South Of England Rally Bucks Bimble Brighton Burn Missing Bits
September 2016
Editor's thoughts
Se nd edi yo u tor rs @t ubm ham iss esv ion a st l l e yh Welcome to September's magazine. o: og. org As the nights begin to draw in, it's hard to think that SOfER was .u k only a few weeks ago. I don't think any of us could have asked for better weather. Simply enjoying the comany of the Thames Valley massive in the sun, chewing the fat and washing it down with a beer or two was great. The barbeque on Saturday night was simply a blast. Good food, company and banter. What else could you ask for? I would like to thank everyone involved with putting the rally together. Within the unseen hours of work they put in, it just wouldn't happen. The past month have seen so many ride outs around our beautiful area. The Bucks Bimble, Bulldog's ride, Brighton Burn and the Cotswolds Wildlife Park rides, just to mention a few. Always good to grab the opportunity to get out and ride when the weather (for most of the rides) was fine.
Behind the scenes of SOfER
This month also saw the launch of the new 2017 models from Harley Davidson. A couple of dates for your diary are the 29th September which sees the 2017 models exclusive preview at Reading HD and 1st October which is the big 2017 model Test Ride Event down at the dealership. This will give you a great opportunity to take the new models for a blast. From the feedback I have heard from those lucky enough to have already ridden these, the new Milwaukee Eight is an engine that is really worthy of a place in Harley history. I hope to see you there. Ride safe and have fun!
Andy
Inside this issue
September/October Birthdays
Front cover
Fun and Games at SOfER
Page 2
Editor's Thoughts
Page 4 - 6
Director's Update
Page 7
Ladies of Harley
Page 8 - 9
Bucks Bimble
Page 10 - 11
Canary's Missing Bit
Page 12 - 13
SOfER
Page 14 - 15
Calendar
Page 16 - 19
SOfER
Page 20
New Members
Page 21
Blue's Smokehouse
Page 22 - 23
Brighton Burn
Page 24 - 25
Sparkle Tour
Page 26
Growing a ÂŁ1
Page 27
Bulldog's ride / Caption Time
Back cover
Meet the committee
September Sue Moyler - 15th Jon Harris - 17th Paul Houghton - 18th Alan Miles - 19th Chris Needham - 21st Tony Robson - 23rd Sue Lambe - 25th Chris Earley - 28th Sue Poulter - 29th
October Brian Wilson - 3rd Pearl Taylor - 7th Alan Gutteridge - 9th Thelma Bryant - 11th Mark Peck - 11th Carol Miles - 12th Michael Walters - 19th
Happy Birthday to you all.
Huge thanks to all who have sent copy in for this month's magazine: Don, Sue, Linda, Andre, Malcolm, Mike :-)
Welcome To this month’s edition of Tales from the Riverbank. As another month passes by, already we are into September and starting to think about booking some of next year’s events which chapters are already selling tickets and accommodation for. Thames Valley will be attending the following Rallies as chapter events in 2017. The Cider Rally, Thunder in the Glens and Blazin' Blitz. These rallies may be added to as details and information become available about other rallies. Back in early August our Sofer Rally took place down at Hickstead, and as the weather was extremely kind to us over the weekend, it made all the difference to the rally. Saturday evenings BBQ was attended by 85 plus members of the Chapter. This years cooking of the food was taken in hand by a friend of Chris Smith, which took a lot of pressure of Chapter members who would normally of taken on the role. As for the rally, the ladies ride on Friday evening again a complete disaster with the trikes being put behind the tail rider yet again. Sue pulled out of the ride for the second year running. The ride itself became very broken up and riders ended up making there own way back to Hickstead. The rally showed some improvement after last year, but we still have a long way to go.
To all the chapter members who helped out with the construction and breakdown of the site and all of you who worked so hard to make the rally work over the weekend Thank you. The chapter challenge mileage program comes to an end on October 29th with a signing off of your mileages at the dealership during the day. Many of you are already clocking up some pretty impressive mileages, and the top mileages will be announced at the December Club Night. We have only two Poker runs left of the 2016 season, the next being held at the Dukes Head in Farnham Royal, Slough, and the final one at The Cricketers in Littlewick Green another old favourite. If you are short of cards now is the time to catch up at the next pub evening. The first of the winter Saturday socials start early November and will carry on through to spring next year. Malcolm, our activities officer would love to hear from you with some ideas for lunch time venues for the club to meet. Pat and Barry have been really busy organising this year’s Christmas party which has been booked for December 10th at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Maidenhead. Tickets are £36pp which includes a 3 course Christmas dinner with a bottle of wine per couple and dancing till 1am. Rooms are available at £59 including breakfast, booked direct with the hotel. Additional information will be available at club night tonight. Ride to the Wall is only a few weeks away on October 1st. Our ride to Tamworth in Staffs, always attracts a large number of members, even more so since we have been making a weekend of it. This year we are staying at a new hotel to the Chapter which is sited next to a canal about 30 minutes from the Arboretum. There is accommodation still available if anybody would like to join us, details on the notice board tonight.
Please remember you need to register and make a donation to the charity through the RTTW web site. Merchandise for Ride to the Wall is also available from the web site and will be sent to you direct. On Sunday morning on the way home, we plan to call in to the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham and make a day of it before returning home. Next month, application forms will be available for the Committee and membership to apply for a place on the 2017 committee. The term of office is for 1 year and runs from January to December. The committee for 2017 will be announced at January club night. Can I remind all Road Crew that they need to reapply for their positions for 2017. As some of you may know, Adrian from the dealership suffered a Stroke ten days ago and had to be taken into the Royal Berks Hospital to be cared for. There was talk he may have to be transferred to the John Radcliffe in Oxford for more specialist treatment, but thankfully he has not required it. Grant Oxtoby is now out of hospital, but is waiting for an appointment to go in to hospital for a triple heart bypass, I know you're up and about Grant, and I hope, taking it easy. Hurry up and get well you guys, we are all thinking of you. That’s it from me for another month.
Ride safe and have Fun Don Director
Ladies of Harley Hi Ladies, As you may already be aware, Jo Green (LOH Officer for Oxford Chapter) and Elaine Shepherd (National Chapter LoH Officer) are hosting a national LOH event during this weekend - Fri 16th-Sun 18th September. It's an event for riders or non-riding Ladies of Harley to join in for as much or as little as they choose, a few non-riding ladies may be joining in their cars - the flyer (see page 24) shows an outline of the itinerary for The Sparkle Tour. The ride coming from Oxford HD is due to arrive at Reading HD around 11.00 11.10am on Friday 16th. The plan is to be at Reading for about 20-30 mins, departing around 11.30am before heading off to Guildford HD. It would be great if we could have a welcoming group when the girls arrive at Reading HD Fri morning. Ride safe & have fun Sue Dodds LoH Officer ladiesofharley@thamesvalleyhog.org.uk 07775 913562
WOMEN WHO BEHAVE SELDOM MAKE HISTORY
Brilliant Bucks Bimble... The Bucks Bimble ride saw a very good turn out with both bikes and trikes. After a stop for breakfast at Sue & Dave's, we made our way through some very quaint villages and enjoyed a lovely scenic route to the Ashridge Estate for the now infamous cream tea. How fantastic to have Gill and Paul Major join us for the ride out, courtesy of Sue & Dave Knight and their trikes.
Canary’s Missing Bits Knowing that the Sofer Rally was just around the corner, and the thought of all those shiny pieces of metal gleaming in the sunshine really made me want to “spruce” my Heritage Softail up a bit… simply to ensure that when the sun came out, I too would be gleaming! With that in mind, I went to great length to buy some new chrome parts whilst on holiday in the USA in June. Triumphantly returning from the US spending expedition, I set about fixing my “Flames Collection” covers and stood back thinking ….yes, a bit more bling certainly goes a long way! Departure day arrives, I securely tie my tent and sleeping bag onto pillion seat and I set off very early to meet with my fellow bikers, Mike, Thelma, Steve and Debs. A quick blast down the M1, turn right onto the M25, down to M23 and on to the Rally site. What a lovely ride ahead. Every car on the motorway slowed down slightly as they went passed (I wasn’t going that fast!) and I would casually glance towards them acknowledging, with a wry smile, their admiring glances at my lovely shiny yellow bike (hence the nick name Canary). So far so good……we are looking the part! On to the M25 and things start slowing down. Time is marching on and I no longer have the patience to wait for any more admiring glances, so duly pick up the speed and enter the fast lane. 10 mins later…..rattle, clunk, wallop. What the??!! I looked in the mirrors and
there it was my brand new Flame Collection Air Filter cover flying and bouncing its way down the motorway behind me! My emergency hazards go on and I slow down (as did the entire motorway behind me) and get ready to move across all the lanes in order to stop on the hard shoulder. Rattle, clunk, wallop again!! Quick mirror check reveals the rest of the motorway traffic deftly, and without consideration or mercy, riding over the new shiny Flames air filter cover, playing chicken with the debris as they drove! Safely reaching the hard shoulder I sheepishly waved all the traffic through shouting “It's ok, it’s only a small misplaced item and I’m OK”. Quickly phoned Mike to tell him that I will be a little later than expected as I have lost a few bits off my bike – silence, laughter, sniggering and then what could only be construed as an attempt at concern! For the rest of the journey I stuck in the fast lane so that no one could see the gaping hole on the right side where my cover used to be.
Andre
South Of England Rally
Our second year at Hickstead presented us with a fantastic weekend. The weather arrived bang on schedule. Yes, it was hot, hot, hot! With volunteers from Thames Valley manning the gate and banding all the Editor's note: Whilst I was on the gate arrivals, the first guest banded by Shirley was I banded a visitor with exactly the from Meridian Chapter. same number as she was banded with the previous year.
The crew on the gate Friday were kept busy all day. The LOH ride was well attended but not the smoothest, and with the theme being Leather and Lace everyone looked great.
The team from Reading Harley Davidson were dressed as Pirates. Not much we could say about that but "Where's the rum?" Friday night saw the bands (including The Rolling Stoned) rocking the night away.
Thursday, 15 September Club Night (closed event)
Tuesday, 4 October Committee Night
Friday, 16 - Sunday 18 September The Sparkle Tour
Saturday, 8 October Mike's 3 Cuppas ride (closed event)
Sunday, 18 September Loomies Cafe
Sunday, 9 October Brightonia Bike Show
Wednesday, 21 September Poker Night (closed event)
Wednesday, 12 October Poker Night (close event
Thursday, 22 September Bike Night (open event)
Sunday, 16 October Hoggin the Bridge
Friday, 23 - Sunday, 25 September End of Season Rally, Valkenburg, Holland
Thursday, 20 October Club Night (closed event)
Thursday, 29 September Ace Cafe - Harley Night (open event) Saturday, 1 October Ride to the Wall (closed event)
Sunday, 23 October LOH Meeting Oxford HQ Thursday, 27 October Bike Night (open event) Saturday, 29 October HOG Mileage program ends. Reading Dealership
Sunday, 2 October National Motorcycle Museum For all rides, check the website or call the hotline to confirm.
Dates, events, ride-outs and activities. Details correct at time of going to print. Please check the website for updates and amendments.
RALLIES 2016 CLUB NIGHTS End of season rally, Valkenburg, Holland 23rd - 25th September
October
20th
November
17th
December
15th
January
19th
February
16th
RALLIES 2017
Blazin' Blitz Hayling Island 29th September - 2nd October
EVENTS
Ride to the Wall Saturday 1st October
Thames Valley HOG Christmas Party Saturday 10th December
See in this magazine, TV HOG website or Facebook for details.
MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTION DEADLINES
October
13th
November
10th
December
8th
January
12th
February
9th
Check website for details on all events
South Of England Rally As Saturday dawned bright, sunny and warm, little did we know how the morning was going to unfold. The Hogback Chapters ride left on time, and within several minutes we could all hear police and ambulance sirens going down the main road, and then to top it all, the air ambulance arrived. A young man on a Kawasaki had tried to overtake the ride out and failed. A car had slowed down and the young man hit him, he was very lucky and escaped with a broken thumb and bruised shoulder, although his leathers did not fair so well, they were cut off. Thankfully the Air Ambulance was not needed. After all the drama and concerm caused by the accident settled down we got on with a great Saturday. There was the ride in bike show, and as ever this brought out the beautiful and amazing entries. There were many deserving winners
including a prize for best paint and overall winner, a very smart blue and white
softtail. Saturday also brought the Chapter Challenge. Loads of fun and games for all the competing Chapters with 1066 picking up the winners trophy.
Saturday night not only brought more great music from the acts, but it saw the TV HOG barbeque night. What a blinder it was! Baz the man on the bbq, and Thames Valley partying. Many mysterious objects were crafted by Ian's fantastic balloon craft. Producing all sorts of shapes (some may have required an 18 certifcate) and animals. Amongst the revellers was Simon who just happened to be celebrating his birthday. There was food and drink aplenty, everyone having a lovely time.
Sunday saw the main rideout. Thames Valley flag bearers for the big parade were Priscilla Pierre and Mark Evans. The ride down and around Brighton and the neighbouring area was well attended, if not slightly chaotic in its route. I know a number of people who managed a least a couple loops between those roundabouts. It was topped off with a "ride it like you stole it" return up the A23 and back to the rally site.
ON CARL JOHNS
LUKE SHANK S
We would like to wish a warm welcome to all our new members.
ROD &
M AR Y
LANGH A
M
Blue's Smokehouse, BBQ & Bar in Slough had its grand opening. Members of Thames Valley Chapter were invited to come along with their bikes to give that authetic American flavour. The dĂŠcor looked very authentic. The opening had two American cars and six bikes and two trikes. The full range of good scoff was available and the burgers were delish. Actually, so was the ice cream!
Ace Café Brighton Burn. Sunday September 4th , a group of fourteen riders assembled at Sportsable for the ride to the Ace Café annual Brighton Burn, which has been held on the sea front for many years now. The weather was a little overcast but still dry for the ride down through Guildford, Petworth, Pulborough, Shoreham and then into Brighton. As we approached the Seafront in to Brighton, it became apparent that this year’s event was again going to be well attended by
thousands of bikers. After finding parking space for the bikes it was time to search out some lunch and a drink. If you come down to Brighton, lunch must be Fish and Chips on
the beach which we found very close to the pier. After a very tasty lunch a small group of us wandered around looking at the many trade stands set up along both sides of the road. As we wandered through the trade stands Bikes, Scooters and many classic machines were still arriving. The Ace CafĂŠ sound stage had been set up down on the sea front to entertain the crowds with many different Rockabilly bands and dancers entertaining us.
During the afternoon, after spotting Mike arriving and a stroll along the pier, the plan for the journey home was starting to be hatched and a trip back through the countryside looked more appealing than the motorway.
Sparkle Tour Fri 16th Sept – Sun 18th Sept Route / Itinerary Friday 16th Sept 10am Leave Oxford H-‐D Corner House, Wotton, Oxfordshire, OX13 6BS, 01865 574900 Ride approx 1hr / 30 miles to..... Reading H-‐D for cuppa 660 Wokingham Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 7HN, 01189 145475 (30 miles) Ride approx 1hr / 32 miles to..... Guildford H-‐D for cuppa Portsmouth Road, Peasmarsh, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1NA, 01483 667926 (62 miles) Suggested lunch stop at nearby Manor Inn, Guildford Road, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 3BX, 01483 427134 Ride approx 1hr 15mins / 65 miles to.... Southampton H-‐D for cuppa Heritage House, Second Ave, Southampton SO15 0LP, 023 8057 1200 (127 miles) Ride approx 2hrs 30mins / 110 miles towards Exeter for overnight accommodation of your choice **(Devon Hotel 01392 259268). (approx 237 miles today)
Saturday 17th Sept ride approx 50 mins / 40 miles to..... Plymouth H-‐D for morning cuppa Langage Business Park, Eagle Road, Plympton, Devon, PL7 5JY, 01752 283253 (40 miles) Ride approx 2hrs 15mins / 100 miles to..... Bridgwater H-‐D for cuppa & lunch Wylds Rd, TA6 4DH, 01278 457652 (140 miles) Ride approx 30 mins /20 miles to Weston-‐Super-‐Mare for overnight accommodation of your choice ** (Lauriston Hotel 01934 620758). (approx 160 miles today) Sunday 18th Sept ride approx 1hr / 25 miles towards Bristol H-‐D (BS4 5LR) will be closed, coffee stop somewhere within locality (25 miles) Ride approx 1hr 30 mins / 50 miles to..... Cheltenham H-‐D will be closed, coffee/lunch stop within locality Suggest The Old Prison, Junction of the A429, Northleach GL54 3JH (75 miles) Ride approx 45 mins / 30 miles to.... Oxford for ride event finish mid afternoon, details yet to be confirmed. (approx 105 miles today) Other Useful Info Organisers: Elaine Shepherd, National LOH Officer, UK & Ireland – ChapterRepLOH@harley-‐davidson.com Jo Green, LOH Officer, Oxford UK Chapter – loh@oxfordukchapter.co.uk **Fri & Sat accommodation: Participants to book independently at same location or nearby hotel of own choice, please contact Elaine & Jo for more information. H-‐D Rental via Lind Tours, contact Axel Thill 07984 277199 or axel@lind.co.uk
Growing a £1. Yusef who is 5 years old was given £1 by his school to raise money for his school library. So he firstly asked his Nan if he could do jobs for her so having swept patio he earn £5. So now with £6 he went to Cosco's with his Mum and bought sausage rolls. Then, with Mike Wilson's permission, he set up shop asking just asking for donation per roll. The TV massive rallied and the final figure was £59.61.
So he would like to say a big thanks to his fellow chapter members
Bulldog's Ride As the ride out started out from Sportsable, the weather was damp and pretty much stayed that way for the rest of the day. The ride was to a good pub at Newbridge near Witney. On the way up things didn't go to plan. Unfortunately Bulldog's wheel bearing on his rear wheel went. The ride continued onwards as he waited on the roadside for recovery. The Thames Valley riders continued on to the planned destination of The Rose Revived pub.
Caption Time Please send your answers to: editor@thamesvalleyhog.org.uk
2016 Officers & Committee
PRIMARY OFFICERS
Don Wibberley Director
Pat Adams Asst. Director
Nick West Asst. Director CLUB VENUE Grenadier Guards Club Maidenhead Rd, Windsor, Berks, SL4 5EY
Colin Wilkins Treasurer
Sue Moyler Secretary
https://www.facebook.com/ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk
Third Thursday of every month 7:30pm
COMMITTEE
Sue Dodds Ladies of Harley
Andy Tunley Editor
Lee White Webmaster
Chris Smith Membership
Sue Knight Historian
Mandy Mussong Merchandise
Barry Adams Activities
Malcolm Poulter Activities
Linda Friend Photographer
Chris Earley Photographer
Email any committee member at (position held)@thamesvalleyhog.org.uk