It’s amazing how quickly a month goes by, but it has been a busy month. Club night started with the usual ride out this time led by Shaun Parker. We had 17 Bikes and 15 went out on the ride and 15 returned thanks to Kevin for his usual efficient Tail End Charlie marshalling. Shaun took us out to Boxted, Ardleigh and Langham and there were some fantastic views across the fields as the sun started to descend. You really do feel in touch with the Countryside on a bike, much better than being in a tin can. Thanks to Shaun for the leadership and route that we all enjoyed.
We had a Fish Chip ride out on the 20th June to Mersea Island. It was well attended with 15 bikes and congrats go to Colin – our previous Club Leader - for joining the ride on his AJS, so good to see him back on 2 wheels. Thanks go to Paul for arranging and leading the group out onto the Island from our usual collection point. The fish and chips were lovely and it made it easy on everyone to use the Mica Club for eating and refreshments. It was also good to see Peter Bugg and his son who both joined us for what I think was their first ride out in a group. Nice to have a young person interested in classic bikes, I think the gear change and back brake swap took a while for him to get use to but he managed very well. We hope to see more of them both.
As previous communicated Dale had an accident some weeks ago and he is still recuperating. He has been moved to Northgate Lodge in Bury St Edmunds, but hopes to be home in another few weeks. We wish him well and hope to see him soon as it’s been a long road for him.
Due to a lack of available slots for the Triumph Factory Tour in Hinckley on the 24th July we are moving the trip to 28th Aug. This has been quite an exercise in coordination, booking Minibus and Tour date, but I think we are getting there now, so fingers crossed.
We have a planned Breakfast Ride on the 12th July; this again was delayed from the previous date due to weather but let’s hope the weather holds this time. I have found a Café on the River BlackWater that seems to serve the required fair so we hope to accumulate at the usual meeting point for a ride through the Essex countryside down to the water side café.
This summer Myself and Caroline went on a motorcycling touring holiday in the North of England based out of Hawes in Yorkshire. While everyone in Essex was basking in 30-degree heat, we had 18 degrees with showers and mist most mornings, but if you ride motorcycles you have to expect to get wet and it didn’t detract from the glorious roads and scenery. On one trip out to Hadrian’s Walls, after we had breathed in the history of the place, we set off back to Hawes and after a couple of miles I spotted a red motorcycle with a big M on the tank. We turned around to go back to have a look, only to discover it was the North West Section of the AJS and Matchless Club on a ride out – what a coincidence. We spent some time chatting about bikes we have and where they have been and where they were going. You meet the nicest folk on 2 wheels and it was definitely true about this group.
The North West AJS and Matchless Club that we met near Hadrian's Wall.