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PLYMOUTH MOTORCYCLE CLUB JUNE 2008
N E W S L E T T E R
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Latest Club dates and reports of recent ride-outs- also future events, ads etc. For loads of info you can see our Website on WWW.PLYMOUTHMCC.ORG.UK
CLUB DIARY
Please let me know if I’ve missed anything out. The list will be updated each issue.
Club Ride-outs and events for 2008 Monday ride-outs -—EVERY MONDAY Evening—meet 7.00pm for 7.30pm depart NOVOTEL, Marsh Mills, PLYMOUTH - until 27th October Club Meetings Every fortnight on a Monday at 8.00pm at the Citybus Club, Milehouse, after the short ride-out. JULY 2008 Wednesday 2nd July Fri 4th / Sat 5th July Sunday 6th July Weds 9th Weds 16th 17th/ 18th/ 19th Sunday 20th Weds 23rd
Paignton Bike Night Towrags Rally Isle of White Open Day Party at GT Motorcycles Paignton Bike Night Paignton Bike Night Faro rally Portugal John Wade Memorial Ride - Coypool Paignton Bike Night AUGUST 2008
Weds 6th August 7th /8th /9th /10th Saturday 9th Weds 13th Weds 20th Sat / Sun 23rd / 24th Wed 27th Sunday 31st
Paignton Bike Night Calstock Bike Festival PDLF Charity Ride + Overnight Camping Paignton Bike Night Paignton Bike Night Southwest Motorcycle Show - Westpoint Paignton Bike Night CORNISH TRIANGLE RUN 200+miles SEPTEMBER 2008
Weds 3rd September Weds 10th Saturday 13th Weds 17th Weds 24th
Paignton Bike Night Paignton Bike Night Jeremiahs Journey Charity Ride / Camping TBC Paignton Bike Night Final Paignton Bike Night OCTOBER 2008
Sunday 5th October Monday 27th October
M/Cycle Hillclimb Hartland Point Last PMCC Monday rideout
I will not be around to do a newsletter in August, so let me know if there’s anything you want to include and I’ll try to get it in for July Issue
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The 2008 Mega-ride Thought to be one of the best attended events so far , this years’ Mega-ride went ahead with few, if any, mishaps. Thousands of bikes and riders of all shapes and sizes (reported as 8000 in the local press - but I don’t know who could have possibly counted them) gathered at Lee Mill, near Ivybridge, to take part in the ride, now an internationally known event, which started on time, snaked up to Marley Head on the A38 and then turned back towards Plymouth . Marshals at the rear of the ride reported seeing the lead bikes coming towards them as they were only five minutes out of Lee Mill and as usual , the riders were greeted by hundreds of cheering supporters watching from the bridges and streets as they went on their way to the finishing point at thePlymouth Hoe. The weather was good to us at the Hoe , although I did hear that some were caught in some nasty showers on their way home - nothing unusual for our British Summer ! An extra bonus this year were the Honda Powerboat races taking place in the Sound. The procession of bikes took over an hour to all get onto the Hoe Promenade and many parked in other places to avoid the wait!- There were some pretty hot bikes I can tell you, but all made it to a parking spot. The obligatory stalls with traders, dealers and raffle ticket sellers were waiting to relieve the crowds of some more of their hard earned money for the two charities voted for by the public this year. Plymouth Motorcycle Club members and their families and friends all did their part as ride and route Marshals, money collectors, raffle ticket sellers etc and all the essential other jobs that needed doing - not only at the ride , but during and after the event at the Hoe and Lee Mill. The usual thanks go to everyone involved who volunteered their time and efforts to make the event, as usual, a successful one. The two charities voted for this year were :• BLESMA - British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association a national charity for limbless ex-service men and women. • The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust - a charity dedicated to providing riding therapy with donkeys to children with special needs and disabilities. The total amount raised by the ride will be announced as soon as all the monies are in . If you are online -The Mega-ride website address is http://www.mega-ride.co.uk/ and you will find about 1000 megaride piccies at http://www.rossmatthewsphotography.com/gallery_118626.html the official Mega-ride photographer - If you see yourself in a pic - you can even buy a copy and put more into the fund!
WELL DONE and THANKYOU EVERYONE!
Track Day Report Margrethe’s track day experience. Club member Margrethe decided to try out a track day on her R1 Yamaha. Here is her report on how she got on.
Hi - well the day was fantastic! Well worth doing! This event was run by Focused Events and it was their first GP Stars day. We had five top riders there to instruct us and answer any questions. The day itself cost £ 185.00 - Was it worth the expense? - Yes it was!! We were put into groups according to experience - the Focus team took extra care of us first timers and made sure we were happy at all times. The day was run very professionally and smoothly to ensure maximum track time. I personally was instructed by Jamie Whitham! The instructors follow you at first to see how you ride and then, afterwards, you have to follow them and try and keep up , but at no time did I feel pressured into going faster than I felt happy with. No,- I didn’t get my knee down - but I
The Welsh Triangle Run This was the first go at this run - up to Brecon and back in a day. The weather forecast had been for rain - so it was no surprise that only seven hardy souls turned up at Lee Mill , all toting wet weather gear - just in case! We set off at about 9.00am and made our way to our first stop, Taunton Deane Service station, where we refuelled , didn’t need to! I went there to gain confidence on the had a quick pee and then on towards Wales and R1 and it worked! I learned a lot from that day and Abegavenny. The idea for this trip was from Chris Allen, would recommend it to anyone. he works up there regularly and so knew where to go and Can’t wait to go again !! Margrethe. the best places to stop for the necessaries. We crossed the border - traffic was not a problem and the bridge was free for bikes ,we reached Abergavenny just after midday. The Bus Station in Abergavenny is a meeting point for bikers - a bit like Jaspers - so we had a stop for a cuppa, perused the bikes, (about 60) and chatted to the locals for a half hour, it was interesting talking to a Welshman who, when I asked if he’d ever been to Devon replied “I never go over the border!- and anyway, I bloody hate that there Prince Chaallls boyo.!” However, that was a good place to visit and it wasn’t long before we were retracing our steps a couple of miles to an excellent public house for our lunch. Suitably stuffed - after a great meal - we headed ‘up into them thar hills’ to Brecon. The roads around the Beacons are great for bikers - lots of twisties! - and there were loads of other bikers out on that day - also, you have to watch out for the local Police, who make their presence known. Another stop for coffee at a burger van surrounded by hills and valleys. Perfect! Now, all was going well , until I radioed Chris to stop so I could investigate a flapping shirt on Stuart’s bike. Anyway, we all pulled in - - it was o.k - however, when we restarted, someone had opened the flood gates behind us and Stu and I were separated from the group by a load of cars and no way to overtake, tall okay until we rounded a bend - spotted bikes turning right across a bridge (my fault) duly followed them.- Yes - you’ve guessed - wrong bikes! and they were travelling at speed! We went haring off after them and 6 miles later realised they weren’t our lot - still - it was a great ride around the mountain! We joined the others again about twenty minutes later - all roads lead to Cardiff! The trip back was uneventful - motorway stuff and we reached Plymouth at about 7.10pm. Altogether, a good days run and a good recce for future occasions. Thanks to Chris for his organisation and the rest of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ for their company.
ABOUT THE ROUND BRITAIN RALLY The Round Britain Rally (R.B.R) is a touring and photographic event for motorcyclists and drivers of sidecar outfits. The objective is to encourage you to use your vehicle for recreational touring in some of the best countryside on mainland Britain. This will require you to explore back roads and lanes that you may otherwise avoid, to places of interest (landmarks) that you may not have known existed. To prove you have visited the landmark you will be required to take a photograph of the site with your motorcycle at the scene. There is normally a landmark in every county of Britain, 2 or more in the larger ones. Every landmark is allotted points which you earn towards the award you have decided to ‘GO’ for. The amount of points is dependant on the landmarks location and difficulty, so a landmark in the highlands of Scotland will be higher than one in the Midlands. The list of Landmarks is usually posted out to entrants normally 1to 2 weeks prior to the start of the rally which is April 1st or Easter, whichever is the first, each year. All photographs and claim forms must be returned by November 1st to the organizer, for marking. You may start at any landmark and do as many or as few as you wish, also any number or types of machines may be used during the rally, but they must be registered on the claims form and comply with all legal requirements for use on the public highway. Awards are outlines below: 100% All-rounder..maximum points gained. (All landmarks no errors) All-rounder – all landmarks visited. (All landmarks some errors and your points total is greater than 1700) Platinum…………………over 1700 Gold……………………..1200 to 1699 Silver…………………….800 to 1199 Bronze…………...............400 to 399 Standard…………………200 to 300 Finishers Certificate……..0 to 199 Other awards may be presented at the organizers discretion e.g. Best British Bike, Best Sidecar, Best Lady Rider etc. A prize giving and social dinner is enjoyed in the New Year following the results being sent to all entrants, usually in a central location. This rally will entail considerable time and effort to get the best out of it, not withstand the mileage that will be covered if you decide to try to do all the landmarks. But the enjoyment and satisfaction will be worth it. Remember you can do as many or as few as you wish!! I would recommend participation in this yearly rally. It is a great way to spend some or all of your holidays, and doing the research and planning the routes is fascinating. But I warn you it is addictive, Chris and I have been participating in this event for nine years and travelled tens of thousands of miles all over Britain. Want to have a go, send for details to:
Round Britain Rally c/o 2 Elias Close Lichfield Staffs WS14 9TX or go to www.roundbritainrally.co.uk
or see me at the club meetings
Roger Yetton
The Longest Day Run. Saturday 21st June - Run Report This traditional annual run takes us to 'the Hurlers,' an ancient , mystical stone circle at Minions near Liskeard, where, on the morning of 21st June each year, you can see a wonderful sight - the Summer Solstice - the Sun rising up from the horizon to herald the longest day of the year.- a truly amazing and awesome sight - apparently! This was the first year I'd had a chance to do it, it being a Saturday. Three o' clock in the morning saw twelve club members, led by Ritchie, standing under a tree at the Novotel, in the rain, with the last words of 'er indoors still echoing in the luggoles - "you must be mad!!" - red rag to a bull that! Sodoing the 'man'thing - not wanting to admit that she was probably right, we kept repeating - "The rain is forecast to stop - we'll go anyway" - and that's what we did! The ride down was interesting - surprising how many are on the road at that time of the morning! The rain gave way to heavy fog and it was full beam 20mph max speed for the last 10 miles. Anyway, we got there and duly parked in the car park hoping it would clear enough to make the trek across the moor to the viewing point. Well, after half an hour , we could just about make out the sheep about ten yards away! So after a few of the usual 'sheep' jokes, a fag break etc. we decided to give up and head back to Goodbodies in Mutley for a fry up breakfast and a mug of summat hot - worth it just for that! . Some had to go off to work - Me? - I went to bed! Ah well - maybe next year! Denis.
Garmin Street Pilot 3 Deluxe All boxed in excellent condition with all instructions and accessories - comes with version 5 software, a bike power lead, a converter lead to convert the painfully slow serial connection to USB for uploading routes and waypoints. -can be easily transferred from car to bike. The reason I am selling this is that it has sat on top of my wardrobe for two years as a spare system and I am now upgrading - too many satnavs - so it’s got to go.I I’m not interested in offers, this is not a cheap put it in your hand bag sat nav,(over £650.00 new) it is from the company that is the byword in satellite navigation and market leader. The Street Pilot series is used by professionals. - (long way round) If you’re not sure ask Big John Mac he’s just bought one. If you’re interested please email me and I will bring it along on Monday night - no time wasters or dreamers please! £150.00
Contact Mark Hull on
markhull@blueyonder.co.uk
tel 01752 784025
Ladies Vortex Alpinestars Red Jacket with inner jacket Size M worn once also……... Alpinestars Black Leather Trousers Size 44. tash £100.00.
Tel.01752212018.
Adverts will be placed for one month at a time - please tell me if items are sold or you want the ad to keep running. If you want to place an ad - contact me by e-mail or phone.
You can view our website and join our forum at - Www.plymouthmcc.org.uk
Sal-
Grub up! Welsh Triangle Welsh Triangle
Welsh Triangle
Longest Day
Extra piccies email only
Longest Day
Longest Day