2014 February Newsletter
MARCH NEWS LETTER FIRST AID COURSE
Plymouth Motorcycle Club
Editor Cheyenne Johnson Email chey15@hotmail.co.uk
What a brilliant presentation by Steve, 17 members turned up for the course at Cornwood village hall on Sunday 23rd Feb: Even if you had been to these courses before I think you could have learnt something, Steve packed in a lot of stuff in a short time. Six of the members done the course to get a certificate for various reasons. Although the course was serious there were a few light hearted moments at times with a bit of humour thrown in, which makes it much more pleasurable. As well as the first aid dummies Steve brought along, 3 members were chosen/volunteered to be dummies (yea yea I know don't be so predictable you lot) being bandaged prodded and various demonstrations carried out on them.
Jill gave a short but informative talk on what its like to be a diabetic and the daily medication she takes to keep it in check. Despite diabetes being fairly common its surprising how many people don't know what’s involved as far as symptoms and treatment are concerned.
Members who attended the course were. Terry Johns, Vivienne Johns, Mark Cooper, Jane Mayes, Mary King, Alan King, Jon Varndell, Chris Allen, Alan Rudge, Roger Taylor, Fred Rayner, Rachael Bounds, Robert Walls, Jonathan Mansfield, Jill Darton, Cheyenne, Kevin Freer. Also in attendance was Richard Bounds (not sure what he done though)
Thanks must go to Steve for giving his time to do this course and making it informative and entertaining. Thanks also to Richard for the time and effort in supplying the food, the food was not supplied by the club but paid for by Richard, and a good spread it was too. And of course thanks to Alison who worked tirelessly in the back ground keeping us supplied with liquids. And also to Rita and Sandra.
GT’s VISIT TO THE CLUB Well what an evening this turned out to be, it was fantastic to see so many members there, the club was packed, not a spare seat to be had, this is what club nights are all about. GT’s brought along 7 Honda bikes in all for the members to have a look at, the three bikes that attracted the most interest was the NC750 a great new model, then there was the sturdy little MSX125 a great bike for commuting, but the big daddy of them all, the CBR1000RR SP Fireblade, members couldn’t wait to sit on this one, there is surely a few members that would like to be the proud owner of one of them.
Mike Grainger, one of the founder members of the club and co owners of GT’s gave a short but informative speech on his involvement with the club. The club is grateful to Mike and many others for their continuing support towards the club. The last club meeting at citybus social club could not have gone better, a fitting end to the last night there. We must thank Mike Grainger for allowing the bikes to be brought along and to Martin and Chris for giving their time, with out the support of these men their time and effort we wouldn’t have nights like this, the club is grateful to them and many others that give their time and support to the club and its members.
Martins Talk It was my pleasure to talk briefly about Honda & GT Motorcycles on Monday evening at the Citybus club. Honda, as we all know, exist with one main aim and that is ‘to race’ and ‘to win’ . As Soichiro Honda once said “if there were no racing there would be no Honda”, well that’s what he text me anyway !Honda are of course best known for their innovation, design and technology . As a company they invest one million pounds a day into their motorcycle brand research alone and in excess of ten million across the entire company ! As the world largest manufacturer of the petrol combustion engine Honda build engines for many types of machines including cars ,bikes , marine ,aircraft, down to simple lawnmowers and generators , not only for their products but worldwide for many other companies too. Huge investment, Huge success ! Just to give you a glimpse into Hondas rigorous quality control it’s worth knowing that every 36th engine that comes off the production lines at Honda is taken to a test centre and hooked up to overhead fuel tanks and run continuously for a MONTH ….. ON THE RED LINE ! Here at GT Motorcycles we have the greatest of pleasure running the Honda franchise for Plymouth and the southwest with a well stocked Honda showroom full of new and used bikes. There are a dozen or so new models from Honda for 2014 of which some are already here and available for test rides. Perhaps the most poignant being the new limited edition CBR1000RR ‘SP’ single seat fireblade of which we only have two for the whole year as only 160 machines have been made for the UK market. So don’t delay, come and see us today !
Best regards,
Martin Honda sales GT Motorcycles 2012 Ltd Reception:
01752 485000
Website:www.gtmotorcycles.com Email : martin@gtmotorcycles.com Social media:
Chairman’s Corner FOOD. Some club members inquired why do we spend money on food, We spend Club members money on Club members. On Club nights during the long winter evenings The Committee decided to run some themed nights to try to get members together and the evenings have been very successful, We gave 2 club members a budget to stick to which they have done. The money we spend out on food brings members through the door and the more you bring through the door the more raffle tickets you sell and for example at yesterdays club night (Monday 24th) the raffle takings totalled more than 3 times the amount spent on food and the club members don’t charge for their gas and electricity. Also the Traders that come to see us usually come straight from work without going home for there dinner so I think you will agree it’s money well spent. The first aid training buffet is supplied by a club member at their own cost and was started as the course runs over the lunch time period. Those who attended have been very generous in giving a donation towards the food which is optional. I would like to say a huge thank you to these club members.
TEN PIN BOWLING 17 members turned up for the bowling at the ten pin bowling alley at the Barbican leisure park on Tuesday 25th Feb: paying £6.25 per person for two games (now that’s cheap). They split up into 3 teams, competition was fierce, each team trying to out do the other, the channel at the side of the alley’s had a fair bit of use at times with members getting a little over excited trying to do their best to out do the other teams. The scores were. Team 1 Team 2 Team 3 Game 1. 425 Game 2. 480
Game 1. 483 Game 2. 527
Game 1. 458 Game 2. 524
Every body had a fun evening, so much so that they asked could they do it again, so if your interested, watch this space.
BONJOUR This is always a very popular trip with the club usually with a good few members going. If you have never been before and you would like to go have a word with one of the regulars Roy P, Mac, or Pete Batten, I'm sure they will be willing to help and give you some advice. As the regulars will know, May and June is a very busy time for bikes on the ferry, so be you a regular or a first timer if you are going you need to book ASAP.
Vintage Rally’s, always popular and a good day out whether your going with your family or a couple of mates. This one is only a short run up the road so why not go along and have a look. A few members have old bikes they are proud of, so why not enter it in the show, you never know you might even win a prize for it.
If any one is interested in karting or has a young son or a relative that might be interested then this is your man. I can tell you from experience that karting is great fun. You can contact Mike on the number opposite, or at a pmcc club meeting, he’s always there so go and have a word with him.
First club night at the Parkway social club Well the first night at the new club went well I’m sure you will all agree. It’s a little cosier than the citybus club but still adequate for what we require. Members soon sorted who was going to sit where and with whom, every body soon settled in. A clean and tidy club with good staff , It looks like this club will serve us well. The service supplied by the bar staff Lynne and Jackie was spot on prompt and courteous and members patronised the bar well. Parking for the bikes and cars is more than adequate around the back of the club with easy access into the club itself, no steps, good for us seniors and of course to get bikes in and out. Coming events March 17th is B M W night, BMW will be bringing along a selection of bikes for members to look at. Alison and Steve will be putting on food for this event. BMW always bring a good selection of bikes for us to look at, the guys from BMW give us their time and Alison and Steve work hard to put the food on, so lets have a good turn out. March 24th is the first ride of the season this will be a long ride, meet at Marsh Mills as usual. Sunday April 20th is the first charity ride of the year with the “British heart foundation” run, always a popular one, with many riders attending. Thursday April 24th is the first Plymouth bike night, this year “Help for Heroes” and “Jeremiahs journey” are the two charity’s supported. If you would like to help marshal the bike nights please have a word with Pete Batten, you would be more than welcome. Saturday April 26th is the Plymouth MAG bike show at the “Morley Arms” next to Laira bridge. Please be careful when you leave this venue it can be a bit dodgy coming out onto the road, very busy road. May 2nd 3rd 4th Fri: Sat: Sun: is the BMAD Paignton bike Festival, as most will know this is held on Paignton seafront, this Festival is always well attended with loads of stalls, you can buy any thing from a pair of gloves to a new bike. If you are going to bump into an old biking pal you've not seen for years this will be the place The Mega Ride is on Sunday 17th August, marshal’s are needed for this so if you can volunteer even for a couple of hours it would be a great help, the man to see is Richard Bounds. As I stated above marshal’s are also needed for the bike night’s, you don’t have to do the full shift any time you can put in is a great help. With out marshal’s the Mega Ride and the Bike nights would come to a halt and they both support brilliant charity’s so let’s not let that happen. For the members that know Rob Hartland I can report that after his heart attack he is doing well is up and about and is able to go out for short walks, he is also able to catch the bus into town (Saltash) and have a wonder around the shops. Last Thursday (27th Feb) he had to see the specialist, all the test’s were done on him ecg ect, all was well so the specialist has discharged him, just has to go to the local centre now for check ups.
Cheyenne editor