Magazine of the Thames Valley HOG Chapter
Welcome to the June edition of our club magazine, in this months edition we have a piece from Brian Wilson about a recent road trip Brian and friends made to St Tropez. The fines master again this month has had the note book out issuing fines to many of us, these are the last from the Cider Rally. Thank God !
Goodwood Breakfast Club Meet June 2nd A 7:15 early start at Sportsable saw 18 bikes set off for Goodwood Race Circuit near Chichester, the journey took around 1 1/2 hrs travelling through some fantastic countryside down to the race track, after parking the bikes in formation its time to sort that full English breakfast out and have a look at all the beautiful cars parked around the perimeter of the track and in the pits.
In This Month’s Magazine
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Pages 2 & 3 Start your Engines
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Pages 4 & 5 Dons Words of Wisdom
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Page 6 LOH Sue’s Scribbles
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Page 7 Club Nights
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Pages 8 to 11 News and Updates
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Pages 12 & 13 Route 66 Tour
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Pages 14 & 15 Calendar
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Pages 16 & 19 St Tropez 2013
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Page 20 Miles for Fun
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Page 21 Sportsable collection day
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Pages 22 & 23 Fine Master/Mistress
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Pages 24 & 25 Holyport & Southsea
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Pages 26 & 27 Safety First
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Page 28 Meet The Committee
Birthdays And Celebrations June & July
Pat Adams Barry Adams Ian Goldswain Fiona Goldswain Amy Hayward John Woodvine Linda Friend Mandy Mussong If you have a Birthday or Anniversary and would like a mention please send the Editor an E mail.
Thank you to everybody who has sent in material for this months edition of Tales from the Riverbank Closing date for next months magazine Thursday 11th July
Welcome to the May edition of Tales from the Riverbank. The months of May & June, according to the calendar, are probably the busiest months of the year at the moment, with rides and events on most weekends. Since last club night our ride into Wales had to be postponed and at short notice, Nick very kindly organised a trip to Lakeside dealership to their 110th Celebration weekend. Great day out riding in the sun - Thanks Nick. The second Poker run has taken place at The Pineapple Pub, Dorney. This is a very popular venue for our poker nights and was very well attended by so many members. The pub serves a fantastic range of sandwiches with fries for about six quid, very good value for money. Since the Lakeside weekend the weather has been fantastic for riding, we've managed to fit in a day at Southsea for fish and chips on the front, a very early ride down to Goodwood race track to a Breakfast Club meeting with just about every performance sport car on the market on display. Pats birthday ride was a great Saturday trip down to Bristol dealership and returning to Pat and Barry’s home in Froxfield for a BBQ to celebrate both their birthdays, many happy returns to both of you! A great day and evening was had by all.
Still to come this month we have another Poker run and the Birthday Bash at SportsAble, looking forward to that one! The boys' weekend away at Hoggin' the Hayfields and Million Mile Monday which is over to the Isle of White and then on to Cassington Bike night in Oxford. I did say it was a busy couple of months! SOFER Rally ticket sales have now exceeded 1300, we have 20 of our allocation still available if any of our new members would like tickets to the rally which is the biggest in England. Contact me ASAP as tickets are selling quickly and rally ticket sales close on 14th July... if any tickets are left then there will be gate sales this year... We have six bands and a disco booked for the rally weekend. 21 traders and 4 dealerships have confirmed they will be at the rally this year and I can confirm the Harley Davidson demo unit will be on site. Details about what’s on over the weekend can be found further on in the magazine or from the SOFER Web site at www.sofer.uk.com. Memberships As of the 1st June our membership now stands at 182, we have had 5 new members sign up with us after visiting our club night as guests, a warm welcome to you, and I look forward to seeing you out on rides and at future club nights. World Ride 23rd & 24th June All mileage accumulated over the 23rd & 24th June on your Harley Davidson will count towards the World Ride grand total which is being clocked by every chapter around the world. Collect a mileage register form at club night to keep a record of your mileage over the two days. The boys will be returning back from Bristol, the Adams farm ride will take place on Sunday, and on Monday the chapter are off to the Isle of White for a picnic. Details on how to log your mileage on Hog’s website will be on your paperwork. Those coming over to the Island please book in advance with Red Funnel ferries online and use the code TVHOG to get your discount, book the 12:00 ferry from Southampton. That’s it from me for another month. Ride Safe and have Fun !!!
Don
Thank you all for your good wishes on the birth of our first grandchild Leo, who was born on 29 May weighing it at a healthy 9lb 13ozs. When I was first told that I was going to be a grandmother I have to say that it took a bit of getting used to, after all I wasn’t old enough to be grandma! Was I? Well clearly I am and now proud to join another new club J I was one of those women who thought that children were born to fit in with their parent’s lifestyle and not to create a whole new one of their own! Well I was proved wrong with my own children and I am clearly very wrong in the case of my grandson. For at least four weeks prior to his birth (he was two weeks late) I didn’t venture far from home, just in case! Now he is here I thought I could can relax and get out and about on the bike once more, Well, once again I was proved wrong when my mum decided to fall out of her front door at home and break her ankle. This resulted in my role as a grandparent and daughter taking priority and my contribution to the Chapter mileage programme taking a distinctive turn for the worse! The good news is that they are both on the mend and I am looking forward to spending time with young Leo J The Chapter Birthday Bash was a huge success and a great night out (although Dave and I didn’t arrive until it was half way through (baby duties))! It’s also been great to see news and pics on Facebook from Chapter members on their travels to Rome (Sue and Ed, CJ, Doughnut, Clive Paul and Gill) and USA (Sue and Bern, Malcom, Elaine), Prague ( Ian) and Germany ( Jarek). I look forward to seeing you all on the first ride out that I have been able to be part in since the Toy Run in April, which is on Sunday 23rd June to Adams Farm and Stow on the Wold. A great day out led by Sue Dodds. Ride Safe!
Sue
LOH rep
Ladies of Harley
Dates for 2013 (and Magazine deadlines) July 18th August 15th September 11th October 17th November 21st December 19th
(11th) (8th) (10th) (10th) (14th) (12th)
Please send your magazine contributions to editor@thamesvalleyhog.org.uk. Don’t forget to check the website and forum for all the up-to-date information on ride outs and activities.
Boys Weekend Away
Million Mile World Ride Sunday & Monday
June 21st - 23rd Hog in the Hayfields Celebrating Great Western Chapters 10th Anniversary at Cleve Rugby Club. June 24th This years Monday ride will be a trip to the Isle of White for a tour of the Island and lunch at a local beauty spot. Please bring a picnic lunch or food is available from a local |Cafe. Meet Chieveley Services 9:00 for 9:30 depart. Ferry from Southampton 12:00am Return Ferry IOW 17:30 Our ride from the IOW will be going on to Cassington Bike night in Oxford calling in at Chieveley as a drop off point for those not wishing to ride on to Cassington. Ferry Crossing ÂŁ24 return Book On Line with Red Funnel Booking Code TVHOG
Harley Night At The Ace Cafe 27th June
Peak Riders Rally Back to the Peacks Rally Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Event Cancelled
Shirley’s Grandsons Prom Night. 5th July Escort Luis to his School prom. Meet at Shirley’s 5:00 for 6pm depart. The Rowans. Ferry Ave off Chertsey Lane, Staines, Middx. TW18 3LP
One Day Special Poker Run Meet Sportsable 10am for 10:30 Saturday 6th July
Oxford Harley Davidson Open Weekend
7 stops, 7 cards £5 per person to play. An organised group ride with 6 separate legs. At each stop, participants will draw a card. The best hand will win the top cash prize. Prizes also for 2nd and 3rd place. Results will be announced at the next Club Meeting. This special Saturday ride will qualify for Miles of Fun.
Oxford Harley Davidson Open Weekend July 13th & 14th Its birthday weekend at Oxford H D Come over to Abingdon and help celebrate our 10th birthday, we have music by Robbie and many sale items with great discounts.
Sale on now! Now’s the time to grab yourself a bargain! We’re currently having a sale of all our current merchandise. Chapter t-shirts £18 Chapter China Mugs £5 Chapter Flags £20 Flag poles £12 Buffs £12 Keep an eye on the website and forum for news of a whole new range coming in the future. For current sale items see Shirley or email merchandise@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk
2013 Patch & Pin Design £5 the pair Available from Shirley Merchandise.
New Merchandise Take a look at the new merchandise it is here at last, see it at club night. There are a lot of new items to choose from, In my opinion the best item is the American style Jacket which comes in a range of colours and in sizes from small to double XL. As modelled by Bernie below. Orders placed with payment on club nights will be ready for collection at the following club night, all new items will have the new Thames Valley Badge embroidered on them. The 15th Birthday Patch and Pin are now on sale at ÂŁ5 for the set. Also available at Club Night Shirley Churchill (Merchandise) THE NEW JACKET IN BLACK AND WHITE WITH CHAPTER BADGE. JUST ÂŁ25
Route 66 is almost 2,500 miles and runs two-thirds of the way across America and passes through desert, mountain and canyon.
Proposal 2 Groups 1 group rides east to west (Tour A) 1 group rides west to east (Tour B)
Riding through the mid-west of the USA, taking in a huge variety of terrain, landscapes and cultures.
Group size = approx 10 bikes each way
Stops at The Grand Canyon and Las Vegas! The whole idea for this ride is to make it as inclusive as possible. So that EVERYONE in the club has a chance to come. It is not within everyone's annual budget but perhaps having over 2 years to save will help make it possible.
Support vehicle and driver. carries luggage and helps in the event of breakdown 14-15 days each way to include Grand Canyon visit and overnight in Las Vegas Tour A will leave Chicago in early August and will follow Route 66 all the way to Santa Monica in California. Tour B will leave Santa Monica in mid August (after Tour A has finished) and will follow Route 66 back to Chicago.
The vision is that all places will be t members and that the ride will be Thames Valley event!
Highlights include... · Chain of Rocks Bridge nr St Louis · Cadillac Ranch · The Painted Desert · The Petrified Forest · Grand Canyon · Las Vegas · World Famous Roys Cafe · Renowned Bagdad Cafe · Meteor Crater Cost Estimate Rider - £3800 when sharing room Pillion - £1100 when sharing room Price includes bike rental c/w all insurances, hotel accommodation and support vehicle / driver. Flights, fuel and meals extra. It may be possible to set up a payment plan through Colin (Treasurer) to enable long term savings Contact Nick West at historian@thamesvalleyhog.com or
on is that all places will be taken by club ers and that the ride will be a truly epic Thames Valley event!
July Wake the Lakes. Kendal RUFC, Lake District Thursday 4th - Sunday 7th
JUNE Lads Weekend Away / HOGS in the Hayfields Cleve Rugby Club, Bristol Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd Meet Chieveley Services 10 for 10:30 Adams Farm Ride Out Cotswolds Sunday 23rd meet Sportsable 9:30 for 10 2nd Pick Up Chieveley 10:45 for 11 Harley World Ride Event Sunday 23rd & Monday 24th Million Mile Monday A day out on the Isle of White Monday 24th Meet Chieveley 9 for 9:30 Cassington Bike Night Oxford HD event Monday 24th Harley Night Ace Cafe, 6pm Thursday 27th Back to the Peaks Event Cancelled LoH Ride out with Oxford Chapter Sunday 30th Times TBA
Hog on the Humber. Hallmark Hotel, ferriby High Road, Hull Friday 5th—Sunday 7th One day Poker Run Saturday 6th July Meet Sportsable 10 for 10:30 Poker Run (4) Flowing Spring. Playhatch Reading Wednesday 10th From 7pm Weekend in the Brecon Beacons. Meet Chieveley 10 for 10:30 Wednesday 10th Sportsable Wheel Chair Push. The Broad Street Mall Reading. Bikes needed for display. Saturday July 13th 10:00am Oxford H D Open Weekend. 110th Anniversary Celebration Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th Chapter Club Night. Sportsable 7:30 - 10pm Thursday 18th To Be... or not To Be... Ride to Stratford Upon Avon Sunday 21st Meet Sportsable 9 for 9:30
Events, ride outs and activities Details correct at time of going to print. Check the website for updates and amendments www.thamesvalleyhog.org.uk
July cont.
August Cont
Fenlanders East of England Rally Fakenham Racecourse, Norfolk Thursday 25th - Sunday 28th
Mystery Sea Side Ride Sunday 25th TBC
Hawk Conservancy Details TBC
Harley Night Ace Cafe Thursday 29th
August
September
South of England Rally Bisley Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th Committee Night Tuesday 6th S.O.C.A Rally Friday 9th - Sunday 11th Brackley Motorcycle Festival. Details TBC Sunday 18th Poker Run 5 Venue TBC Wednesday 21st Thunder in the Glens Chapter Ride to Aviemore Thursday 22nd Time TBC Thunder in the Glens Aviemore Chapter Attending Rally Friday 23rd - Monday 26th
Committee Night Tuesday 3rd Poker Run 6 Wednesday 11th Club Night Sportsable Thursday 19th 7:30 - 10:00 Cop Hill Climb Hill Climb Event Sunday 22nd Harley Night Ace Cafe Thursday 26th
HI Guys, Just to let you know we have arrived back from the St Tropez rally after a fantastic time. Dave Buffham, Chris Kingsbury and myself left the UK on Monday 29 April taking three days to ride down to the 30 year anniversary Harley Rally at St Grimaud Southern France. The three day ride was fantastic with long rides in fine weather, past lush Green and Yellow fields, over flooded rivers past rolling hills, and through sleepy villages. Stopping off near Troyes on our fist night and after a good meal and a good nights sleep we woke to rain, fortunately it did not last long and after changing back out of our wets we were again singing down the beautiful country side to Grenoble and our second stop. A fun evening on the pool table being the high point, were the local hustler was beaten by Dave much to there annoyance. Next came the fantastic ride through the mountains on the Route de Napoleon. The whole route through gorges, past reservoirs, up and down mountains was on smooth tarmac with no cats eyes, bumps, mend seams or hindrances to spoil the fun just long and short smooth winding bends past beautiful scenery in perfect riding weather A K sunny and warm. We arrived around 7.30pm at our apartment in Cap Grimaud directly opposite the H-D Rally albeit a 1.5mile walk away but the place was terrific, so with no more to do we were off to scout the rally.
Harley-D put on a good show with the usual stalls, food, bars and stage shows right on the sandy beach and from 8am through to 4am when we left each day. Suzi Quatro, The Stones tribute band, an Elvis impersonator and finally the main attraction Status Quo were all good entertainment. The parade of flags (which was the best I have been on) took over 4 hours, covering a 25mile route with Police and many marshals, was a very professional ride out, through roads lined with happy cheering people, crowded little towns, through a packed St Tropez and back to Grimaud where everybody were happy bunnies. We like a lot of other bikers tried a number of new Harley-Davidsons and I must say that although the new Break Out is a nice bike I personally liked the new Street Glide for smooth power and handling, but would change the look as I still love my centenary Fat-Boy. Sunday came and it was time to go, so after the obligatory check list was completed, off we went. Although I have been over it a couple of times, both Dave and Chris wanted to see the Millau Viaduct, and What a sight it was.
In bright sun light with a warm clear sky we road through the beautiful country side again on empty roads coming to the viaduct across a huge valley. AWSOME! This fantastic piece of architecture is a must, standing 1000 feet from ground bottom to pylon top. The viewing hill overlooking the bridge is the best place to get the full effect and it really is worth the 150 mile detour for this masterpiece. Stopping for our second night in a sleepy village we found a fantastic restaurant called The Restaurant Papillion where we were served over the following 2.5 hours, three bottles of wine, six beers, Ricard, a cordon bleu a seven course meal followed by coffee in the salon, all for 35Euros each, I for one will be back as the restaurant is part of a bijou hotel which is equally as inviting with very pleasant owners. Our last day was a bit of a burn as our tunnel return was booked in Calais for 7.30 pm 400 miles away, so when we finally arrived home to Bucks we all three new we had a good ride and a brilliant road trip. Thanks to my two road companions and all who helped make this a memorable 2013 trip. If any one would like more information on the rally, accommodation or the route just ask Brian or Dave. Beat regards and safe riding. Brian Wilson
New for 2013 we’re launching our very own Frequent Rider Programme, which is designed to encourage attendance at club ride outs and recognise both riders and pillions for regularly supporting our rides.
QUALIFYING RIDERS/ PASSENGERS Riders qualify by reaching the destination of an official club ride out on a roadworthy and road legal motorcycle (this can be their own, someone else’s, or a rental / loan motorcycle).
All you have to do is register, which costs £1 per person for the whole year and start attending qualifying rides (see below).
Passengers qualify by reaching the destination of an official club ride out as a pillion on any road legal bike, regardless of who the main rider is and whether they are in the scheme.
QUALIFYING RIDES All official club ride-outs qualify so long as they are in the ride schedule and advertised either in the club magazine or on the club ride calendar. Entrants can only be credited with the ride-out if they have ridden a motorcycle (thus excluding driving by car to the destination).
RECORDING YOUR RIDES Participants in the scheme can obtain a record card which they must present for signature by the leading Road Captain on arrival at the ride out destination. For safety reasons, it is preferable to do any admin of the scheme AFTER the ride-out has arrived at its destination. This means that the leading Road Captain is not bothered by administration tasks and hence free to put all of his/her concentration into ride safety before departure. REGISTRATION / CARDS There is a £1 annual registration charge to participants. If any participants fill the first card they can request subsequent cards free in the same year. REWARDS There will be presentations at the end of the year for winning riders and passengers. Prizes will be awarded once all qualifying rides have been completed and winners selected.
Thames Valley Uk Chapter. We are displaying our bikes and collecting outside The Broad Street Mall (Old Butts Centre) Oxford Road, Reading, Berks. From 10am to 4pm Please come and shake a bucket or take photos to help raise much needed funds for Sportsable.
Cider Rally 2013 Fines The Fine Mistress is back with a Vengeance‌.. Surprising how a few Ciders can loosen the tongues. CJ Accusing Stumpy of buying cheap beer - Ungrateful or what. Trying to bribe a committee member not to publish his fines Thinking Lynmouth was in the New Forest. Accusing the Boy Scout movement of being scroungers and not putting anything in the collection bucket. Grassing fellow Chapter members up for fines. Sleeping (twice) in his boxers - thats his storey. John Colyer (Gobby) Wearing the same T Shirt as Casper. Clive Skinner Constantly pointing his finger . Dancing Topless (If you could call it that) Sharing Fish & Chips with Trevor Ahhhh how sweet. Going to bed reily early (And Trevor) Bulldog Leaving Gobby behind on a rideout by overtaking him. Knocking over a table. Spilling egg yolk over the floor at the services. Barry (Baz) Coming to the Rally in a yellow Spitfire. Going Topless on his drive out.
Don W Not setting foot on the Dance Floor Knocking over a rubbish bin trying to park his bike. Stumpy Pretending he was smoking all weekend. Only putting 27p in the Scouts collection Bucket. Ralph Ward Riding to slow. Ralph & Mike for being Tangoed. Flicking his hair like Mick Jagger Mike Connolly Confessing he had never been fined. Riding down to the Rally with Surrey Chapter and Not Thames Valley. Gopher For driving in a Bus Lane in Reading For doing the above in Nij’s 4x4 Not telling the Boss he had been caught in the Bus lane Nij For getting caught Speeding on a customers Bike For using a Police Officers Bike to get caught.
HOLYPORT FAYRE 2013 21 motorbikes along with thousands of people were there. The fun fair is on the green, the large dog show has begun, the vintage and classics cars are on display, the wellie throwing is being watched, and the many side shows and stalls are very busy. Families with young children are having their photos taken on the bikes and donations are being made. The chapter B B Q has been lit, sausages are being cooked and are available to us all. Over ÂŁ12,000 was raised from this event, which will be shared between Holyport Memorial Hall and Bray & Holyport Scout Group.
SOUTHSEA HERE WE COME !!!! The small services on the A33 just off the M4 and just outside Reading is our starting point for the ride out to Southsea, 16 bikes and 23 riders and pillions have turned up on a gloriously sunny day. The traffic for a bank holiday weekend is not too bad, we have made our way to Loomies for our morning break, we then carried on to Southsea. The weather has stayed warm and as we all make our way on to the sea front Linda and Tony have joined us. Everyone who joined up for the miles for fun have had their cards signed, now time for fish and chips, sandwiches, Mexican or whatever takes your fancy. Nemo was found near the Blue Reef Aquarium, Ice creams have been bought and eaten and a cafe serving tea and coffee has proved to be very popular before the ride home. It has been a lovely day, with lovely weather and lovely company.
It has been a long cold winter and most of you will know by now that the condition of many of our roads can be shocking! Pot holes are causing damage to motor vehicles across the country and we all need to be prepared to take evasive action when out riding. Here are a few tips to help avoid becoming a statistic... 路
路 路
路
Leave a slightly larger gap between you and the vehicle in front. This will buy you a second or two to manoeuvre clear of any last minute hole or obstacle. Watch the vehicle in front, often a bump will be visible via its effect on the vehicle in front. If riding in a group, make sure you leave enough room between yourself and the bike in front (especially when the ride slows down) to allow him/ her and you to ride around any pot hole. When riding in a group you can signal to the rider behind that there is a dangerous pot hole or object by pointing at the hazard (to the left with your hand or to the right with your foot). If someone in front of you does this, you know there is a hazard and you should move to avoid it and pass the signal back if it is safe
Another hazard which has a particularly high impact on motorcyclists is diesel on the road. Often riders can SMELL the fuel on the road before they see it so learn to trust your nose. Spilled diesel can be as slippery on dry roads as it is on wet roads so use all your senses to try to detect it early. Spills are often due to larger vehicles, like Lorries, who overfill their tank. This means that fuel will spill out when they take a corner, at roundabouts and particularly near to filling stations.
Finally, a brief reminder to check fluid levels before a ride. You need to check oil and brake fluid levels as well as fuel. Make sure your tyre pressures are correct and at least every month check the tread on your tyres around the entire length of the tyre. A great time to check this is when you are cleaning the rims. Have a look at the brake linings while you are cleaning to ensure you have sufficient pad to the journeys you have planned. Ride safe ‌. Nick West (Safety Officer)
Don Wibberley Chapter Director Email: director @thamesvallyhog.org.uk
Pat Adams Assistant Director Email: assistantdirector@
Colin Wilkins Treasurer Email: treasurer@
Sue Moyler Secretary Email: secretary@
Fred Cotsford Membership Officer Email: membership@
Nij Jones Head Road Captain Email: headroadcaptain@
Nick West Safety Officer & Historian Email: historian@
Barry Adams Activities Officer Email: activities@
Sue Brown Ladies of Harley Email: ladiesofharley@
Lee White Webmaster Email: webmaster@
Position Vacant Editor Email: editor@
Bernie Meason Photographer Email: photographer@
facebook.com/groups/ thamesvalleyhog
youtube.com/user/ tvwebmaster1 Linda Friend Photographer Email: photographer@
Shirley Churchill Merchandise Email: merchandise@
Club Venue: SportsAble, Braywick Sports Ground, Maidenhead, SL6 1BN