The BMW Club Journal August 2014 £2.50

2 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 The Journal CONTENTS August 2014 Regular/Occasional items The Official BMW Club within 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 President’s Platform ...... 7 The BMW Club is the Trading name of The B.M.W. Motorcycle Club Ltd; Registered in England; Registration Number 4261129 whose Registered Office: c/o Veitch Penny LLP 1, Manor Court Torque Reaction ...... 9 Dix’s Field Exeter Devon England EX1 1UP All Rights Reserved German Jottings ...... 45

For problems regarding distribution of The Journal, please Mutual Aid (Club member ads) . . . . . 75 contact your Section Secretary. Should there still be a problem then contact the National Membership Secretary whose contact Small Business Advertisments . . . . . 79 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 The BMW Club - Out and About .47 to make an item more readable or easier to understand. Submission of items/images will be taken as acceptance of this condition. Articles/Features We (The BMW Club) are the owner or licensee of all Intellectual Property rights in this publication. You may not copy or distribute The National Rally Raffle...... 14 its contents without the express written permission of ourselves or the original author. Press Release...... 15

Wally’s Tour of Scotland ...... 16 EDITORIAL TEAM Correspondence on any Journal matter not The 2014 Reivers’ Boreen ...... 20 covered by the officers listed below should be sent to the Editor who will forward it as appropriate. For general Club administration and membership matters Through the Americas: Getting Ready . . 23 please see the list of Club officers on Page 6. The Cape Crusaders ...... 27 Editor: Stewart Lowthian, 29 Wagg Street, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 4BA. 01260 279 126 [email protected] An hour’s maintenance ...... 39 Features/Articles: Peter Wright. [email protected] Torque Reaction: Paul Nadin, 49 Berkshire Drive, DISCLAIMER Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1SB. 01260 279 443 The BMW Club Journal accepts for publication articles and letters written in good faith; however, 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. Mutual Aid: Maurice Weldon, 21 Lawnwood Drive, The information, including advice and suggested modifications published in the The BMW Goldthorpe, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S63 9GD Club Journal has not been approved, tested or otherwise checked by The BMW Club Journal 07752 904 334 [email protected] or The BMW Club. Before acting on information, advice or suggested modifications published in The BMW Club Journal you should always obtain technical advice, and if appropriate have Commercial Display Advertisements: Jim Bruce, a professional motorcycle engineer carry out the work for you. The Firs, Bayview Crescent, Broadford, Isle of The BMW Club Journal and The BMW Club cannot accept liability for any loss, damage or Skye IV49 9DB 01471 820 408 claims occurring as a result of any modifications or work or other action carried out on the [email protected] advice or based on the suggestions given in any article or letter published in The BMW Club Journal and (save for death or personal injury arising from The BMW Club Journal’s negligence) Small Business Advertisements: Charles Knight, all such liability is hereby excluded. 4 Homelands, New Road, Porchfield, Isle of Wight, The BMW Club Journal is published for and on behalf of The B.M.W. Motorcycle Club Ltd. PO30 4LS ,01983 520 847 The BMW Motorcycle Club Ltd, The BMW Club Journal, it’s Editor and Officers accept 07521 695 992 [email protected] no liability in respect of loss or damage occasioned directly or indirectly as a result of the publication of any advertisement in The BMW Club Journal or Website. Section News: Steve Foreman 07770 827 574 [email protected] Diary of Events: Bob Barker. This month’s cover photo from Tony [email protected] Moores is of an F800GS in its natural Around The Compass: Bob Barker (see above). habitat. Club/Section Display Ads: Piers Kurrein. [email protected] The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 3 From The Editor’s Desk

Back at the desk The end of an era?

We’re back from France, which we really did We’ve been soaked on more than one see at it’s best. A week in Burgundy followed motorcycle, on more than one occasion, and by a week in Picardy, both with perfect in more than one country. This year was weather, was so much different. A cloudburst better than some previous while we were under the visits. Our normal crossing porch in our first gite and a from Portsmouth to Le couple of short sprinkles in Havre was a very long way the evening in Picardy was round for the east side of all the rain we saw. This, France so we looked for of course, was the year we an alternative. Getting to took the car. When she Dover around the M25 in met me, Gillian knew what any reasonable time is too a motorcycle was but that’s much of a lottery so we’ve as far as it went. Now, after stayed within striking distance for morning something like 40,000 miles in thirteen years crossings a few times but it’s not ideal. What sat behind me with only the back of my helmet we eventually did was cross from Hull to for scenery, it’s going to be days out rather than Zeebrugge overnight. Getting to Hull is easy long-distance travelling. from this end of rural Cheshire, the food on the ship, although not exactly gourmet, Not what I expected was perfectly adequate, the cabin reasonably comfortable and we left Zeebrugge at about Something I noticed in France some time 10:00 a.m. on a free Belgian motorway. From ago was the spread of E10 fuel. I’ve always been then it was an easy 330 miles to the first gite. suspicious of it, and last year ended up buying Perhaps because France is so much bigger relatively expensive SP98 as an alternative. than the U.K., or perhaps because it costs to The SP98 gave such a poor mileage in the use French motorways, they seem so much GS that this year I yielded to the inevitable less crowded than ours and making progress and filled the Peugeot up with it. There was at a realistic speed is mostly straightforward. no noticeable change in its performance and The food available, however, is no better than no measurable increase in fuel consumption. we see on motorways here, although it does This completely unscientific study suggests have the dubious benefit of cheap wine being that E10 is perfectly acceptable for engines available with it. The return trip, crossing designed to run on it. Filling stations carry Calais to Dover for cheapness, reminded us of warnings about which vehicles can use it, just how right we had been to go another way warning off owners of older cars, whilst giving on the outward journey. no suggestion as to where suitable petrol 4 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 can be obtained. Interestingly, the warning event of 2011 and the deliberately back-to- notices also list which motorcycles are capable basics event of 2014. I hope that this year’s of using it. event is well enough attended to justify the cost and effort required to stage it as if it isn’t The Summer National Rally it will become very hard to justify future national rallies. I know that I’m repeating You’ll see from the advertisement that myself here but there is a limit to the Club’s there’s several extra attractions to the Kelso ability to support loss-making events and, in Rally. Unfortunately, Gillian has seen the my opinion, a limit to how far every member’s mention of the bring-and-buy sale and I’m subscription should support what seems to be now under strict orders not to bring any junk becoming a minority interest. home on the pedantic basis that I already have a shed full of it. As one who regards camping Charity Off-Road Taster as uncomfortable at the best of times, and completely unattractive in the rain that fell Moto Scotland are holding an event on the last time I tried it in Scotland, I went through 2nd and 3rd August in aid of Kirsty’s Kids - the list of bed and breakfasts on page 42 until a no overheads Scottish charity helping to I found a room within easy walking distance improve the lives of children who are suffering of the site. This will be my first purely social from serious life limiting illnesses, children event since the 60th at Moreton-in-Marsh with special needs and their siblings. Go in 2011 and the two events will make an to http://www.motoscotland.com/index. interesting contrast: the no-expense-spared php?act=viewDoc&docId=37 for details.

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 5 National Officers & Section Secretaries National and other officers Section Secretaries PRESIDENT: Mike Warrilow, East Anglia: Dik Langan 6 Hazel Rise, Claydon, 32 Fairthorne Way, Shrivenham, Oxon, SN6 8EA Ipswich, IP6 0DB 07906 584676 or 0845 003 688046 01793 782 428 [email protected] [email protected] or eastanglia. Secretary: Anita Johnson [email protected] c/o 10 Saffron Road, Tickhill, Doncaster DN11 9PW. Irish: Jim Sweeney, Fearna, Straleek, Celbridge, 01302 743 032 [email protected] Co Kildare. Tel: 087 2300736 [email protected] Treasurer: Jim Lepley London: John Lynch, 166 Chaulden Lane, 7 Landale Gardens, Burntisland, Fife KY3 9HN Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP1 2BT 01442 267694/ 01592 874 592 [email protected] 07860 663092 [email protected] Social Secretary: Jim Bettley Mercia: John Humpherson, 14 Highmoor Close, 1 Green Walk, Fareham, Hants. PO15 6AZ Willenhall, West Midlands. WV12 5UU 07920 147 908 [email protected] 01922 710 694 [email protected] Membership Secretary: Bob Barker Midland: John Winn,16 Ardington Road, 88 Browns Bay Road, Islandmagee, Larne, Northern Northampton, NN1 5LJ. Ireland, BT40 3RX 028 9338 2558 or 07770 746627 01604 631 043 [email protected] [email protected] North East: Simon Johnston, c/o 5 School Row, Tool Hire Secretary: Mike Delacoe, North Broomhill, Morpeth, NE65 9TY 4 Charwelton Road, Preston Capes, Daventry 07702 709063 [email protected] NN11 3TA 01327 360 945 [email protected] Northern: Ms Lynn Sumner, 63 Ambrose Court, Merchandise SecRETARY: Cath Broughton, Moss Lane, Leyland, Preston. PR25 4XA. 17 Strawberry Hill, Northampton NN3 5HL 01772 431 324 [email protected] 01604 416 896 [email protected] Oxford: Rosemary Hicks, 15 Orchard Rise, See Merchandise advertisment for contact times. Chesterton, Bicester, Oxon, OX26 1US Vintage & CLASSIC Register Secretary: John 01869 240 529 [email protected] Winn,16 Ardington Road, Northampton, NN1 5LJ. Scottish: Marjorie Burnett, Crawick Lea, Glasgow 01604 631 043 [email protected] Road, Sanquahar, Dumfrieshire. DG4 6BZ Sporting Register Secretary: Robert Bensley, 01659 50091 [email protected] Oak Tree Farm, Heath Road, Banham NR16 2HS South east: John Hawker, 25 Pickering Street, 01953 888 415 [email protected] Maidstone, Kent. ME15 9RS, 01622 744665 Safety officer: Colin Bembridge. [email protected] 02089 538 807 [email protected] Southern: Bob Denman, 1 Mount Pleasant Close, Events Logistics: Brian Johnson, c/o 10 Saffron Lightwater, Surrey, GU18 5TP 01276 475853 Road, Tickhill, Doncaster DN11 9PW. 01302 743 032 [email protected] or 07950 319 197 [email protected] South West: Debbie Sampson ‘Trevilla’, Marketing/Commercial Sales: Position Vacant 18, Ropehaven Road St. Austell Cornwall PL25 4DU. Sidecar Register Secretary: Position vacant. 01726 61642 [email protected] GS Register Secretary: Position vacant. Ulster: Charlie McConnell, 6 Cameron Park, Assistant Secretary for America: Ballymena, Co Antrim BT42 1QJ. Position vacant. 02825 647 730 [email protected] 100,000 MILE AWARD: Jason Goodwill Western: Sue Ross 7 Pintail Grove Kidderminster 01847 893 935 [email protected]. Worcs. DY10 4RT. 01562 820 458 [email protected] WEBMASTER: Nick Fearn [email protected] Yorkshire: John Elvidge 2 Birstwith Grange, Birstwith, Harrogate, N.Yorkshire, HG3 3AH 01423 Mike Fishwick Sirgon, 24250 TECHNICAL OFFICER: 770866 [email protected] Daglan, France. [email protected] HQ Register: Dick Boyd, Stewart Place, South John King. Forum Administrator: 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 372 901 Dutton Graham Walker 21 Whitehouse Ave, Burnhope, Durham DH7 0AJ 07931 710 991 [email protected] FBHVC: John Winn Alan Orme [email protected] Vehicle dating & DVLA enquires: Steve Perry 0115 946 9542 [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 •August 2014 President’s Platform

First off I would like to congratulate the Editor together. It started at the Motorcycle Live for getting The Journal to us well on time last Show way back in November when Lee and month. It must have been a challenge to get myself had a meeting about how a closer it sorted before he went on holiday. Thanks relationship would work. We talked about a Stewart and hope you enjoyed the break. real BMW Club Member benefit in the way Got to congratulate Michael Dunlop and of a discount scheme and parted with that the Motorrad team, what a in mind. I had an idea that success story. I was gripped work was going on in the to my seat watching the background and thought skills of Michael and the way it best not to get personally he manhandled the S1000 involved. This is where RR around the I.O.M. Steve Moxey of the Oxford I thought the filming was Section steps in. Through terrific and the slow motion organising Oxford events shots gave a real live picture Steve has built up a good of what the tyres have to working relationship with endure. Great all round and Lee who had mentioned to I bet Lee Nichols breathed a me that he thought Steve’s sigh of relief that it all turned out so well for ideas for promoting and modernising the Club BM W. were very well thought out. So why look a gift It’s a great pity that the success was marred horse in the mouth ? I let him get on with the by the urgent recall of the new R1200RT but details, he has given me regular updates. I presume in a case such as this suspension I am now in a position to let members know problem you have to bite the nail and get on that a deal has been reached and a brilliant with it and get it sorted pretty darn quick. I offer from participating Dealers has been think it does highlight how BMW react to reached. The deal is for all BMW Motorcycles a serious problem and though inconvenient over three years old and will include parts and to the owner we can at least be comforted by labour. It will run initially from September this swift action. I had some enquires about until March where the scheme will be the fault and got in touch with Lee Nichols reviewed. Now this is where you can make or (motorcycle marketing manager at BMW break the scheme, we have to use the facility of Motorrad) to clarify the position and by the dealers for it to work, I hope you will, reply he confirmed a definite no ride policy. I have purposely not given the full details Hope all members effected have got their bike because we plan to run the advert which will sorted. give full details in the September Journal. In a Whilst mentioning Lee Nichols and him nutshell, “ USE IT “ or “LOOSE IT”. putting his money where his mouth is he Thanks to Steve and Lee. has taken another step in his quest to bring It makes a change to actually talk about members/ dealers/ Motorrad working closer bikes but my R1200 R has had it’s first birthday The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 7 and is running great. I didn’t get around to They turned up on a really well sorted new putting on a screen because most of my riding side-car outfit. It is apparently June’s steed has been in good conditions. No problems but she has allowed George to use it. George (still wish it had a fuel gauge) it just does as it hadn’t ridden an outfit before and it’s great to says on the tin and a bit more. I’m not looking see the bewilderment on a first time outfits at the glossy BMW bike pamphlets although riders face. A solo rider takes some time to get that RnineT is something I can’t eliminate. I the hang of a completely different beast, but just need an excuse any ideas out there ? . when you do what fun an outfit can be. Hope It was good to see June and George Lukins they have sorted who it really belongs to !! at the Black and White camping weekend. As you may have seen in last months Journal the “changes” ideas are being sifted through and Ian Dobie is chasing people who may be able to help , so hopefully we may have some proposals for the NCM . To finish off I will comment on a letter in last months Torque Reaction where the writer gave me and the committee a telling off. The comment I make will be the words of a pop song and it is:- “ I say it better “ when I say nothing at all” Safe riding Mike

8 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 Please send all submissions for Torque September’s Torque Reaction to Paul Nadin (details on page 3) before Reaction August 5th please. Henri Martini Out of my pocket appeared a 4 inch adjustable spanner with a section of old Has anyone information or a contact for inner tube cut to about 2 inches wide and Henri Martini, who I understand may still slipped over said spanner. This, I informed live in Ireland. He had BMW’s and a Vincent my intrigued chums, was to stop the jaws of and I’m seeking information from him on the the spanner from wearing a hole through my history of an R5 between 1986 – circa 2003. pocket! Phone 01354 656569 thejollyjester@ Now for BMW owners and on the subject onetel.com and thanks for reading this. No of removing gear boxes or engines. Cut a reward!! section of inner tube lengthways and cable tie Robert Freeman. it to the frame, this will protect the paintwork. One of my bikes (an R80 mono shock) has a Nothing wasted! rather expensive and new rear damper fitted to it and after a run in bad weather the unit was A few weeks ago whilst having a coffee with plastered in crud! Time for a mod. I removed fellow members of Wye Valley section of the the damper from bike, sprayed it with anti Velocette Owners club the subject of recycling corrosive fluid and then, you’ve guessed it, out came up, particularly old inner tubes. came the inner tube, this was stretched over

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 9 the spring and secured at the top with a cable VIN#: WB10409BOX ZB86024 tie - see photo. Colour: White Another worthwhile mod on both K’s Title#: 703573F and airhead boxers is to protect the clutch When I get this bike on the road I will operating lever from muck thrown up from think about joining your wonderful club and the back wheel, water and grit can seize the thanks in advance for any assistance. clutch operating leaver bearing. To reduce Wayne Bowen. the amount of spray cut piece of sheet rubber (Replies through The Journal if possible and cable tie to the swing arm cross tube, see please. Thanks.) photo. I hope that some of my hints on recycling The New Forest Weekend will of use to you and safe riding to all. John Parry-Jones. I joined the BMW Club some years ago when Western Section. a bought an R26 to restore, which I have now restored and sold. I also have (and ride) an old Registration help please BMW designed Ural (for my sins) as well as other old bikes. As a result I haven’t been to I will shortly be applying for first registration many BMW Club events. in UK of an imported US motorcycle However this year the New Forest Weekend and would like to apply for an age-related fitted in with my other commitments and I registration number. Can you please tell me decided to go. This proved a very smart move. how I can obtain this information from an It was an absolutely brilliant weekend. I was official BMW source? made very welcome, and the Ural received These are the detail favourable comments - I suspect mainly in Make: BMW sympathy from the riders of beautiful new Model: R1100 GSA BMWs! Year: 1999 Nick Tucker’s hospitality was incredible. He and his family put in an enormous amount

10 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 of work feeding us and providing alternative Raffle tickets activities for us all, and yet they made it seem effortless. They were the perfect hosts. I will On Friday we got our copies of The Journal certainly try to go next year. Thanks Nick. and on Saturday morning the first pile of Philip Whitney. envelopes full of raffle tickets arrived. Southern Section. It will be a success again, I am sure of that, but I would just like to ask all of you that Screening for the are interested in the raffle to please send you elderly? tickets to me asap as I will be off to the USA and so the deadline for postal entries will be Me again and I thought that the following the 15th August. might be of interest to the R1150 GS gang. You will still be able to buy tickets on the Givi do an alternative screen for the day at the national rally. R1150GS part numbers are:- Cliff Batley. D233SG 485x366 mm i.e.approx. 19’’ high Vice President. x 14.5’’ wideand approx. £87. They also do the FAA 0023, again approx. £87 plus there is Making life easier also an MRA 0005 approx. £127 and I bought mine locally here in Gloucester. On purchasing my exhilarating bike (a 2009 I’ve fitted the Givi D233SG which also K1300 GT) a salesman demonstrated the ease pivots on its mounts so you can vary the with which this 250kg beauty could be raised angle of the screen, which I assume the others onto its centre stand to facilitate cleaning and do also. I have to say the screen makes a maintenance. considerable difference to riding comfort for Unfortunately his body shape did not ‘an old wrinkly’! indicate his unnatural strength or dexterity Andy Stork. and since his demonstration I have spent the Gloucester. last twelve months trying to avoid a rupture and or dropping it. The answer lay in eBay

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 11 Policies from**** £64**

Working with Classic insurance Classic benefi ts redefi ned. included*: Tailor your classic bike policy to suit your needs. Salvage retention Agreed value Wider eligibility cover now available for members of the BMW Club United Kingdom & Northern Ireland: Shows and events

• Young enthusiasts from aged 18 Helmets & Leathers (up to a limit of £750) • Bikes covered from 15 years old European motoring (up to 35 days per trip) • Unlimited mileage available for older riders Riding other classics To discover the Footman James difference, call our friendly UK team for a quote today. Cover options*:

0843 357 1042 Breakdown with options to include or visit footmanjames.co.uk European cover and Homestart Riding to work Track day cover Wedding hire cover and many more Specialist rates for club members follow us @Footman_James Classic Car | Classic Bike | Modern Car | Modern Bike | Kit Car | Collectors | Classic Motor Trade | Household *All cover is subject to insurers terms and conditions, which is available upon request. **1978 BMW R100RS 999cc. Value: £6000. Main policy only and does not include any FJ+ cover options. All premiums assume it is not the main vehicle and includes Insurance Premium Tax. Male rider aged over 25 years old, 2000 annual limited mileage, and full clean driving licence with no claims or convictions. Member of associated club. Postcode OX10, vehicle garaged with no modifi cations. An additional £10 arrangement fee will apply. Footman James is a trading name of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited. Registered in England No.4043759. Registered Address: Towergate House, Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3EN. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Telephone calls may be recorded. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm and Sat 9am - 1pm.FP ADGE124.06.14 as the picture attached and it only cost £73. easily upwards onto a very stable stand. The Why BMW does not fit a similar OEM Aufbockhebel/Lifting Handle is part number handle I cannot imagine as it would probably 8160458 from Wunderlich and I believe that only cost them cents but as an aid to lifting it other models are available - usual disclaimers is invaluable for us older folk. apply. Now with left foot on the centre stand and John Jones. a directly vertical lift above it the bike rolls Midland Section.

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 13 A New Footman James scheme for the BMW Club

Footman James enjoy a unique relationship • Driving and riding other classics with the BMW Club members, providing • Track day cover specialist advice, services and insurance in • Wedding hire cover options (For sidecars a competitive market. As this relationship etc) has evolved and strengthened throughout • Driving and riding to work the years, the BMW Club has continued to • Legal Protection negotiate benefits exclusively for its members • Spare Parts (options up to £10,000 cover) with its business partners, Footman James • Increased Helmet and Leathers to included. Footman James, the BMW Club £2,000 preferred club insurer, have recently partnered • Nil Reduction Salvage Retention with Ageas to develop a new suite of products • Mis-Fuelling • Lost Keys So what does Footman James have to offer • Excess Protect BMW Club members • European Motoring • Classic Motorcycle Insurance for • Claims History Service BMWs from 15 years of age • Mileage Extension Service • £750 Helmet and Leathers cover The benefits that the BMW Club have • Cover for younger enthusiasts negotiated with Footman James do not stop at • Rates from £64 Classic Motorcycle Insurance. Footman James • Mileage options up to 10,000/Unlimited also offer BMW Club members competitive miles rates on Modern Car, Modern Motorcycle, • Classic Car Insurance Benefits included Classic Car insurance and Home & Contents. • Agreed Value If you would like further information on • Salvage Retention any form of cover, Footman James’ friendly • Cover for Shows and Events staff are on hand to assist you. Just call them on their dedicated BMW Club phone line found Footman James has also added a range of in the magazine or on www.footmanjames. valuable extensions to cover aimed at the co.uk. classic enthusiast, ensuring customers can make the most of their vehicles. The range Martyn Raybould MCMI of options is collectively named ‘FJ+’ and Club Relationship Manager provides benefits which include Footman James • Breakdown cover with options to include 07817 697065 (Non quote needs please) UK only or UK/EU cover and or Home- [email protected] start.

14 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 The 2014 National Rally Raffle

The last issue of the BMW ClubJournal enter the raffle but just think how much more contained three books of five raffle tickets. exciting the draw will be if you are there at the Each ticket costs £1 so the total value is £15. rally when your ticket is drawn out. You can purchase all fifteen tickets or any The BMW Club raffle will be drawn at number of them between one and fifteen. the national rally on the August bank holiday Please complete the counterfoil of each ticket weekend. All tickets need to arrive with me with your Name, Contact telephone number by Friday the 15th August: any ticket arriving and your membership number. after this date will not be entered into the You must be a member of the club (full draw as I will be departing for the USA and or associate) to purchase the raffle tickets. I need to get the tickets to whoever will draw The First Prize will be the BMW R75/5, The the raffle before departure (note, last year I had Second & Third Prizes yet to be agreed but tickets arriving over a month after the draw will be worth having had taken place and they were postmarked Any member may buy more raffle tickets by after the draw) (More Brackets , it must be an sending a cheque made payable to The BMW East Anglian thing! Yes I will be missing my Club to Cliff Batley, 46 Newmans Road, second national rally in 16 years !) Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 UA. Please include I would like to take this opportunity to your name, contact details and membership urge you to support it and also to wish you number and number of tickets required, along all good luck. I know that not everyone will with a stamped, addressed envelope to receive get a prize, let alone a R75/5 to add to the your counterfoils. collection, but if you do not have a ticket you You do not have to be at National Rally to cannot win. The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 15 Wally’s Tour of Scotland May 2014

0800 Lift Off at Exeter Services and Jill and Premier Inn for scrub up and socialising - tis I headed for a play in the Wye Valley on our always good to catch up with old friends and chosen route to Carlisle. There was much meet new ones. sunshine and excitement. We had grand views Sunday was Gretna (def no stopping!), from the bridge. Tintern looked stunning, Ecclefechan (love that name), Lockerbie, the valley twisty and quiet and Monmouth Happenden for coffee, Glasgow, Erskine provided a coffee and fuel stop. Hereford, Bridge, Dumbarton, Loch Lomond and Shrewsbury and lunch at a Garden Centre Tarbet for lunch. On to Crainlarich, somewhere near Whitchurch sat in the sun. Tyndram, Glencoe (one of the most beautiful Sadly on the next bit of our journey we came places despite its horrid history between the across a bike accident - it had just happened Campbell and McDonald Clans) and on to and traffic was coming to a halt as a Moto the Clan MacDuff Hotel at Fort William Guzzi was laid out in the middle of the road overlooking the beautiful Loch Linnhe with with the rider a short distance away. It had the mountain tops of the Ben Nevis range been a v smart cafe racer style machine but covered in snow. sadly no longer. Jill rushed to the bike and Monday, when most of the world were left me to check the rider - fortunately he was going to work, some had an early morning ok - just grazed and lesson learnt was not to walk by the Loch before all headed to Spean overtake on the hatched bit outside a garden Bridge, Invergarry and Fort Augustus for centre. He just lost his pride and his watch coffee by the locks watching the boats on the and the bike was going to have a ride home. Caledonian Canal. We rode past Loch Ness Once he confirmed his underpants were clean on General Wade’s Military Road, Inverness we were happy to ride off - bit too much info and to Chanonry Point at Rosemarkie to see but nice to know he was ok. Spookily we the Bottlenose Dolphins - magical - they were decided to nip onto the M6 and met the gang playing in the race and some managed to get in Lancaster Services - great timing. On to the photographic evidence. On to Cromarty for 16 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 lunch of Cullen Skink (local warming soup). Wednesday we packed and headed for Jemimaville, Tore, Muir of Ord, Beauly, Ullapool. Invergary, Shiel Bridge, Dornie Drumnadrochit, Loch Ness (monster on his and Plockton for Coffee. Achnasheen, holidays too) , Urquhart and back. Kinlochewe, Gairloch for lunch, Poolewe, Tuesday Corran Ferry and Kilchoan for Braemore Junction and in wall to wall wind Ferry to Tobermoray, Isle of Mull. Lovely and rain, with stunning waterfalls en route, sunshine and twistie single track road. Picnic we landed safe at the Caladonian Hotel which in the sun with a Bridie (local mince and onion was a very entertaining stop. I have not slept in pastie). Kentrua, Lochailort, Glenfinnan, a broom cupboard since my school days. Aunt Loch Eil and Fort William. Bessie made an appearance on the menu - but

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 17 we have all had worse and grateful to have lumpy bumpy road and back to our favourite somewhere that could take this large motley B & B in Pitlochry. We spent the evening in crew. McKays listening to Tarnybackle - nice soft After an early morning puncture repair local music ....Jill and I had front row seats, Thursday saw us head for coffee at Nairn this of course was nothing to do with the fact then to Grantown on Spey and lunch at the that the lead singer looked strikingly similar old Fire Station at Tomintoul. Cock Bridge, to Paul Hollywood! Braemar (where it went down to 3 1/2 as we Friday it was off to Glen Shee, Braemar for crossed the ski slopes), Glen Shee on a fun coffee, Ballater, Banchory, Fettercairn and lunch at Glenesk. Kirriemuir, Bridge of Cally, Kirkmichael and Moulin. In the evening we all gathered at the Indian Restaurant in town. Saturday we set off for Killin, Lochearnhead, Aberfoyle, lunch at Loch Katrine (beautiful views), Doune, Callander and then to Lochearnhead Scout Hut which was the old Railway Station to meet up with the Scottish Section of the BMW Owners Club who were hosting a Bunkhouse Weekend and we were all invited for tea and biccys (I understand there was also cake if you were quick). We received a warm welcome and there was much chatter before heading back for dinner at the Golf Club! Sunday we started to head for home with plenty of Wally’s famous Clearing Up Showers (one that flooded the road in seconds!). Crieff, coffee with a choice of about 50 cakes, 18 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 Dunfermline, over the Forth Road Bridge, poppies, massess of bluebells, gorse, rape and around Edinburgh, Moffat for lunch in The so much more. Rumbling Tum, Lockerbie, Ecclefechan Pack holidays always include an element of (again) and on to Preston for another Premier compromise but folk are also free to do as they Inn with excellent Beefeater attached. please - follow Wally’s Bottom or do their own Monday the group split with various routes thing. Personally I have to say he has a v lovely homewards or on to the IOM for the lucky rear and he is a delight to follow..... he seems to few. We had added over 2000 miles to our find the good quiet roads and friendly cafes, machines and collectively added millions of always entertaining, caring, considerate.... I calories to our waistlines. could go on and those that were there know I For those that like wildlife we saw deer, did :-) A collection and presentation was made heron, oyster catchers, grebe, kites, an eagle, to the guy that made it all possible. hare (sadly deceased), curlew, pink footed Those that actively partake in the CW geese, grouse, black headed grouse and cyclists Riderclub Experience are very lucky indeed - in top quality lycra. On the flower front there thank you Wally for another great holiday. were bright rhododendrons and azaleas, Helen x

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 19 Reivers’ Boreen June 2014 – The Year It All Went Wrong!

Another great turnout for the 8th Reivers. Is it and stunning scenery. For a number it was the that long? Every year is the last but like Frank first time they actually saw the scenery which Sinatra the demand is high and the pressure tends to be shrouded in rain and mist. Coffee on to do another one. 20 bikes and riders and at the Old Schoolhouse was enjoyable and set one brave pillion passenger assembled in the us up for a fast blast by Kielder Reservoir and Wentworth car park at 09.00. 3 other bikes across the Border to the Hermitage and a more joined us at the coffee stop that morning. The leisurely ride following Hermitage Water to briefing is hardly necessary as nearly all were the A7 and Langholm for lunch. old hands so the merry band was away shortly After lunch we climbed up and over after 09.30. Burrowstone Moss with glorious views of The back roads up to Falstone gave us a the Solway Firth and the Lake District to breathtaking start across roads that had been the west before heading north again through

The reunion of old hands at Falstone

20 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 The Peebles Hydro

Watchope Forest and a couple of fords. A brief turning north and then south along Heriot fuel stop in Hawick and more moorland at Water and skirting the Moorfoot Hills to Hartwoodmyers before rejoining the A7 and Innerleithen and Glentress where coffee and a fast blast through Selkirk (well, not actually an overdose of chocolate awaited us. For through Selkirk itself) and on to the A708, much of the way we spent our time avoiding a the most beautiful and twisty A road in the profusion of cyclists. Just as well we were not UK. To calm us down we took the minor road overtaking them. over Witchie Knowe to the Ettrick valley and Another quickie to the A701 before some a few miles of proper gravel. more stunning scenery around the Talla and Our evening stop at Peebles Hydro was Megget Reservoirs and lunch at St. Mary’s surprisingly comfortable and set us up for the Loch. Sunday and a meander to Caddonfoot before Our journey back to our evening stop saw

A bit o’ dirt

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 21 The second ford us encounter the gravel again and a quick stop relieved of his back marker duties. Thank at the Sammye Ling Buddhist Monastery in you Graham. Thanks also to Phil, now lined Eskdale. Back in England near Blackpool up for back marker duties, Sandy for sparing Gate the group divided into the tarmac group Peter to do the planning etc, Ashley for the and the ford group. The tarmac group made sterling administrative work and most of all it back unscathed. The other idiots, sorry I the participants who journeyed from the far mean riders, found the first ford dry as a bone corners of the country to join in the fun. (it had been a raging torrent a few years ago) Note was made of OAPs drifting off to bed and the byway easy peasy. Despite warnings at 22.30 while others started the pressure for a of the slippery conditions in the second ford repeat next year. a few brave souls attempted it. Some made it Just dwell on the names of the places we’ve and some didn’t! There were, and I think quite been to and you know you want to come. rightly, mutterings about the idiot leader Oh! The reasons it all went wrong is that we but he got his comeuppance on a sharp bend had glorious weather and sunshine and many and gently laid his bike down. Why no one repeat participants saw Northumberland and knows!!! the Borders for the first time!. Not through A great evening was had by all at Gilsland, a rain and mist and wind and etc. Now that small presentation to Graham who had finally they’ve seen it will they ever come back again? been given the freedom of the ride by being

Unaccustomed weather

22 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 ‘Bottom-Up’ Through the Americas Part 1: Getting Ready

Couple Sell Home for Epic Motorcycling Trip – by Lisa Morris

I read somewhere that life on two wheels good to diversify, integrating our passions finds you free from walls and windows, which into something fresh. Riding from Argentina creates a vulnerability that breeds excitement. to Alaska, for between twelve and eighteen Fortunately, this has become true for us. ... months, will be full of flavour to bite into. I’m Lisa Morris and my partner is Jason We decided on the Americas because Spafford - a pair of wanderlust seekers from neither of us has been - apart from a scuba- Nottingham. We’ve sold our house and most diving expedition to the Galapagos Islands. of our belongings in order to finance a once- A Passage de Carnet is not necessary to travel in-a-lifetime trip - ‘bottom anywhere in the Americas - and up’ through the Americas. most of the countries we’ll be It’s very liberating when you riding through are fairly stable liquidate your assets and pack politically - so it just seemed like your life up into a few boxes. a perfect starting point in which It’s our time to break free from to get a taste of motorcycling convention, be free as a bird – to adventure. fly through space, at the twist In exchange for £2400 of a throttle. We’ve scuba-dived each, we would be riding onto the globe over the last fourteen a Grimaldi container ship and years together, by-products of accompanying our bikes across which can be seen through our the Atlantic from Belgium to photography, videography and Montevideo, Uruguay. Friends travel writing. We’ve got an asked beforehand if we needed explorative appetite and it feels to work our passage or sleep in a The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 23 container - er, no - to both! We saw it as a ‘poor and remoteness of Alaska would await us man’s cruise’ - passengers would be secondary thereafter. to the cargo, although we would be assigned a I would be in the saddle of a 2001 BMW decent cabin with en-suite facilities and served F650GS that’s factory-lowered and more three meals a day. It would be relaxed, with affectionately known as Pearl. Pearl was a bike ample time to dolphin-watch, indulge in some sourced on eBay at the right price, so I took light exercise inside the basic gym on board a gamble. Granted, she appeared in better and learn some Latin American Spanish. condition in the pictures, although with a Our initial aim was to shoot down at full bit of hard graft in between umpteen cups of tilt on Ruta 3 from Uruguay to Ushuaia, the tea, Jason transformed Pearl into a shiny new southernmost tip of South America, leaving penny. A trusty companion - she›d prove great after a fortnight just before getting snowed in. fun to ride - with an additional sump guard The pace would slow right down thereafter, over the original belly pan, heated grips and meandering all the way up on the west coast, a radiator guard. Although Jason drooled criss-crossing through Argentina and Chile over his R1200 GSA, a brilliant bike ‘two up’ to see the best of both. Beyond Chile, we when we toured through Europe for example, planned to reach Brazil for the Iguazu Falls he felt it wasn’t the weapon of choice for the - rather than the World Cup - experience the Latin American dirt roads we had in mind. natural phenomena of Bolivia and Peru, soak Hence, he acquiesced and downsized. He up some greenery in the Amazon and scoot grew to adore his BMW F800GS, despite the through Central America before hitting the two niggles he had - which were the rock-hard States. Diving the kelp forests in California, seat and unfit-for-purpose screen. Opting for as well as visiting Yosemite and Yellowstone an Airhawk seat, an inflatable cushion now national parks, would be high on the ever- gives Jason around twice the mileage before evolving itinerary. The rurality of Canada his derriere goes numb. He also invested in a Touratech fairing, which cost a pretty penny, but has performed well in shielding him from the wind. Jason has further modified his bike with a custom belly pan and heavy- duty engine bars. The F800GS is a tall bike against Jason at 5’ 8” – the engine bars doing a remarkable job for the number of times he has dropped it! Pearl all ready for the big ‘bottom Jason has twenty- up’ trip through the Americas five-plus years’ riding experience on me. In 24 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 fact, before the start of 2012 I’d never ridden anything other than a bell-jingling donkey on Blackpool beach. Perfectly contented as a pillion, I casually scribbled my name down on something at the NEC’s Motorcycle Live and won a ‘taster session’ with Shires Motorcycle Training School in the East Midlands. I never looked back. ... In a few short months, I went from zero to ... “Let’s go!” ... I passed my test first time with the highly professional Shires Motorcycle Training School. Instruction was taken across the Derby and Nottingham Spot the coat hanger in Lisa’s mouth sites - the instructors were after passing first time with Shires. nothing but patient, (I am no natural rider), being approachable and accommodating around my work schedule. Heartfelt thanks also go to Simon Pavey’s BMW Off-Road Skills School in South Wales - without his staff, particularly Jenny Huntley, I’d still be nervous taking my bike off tarmac. I loved training in a mixed group of six trainees. It was superb fun to try and out-do the guys on some of the exercises! The off-road training transformed my road riding too. This endeavour – on all types of terrain – has become an addictive way of life. My fears differ somewhat to Jason’s apprehensions. Having only passed my test in 2012, I hope I can fully embrace the learning curve so my riding ability doesn’t end up dictating where we go. Completing the BMW Level 1 off-road And being congratulated by Simon skills course is already reaping rewards Pavey after completing the BMW for me when off tarmac. As someone Level 1 Off Road Skills course that wasn’t a natural rider, getting in The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 25 like wild camping, we will be able to just push the side-stands down somewhere discreet for the night and pour a glass of red! In terms of tools, we’ll have only those with which to carry out basic maintenance and repair, as space is at an absolute premium in two thirty-eight litre Metal Mule panniers and a roll bag each. Our ‘specialist’ tools will include a chain breaker/ riveter, Motion Pro tool kit and bead-breakers for changing tyres. Headlight bulbs, clutch and brake levers, brake pads, oil filters, clutch and throttle cable repair kit will comprise our spares. A bag of zip ties, spare nuts and bolts, fuses, spare electric cable, ‘gaffer’ tape and metal putty will make up the useful odds-and- ends category. We would be relaying our experiences in a travelogue as they unfolded, and with the help of three GoPros and a Nikon D800, capturing A fairly relaxed guy the dramatic landscapes, diverse cultures and wildlife of the Americas. We both love some practice beforehand was a must! Jason travelling on and off-road, in and out of the is a fairly relaxed guy and hasn’t had any real saddle, shooting aerial footage from our issues about the trip. It would be mortifying quadcopter – a remote-controlled aircraft that though if we weren’t able to accomplish enables a GoPro camera to film as it flies. It’s the journey we’d set out to do because of a another great way of encapsulating the essence mechanical catastrophe or other unforeseen of why we should all travel. incident. Although I have to agree with Ted As we set off we’d be homeless, without Simon ... it’s often theinterruptions, not the offspring and free from the nine-to-five job. destination, that make, not break, a trip. What better time to embrace some life- Our inspiration has to be attributed to changing adventure? Over the next eighteen the likes of Austin Vince and Sam Manicom. months, we’d be wending our way up the Austin Vince zoomed around the globe twice Americas, on from Patagonia to Prudhoe Bay. over, before Ewan and Charlie, without We’d be intending to see as many countries, any support vehicles and carrying the bare by means of the scenic routes and back-roads minimum of gear. His wife, Lois Pryce, also where possible, trying our best to stay off the gets my vote by riding through the Americas freeways and highways. I had no idea when by herself. Sam Manicom’s Tortillas to Totems we’d get to Alaska or what we’d do when we left me feeling that riding through the States arrived. I only knew that the world is open should be on everyone’s ‘bucket list’. All are and calling. Life is for living, so why not live living legends. it loudly! In terms of gear, we’d be carrying Lisa’s and Jason’s adventures will be lightweight camping equipment, including a continued in future issues of The Journal and home-made ‘beer can’ stove, an adopted idea can be followed at www.twowheelednomad. from Tom Allen’s bicycle trip. When we feel com. 26 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 Steve Church’s 2013 South African GS Adventure Two-and-a-half weeks of mud and sunshine, a The different coloured coded trails across it ‘Window to the Gods’, spider-bites and Mick conjure up historic images of trips gone by, of Grant passing within two feet of you at 150 warm breezes, Alpine peaks and hot Spanish mph, on a classic two-stroke Suzuki 500 racer. plains. I’ve been touring in Europe since 1986. All this and more. ...This is my first taste of Every waking moment is spent thinking about South Africa. the next trip. I don’t work to buy a house so The border was finally open. There should I can live near my work. I work like crazy be a sign saying ... ‘Open from 08.00 hrs to through the winter, so I can take time out in 17.00 hrs’ ... at the start of the sixty kilometre the summer and ride my bike. Which bike? pass that leads to this spot. But there isn’t. So I’m a big guy so it has to be a big bike. ... Ray and I have now been along the Saddle This is my 2nd GS. This one’s a ‘06 Back Pass three times. Twice yesterday and Adventure. I bought it new and I’ll never sell now, finally success! Yesterday’s closure meant it. We’ve done too much together. It’s been we were forced into an impromptu stop at over the Golden Gate Bridge and been on the Barberton - a small mining town on the salt at Bonneville. It’s part of me now. I’ve had northern border between South Africa and a few niggles in the 65,000 miles I’ve done, but landlocked Swaziland. A cheap hotel meant it basically does it all. New seat, Metal Mules, we slept poorly and now smell of mothballs. higher screen and you’re ready to go. Nothing It’s pouring with rain, cold and misty, the else I’ve ridden comes close to ticking all the road’s getting treacherous and now Ray’s boxes. KL650 has a puncture. ... The ever-spreading coloured ‘vein-like’ But now I get it - I now understand. routes drawn on my map tell me that it’s It’s the challenge - together with that little time to travel further afield. So last August, bit of fear and trepidation about the unknown. I went coast-to-coast and back, in the States. That’s what makes adventure motorcycling so It was a fantastic trip and showed me that the addictive. normal fears we all have about the unknown are unfounded. The organisational stuff to ‘I Don’t Work to Buy a House so I Can Live do with bike travel is easier than you think, Near my Work’ ... especially if you’ve done it a few times. Don’t There’s a wall-size map of Europe in my let it hold you back. study. I stare at it and daydream for hours. The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 27 The Phone Call ‘A’ roads and plenty of off-road too. Ace! Around September last year, a friend rang So a month after dropping the bike (not and said ... “I know Mick Grant. He’s taking literally!), Ray and I flew from Schipol in some bikes to South Africa for some classic racing Amsterdam and landed eleven hours later in and there’s some space in the shipping container.” Johannesburg. Although it’s a long time to be ... It wasn’t a tough decision to give him the in the air, interesting chats and anecdotes from nod, and within no time I found myself at TT and racing legends Mick, Ian Walker, Alan Barton-upon-Humber, in the shadows of the Duffus and Ian Simpson, helped the time Humber Bridge, leaving the bike with Mick pass. We then met our South African contact at his shipping agent’s yard. I recruited an old on arrival, the brilliant Clive Strugnall, who colleague, Ray Semmens, who had decided later kept us abreast of the bikes’ progress to hire a KL650 in Johannesburg upon our through Customs. Getting clearance through arrival, rather than take his own mount. Customs is sometimes not as straightforward The itinerary involved a bit of touristy stuff as you would like and so it proved to be this for a day or two, then after picking up the time. Three days behind schedule. It was the bikes at Zwartkops Raceway, heading east and first time we had experienced ‘Africa time’ having a look at some of the scenery and roads - which is the African equivalent of Spanish that I’d heard about from Mick. ‘mañana’ - but with extra valium! The intention was to then head south to Delays are always a pain, but at least it gave Swaziland, and afterwards, head southwest Clive a chance to show us around. One of past the Drakensburg Mountains that run the more fascinating places was an area near along the border of Lesotho. From there, pick Pretoria called the Cradle of Humankind. up the famous Garden Route at Port Elizabeth The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage and onto Cape Town - watch Mick and others Site is one of eight South African World race, and finally fly home. Plenty of sweeping Heritage Sites. It is the world’s richest hominid site, home to around forty per cent of the world’s human ancestor fossils. The 53,000 hectare area is also home to a diversity of birds, animals and plants, some of which are rare or endangered. But when you share a room with Ray for a few days you begin to wonder how far evolution has really come! I’m sure he would probably say the same thing! It really was a fascinating area. We visited Sterkfontain Caves, a place where the earliest human skull was found – it’s three- and-a-half million years old. I recommend this special place and will visit again when I have more time. So after twiddling our thumbs 28 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 for a few days we got the nod from Customs, and Clive ran us over to the track at Zwartkops Raceway. We got the GS cleared from the crate and off we went. We headed east out of Pretoria and hit the countryside. Motorway at first, as we wanted to cover some ground quickly because dusk was just around the corner. We intended to make the mountainous Pilgrims Rest in the northeast of the country that night. After a couple of hours we hit rain and decided to head off the motorway and settle for a night in Lyndenburg instead, as the spray was grim. This was a mistake. The road we took had a few potholes. ... Er....quite a few potholes. ... So many in fact that they could only be passed by riding on the ridges in between them - a bit like skiing moguls. The road was like a giant Swiss cheese! It got so bad that we were reduced to walking pace. In the end we gave up and did corrugated iron houses and buildings. These what everyone else was doing - ride the gravel are all nestled in between lush rolling hills and edges of the road. spectacular granite escarpments. It’s a great We eventually got to Lyndenburg at ride to get there and well worth the couple nightfall, and via the GPS found a quaint of hours detour. Long Tom Pass, a forty B&B called The Manor House. As the rand kilometre rising and dipping ‘A’ road with is pretty weak, everything is very cheap, so smooth sweeping bends, was also a highlight. Ray and I had a twin room for £22 between We also stopped at the sensational Mac Mac us, including a cooked ‘English’ breakfast. Falls - there’s so much to see, you really could All the B&Bs we stayed in on our trip, (with spend a week in this area alone. the exception of one), were of an excellent Our route took us south and we were standard. It’s very easy to tour here without intending to reach and spend the night in Piggs reservations. Peake, which is over the border in Swaziland. However, riding at night is definitelynot En route was a sight I will never forget. It’s recommended, unless you want a pothole- a 1000 ft high spectacular escarpment that is induced puncture ... or worse. ... seen from an elevated position called God’s Next morning we set off, (albeit late), and Window. There’s a couple of viewing areas headed further east towards Pilgrim’s Rest. allowing you to look along it from the top This is a small gold-mining town which of the crest. ‘Awesome’ is a too commonly is a collection of historic and protected used word these days, but on this occasion it’s The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 29 appropriate. The pictures don’t do it justice. ... deep. Here’s the thing - we saw half-a-dozen A three-hour ride south and the mining road gangs out and about on the pass. There’s town of Barberton, near the Swaziland border, plenty of road surface to patch up and fix, but introduced us to 34°C temperatures. We had they were making lay-bys with rockeries, fresh messed around a little when we set off earlier in turf and flower beds! Why would you make a the day and the time we had lost there, meant picnic spot when only the hardiest soul would that the fifty-minute ride to the crossing along use the road because it’s falling apart? the Saddle Back Pass was wasted, as it had shut for the day, meaning we had to turn back – Mothballs very frustrating. So, we managed to find and stay at the worst Note to self - get up early and get on with it hotel in town! Very, very cheap - but cigarette when you’re touring. It’s cooler early morning, burns in the bath, musty sheets and mothballs and an hour wasted every morning means that everywhere. Couldn’t wait to get out! I even you could waste a whole day by the end of the had a knock on the door at 02.00 hrs from a week! drunk asking if he could look for his mobile Saddle-Back Pass is a beautiful winding phone in my room. ... “Come back in the road that dips up and down and around. A morning buddy - this door’s staying locked.”... great road - apart from the potholes. One of them took it up to a new level. It stretched Crime all the way across one side of the road to the Before I arrived in South Africa I was aware centre line and was about eighteen inches of its reputation for violent crime. I suppose 30 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 everyone considers the security aspect of nowhere but to dead-ends, with run-down the place because of what we all read in the houses in them. The layout of the place bore media. Having heard stories of car-jacking no resemblance to the directions I’d been and murders, I have to say that my misgivings given! Even so, after about twenty minutes where completely without grounds. Sure, I found the workshop in a filthy disused everyone seems to live behind barbed wire asbestos factory - don’t breathe in too hard! and electric fences in secure estates, but we I watched Ray push his bike there. The guys saw no sign of the slightest hint of danger or had the wheel out and the puncture fixed in threat. Though, I’m sure if you walk around no time, and all for £5. We were patched up the wrong place at the wrong time, you’ll get and on our way! ... some unwanted attention, but you could say As we left the village the road got worse. that about anywhere on the planet. In fact we The surface was muddy, slippery and was made found that the contrary applied. In some areas more treacherous when a couple of logging you would pass schoolchildren who, having tracks joined from either side as we pushed seen you coming, would sprint to the roads on. After about thirty kilometres of bone- edge just to give you a beaming smile and a shuddering corrugations, a long downward frenzied wave! It became very addictive for us slope presented itself. The surface became and I would wave early to induce this hysteria. eighteen inches of deep, gooey, sticky red mud. Such friendly faces! Everyone wanted to say There was even an articulated truck halfway ... “Hi”. up that had been there a few days it was so bad. Gulp! Shall we turn back? Ray made it Swaziland through and I followed on 300 kilos of GSA, In the morning it was Saddle Back Pass with road tyres and luggage. I remembered for the third time. and on to the border with my off-road course protocol, stand up, loose Swaziland and Piggs Peak. Increased altitude greeted us with mist and light rain and the temperature dipped to 3°C. Ray fell behind before the border, and when he arrived the rear tyre was losing pressure fast. After getting through the check point in five minutes flat, (I’m sure the urgency of the tyre helped), we entered Swaziland. Immediately, the road deteriorated, with an unsealed surface with sporadic larger rocks sticking out of it here and there. Heavy green foliage was weeping down over either side of the road as we descended through fog and mist into our first settlement, Bolembu. Ray had to stop as the tyre was, by now, flat. One of the guards had told us about a workshop that might help us and had given directions. Ray stayed with the KL while I went for a look around on the GSA. Bolembu was more of a sleepy hollow than a teeming metropolis, and had lots of little artery-like lanes that led The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 31 hands, look where you want to go and keep the B&B on the outskirts of Dundee. It’s run and weight off the front. It unnervingly bucked owned by Elizabeth Durham, a French ex-pat and slewed around - but I was through. who loves bikes, and as chance had it, was a Piggs Peak was ‘proper’ Africa to me. It’s registered battlefield guide. She was due to what I’d imagined. Herds of goats in the road, show some Americans around the battlefields impromptu market stalls selling everything next morning and invited us to tag along from baseball caps to dried fish, excessive behind on the bikes. car horn use and wide-hipped, brightly So next morning we followed her 4 x 4 clothed women with white beaming smiles, for about forty kilometres to a mud-hutted carrying all manner of things on their heads. village and parked up. This is the Ngwebeni After a look around, we headed south to the Valley. In February 1879 this is where 25000, next border crossing, a hundred-and-fifty Zulus camped for three days before the battle kilometres away, and back into South Africa - of Isandlwana. They kept absolutely silent all chuffed that there were now an extra couple of that time so as not to give their position away. stamps in the passport. Only a chance spot by a British scout sprung Three hours south and I realised that them. So they attacked the British a day earlier during the day we’d gone from a misty 3°C than they had planned to, and caught them by to 30°C heat, and then back down to 10°C surprise. Thirteen hundred British soldiers and heavy rain. We headed into Dundee like were slaughtered. From the valley, Elizabeth drowned rats. took us to the ridge where the British would have first seen 25000 Zulus running towards ‘Drifting’ into Isandlwana them. It’s a very sobering sight. “I love motos!! Welcome! Welcome!” ... I can’t imagine how the British commander, We didn’t know it, but after taking another Lord Chelmsford, would have felt as he saw chance on the GPS finding us suitable the black Zulu swarm heading his way down accommodation, we had lucked-out. We had the valley. He got his battle plan completely turned up at Chez Nous, an immaculate wrong - no entrenchments and he camped with no defences. The day before, he had sent half of his men on a wild goose chase over the Buffalo River. He completely underestimated the competency and organisation of the Zulus. I noticed hundreds of white dots in the meadows under the shadow of Isandlwana Tor. ... “What are they?” ... I asked. Elizabeth answered ... ”That’s 32 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 protected by a 250 kilometre ridge of towering granite spires - the Drakensburg Mountains. We turned right at Nottingham Road, a small village just north of Pietermaritzburg, and after five kilometres the tarmac ran out and the corrugations began. ... So started a hard but rewarding day of standing up and riding off road, over bone-shaking ruts and stones. Towering peaks to our right and flowing green meadows to our left. It’s kind of a cross between Devon and Scotland. I enjoyed it - but was also so pleased to see the ‘hard-top’ back at the end - that I got off and kissed the tarmac! Next stop was Plettenburg Bay - an idyllic seaside town which is regarded as the start of the famous Garden Route. At the right time of the year it’s possible to see whales as they migrate past. No such luck for us, but we did find a great B&B again called Whale-of-a- View, which was as close as we got! That night where the British soldiers fell. The ground’s too we slept with an open veranda door and heard hard and stony to bury them, so six months later they built stone cairns over what was left of the bodies”. ... Everyone should go there. It’s a very special, but eerie place. Twenty kilometres of dirt road later, and we cross the Buffalo river and enter the small settlement of Rorke’s Drift. It’s an isolated collection of scruffy buildings, huddled under a high ridge. The day after the battle of Isandlwana, 130 men, 30 of whom were injured and sick, held out for the whole night, against a force of 4000 Zulus. The hospital and church have been rebuilt on their original positions now, but the foundations of the walls that the soldiers fought behind still remain. This is the desperate battle that was depicted in the famous film -Zulu. The visit to this area was a highlight for me and I thoroughly recommend a look around. Elizabeth was a great guide too.

Off-road in the Drakensburgs The border with land-locked Lesotho is The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 33 the sound of waves crashing against the shore, meeting some of the wildlife head-on. I have and had a first-floor view of the ocean with to say now that staring-out a 5000Ib rhino mountains behind. Fabulous. in an effort to claim my bit of road is taking adventure motorcycling to the extreme. ‘Staring-out a 5000 lb Rhino in an Effort to After Plettenburg Bay was the Garden Claim my Bit of Road is Taking Adventure Route and two days of spectacular sea views to Motorcycling to the Extreme’ ... our left, towering peaks to our right and some When in South Africa as a tourist you of the best flowing ‘A’ roads I’ve ever ridden just have to visit a game park. So Ray and on, and not a cop or a speed camera in sight. I I visited Plettenburg Bay Game Reserve, also noticed that the more African earthy feel about fifteen kilometres into the mountains to the country was diminishing, and a more behind the town. We reached a gate and ordered European feel was getting stronger pushed the button. It slid open and we went the further west we travelled. in. The gate automatically closed behind us. A day of off-road again beckoned as we made Ten kilometres later we were at the lodge and our way to the farming town of Bredasdorp, booked our Landrover safari. I sat next to via the quaint human-powered pontoon ferry Jenny, our guide, who told me that they had at Malagas, and then south, onto Africa’s most lion, cheetah, hyena, buffalo and rhino in the southerly point at Cape Agulhas. This is where park. ... “How long does it take to reach the the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. park?” ... I asked. ... “We’re already in it” ... was A pause for photos and a quick drink on the the sobering reply. I realised that we’d ridden quayside, watching the seven-foot manta rays across the park and been exposed to the risk of glide by, and suddenly Cape Town is very near.

34 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 Although everyone talks about the five a.m. commute every day. spectacular Table Mountain, the pass I can really recommend South Africa as a dropping down into the plain at Somerset touring destination. The weak rand makes West a few kilometres to the east is its equal it especially attractive to UK visitors at the for ‘open-mouthed view awesomeness.’ moment - your pound goes a very long way. So having reached Cape Town, we only To me, it’s a country of opposites. From the had a day before the bikes were to be crated very African feel in the east, to the European at Killarney Raceway for their trip back feel in the west. You can be travelling along a to the UK. It was only then that we could high street surrounded by a herd of goats one concentrate on watching some TT legends minute, and passing underneath a concrete hurl themselves around Killarney circuit. viaduct carrying a modern electric high speed Clive had booked us into the Blue Peter train the next. As already mentioned, I saw Hotel, about twenty kilometres from the city little of the violent crime the media portrays. centre. Stunning views of the city and Table Instead I met friendly, warm, interesting and Mountain to our left, and Robben Island about interested people, who I will look forward to fifteen kilometres straight in front, in the meeting again soon. Very soon, as I’m already middle of the bay. So every evening was spent making plans to go back next year. watching the sun go down and producing it’s magical colourful patterns above the horizon. Steve is planning a similar trip for a group It’s a great place. of twenty or so for January 2015. If you It’s Saturday already and we rode the twenty are interested in joining him, Steve can be kilometre last leg of our 3000 kilometre contacted via [email protected] journey to Killarney Raceway for the South Africa TT Revival Meeting. We dumped the bike with the container and cruised the pits. I have to say it was a great privilege to be allowed to watch the likes of Mick Grant, Bill & Ian Simpson, Alan Duffus, Alan Walker, Nigel Rigg and others, fettle their bikes prior to the parade lap. Parade lap? You wouldn’t have known it! ... The quiet, considered men I had been talking to minutes before all transformed into demented, fire-breathing, racing animals on the track! Mick Grant passed within two feet of the pit wall at 150 mph on an RG Suzuki! Ian Walker roared past at a similar rate on the MV, and even found time to lift a hand to wave! What a way to spend a day! Mick even jumped off the Suzuki after five laps and mounted the Norton SG1 TT racer and rode just as fast. Amazing considering the gear lever and brake were on opposite sides! So after just sixteen days it was over. We jumped on the plane and I went back to my The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 35 JULY 2014 MEMBER DISCOUNTS The following businesses have agreed to join the BMW Club Discount Scheme. Most already take advertisements within the Journal. See these advertisements for additional information. Please quote your membership number when making an enquiry or purchase.

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Page managed by: Graham Parker, [email protected] Mob: 07843 211 280 Joining the BMW Club. If you’ve been given this copy of The Journal by a friend or someone you’ve met at a show or a dealer launch day, then if you’ve enjoyed reading it, why not join us by visit- ing www.thebmwclub.org.uk then clicking on the Membership tab, or by contacting the Secretary for the section nearest to where you live, who will be happy to post you an application form.

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 37

Joining the Club qtr page.indd 1 12/05/2012 15:51:42 Photo 1: remove these screws

Photo 2: the Vario mechanism revealed

38 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 An hour’s maintenance The Editor tidies up his luggage I’ve had mixed feelings about BMW’s Vario exhaust side, start from the inside by removing panniers ever since we bought to GS at the the three cross-head screws that hold the heat end of 2005. On the plus side, they fit the shield in place. Now from the outside, remove motorcycle perfectly because they were made the six T20-headed self-tapping screws for it and in all the times we’ve used them, shown in photo 1. The back of the box will not one drop of water has got in. On the now lift off to show the internals of the vario other hand, the mechanism for varying the mechanism (see photo 2). With the boxes size takes up an awful lot of space that could split, the mechanisms moved perfectly freely otherwise carry luggage, which is what we so I left them well alone. bought them for. I had assumed that dirt and grit on the They tend to live on the motorcycle, set sliding faces was the source of the stiffness to the small size, as I’m short of convenient but photo 3 shows a surprising lack of it for storage space in the house. Trying to open one eight years use. The real problem was that of them out recently for cleaning, it felt stiffer the bottom edges of the pannier outers had than usual to move. You don’t want to force started to distort and rub on the inners. the mechanism as it’s a set of nylon gears that Running a finger over the sliding surfaces might, or might not, be available as individual felt like the edge of a slightly-worn but still spares. Maintenance was needed, pronto. serviceable carpenter’s saw. 400 grade wet and It looked like a complex job to dismantle dry paper was my solution to the problem, the mechanism from the inside. It probably giving surfaces that could at least be touched is but fortunately it isn’t necessary. On the without the risk of drawing blood. Photos 4

Photo 3: surprisingly clean after eight years use

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 39 Photo 4: rear view of a buckled outer

Photo 5: the inside view and 5 show where the plastic has buckled and screwing the cases together and, depending raise the question as to whether or not it could on how buckled yours are, you may well need be straightened out somehow. something to ease the two halves together. Stripping and rebuilding both panniers The result, although not perfect, is a pair took under an hour once I’d sorted out the of panniers that now expand and contract few tools needed, along with a selection of without undue force and was well worth the sprays and cloths for cleaning everything. It’s time and effort. Ideally I’d like a permanent not a difficult job but there are things to watch cure (any experts in plastic out there?) but if I out for when reassembling. From experience, have to do this once a year it’s not too onerous make sure that the release mechanism (the a burden if it saves me breaking something by red plastic items) is correctly assembled before being heavy-handed. 40 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 41 Where to stay in Kelso

The Summer National isn’t just for campers

Springwood Park is on the outskirts of Kelso 01573 228 899 adjacent to the River Tweed. We will have full [email protected] use of the recently built Springwood Hall a www.queensheadhotelkelso.com versatile multi functional centre set within the Price: 3 nights B&B £240 per room based on Park which is fully heated and equipped for 2 sharing. (Single occupancy £180.00) our needs including catering and bar facilites. The Hall is used for a variety of events such as Bed & Breakfasts: conferences, weddings, balls etc. The camping facilities on the Park are Springwoodbank excellent. We do realise that there are many 31 Springwood Bank, Kelso, TD5 8BA folk who do not camp and very much hope Tel: 01573 224 794 that you will still join us for the weekend by www.kelsobb.co.uk taking advantage of the good selection of Hotels, Guest Houses and Bed & Breakfasts Kelso Coppertree that are within walking distance in the 19 Springwood Bank, Kelso, TD5 8BA famous and lovely old Town of Kelso. We 01573 228532 have contacted 2 of the Hotels and they have www.coppertreebedabdbreakfast.com offered a 3 night package price as below. Please book direct with the Hotels and quote BMW The Old Priory Club to obtain the special price. Also listed Woodmarket, Kelso TD5 7JF are a few of the many B&Bs that are within 01573 223 030 easy walking distance. We strongly suggest www.kelsobedandbreakfast.co.uk booking early as it is a Bank Holiday weekend and Kelso is a very popular Town. Abbeyside The Knowes, Kelson, TD5 7BH Hotels: 01573 223 915 abbeysidebedandbreakfast.co.uk Cross Keys Hotel 36 – 37 The Square, Kelso, TD5 7HL Duncanhouse 01573 223 303 Chalkheugh Terrace, Kelso, TD5 7DX [email protected] 01573 225 682 www.cross-keys-hotel.co.uk www.duncanhouse.co.uk Price: 3 nights B&B £255.00 per room based on 2 sharing. Ivy Neuk 62 Horse Market, Kelso, TD5 7AE Queenshead Hotel 01573 226 270 24 Bridge Street, Kelso TD5 7JD www.ivyneuk.com 42 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 43 44 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 German Jottings The pages of Motorrad interpreted by John Bentall

Motorrad issue 14/2014 compares the league as far as suspension comfort and two 1200GS sisters and asks whether the wind protection. The higher screen and side- Adventure is the more complete machine. The mounted wind deflectors offer “tourer-class” Adventure is heavier at 272kg, though 8kg of protection and the 20mm longer suspension the 22kg increase is due to the fuel housed in travel and comfier seat really iron out road the larger 30-litre tank. With its crash bars, imperfections. The fact that there is a minimal imposing width (390mm vs 360mm at the impact on handling and fuel consumption knees) and taller screen the Adventure looks is very impressive. The modified motor like a super-tanker parked next to the Queen and damped drive-shaft are two powerful Mary. arguments for the Adventure being nominated Once on the move both machines lose as the better machine. However the physical their sense of bulk and hold their line really bulk and extra weight level matters out to well through the corners. There is a lot bring the choice down to a personal level. more feedback through the front Telelever There is no indication as yet from BMW that front fork that on the previous versions. the standard 2015 GS will be equipped with The different frame geometries, whereby the drive train of the Adventure. the Adventure has a 1° steeper steering head angle and 7mm less trail, means that the two machines handle very similarly, although the Adventure requires a firmer hand through the corners. Both machines, equipped with a steering damper, are rock steady at maximum speed although the previous GS without a steering damper was also fine in this respect. The drive train, in particular the universal joints on the drive shaft, on the 2014 model is much quieter than previously. Low down in the rev range the extra mass of the Adventure crankshaft helps the engine to run more evenly and pull more cleanly and with more refinement out of corners. The surging that some GS owners have complained about is not evident on the Adventure. The standard GS also seems to be much improved in these areas, but since the crankshaft has not been changed, it is difficult to understand the reason for this behaviour apart from a possible change to the engine mapping. The Adventure is definitely in a different The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 45 46 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 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? 48 The Social Scene 48 The National Social Secretary invites us to be sociable 50 Where We Meet 50 A complete list of regular section events,with adresses, dates and contact details 53 Diary of Events - August & September 53 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 60 Section & Register News 60 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

2014 BMF Discount Code - BMW14P575

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 47 The Social Scene What’ s happening out and about, brought to you by the National Social Secretary

The sun has been out and so has the bike, with the Scotland Tour which is timed to end at some wonderful riding days and at least one the Kelso National. If you would like a tour when it seemed everyone in their motorised around some spectacular scenery before tin boxes were trying to kill me; such are the arriving at the Kelso National please contact pleasures on a powered two-wheeler. I think it’s Peter and Sue Wilson on 07768338233 or called risk management! peter.wilson397@virgin. Besides these issues, net for more details and to which we all deal with on join in. every ride, it has mainly The Spring Rally was been glorious out on the billed as a ‘back to basics, road, and perfect for those but there was plenty to do social events which still and it was very successful pack The Journal from so a big thanks to Bradley front to back. Jean and Gane and the team for I will be off to join the pulling this all together. Western section at their I will be interested to camping event in Devon see how we fare at Kelso. where we will meet up I feel we must hold the with some old friends and kind of events that the hopefully make some new ones. membership wants and will support. If large In August we have the Club’s presence August Nationals do not attract sufficient at the BMW Car Club Annual Show at the support to make them viable, then maybe Heritage Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire it is time to consider a change. What do you CV35 0BJ. We have now been allocated a lot think? Please let me know. Perhaps we have more space so if you would like to bring your too many social events! bike along on 17th August (with free entry to As someone who lives in the south (in everything for two) please just give me a ring fact right on the south coast) I read with or drop me an email and I’ll make sure you get interest Rhys Jones’ piece in the July Torque sent all the details and your passes. Reaction stating that south is not, in his view, We have the August National at Kelso on motorcycling country. It is certainly not for the horizon, and Jim and Judy Lepley and the me to challenge someone’s preferences – but I team have put together a lively programme of am looking forward to Rhys and the Northern events, added to which we will be surrounded section hosting the August National so we can by some fabulous roads to ride on and some of all enjoy riding around these roads in empty the most interesting historic sites in the land. spaces. Over to you Rhys! More details and the application forms can be In the meantime, enjoy the sun, enjoy your found in The Journal and on the website, so I riding and enjoy your club. hope to see you there. Jim Bettley I would also like to remind everyone of National Social Secretary 48 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 49 Where We Meet These are the regular meetings for each Section, along with the contact details for the Social Secretary and the meeting organiser. Please send Where We Meet changes to the Editor

ast Anglia: Peter Dutton 07950 631 735. 1st Tuesday, 19.30: New Inn. Wolvey Road, [email protected] Bulkington CV12 9JF. 1st Sunday:12.00, The Cricketers, Spring Lane, 2nd Wednesday, 19.00: The Clock Warehouse, Fordham Heath, Colchester, CO3 9TG. London Road, Shardlow, DE72 2GL. 1st Wednesday: 12.00, The Three Tunns, 2nd Thursday, 19.30: The Dog, Henley Road, Weathersfield Rd, Finchingfield, Essex, CM7 4NR. Mappleborough Green, Studley, B80 7DR. 2nd Sunday: 12.00 noon, The Chequers, 7 3rd Wednesday, 12.00: Pensioners & Layabouts Church Road, Wimbotsham. Norfolk, PE34 3QG meet at Springslade Lodge Tearooms, Camp 3rd Sunday: 12.00, The Cross Ways Inn, Bridge Road, Broadhurst Green, Cannock Chase. WS12 Road, Scole, Diss IP21 4DP 4PT. 3rd Wednesday: 12.00, The Lamb and Flag, Main 3rd Sunday 10.00: Tony’s Diner, A442 Quatford Street, Welney, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE14 Bridgnorth - Kidderminster Road Shropshire WV15 9RB. 6QL. John Humpherson 01922 710694. 2nd and 4th Sundays: Various Café and Pub Last Wednesday 19.30: Roman Way Hotel, meetings see diary of events for details. Watling Street, Hatherton, Cannock, West Midlands. WS11 1SH. RISH: Chris Wright 00 353 83 0032400. irish. [email protected] IDLAND: Jim Beach 01908 373 327 or 07415 Every Tuesday, April-September 18.30: Cork M683 120 [email protected] Ride Out from TexOil Petrol Station, Glounthaune. 1st Tuesday 19.30: The Three Kings, Saltersway, Con O’Leary, 087 259 4784 conor@olearystone. Threekingham, Lincs NG34 0AU, 01529 240249. com and Liam Quinlan 086 825 2774. 2nd Sunday 12.00 - 15.00 : Barnsdale Gardens 1st Tuesday, 20.00: Limerick meeting Woodfield Tea Rooms, The Avenue, Exton,Oakham,Rutland, House Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick, Pat Mulcahy LE15 8AH 087 237 7312. 2nd Thursday 19.30: The Old Reindeer, Main St., 2nd Sunday, March-November: Dublin ride-outs Edingley Notts, NG22 8DE. meet at: Spa Hotel (near Lucan) 10:00am, Jim 3rd Wednesday 19.30: The Horseshoe, 2 Sweeney 087 230 0736 [email protected] Overstone Rd, Sywell, Northamptonshire, NN6 2nd Sunday 12.00: North West Meeting. Patrick 0AW, 01604 642286. Munnelly 086 338 3499 [email protected] 3rd Thursday 19.30: The King’s Head, Kingsway, Last Thursday 20.00: Dublin Meeting West Tealby, Lincs LN8 3YA, 01673 838347. County Hotel, Chapelizod, Jim Sweeney 087 230 Breakfast meets: Occasional Sundays, October to 0736 [email protected]. March: The Rangers Cycle Clubhouse, off Islington Road, Towcester, Northants. See Diary or Forum ONDON: Peter Jones 07710 887 958 peter. for details. [email protected] and Nick Fry 01438 749 913 ORTH EAST: Graham Walker 07931 710 991 Section meets are as rideouts and are irregular. [email protected] Please see the website and the Journal Diary 1st Wednesday, 19.30: The Travellers Rest in the for meets. village of Witton Gilbert just off the A691 on the road to Lanchester. ERCIA: Colin Ainsworth 01332 874 935 or 3rd Wednesday, 19.30: The Wagon Inn, 3 miles M07799 653 789 [email protected] NW of Ponteland on A696, NE20 0DH. See diary for dates and times: Repton Village All run start points are printed in the Diary. Hall, Askew Grove, Repton, DE65 6GR. Please contact the ride leader if there is any Every Wednesday, 09.30: Hoar Park, The Craft doubt. Village, Nuneaton Road, Church End, CV10 0QU for breakfast. ORTHERN: Peter McCombie 01228 594 792 1st Sunday, 10.30: Brunch/Breakfast at Barton [email protected] Marina Tea Rooms, Barton under Needwood, 1st Friday, 20.00: The Briars Hall Hotel, Burton on Trent Staffs DE13 8DZ Burscough. Vera Hunt 01257 464429.

50 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 2nd Thursday, 14.00: Settle Market Place BD24 Horton, BH21 7JH. 01258 840297. 9ED. Barry Warner 01617 611 702. Monday every three weeks, 20.00: The 1st Sunday November and 2nd Sunday Cricketers Arms, 232 Chestnut Avenue, North December to March, 13.00: Rixton Community Stoneham, Chandlers Ford, SO53 3HN. 023 8062 Hall, Manchester Rd, Rixton, Warrington. 9878. 2nd Sunday April to October, 13.00: St. Michael’s on Wyre Village Hall, Blackpool Road, OUTH EAST: Debbie Morris 0208 301 1600 St. Michael’s on Wyre, PR3 0UA. [email protected] 3rd Tuesday, 19.30: The Highwayman, Peel, Isle 1st/3rd Wednesdays, 20.00: The Bull, Lower of Man. Harvey Garton 01624 625140. Road, East Farleigh, nr Maidstone, ME15 0HD Last Monday, 7.30pm: The Harraby Inn, London 2nd Friday, 19.30: The White Hart, Lower Rd, Carlisle. Horsebridge, Hellingly (A271), BN27 4DJ Last Friday, 20.00: Borders meet. XFORD: John Broad 01869 324 008. john. Last Sunday, 12.00: Lunchtime meet. See Diary [email protected] for details. 1st Tuesday, 19.00: The Dashwood Arms, Old Oxford Road, Piddington HP14 3BH OUTH WEST: Don Rabson 01840 212 913 1st Thursday 19.00: The Churchill Arms, at West [email protected] Lavington (A360) High Street SN10 4JB. Don’t know day, 12.00: The Weary Traveller, 2nd Tuesday, 19.30: The Harcourt Arms, at Station Rd., Cullompton, EX15 1BQ. 100 yards Stanton Harcourt OX29 5RJ. from M5 J28 on the A318. 3rd Tuesday 18.30: The Sun Inn at Coate New meeting places are being looked for. Swindon SN3 6AA. LSTER: Stuart Greig 02897 528 526, 4th Wednesday 20.00: The Fox and Hounds at [email protected] Sunnyside, Theale, Nr Reading, RG7 4BE. U 1st Tuesday except January & August, 20.00: 2nd Sundays 14.00 (Winter): Uffington Village Corr’s Corner, Glengormley, Co. Antrim. Hall, Oxfordshire, SN7 7RA. Wednesday evenings from beginning of April to COTTISH: Judy Lepley 01592 874 592 end of August, 19.00: run from Corr’s Corner [email protected] Sunday/Wednesday, 11.00: runs from Corr’s 1st Sunday, 12.00: Log Cabin Hotel, Glen Derby, Corner throughout the year, weather dependant. Kirkmichael, Perthshire, PH10 7NA 2nd Sunday, 12.00: The Bankfoot Inn, Bankfoot, ESTERN: Denis Bradbeer 01454 775 786 Perthshire PH1 4AB. [email protected] 2nd Wednesday, 19.30: Meldrums Arms Hotel, 2nd Sunday, 13.30: The Hood Memorial Hall, Ceres, Fife KY15 5NA Devauden, Chepstow. NP16 6PL. 2nd Monday, 19.30: Douglas Park Motorrad, East 1st Tuesday, 20.00: New Inn, Ombersley Road, Kilbride, G74 3XH. Claines, Worcester. Bob Dunn 01384 390344 3rd Sunday, 12.30: Buccleuch Arms Hotel, High 1st Wednesday, 19.30: The Lamb Inn, Wotton Street, Moffat DG10 9ET. Road, Iron Acton, Bristol, BS37 9UZ. 4th Sunday, 12.30: Hopeville Social Club, Harlaw 2nd Tuesday, 11.00: Dick Lovetts, Laurel Court, Road, Inverurie. Cribbs Causeway, Bristol. BS10 7TU. OUTHERN: Erica Body 07528 873 056 ORKSHIRE: Piers K. 07866 622 196 yorkshire. [email protected] and Gerri [email protected] Chandler 01895 446896 social.assistant@ 1st Sunday, 12.00: Cracoe Village Hall BD23 6LQ thebmwclubsouthern.com off the B6265 north of the Skipton bypass. First Wednesday, 12.00: “Old Gits” Loomies Diner 2nd Sunday, 12.00: Cubley Hall Hotel, Mortimer on A32 at West Meon Hut cross roads A272 & A32, Rd, Penistone. S36 9DF Hampshire. 3rd Sunday, 12.00: How Stean Gorge Cafe, Alt Tuesdays, 2000: The Seven Stars, Newark Lofthouse. Pateley Bridge. Lane, Ripley, Surrey, GU23 6DL. Last Saturday, 12.00: Seaways Cafe Bike Shed, Alt Thursdays: The Half Moon, 32 London Road, Fimber Road, Fridaythorpe.YO25 9RX Petersfield, GU31 4BE, just North of Petersfield on Last Sunday, 12.00. (Closes 14.00): Askern Lake the old A3. Café, Askern DN6 0JB. 3rd Wednesday, 12.00: “Old Gits” Loomies Diner Every Wednesday from noon:Squires Biker Café, on A32 at West Meon Hut cross roads A272 & A32, Sherburn-in-Elmet, LS25 5LX (off the B1222). Hampshire. Pop in on the off chance of meeting up with Club 3rd Thursday 20.00: Drusilla’s Inn, Wigbeth, Members!!”

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 51 52 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 Diary Of Events: August & September August = September = 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.

Mulcahy 087 2377312 August Mercia Natter Night 1930 hrs New Inn. Wolvey 1 Northern Natter night 8.00pm The Briars Hall Road, Bulkington. CV12 9JF Hotel, Burscough. Vera Hunt 01257 Midland The Three Kings, Saltersway, 464429 Threekingham, Lincs.NG34 0AU 1-3 Yorkshire Camping at Lord Stones, Chop Gate, Oxford Natter Night, Dashwood Arms, N.Yorks, TS9 7JH. Piers 07866 622 Piddington, HP14 3BH 196 Southern The Seven Stars, Newark Lane, Ripley, 2 Western 10.00 Group ride to Sidmouth to enjoy Surrey, GU23 6DL the Folk Festival. Meet at Dick Lovett’s Ulster No Club Meeting (see where we meet) 0930 to leave at Western 20.00 Pub Night at the New Inn, 10.00. Denis Bradbeer 01454 775786 Claines, Worcs WR3 7DH Bob Dunn 3 E. Anglia Museum of Power, Bike Show, – 01384 390344 Come and have a Langford. Steam Pumping Station, chat and meet your local members Hatfield Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6 E. Anglia Three Tunns, Finchingfield. 6AQ. Please contact a committee N. East Ride Out - Lucky Few Run - The Four member to get involved. Valleys. Meet at the Waggon Inn at E. Anglia Cricketers, Fordham Heath. 10am. Derek Proctor - 07703 422326 Mercia Barton Marina. Breakfast / Brunch N. East Natter Night, The Travellers Rest, Front 10.30am Barton Marina Tea Rooms, Street, Witton Gilbert, DH7 6TQ. Barton under Needwood, Burton on S. East Club Night THE BULL, East Farleigh, Trent, Staffs. DE13 8DZ ME15 0HD. 8pm. N. East Ride Out - The Galloway Galloper. S. West Fish and Chips 7.30 Captain Jasper, Meet at the Waggon Inn at 9:30am. Barbican Plymouth. Don Rabson Roger Barr - 0191 2575989. (Come 01840 212 913 . £10.00 for furthest with a full tank, approx 200 mile run) travelled Northern 7:00 am Breakfast run through Reiver Southern “Old Gits” Loomies Diner. Loomies Country. Depart from TESCO car park, Cafe, West Meon Hut, GU32 1JX off Jn 43 of M6 Carlisle. John Bell 01228 535173 Western 12.00 West Country Pastie Co. 1a. Sadler Street, Wells. BA5 2RR. Have S. East WK VMCC Int. Rally, The Friars, a pastie and walk around the Market. Aylesford, ME20 7BX. Display your Dave Holland 01884 829295 bike with John. Western 19.30 Pub Night at The Lamb Inn, S. West Ride Out Starting 10.30 Woodleigh Hall Wotton Road, Iron Acton, Bristol. BS37 Cafe Cheriton Bishop, EX6 6JL Ring 9UZ The lamb@Iron Acton.net Chat Ron Lyford 01803 391 811 for more at this popular venue details. 7 Northern Classic Bike Nights, Bridge House Farm Scottish Lunch meet: Log Cabin Hotel, Tearooms, Wray, Lancaster LA2 8QP Kirkmichael, PH10 7NA. 12 noon 6-9pm. Bill Smithson 01539 736454 Southern Godders Run to Tangmere Military [email protected] Aviation Museum Oxford Natter Night, Churchill Arms, West Ulster Hurst’s Run. 9-30am Hurst’s Motorrad, Lavington, SN10 4JB Mallusk Yorkshire Lunch Meet, Fox & Hounds, 12.00 noon Yorkshire The Village Hall, Cracoe, 12.00 noon. Starbotton, BD23 5HY. Peter 01904 5 Irish Cork Ride Out. 6.30pm as Where we 672883 Meet 8 N. East Ride Out - Fish & Chip Run - Meet at Irish Limerick meeting Woodfield House the McDonalds, Moorfarm Roundabout Hotel, Ennis Road 8:00 PM Pat (A19 / A189 junction) at 19:00. Simon

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 53 Johnston - 07702 709063 Western 11.00 Meet for elevenses at Dick S. East THE WHITE HART, Lower Horsebridge, Lovetts Laurel Court, Cribbs Hellingly (A271), BN27 4DJ. 7.30pm Causeway, Bristol. BS10 7TU. FREE 8-10 S. West Slimbridge Rally Tudor Caravan Park, cuppa, biccy and a chat. Slimbridge, GL1 7BP. Ring Phil and 13 Mercia Natter Night 1900 hrs Clock Warehouse. Debbie Sampson on 01726 61642 or London Road, Shardlow, Derby. DE72 07850 983 144 2GL 9-10 Scottish Nigel MacDonald’s 3rd Rathad Run S. East Midweek Run from COOPERS, see AtC Tunbridge Wells, TN2 3UE. 10.30am. 10 E. Anglia The Five miles Inn, Old School Lane, S. West Ride out with Dave Cooper. Meet 10.00 Upware, Ely, CB7 5YQ at Woodleigh Hall, Cheriton Bishop Irish Leinster Ride-out Spa Hotel (near EX6 6JL or ring Dave on 01392 877886 Lucan) 10.00 am Jim Sweeney 087 Scottish Natter nite, Meldrums Hotel, Ceres, 2300736 email: [email protected] Fife KY15 5NA at 7.30 pm: Irish N.W Area Meeting. Details Patrick Western 19.00 Have a go session with Richard Munnelly 086 3383499 email: an experienced Archer. Meet in the car [email protected] park of The Golden Heart Inn, Down Irish Limerick ride-out Pat Mulcahy 087 Road, Winterbourne Down, Bristol. 2377312 BS36 1AU Contact Richard Jones - 01179 372803 for details London Visit to The Glenn Miller Museum at Twinwood Airfield, Bedfordshire. 14 Mercia Natter Night 1930 hrs The Dog. Henley Leaving South Mimms at 09:30 hrs. Road, Mappleborough Green, Studley B80 7DR Midland Boston(Kirton) Show. Excellent long established classic show. Pre required. Midland The Old Reindeer, Main Street, Contact Bill Rodgers 01526 834480 Edingley, Notts, NG22 8DE. Northern Section meeting at St Michael’s on Wyre Northern Gathering at Settle Market Place village Hall 1:00pm. Refreshments 2.00pm. Barry Warner 01617 611702 available. Peter McCombie 01228 Southern The Half Moon, 32 London Road, 594792. Petersfield, GU31 4BE Oxford RIDE OUT – , Section BBQ, Steve 16 Ulster Ulster Grand Prix Moxey, 07771 663915. Meet at 16-17 Southern P O P H A M M E G A M E E T & Newbury Wharf 10:30 for 11:00 AUTOJUMBLE - Annual Motorcycle departure. Arrive at BBQ 12:30 Mega Meet & Vintage Aircraft Fly-in Oxford Section BBQ, Paul Prictor, 4 Upper 17 E. Anglia Crossways Inn, Bridge Road, Scole, Bupton Cottages, Broad Hinton, SN4 Diss IP21 4DP. 9NP; go past the cottages to the farm. Mercia Tony’s Diner.10.00am. A442 Quatford, S. East Stow Maries WW1 Aerodrome with Kidderminster Road,Bridgnorth, Keith. Depart Thurrock Serv. (Petrol) Shropshire. WV15 6QL 9.30am. Oxford Brackley Festival of Motorcycling. Scottish Lunch meet: Bankfoot Inn, Bankfoot, Club stand so drop in and say hello. Perth PH1 4AB. 12.00 John Broad, 01869 324008 or 07752 Western 13.30 Monthly Meeting The Hood 839362 Memorial Hall, Devauden Cream Teas S. East Popham Bike Mega-Meet with Ron. with Jean Cox. Come and sample the Depart Godstone Duck Pond 9am. finest home made scones in the West Scottish Lunch meet: Buccleuch Arms, Moffat with jam and Clotted Cream. DG10 9ET. 12.30 Yorkshire Cubley Hall Hotel, Penistone, 12.00 Southern Brackley Festival of Motorcycling - 8am noon. Meet Jack’s Fish & Chips Bagshot 11 E. Anglia Tour of Scotland. Starts at Ulster Donegal Run. 11am Foyle Bridge, Stranraerending at National Rally. L’derry (packed lunch) See website and Journal for details. Yorkshire How Stean Gorge Café, 12 noon. Scottish Natter nite: Douglas Park Motorrad, 18 E. Anglia BMW club track day, Snetterton. See East Kilbride, G74 3XH journal for details 12 Irish Cork Ride Out. 6.30pm as Where we Southern The Cricketers Arms, 232 Chestnut Meet Ave, North Stoneham, Chandlers Ford, Northern Isle of Man Natter Night 7.30pm @ The SO53 3HN Highwayman, Peel. Harvey Garton Sporting Snetterton ‘Ride Friendly’ track day, 01624 625140. Moved forward 1 week info from the Sporting Register page due to the Manx GP. on the website or from robertbensley@ Oxford Natter Night, Harcourt Arms, Stanton btinternet.com £120. Specators Harcourt, OX29 5RJ welcome. Southern Poole Quay Fish & Chips Meet + Bike 19 Irish Cork Ride Out. 6.30pm as Where we Night Meet

54 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 Midland Ride In To Pavlilion cafe, Wilton Park, grounds. Contact Bill Rodgers 01562 Leicester Road, Melton Mowbray,Last 834480 Tea and Talk. Northern Natter night the Harraby Inn, Carlisle Oxford Natter Night, Sun Inn, Coate Water, 7.30pm. John Bell 01228 535173. Swindon, SN3 6AA 26 Irish Cork Ride Out. 6.30pm as Where we Southern The Seven Stars, Newark Lane, Ripley, Meet Surrey, GU23 6DL 27 Mercia Natter Night 1930hrs Roman Way 20 E. Anglia Lamb and Flag, Welney. Hotel. Watling Street, Hatherton, Mercia Pensioners & Layabouts. Meet at Cannock. West Midlands. WS11 1SH Springslade Lodge Tearooms, Camp Oxford Natter Night, Fox and Hounds, Theale, Road, Broadhurst Green, Cannock RG7 4BE Chase. WS12 4PT 28 Irish Dublin Meeting. West County Hotel, Mercia Lunch with the Western Section Chapelizod. 8:00 PM Jim Sweeney at Doms Bike Stop. West Eaton 087 2300736 email: jim@lucanstudios. Nurseries, A44 Bromyard Road. ie Leominster HR6 0NA phone to book a Southern The Half Moon, 32 London Road, place by 17th. August with Reg Moule Petersfield, GU31 4BE on10299 401609 29 S. East THE KINGS ARMS, Biggin Hill, BR2 Midland The Horseshoe (Sywell) 2 Overstone 6DU. 7.30pm. Rd Sywell Northamptonshire NN6 29-1/9 Ulster Scottish Camping Weekend 0AW 30 Yorkshire The Biker’s Café, Fridaythorpe, 12 N. East Natter Night, The Waggon Inn, Higham noon. Dykes, Milbourne, Ponteland, NE20 31 S. East Lunch – Hadlow College Cafe, Hadlow, 0DH. TN11 0AL. Run 2pm. Northern Midweek Run from Kirkby Lonsdale S. West Café Meet 12.00 Lifton Farm Shop 10.00am. Mike Gibson 01229 582787 Café, Lifton (Strawberryfields) PL16 [email protected] 0DE. Ring Don Rabson 01840 212 S. East Club Night THE BULL, East Farleigh, 913 to book in. ME15 0HD. “Bring & Buy Sale”. 8pm. Southern Erica’s Run to Shoreham Airshow. Southern “Old Gits” Loomies Diner. Loomies Shoreham Airport, West Sussex, BN43 Cafe, West Meon Hut, GU32 1JX 5FF Western 12.30 Lunch at Dom’s Bike Stop. West Eaton Nurseries A44 Bromyard Road, Leominster HR6 0NA www. domsbikestop.co.uk BOOKING ESSENTIAL CONTACT REG MOULE September 0129 9401609 by Sun 17th Aug Joint Date Section Detail event with Midlands and Mercia 1 Scottish Natter nite: Douglas Park Motorrad, 21 Midland The Kings Head, Kingsway, Tealby, East Kilbride, G74 3XH Lincs, LN8 3YA 2 Irish Cork Ride Out. 6.30pm TexOil Southern Drusilla’s Inn, Cranborne Road, Petrol Station, Glounthaune. Con Wimborne Minster BH21 5AD O’Leary, contact 087-2594784 conor@ 22 Northern Rural ride to the National Rally. Meet olearystone.com or Liam Quinlan 086 at Bull Beck Picnic Site, Caton (A683) 8252774 10.30am. Bob Harrison 01257 793209 Irish Limerick meeting Woodfield House [email protected] Hotel, Ennis Road 8:00 PM Pat 22-25 All National Rally, Kelso, hosted by the Mulcahy 087 2377312 Scottish Section. See Journal for Mercia Natter Night 1930 hrs New Inn. Wolvey details. Road, Bulkington. CV12 9JF 23 Western 12.00 Meet for snacks on the canal at Midland The Three Kings, Saltersway, The Stables Cafe Sandfield Bridge, Threekingham, Lincs.NG34 0AU Canal Bank, Saul, Gloucester GL2 7LA Alison 0117 9657757 Oxford Natter Night, Dashwood Arms, Piddington, HP14 3BH E. Anglia Café Meet, Café 2010 Diner, Courtauld house, Courtauld RD, Basildon,SS13 Southern The Seven Stars, Newark Lane, Ripley, 1RZ. 10am Surrey, GU23 6DL S. West Ride out to Lynton, Lynmouth. Starting Ulster Club Meeting 8pm Corr’s Corner at 9.45 for Breakfast leaving at 10.30 Western 20.00 Pub Night at the New Inn, Woodleigh Hall Café, Cheriton Bishop Claines, Worcs WR3 7DH Bob Dunn EX6 6JL. Ring Mark 07511637115 – 01384 390344 Come and have a Scottish Lunch meet: Hopeville Social Club, chat and meet your local members Inverurie AB51 SR. 12.30 3 E. Anglia Three Tunns, Finchingfield. 25 Midland Grimsthorpe Castle Show. Great N. East Natter Night, The Travellers Rest, Front carnival atmosphere in the castle Street, Witton Gilbert, DH7 6TQ.

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 55 S. East Club Night THE BULL, East Farleigh, Ave, North Stoneham, Chandlers Ford, ME15 0HD. 8pm. SO53 3HN Southern “Old Gits” Loomies Diner. Loomies 9 Irish Cork Ride Out. 6.30pm TexOil Cafe, West Meon Hut, GU32 1JX Petrol Station, Glounthaune. Con Western 19.30 Pub Night at The Lamb Inn, O’Leary, contact 087-2594784 conor@ Wotton Road, Iron Acton, Bristol. BS37 olearystone.com or Liam Quinlan 086 9UZ The lamb@Iron Acton.net Chat 8252774 at this popular venue Oxford Natter Night, Harcourt Arms, Stanton 4 Northern Classic Bike Nights, Bridge House Harcourt, OX29 5RJ Farm Tearooms, Wray, Lancaster Western 11.00 Meet for elevenses at Dick LA2 8QP 6-9pm. Bill Smithson 01539 Lovetts Laurel Court, Cribbs 736454 [email protected] Causeway, Bristol. BS10 7TU. FREE Oxford Natter Night, Churchill Arms, West cuppa, biccy and a chat. Lavington, SN10 4JB 9-19 Oxford Classical Greece Tour, Steve Moxey, Yorkshire Lunch Meet, Horseshoe Hotel, 12.00 07771 663915 noon. Egton Bridge, YO21 1XE Peter 10 Mercia Natter Night 1900 hrs Clock Warehouse. 01904 672883 London Road, Shardlow, Derby. DE72 5 Midland Hope Valley Camping weekend. 2GL Hardhurst Farm is the venue for this S. East Midweek Run from COOPERS, popular event. Tunbridge Wells, TN2 3UE. 10.30am. N. East Ride Out - Fish & Chip Run - Meet at Scottish Natter nite, Meldrums Hotel, Ceres, Angel of the North at 7pm. Graham Fife KY15 5NA at 7.30 pm: Walker - 07931 710991 10-17 Mercia Berwick on Tweed YHA holiday with Northern Natter night 8.00pm The Briars Hall Sean Dodds. Contact Sean on 01332 Hotel, Burscough. Vera Hunt 01257 723843 464429 11 E. Anglia Evening meeting, 7.30 The Cock and 5-7 S. West Tavistock Rally, Harford Bridge Holiday Bell, Long Melford CO19 9JR. Various Park, Peter Tavy, Tavistock, PL19 9LS Guest speakers. Bar Meals near by. Optional pasty Mercia Natter Night 1930 hrs The Dog. Henley Supper on Friday Night, Dartmoor Road, Mappleborough Green, Studley ride out Saturday Debbie and Phil B80 7DR Sampson – 01726 616 42 Mob. 07850 Midland The Old Reindeer, Main Street, 983 144 Edingley, Notts, NG22 8DE. 6 Midland Sleaford Historic Car & Motorcycle Northern Gathering at Settle Market Place Show. Superb annual show with a 2.00pm. Barry Warner 01617 611702 change to a larger venue this year. Southern The Half Moon, 32 London Road, Contact Bill Rodgers 01526 834480. Petersfield, GU31 4BE S. East Harvest Supper at Matty’s, Paddock 12 S. East THE WHITE HART, Lower Horsebridge, Wood, TN12 6QQ from 3pm. (Book Hellingly (A271), BN27 4DJ. 7.30pm by 23/08). 12-14 N. East Camping Weekend with Scottish Yorkshire The Village Hall, Cracoe, 12.00 noon. Section at Moffat - more details to 7 E. Anglia Cricketers, Fordham Heath. follow. Mercia Barton Marina. Breakfast / Brunch 12-14 Scottish Scottish/NE 2nd Borders Camping 10.30am Barton Marina Tea Rooms, weekend at Moffat see AtC for full Barton under Needwood, Burton on details. Trent, Staffs. DE13 8DZ 12-14 Western Camping Weekend. Greenway Farm N. East Ride Out - Coast and Castles, Meet Caravan & Camping Park, Drybrook, at Castle Square, Morpeth at 10am. Glos GL17 9HW 5* site Contact Sue Simon Johnston - 07702 709063 & Colin Ross 01562 820458 Northern 7:00 am Breakfast run through Reiver 12-14 Yorkshire Camping at Hinderwell C&C, Nr Country. Depart from TESCO car park, Whitby, TS13 5JH off Jn 43 of M6 Carlisle. John Bell 13 Western 11.00 Ilfracombe Bike Show. Meet on 01228 535173 sea front near the Landmark Theatre Scottish Lunch meet: Log Cabin Hotel, at £3.00 to park inc entry. Kirkmichael, PH10 7NA. 12 noon 13-20 Southern French Camping & Gites with Tim Southern Chippie’s Run & Sarah Austin. La Trois Maisons, Western 11.00 Castle Treasure Hunt. meeting at Villamblard, Nr.Peregueux, Dordogne, the Old Ferry Inn, Beachley, Chepstow 24140, France NP16 7HH at 11.00 Suitable for cars as 14 E. Anglia Chequers, 7 Church Road, well, aim to be back at the Old Ferry Inn Wimbotsham, Norfolk PE34 3QG. by 4.00pm. Contact Nick Robin 01594 Irish Leinster Ride-out Spa Hotel (near 837425 or 07802 239115 Lucan) 10.00 am Jim Sweeney 087 8 Southern The Cricketers Arms, 232 Chestnut 2300736 email: [email protected]

56 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 Irish N.W Area Meeting. Details Patrick Northern Midweek Run from Kirkby Lonsdale Munnelly 086 3383499 email: 10.00am. Mike Gibson 01229 582787 [email protected] [email protected] Irish Limerick ride-out Pat Mulcahy 087 S. East Club Night THE BULL, East Farleigh, 2377312 ME15 0HD. “Photo Competition”. 8pm. Northern Section meeting at St Michael’s on Wyre S. West Bryan Fish and Chips 7.30 Lostwithiel, village Hall 1:00pm. Refreshments with seating by the river, ring Bryan available. Peter McCombie 01228 on 01726 833 554. £10.00 for furthest 594792. travelled. Oxford RIDE OUT – Eddie Webb Memorial Southern “Old Gits” Loomies Diner. Loomies Mystery Ride. John Broad, 01869 Cafe, West Meon Hut, GU32 1JX 324008 or 07752 839362. Meet at Pear 18 Midland The Kings Head, Kingsway, Tealby, Tree Services 09.00 am. Lincs, LN8 3YA S. East “Lunch in France” with Cliff & Julie. Southern Drusilla’s Inn, Cranborne Road, Meet M20 J11 Services (Petrol) Wimborne Minster BH21 5AD 7.45am. Depart 8am for Eurotunnel 18-22 S. East Rother Valley Camping, Northiam, East – Out 8.50 – Return 19.20 - £32.00. Sussex (Book – John Burton 01323 (Details Cliff 07973 312983). 841498). S. West Sunday rideout to The Telegraph 19-21 Irish Thatch Rally see Compass for details Museum Porhcurno Penzance, West Cornwall. TR19 6JX meet at the 19-22 E. Anglia Camping weekend, Fakenham. See overspill car park Mcdonalds, Fraddon EA web site for details Services, Kingsley Village Shopping 19-22 Yorkshire Hotel Weekend, Chateau Le Mont TR9 6NA leave by 10.30 ring Don Epinguet, Brix, Normandy, France. Rabson on 01840 212913 for details Contact: Piers, yorkshire.social@ Scottish Lunch meet: Bankfoot Inn, Bankfoot, bmwclubuk.net. 07866 622 196 Perth PH1 4AB. 12.00 20 Western 14.00 Mystery Ride out with Chris. Ulster Meet and Eat. 1pm Ulster American Meet at Tintern Abbey Rear Car Park Folk Park, Omagh Christian Williams 07833 760996 Western 13.30 Monthly Meeting The Hood 21 E. Anglia Crossways Inn, Bridge Road, Scole, Memorial Hall, Devauden Fill up Diss IP21 4DP. on Hot Jacket potatoes and beans Mercia Tony’s Diner.10.00am. A442 Quatford, washed down with a mug of tea or Kidderminster Road,Bridgnorth, coffee. Shropshire. WV15 6QL Yorkshire Cubley Hall Hotel, Penistone, 12.00 Midland Barnsdale Gardens,Tea Rooms,The noon. Avenue, Exton, Oakham, Rutland 16 Irish Cork Ride Out. 6.30pm TexOil LE15 8AH. 12:00 till 3:00 Come and Petrol Station, Glounthaune. Con enjoy the Gardens in early Autum O’Leary, contact 087-2594784 conor@ Colour’s or just a last ride on the bike olearystone.com or Liam Quinlan 086 before its to cold! 8252774 S. East Costal Run with John Smith. Depart Northern Isle of Man Natter Night 7.30pm @ The Godstone Duck Pond. 10am. Highwayman, Peel. Harvey Garton S. West Sunday Café Meet 12.00 noon The 01624 625140 Lords Café Princetown ring Don Oxford Natter Night, Sun Inn, Coate Water, Rolling on 01752 556 543 for more Swindon, SN3 6AA details. Southern The Seven Stars, Newark Lane, Ripley, Scottish Lunch meet: Buccleuch Arms, Moffat Surrey, GU23 6DL DG10 9ET. 12.30 Western 12.00 La Passione Restaurant 66 Yorkshire How Stean Gorge Café, 12 noon. Rounceval St, Chipping Sodbury, 23 Irish Cork Ride Out. 6.30pm TexOil Bristol, BS37 6AR (opp Dandos Petrol Station, Glounthaune. Con Garage at top of hill) Denis Bradbeer O’Leary, contact 087-2594784 conor@ 01454 775786 olearystone.com or Liam Quinlan 086 17 E. Anglia Lamb and Flag, Welney. 8252774 Mercia Pensioners and Layabouts. 12 noon at 24 Mercia Natter Night 1930hrs Roman Way Springslade Lodge. Tearooms Camp Hotel. Watling Street, Hatherton, Road, Broadhurst Green, Cannock Cannock. West Midlands. WS11 1SH Chase. WS12 4PT Oxford Natter Night, Fox and Hounds, Theale, Midland The Horseshoe (Sywell) 2 Overstone RG7 4BE Rd Sywell Northamptonshire NN6 S. West Mid Week Natter 7.30 night Liskeard 0AW Tavern PL14 3FG. Don Rabson on N. East Natter Night, The Waggon Inn, Higham 01840 212 913. Dykes, Milbourne, Ponteland, NE20 25 Irish Dublin Meeting. West County Hotel, 0DH. Chapelizod. 8:00 PM Jim Sweeney

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 57 087 2300736 email: jim@lucanstudios. King—07833 705652 ie S. East Lunch – Hawkhurst Fish Farm, Southern The Half Moon, 32 London Road, Hawkhurst, TN18 4RT. Run 2pm. Petersfield, GU31 4BE Scottish Lunch meet: Hopeville Social Club, 26 S. East THE MONUMENT, Whitstable, CT5 Inverurie AB51 SR. 12.30 1PH. 7.30pm. Southern Forge Day with Dave Wright 26-28 Mercia Hotel weekend with Keith Jackson at Western 11.00 Batsford Arboretum, Moreton Saltburn by Sea. Hotel has been fully in Marsh, Glos. GL56 9AB. Meet in refurbished and will be the Saltburn House Hotel. Cost per person is £35 Cafe (free access to Cafe) Charges per night and includes Dinner, Bed & for entry. Friends of Westonbirt Free. Breakfast. A deposit of £35 per person www.batsarb.co.uk Denis Bradbeer is required on booking with balance 01454 775786 due end of July 29 Northern Natter night the Harraby Inn, Carlisle 26-28 Scottish Scottish Glencoe Gathering see AtC 7.30pm. John Bell 01228 535173. for full details Southern The Cricketers Arms, 232 Chestnut 26-28 Ulster Scottish Section Glencoe Gathering Ave, North Stoneham, Chandlers Ford, 27 Yorkshire The Biker’s Café, Fridaythorpe, 12 SO53 3HN noon. Sporting Cadwell Park ‘Ride Friendly’ track day, 27-28 Vintage Pistons & Props Classic - Sywell info from the Sporting Register page on Northants. the website or from robertbensley@ 28 E. Anglia Café Meet 10am. Wallys Café, Acton btinternet.com £100. Now fully booked Place ind Est, Acton, Sudbury, Suffolk but helpers needed and spectators are CO10 BB. welcome. N. East Ride Out - Up Over the Moors - Meet 30 Southern The Seven Stars, Newark Lane, Ripley, at Wynyard Services at 10am. John Surrey, GU23 6DL Around The Compass Please send Around The Compass changes to [email protected] with “Compass” as the subject 2 August. Yorkshire Section: Yorkshire Day Fife, KY3 9HN or pay by PayPal to treasurer@ Celebrations at Lord Stones Country Park. bmwclubuk.net Feel free to book camping for the whole weekend! 22 – 25 August. Scottish Section Host the 2014 See the Advert on front page of the Yorkshire web National at Kelso: Springwood Park, Kelso. TD5 site for details 8LS 8 - 10 August. South West Section: Slimbridge 5 - 7 September. Midland Section Camping Rally. At Tudor Caravan Park, Slimbridge, GL1 Weekend: At Hardhurst Farm, Peak District. See 7BP. Ring Phil and Debbie Sampson on 01726 advert in Journal or ring Steve on 07770-827574 61642 or 07850 983 144 for more details. 9 - 10 August. Scottish Section 3rd Rathad: 5 - 7 September. South West Section Tavistock Taking place in Argyll on Saturday and the Rally: At Harford Bridge Holiday Park, Peter Trossachs on Sunday. Camping at the Glenloin Tavy, Tavistock, PL19 9LS. Bar Meals near by and House Campsite, Arrochar on the A83 at £5 per optional Pasty Supper on Friday Night. Dartmoor night. Please book directly with Vivian McTavish ride out on the Saturday - Debbie and Phil Sampson tel. No. 07810194259 and mention the BMW Club. on 01726 616 42 Mob. 07850 983 144 There are various B&B, Hotels and eating places in the village. Both days will include a forest drive 9 - 19 September. Oxford Section trip to Greece: and stunning coastal scenery. Numbers are limited Touring is guided by a very knowledgable classical to 20 bikes. A commemorative glass will be given scholar who is also a member of the Oxford to all participants taking part in both days. Please Section. For details, including various methods of contact Nigel on nigel.macdonald4@btinternet. how to get there, contact Steve Moxey on 07771 com to ensure a place. Deposit of £5 per person 663915 refundable to those who complete both days. 12 – 14 September. Scottish Section are joined Either send a cheque payable to the BMW Club by the North East Section for the 2nd Borders to Judy Lepley, 7 Landale Gardens, Burntisland, Camping weekend: At the Caravan and Camping 58 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 Club site in Moffat: An excellent site a short walk please. from the centre of the busy Borders town of Moffat. 19 - 21 September. Irish Section Thatch Rally: Good riding roads and many attractions in the With the Ulster Section on Lusty Beg Island, Co area. Marquee and trailer will be there as a central Fermanagh. 2 nights B+B and 1 evening meal meeting place. Free tea and coffee available all Stg. £110.00 per person. Enquiries/bookings to: weekend. If you don’t fancy camping why not join us Elaine Simpson Tel: 00353 (0) 830043775 email: and stay at the Buccleuch Arms Hotel Tel no.01683 [email protected] all payments to: BMW Club 220003 or Buchan Guest House Tel. Chris on Irish Section - payments can be made via paypal 01683 220378 both Club members. Camping must contact Elaine for details be booked please contact: Judy tel.01592 874592 or email: [email protected]. 19 - 22 September. Yorkshire Section Hotel Weekend: Chateau Le Mont Epinguet, Brix, 12 - 14 September. Western Section: Camping Normandy, France. Still some rooms left at £130 Weekend at Greenway Farm Caravan and ppn. Contact: Piers. yorkshire.social@bmwclubuk. Camping Park, Drybrook, Glos GL17 9HW 5* net. 07866 622 196. site, section BBQ on Saturday, Caravans and Motorhomes welcome. Pre Booking required £6.00 26 – 28 September. Scottish Section Glencoe pppn. All club members welcome. Contact Colin & Gathering: Invercoe campsite, Glencoe, Argyll, Sue Ross 01562 820458 PH49 4HP. An excellent campsite situated on the shores of Loch Leven with spectacular views 12 - 14 September. Yorkshire Section Camping .Area set aside for our club. Hobbit Houses, static At Serenity Camping and Caravan Park, Weekend: caravans and chalets available for hire. For details Hinderwell, Nr. Whitby, TS13 5JH. Organisers: of site facilities call Invercoe Campsite 01855 Stuart & Elaine West. Phone: 01274 832309. A 811210 or www.invercoe.co.uk. Mention you will popular venue with a great pub just opposite the be attending the BMW Event when enquiring. The entrance to the site that serves good food and marquee will not be there so please take your own drink. There are easy walks to the lovely Runswick cooking stoves to use in the brick gazebo. Many bay or up the coast to Staithes. Alternatively ride B&Bs and hotels in the area details on Scottish down to the historic port of Whitby or take the bus Section website. Contact: Judy tel.01592 874592 (which stops opposite the site) if you fancy a drink or email: [email protected]. or two in the town’s many watering holes!! 3 -6 October. Oxford Section: Weekend at 13 - 20 September. Southern Section: French Plas Menai, North Wales. A repeat of last year’s Camping & Gites with Tim & Sarah Austin. La Trois excellent time plus the chance to try sailing. For Maisons, Villamblard, Nr.Peregueux, Dordogne, more information or to book your place email 24140, France Rosemary Hicks [email protected] or 18 – 22 September. South East Section Camping Geoff Clough [email protected] Weekend: Rother Valley, Northiam, East Sussex. 11 - 12 October. London Section English Pre-booking essential as spaces limited. For Country Hotel Weekend: In Norfolk to take in The further details and booking contact John Burton – Classic Racing Motercycle Club Race of the Year [email protected] (01323 841498). at Snetterton. Details of the Hotel will be published 19 - 21 September. East Anglia Section camping in the March Journal event: Fakenham Racecourse (Horses) http:// 17 -19 October. Irish Section N W Hotel www.fakenhamracecourse.co.uk/ Note! There’s Weekend: Leenane, Euro 99 per person 2 nights no horse races this weekend! This is a new venue B&B & 2 evening meals. Enquiries/bookings to: for us but popular with several motorcycle clubs. Elaine Simpson Tel: 00353 (0) 830043775 email: The camping field is nice and flat, showers / toilets [email protected] all payments to: BMW Club warm and clean, friendly bar serving breakfasts, Irish Section - payments can be made via paypal lunches, & evening meals, entertainment to be contact Elaine for details arranged, all within a few miles of our glorious North Norfolk coast. Accommodation of camping 17 - 19 October. Northern Section Hotel (£6 pp per night); caravans and motorhomes (£15 Weekend: In the Northumbria National Park per night, elec hook-up £2.50); and limited rooms based at The Pheasant Inn, Kielder Water (www. available at £17 pp per night NB there are only 3 thepheasantinn.com). A grand biking weekend available. No advance booking or pre payment based in the wilds of Northumbria (not the for camping. Please book directly with the site & cheapest but lovely accommodation in a superb mention the “BMW Club Weekend”. Contact for area). Prices... 2 nights B&B in a twin/double more info Mark 01354 740908 but not after 9pm room - sharing £95pp, single occupancy £130, for

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 59 the weekend. Deposit £35 per person. A full day Cheques payable to BMW Club with address on out on the bikes on the Saturday followed on your the back. For all queries contact Sally Robinson at return to the Pheasant Inn, by a roaring fire, good [email protected]. food, beer and conviviality can’t be bad! If you wish 21 - 23 November. Western Section Hotel to join your friends in the Northern Section just weekend: The Seabank Hotel, West Drive, send your deposit (by cheque payable to Robert Porthcawl CF36 3LU 2 nights Bed, Breakfast Crawley) to Bob Crawley at 3 Station Road, Kelso, & Evening Meal including entertainment both Scottish Borders, TD5 8DQ. Further details 01573 nights, £72.50 per person for the weekend (based 223203. on 2 sharing). The Seabank Hotel stands as an 31 Oct to 2 Nov. Southwest Section Hippo historic landmark on the seafront in Porthcawl Rally: Colliford Tavern, Colliford Lake, St Neots, with captivating views across the Bristol Channel Liskeard, Cornwall PL14 6PZ. Just off the A30 to Somerset & Devon and also very close to the Bodmin Moor. Weekend includes Gala Meal town centre. A coach has been arranged for a with Wine on Saturday evening, a ride out, raffle daytrip to Cardiff in addition to a guided walk, and rally prizes. All breakfasts to be booked rideout and grand raffle. Booking essential, early and paid for the previous evening including booking advisable. Contact: Denis Bradbeer those staying in the rooms. Price £5.50 for [email protected] 01454 775786 for cooked breakfast extra for cereals and juice. booking form. Price for 2 night weekend £36.50 per person 1 – 4 May 2015. Ulster Section Hotel Weekend: camping. Price for 2 night weekend £86.50 Waverley Castle Hotel, Melrose, Scotland. Three per person in room, based on 2 people sharing. nights, half-board, £120 per person (sharing). Visit Extra camping nights at Rally rate £5 per person website www.bmwclubulstersection.com for more per night. Electric hook up £5 per unit per night. details. Bookings only accepted through Ulster ALL bookings with payment to Debbie Sampson, Section organisers Jackie Hunter 028 90506677 Trevilla, 18 Ropehaven Road, St Austell Cornwall or Charlie Carruthers 07711435211. Deposits (£25 PL25 4DU. Contact details Southwest.secretary@ per person) and full details to the organisers before bmwclubuk.net, 01726 61642 or 07850983144. 7 October 2014. 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.

but happy and incident free. That evening we had East Anglia Section a superb dinner and most went to bed early (ish) to make sure they were ready for the second day’s run Peter Dutton through the boreens and rutted roads of Malin and 07950631735 mid Donegal. As Stephen Whelan put it to me in an [email protected] Irish Section June has been a very busy month for our section, it kicked off with what must have been the best ever ‘Boreen Run’ ably organised by Rory and his Dad Pat Bradley and assisted by Terry and Ken. It was run in two groups, the first group was for bikes that were more suited to extreme off road and was led by Rory and the second group for tourers and suchlike, led by Pat. We set off from Larne outside Belfast and the route took us over the Antrim hills, and the Sperrin Mountains, the two groups meeting up for lunch en-route. We finally arrived at our destination, The view near Malin Head The Gateway Hotel, Buncrana, Co. Donegal, tired

60 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 email, anyone that was under the impression that joining and this has the result of Club members not the BMW Club was a retirement bikers club would turning up (and I must say I do not blame them, need to think again. “This event was certainly not and will be doing the same). We are enjoying the for the pipe and slippers brigade”. You could see most welcome sun. Congratulations to Fiach and the excitement in the eyes of the riders. Anyone that Pat Beechinor on their new BMW’s. Con O’Leary had travelled up from Dublin certainly travelled over has purchased a Honda Crosstourer in lieu of his 1,300 km over the weekend. All in all it was a most 1200RT. I’m told that he was finding the BMW was successful event. Huge thanks to father and son, lacking in mid-range power especially on uphill Pat and Rory Bradley from the thirty three riders twisty roads. that took part. We saw places that we would never Our monthly Sunday run from Dublin this month even know existed and had a fantastic weekend. (June) was to the Marble Arch caves in Enniskillen The amount of work that was put in by these lads and was attended by the largest group in a long (and anyone else that assisted) has to be seen to time: twenty nine bikes with lots of pillions. It is be believed. Well done lads. great to see so many of our members coming out The report from Liam Quinlan and the boys down to support the events. Mind you, the warm days and south says: We are busy biking at present and sunshine are a big help, I’m sure. A big welcome taking advantage of the good weather. We had our to all the new faces, too. We met as usual in usual motley crew for Wales and everyone had a Spa Hotel Lucan, then rode to The Naul in north good time. The weather and roads were excellent, Co. Dublin, where we joined up with more of our and with good accommodation it all added up to a members, took a group photo (enclosed) then led perfect weekend. We commented on the bikes that by Terry Carolyn we headed off via a lot of boreens were in our group with only a few BMW’s present and back roads and met up with the group from it was the Japanese and Triumph that ruled the the North West led by Pat Munnelly. We also had roost. It is a big change from a few years ago Maurice and his wife from Newry (big welcome to when almost all the bikes were BMW. It appears you both) and were joined again by Brendan Smith that reliability issues with BMW are taking their toll. from Monaghan. We all had a fabulous lunch in The Riders are purchasing cheaper bikes from more Angler’s Rest at Ballyconnell, Co Cavan and then reliable brands. On 24th May some of us joined the rode to The Shannon Pot and on to the Marble Arch Garda bike club for an overnight in Leitrim which is Caves, both places well worth a visit. So remember, the hidden Ireland. We saw Percy in Roscommon members from outside Dublin, you are most town on his Honda cruiser and gave him a wave welcome to join up with groups on the monthly runs, in passing. Con O’Leary and Tadhg Barry are busy and it would be even better if you were to organise doing the final preparations for their charity run to a run yourselves. I will help in any way I can, as no Austria on 2nd July. Well done to all taking part and doubt so will many others. we hope they have a safe trip. Tadhg Barry has a Remember, the Thatch rally is being held in Ulster new GS ordered and it is being ballasted on the this year at ‘Lusty Beg Island Resort’. This is an forks as he has problems with his present GS lifting amazing place and well worth the trip and there are on the front under acceleration. Blood Bike South is still some places available. Look it up, your partners now up and running and some of our members are will love it too. Don’t forget to bring Stg £ if you are volunteers in it. Our Tuesday night runs in Cork going. Bookings as ever to go to Elaine Simpson are very busy and I feel their popularity may lead (who will by then be Mrs Wright). Bookings for the to their demise: My reasoning is that we have more Hotel weekend in Leenane are also still being taken. non-club members turning up with no intention of This will be in mid-October (see the diary of events) and we will hold our AGM then as well. That’s about it for now, safe and sunny biking. Jim Sweeney 0872300736 [email protected]

Chris Wright 00353 83 0032400 [email protected] London Section Percy, Maurice, and Tim with Klara Those of you who do read The Journal will have and her Dakar on the Boreen run spotted the absence of the July London Section News – this being due to holidays and an earlier

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 61 than usual deadline which I only learned too late! It Finally, may I remind you about the October Hotel is therefore re-produced below. weekend to take in the Classic Racing Motorcycle The Club`s first Track Day of 2014, at Snetterton, Club race of the year of which details were published was a great success; the feedback was very positive in the April Journal; those interested please let me and we were blessed with glorious sunshine all know as soon as possible – I will cancel any Hotel day long. Robert could not have wished for more, Rooms reserved, which are not taken up, on or and we had at least one other Section Member about 25th September. ‘on parade’ in the shape of Peter Ball. I am looking Go carefully forward to Snetterton on August 18th and Cadwell on September 28th. Hopefully we will have a few Peter Jones more London Section members at one or both 07710 887958 events – you are welcome to join me on the ride [email protected] up to either or both if you wish; going up on the day before and returning after the track day. Mercia Section The June ride-out did not make the Brewery Tour as nobody gave the advertised necessary notice to Sunday morning dawned dull and rainy but, enable a Tour booking to be made in advance. undaunted, three hardy riders (plus one pillion) The next ride-out will be to The Glenn Miller joined us for a wet ride to Erddig House. Fortunately Museum at Twinwood Airfield , Bedfordshire, the journey took under two hours and the rain leaving South Mimms at 09.30hrs on Sunday 10th began to ease. After a tour of the house and a long August. lunch we had a mainly dry ride home. Thanks to The planned visit to Brighton for the 2014 Food David, Mick, Ed and Jane and also to John (Humpy) Festival will not take place as they (Brighton) who joined us in his car. Thanks to Brian and June decided to have the Festival in May despite having Cooper for organising the ride and sending this previously advertised it as September! So we will report go to the Brighton Sand Sculpture Festival instead! On 7 June 2014, John Humpherson led the I am suggesting Sunday 7th September – let me ride around Shropshire and sent in this report. know. You will find details on the `net to help you Once again he didn’t let us down, torrential rain, a decide. thunderstorm, lightning, hail and a Yellow Weather July News: Warning from the Met Office. Well his star sign is I received a grumble, the other day (at the Aquarius! Two hardy (or foolhardy) riders joined beginning of May) from a member who said that John, Mark Hyman and Sean Dodds who had offered he knew nothing about the forthcoming May Bank to be ‘tail end Charlie’ even though he had caught Holiday weekend in France, as no details had the worst of the weather on his way from Derby. The appeared in the February Journal; he was correct starting point was Tony’s Diner, Bridgnorth and then but full details were published in the March issue of back roads to Church Stretton. A long slow climb the Journal. This reinforces my view that not all of up onto The Long Mynd is very steep and arriving the Journal information is read – as I have always at the first view point it was impossible to take any said – “if in doubt give me a ring or, drop me an e pictures of the views as visibility was less than 5 mail for clarification” metres at times. The next stop was to have been Despite some of the heaviest rain experienced for the Stiperstones but they couldn’t be seen so on to a long time and some of us suffering a night of ‘food The Bog (yes, The Bog) an old mine with a visitors poisoning’, the Rouen weekend went well with nine centre and tea room. The people in the visitor in attendance including Alan & Jennie Arnold who centre were very welcoming considering we were came down from their new ‘floating home’ which is flooding their old school room floor. Tea and scones moored somewhere in Holland . were partaken of and the chance taken to warm up The next run after receipt of this Journal was to before deciding what to do next. Easy: head north to have been be to Mallory Park for the Festival of Shrewsbury, miss out on the Battlefield 1403 Farm 1000 bikes. Unfortunately this event will not take Shop & Café and head home ASAP. The rain? Well place this year due to new ownership of the Circuit it never stopped although it is promised that it will return in 2015. A repeat of the Fish & Chip run to the coast, this Over the weekend of July 11th to the 13th Mallory time the destination was Mablethorpe. Twenty three will host the ‘Mallory Bike Bonanza’ (details are bikes and two outfits turned up for the start of the on the `net) and so I am suggesting a visit to that ride from the Donington Services. Good to see Chris instead – prices are £24 on the Gate (£22 for us & Graham Tuck joining us for the start. Those who seniors) with us leaving Hemel Hempstead, Sunday know them will be well aware that they had travelled 13th July at 09.00 hrs. If this is not of interest I will the furthest to join us and had set off that morning have a backup plan by way of a ride-out, long or quite early to travel almost from Kings Lynn! They’d short depending on the weather. We can make a already done a run before we started! I was leading decision on the day. the run and persuaded Sean Dodds to do tail end

62 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 roads through Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire as far as Hawksworth in Nottinghamshire and then headed back south to Leicestershire and the Windmill. Something went very wrong and five bikes did not get out of the car park, however when we finally arrived at Wymondham all the five bikes had made their way there and were drinking tea in the time-honoured way. The explanation was good but not to be mentioned here (Hey Keith). The 24th saw eight of us meet at the Super sausage on the A5 at Pottersbury. This was the third of our weekday rides, these have proved quite successful, so I will hopefully continue them next year whether I’m still Social Secretary or not. After tea and coffee five of us went on a short, mainly back road, ride to the Blue Bell Tea Rooms at The Mercia Section at Mablethorpe Tring reservoir. Some of the lanes chosen were quite small and overgrown with plenty of gravel. For one person it was getting quite dark as well, a for me. Sorry to spring that on you Sean, but a pair of dark glasses on and crash helmet sunshade great job as always from Sean rounding everyone down did not help ( definitely a senior moment hey up. Just one mishap on the way out: Dave Hardy’s Steve?) We’ll leave it at that. Once at the tea rooms bike developed a brake fault, so he decided to retire we all had a cake and tea - the pot was refilled twice gracefully. The weather couldn’t have been better! - we all had a short walk and then headed home, Bright sunshine and a good riding temperature to Thanks to all who turned up. start with, although it warmed up later! Phew! Didn’t Looking ahead, August is a quiet month with only it? The journey took us through Melton Mowbray one ride out, this is midweek to the Pavilion Cafe in and Grantham, bypassing Sleaford before a comfort Melton Mowbray. Also, don’t forget the BMW Club stop at Tattershall Picnic area. There was time for National at Kelso on 22nd August. Looking even a quick cuppa here before finishing the last leg of further ahead, don’t forget the Hope Valley camping the journey. Lots of bikes out today but thankfully weekend. See the advert in the journal. they all seemed to be heading for Skegness! We On the 21st September there is a ride-in to dropped right into the car park, free parking for all, Barnsdale Gardens. Andy Pilkington will be there to and no one left behind! Result! Most of us made meet and greet as I have booked with the Yorkshire a beeline for the local fish and chip restaurant, but Section and a few from the Midland Section to go to I’m sure I noticed Sarah Pell chasing the donkey the Chateau in Brix, France for the weekend. rides? And finally, what could be better than an ice As far as I know all the pub meets continue to be cream on the beach after lunch? Thanks to all who going ahead as planned. supported the ride, maybe a different venue for next That’s about it for now as I hear my holiday calling. year? Safe Riding Just a brief note in case the information slips by accidentally. The proposed Amble through Jim Beach Staffordshire, organised by John Humpherson, has 07415 683120 been cancelled. His apologies go to all. [email protected] Colin Ainsworth 07799 653789 Northern Section [email protected] Twitter – AinsworthColin or @ BMWClubMercia Peter McCombie [email protected] Midland Section North East Section I’m sitting here looking at two panniers, a top box and tank bag all loaded on the eve of the Midlands Thanks to all who came and supported the annual Garda adventure. I think by the time that this is in section buffet hosted at our new first Wednesday of print we will have been and come back. the month home at the Beresford Arms which was June started with a ride out on the 15th to well attended and enjoyed by the section. Wymondham Windmill, twelve bikes and fifteen Twenty riders and a brave pillion enjoyed glorious people arrived at Colsterworth Services. After tea weather on this year’s Boreen run, led as usual and coffee we all lined up to start the ride on the back by Peter Cullen. It was that good that pressure is

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 63 already being applied to do another one next year! an event that has been a success? Tell us about it. Keep that pressure applied folks. Have you got an idea that sounds really ‘off the wall’ In August, we have two main ride-outs led by and wonder whether it will work? Tell us about it.Do Roger Barr and Derek Proctor, and a fish and chip you get the idea? We need your input. This section run led by Simon Johnston. We also have our usual (and the club) is not growing in numbers. We need natter nights. Please check your diary so you do not to attract new members, and more importantly, new miss out anything. blood, in order that the BMW club and the North Please note - John Matthew’s ride out is taking East Section still exist in twenty years’ time. Please place on Sunday 10 August 2014 leaving from do not sit back and leave it to the ‘faithful few and Durham Services at 10am. This is not in the diary, willing’ to do everything and see the section fall by but is still taking place. the wayside. We all have a part to play to make this The National Rally at Kelso is on from the 23 - section a success. How will you help to make this a 25. If you have not booked up yet please consider reality? Please take some time to think and reflect coming and supporting the rally which are always a about this. good time and, as we saw from our own Spring Rally, See you all soon and safe riding the support received from members coming from all over the country is always a big encouragement. Bradley Gane So come and give your support to those who have [email protected] organised this weekend for us to enjoy. How are you getting on with the photo/riding Oxford Section competition? I hope you born-and-bred North Easterners are not getting too stumped by the The Section members have certainly been using clues? This competition was primarily set up for their bikes to get out and about over the last month those who like to go out for a ride and combine it with some fine weather as well. Judging from the with some local history and tax the old grey matter Face Book reports, those on the trip to La Rochelle, in the process. Remember to get a photo of you, France enjoyed the time in the sunshine apart from your bike and a recent Journal. The prize is a free someone burning the croissants! On the subject year’s membership for 2015 for the winner, so it’s of the Section Face Book page, over fifty people worth getting out there and solving those clues. are now subscribing and receiving information and Just a reminder, we have a North East Section reports on a regular basis. As a good way of keeping Twitter account and this can be found at: @ up to date we recommend you join in https://www. BMWNORTHEAST. If you don’t have a Twitter facebook.com/ groups/bmwoxford/. Phil Carter is on account, it is very easy to set up and once on, you the way to the big BMW meet at Garmisch and is receive updates of what is going on in the section. sending in progress reports via this medium. This is a worthwhile tool for our section and the Dave Hawkins Lechlade camping weekend more of us who are part of it, the more effective it is. proved popular, especially the ride out to visit Lodge So while you are silver-surfing the net, have a look Park & Sherborne Estate. into it and see how easy and good it is. Steve & Louise Martin led a superb ride to Stowe What do you want to do and see happening in the Gardens riding a strange V-twin version called a section in 2015? ‘BeeEmDoubleYou’, whatever that is. The ride took The section committee will be meeting shortly in Brill Post Wind Mill, The Pheasant and excellent to discuss and compile the diary for 2015. What back roads of north Oxfordshire to end with the line we need from you are ideas. You currently have of twenty-one bikes processing along the Grand five committee members who all want to see the Avenue towards Stowe House. Well organised ride section flourish and be the best it can be for our members, but we cannot do this alone. We can try and come up with new and fresh ideas. But if this is not something you are interested in then it is going to go unsupported and the idea will flop. We all have things that we like, things that appeal to our characters and other interests we have. Is there a way we can combine those interests? For example: a ride-out to a National Trust site, look around, have lunch and ride on somewhere else and then return home maybe? Dedicated rides similar to what Peter Cullen offers on the Boreen? What would you like to see in the diary? Over to you - Please will you consider some of the things that you would like to see happen. Have you been part of another club/group that has organised

64 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 Further afield, please contact Rosemary Hicks if you fancy the weekend from 3-6 October at Plas Menai, North Wales as bookings are being taken now. Does ‘GPS’ really stand for ‘Gone Practically Senile’, as a friend of mine once suggested? He bought one just after saying this! John L Broad [email protected] or check the website at bmwcluboxford.com Scottish Section Ullapool on the longest day weekend: what can and we look forward to more from Steve & Louise. I say? Why do we keep going back each year? John Ottoway organised a three day trip to As usual it was wet, windy and none too warm, Brecon Beacons national park (photo above), but as in every previous year there was a good which around a dozen people joined in. The event turnout with over fifty folk, some staying in B&B, was well planned including the weather and lots but most in the forty five plus tents. I ask why do of favourable comments have been posted on the we keep going back? Well the location is superb, Face Book pages. One in particular caught my eye, the scenery fantastic, the roads amazing and the saying that the roads are so good compared to the company is always sparkling. Most folk managed to holes held together with tarmac that we have in get packed up and away in the dry on the Sunday Oxfordshire. A highlight whilst at the Elan Valley was morning. Alan Redhead was heard to say that he the flypast and victory roll from a couple of very low was going to “charge the campsite for carting away flying F16’s. Did John organise this as well? a ton of grass”. Ray Cawte from Southampton won Although I have been to the Cassington Village the prize for the furthest travelled. Tam Campbell, bike night for many years, the section agreed to Marjorie, Eric, Jim and I stayed on for another help this year with some marshalling and we would night and down the rain came again. Tam, a man set up a stand. Working with the organising team, of incredible untapped resources, cheered us up by led by Oxford Section member Martin Ritchie, many producing delicious fresh baked scones in his tent members did a stint trying to keep the bikes flowing on Sunday evening. Photo shows Eric tucking in. and parking. The estimate for the numbers of bikes Some of the Ulster and Irish contingent also stayed is more than 10,000: everything from Norman on an extra night and were heading off on a ‘Jack’s Smith and his sweep’s Cyclemaster bicycle through mystery tour’ on the Monday morning. almost every make of bike ever produced. Plus We left Ullapool on Monday morning and within a the amazing Flying Millyard built from two surplus cylinders from a Pratt & Whitney Wasp aircraft engine making 5 litres capacity! The Club stand on the green was very busy with some members fine vintage and classic BMW’s plus a couple of the latest borrowed from the dealers and around a dozen new members joined on the night. Why not pop along to the other local bike days including West Hagbourne on the 150July, Calne on the 26 July and Brackley on the 17 July with the Section stand appearing at all three. Note that the date of the ride out to Stansted and BMW open day at Alton Bahnstormers has been changed to the 19 July. You can start at 09.30 at Tot Hill Services on the A34 to ride with Alan and Ullapool reprobates Gill Mossman or meet them at Bahnstormers, Alton but please let them know as they need to organise couple of miles the weather improved and just kept enough food. getting better. We arrived at the Ballater campsite Another change is the location of the section BBQ to dry, warm weather and a real bonus - no midges. on 10 August to Paul Prictor’s farm at Upper Bupton The site is beside the River Dee; welcoming, Cottages, Broad Hinton, SN4 9NP. This should be attractive, well-kept and full of bird song. In fact a fun day out in the country and you could join the everything was so nice I couldn’t even get angry ride from Newbury to the location with Steve Moxey. at being woken by birdsong at 4 am. The wardens

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 65 Motoscotland – Clive Rumbold – Off Road Extrordinaire is offering taster sessions. Interested? Then be sure to bring both parts of your driving license with you. Bring & Buy Sale – Bring along your unwanted/ surplus-to-requirement, or maybe grown-out-of, gear to sell. It is always advisable to check the Scottish Section website for any last minute changes and you can also keep up to date with the latest information - if there is any. Ride safe. Judy Happy campers at Ballater 01592 874592 [email protected] Rachel & Dave were really helpful and friendly. Mandy and Billy Gregor had found this gem of a Southern Section venue last year and arranged the weekend for us. We were joined Thursday and Friday by a further The weekend of 30 May-1 June was very busy with forty plus again, mostly in tents, but a few taking a choice of three events. There were two camping advantage of the excellent Hostel and B&B’s close weekends and Larry sent me this report from the by. This venue was definitely a big hit and we will Country Inn at Midhurst: be returning next year. The roads around are quiet A group of twenty attended Nigel’s camping and superb, as is the scenery. Plenty of walks plus weekend and Ides of March treasure hunt at the excellent restaurants, cafes and pubs close by. We Country Inn in Bepton near Midhurst. The BMW all had an excellent weekend. A huge thank you Southern Section were represented by Gail, must go to Mandy and Billy for organising a brilliant Geoff, Colin/Paula and myself. This spirited group weekend. enjoyed fine weather, good camping and a great Both the Ullapool and Ballater weekends local atmosphere in the pub. There was a biking- benefited from super marksman Billy Gregor’s themed quiz on the Friday night and a super blues efforts in getting up at 4 am on several mornings band on Saturday, the bass player demonstrating in order to bag a deer which he also skinned and his skill on a fretless electric double bass. So much did the ’necessary’ to so that his friendly butcher fun, so much of my memory erased! Someone won could turn it into the best venison sausages and the quiz and someone won the Ides of March rally. burgers you will ever taste. Many thanks to Billy I’m not sure who! Great weekend, thanks Nigel. for his efforts and we have put in our order for next Result! year. Thanks must also go to Bill Gault for acting as The other camping weekend was in Lechlade delivery man. with Oxford section. We also had lovely weather Buccleuch Arms talk, demo and lunch scheduled and there were ten BMW club members with three for 15 June. Regret the talk and demo had to be from Southern, Graham, Gerri and John. We had a cancelled due to illness a new date will be arranged great time, with a good meal in the pub on the river for later in the year. on Friday night, listening to a good group playing Reminders: mainly country music, but with a bit of Dire Straits Nigel MacDonald’s Third Rathad Run: 9-10 and Elvis in the mix. There was a bike run on the August – This event is booking up fast so come on Saturday and a pub meal again in the evening. Scottish Section members get your name down for Thanks to Dave for organising this and for inviting what is going to be a first class two days. us. Kelso 2014 National: 22–25 August: This is going On Sunday June 1, although not a BMW club to be a first-class three days, so do not miss out. event, a few of our members joined the Ride of Get your booking form and cheque sent off now and Respect. Chippie sent the following report and come along to meet up with old friends and make photo: Six bikes with two pillions made the trip up to new ones. The Band on Saturday evening alone is Dishforth Airfield for the start of the Ride of Respect worth the camping and rally fee. I also guarantee 2014. Once again there was a massive turnout that your ears will not be assaulted by loud music from the biking fraternity. We even managed to find over the weekend. The IAM – Borders & Carlise some Oxford section members in amongst them Group Observers will be running assessment rides. all (amazing). The ride through the town was well Interested? Then be sure to bring along your bike supported with high fives being given all along the MOT, insurance and both parts of your driving route. There was an end of ride event this year licence. taking in Caterton where music, food, souvenirs and

66 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 ice cream were plentiful. We would like to thank Noel for organising the good weather even though he could not attend. Bring on ROR 2015. On June 8 Rossana’s Pizza day morphed into a walk and Sunday lunch at The Seven Stars in Ripley. There were a total of sixteen people for lunch with approximately half this number going on the pre-lunch walk. We had a great lunch. You just can’t beat a leisurely Sunday afternoon sitting in the sun in an English pub garden! Thanks for this, Rossana. You can tell it is summer, as there is another camping weekend to tell you about, Nick and Sarah’s New Forest camping over the longest day weekend. Bob sent me the following report: Thanks to Nick and Sarah for hosting yet again, a lovely weekend in the Forest with, perfect weather. People started to arrive early on the Friday afternoon to make sure of a good place to camp or put their bedding in the stables, taking care not to disturb the Alpacas bedroom! The evening went well with sixteen of us sitting down to a meal prepared by our hosts, with lots of chat and plenty of drink to wash down the chilli and rice. Saturday morning gave us a choice of events, I chose to go and get The Marahaja’s Well the Alpacas sheared with Nick, Lauren and Gail. I am not sure what the others did, but I am sure my We have Godfrey’s run to Tangmere Military choice was the best. It was great seeing how it is Aviation Museum on 3rd. Tangmere’s ‘Tribute to the done and a bit different from sheep shearing. Nick Great War-August 1914’ takes place on that day. came away with 6kgs of wool. The next choice was Meet at Newlands Corner at 10.00hrs. On 12th it will a walk or a visit to a Sausage and Cider event. Most be fish and chips night at Poole Quay. As it is also went for a long walk through the forest for a pub a bike night the gates open at 17.30hrs and it gets lunch, but Gail, Nick and I went to the food event. very busy, so if you arrive late, you will be shunted This proved to be rather good with live music and into the overflow car park. Meet upstairs at Harlees a Punch and Judy show. The best sausage by far restaurant for 18.30/19.00. Rick may be doing a run was the Arabian lamb and spice which we marked so keep an eye on the website. If you are planning ten out of ten. During the afternoon Gail and Erica to venture out on 17th there will be a choice: You left and Nigel and Helen arrived. The numbers grew can either go to the Popham Mega Meet and to twenty-one, with some neighbours coming to join Autojumble, or to Brackley Festival of Motorcycling us for the BBQ. Nick cooked the supplied food and in Northants. Chris will lead the run to Brackley, so there was more drinking and talking to while away if you wish to join him or want further details, give the evening. Sunday morning saw the camping him a ring on 07946 577300. On the Bank Holiday gear being packed away, but this was delayed for weekend we have the National, which this year is our host’s welcome cooked breakfast. Following in Kelso. Then on 31st Erica is leading a run to this we made a slow departure, having put on a few Shoreham Airshow. This must be an early start, so pounds over the weekend. A big thank you to Nick please meet Erica at the Station Café at Alton at and Sarah and I can report that the Alpacas did not 08.30hrs for an 08.45hrs departure. The gates open seem to mind losing the woolly coats. at 08.30hrs and flying starts at 11.30hrs and the On June 29 Bob led eight bikes on a mystery run ride will take about two hours. For full details of the which left Newlands corner in the sunshine and event and to purchase a ticket in advance (£18 plus took us over a good mix of different types of roads, £2 postage) contact www.shorehamairshow.co.uk including some small country lanes. We arrived SEPTEMBER at the ‘mystery’ which was the Marahaja’s Well in Dean is leading a run on 7th, but I’m still awaiting Stoke Row which is quite an interesting monument. details for that one. There may still be places at Tim This was followed by a pub lunch. Thanks you for and Sarah’s week in the Dordogne from 13th, but this run Bob. you will need to check with Erica (details below). The summer is still with us and there are still a Then the last event for September will be Dave’s lot of runs and events to attend over the coming Forge day on 28th. Really good fun, have a go with months. the hot irons, enjoy the BBQ and there is even a pub AUGUST a few feet away! Please contact Dave on 01428 The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 67 684902. be taking us down to Hampshire on the 17th to the OCTOBER Popham Bike Mega-Meet to be held at Popham We have our section AGM on 12th. Come along Airfield. The ‘Bring and Buy Sale’ is on the 20th. and influence how your section is run. A buffet with Lunch at Hadlow College Cafe, Hadlow followed by tea and coffee will be supplied. Now, we have a bit a run will be on the 31st. of a problem. In the diary we have listed a hotel/ Unfortunately The Golden Cross Inn has Holiday village weekend for 17/19th, but at the CLOSED. However, a replacement venue has moment we are struggling to find a suitable and been found: The White Hart, Lower Horsebridge, affordable venue. If anyone has any ideas, could Hellingly (A271), East Sussex BN27 4DJ. you possibly contact either me or Erica (details The Harvest Supper at Matty’s will be on below). It would be a shame if we had to cancel September 6, please book with me by the 23rd. this event. On the last Sunday, 26th, Dave and A big thank you goes to Kevin and Denise Lesley are hosting a soup kitchen. Meet up with Goldfinch for entertaining us with tea and cakes on Dave at Pease Pottage services on M23, junction June 1. Twenty-one of us (sixteen bikes) met for 11 at 10.30hrs, and he will lead the run to East Brunch followed by a scenic ride led by Kevin to his Dean, near Eastbourne. Dave and Lesley’s phone home. Kevin phoned Denise to warn her that there number is 01323 423611. was quite a few of us and she made extra scones by Just want to say how helpful it has been to receive the time we arrived. Thank you Denise, it was much the many reports from different members. It helps appreciated. We were greeted by several other me and makes the news so much more interesting. members and their wives who had travelled by car. Please keep it up. On the 8th eleven bikes led by Paul Ashby left Well, think that is everything for now. Wrotham for his run down to the Hawkinge WWII Take care. Museum near Folkstone. On our arrival we were met by fellow club members John and Jackie Erica Lippiett and Colin and Jo Ace who live locally 07528873056 together with Brian Shears and John Smith who [email protected] took a more direct route. After a couple of hours mooching round we continued on to Paul’s in-laws, Gerri for tea and cakes. They occasionally open their 01895 446896 garden for charity and our ride coincided with such [email protected] an occasion. Many thanks Kay and Brian for inviting us. An outstanding twenty-two bikes arrived at South East Section Coopers on the 11th for the Midweek Run. Keith took a very roundabout route through the lanes Our first event for August is ‘Display your Bike’ with of Kent to our destination the 1066 Cafe near John Smith at the West Kent Vintage Motorcycle Robertsbridge. As Matty Climpson said “it took a Club International Rally at The Friars, Aylesford long time to not go very far”! One of our youngest on the 3rd. On the 10th Keith will be taking us to members, Andrew Ayriss, joined us and although Stow Maries Aerodrome in Essex, Europe’s only he has lived in Kent for approximately ten years remaining unaltered WWI Aerodrome. It is a ‘work admitted that he had absolutely no idea where he in progress’, the aim being to bring the site back was. After lunch George Barlow led us over to to its 1918 appearance. Admission is £4.00. The Wessons at Horam. Midweek Run is on the 13th, ideal for those of you Sadly, we were unable to take part in the Fun who are free on Wednesdays. Ron Rugman will Day at RAF Northolt on the 14th due to insufficient

A Well Done Cup of Tea Tea, Cake & A Natter

68 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 interest by the cut-off date. and a large model railway layout. Unfortunately Chris and Angela Coffill led fifteen bikes from we found that the next train departure would be Thurrock Services up to Stoke Bruerne for the quite late in the afternoon resulting in a late arrival Narrow Boat Festival. We were very lucky with the home, so we contented ourselves with a tour of the weather as the forecast was grim. Stoke Bruerne museum and the workshop, where engineering is is a tiny, very pretty village and home to a couple still carried on without interference from those new of pubs, a restaurant and cafe and canal lock. We fangled computer things. While we sheltered from managed to park in the car park adjacent to the an inevitable downpour we enjoyed a refreshing canal and ate in the museum cafe. Following lunch ice cream and then went our separate ways; a very we had a slow amble along the canal path viewing enjoyable afternoon. the superbly kept and maintained narrow boats on Ten club members joined me for my second club display. Those engines that could be seen were rally to be held at the beautifully rustic Camping immaculate. des Cersiers just outside the medieval town of ‘Fly The Flag’ on the 18th was an eye opener. It Josselin in Brittany. Myself, Phil Sampson and Dave would seem that most of us need to improve our Charlton overnighted from Plymouth on the Pont knowledge of flags! John Hawker was the victor Aven and arrived in a murky Roscoff at around 8:00 for the boys with a score of 14/17 and for the girls it am French time. From Roscoff we headed straight was the combined effort of Sue Jones and Margaret for the camp site (with a stop at Porz an Parc for Shears giving 10/17. Thank you Jackie for finding breakfast) as we didn’t fancy putting up our tents such obscure flags! in the wet, but the weather stayed thankfully dry. The BBQ on the 21st went well. Forty nine of you Nathalie, the French owner, made us very welcome came along to spend a very pleasant afternoon and and directed us to our pitches whilst three other evening at Matty’s. On behalf of the section Matty: members, Sally, John and Paul Briars who had Thank you very much for allowing us to take over gone out a few days earlier in their camper vans your home and garden for the day. My gratitude also with motorcycles in tow also came to greet us. Rod goes to all of you who helped to make it a success. and Chris also joined us on the Friday for the whole The men erected the marquees and the ladies week but they had motorcycled down and back up contributed some very tasty salads and wonderful on their R1150RT from the South of France after puddings. Not to forget the washer-uppers and visiting relatives. The daily ride outs were organised Graham Ashmore for slaving over a hot BBQ. by myself with Dave Charlton and Ray Cawtes from Twenty-one of us met at the Coastguard’s Tea the Oxford section helping plan scenic routes to and Room at Fairlight for lunch on the 29th (ten bikes from our destination of the day. Ray lead the rides and three cars). It was a beautiful day and we were with myself taking up the rear, which was a nice able to eat alfresco. Afterwards the bikes weaved change for me as I have always led in the past and it their way to Beech Court Tea Room at Challock and meant I could have a good look at our surroundings I believe those in the cars went for a stroll. rather than be constantly in my mirrors worrying if anyone had dropped off. Rob and Sue joined us Debbie Morris on Sunday evening from Bristol and stayed until 0208 301 1600 Thursday then continued on their French tour. [email protected] We visited places such as Etel, Le Croisic, Rochefort En Terre, Quiberon and the beautiful South West Section Island of Noirmoutier in the Vendee whilst enjoying the stunning scenery and marvelling at the near Report from Don Rolling on his meet at Lords empty roads. The food was great, the conversation Café: On May 11 about twenty members met at was great, and the company was great, all in all a Lord’s Restaurant at Prince for a Sunday Lunch fantastic relaxing week motorcycling in wonderful meeting, where we were met by the usual friendly Brittany. A full report can be seen at @ www. welcome and excellent food. Following which five thebmwclubsw.org.uk under event reports. of us: myself, Brian, Phil, Nick, Dave proceeded A report from Jim Isherwood on the Exmoor in an orderly fashion across the glorious South Rallyon June 7-8: Twenty-one souls attended the Dartmoor countryside to the South Devon Steam Exmoor Rally at The Blackcock Inn, camping in Railway Centre at Buckfastleigh where we were tents and motor caravans for the two nights. John joined by Les and wife Jane Madge. The project at and Sally discovered that the ground was very Buckfast is one of the earliest and best of the steam soft and campervans are very heavy. We did think restoration enterprises in the South West running of towing them out with a couple of GS’s but then from there to Totnes, about ten miles each way in Gemma turned up in her 4x4 and did it for us. Friday beautifully restored carriages pulled by a mighty night was spent BBQ’ing, drinking, kicking tyres, steam loco. There are other attractions located telling lies - you know a usual. Saturday. We had around the station including an otter enclosure, a special opening of James Sherlock’s Emporium an exotic butterfly house with a rain forest climate with refreshments laid on - don’t say you never

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 69 get something for nothing from James Sherlocks, a day for seven days. It was very hot and you could because you do if you are a BMW Club member. clearly see the Scilly Isles. Then a ride-out around Exmoor was enjoyed by From Land’s End we passed through Trewethy nine bikes with a lunch stop in Dunster and we and Boliegh before descending the steep lane into didn’t get wet once. Hilda took a walk with others the picturesque town of Mousehole. Then it was on to the London Inn in Molland. Skittles provided a through Newlyn and Penzance passing St Michael’s good laugh in the evening then a great rock band, Mount and on towards a popular club stop off, the ‘Perfect Stranger’ entertained us whilst we tried to tea rooms at Sithney and their world famous cream sleep. Stand by for more next year, but at a different teas. To our horror the tea rooms had closed as the venue. Thanks for coming Jim owners, who have run the business since 1977, Yet again the Budleigh Salterton fish and chip had decided to retire. A quick re-think saw Phil take night was blessed with a glorious sunny evening. the lead where we headed for the tea rooms at Twenty four gathered on the prom - a healthy mix Trevaskis Farm and then we all headed back to the of familiar and new faces. Plenty of bike chatter - camp site and its facilities. It was a really good ride holidays being the favourite topic. Although there out with everyone saying how much they enjoyed it. was no official charity collection this year somehow The attendance at the rally was a little I ended up with some money in my pocket which disappointing, especially as there was a superb will be donated to Headway. Phil Sampson was the forecast for the whole weekend. However, as winner of the long distance award and is pictured campsites go, Globevale is probably one of the best receiving his prize (98.6 Miles). Photo’s on the around, but a five-star rating comes at a price. Even website so, I personally think that £14 a night for a tent is Thank you all for coming - see you next year! very steep, and probably put off a fair few. We raised Helen. this with the camp site owner, Paul, and he took on A report from Paul Briars: What a fantastic board what we said. So look out for next year where weekend Rally we had staying at the Radnor Park we are hoping to get an excellent rate for The BMW just outside of Redruth. A small gathering which Club! I would like to thank all those who made the took advantage of superb weather to enjoy all that effort to attend and to Bryan and Dave for joining deepest Cornwall has to offer. Myself, Martin and the ride-out and special thanks to Phil and Debbie Kay from Ivybridge and Phil and Debbie all arrived for bringing the club’s flag and gazebo and for on Thursday evening, with Peanut arriving early supplying the chocolate and strawberry fresh cream Friday afternoon. Martin and Kay have undertaken cake! Thanks for a super weekend. Further reports a big project to convert a high top long wheel base and photo’s can be seen @www.thebmwclubsw. Ford Transit into a superb campervan/motorhome org.uk and took advantage of the weekend to get some In October I will have been social secretary for serious work done on the unit. I have no doubt that three years and I ought to let someone else have with their enthusiasm and expertise they will end up a go. So if anyone there fancies the job can they with something to be very proud of. On Saturday I make contact so that they can be elected at the led a ninety eight mile ride-out with Dave Charlton AGM. With my help you can be eased into the job and Bryan Boothby joining us. From the park we If you want to know what it entails, contact me and headed to St Agnes beacon and into the pretty little we can discuss. town itself. My intended route had to be changed after Dave informed me that the road was closed Don Rabson and probably dangerous for motorcycles to try and 01840 212913 navigate. From here we headed out of the town [email protected] and along the coast road into Porthtowan then on through Portreath. Both places looked stunning in Ulster Section the hot weather and their beaches were very busy. Our lunch stop was taken at the popular Hell’s “Bang!” went the CO2 gas as its cartridge was Mouth Cafe, where we leaned over to stare at the activated by a sharp tug on the lanyard of the jacket sheer drop: not for the faint hearted! Then it was into and the airbag vest fully inflated itself in less than Hayle before descending down to St Ives which, as 100 milliseconds. “Aagh!” went John and Noel, our usual on a busy hot day, was brimming with people. two male ‘models’, as the inflated garments applied Following the B3306 we rode the winding and firm pressure to their necks and torsos protecting twisty road past Zennor, through Pendeen and St their vital organs, necks and spines against the Just before arriving at our next refreshment stop trauma of impact. Thankfully this was only a at Land’s End. Here we were joined by a group of practical demonstration of the effectiveness of the Harley riders and another group of bikers who had vests and our volunteers escaped injury, receiving ridden from Lowestoft to Land’s End. There was nothing more painful than a pat on the back and also a group of cyclists who had completed the a round of applause for their brave efforts. The John O’Groats to Land’s End trek, cycling 120 miles protective airbags were being displayed to club

70 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 predictions of heavy thunder-showers springing up anywhere in the province throughout the day. So I expected low numbers (why would any motorcyclist voluntarily turn-out to get a good soaking unless they have a constitution like Bear Grylls?). Notwithstanding the threat of poor weather this was a full day’s run covering the thick end of four hundred miles, as well as being my first attempt as social secretary to lead this event. As I’m cursed with a sense of direction worse than a one-eyed homing pigeon with one wing tied behind its back, I was concerned that the run could turn into a mystery-tour. However, my fears on all counts were groundless as thirteen bikes arrived at the meeting point at the Albert Clock for a dry, 8am start - and two of them with pillions! Well done to Harriet and Phyllis, both of whom stayed the full course. As it turned out we merely suffered a ten minute John Sloan modelling thunder-shower near Armagh (and I only got us a the ‘Helite’ air vest little bit lost in Newry and Caledon!). Otherwise the whole run went extraordinarily well, finally taking in some 370 miles of fantastic roads and scenery members at our June meeting by Lee Lowry from in around twelve hours with three or four stops ‘Helite’ who are the largest manufacturer of airbag for refreshments and fuel and, most important: no vests and jackets in Europe where they have been incidents. Oh! Except one puncture for Robert and used widely since 2001 in sports such as ski-cross, Harriet’s machine which was quickly and expertly mountain-biking, equestrian events and quad- dealt with by Robert himself with Harriet grudgingly biking as well as motorcycling. The vests have been (as befits a north Antrim woman) using up a whole introduced to the UK over the last eighteen months twenty pence piece in the garage air-compressor. and are designed to be worn over motorcycle Well done to all those taking part and donating jackets. Manufactured from an abrasion-resistant towards our nominated charity. textile they incorporate a Knox back-protector and Bill Sheldon’s run and barbeque held on 22 June are intended to safeguard the wearer from impact in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care was a huge up to 150mph. Following activation deflation takes success attracting a large number of riders and three or four minutes after which the CO2 cartridge raising £3,000 for the charity. Bill expressed his can be replaced by the owner, and the garment put thanks to all involved. back in service. This is a most impressive piece Looking ahead to September we have arranged of safety kit costing around the same price as a for a party of us to visit the museum of The Ulster quality crash helmet and we are indebted to Lee for Aviation Society whose members restore and coming over especially from England to talk to us maintain a collection of aircraft of local interest in and answer questions about the product. their hangars at the WWII airfield at Long Kesh Didn’t this year’s TT Races have something near Sprucefield. The date booked is Saturday, for everyone to celebrate, wherever you live and September 6 at 2.30pm and knowing our affinity whatever your allegiances? Locally, fans are with all things mechanical, fast and with wheels delighted (but not surprised) at Michael Dunlop’s (though not necessarily airborne), this outing should performances. His assertive riding gained him four prove a pleasant and informative diversion. Entry wins, taking his overall TT tally to eleven and re- cost will be minimal and full details will be available visiting history for BMW by bringing them three at our club meetings in July and September. wins: two on the S1000RR superbike, and one Peeping even further ahead (to 2015 in fact), we on the Superstock bike. BMW’s confidence in him are in the throes of organising our annual May Bank has been fully vindicated with the potential of more Holiday weekend and have booked the Waverley to come. Some of us have already seen the film Castle Hotel in Melrose, Scotland for 1-4 May. The ‘Road’ which follows the triumphs and tribulations cost will be £120 per person sharing for three night’s of the Dunlop family’s racing exploits and found it half-board. An advert and details is placed in this an enthralling and moving account of their love for Journal. the sport. It should appeal to a wider audience than REMEMBER, there will NOT be a club meeting in just racing fans and the passion and poignancy it AUGUST but there are lots of club events arranged, evokes simply has to be experienced. Don’t miss it. the first being the section’s annual run kindly The weather forecast for our ‘Round Ulster Run’ sponsored by Charles Hurst Motorrad. This outing on Sunday June 8 was less than favourable, with (which some of us will, unhappily, have to forego

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 71 for the Alpine passes of Austria and surrounding countries (disappointed or what?) will leave their Motorrad premises at Mallusk on Sunday August 3 at 9.30am. The Donegal run on August 17 will meet-up as scheduled at the Foyle Bridge at 11am but there will be a party of us assembling at Corr’s Corner at 9.30am to ride and join-up there. So please keep an eye on your diary in order not to miss out on the various section happenings during that month. Stuart Greig [email protected] 07738596878 Western Section On the Mystery Run the sun shone brightly and we assembled at the Seven View Services, with the route planned to cross into Wales. Despite the bridge being closed our leader, Richard Frost backed up by Haydn Rees, never managed to lose a single bike throughout the day. We enjoyed the company of Ali and Chris who were there to see us off, with Ali still nursing her dodgy arm. We finished the day off with a return to the start for some on their GS say they really enjoyed Graham’s back welcome refreshments. All in all, it was a good day road routes many of which they’d never ridden out with no incidents at all. before. The food and music on the Saturday evening What a busy weekend we had: the camping at were excellent. Stuart West secretly ordered a cake Pembridge was really good fun and we were quite and champagne from the kitchen to celebrate his lucky with the weather, only getting the odd shower. and Elaine’s 51st wedding anniversary. Said cake The BBQ went well. I don’t think anyone went was duly ‘piped’ in to the table only to find that the without a burger and a banger on the Saturday night name Elaine iced on the cake was spelled as ‘Elsie’! and thank goodness there were no reports of food Stuart’s keeping tight-lipped about who Elsie is, but poisoning! it caused much laughter and ribbing of Stu as you Devauden BBQ was on Sunday with approximately can imagine. Happily, Elaine did see the funny side, forty members attending, and once again a good and of course she forgave him in the end. (Picture feed was had by all. When I was clearing up I found herewith courtesy of Vincent Hart). We all tucked some photographs of BMW bikes left on the big in to the fizzy and cake and so nobody ordered a table at the top of the room. Thank you to whoever sweet to follow their meals. Thanks Stuart! brought them. Perhaps you would let me know what Similar numbers attended Keith and Catherine’s you want me to do with them. camping at Billinghay. Currently I’ve no report as to how well it went, but Tony Robson says he had a Richard Frost very poor steak in the pub on Friday evening! 01275 472797 Our next gathering is going to be the Yorkshire [email protected] Day Celebrations at Lord Stone’s Country Park. There is an interesting article about the change of Yorkshire Section ownership of the site and its subsequent complete re-build in this month’s ‘Countryside’ magazine, We had two camping weekends in June and which is available to read online if you are both had light attendances, probably due to the interested. Thanks to James Ingham for sending inclement weather. Yedingham attracted about me a copy of that article. I’ll be at Lord Stones from twelve members plus three daytime visitors. True to Friday 1st from about lunchtime through to Sunday the forecast it absolutely tipped down through most morning. If anybody cares to join me there for the of Saturday. Graham Roberts still kindly turned up whole weekend camping I’ll be most grateful for the to do his planned ride-out but sadly there was little company. On Sunday I’ll be packing up and dashing enthusiasm for riding in the rain and he only had over to Cracoe in time for our committee meeting. one taker! It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a BMW Amongst other things the meeting will be planning ride-out with just a leader and a tail-end sweeper for the Yorkshire AGM in October which takes place and nobody in the middle. However, Neil and Linda at Cracoe on Sunday October 5. More details will 72 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 follow, including the possibility of a guest speaker that I can remember many of the exhibits in both of to entertain us. We’ll also be getting in to the finer the museums that we visited. detail of our National AGM plans for April 2015 At the Saturday evening buffet dinner an award which we are hosting in Harrogate. was presented for the ‘The-Bike-U-Like’ to Dave You may have spotted in the July Journal that Bradley for his R50, the rebuild of which was we are having a joint venture with the Scottish featured in the June Journal. The raffle, with prizes Section to run the ever popular Rob Roy Hotel generously donated by members, raised £105 for weekend next year in May. This regularly attracts the Welsh Air Ambulance. My sincere thanks go a good sized contingent of Yorkshire members, so to Brian Price and Meyrick Reynolds for their help we hope you’ll consider putting this one in to your during the weekend organising the ride outs and diaries. Last time we half-filled the Hotel with over campsite. one hundered attendees. Next year we’ve booked Next year’s event has been booked for 12th to all one hundred rooms and we hope to fill them and 14th June 2015 please put a note in your diary. make it a massive event. Expect some good ride- Forthcoming Events :- outs and also a Mini-Boreen run (wild back roads) Saturday August 16: Ian Clarke’s open day. too. We were full up at the Inn for the French Chateau Saturday and Sunday, August 9-10: Classic Show weekend over September19-22, but have now had Donington - Exhibitors Required a cancellation due to illness. That means there’s a Saturday & Sunday, September 27-28: The room available for two/ three people. Get in touch Sywell Piston & Props show - Exhibitors Required if you’re interested. More details on the Yorkshire Look forward to seeing you out and about. web site. John Winn If you’ve booked the MSL Picos Tour in October 01604 631043 but not informed me, please let me know, as if we [email protected] can get up to ten Club members I can negotiate a modest discount with Peter Avard of MSL! It should be a real good do, that one, and I’m planning my mountain back road rides in the near future. Anyone who wants to tag along on my rides is most welcome to join me. That’s it for now. I’m off down town in Harrogate to watch the Tour de France! Piers Kurrein 07866 622 196 [email protected] www.thebmwclub.org.uk/yorkshire/ Vintage Register We had wonderful weather for The Welsh Rally at Llwynwair Manor on June 13-15. Unfortunately several of our Irish members could not make it this year however we did have several first-timers and Brian Thomas’s R51 & John Winn’s R69s from their comments they thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. Once again the Velocette Club joined us which gives many of our members their British bike fix. Friday’s ride out organised and lead by Meyrick Reynolds was to Pembrokeshire Motor Museum in Haverford West via some lovely roads, but we did find our fair share of large tractors moving silage. These tractors seem to get bigger and bigger almost filling single track roads. As is the custom we had a light hearted quiz on the Friday evening. Saturdays ride-out led by Brian Price was to the Museum of Childhood in Llangeler. As the name suggests they have a huge collection of toys throughout the ages many of which I could Arriving at the Childhood Museum remember as a child. It must be a sign of getting old

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 73

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

maintained with bills for over the years. Stainless Motorbikes For Sale fittings, BMW alarm, heated handlebars and “K” Series gauges. Ready to drive away. Taxed and MoT. £1,300. Chris 01508 494234 or email K1 - 1990 ‘G’ - Blue executive model. 31,500 [email protected] (Norfolk). miles with small chrome K1 insignia on the fairing. MoT to August 2014. Very good condition. K1200RS - 1996 - Dolphin blue (metallic). 51,000 Documented BMW dealer service history. miles. 12 months MoT. SORN. ABS, heated Genuine BMW K1 soft luggage including tank seat and grips. BMW panniers, Givi top box. bag and throw over soft panniers. Luftmeister Tank cover and bag. Garmin satellite navigation chip included but not fitted. Operation manual mount. Some service history. Old MoTs. Recent and rider's handbook included. ABS fully oil and filter change. Runs very well and in good working. £3,750. Grant 07976 710793 or email condition for age and mileage. Reason for sale, [email protected] (Cambridgeshire). lack of use. £1,600 o.n.o. Chris 07521 898416 K100RS - 1985 - Red. 47,596 miles. Stainless or email [email protected] (Dorset). steel fittings. New battery and tyres. Panniers and top box. Excellent condition. £1,800. Dave “R” Series 01723 864525 (North Yorkshire). R80RT - 1993 ‘L’ - 93,750 miles. Panniers, heated K100RS - 1986 - Red. 72,000 miles. Owned grips, hazards, clock and voltmeter. Lots of bills. since 1987 and in very good condition but wife Early BMW service history then maintained by needs the space back in the garage so it must Bob Hunter. £1,395. Cliff 07966 015607 or email go! Many spares to go with the bike and very well [email protected] (Suffolk).

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 75 R1150RT - 2003 - Only 4,550 miles. MoT call Simon 07412 444898 (leave a message). November 2014 and Taxed to August 2014. Two (Hertfordshire). owners from new. Silver. BMW luggage panniers BAGLUX TANK BAG AND TANK HARNESS - and top box. Radio with Autocom helmet Suitable for K1100LT, K100LT, K75RT, K100RS, intercom system. Heated grips. Electric screen. K100RT. Black. Good condition. Clear map Full service history, has been serviced every year pocket, expandable and complete. £50 including regardless, at Pidcocks. BMW tool kit. The bike P&P. Peter 01452 830332 or 07815 178989 is in excellent condition and not to be missed. or email [email protected] (West £4,795. Steve 01509 853573 or 07853 973161 Gloucestershire). or email [email protected] (Loughborough). F800 SERIES - Centre stand £50. Pannier rails Others plus fittings, £30. R80/100 dual seat, worn but YAMAHA TDM 900 - 2002 - Under 5,000 miles serviceable, £30. Dave 01788 817466 (Rugby). on clock. Only selling because seat too high. I FOR SALE TO FIT R1200RT (2005/2014) - All am second owner. Would consider swap for items used but in good condition. Hornig satellite another bike similar price. W.H.Y. £2,400 o.n.o. navigation mount, £25 plus £8 P&P. (You will Steven 07541 042800 (Norfolk). need to purchase from them an adaptor to fit Bits & Bobs your own make of satellite navigation. Refer to hornig.com site for more information.) Headlamp ALL FROM 2007 R1200GS - Two pairs of protector, £10 plus P&P. BMW tank bag, large, standard wheels. Vario cases and top box, single £70 plus P&P. Touratec small tank bag, £35 plus near side case. Touratech expandable case P&P. Mike 07879 077097 (Durham). top bags and under top box bag. Wunderlich R1150GS - MRA Varioscreen (tinted), £50. lockable Zumo 660 holder with wiring. Rear Tank bag (new, never used), £95. Panniers standard seat. For more details, photographs (good condition), £125. David 07960 736851 or to view email [email protected] or (Worcestershire).

t: 01333 429451 m: 07734 683429 e: [email protected] w: scotiasidecars.com

76 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 R1200GS ADVENTURE - Garmin Zumo 550 RS models, any condition, cash waiting, can GPS with touch screen and Touratech fully collect. Ian 01694 723546 (Trader). sprung mount, £125. Set of three inner waterproof F800GS - Main stand wanted for 2008 model. bags for BMW aluminium pannier system, £75. Reasonable condition for a reasonable price. Wunderlich rear seat expandable daybag, £20. Stephen 01708 768263 or email superted@ BMW Rucksac with compartment for helmet, talktalk.net (Essex). £45. John 01962 624135 (Hampshire). RICKMAN FAIRING INSTRUCTIONS - For R1200R TANK BAG - Very little use. Excellent fitting to K75/100 machine. Also a pair of Bumm condition. £95 o.n.o. Alan 01902 742418 or fairing mirrors for spares. Raye 02476 382980 07802 419245 or email [email protected] or email [email protected] (Warwickshire). (West Midlands). SPOKED WHEEL 19" OR 21" - Prefer good Just R1200R WILBERS REAR SHOCK - condition. May take a damaged one or a hub. overhauled. Almost as new. Super piece of kit. Also want a pre 1980 Club machine badge. £250 plus P&P. John 01245 400261 (Essex). (Telephone or text) Nick 07904 505496 (and I'll SARGENT FRONT SEAT - Part number WS- call back). (Lancashire). 546-19 for R1200GS, mint condition, £195 o.n.o. WANTED - Does anyone have a set of fitting plus postage. Reason for sale - motorcycle sold. clamps and holder for my 1992 Classic R100R Rod 01905 350591 or email roderick.wood@ windscreen? Dave 01788 817466 (Rugby). hotmail.co.uk (Worcester) WANTED FOR PARTS - K1200LT (2005) Wanted electro/hydraulic centre stand motor assembly. Contact Eric on email [email protected] or BMW - R65, R80 and R100 Basic, GS, RT and text 07964 046183 (Dumfriesshire).

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 77 www.bmboxer

Looking for a used part for a Boxer or BMW Motorcycles K series ? For spares you can our always rely on, speciality take a look at www.bmboxer.com for over 30 years We service and repair all models from the F650, early airhead & oilhead boxers & K series to the present day twins, fours and sixes. For more information contact Ian on 01694 723546, .com check online at www.churchstrettonmotorcycles.com or visit us at Crossways(A49), Church Stretton Shropshire SY6 6PG

78 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 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)

woodburner. Visit Wales 5 Star. Web: www. Accommodation & Touring talltreesholidays.co.uk Tel: 01492 650764 UK & R.o.I. E-mail: [email protected] ROYAL FOREST OF DEAN. Self-catering B&B GLAISDALE. Near Whitby. 3 x twin annex / double bed and sofa-bed / kitchen / rooms, en-suite. Garage for motorcycles. www. shower room. Secure parking. Ideal for Brecon lanesidebedandbreakfast.co.uk Tel: 01947 897 Beacons, Welsh Borders, Cotswolds and other 272 superb biking country. Club members. 01594 B&B IN THE BORDERS. A68 Jedburgh. Quality 837425 [email protected] 4 Star accommodation. All rooms en suite/ Clun Farm House B&B private facilities. Fabulous views over the town SOUTH SHROPSHIRE. situated in stunning South Shropshire hills.Great and only a 5 minute walk to the centre. Secure biking roads in to Wales. Secure bike parking. off road bike parking. Friendly hosts Chris & www.clunfarmhouse.co.uk Tel: 01588 640432 Amanda, Club Members. £29.50 - £45 pppn. Tel: (Club Member) 01835 862216 Email [email protected] www. airenlea.co.uk Europe BED AND BREAKFAST MOFFAT SOUTHERN AUSTRIA. S/C fully equipped Chalet & SCOTLAND. B & B, garage parking, wonderful Apartment (Sleeps 2-6). Superb touring roads & biking area. One mile from M74 J15 on Edinburgh mountain passes. Excellent amenities. Secure scenic route. Why not break your long journey parking. Close Italy/Slovenia Discounts for here or spend a few days riding the local roads, bikers - phone/mail for details. Liz Cannard. Tel/ enjoying the hills and bends. Club member. Chris Fax 0043 4769 26415 www.alpine-dollshouse. 01683 220378 see www.buchanguesthouse. com co.uk) B&B Normandy-France. 3 en-suite GLENCOE – HIGHLANDS. Ghlasdruim B&B.All bedrooms, great roads, lovely region, perfect for ensuite rooms, secure off road parking. Maureen weekend escape, 10% discount on B&B rates 01855 811593 [email protected]. for club members, call 0033233640023 www. co.uk maisonlaudiere.com IRELAND. – Historic House B&B or self-catering BOULOGNE. Centrally located apartment, in centre of The Scenic Southwest of Ireland. sleeps two, fully equipped with cable tv, washing Secure parking, garaging, tools etc. with bike machines all linen etc, recently fully refurbished, owners and BMW Club members. Fantastic short lets possible from 40 Euros per night. tours and roads abound just outside our front Contact Kerry on 0033 662265954 or for full gates! www.glenlohane.com Tel: 353 029 50014 details visit www.franglaisflats.com [email protected] CENTRAL GERMANY B&B. All facilities for LAKE DISTRICT. holiday bungalow – comfort Bikers. Great stopover for east south, Great for four plus garage. Ideal touring location & rides, more on www.vinecottage. or contact available April to November. Member owned. Tel: [email protected] 01695 422210 DORDOGNE. – self catering and B&B NORTH WALES - CONWY VALLEY. Detached accommodation with pool and secure garage. bungalow in Llanbedr y Cennin. Beautifully 40 miles south of Limoges. From €25 Euro refurbished, two bedrooms, sleeps 4. Idyllic per night. Tours and Trail Riding. www. position, secure garage, private garden dordognemotorcycleholidays.com or phone and parking. Conservatory, central heating, Charles on +33 (0)553 501 239

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 79 FRANCE - LOIRE VALLEY. B & B plus ideal www.rib84.com (01/15) gite for two - north of Saumur. Tranquil location - Use of pool/hot tub. Evening meals available. Services Covered parking. Tel: (0033) 241821184. www. LYNBROOK INSURANCE. for Special theloireaffair.co.uk Member’s terms including Classic & Modern FRENCH PYRENEES. Self contained apartment Motorcycle Insurance (all makes) Tel 0845 130 in 200yr old farmhouse near Lourdes. Secure 4662 or 01277 206285. Also Travel and Europe parking. Old Gascony, high mountains and Spain wide Breakdown/Recovery Tel 0151 336 5881 on your doorstep see www.flyride-pyrenees.com (quote Lynbrook) Tel: 0033(0)562354526 Stainless Steel Fasteners. Part or NORMANDY/BRITTANY BORDER –Bed full kits available, most models covered. SAE & Breakfast-. Close to Mont St- Michel. or e mail [email protected] for list. Individually designed en-suite bedrooms, Chris Shaw Engineering 24 Station Road, guests dining room, drawing room, lounge and Halton Holegate, Spilsby, Lincs, PE23 5PB Tel: conservatory for the comfort and hospitality of our 01790 755515 Mobile: 07702 862508 www. guests. Secure garage parking. Gourmet dinners shawstainless.co.uk are our speciality. In the town of Saint-James just off the A84 auto route, twenty minutes from Servicing Mont-St Michel and the beautiful coastline with ANDREW SEXTON. NORTH OXFORDSHIRE scenic routes and great biking roads. Tel: 0033 WARWICKSHIRE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE (0)233-589025,Email: [email protected] BORDER. BMW Quality service, repairs, Web: www.petit-illyria.eu.com restoration and special tuning work, on all PYRENEES MOTORCYCLE TOURS. models. Collection and delivery arranged. Tel Farmhouse B&B with mountain views, attractive 01608 730111 village location, guided mountain tours, home AVON - WILTSHIRE MOTORCYCLE TYRES. cooked evening meals, undercover parking, Visit Carson Tyres, in Melksham for great deals bike wash, workshop facilities, clothes on Motorbike tyres, ride in ride out service and drying room. Tel: 0033 562 450811 www. tyres fitted to loose wheels. Always at least 100 pyreneesmotorcycletours.com bike tyres in stock, Bridgestone main agents SOMME B&B AND BATTLEFIELD TOURS.. other makes stocked. Visit our web site www. Our comfortable B&B in a secluded farmhouse rideinrideout.co.uk for prices or phone 01225 709 just 100 miles from Calais offers beds for 335 ask for David or Adrian our bike specialists. 8, plus secure, covered bike parking, trailer B.E.M.W. For competitive prices on: and workshop. Evening meals come highly Restorations, repairs & spares. Spares for recommended! NEW: fully equipped, self- vintage/classic BMW’s from 1935. CJ750, catering apartment sleeps 6. Take a battlefield copies of 1938 BMW R71, from £3,455. Some tour of Somme or Ypres with GS riding author new 1957 models in stock, LH/RH sidecars plus and military historian www.orchardfarmsomme. OHV machines available. Machine tools for the com or Phone: 0033 (0)3 2286 5672 small/home workshop, including Chester Multi SOUTHERN BRITTANY. Close Redon 3 Function lathe/mill/drill. Parts made to pattern or spacious, comfortable gites, set in 3 acres of drawing. S.A.E. for specification and services or tranquil grounds which may be rented separately visit our website. 2 Forman Street, Derby DE1 or altogether for a larger group: Sleep 2 – 16. 1JQ. Phone/fax 01332 298523. Eves & w/ends Secure garage parking for bikes. Contact: Anne 01332 824334, www.bemw.co.uk & Dave Chapman Tel: 01732-456459 e-mail: BEDS, HERTS & BUCKS. - BMW motorcycle [email protected] servicing and repairs - Motoscot Ltd (Steve VALRÉAS PROVENCE FRANCE. Anglo-French Grover - Senior BMW Technician with over 35 Les Ecureuils guesthouse, 5 en suite rooms. years experience) Loan bike available. Stockists Large tranquil private garden, secure parking of Rukka, Schuberth & Daytona Tel: 01582 and pool. Ideal stopover or base when touring 419812 email [email protected] www. southern France. Contact Mike and Chantal @ motoscot.co.uk

80 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 BRISTOL BMW SPECIALIST - FERALWORKS. NORTH EAST. Independent BMW Specialist. Independent qualified engineer with over 30 Full service & repair for all models up to present years BMW experience for all your servicing & day. Factory trained senior technician. Mobile repair requirements. Specialist in ‘70’s to ‘90’s service within 60 miles of Sunderland. Now BMWs but all models catered for. Large stock of breaking bikes. Call Mike Kendrick 0191 510 used Airhead spares available & bikes bought for 0265 or 07828 281003 cash. Contact Dave at 07941 950266 or 01454 PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE. Roger Downey 851461 email [email protected] Motorcycles. Independent servicing, repair CENTRAL LONDON BMW SPECIALISTS. and MOT work shop. 10% discount on MOT’s All models to date 2v, 4v, BMW Diagnostic for Members. Very close to Portsmouth Ferry equipment, ex dealer Tech, 30 years exp. port. Over 30 years experience. Tel 02392 Servicing, repairs, insurance work.Tyres, spares 825515 www.rdowneymotorcycles.co.uk Email: FROM stock. 5 star workshop - full facilities. [email protected] BMW authorised supplier.Bikes bought/sold - SCOTLAND - NORTH AYRSHIRE. Mostly see Biketrader web page. Jap & German 102 Bricks & Boxers. Independent BMW specialist. Druid St, London SE1 2HQ Tel:0207 237 2299, Professional motorcycle servicing and repairs at www.japandgerman.co.uk realistic rates. Agreed labour cost restorations. CRAY ENGINEERING. BMW Twins road & race Phone Jim Downie 01294 558638 or 07580 performance specialist. Fully equipped workshop 649664 www.mostly-boxers-and-bricks.co.uk for servicing, repairs, rebuilds & engineering. email. [email protected] Tuning packages to suit your requirements. New THE BOXER MAN – THE INDEPENDENT BMW & used spares. Tyres fitted & balanced while you SPECIALIST. Full Service, Repair & Restoration wait. (Callers by appointment only) Phone/Fax facilities for R and K Series machines. Mobile 01795 538282 Faversham, Kent service available within an 80 mile radius of INDEPENDENT BMW SPECIALIST DORSET. Leicester. Call Phil on 0116 2668913 or 07860 Servicing and repair centre. Qualified technician 588076, www.boxerman.co.uk (12/14) with 20+yrs experience. Diagnostic testing and THE WORKSHOP (YORK) NORTH after service date resets. Studley’s Motorcycles YORKSHIRE. Independent BMW specialist in Dorchester, Dorset. Tel: 07884 180968 www. based in York . Servicing, Repair & Restoration\ studleysmotorcycles.co.uk Bespoke projects. Over ten years working with JIM HILL MOTORBIKE SERVICES. (formerly some of the best race teams in the British, AMA & t/a Mobile Motorbike Services). We offer the World Championships.Over 5 Years working professional repairs and servicing for all BMW with the Metropolitan Police. BMW passport. models at realistic prices. We now operate from Diagnostic equipment. For more information Unit 2, Acton Street, Long Eaton, NG10 1FT. please visit www.theworkshopyork.com or call Collection service available. Contact Jim 07971 Paul on 07881798445 236087 www.ifixyourbike.com.

The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 81 82 The BMW Club Journal •August 2014 CAMPING ESSENTIALS FOR BIKERS Adventure Travel and Rally gear from MSR, Vango, Ortlieb, Petzl, Primus, Thermarest and others

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The BMW Club Journal • August 2014 83 bmwclub_ad_JULY_2014.pdf 1 08/07/2014 16:04:11

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