BRIDGEWATER February 2015

Hardly News February 2015

Happy New Riding Year

Where will the road take you in 2015?

Submissions to bridgwatereditor@gmail.com

Contents Contents Chapter Committee Moggy’s Bits Other Chapter rallies Cider Rally booking form Events disclaimer Hogs in the Hayfield Golden Nuggets & Membership Sec 2015 Membership Form Sec’s Bit Ride & Events Calendar Ride to the Wall ‘Rusty’ Gears & Stuff

2 3 4-7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15-17 18 19

Bridgwater in America Letter from Enham Trust Christmas Lights switch on Xmas Bash snapshots Ramblin’ on Ladies of Harley Ups and Downs Something to make you smile Members Trade Adverts Riders Advert

20-22 23 24 25 26-27 28 28 29 30-31 32

THE SMALL PRINT....

The views expressed in this magazine are those of the contributors or the Editor. They most probably do not represent those of HOG, Harley Davidson or their dealers. All contributors’ articles are published in good faith. The Editor reserves the right to modify or refuse all submissions.

EDITORIAL Hello everyone. I hope you all had a really good festive season as David and I did, including the birth of another granddaughter who arrived safely on the 18th December, (won’t say how many grandchildren that is, just that we have to take out a small mortgage at Christmas!). Now all the trimmings have been packed away for another year it’s time to focus on what’s happening in 2015.

We again have a packed magazine and many thanks to all the contributors for their varied and interesting stories together with some lovely photos.

The countdown has really started to the Cider Rally, won’t be long now. In this mag we also feature other rallies, Circus Maximus, and Hogs in the Hayfields to tempt you later in the year as well as the Heart and Soul Rally.

On pages 15, 16 and 17 there is a full ride and events calendar put together by Mike Atterton, our Head Road Captain.

As this was compiled at the back end of last year it is always advisable to check on the web site for any changes or amendments.

Recently I was sent a joke by a non-Harley friend and it made me chuckle so hope you aren’t offended as I have put it in the mag for you to enjoy too.

Just a quick tip if you are having difficulty receiving this mag by email check your trash folders as sometimes this uses up your storage space and, as the mag is a big email, may not get it into your inbox. So please delete any unwanted emails.

I hope you enjoy reading this magazine as much as I did putting it together.

All the best and ride safe.

Linda x

SUBMITTING TO THE MAG Articles: Please send them through either in an email or a word document.

Articles with photos: When you send in articles with photo’s for the mag, please send the photo’s separately and do not “embed “them into your word document.

Photo’s: Send Big photo’s!! It gives me a chance to smarten them up to look their best.

Your Articles: I will do my very best to put your article in the mag on the month it is submitted. Sometimes due to lack of space, it may go over into the next edition. Please bear with me!!

Check the deadline! Usually by the 15th of the month

Website: www.bridgwaterhog.co.uk 2

The Committed Director Gill Mogg (Moggy) moggy33@sky.com 07771901668

Head Road Captain Mike Atterton (Cardiman) mikeatterton@blueyonder.co.uk 07784284430

Assistant Director Paul Geary (2 Dogz) 2dogz@fsmail.net 07788201758

Asst Head Road Captain Nigel Chapman 07886897966

Assistant Treasurer Lorraine Wotton lmw.hog@gmail.com 07970732410

P.R. Officer /L.O.H Debbie Atterton (Buttons) debbieatterton@blueyonder.co.uk 07540977261

Secretary Gord Venables gord.ven@gmail.com 07453280260

Merchandiser David Dean (Deano) djb.dean@gmail.com 07812081249

Membership Secretary Gina Chapman (Muffin) gina.chapman62@gmail.com 07717615080

New Members Representatives

Phil Blake (Tink) Editor Linda Dean bridgwatereditor@gmail.com 07971898501

Mick Collins (Gizmo)

Webmaster Peter Parkes (Tiffin) tiffin.1@hotmail.co.uk 07966361866

Committee Helpers Dawn and Chris (Snowman) Harrison

Dealer Rep Harvey King

Dealer Principal Phil Jessopp

Submissions to bridgwatereditor@gmail.com 3

Moggy’s Bits Well, I hope you all had a great crimbo and would like to wish you all a happy new year.

So now we can get our teeth into 2015, think this is gonna be a good one, we have lots planned and as per usual I’m sure things will be added throughout the year, but if you think of anything or you hear of something that you think folk would like to go to/see then let us know and we’ll try and fit it in. Few of the main things we are doing is of course our very own Cider Rally but more about that in the next couple mags. The European HOG rally to Jerez, there are a lot of us doing this with Phil and Mike taking a ride down and others doing their own thing. When we all arrive we will get together and have one hell of a party, so if you have not booked and still fancy going give us a shout and well talk you through it.

End of July we are heading up to Newcastle to go to the Heart and Soul rally, they have not had a rally for years, so be good to support them in their new venture. We are going up Thurs 30th July staying overnight around Castleford, then up to the rally Friday morning then back Sunday. Then around 20 odd of us are going for a long weekend to Brittany, France in Sept staying in mobile homes on a camp site so again if you fancy this and not yet booked give us a shout. Then lots of other events in between so watch this space to see what’s going on.

Think most of you know that we are having a new website. This is not just because we fancy one, the old one is now out of date and with all the new technology we have to keep up with the times so to do this we had to have a whole new site. Hopefully this will be up and running within the next 4-6 weeks. There will be options to buy your membership and merchandise on line so a lot better for everyone, and probably next year you may be able to buy Cider Rally tickets on line so all good. There will also be a whole new forum, and the old one will be shut down. It will be easier to use so be good to get some new faces on there. The forum will now come with guidelines to ensure that it is used correctly, we will give you notice when we are doing the switch over.

Just thought it would be a good idea for as many of us as we can to take part in the ABC touring programme, there are a few of us doing it already but of course the more the merrier. You don’t have to do anything extra just make sure you have your HOG tales every time you go out and then just stop at the signs/places etc, it may make your journey a bit longer but fun. We can even have our own club competition so one of you will win something even if it’s not the HOG prize, also thought about doing the Chapter Challenge competition. This one is all about mileage and seeing as a lot of us are travelling abroad this year we could build up some good miles, so again the rules and what to do are below. I will get the official forms to fill in so just let me know if you fancy doing either or both, rules and what to do for each competition is below, any questions give me a shout ABC Programme 1.

You must be from a current H.O.G.® member and must be for one person only. If a Full and an Associate member both wish to enter, each must submit separate entries.

2. Entries must include at least 26 photos with ALL of the following elements in EACH photo.

Your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle.

An issue of HOG® magazine 2015.

You – in at least 10 photos.

An ‘official sign’.

Entries must include a list of each city/town, county, municipality, state, province, country or event.

Photos in front of H-D® dealers must have the name of the city/village/town written on the back of the

Website: www.bridgwaterhog.co.uk 4

Moggy’s Bits photo. The English translations of location names in alphabets other than Latin, such as Arabic, Cyrillic or Greek, will also be accepted. eg: Θεσσαλονίκη will be accepted under T for Thessaloniki, the Arabic sign (which we couldn’t copy into the mag) will be accepted under J for Jeddah.

3. An ‘official sign’ is: A sign posted by a government body, which lies within the boundaries of the place it identifies (mileage/ kilometre markers or directional signs are not allowed) Government buildings with the name of the city/village/town or state on them such as post offices, police stations, etc.

4. An authorised Harley-Davidson dealership must include a receipt, business card or compliment slip from the dealership.

5. The name of the city/village/town, county, municipality, state, country etc. must appear legibly on the ‘official sign’ in the photo to receive points.

6. You must ride your Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Photos with motorcycles on trailers are not eligible.

7. You may include entries featuring a Harley-Davidson motorcycle hired to you through Authorized Tours & Rentals.

8. Due to the distances travelled in Africa and India, H.O.G members may include Recognised Game Reserves under the Countries section of the entry form.

9. Please attach a separate sheet where entries exceed the available space provided on the official form.

The additional sheet must include your name and H.O.G. number and be firmly attached to the official form.

10. Names of winners will be published in HOG magazine. All photos submitted will become the property of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and may be used in HOG magazine or online.

11. Send entries to H.O.G. Customer Care Centre. All entries must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2015. All awards will be presented after that date.

12. Photos must qualify as outlined above to be eligible for points. Points are awarded as follows: One point for each city (or equivalent ie. village, town, municipality) within the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region – signs from A to Z. Max. 26 points.

One point for each Country, Province, County, Shire, Borough, Département in France, Canton in Switzerland, Bundesland in Germany, Drift or Pass in Africa, Territory or State sign. Maximum 30 points.

One point for each US State/Canadian Province. Maximum 50 points.

Two points for any H.O.G. Rally or event as advertised in HOG magazine, including those advertised in the national newsletter section, eZine or online at www.harley-davidson.com or members.hog.com.

No maximum.

One point for each natural/national park. Maximum 2 points One point for each of the six Harley-Davidson US facilities, the Harley-Davidson Museum™ or the Oxford office of Harley-Davidson Europe. Maximum seven points. (You and HOG magazine must feature but

Submissions to bridgwatereditor@gmail.com 5

Moggy’s Bits cont …. your motorcycle is NOT required for these points.)

One point for any authorised Harley-Davidson dealership. An authorised Harley-Davidson dealership must include a receipt, business card or compliment slip from the dealership. No maximum.

13. The following prizes will be awarded: First place: €500/£400 H.O.G. gift certificate and ABCs of Touring plaque.

Second place: €250/£200 H.O.G. gift certificate and ABCs of Touring plaque.

Third place: €100/£80 H.O.G. gift certificate and ABCs of Touring plaque.

Next 10 runners-up: ABCs of Touring plaque.

5 to 25 points – ABCs pin, patch, and kickstand plate 26 to 51 points – ABCs pin, patch, kickstand plate, motorcycle bell 52 to 77 points – ABCs pin, patch, kickstand plate, motorcycle bell and T-shirt 78 points or more – ABCs pin, patch, kickstand plate, motorcycle bell and T-shirt and duffel bag.

Contact H.O.G. Customer Care Centre for further details.

14. IN THE INTEREST OF FAIRNESS, NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE TO THE PRECEDING RULES. In the event of a tie, a draw will be held. The decision of the judges is final in all cases.

Here is the link to see the form https://members.hog.com/en_GB/website/membership/benefits/abcs-of-touring.jsp Chapter Challenge Submit your starting and ending mileage forms to H.O.G. Member Services. We can collect them all together and send them off By post: UK & Ireland Chapter Challenge, H.O.G. Customer Care Centre, Eastpoint Business Park, Fairview, Dublin 3, Ireland.

Opening and closing mileage forms can be submitted any time between the 1st of March and the 30th of November 2015.

For further information call 00800 1111 2223 or speak to your H.O.G. Chapter Director.

NOTE: For miles to be included in the Chapter Challenge, participants must have a valid and active UK or Ireland HOG membership 1st March to 30th November 2015. Registration to participate in the Chapter Challenge will automatically enrol you into the H.O.G. Mileage Programme or update your mileage records if you are already enrolled.

Full details are on the H.O.G. UK & Ireland Events Card.

Achievement Awards to be presented to Chapters for: 

Greatest number of miles accumulated



Greatest number of participants



Greatest average number of miles travelled per participant

An Achievement Award will also be presented to the individual participant who accumulates the greatest number of miles during the Chapter Challenge period. That rider will also receive a £100 voucher,

Website: www.bridgwaterhog.co.uk 6

Moggy’s bits cont …. redeemable at any authorised H-D® dealer in the UK. Chapters will be awarded additional points for submitting an amusing/stupid as you like group photo of at least five Chapter members displaying their Chapter patches taken at one of the eight H.O.G.® gallery events specified by (Chapter Challenge photo opp) in the event list. Think they are, Cider Rally, Killarney Rally, Big Brum Bash, Wake the Lakes, East of England Rally, Sofer rally, Thunder In the Glens, Blazin Twenties, if there are any more I’ll let you know. Photographs should be submitted via e-mail to the Chapter Challenge Coordinator: chapterchallengecoordinator@gmail.com The mileage of the top 10 in each Chapter will be added together and the Chapter with the highest total of these top 10 will also receive an achievement award.

Again you don’t have to do anything extra you just use the miles you’re doing anyway, 1066 have won this for years and I think that Black Mountains are going to be close or they may even just beat them for last year’s competition, so let’s give them all a run for their money. So more the merrier, even if you’re not going to do many miles they all add up to the grand total, again see me if you want to take part. Here is the link to use if you want to see form http://hogeuropegallery.co.uk/benefits/chapter-challenge/ If you have any queries on any of the above or anything to do with the Chapter or HOG then please contact us, we want to help, there is no such thing as a silly question, we do not bite.

Ride safe, Lots luv, Moggy x

Party fun at the Xmas Bash

Submissions to bridgwatereditor@gmail.com 7

Chapter Rallies

For ticket sales visit www.geordiehog.com and click on Heart and Soul Rally, www.heartandsoulrally.com or contact Dawn at rally-coordinator@geordiehog.com

Editors Note: David and I attended this Rally in 2014 and really enjoyed it. We stayed in a local hotel but there’s plenty of camping with electric hook-ups for those who want to take a caravan or motorhome. Easy walking into the town and with a steam railway and canal with boat rides on, plenty to do outside of the rally site. We have booked to go again this year.

Website: www.bridgwaterhog.co.uk 8

Cider Rally Booking Form

Submissions to bridgwatereditor@gmail.com 9

Event Release Form

10

Hogs in the Hayfield Hi All, If you're not going to the HOG European Rally in Spain, and fancy a rally closer to home that weekend, then why not pay us a visit at Cleve Rugby Club, Bristol, for Hogs in the Hayfields 8, on the 19th to 21st June.

Our format is well established now, so you'll know what to expect, a very friendly welcome and great entertainment.

You can find all the details on our website: http://greatwesternhog.co.uk/gwc1/index.php?page=hogs-in-the-hayfields If you have any questions please contact Tony James, our rally organiser, email: Syston@btinternet.com

Cleve R F C. The Hayfields, Cossham Street, Mangotsfield, Bristol, BS16 9EN

Booking Form

Name:

Name:

Address:

Address if different from H.O.G member:

Post code: H.O.G. Membership No(s): Tel: E-mail: Bike Registration

Not Applicable

Chapter:

No of Ticket (s):

Full Event Saturday Only

Total Payment Enclosed

£25.00 £20.00 £___________

You can now pay by Bacs to account Great Western Chapter (UK) 40-14-06 41343203 Reference for payment: "HITH8" Please return booking form to syston@btinternet.com Please indicate if paid by Bacs If paying by Cheque, return form with cheque payable to “Great Western Chapter” To Rally Co-ordinator, 51Siston Common. Warmley, Bristol, BS15 4PA Rally is open to H.O.G members and accompanying guest only Please TICK if you are staying at The Premier Inn (For coach numbers )

Golden Nuggets Happy New Year, I hope you all got what you wished from Santa and not just the lurgy! I managed to escape it until New Year’s Day so that was a result as all the parties had finished by then and I didn’t miss out. So January started as dry January but only until I recovered and managed to wear something other than PJs. A great time was had by all at the Christmas Bash at St Audries with many people claiming it to be the best one yet. Trouble with that is you have to “best” it, which is what we are actually going to try and do next Xmas with entertainment both nights. More to follow on this in the fullness of time.

We have a couple of tickets left at the discounted rate of £30 each for the Ups & Downs Ball (our Charity for this year). This is being held at The Bristol Hotel on the Harbourside at Bristol. A great venue and some of us are staying in the hotel at a discounted rate and intend to wander around the touristy bits of Bristol in the afternoon. Be great if you could join us.

Cider Rally Update: Moggy and I are going down to Sand Bay at the end of January to check on the progress of the new accommodation. We currently have a waiting list for this so if you would like to come to the Cider Rally send me your application form and cheque, which I will not cash until we are able to book the chalets. There are of course off site hotels, B and Bs etc. and camping on site available. For those of you that have already booked, just a reminder that tickets will be sent out at the end of February.

Mike and his team have planned lots of good rideouts this year, a couple of European trips and all the other social bits in between and so a busy year for the Chapter. Look forward to seeing many of you before too long, it’s going to be a great 2015!

Keep warm and don’t forget to get that road salt off the bike as soon as poss if you manage to get out the next few months.

Lorraine x

Membership Secretary’s bit Hi all you wonderful members A huge thank you to the 37 Full and 15 Associate members who got their Membership forms off well in advance of the Feb 1st renewal date, it really does make it easier for me to process them over time rather than all at once. I'm sure a lot more of you will have sent yours off before this goes to press.

Just a reminder that renewal has to be in by 15th Feb or you'll be removed from the mailing list and won't have access to the Forum and we can’t have that, you'll miss out on so much info.

Be sure to add an SAE with your Membership Forms if you have your Mag via email for return of your card, if you receive your Mag in the post your card will be with your next copy.

Wishing you all a fabulous riding year Gina Chapman Bridgwater Chapter Membership Secretary

Website: www.bridgwaterhog.co.uk 12

The Sec’s Bit As some of you may know one of my other hobbies is caravanning. This can also be another pastime, like biking, that divides opinion and I guess most people know how Jeremy Clarkson feels about them but I have been a caravanner for over 25 years and have enjoyed some great times with good friends. Indeed this is how Lorraine and I met but that’s another story entirely!

Anyway we had booked to go on the Xmas Warm Up rally with the Avon Centre at Wellsway School in Keynsham at the end of November so on the Thursday night after work I went and got the caravan from the storage compound down on the farm and brought it home. This is so that we can put in our clothes, give it a wash over and check if we need to replenish things such as toilet rolls, tea bags etc. ready for the off on Friday.

By the time we had things sorted out and loaded up on the Friday time was getting on and we eventually arrived at Keynsham around 5:00 pm. The guys organising the weekend guided us to our pitch and left us to set up the caravan. We’ve done this loads of times and we each do our bit which doesn’t take long. The temperature was dropping and so I got around to lighting the heating system only to find out that it wouldn’t light! It’s an automatic system where you turn on the gas and press a button which causes a spark to light the burner. I could hear the sparker working and we had plenty of gas but nothing happened and as it was dark there wasn’t much for me to see so we decided to leave it until the Saturday. So we lit the oven for some heat and went down to the pub for a bite to eat and a few beers.

When we got back much later after a good night in the pub the ‘van was sort of warm but by now we didn’t care too much and so off to bed. The following morning was dry, bright and frosty and the oven was barely enough to keep us warm so I had another look at the heater. When I got underneath there was a wire hanging down which was obviously the igniter wire but I couldn’t figure out where it went. Lorraine turned on the gas from inside and I could hear that was coming out OK so I tried to light it with a gas lighter. When Lorraine said there was smoke coming up inside the ’van I decided that it was time to give up! So we enjoyed the weekend running the oven 24/7 which was just about enough to keep us warm and when we got back home and the ‘van was back in the storage compound we got in touch with a mobile caravan fitter.

We asked him to do a full service and sort out the heater at the same time and he duly turned up in the week before Xmas. I got a phone call from him around eleven o’ clock to say that he had found the fault with the heater – somebody had stolen the burner unit from underneath the caravan!!! No wonder I couldn’t figure out where the wire went. I asked him if it could have been knocked off and he said definitely not as it was tucked up above the chassis and that the whole unit had been unbolted and carefully removed and he said that it was not unusual for these burners to be stolen. I asked him if he could source the parts for us and fit on the ‘van but as Xmas was imminent he said that it would probably be in the New Year.

Well as I write this we are still waiting for the final parts to arrive and it looks like it is going to cost us a couple of hundred pounds by the time they have been fitted but we have booked a weekend away in January with the Avon Centre again to celebrate Burns Night so it’s fingers crossed that we have got the heater working in time!

And if there is any justice the light fingered bastard who stole my burner will do a bad job on his caravan and blow it up - preferably with him in it.

Too old to die young ….

Gord

Website: www.bridgwaterhog.co.uk 14

Ride-outs & Events Ride and Events Calendar as at 9th November 2014 - please refer to the website calendar for up to date information Date 1/2/15 7/2/15

Sunday Saturday

Destination Ride Winter Cruise Event Classic Bike Show

Road Captain Popularity Comments

22/2/15 7/3/15

Sunday Saturday

Ride Ride

Winter Cruise Lyme Regis (or Porlock)

22/3/15 4/4/15

Sunday Saturday

Ride Ride

Winter cruise Breakfast Run

5/4/15

Sunday

Ride

Easter Egg Run Up Gill & Downs

26/4/15

Sunday

Event Rally Marshals Rehearsal

All

2/5/15

Saturday

Event Cider Rally Parade

Sell

Route may be different this year as we may have company from some scooter boys & an air ambulance. Ryan will organise parking

3/5/15 3/5/15

Sunday Sunday

Event Cider Rally Ride 1 Event Cider Rally Ride 2

Pete & Nige & Vince

Paignton Bike Festival TBA

3/5/15

Sunday

Event Cider Rally ride 3

Sell Mike

Bristol Harbour

3/5/15

Sunday

9/5/15

Saturday

Event Cider Rally LOH ride Ride Waterloo Run

Gill & Gena Mike & Gill

16/5/15

Saturday

Ride

Saturday Sunday

Ride Ride

Phil & Pete TBA Nige & Sell

3

30/5/15 31/5/15

Bradford on Avon & Radstock TBA Birdlip

3/6/15 13/6/15

Wednesday Ride Saturday Ride

TBA 2 Moors Tour

Phil Phil

3 8

Dave Holden

7

Phil & Pete

4

Gill & Gina

3

Shepton Mallet. See http://www.classicbikeshows.com/event/34thcarole-nash-bristol-classic-motorcycle-show/ Sunday Dinner Venue TBA New members Ride. See http://www.lymeregis.org/ Sunday Dinner Venue TBA To the diner at Sparkford on the A303. See http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Reviewg190760-d6121491-Reviews-Mattia_DinerYeovil_Somerset_England.html A ride to see the kids and play at being the easter bunny ! Local Bridgwater ride. See http://upsanddowns.net/ Annual get together to arrange things for the Rally. Please support - we need as many as possible for this.Held at the cafĂŠ on Weston sea front next to the big wheel.

TBA 5

0 6

Leave Bridgwater heading on the A39 to Kilve for cream tea, then the A39 to A396 Tiverton, A396>A361 over J27 M5 onto A38 The Waterloo Cross for a bite before returning on the A38 to Bridgwater. See http://www.waterloocrosspub.co.uk/ New member. See http://www.bradfordonavon.co.uk/ Sunday Picnic Ride if the weather is good - See http://www.cotswolds.com/travel-guide/townsvillages/towns-and-villagesdirectory/articletype/articleview/articleid/222/birdli p New members Ride.

Out to Lynmouth through Exmoor National Park, and Kentisbury, passing Barnstable on the bypass then to Westward Ho or Great Torrington for lunch. Taking the A3124 to Whiddon Down on the edge of Dartmoor. Then through Bovey before returning home.

Submissions to bridgwatereditor@gmail.com 15

Ride-outs & Events Ride and Events Calendar as at 9th November 2014 - please refer to the website calendar for up to date information Date 14/6/15

Sunday

Destination Event Jerez Spain HOG Rally

19/6/15

Friday

Event TBA

27/6/15

Saturday

Event Haynes Motor Museum

Dave Holden

8

Weekend event. We are currently sorting out details with the organisers. Dave will let us know when things are firmer. An interesting museum, and indoors in case it’s a bad day. Motorcycle weekend camping, Music etc. See http://www.freewheelers.org.uk/index.php/events/ venueevents/206-haynes-motor-museum

4/7/15

Saturday

Ride

Poker Run

Gill

5

A ride and a game !!

5/7/15

Sunday

Ride

3 Moors Tour

Mike & Gina

8

A long ride covering a good deal of the picturesque places to be found in Devon and Cornwall taking the genral directions of Lynmouth, (Exmoor) Bude (lunch stop), Davidstow, (Bodmin Moor) and Launceston (Dartmoor).

6/7/15

Monday

Ride

TBA

12/7/15

Sunday

Ride

Treasure Hunt

AlanB

6

An interesting ride, with a set of riddles to solve

15/7/15

Wednesday Ride

Brecon Beacons

Phil

7

18/7/15

Saturday

Event Betws-y-Coed

Mike & Paul

9

26/7/15

Sunday

Ride

Gill & Debbie

2

30/7/15

Thursday

Event Heart & Soul Rally

7

8/8/15

Saturday

Ride

Mike & Debbie / Gill Bristol Bike Show & Phil & Balloon Fiesta Pete

6

12/8/15

Wednesday Ride

Popham

Pete

5

Weekday ride. Always a popular run into the foothils of the Welsh Mountains.

An overnight stop at a small hotel in Betws-yCoed. This should be similar the propular run we made to Devil's Bridge this year. See http://www.betws-y-coed.co.uk/ Jurrasic Coast ride last week in July. Charity Day for Air Ambulance 27th July 2015 Near Newcastle. A HOG rally. We will stop over the night before half way there. See http://www.heartandsoulrally.com/ New members ride. Plenty to see, and not too far.

The ride will split into 2. One group going to the fiesta, the other to the bike show as we approach Bristol.

In aid of disabled kids. Those that want to can give them a ride round the field. Lots of other interesting things to see and do.

16/8/15

Sunday

Ride

Pete

7

A lot of bikes to see on this one

23/8/15

Sunday

Ride

Plymouth Mega Ride TBA

6/9/15

Sunday

Ride

Dartmouth Castle

Mike & Debbie

8

A pleasant trip to Dartmouth to see the sights

Seaton Seafront

Road Captain Popularity Comments Ad Hoc 10 The rally is to be held the folowing weekend, we will return after this around the 24th depending on final arrangements. This years European rally is in Jerez Spain (near Gibraltar). There will be several groups riding to this. Please ask around the club to find a suitable group to join. We wont be doing this as a formal ride since it tends to cause too much of a problem.

Website: www.bridgwaterhog.co.uk 16

Ride-outs & Events Ride and Events Calendar as at 9th November 2014 - please refer to the website calendar for up to date information 11/9/15

Friday

Event Summer Bash

13/9/15

Sunday

Ride

TBA

20/9/15

Sunday

Ride

Food Festival

26/9/15

Saturday

Event Wellington Carnival Gill & Debbie

1/10/15

Thursday

Event Ypres to RTTW

Vince (TBC)

3/10/15

Saturday

Ride

TBA

For those who want to ride this we are considering staying at a Premier Inn nearby the night before. See http://www.ridetothewall.org.uk/

9/10/15

Friday

Event Chard Carnival

Gill & Debbie Pete & Phil Gill & Debbie TBA

Carnival Ride

10/10/15 Saturday

RTTW

Ride

Gill Gena & Debbie

8

A ferry from Portsmouth to Sherbourg staying in Brittany north of Rennes (near St Michaels mount) ~ÂŁ75 per person ferry and accomodation included.

There will be several groups riding to this. Please ask around the club to find a suitable group to join.

We wont be doing this as a formal ride since it tends to cause too much of a problem. See http://www.montstmichel.co.uk/

Nige & Sell

4

Abergavenny are having a big foody day. See http://www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com/

17/10/15 Saturday

Budleigh Salterton & Exmouth Event Taunton Carnival

18/10/15 Sunday

Event Hoggin the bridge

7/11/15

27/12/15 Sunday

Event Bridgwater carnival Gill & Debbie Ride TBA

28/12/15 Monday

Ride

TBA

29/12/15 Tuesday

Ride

TBA

30/12/15 Wednesday Ride

TBA

Saturday

Carnival RideSee http://www.wellingtoncarnival.org.uk/ 5

3

Join a Belgian chapter for a run from Ypres to the Ride to Wall annual event near Birmingham.

For those that don't want to ride that far. Join the ride up on Sunday.

New members Ride Carnival Ride

Carnival Ride

One of the ride-outs in 2014

Submissions to bridgwatereditor@gmail.com 17

Ride to the Wall For H and myself Ride to the Wall started on the Friday. Dogz and Ferrets rode up to us for a few drinks and one of H's infamous Lasagne's. Being only about 60 miles away it would make a good halfway house.

Saturday started dry, but not for long as the forecasted rain arrived and so our trip to the National Memorial Arboretum was going to be a damp one. We were going to meet the Bridgwater contingent at Strensham services at 8.45am About 10 had made the trip up from the Chapter led by Vince, who had made the trip all the way from Barnstable, well done guys.

From here we rode up a very wet M5 then onto the M42 for a fuel stop for those who needed it. We exited the M42 at J9 onto the A446 past the Belfry Golf Course then onto the A38, and now the traffic started to hot up there were bikes everywhere.

Seems there are a lot of patriotic bikers around considering the poor weather conditions. When we arrived we parked up and had a stroll round, I just couldn't get over how many bikers were there, me thinks at least 30,000 a truly awesome audience for the service.

There were bikers from all over, Belgium, even bumped into John Naples and Caroline nice to see our friends from Scotland. I was even talking to a guy from France who wanted H and myself’s rocker as a backdrop for his photo. I see he put it on Facebook. Seems I am quite photogenic as there was another photo on RTTW's Facebook page along with H, Vince and Ferrets.

While the rest of the Chapter were heading back down South Dogz, Vince, H and myself were booked into the Ramada at Cannock to meet up with some friends at the Stumble Inn, which just happens to be next to the hotel, handy. We first went for an Indian which I must say was gorgeous, then it was back to the Stumble for a few drinks and a live band that was on. Must say they were really good. We left around 1am a little worse for wear.

Sunday we saw the weather was dry and we were going to have a decent ride home. I think we all had a sense that the weekend was a great one. We had paid our respects to those who had paid the ultimate price so we can live the way we do.

We left the Ramada around 11ish after a lovely breakfast heading for the M6 then onto the M5. We said our goodbyes to the boys as they had a long way to go and H and me could just toddle on home.

We would just like to thank all the Bridgwater guys and girls that made the effort in such atrocious conditions.

Heather & Kelvin Barnett

Website: www.bridgwaterhog.co.uk 18

‘Rusty’ Gears N Stuff “Life is short, and that is what credit cards are for aren’t they?” That is what I said to myself as I stared at the advert on the screen, funny how well the heart can convince the head when you are just about to step over a financial cliff face…

Well, one phone call and two days later I was at the dealers about to test ride an old 1999 Sportster 1200S with 18000miles on the clock. It was a warm sunny day and blasting past all the cars did it for me, sure the motor sounded a little rough, but the frame was straight and I remember a friend of mine bought a new Harley way back when we were 18 and that sounded like a cement mixer full of bricks, so full of joy I handed over my credit card.

With its Screamin Eagle 45mm slide carb, high compression Evo engine, remapped ignition with two plugs per cylinder the 1200S was said to be the fastest production Harley right up until the V-Rod. I was certainly enjoying every ft.lb of torque and that exhaust bark that awakened even the most sleepy car drivers, but that bearing rumble was getting worse, much worse! Then the clutch started slipping.

I have been a mechanic for most of my life so dug out all the old imperial tools, even non metric torx sockets I picked up while I lived in the States, and pulled off the derby cover to check the clutch pull rod had free play, first check if your clutch is slipping, bad news it did have free play so the clutch was probably shot, and more bad news the inside of the derby cover was covered in emulsified oil and condensation which indicated there was water in the gear oil. I drained the gear oil and it was more like metal flake chocolate mousse than oil, really not at all good…

Two cigarettes later and about half a mile of pacing up and down the garage saw me on my knees removing the primary cover, “hmmm doesn’t look too bad’ I thought to myself as the cover came off to reveal a rust free primary chain and sprockets, clutch pull bearing was shot but I was expecting that, but the hope was short lived as I removed the clutch and flywheel to reveal a mess of corroded worn out parts. It was obvious at this point that the gearbox had to be stripped too.

Couple of hours later I had a list of parts I needed, honestly it would be easier to have listed the parts I didn’t need! The gear selectors were usable and the primary sprocket and flywheel, oh and to be fair I could have reused the primary chain. The rest was only fit for the bin, good job there wasn’t anyone from that bike dealer nearby because the mood I was in would have seen him crappin cogs for a fortnight!

OK wash off the blood n oil and head off to Jersey HD to see how much… Two and a half grand the lot, thought it would be more to be honest. OK I hear you saying “why didn’t you take it back to the dealer?” Are they are going to spend £2500 on a warranty claim on a £4500 bike, I think not!

Even the thrust washers between the gears were rusted out and other obscure parts not normally replaced in a normal gearbox job, so I had plenty of time to watch the summer drift past and dream of riding my sporty once more, I think HD must ship parts via Jupiter or something, dargonnit I could have grown wings and flown to Milwaukee quicker.

Anyway how did that water get in there? There were no obvious oil leaks and the hose on the gearbox breather was intact, the bike showed no signs of having plunged 8000feet off the Grand Canyon into the Colorado River after a failed Evil Kinevil Stunt, so the only logical cause was pressure washing. Sportsters seem to leak oil from the point where the generator wires exit the primary case, nice little corner under the starter, if the oil can get out then water at 2000Psi sure as lemons are yellow can get in…

Skip forward to the present, sure I owe more money than a crack addict but my gearbox is good and my clutch doesn’t slip, there was some summer left and I have had some good fun rides with BW HOG

Submissions to bridgwatereditor@gmail.com 19

Bridgwater in America Patsy Coles thought up this trip back in March 2013 for September 2014 to coincide with their 36th wedding anniversary. A meeting was arranged with David Grist who organizes biking holidays.

Unfortunately as the trip was set for 18 months time H and myself could not commit to it at that time, as I think many others couldn’t, so at that time only 4 people were going.

In the December of 2013 we were discussing what we could do for H’s 60th birthday, why not see if we could still do the America trip, work was good at that time, I could do Sundays, Heather said she would sell her car, that would free up some cash and save on the running costs, so for the next 8 months we saved like mad and managed to scrape the money to go.

So there were Pasty and Martin Coles, Linda, and Tim had to drop out through health reasons, but were replaced by Tim and Linda Bell, Debbie and Mike Atterton, H and me, so there were 8 Bridgwater members off to Las Vegas 6 days on the bikes, Tim and Linda were hiring a Mustang [which would prove a godsend] and 4 nights back in Vegas.

Patsy asked me if I could work out some routes, we had our destinations so it was making it as scenic as possible. H, the kids and me had visited this part of the world about 8 years before, so we had a bit of an idea of the terrain. I sent to HOG for their road book as I did back then, really good maps and all the Harley dealers as well. I also bought a Marco Polo map of the area we would be taking, so all that was left was to sit down and work out some routes.

Now this was where I have to say what a great job our road captains do, because it’s not till you have to try and work out not only routes but stop points and timing, so in real terms I was going to have to do 6 ride outs one after another and I didn’t have the luxury of riding the routes either.

I spent the next 3 months researching the Internet for different routes looking on Google earth to see if the views would be the best. While doing my research I came across a road that could be incorporated into our route it was called the Moki Dugway and looking at it on You Tube it looked, shall I say a bit demanding, but what an achievement, especially for our lady riders, Debbie and H. First reactions were no way, but with a little persuasion I managed to get them to see the reason why, with about 1200 miles some of it very straight, a little challenge would not go amiss.

I then decided that not having a sat nav with American maps I would write it all down in a little book, also by using Google maps I could check what was around at each turn so I had a landmark to remember.

This all took many weekends as I went over and over it time and again, so I had it in my head, the only thing now was would it work, only time would tell.

We had decided to stay at the Hilton at Gatwick as our flight was early Tim and Linda came down on the bus on the Sunday, we all met up on Monday ready for the great adventure. We were all excited as this was a first for all of us, especially me, as would all those months of preparation have been worth it. The flight was about 10 hours and what a surprise to find that we could not land because there was a massive storm over Vegas, what, in the middle of a dessert no way, but unfortunately it was, and it would have an effect on our trip as we would find out.

We eventfully managed to land and what a mess, when it rains it rains, especially in this part of the world, we had to negotiate floods everywhere, we also found out that part of Interstate 15 had been washed away but fortunately for us it was to the north of Vegas and we were heading south.

We got our rooms then went to find the Harley Dealer, now having been here before I knew that it was not within walking distance. Before we had caught a shuttle bus but unfortunately it had stopped for the day, so a taxi was ordered but when we went to get back to the city centre no taxi so we had to catch a bus that would take us to the top of the strip, then a long walk to the other end. We had dinner at the Harley Café then off to bed for an early start and the great adventure.

Website: www.bridgwaterhog.co.uk 20

Bridgwater in America cont…..

Day 1 Las Vegas - Kingman 160miles We were up bright and early as we were being picked up from our hotel at 9 o’clock H and me went to Denny’s for breakfast ready for a good days riding. We were being picked up by Enterprise who are now hiring motorcycles, we were able to leave our luggage at the hotel, so H had packed our T bag and put it in our suitcase so it was only a matter of taking it out, packed with old clothes to throw away on route. She told the others as well so they could do the same. We were picked up on time, taken to their hire shop Tim and Linda followed in their car, we did all the paperwork, checked over the bikes, I had a Road King, H, Debbie and Martin had Heritages and Mike a Street Glide. Tim kindly asked if we would like to put our bags in their car to save carrying them. Now I decided the best route out of Vegas would be right out of Enterprise, onto West Flamingo Avenue then right again onto I15, this would take us out of Vegas without too much problem.

I explained to everyone my plan and all agreed, we were on strange bikes in a strange city so the least hassle the better. We set off but soon after I noticed only H and Martin behind me, great start, lost half the ride and we weren’t out of Vegas yet, but the only thing I could do was carry on and hope they caught up.

After a while H noticed lights in the distance and soon they had caught up so panic over. We travelled for about 40 miles. I decided to pull into what was a small outlet with a casino, shops and garage, just to check if everyone was ok, as H, myself, Mike and Debbie had intercoms we could keep in contact with our better half’s. Martin only had his iPod, (poor Patsy).

Everyone was ok so we decided to have a toilet break, we went into the casino, inside there were some big cabinets in which one had an old car, on further investigation we noticed loads of holes in it only to find out it was the car that Bonnie & Clyde got killed in. There were lots of news cutting with pictures telling the story of that grizzly day.

Sorted, we headed back onto the open road. We would head South for about another 30 miles then exit onto the 164 and cut across country to pick up the 95 and head for Searchlight. On exiting onto the 164 we saw signs warning of flooded roads and we saw plenty of evidence as we followed the road. This particular stretch of road we could see for miles and with Joshua trees the landscape was fantastic. We picked up the 95 at Searchlight and headed South for Needles where we would stop for a lunch break. We stopped at a Taco Bell where there was a rather jolly assistant who made us laugh. We all sat down to eat our lunch when Linda decided to knock her drink over (good job she never went for the large one) to which Tim said “that’s why I don’t sit by her” and I had to chuckle to myself, so with copious amounts of tissue Linda preceded to mop up the mess. So with everyone moving away from Linda, (only joking) we finished our lunch, we fueled up and headed for Topock where we would exit onto Route 66 and ride through Oatman then onto Kingman our overnight stay.

We crossed the Colorado where we were to exit, but due to the flooding we were unable to and had to carry on, on what was now the I40. Now H and myself had been to Kingman before and they had a good HD dealership and so I took them there for a bit of therapy and lighten the wallets. We left the dealership and headed for our hotel after a good days ride and I think we were all blown away with our first day on the road.

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Bridgwater in America cont…..

Day 2 Kingman – Grand Canyon 250miles H and me were up early again as this was the only hotel that provided breakfast, must say it was a bit like Bate’s Motel, but the breakfast was good. Today was going to be full on. H and me had done this part of Route 66 before and it must be the best bit to ride.

Our first stop would be Hackberry Stores, very iconic, you see pictures everywhere. Got the old red Corvette parked outside, with a wealth of souvenirs inside, we spent a good 30 mins looking around and as we were there a load of bikers came in doing the full route. They were from Europe so Debbie got out the Chapter flag for a picture. We all got back on our bikes and headed through some great Route 66 countryside on to our next stop Peach Springs and a lovely little restaurant H and me had visited with delicious cakes and puds, and to see Mike’s eyes light up. We were next to stop at the infamous Road kill Café which I had originally had down for lunch but we were all full of cake still so we only had a drink. This was also where I was asked by a shop assistant if I’d bought the sheriffs badge I was wearing, as she couldn’t remember selling it to me, well it was bought for me by Debbie back at the Hackberry Stores and it didn’t even look like theirs.

We were supposed to go to Grand Canyon HD but unfortunately as time was at a premium we headed straight to the Grand Canyon before sunset as Debs and Mike wanted to see this spectacular sight. We arrived around 4 o’clock the sun would be setting around 5.15 so we had a coffee and waited, the sunset is spectacular, but once the sun goes down, so does the temperature. H and me headed back to the Hotel as we had come straight to the canyon. By the time we got there it was pretty cold as we were about 7,000 feet above sea level and at that altitude it ain’t warm at night. In fact by morning there was signs of ice, but as the sun came up so did the temperature and by the time we headed out it was warm.

Grand Canyon –Monument valley 180miles Day 3 of the trip would take us into uncharted territory.

H and me had never been this way before so this was going to be all new from now on, and I’d now see how well my preparations had been. We left the hotel on what was a cloudless warm day, we would be heading back towards the canyon but exiting onto the 64 along the desert view road here we would have a few stops to take in this awesome spectacle. We were now dropping down to sea level along some beautiful twisting roads. As we dropped down the trees began to thin and be replaced by a more arid countryside and it felt considerably warmer. We travelled about 64 miles until we reached the 89 where unfortunately we encountered some major road works, it must have been in the high 90’s wouldn’t want to have been one of the guys working on this project. We followed the 89 to the junction with the 160 and headed for Tuba City where we would stop for lunch at Denny’s. As we got off the bikes the heat hit us, it was warm. It was while we were at Denny’s that Martin told us he’d left his mobile phone back at the hotel, oops! But telling everyone it was only a cheap one wasn’t really the point it had numbers on and, if it got into the wrong hands, who knows, especially as it had his bank number on. The moral is always check your room before you leave. Anyway we managed to persuade him to ring the hotel and ask them to throw it away. We finished up and headed up to Monument Valley for the overnight stay at Goulding’s trading post. Now if you are staying here make sure you have some drink with you as they don’t sell alcohol, some Indian thing.

To be continued……….

Website: www.bridgwaterhog.co.uk 22

Enham Trust

Submissions to bridgwatereditor@gmail.com 23

Christmas lights switch-on

Website: www.bridgwaterhog.co.uk 24

Xmas Bash snapshots

Submissions to bridgwatereditor@gmail.com 25

Ramblin’ on AN EXCESS OF GINGER BEER! Well it's all been happening here! You know how it is, one minute you are coasting through life, the next you are staring up at the ceiling in casualty wondering how on earth you got there! But more on that later.

Where to begin, oh yes, I got that puncture sorted on the Sporty, it was that tyre 'antipuncture' stuff. Well it had done a bit of damage to the inner tube, spoked wheels you see, and it had perished around the valve, so a quick swap for a new one and we are mobile again. It transpires that gloop they fill tubes with to prevent punctures doesn't like being in there for some considerable time and had sort of gone off, as it were. Well it was about fifteen years old I think? Probably pushing my luck?

So having sorted that out we took a drive up to Riders for a wee Saturday jaunt to grab a few things we needed and to see our friends as usual. There was slight extra, Dave Holden wanted a few of us there as he had a small surprise to spring on his beloved, as Tina had a special birthday. Now I wouldn't like to guess what it was, she doesn't look that much older than me, so I daren't risk saying what I thought. Dave had it all arranged and at the perfect moment a cake was produced from Riders kitchen, thank you good people for helping to arrange, and we all sang the usual anthem and enjoyed a bit of sticky cake. And very nice it was too!

I rushed back to Portland Towers as matters were pressing and I had a few jobs to do before winter set in proper. One happy Land Rover, saw it serviced and checked for the colder weather. A morning out on the ramps and a few swear words and it was all done. Nicely in time to whistle down to St. Audries for the Chapter Christmas Party! What a weekend that was. Friday saw Dave singing his heart out and someone saying where did the Elvis record come from?

I told them it was Dave singing live and mouths were wide open! What a storming night, the quiz was a great laugh and the Christmas jumper competition was a revelation in what you could get away with using LED's! You had to be there, honestly!

On the Saturday a mass of Santa's converged on the front lawn for a photo shoot, then the party kicked off proper after dark. A nice meal and a few beers and the band struck up and kept us rocking until the early hours, it was a real good night with all the right ingredients. A massive well done to all those that worked so hard to put it all together, I think we made our mark and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, I know we did!

Back down to earth and having worked right up until the big day, we found ourselves lunching with our own Utility Tel and the ever fragrant Bev. We were all at a local hostelry and were royally looked after. The girls found the table decorations irresistible and while us two boys looked on, they amused themselves making pretty patterns! Our Tel is doing well, really improving now and driving again, so getting out and about a bit more.

We had Lady Sara's mum posted to her brother's place in Newbury for the duration, but when she came home and her brother came to stay for a night with her, we decided to make an evening of it. Now you will have to humour me here. I had been chatting with them about my rediscovery of the delights of Ginger Beer, when Grosvenor announces he always liked it and would I get him a bottle of the three favourites we had been discussing. No problem I says. So on the Saturday before they were due I took the Road King and popped to the local purveyor of such treats. A simple task I thought, three different brands, a couple of bottles of each for him and his good lady wife to try. My God you think I was searching for the Holy Grail! Up hill, down dale, from here to Dorchester, the outer reaches of Martinstown and finally a round robin of sunny Weymouth to track down the desired quarry! I wish I had never mentioned it! At least the Road King got a good run out of it, and on the Sunday I was able to present him with the aforementioned. What a saga, honestly, you couldn't write it!

New Years Eve. Well we returned to our local hostelry and were joined by Hilary and Graham who happened to be

Website: www.bridgwaterhog.co.uk 26

Ramblin’ on

down for a few days and liked the idea of getting together with ourselves and Tel and Bev. It was a nice evening, putting the world to rights as it rolled gently into a new year with all the hope that it brings. Here's to a good one, and a Happy New Year to you all. We did raise a glass or two and it was all very convivial!

In the cold light of the coming days I had a few days off work and washed the Land Rover down, it is white after all and not fifty shades of grey. Then it was out with the Road King and more soapy water, then the Sporty was out there and given the same treatment. It was good to get them all cleaned up, but I did need a sit down afterwards, where did I put that spare bottle of ginger beer?

We had a bit of stormy weather here the other night. I guessed it was going to be bad when I saw the sea gulls wearing their tin hats and taking cover. It was a bit of a blow, around seventy five miles an hour off the Bill here, so a bit breezy.

The TV Ariel took a turn for the worse, it is now lying in the garden, having given up the fight in the wee small hours and decided it needed a lie down. Another load of trouble to pay out on I suppose!

Talking of trouble, I was all set to get back to work after my short holiday when I felt a bit unwell. Sadly this escalated into a couple of days off sick, a visit from the local Doctor who deduced it wasn't distemper, but a nasty outbreak of Gastritis. Some tablets ordered and a warning to keep off the curries and I should be fine. Oh contrare my medical friend... on the following evening I started off feeling a bit poorly again, and ended up in agony, followed by the good Lady Sara calling 999 and ordering me a white taxi.

Now we are back where we began so to speak as I wake up to find myself in casualty having been fed some morphine and goodness knows what else and being told those heart sinking words, 'we are going to admit you and keep an eye on you for a while.' it transpires I have a gall stone. It's just the one, but a big fella and was giving me some notice of it's presence. Having been poked and prodded, scanned and screened, I am at last out of the hospital on a special diet awaiting an operation in a few weeks to sort the problem for good I hope. I must just say a huge thank you to all those of you that phoned, texted, emailed etc, upon hearing about my brush with incapacity, it's lovely to know we have so many good friends out there and a special thank you to Tel and Bev for running the good Lady Sara to the hospital and for fetching me home when I got the green light. So if you get a bit of a grumble belly going on and you start wondering, just be sure to get it looked at. I know I am glad I did. And apparently it isn't due to an excess of Ginger Beer!

Rambling on...

Portland Bill.

Submissions to bridgwatereditor@gmail.com 27

Ladies of Harley Sponsored Slim to start Monday 2nd February - Monday 13th April (both club nights). I am hopefully going to supply Sponsorship forms from Ups n Downs Charity of the year to assist with raising money for the Charity and of course giving us all incentive to lose some weight, aiming to create a new healthier way of living and feeling good ready for the 2015 Riding Season. We will be bringing slimming scales along to both meetings above for start and finish weights. The details will be recorded and kept safe. I will be the only person who has access to the book.

Also some other dates for your diaries. We plan on LOH cake sale 4 times a year. Twice a year we will do a balloon launch with the cake sale to raise money for charity.

I will be at Riders, Bridgwater on Saturday 28th February for a LOH coffee n cake catch up at Midday, where we can plan dates for the rest of the year. I propose our first cake sale and balloon launch is Easter Saturday 4th April.

Thursday 9th April is Ladies Day at Taunton Races. We will be attending this event to celebrate (Hen Day) Linda and Tim's Wedding. Any ladies interested to contact Debbie Atterton on 07540977261/ lohbridgwater@gmail.com or facebook. We have booked a window table for 20. VIP Package - private hospitality - 3 course lunch - dedicated racing host - chance to win great prizes - goodie bags - afternoon tea - welcome drinks - admission and race card. Best dressed lady and Best Hat competition. (£70 per person, instalments can be paid to Lorraine Wotton to help with the cost on the day) £10 deposit required by club night 2nd February please.

Ladies of Harley are a group of Ladies who Ride/Pillion Harleys, also those who support their partners Joy of Riding. We promote Bridgwater Harley Owners Group and find activities to enjoy together, with our partners/family members e.g. Rideouts, coffee/cake mornings, charity and social events. I would love to hear your ideas, if you are unable to meet on Saturday 28th February at Riders and have some ideas please contact me.

We also have an idea to create some LOH patches to involve all Ladies within Bridgwater Harley Owners Group, and incorporate Harley Angel/Harley Babe/Harley Chick/Harley Spark. It would be great to hear your thoughts on this idea.

Ups and Downs Editors note: Ups and Downs is our nominated charity for 2015 Over the coming year we will be trying our best to raise as much money as possible for them.

Here is a brief outline of who they are which I have taken from their web-site.

Ups and Downs South West is a Down Syndrome support organisation, supplying information, advice and support to parents, carers, families, friends and professionals throughout the South West region.

Their mission is to ensure that all children and young people with Down Syndrome are supported in the best way possible and are thus enabled to reach their full potential. To achieve this they seek to make sure that anyone and everyone involved with the child or young person’s environment, care, support and education, are themselves fully informed and supported.

Their vision is that every child and young person with Down Syndrome enjoys a happy and secure environment which meets their emotional, social, health and educational needs; and that they are accepted by, included in, and enabled to make a positive contribution to, the society in which they live.

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Something to make you smile‌‌.

The Harley-Davidson Facts The inventor of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, Arthur Davidson, died and went to heaven.

At the gates, St. Peter told Arthur. 'Since you've been such a good man and your motorcycles have changed the world, your reward is, you can hang out with anyone you want to in heaven.'

Arthur thought about it for a minute and then said, ' I want to hang out with God.' St. Peter took Arthur to the Throne Room, and introduced him to God. God recognized Arthur and commented, 'Okay, so you were the one who invented the Harley-Davidson motorcycle? ' Arthur said, 'Yeah, that's me...'

God commented: 'Well, what's the big deal in inventing something that's pretty unstable, makes noise and pollution and can't run without a road?'

Arthur was a bit embarrassed, but finally spoke, 'Excuse me, but aren't you the inventor of woman?'

God said, 'Ah, yes.'

'Well,' said Arthur , professional to professional, you have some major design flaws in your invention!

1. There's too much inconsistency in the front-end suspension 2. It chatters constantly at high speeds 3. Most rear ends are too soft and wobble about too much 4. The intake is placed way too close to the exhaust 5. The maintenance costs are outrageous!!!!

'Hmmmmm, you may have some good points there,' replied God, 'hold on.'

God went to his celestial supercomputer, typed in a few words and waited for the results.

The computer printed out a slip of paper and God read it.

'Well, it may be true that my invention is flawed,' God said to Arthur, 'but according to these numbers, more men are riding my invention than yours'.

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Chapter Traders

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Chapter Traders

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