you intend to 18th - 20th Oct: Northern Section Hotel weekend join us please phone or email asap. If you don’t at the Waterfront Hotel, Portpatrick in Southwest fancy camping why not join us and stay at the Scotland (www.waterfronthotel.co.uk). £70 B&B Buccleuch Arms Hotel Tel no.01683 220003 or for the weekend sharing a twin/double room or Buchan Guest House Tel. Chris on 01683 220378 £100 B&B with single occupancy. To book or for Both Club members. More information on Scottish any queries please contact Bob Crawley (mail@ Section website. Contact: Judy tel.01592 874592 bikecosse.fsnet.co.uk), or on 01573 223203. or email: [email protected] 2 - 4th Nov. S.West Section Hippo Rally, more 19th - 22nd Sept: S.East Section Rother Valley Camping, Northiam East Sussex. Book with details to follow or on website Sally Robinson Section Sec.(Shaun) 01395 597725. 20 - 22nd Sept Mercia Section. Hotel weekend, 29th Nov: Scottish Section St Andrews Night Saltburn by the Sea. Expected costs £40 per Ceilidh & Dinner, New Lanark Mill Hotel. See person per night half board. Further details and Scottish section website for full details.
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 61 The Social Scene What’ s happening out and about, brought to you by the National Social Secretary
I thank Reg Moule for his opinions and notice allows up to five days of continuous discussion in last discharge from the month’s journal. planning rules for an I have just received event and members our exemption from must adhere to the usual planning permission camping and caravan notices from Natural code of conduct. I have England. The electronic files of the government run scheme agreements filed in the exempts The BMW clubs archive cupboard. Club from planning To keep each section permission when your informed I have issued section’s social secretary a copy of the notices arranges a camping to all social secretaries event on a piece of land by email. The Ulster that does not carry authorities are not approval. It offers peace able to issue a blanket of mind to landowners indemnity notice that choose to allow the use of their land for and each event should be applied for, and camping or caravanning. We will move on the issuance will be based on merit. The and not remain permanently sited as in the Irish section may decide to apply for their recent case at Dale Farm in Essex; which cost own dedicated version issued by the Irish Basildon Council a cool 7 million pounds Government. However, the exemption use to evict the 15 families from the site. This is more widely used for travelling gypsies exclusion is not required on approved and than motorcycle clubs and the planning regulated caravan or campsites however, when authorities and restrictions are different and we attach the name of The BMW Club to any somewhat more relaxed. Please ask me in the event in a field with or without a water tap first instance if you have any further questions we are covered. The other aspect is planning and if necessary, I will approach the governing exemption from health and hygiene criterion. body on behalf of the club. Our awarded exemption extends to this aspect I was pleased to hear some good news under a separate notice and keeps the club about the membership figures not being as clear of environment agency lawsuits. We have low as some commentators had predicted. I similar agreements of exemption in Wales and urge you to keep on with your individual Scotland. You will be pleased to learn that recommendations to encourage new members we are one of the few responsible motorcycle and I thank all that put in a lot of their own clubs that has this exemption and our notices time to supporting dealerships and other are in date until January 2018. The exclusion exhibitions. 62 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 Please ensure you support the running of your club and do not forget to pre-book your meal when you attend the National AGM 20th April. Details are in this issue. Last month saw the Main Events diary issued to all members with your Journal. Recently your national committee rep had the opportunity to collect spare copies at the last NC meeting please talk to them if you require an additional copy. Please note two changes are required to that publication. Please alter your copy. 3rd- 6th May. The Scottish Section are holding their event at the Rob Roy Hotel and then the Lochearnhead log cabin weekend is on the following Sunday May 10th-12th. 17th -19 May. The North East Section is holding a camping weekend at Bamburgh and not on the date as advertised. That’s all folks! Safe riding Mark Dutton
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 63 64 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 Section and Register News Please send all Section News entries and contact detail changes to Section News (see page 3 for details) - not to the Editor please. East Anglia Section Irish Section Well here we are, March already, the long cold winter months have flown by. London Section I hope that you all survived what winter had to offer & now we can look forward to warmer climes Not much to report on since the new year. The & getting back on our trusty steeds without fear January run to Stilton did not take place due to of black ice on each bend & salt corroding away the snow and ice ; sixteen of us did however enjoy precious metal. a wonderful “Christmas” dinner at Biggles , the Interest for the Summer UK tour is growing occasion only being marred by the loss of Sue`s steadily with some members doing the whole tour coat which somebody else took home by mistake & others doing part of the tour, joining in en route at (or not ?). I would have expected that, on realising the mistake, the culprit would have done the decent various locations & as you have probably already thing and returned it to the Restaurant but no ! seen there is a full advertisement available in the Manuel , the owner, very graciously deducted the journal. Any members wishing to partake in this tour replacement cost from our subsequent visit on my please contact me for details & the full itinerary etc. Birthday. ( 2nd February should anyone want to As the winter weather turns to spring it would be send me a present next year ! ) good to see more of you at our pub & café meets The next Ride-out will be joining up with The this year especially if you are a new member, as Pioneer Run to Brighton on Sunday 24th March these meets are a great place to chat & make new leaving the A3 BP Services at 0930 hrs. Please do acquaintances. try and make it. Those of you wishing to attend the Clubs AGM this For the proposed Northern France Hotel Weekend year at Billing Aquadrome on the 20.04.13, would I have yet to finalize the Hotel details ( awaiting be advised to book early to avoid disappointment, some “feedback” from members as requested in the if you haven’t already done so. Please find the February News ) booking form provided in the Journal. The (this) March News will have appeared on Unfortunately, due to unforeseen working the Section Website just after the deadline for commitments, I will be unable to attend the WSB & submitting the Journal copy to the Editor and will Moto GP ride outs that I had planned later on this include details of the Hotel. Any queries or thoughts, year, I don’t think this is a reason to cancel these please give me a call or drop me an e mail, in the events & Anyone still wishing to go can still contact meantime check out the Website. me for any information they need etc & I will do On a final note – do not forget Robert`s Track my best to help with any questions you have with Days at Snetterton – I could use some company on regards to ticket prices & camping facilities. the ride up and back and these events need our The good news is that I can attend the 2013 support to be able to be repeated . Details are in Brighton Speed trials weekend that I have planned various Journals or give Robert , or me , a ring. for the 14/15 of Sept. Once again, please contact Go carefully me by email for full details, this is one of those Peter Jones events not to be missed, very entertaining. 07710 887958 Finally I thought I would mention it’s the Flog it [email protected] at Fornham on April the 14th so start sorting out all your odds & sods to flog. Well that’s it for this month, short & sweet as they Mercia Section say. Enjoy the spring weather & watch out for those Another winter month gone and much closer to March Hare’s, they’re mad you know. those warm sunny days of spring? Strange that I’m Cheers, writing to tell you what happened with the Section back in January. The first meeting of the year, has Bob always been a breakfast. What a nice change to 07925 102548 eat something naughty after the Christmas Fayre. [email protected] Lorraine was in charge of the food preparation as
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 65 usual, but unfortunately didn’t arrive early enough on some of the runs this year. to provide us with breakfast until nearly lunch Look out for details in the Journal for next months time! The breakfast consisted of toast, bacon, runs and visits. 7th. April is a return to Windy Ridge sausage, eggs, beans, tomatoes, hash browns and for a breakfast / brunch. We’ll be meeting here on mushrooms! We had to wait a long time for it but I the first Sunday of every month through to October. for one didn’t need to eat another thing all day! The Don’t forget the B&B weekend in Clun Shropshire at Midland Section are now joining us at the Repton the end of the month still time to book in! meetings and I’d like to say hello to Clem & Mags And the last Sunday of this month is the Bring who joined the BMW Club Midland Section, just the & Buy, anything goes here bring all that unwanted day before and Philip Smart, also Midlands. Joining stuff and see if we can find a new home for it, the us from the Northern Section and furthest travelled, more the merrier! was David and Karen Slater. Also good to see Brian We’ll be having a choice of Sausage or bacon Cosgrove taking the opportunity to attend Repton baguettes here. and John Holmes from Derby. And finally for this month, a reminder that the The natter nights continue to be successful and Midland Section have organised the venue for the Clock Warehouse is no exception this years National AGM. There will be a number January was a good turn out and nice to see of us attending, it’s so close, why not join us? The David & Sue Smith travel up from Leicester. If Journal will have all the details but do remember you’ve not managed to get along to one yet, why to bring your membership card along with you, not give it a try, you never know it could become a and make sure you telephone and reserve your habit. Make sure you make yourself known if you lunch! Registration of members is at 10.30 and the do, please don’t stand in a corner of the room and meeting starts promptly at 11am. Half an hour to get expect everyone to know you are with the Club. the registration done sounds optimistic to me? Next I have a report from our Secretary John Humpherson: Colin Ainsworth The inaugural meeting (Natter Night) of the BMW 07799 653789 Club - Mercia Section was held at the Bradford [email protected] Arms, Ivetsey Bank, Staffordshire on Wednesday 30th January 2013. A big thank you to the 18 Midland Section members and friends who were able to attend. A much better turn out than we had anticipated. Here we are again then ! - another month done and A big thank you must go by Brian and June dusted ! - at this rate it will soon be Christmas !:) Cooper who sourced the venue and checked out The sections events have been a little thin on the room and more importantly the food, which the ground in regards to ride outs - I guess this is was excellent. We had members from Shropshire, due to the fact that most of our bikes have been Staffordshire and the West Midlands and it looks stored away for winter, however with summer (yes like this will be another popular venue, especially summer) around the corner I’m sure that I will be through the summer months. It would appear that flooded with offers from people willing to lead rides we had a few sporty people with us as, between the to new and exotic (I said exotic) places ! :) usual motorcycle topics of conversation, there were The normal Towcester meets continued with a number of members playing pool but I am not sure a healthy number of members in attendance . It if money was changing hands. does amaze me. The meets at Towcester have The meetings will be held on the LAST been organised by Janet Winn and her team since Wednesday of each month, so put this in you diary. I joined the club some years back and the numbers The Bradford Arms is just off the A5, roughly half of people in attendance keep rising - The company way between the M6 motorway and Telford. Post is great and the cakes are even better !! - If you have Code: ST19 9QT not attended one of our winter meets at Towcester And the second meeting at Repton would you I would suggest you come along, you dont know believe also involved food? Pie, peas and gravy this what you are missing. time. Lorraine’s home made pies are delicious and With regards to winter meets ,the meeting at everything served piping hot! Committee member Greetham has had a reprise - for the time being. Rachel Forder, provided us all with homemade The section committee decided that it was not cookies. I’ve never seen anything move so fast, no possible for a member of the committee to run this sooner had they been tasted and they were gone! event on a full time basis due to distance from the Think you’ll have to double the quantity next time venue and therefore asked at the AGM whether Rachel? The meeting Hall was full with every chair or not someone would take ownership of the and table taken, great to see even more Midland meeting. This request did not get an answer until members joining this time. Hello to new Mercia the eleventh hour. A number of people have said member out for the first time Jan Dragosz, did we that they would run the meetings at Greetham and put you off Jan? Hope not maybe we’ll see you out as such the booking of the centre will be made as
66 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 normal (until March 2014) however if we are unable with a warm welcome to Club Members from any to get someone to run this on a permanent basis we section. will have to relook at this. As I sit here writing this I The pie and peas on this occasion were very am reminded of the last meeting at Greetham which good with plenty of tea and coffee on tap. The was run by Sue Spence, Cath Piff and helpers (13th Mercia section have a very good idea for running Jan 2013). There were 42 members in attendance and catering this venue, they hire in catering staff plus the kitchen staff ! - This only proves that there to look after the members, This means no club is a requirement for this meeting to be held at members have the responsibility of working and Greetham ! and I for one would be sorry to see if go. providing the food and drinks. Some of the club Can you all please think about whether or not you members help with the washing up ect but this is would be prepared to run this on a long term basis. only a small work load. The idea seems to work As a section we put on various meetings, some very well indeed and could be a template for future I get to know about some I do not. Recently I venues when a shortage of catering volunteers received an email from a new member asking seems to be an issue. They do not charge members me whether the meeting at The Old Reindeer in for the food and drinks but trust members to donate Edingley was still going ahead, now as I have never monies for the food and drink, after talking to Collin been there (due to distance) I could only reply that Ainsworth who runs the venue this seems to work. as this was a regular meet, and I had not heard any The next meeting is February Sunday 24th starting different I could only guess it was.....A few days later at 10.00am, again with hot food provided a further I received a reply stating that they had turned up to meeting in March will host a Pannier bring and buy the meeting but nobody was there ! - sale. See Journal for dates and start times. This I would like to propose that as a section we think venue is positioned at the very Northern end of the about were these regular meetings are being held, Midland Section borders and is now one of the only do they work for you ?, do the majority of people meeting venues that we run on the northern frontier; who go to these meetings all go via the same it would be nice to see more of you at this popular central point ?? - The section will publicise all meeting events, however these have to work for the benefit Finally I would like to thank all those that have of the members and should not (in my opinion) be helped so far ! - without your support the section held someone just because they have always been would struggle ! held there. We will arrange events and meetings for Should any of you want to get in touch feel free the benefit of the members (old and new) however to do so ! I personally can not see any point to arranging See you soon meetings where nobody turns up. Of course I may have this entirely wrong ! - all Paul C meetings could all be fantastically attended ! - It’s [email protected] just I don’t get to hear about them ! - With this in http://www.thebmwclub.org.uk/midland/ mind I would like to propose something else ! - If you attend one of our meetings regularly how Northern Section about letting me know ?, would you be prepared to be the contact person for this event ?,. would you Hello again to all you Lads and Lassies. be prepared to send me a little write up of what I must start this month’s news by offering my happened ?. I believe that if we can arrange such a apologies yet again. I managed to give you the thing the sections visibility of what is actually going wrong email add for Paul Stewart, for those of you on will increase and allow us to ensure that these who wish to book up for his Lake District camping meetings are benefitting the general members. (oh weekend in mid June his email add should read and to ensure that people will be at a meeting when [email protected] someone new asks !) You should all be receiving your 2013 DoE this The post Christmas dinner was once again held month along with your 2013 stickers. on the 19th Jan 2013 at the Solo Club in Sleaford. The January section meeting seemed to go well, Only 3 people were defeated by the weather on the hotpot/apple pie was excellent, thanks to all of the night as 36 stalwart Midland Section members you who helped in the kitchen. I don’t think there sat down to the annual Post Christmas Dinner was much left by the end of the meeting. organised by Bill Rodgers . All agreed it was a We also held our annual raffle with many prizes to superb meal & well worth the effort of turning out on be won. Vince Quinn had to organise a truck to take a very cold & snowy night home his prizes – I’m not bitter, honest. The new joint venue with the Mercia section at So far I have managed to attract interest from Repton Village Hall near Derby has had 2 meeting five Northern section members for my wee jaunt to date the last meeting Sunday 27th January 2013 over to S.W. France to take in the Millau Bridge (I attracted 45 members in a very warm and friendly believe it is still the tallest bridge in the world at a Village Hall. This is a very well attended meeting height of 343m. and consisting of eight spans to
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 67 in Witton Gilbert the turnout in January was very good indeed. I counted about 22 there at one time including a few who don’t always make it anyway, so well done. The Lunch Time Ride in was headed up by the regulars at the Derwent Walk Pub and for once it was not raining/snowing/windy, the roads were actually dry! We all fed well but isn’t it a fact when you go to a restaurant and order a meal, when the person opposite you has their meal brought you always wish that you had ordered that instead. One of life’s idiosyncrasies I suppose. The last meet of the month our watering hole at the Waggon was apparently not as well attended as usual. The weather is cold and it is a little far out at this time of year. Next month, March, we have a talk by a representative from the North east Ambulance Service at the Travellers Rest so if you can come along and fill in the empty chairs please. Just in case you missed it, one change to the Vince Quinn with the first Section Diary. The Scottish weekend usually run by of his many prizes Dennis Maggs is cancelled. This was to be over the give a total length of 2.460 km.). Is there anybody weekend 24/26th May. If anyone has any ideas how who can suggest possible stop-over places for we can fill in the slot I would be glad to hear them us, or anything that would be worth seeing on our please. route? I believe the run there and back to be around Now, another plea for help. I cannot always get to the meetings or rides and in order to put something 1,600 miles and am considering 2 to 3 hundred down and send it off for the journal needs a bit more miles every second day leaving us able to have a than my intuition ‘cos it is generally wrong. A quick E two night stop over,at each stop. Look forward to mail or a message via the forum or call me to let me hearing from you soon. Merci beacoup !! know will make my task so much easier. Talking of run outs, here are three more for you to That’s about it for now, the nights are getting a bit consider that were too late to make it into the DoE.: longer and the sun (occasionally) rises sooner so Wed 3rd April...... North Wales Wanderer spring will be on its way. Sun 2nd June...... More North Wales Ride safe. Wandering Wed 14th August...... Even more North Wales John King Wandering 07833 705652 Runs to leave from the new J&S store at Oakmere [email protected] on the A556 near Cuddlington. Please contact Peter Wright on 07975.880153 or at pwsamphireskipper@ talktalk.net Oxford Section Other notable events taking place this month are After so much wet weather of last year, the forecast the annual Bring & Buy sale at the for the first day of the New Year was a nice change Rixton meeting on the 10th, and Rhys’s Camping with sunshine and the forecasters got it right. The and B&B weekend at Beddgelert, 22nd - 24th, for regular gathering at the Lock Stock and Barrel at the hardy among you. Newbury was very well attended with many arriving Okay, I think that’s about it for this month, so keep on bikes. Members from nearby sections joined in well and keep smiling, and enjoy your biking even the fun and to take the opportunity to get out on the though it’s raining, ahhhhh the joys of late winter, bikes to start the year as they mean to carry on. hey ho.!!!!!! The Lock Stock and Barrel staff worked very hard Peter to meet the culinary and liquid needs of this sudden [email protected] influx of people but did so efficiently and with good humour. North East Section Rob Allin could be seen modelling a strip of LEDs Not a lot doing this month so it will be quite short attached to the back of a helmet, which he seemed and sweet. (Leave the applause until afterwards!) to think was a good idea. An excellent day with good Well after last month’s fiasco when the snow food and good company, a ride on the bike and the prevented most of us from getting to our new venue year off to a good start.
68 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 Amazingly, the annual Bring & Buy event at Uffington Village Hall on the 13th January also turned out to be dry and bright. Many members turned out on their bikes but those who intended to sell or buy larger volumes of stuff arrived on four wheels. David, Rosemary and all the team producing refreshments worked continually to keep the many visitors happy with soup and rolls filled with either sausages or bacon; brilliant and well done. In the main hall the sellers arranged their wares ready for the onslaught of eager Tucking into lunch at the buyers. Many deals were struck and goods that arrived in one vehicle departed in others. Lock, Stock and Barrel The Section pass on their thanks to both North Richardson on his trip to the North Cape. On the Oxford Garage and Bahnstormer Motorrad for 24th of February the Section Lunch at Faringdon supplying some merchandise including a cylinder allows members to refill that space left by the barrel and head from a GS for a very reasonable resolution to lose weight that by then will have been price. I think this got sold as a very nice piece of forgotten. On the 10th March Uffington Village Hall artwork until it will be required at some stage for use will again be the venue for a presentation by John on a bike! Broad on the World’s largest air show that took All those who attended enjoyed the sales banter place at Oshkosh, USA last year. and the social aspects and may have taken away some real bargains. The Section made a few Wendy pounds as their cut as well towards the costs of [email protected] running the day. The next meet will also be at Uffington on the 10th of February when we have a talk by Nigel Scottish Section Another month has gone by and it is still raining!! Rob Allin with LED attachment to helmet The January Lochearnhead weekend was, as usual, a great success with lots of fun and laughter. We were joined by a new member of the Northern section, Rob, whose daughter in law had given him Club membership as a Christmas present. Rob is a great guy and thoroughly enjoyed himself and hopes to come back in May. The weather was cold but dry and Rob, determined to make the most of his visit to Scotland, set off on Saturday for a ride alongside Loch Earn and around the Loch Tay area. Others walked south along the Glen Ogle trail to the Kings House Hotel at Balquhidder Station for lunch only to find it closed due to being sold and the new owners not having taken over yet. So steps were retraced a short distance to the Golden Larches restuarant. Marjorie and I went for a circular walk from the Scout station up onto the Glen Ogle trail where we came across a line of gentleman with guns waiting for the beaters to raise the pheasants on the hillside. Just as we passed the end of the line the shooting
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 69 started. A bit further on the route drops down to Judy the lower track and heads back down towards 01592 874592 Lochearnhead. After a while the route crosses the [email protected] road and follows the river back into Lochearnhead. We then discovered our “shooting gentleman” had moved and were now once again in front of us. Southern Section Fortunately they had finished shooting before we reached them. On seeing us again they offered us The year started really well with 63 people at jobs as beaters. On reaching Lochearnhead we our first talk at Rake. We had a great afternoon headed for the Lochearnhead Hotel only to find it listening to Bob and Terry telling us about their closed so staggered onto the Clachan Cottage Hotel trip to the Americas. We were shown lots of lovely for a well earned rest and drink. There were a few photos and it was really good hearing all about lazy folk and one or two with injuries that prevented their exploits. The kitchen did a roaring trade, and them walking who decided to enjoy a day round the thanks to everyone who helped out with the tea log fire chatting and reading. Our usual breakfast making. There was not enough time to hear about chef Steve Shepley had deserted us for the warmer their whole trip, so the second half will probably be climes of Malaga so Bill Gault with some assistance scheduled for November. from Jim stepped up to the mark as breakfast chef At the end of January we had a day on the F1 and did a superb job, Jim had cooked up a chilli simulators. I have heard that it was very well for the Friday evening and Marjorie (skinny jeans) attended and everyone had a great time. and (disappearing) Eric, kitchen King and Queen Looking forward to the coming months, and organised the rest of the food and ensured no we have our third winter talk on 3rd March. We one went hungry. Many thanks to everyone you all are having a talk from a representative of the Air helped and made the weekend go with a swing. Ambulance and I expect it will be really interesting. The Inverurie Gang lunch meet is still doing very Starts at 14.00hrs, but come along earlier for tea and nicely and if you are in the area on the 4th Sunday a chat. On 17th march we have the Ides of March of the month is well worth a visit. Norman (new run. This is being organised by last years winners, boots) and his gang will make you very welcome. Nigel and Helen. The 24th is the breakfast meet at I hear that Norman has been back in hospital with Redhill Aerodrome café. April, and the first event the “ankles” and word from Norman is “ have been in the calendar is the run to Prescott Bike Festival on crutches for eight weeks,then progressed to an on the 7th. We then have the run to the British air boot, still got four weeks to go with that then Superbikes at Thruxton on 14th. The following final x-rays to see if all ok, been a bit boring, cant weekend is the National AGM at Billing Aerodrome. drive cant get oot, unless wiffie drives !! so bike on On 28the at 10.00hrs, we have the breakfast meet trickle charger till I get the all clear”. We look forward at Shoreham aerodrome. Check the website for all to seeing Norman out and aboot on his bike this details of these events and any updates. coming year. Bob Denman has asked me to give you Diane of the Inverurie Gang has also been in his contact details for any enquiries about touch to say ”Peter and I went to the Glenshee membership. His email address is membership@ lunch meet at the start of the year 5 of us turned up thebmwclubsouthern.com and he can be contacted but the hotel didn’t have anyone cooking that day so on the following numbers:- 01276 475853 and tea and cake was pretty much the offering but good 07926 634071. chat, couple down from Beauly. Been to Inverurie Spring is just around the corner and hopefully we as well, Norman back on the mend after the latest will have some better weather than last year. operation on his ankle.” Gerri Reminder: The next event is Mick Reed’s Glenluce 01895 446896 (not after 20.00hrs please) 15th – 17th March. This is a camping weekend but [email protected] there are caravans for hire on site and plenty of B&Bs and hotels close by. See the calendar on the Terry Hartshorn Scottish website for further details. Please note the trailer and marquee do not go to this event. [email protected] Reminder: Rob Roy Hotel weekend 3rd – 6th May: At the time of writing there are still a few rooms left South East Section but they are going fast. A Yorkshire section member does not want to pay the single supplement and Well here we are All New Year resolutions being is looking for someone to share a twin room with kept, all diets being lovingly followed, all promises HIM. Interested? let me know and I will give you HIS being honoured, I’ll start the decorating in January number. darling, YEH RIGHT! Let’s start to see where WE Ride safe and assume other road users have not CAN GET THE BIKE OUT! January as they say is a seen you (even if they are behind you!!) month of two halves.
70 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 9 January Coopers : great old classic bikes. Also many of our section will We started our official ride outs of 2013 on be off to the Oirschot Motoweekend in Holland 29th- Wednesday 9th January from our local dealership 1st for their Annual Rally an event which our section Coopers BMW at Tunbridge Wells. A good turn out has supported since the early 90s. If you’ve never despitethe damp and mucky roads, 11 bikes and two been and fancy trying something with a difference trusty pillions. Leaving slightly later than normal, the give your section secretary Shaun a call for more coffee machine came in for a bashing as folks were details. Also something to get the old grey cells catching up with all the Christmas and New Year working Sunday 31st March John (The Hawk) will news. A fairly short ride of about 50 odd miles taking be arranging his Treasure Hunt starting with coffee/ us along mainly back roads through some of Kent’s breakfast at the Brewers Fayre Pub, Paddock Wood prettiest little villages. As we rode you could see and from 9am with us departing at 10.30. smell this lovely time of the year giving us all the 26-28th April, our weekend at the Lion Hotel, reasons we needed as to why we keep our bikes Belper Nr the Peak District National Park and Darby on winter standby for just this kind of day. Arriving at Dales being only a short ride away is going well. If Lydd airport formerly known as Ferryfield which was you are wishing to come along please phone the built as a replacement for the old Ashford Airport at hotel to reserve your room on 01773 824033 (Ref : Lympne. Today it’s mainly used for private Aviation BMW Club South East). and training, with scheduled flights to Le Touquet. Also our French week at the end of May early After a warming lunch in their pleasant restaurant June in the Dordogne region is coming together and with the sun getting lower in the winter sky our nicely. As is the Three National Parks weekend in group decided it was time to head home. We split July. Please see Diary of Events for contact details into a couple of smaller groups to make our journeys on all events mentioned above. home. It was a great day to get the bike out. Thanks to Ron (The Run Master) for the above Kelvin Duff report. [email protected] Before we move on to future Days Out, Weekends away etc, Friday Borders Meets. The South West Section idea of these was that as Kent is the most south- eastern county in England. It is bounded to the It is with much sadness that we pass on the news North by the River Thames and the North Sea that John Dyke, an active SW Section member, and on the south by the Straits of Dover and the lost his lovely wife Val recently. They spent many English Channel. Some Members might find that a happy years motorcycling together having met bit of travelling is required to attend the South East when John taught her to ride her Lambretta, then as Section 1st and 3rd Wednesdays evening meeting pillion and more recently she supported him with his venue at The Bull, East Farleigh Nr Maidstone . So club activities. She will be greatly missed and our the idea was to start arranging meetings on the last thoughts are with John and his family at this time. Friday of each Month at few different venues around I do have a couple of alterations for Diary of Kent to enable those members living further afield Events: 1/ all the weekend camping weekends do somewhere to meet up. With the exception of The start from the Friday, 2/ The Sunday Café meet Roebuck Pub at Loughton on the B2124 , which has at Strawberry fields on March the 10th turns out a small regular gathering the other meeting Pubs to be Mothers Day, they are a very popular venue aren’t really attracting much interest. If you do live so booking would be essential so I think it best to a bit of a distance From the Bull please contact me cancel this event. 3/ The Wednesday night fish and by e-mail or better still phone to let us know how we chips at Captain Jasper’s should be Wednesday can best attract your interest with the section. the 14th July, not the Thursday and finally /4, the The Weather for this time of year has been post code for the George Inn on the 15th December pretty kind to us so far which has given many of should be DT6 6JD us the opportunity to do a few miles in half decent Wetherspoons visit weather with the Sunday Lunch meetings and our Following an invitation from fellow member Trevor monthly midweek runs from Coopers being very Huck to visit Wetherspoons in Plymouth, where he well supported. As the year starts to open out we is the manager, this was taken up on Sunday the will be spreading our travelling wings further afield. 13th January for a lunch time meet. As the pub is in A couple of events to start us off in March Coopers the city centre, fourteen arrived by various means, BMW Open Day Saturday 9th we have been invited walking, bus, car and motor bike. The novelty of to support this event. Coopers will be laying on a parking on the roof did pose a challenge for some small BBQ etc plus the opportunity to test ride a more than others, as missing the entrance meant a selection of the new BMW 2013 range. Geoff’s circular round trip via the one way system, but when Pioneer Run 17th March is an early start (8am) from you did find it, it was a bit tight to negotiate! The food the Oakdene café lay-by. A great day out with the was worth the cold ride in though, we all enjoyed chance to see, hear and even smell some of the a good value meal with a very wide selection. For
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 71 future reference, look for the McCaulays Gym and readable, he also covered legal and political entrance, this leads you up to the roof top car park. areas of our interest; exact details are not yet I would like to thank Trevor for the invite and look known, our very own Geoff Hill was travelling a short forward to the next one. distance behind him; our thoughts and condolences Pub meet at “The Weary Traveller” 27th January are with his wife and daughters at this time. 2013. After all the bad weather we’ve had it was February club meeting, Tuesday 5/2/13, saw Dr. nice to get out with out having to shovel snow, with Brian Patterson from Crossroads, Caring for Carers, only a few showers of rain during Sunday morning give us an insight into their work. It is our charity for and some localised flooding in the fields next to 2013 and we are focusing on Young Carers, that the M5, 12 of us made it to the pub. We welcomed as you may well know is young people who are the two new members, Tim and Ann Whellock who had main or only carers for adults, usually a parent, at travelled from Illminster in Somerset for their first home. Crossroads are a charity and despite the visit to the “Weary”. I hope you enjoyed your visit vital work they do in the community, have often to and look forward to seeing you again. The talk as look for sources of income, the current economic usual was of the runs, rallies, events and places climate does not help, and surprisingly some that we’re going to go to this summer. I hope we obvious sources are not helpful; again reduced have a better dryer summer than last year. Thank resources having to be spread further is a fact of life you all for coming, ride safe. Chris & Sylv. for most charities today. The work they do is the tip You may have read in January’s Journal about the of an iceberg, they have 326 young carers on their International BMW Cruiser Meeting, the 12th to 15th books, they are based in Belfast and cover half of of July, at Butlins Minehead. Ron Winter, the main our Health Trusts, yet it is estimated that there could man to contact, is looking for 8 riders who know the be up to 8,000 cases in N.I. with ages 8-18 years area, for Saturday or Sunday ride outs. You can ring involved, with evidence that some as young as 6 Ron on 07971 983280 or email microbubbles@aol. years acting as an adults main carer. First problem com for more details. is identifying those involved, most struggle on not Also worth a mention is a camping weekend on wanting those outside the home to know what is 28th /29th June for classic motorcycles of all makes happening, almost all those who get help think that at Kilkhampton, for more info look on the Southwest Social Services will break up the family, which is not website under Local non BMW events or just email the aim of the assistance that can be given. Most me, I will send you more info. Another worth a note are identified by schools, Brian also emphasized is The Castle Hill Car Festival on the 4th of August, to us how we can help by acting as eyes and ears same again, look on SW website to see more in the community, confidence in the service is also details. spread by those involved telling others how they Coming up for the Club we have a Weary Traveller were helped. Young carers suffer at school, socially, Meet on the 3rd and may well lose their childhood as a result of the March, 12 noon, always popular, don’t forget the responsibilities placed upon them, the aim of the Strawberry fields is cancelled, on the 17th we have assistance is to help them regain their childhood, a new to us visit to The Worlds End in Bradford give respite at home and keep families together. on Tone, Somerset at 12 noon. Our first Camping The work begins by gaining their confidence, Weekend over Easter is at the Blue Hills camp introducing carers who will help and assure them site, when Les will lead a guided walk out to the that those they care for are safe and well when they last section of the Lands End Trial, I expect a day leave them at home. One benefit to us all is the visitor would be welcome. We do have a couple of value of young carers in the community, they save weekends with no events, so if the weather forecast the Government money, the help Crossroads give looks OK, why not lead a ride out or if the weather by providing carers is about half the cost of that to a looks bad have a meet at your local café or pub. Health Trust for the same service. The presentation concluded with some video clips of a few of the Don Rabson 01840 212913 young carers and their family circumstances, a [email protected] very worthy cause and I know the section will be as generous in helping as we have done in the past. The Journal for February contained our 2013 Diary Ulster Section. of Events, it’s our 30th Anniversary year, with a lot of events for the section; details of the main event Kevin Ash. I’m sure you have all heard by now of the to celebrate this occasion will be available soon, tragic untimely death of Kevin Ash, one of, if not the ** Stop Press** It’s Jacksons Hotel, Ballyboffey, best and most respected journalist in motorcycling; confirmed at club night, full details/costs to follow. all the more poignant for this club as it happened This years Photo Competition is hot off the press, at the World launch of the 2013 R1200GS in South there is an Ad: in the Journal for the North West Africa. Just last month I mentioned him writing in 200 Weekend, can we make it any more attractive? Motor Cycle News as technically knowledgeable Camping Fri: and Sat: with free breakfasts!!! Those
72 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 going to Nethy Bridge will have received an invoice equipment. We knew this was going to happen and for the ferry, check the pay by date, and please do, it was just bad luck that it had to be that weekend, as it is not done for you, please check your invoice, well it was January the 13th after all, plus there was rider bike and pillion is £75, not £80; this event is a Committee meeting going on behind the scenes, fully booked with 130 attending. The section sends however, as usual our intrepid team of helpers regards and wishes for speedy full recovery to came to the force and coped admirably. We had Billy Alexander and Catherine Gregg, both having lots of fresh tea and coffee with biscuits followed illnesses to contend with. by the most delicious home made soups with bread BMW sells Husqvarna!! Have the accountants you could have wished for. It must have been good had a quick look at the books. Next up is the UK because we didn’t even have to wash the pans, launch of the new R1200GS, Sat: 2/3/13,Hurst’s they had been licked clean. Motorrad, Mallusk, stay calm and cool and don’t do Kath Aldom MBE the founder of Paul’s Place anything rash, according to the launch report in a came along to tell us about the Charity that we had certain Motorcycle paper, the cams are horizontal in collected money for through our Hotel Weekend the heads; that’ll help. Raffle and our Christmas Raffle. Her Talk was Next up is the Mad March Hare Run, 24/3/13, 10- informative and I’m sure by the end of it we all felt 30am Scrabo Tower, Newtownards. that we had supported a very worthy cause. Our Chairman Graham Wiltshire took great pleasure Norman Shearer. in presenting Kath with a Cheque for £270 on [email protected] your behalf. If you would like more info on Paul’s Place either ring or write to Adress : Paul’s Place, Serridge Lane, Coalpit Heath, Bristol BS36 2TT, Western Section phone: 01454 777236, or see their website www. paulsplace.org.uk Lockside Breakfast from Denis My thanks go to all 40ish of you who came along Nineteen brave souls came out early on the 6th and in particular to Roger (who used his technical January to start their Club activities by enjoying a skills to get the water boiler working!!! you had to be good hearty breakfast in the company of their club there ) and Sandy for managing the tea and coffee friends at the Lockside Cafe on the Cumberland so well, Jean Bradbeer, Jean Cox and Jan Hibbert Basin in Bristol. Our host Garry saw to it that we were for making and serving the soup, and to Kath Aldom made very welcome and had the best of service and and her right hand helper Sue for giving up their food at a reasonable price. I was sorry to hear that Sunday to come and talk to us. Ray and Marg were abit unwell and unable to join Graham Wiltshire, our Chairman writes us this time, we wish you both a speedy recovery. The attendance for Dobbies was fifteen members The event proved once again a great success and who braved the elements to arrive at Cirencester. gave us a good start to this our 50th Year. For some it was an adventure as they had not Meeting at Devauden 13th Jan from Denis been further North then Chipping Sodbury! The Our first meeting of the year at Devauden was Garden Centre was high class being close to a bit chaotic in that the kitchen was stripped bare Tetbury, apparantly Prince Charles buys his plants pending the fitting of all new kitchen furniture and there. It was a good opportunity to discuss the up Breakfast at the Lockside
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 73 and coming events which are being planned by Kettlesing, Harrogate. HG 2LP as with all these the section. The ladies were getting excited at the rides you can make your own way to the venue or thoughts of spending lots of money in the plant pot join others. contact Peter 01904672883 or look on department and so it was a cunning plan to keep our section website. them plied with tea and chocolates which worked Also there are more ad-hoc lunch rides depending out financially advantageous. on the weather etc usually on Wednesday, Thursday Please see a message about the BMW event in or Friday, again these can be found on the section the Netherlands, via Paul Rodriguez - web site. If you have e-mail, send Peter one and he Jenny and I along with various other friends have can reply to let you know the details at the time. If attended for the last two years and it has always you don’t have access to the website just a phone been a fabulous weekend. Please note that you call, I am sure, and Peter will give you the details. must arrive on a BMW motorcycle. I covered most current events up to May in your Best regards January edition and as you now have you DOE Paul (see as follows) no point in me repeating them here. But another Dear BMW friends, reminder that as the Village Hall at Cracoe is Attached you find the invitation letter to our this unavailable on Sunday 5th May we will be at The year’s BMW Easter weekend. We would be very Farmhouse Cafe, approx a mile further up the road pleased if we could welcome a large group of towards Grassington. They have home produced participants from the U.K. among which, hopefully, fresh food and plenty of seating inside and out with also you all. The accomodation is the same as the on- site parking. There is no feedback coming from last two years, being the Roerdomp in the small Bear Inn, Squires or How Stean. If no one is going to village of Westelbeers (NL). these, should we change them? Move elsewhere? You are kindly requested to publish the invitation Let me know if you have anywhere that provides letter on the websites of your BMW Section. All refreshments including food, which would be happy those with a BMW motorbike are welcome. We to accommodate us. would be pleased to get a short message from Glad the nights are getting lighter just wish I was ! those who plan to come over. If there are any questions, then please to not Elaine hesitate to contact us. 01274 832309 With the kindest motorbike greetings, [email protected] Mars & Kees (On behalf of the BMW Club Oirschot & Omstreken Some of you will have received an email about this, and how to access more information on this event. From Chris Bates [email protected] Yorkshire Section Your DOE and together with the insert listing all section events should now be in your palm and what an exciting year ahead we have. Loads of events in the club to look forward to. To start the year off it’s our B&B at Cracoe on Sunday 3rd March, so dust the cobwebs off your stuff and join us for a great day. Sylvia will be bringing her gifts and cards to sell again so something for the ladies to admire. We will be drawing our raffle and have lots of goodies to give away. Also, the £500 we collected due to your generosity at last year’s Marigolds Rally will be presented to the Grassington Fell Rescue Team. And yes we are doing the Rally again this year – same time 2nd /4th August. In the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, different location this time, so watch this space. Thursday 7th March is the first Ride In for Lunch with Peter to the Black Bull, Skipton Road,
74 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 Mutual Aid Mutual Aid Adverts are to enable BMW Club Members to buy or sell motorcycles or related items that they own. The service is free but subject to the rules below, and is not normally available to trade advertisers. 1. Note – adverts are NOT accepted over the phone – 7. Please note the copy deadline in the Journal and please send them by post or email to the Mutual Aid understand which edition it applies to before querying Officer whose name and address are on page 3. Please why your advert doesn’t seem to have appeared. Please remember to include your full postal address. submit your advert well before deadline date if at all 2. All adverts should be readable, well punctuated and possible.The BMW Club cannot be held responsible for unambiguous. If writing, please use capital letters for the quality or availability of items or goods or for any clarity. If e-mailing, please only use a simple font such arrangements for delivery or payment. as Arial or Times New Roman. NO ATTACHMENTS 8. Adverts from non- members are accepted at a fixed cost PLEASE! of £16 (including V.A.T.) for up to 65 words plus your 3. The maximum length is 65 words, excluding your phone phone numbers, name and email address. For further numbers, name and email address. If you wish to use information, please contact the Mutual Aid Officer. more than 65 words your option is to pay for the advert at 24p a word (including VAT) for the whole advert. 9. Neither the Club nor the Mutual Aid Officer can advise In that case, we would need payment with the advert advertisers regarding the value of goods offered for sale. when submitted. Note – one advert/month per Mutual Neither can the Club or the Mutual Aid Officer recommend Aid category. Adverts may be edited where deemed suppliers of goods or services to members. necessary by the Editor. Business Advertisement (Disclosure) Order 1977 4. In your advert, please include your forename, phone Any advertiser who places an advertisement concerning number(s) and an email address if available. the sale of goods being sold in the course of business shall 5. You must include your name, full address, Section and clearly indicate this fact. This applies whether the advertiser membership number. These will not be published (unless is acting on their own behalf or for another party. If you have requested) but we will check membership. reason to believe that you have been misled as to the status 6. Mutual Aid Adverts are accepted for a one-month insertion of any advertiser, please inform your local Trading Standards only. Any subsequent submissions are the responsibility Department and the Editor immediately. The fine for breaches of the advertiser. of this order is up to £1,000. Note: Mutual Aid closing date is the 1st of each month Motorcycles For Sale for pictures etc. (Blackpool). K1100LT HIGHLINE - 1998 ‘S’ - In burgundy over grey with coach line. 43,000 miles with some “K” Series service history. MoT September. Clarion radio and K1 - 1989 - In red and yellow. 24,000 miles. Good speakers. Heated grips, electric screen (with larger condition. New rear tyre. Not used last two years. screen or the original). Back box, panniers colour No Tax or MoT. All reasonable offers considered. coded and comfort seat. All in nice condition. £2,950 Jim 01282 613424 (after 6 p.m.) or 07728 679213 o.n.o. Ken 01706 360740 (Lancashire). or e-mail [email protected] (Burnley). K1300GT SE - November 2009 - Bronze. 9,000 K1 - 1994 ‘May’ (L925 EPH) - Classic black. 24,000 miles. In immaculate condition. Recent service and miles. Excellent condition. Lots of provenance. new tyres fitted. Usual SE specification, BMW colour Taxed and MoT. ABS, factory fitted heated grips, matched top box and pannier inner bags. £9,295 new gel battery, with hump and complete soft o.n.o. Paul 07719 930312 (Northern Ireland). luggage (photographs available). £3,000 o.n.o. Kieran 02890 601614 or 07798 870792 or e-mail “R” Series [email protected] (Belfast N.I.). R25 - 1951 - Purchased new by my late father. K1100LT - 1993 - Red. 52,290 miles. Taxed Mileage approximately 130,000. Original buff log September 2013, MoT June 2013. Near mint book and VRM. The bike was restored 20 years ago condition. Next service due at 55,000 miles. BMW and hardly used since but needs mainly attention to top box and panniers plus inners. Excellent fitted electrics to get running. Has non standard tail/stop satellite navigation. All usual BMW gizmos except lamp, footrest rubbers and bar grips fitted. Offers. for ABS. New front and near new rear tyres. Ready Jim 01282 613424 (after 6 p.m.) or 07728 679213 for Europe. £2,000. (Only selling as I have had a or e-mail [email protected] (Burnley). new hip and have bought a lighter bike.) Mike R75/6 - 1975 ‘N’ - Metallic blue. 63,000 miles 07780 598305 or e-mail [email protected] with recent full and comprehensive restoration
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 75 (photographic record). Including full paint, new stainless exhaust, wheel rims and most fittings, new Bits & Bobs tyres, battery etc. R90 style cockpit fairing, panniers. F800R - ZTechnik V Stream Windscreen, clear, Superb runner in excellent condition throughout Z2424, complete with mounting brackets. £100. and open to any inspection. Taxed and Tested. Can S.W. Motech Quick-Lock Evo side carrier frames deliver. £3,495 o.n.o. Willie 01383 830866 (Fife). complete with alu-rack adapter plate. £100. Leslie R100R - 1992 - 36,262 miles. Sprint ST fairing and 07846 042601 or e-mail leslie.allen7@btinternet. Krauser panniers. Good condition throughout. MoT com (Co. Antrim). until October and Taxed until end of April. Recent FINAL DRIVE UNIT (LATEST SPECIFICATION) gearbox rebuild by Scriminger. New battery and - Fits all R1200RTs. Has only done approximately good tyres. Offers around £1,450. David 07743 2,000 miles. £300. Paul 07905 563594 780965 or e-mail [email protected] (Southampton). (Durham area). FREE - Bound BMW Club Journals from 1994 R1150R - 2002 - Blue. 13,000 miles. BMW to 2009. Complete except for the year 1998. panniers. Good tyres. 12 months MoT. Six months Free to anyone who can collect from Barnsley, Tax. Excellent condition. £2,995. George 01432 South Yorkshire. Mike 01226 751955 or e-mail 830287 (Hereford). [email protected] (South Yorkshire). R1150R - 2004 - Only 55,030 miles. No breakdowns. K1200GT/K1300GT ACCESSORIES - Ilmberger No ABS. No panniers. Just a very good bike. Silver carbon fibre hugger, no cracks, sound condition, but colour, good looking. Out on club runs regularly. It has some rub marks, £85. BMW tank bag complete has screen fitted. BMW hand guards. New battery with new adhesive pad, £60. Remus Revolution 2006. New Michelins last year. £3,000. Denis 01706 end can in excellent condition, both makes the bike 631657 or e-mail for photographs or for more sound fantastic and saves weight, £155. Pair of details e-mail [email protected] clear front indicator lenses complete with orange (Lancashire). bulbs, £25. Genuine Migsel satellite navigation mount, £55. All prices are plus P&P. Paul 07734 R1150RT - ‘52’ plate - Blue with full luggage and 540530 or e-mail for photographs of above ulster. 8,000 miles from new. Non ABS and is like new. [email protected] (Ulster). £4,395. Martin 01773 716490 or 07971 490640 (Nottinghamshire). K1300s accessories - MRA black screen, £35. Zero gravity black screen, £45. BMW carbon fibre front R1200RT - 2005 - 30,000 miles, Computer, radio mudguard, £195. BMW battery charger/conditioner, cassette player, heated grips, ABS, heated seats, £65. Rear paddock stand (red), £145. All massive auxiliary sockets. MoT and Taxed to June. Tank discounts, all in good or excellent condition. bag included. Recent replacement injectors, engine S1000RR ACCESSORY - Akrapovic slip on end can oil seals, clutch, rear shock, petrol tank relay and exhaust to fit the latest model, used for about 1,000 rear brake pads. Full BMW service history. £6,700 miles then changed to a full exhaust system hence o.n.o. Arthur 01524 37396 (after 6 p.m.) or e-mail selling this end can. £550. James 07973 970965 or [email protected] (Lancaster). e-mail for photographs [email protected] R1200RT - 2008 - (For sale due to bereavement.) (Buckinghamshire). One owner. Silver. 32,680 miles. Full BMW service K LT HANDLEBARS - In black, good condition, £25 history. BMW top box and alarm. Heated seats and plus postage. Genuine BMW low dual seat in black. grips. ABS. Trip computer. Taxed and Tested until Taken off 1989 K75. Seat in excellent condition. March 2014. Immaculate condition. £7,500 o.n.o. Comes with rubber tank pad, fixing plate and seat Brenda 01945 870424 (Cambridgeshire). lock and key. £130 o.n.o. plus postage. Jim 01282 t: 01333 429451 m: 07734 683429 e: [email protected] w: scotiasidecars.com
UK Importer for TripTeq Sidecars SALES SERVICE BUILD
76 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 613424 (after 6 p.m.) or 07728 679213 or e-mail [email protected] (Burnley). Wanted NEAR COMPLETE SET CLUB JOURNALS - From BMW - R65, R80 and R100 Basic, GS, RT and RS February 1998 until end 2012, missing February models, any condition, cash waiting, can collect. Ian 2001, August 2005, March 2008, July 2012, and 01694 723546 (Trader). all of 2007 except December. Free to good home. BMW TANK BAG FOR K100LT - Part number 72 Collect Ashford, Kent, or I will arrange U.K. delivery 60 2 319 240. I have the harness and the touring for £10 (heavy). Rob 01233 624115 or e-mail bags that attach to the required part. David 01892 [email protected] (Kent). 822178 (Kent). OHLINS SUSPENSION - For R1200RT 2005 to PANNIERS TO SUIT R80G/S - New or second 2010. Front Ohlins product number BM 503 and hand. Dealer or private. What have you? Dick rear product number BM 504. Used for 7,000 miles 01491 680714 or e-mail [email protected] one up. Excellent condition. Less than half price of (Reading). new units. £650 plus P&P of £25. These may also fit R1150RT’s but check with Ohlins. Evan 07710 377130 or e-mail [email protected] (Ulster). Plus two oil filters. STAINLESS STEEL SILENCERS R90S TOOL ROLL AND TOOLS - 10 YEAR GUARANTEE £30 plus P&P. Gerald 01159 275338 (Nottingham). The silencers listed are manufactured by us to original specifications and produce comparable noise levels. German TUV approved. 14 day money back guarantee. R1150GS UNIGO 1 WHEELED TRAILER AND SILENCERS BMW 5/6/7 SERIES 38MM ...... £272 .76 PR HITCH - A new hitch may be required costing BMW R100RT .RS .RCS 38MM OR 40MM ...... £272 .76 PR approximately US $300 plus shipping. New trailer BMW R45/65 & LS ...... £272 .76 PR BMW R65/80/100 MONOSHOCK ...... £272 .76 PR around US $3,000 plus shipping. Asking £750. Andy BMW R100/GS PARALEVER TYPE ...... £305 .89 EA BMW R80GS/ST ...... £286 .01 EA 07518 839651.or e-mail andypandygs02@yahoo. BMW R69S ...... £305 .89 PR co.uk (Gloucestershire). BMW R50/60/2 1955-68 ...... £286 .01 PR BMW 1200GS WITH LINK PIPE ...... £222 .56 EA STARCOM BIKE COMMUNICATIONS - Rider/ EXHAUST PIPES BMW 6/7 RS RT RCS SINGLE BALANCE 38MM/40MM . .£168 .57 ST pillion. Complete with all relevant wiring including BMW 38MM TWIN BALANCE ...... £193 .20 ST helmet speakers and microphones. £65. Ronnie BMW R45/65 SINGLE BALANCE ...... £168 .57 ST BMW R45/65 TWIN BALANCE ...... £193 .20 ST 02870 343629 or 07809 014578 or e-mail hemphill. BMW R100/80GS .ST/PARALEVER ...... £158 .15 ST BMW R65/80/100 MONOSHOCK ...... £168 .57 ST [email protected] (Ulster). BMW R50/60/69s ...... £189 .40 ST BMW 1200GS EXH .PIPE + CAT ELIMINATOR ...... £279 .33 ST R1200GS clear screen, £40. VARIOUS PARTS - COLLECTOR BOX/BALANCE PIPE, ETC R1200RT heated front seat, standard height, £75. BMW MONOSHOCK H PIECE (COLL BOX REP) . . . . . £112 .70 EA BMW R80GS/ST COLLECTOR BOX ...... £123 .11 EA F800ST clear screen, £40. K1300S clear screen, BMW GS PARALEVER Y PIECE (COLL BOX REP) . . . . £137 .32 EA £40. K1200S led rear light, £40. Airflow3 boots, size BMW R100R Y PIECE (COLL BOX REP) ...... £137 .32 EA BMW 1150GS Y PIECE (COLL BOX REP) ...... £178 .04 EA 45, brand new, still in box, £75. R1200GSA Hyperpro BMW SINGLE BALANCE PIPE (STATE MODEL) . . . . £ 32 .65 EA BMW TWIN BALANCE PIPE (STATE MODEL) . . . . . £ 56 .34 ST front and rear lower springs 30mm, brand new, STAINLESS STEEL CLAMPS ...... £6 .15 EA still in boxes, £80. Colin 01268 755000 or 07703 STAINLESS STEEL ANGLE BRACKETS ...... £13 .26 PR STAINLESS STEEL PUSH ROD TUBES ...... £36 .93 ST 199593 or e-mail [email protected] EXHAUST SPANNER BRASS ...... £24 .62 EA (Essex). ROSE NUT ...... £12 .30 EA BMW SHOCK SHROUDS /5,/6, KONI ...... £29 .83 PR WUNDERLICH ‘VARIO ERGO’ - Screen deflector, All prices exclude VAT. For mail order (UK) add £10.00 B98 0RB Lane, South Moons Moat, REDDITCH, Worcs KEIHANS SYSTEMS,Unit 24, Padgets very little used, £25 o.n.o. Baglux Alpha tank bag, Email:[email protected] Web: www.keihan.co.uk Tel: 01527 518525 Fax: 01527 518526 black, new, £65. John 01245 400261 (Essex).
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 77 GET BMW PARTS FAST! • Comprehensive stock of new and used parts • Unrivalled knowledge and expertise • Same-day despatch from stock • Enthusiastic and friendly staff
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78 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 Small Business Adverts
Small Business adverts are available to any individual or business. For rates and terms please contact Charles Knight (details on Page 3)
07835 653199 Visit us @ www.manxmotorcyclehire. Accommodation & Touring co.uk NORTH WALES. - Conwy Valley, detached UK & Eire bungalow in Llanbedr y Cennin village, beautifully B&B GLAISDALE. Near Whitby. 3 x twin refurbished, sleeps 4. Idyllic position, secure rooms, en-suite. Garage for motorcycles. www. garage, private garden, conservatory, central lanesidebedandbreakfast.co.uk Tel: 01947 897 272 heating, woodburner. Tel: 01492 650764, Web: www.conwyvalleyholidaycottage.co.uk , E-mail: B&B IN THE BORDERS. A68 Jedburgh. Quality 4 Star accommodation. All rooms en suite/private [email protected] facilities. Fabulous views over the town and only a SOUTH SHROPSHIRE. Clun Farm House B&B 5 minute walk to the centre. Secure off road bike situated in stunning South Shropshire hills.Great parking. Friendly hosts Chris & Amanda, Club biking roads in to Wales. Secure bike parking. www. Members. £29.50 - £45 pppn. Tel: 01835 862216 clunfarmhouse.co.uk Tel: 01588 640432 (Club Email [email protected] www.airenlea.co.uk Member) (06/13) BED AND BREAKFAST MOFFAT SOUTHERN Europe SCOTLAND. B & B, garage parking, wonderful biking area. One mile from M74 J15 on Edinburgh AUSTRIA. S/C fully equipped Chalet & Apartment scenic route. Why not break your long journey here (Sleeps 2-6). Superb touring roads & mountain or spend a few days riding the local roads, enjoying passes. Excellent amenities. Secure parking. Close the hills and bends. Club member. Chris 01683 Italy/Slovenia Discounts for bikers - phone/mail 220378 see www.buchanguesthouse.co.uk) for details. Liz Cannard. Tel/Fax 0043 4769 26415 www.alpine-dollshouse.com GLENCOE – HIGHLANDS. Ghlasdruim B&B.All ensuite rooms, secure off road parking. Maureen B&B Germany - The Beautiful 01855 811593 [email protected]. Westerwald. Tudor Home. All facilities for co.uk Bikers, Drying room ,secure parking, Bar ,evening meals, all rooms on suite .Fantastic roads great ISLE OF MAN B&B. Available for Manx GP. rides Mosel ,Rhein Valleys The Dambuster Run, Near Ramsey. Spacious double / twin with private Nurburgring and much more... Special for BMW bathroom. Secure parking. Tel: 01726 61642 (05/13) owners 5 nights for the cost of 4. www.vinecottage. KESWICK LAKE DISTRICT B&B. Elegant Victorian de email [email protected] 00492742911728 town house with a contemporary feel. Run by Robin B&B Normandy-France. 3 en-suite & Clare (GS & R1100R riders). Situated in a quiet bedrooms, great roads, lovely region, perfect for cul-de-sac in the town centre, with off-street parking weekend escape, 10% discount on B&B rates and superb biking roads. Tel: 01768 773347. www. for club members, call 0033233640023 www. ellergill.co.uk maisonlaudiere.com LAKE DISTRICT B&B IN BOWNESS-ON- DORDOGNE – self catering and B&B WINDERMERE. Panoramic views of Bowness accommodation with pool and secure and lake. En-suite. Covered/lock-up parking. garage. 40 miles south of Limoges. From Leisure facilities. 015394 88658 Web: http://www. €25 Euro per night. Tours and Trail Riding. www. abovethebay.co.uk dordognemotorcycleholidays.com or phone LAKE DISTRICT. holiday bungalow – comfort for Charles on +33 (0)553 501 239 four plus garage. Ideal touring location & available FRANCE - LOIRE VALLEY. B & B plus ideal gite April to November. Member owned. Tel: 01695 for two - north of Saumur. Tranquil location - Use 422210 of pool/hot tub. Evening meals available. Covered Manx Motorcycle Hire. Ride classic BMW parking. tel: (0033) 241821184. www.theloireaffair. Twins in the Isle of Man. Based in Jurby, you can co.uk enjoy the beautiful Manx roads riding classic BMW FRENCH PYRENEES. Self contained apartment in Boxer Twins on the most famous circuit in the world. 200yr old farmhouse near Lourdes. Secure parking. Collection from the Airport or Ferry Terminal can Old Gascony, high mountains and Spain on your be arranged. Please contact us : tonypoulter@ doorstep see www.flyride-pyrenees.com Tel: manxmotorcyclehire.co.uk Tel: 01621 868930 or 0033(0)562354526
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 79 GERMANY SPECTACULAR HARZ MOUNTAINS which may be rented separately or altogether for a TOURS. Biker only B&B established 15 years. Let larger group: Sleep 2 – 16. Secure garage parking Greg and his R1200S be your guide to some of the for bikes. Contact: Anne & Dave Chapman Tel: best Biking roads in Europe. 200 year old beamed, 01732-456459 e-mail: anneanddave.chapman@ newly renovated 10 bedroom B and B. All rooms virgin.net (12/12) ensuite. Courtyard garden for drinks and food. BBQ evening Saturdays in the season. Local beers Services and wine. Come and meet bikers from Denmark, Sweden, Holland, Germany and UK. Large locked LYNBROOK INSURANCE. for Special Member’s garage for 20 bikes. Trained mechanic on call. 2 terms including Classic & Modern Motorcycle mins walk from lively local town with bars and Insurance (all makes) Tel 0845 130 4662 or 01277 restaurants. Run by bikers for bikers. Special rate 206285. Also Travel and Europewide Breakdown/ for BMW club members. Email gregoryniven@t- Recovery Tel 0151 336 5881 (quote Lynbrook) online.de www.harzbiker.co.uk Tel 0049 5524 3749 (12/13) MOTORCYCLE HOLIDAYS in Brittany MOTORCYCLE DELIVERY SERVICE. Properly france. A choice of accommodation , 2 bed equipped high top van with full insurance. Club cabin, 5 bed wood house or 6 bed cottage. Member offers professional and personal service. Situated in Central Brittany in 20 acres of our own Dave Kelly 07790 255060 www.biketransporter. land including valley, woods and stream. An ideal co.uk (3/13) base from which to explore mystical Brittany along uncongested roads. Prices from £30 per night. We Accessories & Spares have garages and extensive workshop facilities. Part or full kits Discounts on Brittany Ferry Crossings. Email: Stainless Steel Fasteners. available, most models covered. SAE or e mail [email protected] www.countrysideholidaysinfrance.co.uk Tel: 0033 [email protected] for list. Chris Shaw 296 365480 Engineering 24 Station Road, Halton Holegate, Spilsby, Lincs, PE23 5PB Tel: 01790 755515 NORMANDY / BRITTANY BORDER - Gourmet Mobile: 07702 862508 www.shawstainless.co.uk Bed & Breakfast. Close to Mont St- Michel large elegant 200 year old town house restored Servicing and renovated to a very high standard. Individually designed en-suite bedrooms, guests dining ADVENTURE BIKE SHOP. Servicing and repairs, room, drawing room, lounge and conservatory old and modern bikes serviced, bikes prepared for for the comfort and hospitality of our guests. With that round the world trip, we don’t offer a loan bike landscaped walled garden and secure garage but we are about half the price of the local BMW parking. Gourmet dinners are our speciality let us dealer and the coffee is free. The Adventure Bike pamper you and tantalise your palate for a truly Shop, Unit 19 Inca Business Park, Acton, Sudbury, memorable dining experience. In the town of Saint- Suffolk, CO10 0BB, Tel- 01787 372901 James just off the A84 auto route, twenty minutes ANDREW SEXTON. NORTH OXFORDSHIRE from Mont-St Michel and the beautiful coastline WARWICKSHIRE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE with scenic routes and great biking roads. Tel: 0033 BORDER. BMW Quality service, repairs, restoration (0)233-589025,Email: [email protected] Web and special tuning work, on all models. Collection Site: www.petit-illyria.eu.com and delivery arranged. Tel 01608 730111 NORTH PORTUGAL- MINHO VALLEY. Penedes AVON - WILTSHIRE MOTORCYCLE TYRES. Nation Park and Galicia. Interested? We offer Visit Carson Tyres, in Melksham for great deals on farmhouse self catering and luxury B&B both with Motorbike tyres, ride in ride out service and tyres pools. Come and sample the real Portugal see fitted to loose wheels. Always at least 100 bike tyres our Website. www.portugal-holidayvilla.co.uk. Tel in stock, Bridgestone main agents other makes Maggie on 00351-251648107 or Mobile 00351 stocked. Visit our web site www.rideinrideout.co.uk 911595902 for prices or phone 01225 709 335 ask for David or SOMME B&B AND BATTLEFIELD TOURS. Adrian our bike specialists. Our comfortable B&B in a secluded farmhouse B.E.M.W. For competitive prices on: Restorations, just 100 miles from Calais offers beds for 8, plus repairs & spares. Spares for vintage/classic BMW’s secure, covered bike parking, trailer and workshop. from 1935. CJ750, copies of 1938 BMW R71, from Evening meals come highly recommended! NEW: £3,455. Some new 1957 models in stock, LH/RH fully equipped, self-catering apartment sleeps sidecars plus OHV machines available. Machine 6. Take a battlefield tour of Somme or Ypres with tools for the small/home workshop, including GS riding author and military historian www. Chester Multi Function lathe/mill/drill. Parts made orchardfarmsomme.com or Phone: 0033 (0)3 2286 to pattern or drawing. S.A.E. for specification and 5672 services or visit our website. 2 Forman Street, SOUTHERN BRITTANY. Close Redon 3 spacious, Derby DE1 1JQ. Phone/fax 01332 298523. Eves & comfortable gites, set in 3 acres of tranquil grounds w/ends 01332 824334, www.bemw.co.uk
80 The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire. and twins but all models catered for. See the January '12 surrounding counties BMW motorcycle servicing Journal star letter! 10% Labour discount to fellow , repairs & restoration Steve Grover t/a Motoscot BMW Club members! Collection available. Large senior BMW Technician (ex service manager at stocks of BMW used spares available & BMW's Slocombes of Neasden for over 20 years) BMW bought for cash. Contact Dave on: 0794 1950 266 diagnostic equipment and special tools on site Loan or 01454 851 461 email: dave.feralworks@gmail. bike available collection/delivery service arranged. com Will also service/repair all makes, models Phone 01582 419812 or Mobile 07843 056201 Email INDEPENDENT BMW SPECIALIST DORSET. [email protected] www.motoscot.co.uk Servicing and repair centre. Qualified technician with 20+yrs experience. Diagnostic testing and BERKSHIRE. & Surrounding Counties. BMW after service date resets. Studley’s Motorcycles Motorcycle services. K, R & F Series. Independent in Dorchester, Dorset. Tel: 07884 180968 www. BMW Specialist Servicing, Repairs & Spares. studleysmotorcycles.co.uk Collection & delivery. Weekend work & loan bike available. For all enquiries please contact Garry MOBILE MOTORBIKE SERVICES. Professional Webb Tel: 01344 860580/07770 444794. Email repairs and servicing for all BMW models at realistic [email protected]) prices. We offer a mobile service within a 40 mile radius of Nottingham. Call Jim Hill on 0797 123 CARDIFF MOTORRAD. Wales' Number One 6087 or 0115 9727153. www.ifixyourbike.com Independent BMW Motorbike Specialists BMW Factory Trained Technician Services - Repairs - NORTH EAST. Independent BMW Specialist. Full Diagnostics - Tyres - MOT's All Makes Welcome service & repair for all models up to present day. 10% off labour to all club members Please call Factory trained senior technician. Mobile service Mike on 07843528377 or 02920 565666 E-mail: within 60 miles of Sunderland. Now breaking bikes. [email protected] Call Mike Kendrick 0191 510 0265 or 07828 281003 CENTRAL LONDON BMW SPECIALISTS. All PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE. Roger Downey models to date 2v, 4v, BMW Diagnostic equipment, Motorcycles. Independent servicing, repair ex dealer Tech, 30 years exp. Servicing, repairs, and MOT work shop. 10% discount on MOT’s insurance work.Tyres, spares FROM stock. 5 star for Members. Very close to Portsmouth Ferry workshop - full facilities.BMW authorised supplier. port. Over 30 years experience. Tel 02392 Bikes bought/sold - see Biketrader web page. Jap 825515 www.rdowneymotorcycles.co.uk Email: & German 102 Druid St, London SE1 2HQ Tel:0207 [email protected] 237 2299, www.japandgerman.co.uk SCOTLAND - NORTH AYRSHIRE. Mostly Bricks & CRAY ENGINEERING. BMW Twins road & race Boxers. Independent BMW specialist. Professional performance specialist. Fully equipped workshop motorcycle servicing and repairs at realistic rates. for servicing, repairs, rebuilds & engineering. Agreed labour cost restorations. Phone Jim Downie Tuning packages to suit your requirements. New & 01294 558638 or 07973 326928. bricksnboxers@ used spares. Tyres fitted & balanced while you wait. aol.com (Callers by appointment only) Phone/Fax 01795 THE BOXER MAN – THE INDEPENDENT BMW 538282 Faversham, Kent SPECIALIST. Full Service, Repair & Restoration FERALWORKS CLASSICS (BRISTOL) BMW facilities for R and K Series machines. Mobile SPECIALIST. Independent qualified engineer with service available within an 80 mile radius of over 30 years BMW experience for all your servicing LEICESTER. Call Phil on 0116 2668913 or 07860 & repair requirements. Specialist in 'Airhead' BMW 588076, www.boxerman.co.uk (12/13)
The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 81
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We cover all BMW motorcycles from 1970 to the present day 1200GS etc. Remember-all our sales sta are riders themselves. Between them there is not much they don’t know about your bike! We are quite happy to give you the bene t of this experience and to recommend the best manuals and guides for your needs. There is usually no need to pay somebody else to do your servicing, upgrades or repairs when we can give you a wealth of experience and the choice of new, secondhand and reconditioned parts. Many of our new parts o er a huge saving on dealer prices. We can provide you with service items, replacement parts, accesso- ries and performance parts. We have the largest range of parts available anywhere in the UK - in fact we are not aware of anybody, anywhere in the world, who can o er our range and depth of stock. Planning a trip - ring us for advice on spares etc. to carry. Remember, we distribute world wide so we can deliver emergency parts to you anywhere. If you want it we’ve probably got it! If not and BMW make it we can get it for you. Try us! UTAG datatag • Odyssey Batteries • Remus • Ohlins • Carbtune Tyres • Ultraseal • Keihan • Ilmburger • Rugged Roads • etc. etc.
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The BMW Club Journal • March 2013 83 A NEW BREED.
A new breed of BMW bikes have arrived in UK dealerships, all testing positive for adrenaline. To get your own adrenaline rush and win a BMW bike of your choice for three months* scan below or visit www.anewbreed.co.uk
BMW Motorrad
*Full terms and conditions apply. Competition closes 31 May 2013. To be eligible for the prize, participants must be 21 or over and hold a full valid UK or ROI motorcycle licence. Entry is gained by requesting a test ride on any 2013 model BMW Motorcycle through www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/request-information/test-ride.html or The Ultimate www.anewbreed.co.uk during the competition period and subsequently completing New Season Launch Riding Machine the test ride before the competition close date. Please visit www.anewbreed.co.uk for further information.
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