Sarah’s Birthday Surprise – Report by Ian Duxbury

I’m sure that most of you will have been keeping up to date with the latest posts, and may remember a post that I submitted asking for volunteers……this then metamorphosed into another post which, for some mysterious reason, became a posting about a run out to Matlock Bath.

Well, now the full story can be told.

On the 6th March this year, I received the following e-mail:

Dear Mr /Ms Chairman

I am writing as a doting father to Sarah, a petite 20 year University student from the Macclesfield area. For more than 10 years Sarah has had a passionate desire to ride as a passenger on a Honda Goldwing motorcycle and, as her doting Daddy, I have said I would make that wish come true at a milestone moment in her life. Sarah will be 21 years old on the 20th July 2010, and I was wondering if any of your members who were reasonably local to Macclesfield would be prepared to make her dream come true? I would of course cover reasonable expenses for both your member’s time and running costs. This would be very special for Sarah, and also for my wife, her big brother and I.

Thanks in anticipation for your help and advice.

Yours faithfully.

Neil McArthur

For those of you at the club meeting that month, you’ll probably remember how I mentioned this letter and asked if anyone might be interested in fulfilling Sarah’s ambition. Response was promising, we had plenty of time, so I started to plan……little did I suspect what was to happen….

In May, we decided to publish the event on the Website, and I mailed Neil to say that we hadn’t forgotten him, but were plotting furiously! Bob did his magic with the site, and the comments started to arrive. Support was initially steady, but it wasn’t until I was working away for a week in June (with no internet access) that things really started to take off. Returning from my exile in deepest Wales, I found a positive flurry of comments posted, all offering support and suggestions for the venture. ‘Rather than do this mid-week on Sarah’s birthday, why not make a day of it and go out on the preceding Sunday?’, was an idea. This then prompted the thought that we take not just Sarah, but the whole family out for a run? I phoned Neil in mid-June to advise of progress and our new plans, to which the reply was:

Dear Ian

I was delighted to receive your telephone call yesterday lunchtime and hear of the kind proposal for Sunday 18th July. I have discussed the idea with my wife Cesca (short for Francesca) and would appreciate your guidance on how the day would best work for you and your members. Sarah, Robin and I would love to accept your invitation to ride on the back of a GoldWing. Cesca is somewhat nervous and wonders if she would be most comfortable playing the role of support / camera person following in the car rather than ride herself, any word of wisdom from you would be appreciated. In terms of shapes and sizes, Sarah is 5’1” and a ladies size 12 (max) and with a small head; Robin is 6’3”, chest 44”and waist 36” with a large head; I am 6’0”, 46” chest, 36” waist and a medium sized head. ( Just in case, Cesca is 5’ 5” size 18 with a medium head.) I have put our address below (which is on a cul-de-sac) and would be pleased to provide refreshments for your members on arrival and return. If you give me an idea of times and numbers we will be prepared. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with advice and suggestions; at this stage this is a complete surprise for Sarah!

Thanks again and I look forward to hearing from you and, of course, meeting you in due course.

Neil

Things then really moved into top gear at the June meeting, where the day began to take shape, suggestions as to venue, etc, being finalised. Jim and Chandra Nightingale generously offered to supply a memento of the occasion for Sarah in the shape of a very nice Goldwing jacket, an offer gratefully accepted. Gary Stubbs said that he’d be attending on his trike (an ideal solution for Sarah’s Mum), people began confirming their availability for the trip, and all was taking shape beautifully.

Hi Neil,

Had our club meeting yesterday, and managed to firm up the details for our planned surprise as follows:

• After much discussion, it was felt that Matlock Bath would be a much preferred destination, as it’s more bike oriented and seems to have a plentiful supply of ice cream/food/tea/coffee vendors (essential for any runs-out!).

• We appear to have a minimum of nine bikes coming, although I suspect that that may increase on the day,and certainly have enough solo riders attending to allow us to take all the family with us. To ease Cesca’s fears, we also have at least one trike coming along, and this would make for a far more secure ride for her if she’s a little nervous about being on a solo. Alternatively, she could use the car if preferred.

• We’re looking to arrive with you for around 10:00 and leave for Matlock around 11:00, or whenever convenient to allow us to arrive at the far end at around lunchtime.

• As for coming back, we’ll play that by ear unless you need to be back by a specific time.

• Jackets, gloves and helmets have all been sorted, but would suggest that sturdy (!) footwear be worn.

• And we have a surprise for Sarah at the end of it all………………..

so all we need to do now is hope that the Weather Gods smile on us!

Just as a matter of interest, have you considered asking the local press along, as this would provide another memento of the day for Sarah and some positive publicity for us as a club and as motorcyclists in general?

Looking forward to seeing Sarah’s face on the day!

Ian D

which received the following response:

Ian

As we discussed on the phone, the attached sounds fantastic, so thanks in anticipation.

For simplicity let me deal with your points one by one.

 Cesca is up for a ride on the trike, it’s a great idea!

 We have no commitments on the day so the flexible timing is not a problem.

 We are all equipped with sturdy footwear

 Would you and your members like

o bacon rolls and / or biscuits with tea / coffee / soft drinks on arrival

o sandwiches / sausage rolls and cake plus beverages on return

o (Beer / wine is an option… but I appreciate you will be driving home)

 Funnily enough I had considered inviting the local press and was going to ask if it was OK with you. I will give them a call tomorrow.

We’re looking forward to the 18th.

Best regards

Neil

So, the stage was set, all was in place, and all we had to do was wait for the big day……..Until a mini disaster struck in the form of Gary having to pull out of the venture owing to hospitalization. Was the plan to collapse? Were we doomed?………

Hi Neil,

Well, all is almost in place for the big day, but we’re struggling a little bit, as our trike rider is having an op on his thumb and can’t make it to the event. Trying to arrange a replacement, but if unable, how does Cesca feel about being on one of our most experienced rider’s bike? Alternatively, if she’d prefer the car, we can cope with that equally. Otherwise, timings as before, and let’s hope summer returns.

How do you want us to arrive – quietly, and sneak down the cul-de-sac to group outside, at which point, I’ll trot along and ring the doorbell?

Cheers!

Ian D

Ian

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you but the last two days have been frantic. After careful consideration Cesca has decided to put herself in the capable hands of your members, whether on two or three wheels – cars are for wimps! The arrival plan sounds great! Are the bacon butties, tea and cakes etc OK at the start and finish, or is there anything else we can organise?

Thanks and best regards, see you on Sunday.

Neil

So, we were back on! Dave and Toni kindly volunteered the use of their trike, should it be needed (so we even had a Plan B!).

All that remained was to wait……….

6:04am Sunday 18th July – woken by the sound of the rain hammering against the window, I groaned, rolled over and started praying fervently to whatever rain gods I could think of to stop the downpour, as this was potentially the only thing that could really derail the day’s events. I mean, if WE don’t enjoy getting cold and wet, how could that be the fulfilment of someone’s dream? Getting the bike out, the rain continued to taunt. No longer of biblical volume, it decided to play the ‘Will I, Won’t I’ game, by keep showering, stopping, then showering again. I was encouraged when switching on my phone to discover a message from Roger, who was checking to see if we were still on for the day and that he would assume that it was ‘go’ if he heard nothing from me. At least there’d be two of us there, I thought. Heading down the M6, the rain still playing silly bug*ers, a lone Wing appeared in the distance…two up! Not only were we and Roger daft enough to venture out, so was Cheryl! Approaching Poplar, I had mixed feelings – were we the only ones? Had the rain (understandably) put people off?

Should have known – as always, when it comes down to it, the members of GWNW respond magnificently. Eight bikes, along with pilots and passengers, stood in the car park. Jim and Chandra were to meet us en-route, so we had a grand selection of twelve of Honda’s finest.Having spoken to Neil the night before (and believe me, he was like a kid waiting for Xmas Day!), I briefed the team on the approach, etc. Sarah still hadn’t an inkling of what was to unfold…….We set off to Prestbury, and it’s here that I have to stake my claim to the Frank Goodman Sat-Nav Excellence Award, as mine decided to have an electronic sulk and took us on a scenic journey of the town centre before having to be completely reset and threatened with a high-speed getoff! At last, we approached the cul-de-sac in a rather pleasant part of town. Stopping around the corner, I rang Neil as previously arranged to let him know we had arrived. We then advanced up the road, to be met by a man whom I knew was Neil by the smile of delight and surprise which threatened to envelop his whole head! The bikes lined up outside, Neil went inside, and I approached the front door (together with a photographer from the Manchester Evening News (good publicity, eh?)……….and rang the bell…

A petite, pretty red-headed young lady opened the door and stood looking somewhat puzzled. “Are you Sarah McArthur?’, I asked, receiving a hesitant ‘Yes’ in a ‘I’m not altogether sure what’s going on here’ kind of way. ‘I believe you’re 21 in a couple of days’, I continued. Again, a not so sure ‘Yes’ was the reply. ‘And that you’ve always wanted a ride on a GoldWing?’ ‘Yes?……’ ‘Then you’d better come out to play’, as I stood back, revealing the team hiding behind the hedge.

Sarah’s face was a picture as we walked down the drive, and she saw the assembled Wings. A mixture of surprise, incredulity and disbelief all managed to combine in a smile which radiated sheer delight. She was then further surprised as Jim presented her with her jacket (which couldn’t have fitted better if she’d been measured for it) and we awarded her Honorary Membership of GWNW, together with Membership Card and Certificate. The rain also now appeared to be playing ball at bit more, so it was shaping up to be a good day.

Inviting us into the house, Francesca and Neil had most kindly laid on enough tea, coffee and bacon butties to feed an army (or 3 medium-sized GWNW members ) which we set about demolishing. Helmets, jackets and gloves appeared from topboxes, etc, and the family were kitted out ready for the run.

Installed on bikes, Sarah with Jim, Francesca with Ted, Robin(Sarah’s brother) with Adrian and Neil with Ian, we then had to wait for the photographer to do his stuff, an event which may not have gone down too well with the neighbours, as it meant nothing got into or out of the cul-de-sac for a good 15 minutes! But, move off, we did…..into first rain, then wind and finally disappearing into cloud going over the Cat and Fiddle towards Buxton! Talking to Ted later, he told me that, although relatively chatty over the intercom initially, Francesca had gone somewhat quiet on encountering the cloud/fog. She later admitted that she’d been known to drive up there in the car, see the fog, then turn round and come back! And here we were, ploughing on into it regardless!! Thankfully, these all abated as we descended the other side and made our way into Matlock Bath.

Parking up, it was reassuring to find that the whole family were enjoying the experience, despite the iffy weather. To say that Sarah was enjoying it was, to say the very least, an understatement. Splitting up, we arranged to reassemble for the return run at 3:00, so did the only decent thing……went looking for food! 3:00 arrived as did we and also the Sun! Heading back, we enjoyed some fine twisties, but I can honestly say I’ve never encountered as many speed camera vans within a relatively small area as we did there. Suppose it’s all these would-be Rossi’s with bum-in air, brain-in-topbox mentality going out and discovering that they can’t do it just as well as they thought they could. Having said that, we did witness the aftermath of an accident, with the unlucky individual residing on the verge at the side of the road…….but it was a car! The run home proved to be mainly dry, warm and very pleasant, the only slight casualty being Jim…..not due to any misfortune, you understand, but the continued digs from Sarah, urging him to go faster! With her Mum sitting right behind on the following bike, Jim thought it prudent not to get into trouble.

Arriving home, again we were thoroughly spoiled with drinks, sandwiches and birthday cake, for which we must extend our thanks and appreciation to Francesca and Neil. Before we left, Neil gave a short speech of appreciation for all we had done to make the day special – as he said to me, ‘It couldn’t have been more perfect’. Sarah, too was very grateful for all our efforts, and we made them all fully aware that we did not want them to lose touch with us. Neil then asked me to accept a cheque on behalf of our charity, which I accepted without actually looking at the value. It later transpired that this was for the more than generous sum of £100, so our very grateful thanks go to him.

Leaving for the ride home, we reflected that it had been a wonderful day all round. What more could you ask –

• a ride out to Prestbury, (through some very exclusive areas – you could almost hear our ladies salivating at some of the houses!)

• bacon butties and tea

• ride to Matlock Bath

• food!

• back to Prestbury

• Tea and Cakes

• £100 for charity

• And best of all, fulfil a dream for an obviously very loved young lady.

Doesn’t get better than that!