July 2009
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Editor: Mark Hull Tel: 01752 784025 Mob: 07709183738 Email: markhull@blueyonder.co.uk
Plymouth Motorcycle Club
ello all and welcome to the July edition of the news letter, and it’s been a busy June. We have had lots going on including the Welsh Triangle and the Mega Ride, I will be doing a full story on the Mega ride next month when we have more information of how many bikes and possibly how much was raised, but a good day was had by all! A big thank you to John Shepherd, I collared him outside the club on leaving on the last short ride out and asked him to do me an editorial on the Welsh triangle run, no rush but I could do with it by the weekend, and he came up trumps, thanks John. July is going to be very busy - we have Pete Statton’s charity ride out for Jeremiahs Journey - that's on the 18th July- Lee Mill leaving at 14:00 to end up at Tavistock Rugby Club, for a few quiet glasses of light refreshments, and then rapidly going downhill, hope to see you all there. Well I hope you all have a good month, keep it safe out there and enjoy yourselves, I will be on the prowl for more roving reporters, at all of the events as its nice to get the perspective of the rest of you. On a final point please have a look at the list of suppliers that support the club, as it has been updated Hein Gericke are no longer offering club members discount, and please remember to take your membership card with you so you can get your discount with the suppliers that do support Chairman's Corner. Hi Everyone, With hand on heart, I want to say a special thanks to all of you who helped out at the Mega Ride last Sunday. It was a very long day but all of you gave up your time to support this event and the two charities nominated (Heartbeat and Multiple Sclerosis). To me you are the unsung heroes of the day. Without your help the event could not run and you are vital to its success over the years. It’s now gotten so big that we have become a victim of our own success. As a show of our appreciation we are trying to arrange a meeting to say thank you to all of you. Time, date, venue, etc will follow shortly. Once Again A Big Thank you for all you’ve done. Ritch Bounds GT Motorcycles Open Weekend 11th & 12 July GT Motorcycles will be holding an open weekend on the weekend of the 11th and 12th July, it promises to be an action packed weekend with live music from Joey the Lips, Paul and Maggie Smart will be in attendance and hopefully Scott Smart, I've met Scott at Thruxton and he always has lots of time for the fans, a very approachable and down to earth bloke There will be lots of opportunities for test rides, Ducati are supplying several bikes for test rides throughout the weekend, so if you have never ridden one, get down and give them a try, especially the Hypermotard, but there is a full range to try. And for the big one during the weekend there is the much anticipated launch of the new Triumph Thunderbird, so get down to GTs, and have a good weekend. Mike has asked the club if we could provide anyone that could help with the event?
If so could you contact Ritchie or Denis thank you.
Welsh Triangle Run 17TH MAY 2009 “Here, you went on the Welsh triangle run this year” was the yell as I was leaving the club on Monday night. “Can you do a write up, no rush, I don’t need it until the 10th of the month”. “OK”, says I, caught completely on the hop, “but it’s the 8th today!” So, I apologise if I miss anything but this was done during work, in record time and from a very poor memory. Anyway, on the 17th of May a small band of hardy adventurers met at a secret location (OK, Lee Mill industrial estate), and being supremely optimistic figured the weather was OK, a bit dodgy but surely it won’t rain, this is nearly summer after all. By 9.30 all who were coming had arrived and the 10 bikes with 12 persons on board set off led by our glorious leader, Chris. As with any Dual carriageway/ Motorway riding, coping with the boredom was the only challenge and the fist stop at Taunton Deane services was a welcome break for refreshment , toilets etc, and for Mark on the VMax the first of numerous fuel stops. Topped up and circulation restored we set off once more along the not too badly rutted M5 turning left at Bristol for the Severn bridge, Wales and adventure. As we crossed said bridge things started to get damp and by the time we left the M4 to head for Abergavenny it was very damp. Welcome to Wales! I believe the original plan was to go into Abergavenny bus station , say hello to our Welsh brethren who, I am told, gather there on a Sunday for social intercourse. However, as the weather was pretty bad by now it was decided by our great leader to go straight to the pub for lunch, a very wise decision as it turned out, the rain was at its worst while we were eating. The pub just outside Abergavenny, who’s name escapes me, provided a very congenial rest stop with a lovely roast dinner and a fine selection of beverages. Lunch over, damp gear was donned and we continued into Abergavenny bus station to say our hello’s. As it turned out the locals aren’t as waterproof as us and hadn’t showed up. So it was onward and upwards and upwards and upwards into the Brecon Beacons. Whilst the rain had eased the wind certainly hadn’t and as we rode higher and higher the wind got stronger and stronger. The views were stunning and the roads great fun to ride especially as the adverse weather seemed to have kept a lot of traffic at home. Halfway up a mountain a burger van was found perched on a cliff edge, what a stroke of luck! Or good planning of course, sorry Chris. Time for a cuppa. As I may have mentioned before it was windy up there, I got a cuppa from the van, turned around to drink and the wind whipped the whole lot out of the cup and into the abyss. The tea stop provided a good opportunity for photos and some unfortunate local was pounced upon to take the group “aren’t we having a lovely time” picture, now dubbed the Dirty Dozen. (see PMCC photo album) Suitably refreshed once more the Dirty Dozen carried on over the hills and far away, again spectacular views and, is that blue sky? No couldn’t be. Things were looking up. By now we were heading mainly downhill, hooray, turn off the oxygen, and before long had left the beautiful Beacons behind us. I really can’t remember what roads we travelled but not far from Cardiff we had one more stop before joining the M4 and heading back toward civilization. Over the Severn bridge again and back into England. Turning South West on the last leg of the journey the weather and roads dried up completely. The last pit stop was at Taunton Deane and a few last minute pictures were taken of the happy crew. The only incident on the way back was Mark pulling up at the top of Haldon Hill, as it turned out only to get some blood flowing into numb buttocks. The day was a great success, and although the weather could have been better I think everyone enjoyed the ride. Thank to Chris for organising & leading the motley crew through about 370 miles in all. This was my first Welsh run and it won’t be my last, lets get more attending for next year. Shep A word of thanks On behalf of myself and Helen I would like to say a huge thank you to all of the club members who helped with the smooth running of this years Plymouth Mega-Ride. Without the clubs involvement over the years this event just would not happen.
Thank you once again for all your hard work Mike Grainger
Bike Safe 2009 Its been over three years since I did my Bike Safe training, it was a fantastic day out, I did mine at Tavistock, I arrived for the afternoon session at Tavistock ambulance station, and was greeted by one of the motorcycle police officers, then up stairs for a coffee and a chat, the first thing that you notice on these events is its very informal, forget the uniform, and the job, they are just the same as you and I, motorcycle enthusiast, the first thing you do is watch a 20 min film about cornering, a good proportion of bike accidents occur on left hand bends, during the film you realise why! The observed ride out is next, you get one motorcycle police officer who takes out two riders, I remember the briefing and those famous last words “this is not an exercise in issuing tickets, ride today as you normally would” a phrase possibly not used any more as Pete Statton was on the same day as me and the police biker had to leave the other rider to try and catch Mr Statton, he did catch Mr Statton, I am smiling as I am typing this I have a vision of stats grinning ear to ear having been told ride as you normally do. The Plymouth event is now full, however the Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September at Exeter and the Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October at Truro still have places, it costs £25.for the session and is worth every penny For further information and/or to book a place then contact Mandy at Newton Abbot Traffic Unit on 01626 323755. If not answered please leave contact details on the answer phone and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. Mark Hull Editor PMCC Retailers and dealers the support Plymouth Motorcycle Club Below is a list of companies that support the club by offering members discounts on products and services, to obtain your discount you will need to show your current membership card, with a photo. Two points J&S have a 20% discount offer on at the moment so no further discount can be given over that, once the 20% offer if finished the standard discount will be given again, Hein Gericke have stopped giving discount to the club and armed forces personnel. Please try to support those that support the club as times are hard at the moment and these retailers are still looking after us so please try to use them in the first instance. Cook Motorcycles Cornish Motorcycles Damerells Motorcycles Dave Pearson / discount ferry fares Friends Motorcycles Gerrys Leather repairs GT Motorcycles Guppa-Pro Tyres Jerry’s Refinishing JD Racing J&S Accessories Kenhards Motorcycles Lloyds Refinishers Plymouth Fasteners Plymstock Computers Sidekick Exhausts SL Powder Coating Surepass On servicing Two Wheel Technics Wild One - Leatherwork / seats/craftwork etc Crown Decorators Centre
01752 266990 01752 666234 01752 667806 01752 492561 01752 690584 01752 219989 01752 480250 01752 228118 01752 229227 01752 848888 01752 603428 01752 266275 01752 250575 01752 302230 01752 492946 01752 669518 01752 696970 01752 301313 01752 251999 01752 519500 01752 662771
If you know of any supplier willing to support the club by offering discount to club members please contact either myself or any committee member, I will place this in the newsletter as often as I can, I will also try to clarify as to what discount is given and on what services or products, If you do have a problem with discounts please contact me as soon as possible. Mark Hull Editor PMCC
CLUB FORTHCOMING EVENTS …. In the next few June ‘09 Monday 29th
7pm Plymouth Novotel, Long Ride out
July ‘09 Monday 6th Monday 13th Saturday 18th in memory
7pm Plymouth Novotel, Short Ride out 8pm Club Meeting, City Bus Social Club 7pm Plymouth Novotel, Long Ride out 2pm Lee Mill Ind. Est. “Jeremiah's Journey” Charity Rideout Stephanie Hammacott, more info from Pete Statton on: 0777
1507 876 Monday 20th Monday 27th
7pm Plymouth Novotel, Short Ride out 8pm Club Meeting, City Bus Social Club 7pm Plymouth Novotel, Long Ride out
August ‘09 Monday 3rd Monday 10th Monday 17th Monday 24th Saturday 30th Run” Monday 31st
7pm Plymouth Novotel, Short Ride out 8pm Club Meeting, City Bus Social Club 7pm Plymouth Novotel, Long Ride out 7pm Plymouth Novotel, Short Ride out 8pm Club Meeting, City Bus Social Club 7pm Plymouth Novotel, Long Ride out 9am Plymouth side of the Torpoint Ferry, “Cornish Triangle More info from Roy Pike on: 0790 3961 645 7pm Plymouth Novotel, Short Ride out 8pm Club Meeting, City Bus Social Club
September ‘09 Monday 7th Monday 14th Monday 21st Monday 28th
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7pm Plymouth Novotel, Long Ride out 7pm Plymouth Novotel, Short Ride out 8pm Club Meeting, City Bus Social Club 7pm Plymouth Novotel, Long Ride out 7pm Plymouth Novotel, Short Ride out
LEASE NOTE: The above is subject to change or cancellation, so before making any travel arrangements check the above details are correct by visiting on the club website on: www.plymouthmcc.org.uk
OTHER FORTHCOMING EVENTS … in the next few June ‘09 Wednesday 24th Friday 26th Saturday 27th Sunday 28th July ‘09 Wednesday 1st Sunday 5th Wednesday 8th Friday 10th Saturday 11th Sunday 12th Wednesday 15th Thursday 16th Friday 17th Saturday 18th Sunday 19th Wednesday 22nd Sunday 26th Wednesday 29th August ‘09 Wednesday 5th Thursday 6th Friday 7th Saturday 8th Sunday 9th Wednesday 12th Wednesday 19th Wednesday 26th Monday 31st September ‘09 Wednesday 2nd Wednesday 9th Sunday 13th Wednesday 16th
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Paignton Bike Night Bike Club France, Normandy Rally, Bellefontaine, France Bike Club France, Normandy Rally, Bellefontaine, France Bike Club France, Normandy Rally, Bellefontaine, France Donington Park, World Superbike, British Eurosport coverage Paignton Bike Night British Superbike, Knockhill, British Eurosport coverage Paignton Bike Night John Wade Rally, Crooked Inn, Nr. Saltash John Wade Rally, Crooked Inn, Nr. Saltash 9am Coypool Park & Ride, Devon Air Ambulance Charity ride-out Paignton Bike Night The Moto Club de Faro Rally, The Algarve, Portugal The Moto Club de Faro Rally, The Algarve, Portugal The Moto Club de Faro Rally, The Algarve, Portugal British Superbike, Mallory Park, British Eurosport coverage Paignton Bike Night Donington Park, British Motorcycle GP, BBC One coverage Paignton Bike Night Paignton Bike Night Calstock Bike Show, camping, live music etc. info on 01822 832866 Calstock Bike Show, camping, live music etc. info on 01822 832866 Calstock Bike Show, camping, live music etc. info on 01822 832866 British Superbike, Brands Hatch, British Eurosport coverage Paignton Bike Night Paignton Bike Night Paignton Bike Night British Superbike, Cadwell Park, British Eurosport coverage Paignton Bike Night Paignton Bike Night British Superbike, Croft, British Eurosport coverage Paignton Bike Night
LEASE NOTE: The above is subject to change or cancellation, so before making any travel arrangements check the above details by visiting the organiser website.