Colin Appleyards are having their annual open day on Sunday 17th April. All the usual bargains will be available plus hundreds of Goldwing owners in attendance.  Its a great day to meet old friends and pick up bargains to boot.

The accommodation package represented good value for money, I seem to remember that we paid more for accommodation back in 2008 at Pontins, but the hotel room we were in could have done with updating a bit, we didn’t have a shower in the room but everything was clean and comfortable, the positive side was the food and bar pricing. Meals were well cooked and presented, and there was always enough on the plate, especially at breakfast. Beer was discounted especially for us and even the wine and spirits were maintained at their normal bar price levels. Friday’s best lit bike competition was well attended as usual, with the inclusion of some new machines on display and we certainly attracted a crowd of interested hotel guests and visitors. The judges this year comprised of Randy Rodriguez, the Captain of the Florida drill team, who paid us a visit back in 2008, and his wife Cat along with representatives of the event sponsors. The prize winners benefitting from excellent prizes of Honda Watches, Fleeces, and a Trophy all supplied by Knutsford Honda, Colin Appleyards and of course The Federation of UK Goldwing Clubs.

Saturday’s static display started around 11:00 am and mention must be made of the marshals who manned the tram crossing at the busy traffic light come pedestrian crossing junction. It was identified on the risk assessment as being the highest risk area and that some attention must be paid when receiving bikes onto and off the promenade display area. I don’t think there was any moment of concern by any rider or pedestrian during the day, everyone played their part and no mishaps occurred. Well done to the marshals on the day. The highlight of the day for some was the 2010 Miss Teens photo shoot on the beech just opposite the GoldWings display area. Several distinguished photographers from within our number had a field day testing their zoom lenses and close up skills on the lovely ladies. The shoot ended with an invitation for the contestants to sit on the bikes for addition photographs. No idea who thought of that. 

The Light Parade itself was attended by around 120+ GoldWings and did include a few guests’ bikes. One chap, who was an obvious GoldWing fan, had been hanging around on the Friday evening on a CG125 machine asked if the parade was for GoldWings only. I was pleased to hear that he was told if he wanted to join in he would be welcome and it was suggested he joins in around half way so that he gets to see as much as possible. Bet he was a happy bunny. 

The earlier start time of 8:15pm does attract more crowds causing the entire route to be lined by waving spectators totally amazed at the display of GoldWings. This year’s traffic was the busiest we have ever experienced and the parade got fragmented more than is normal. It didn’t detract too much from the spectacle but it did take some of the riders quite a while to get back to the Hotel. Having said that the atmosphere was fantastic and it’s always a pleasure to be part of the parade. 

The evening’s entertainment went ahead in the Hotel dining room with plenty of Wingers staying in the bar to listen to the band whilst many more sat outside in the cool air drinking and having a good time. Prizes from the day’s best bike competition were presented to the winners and the raffle prize of £120.00 was drawn. 

Stuart Ormerod, the lead organiser for the past three years, announced his intention to stand down for the coming 2011 parade to allow some fresh ideas and volunteers to come to the fore. No doubt his skills and experience will still be available should they be needed by the new team. 

A special thank you to Nigel Mackintosh who spent most of his spare time as official event photographer, not that he needed asking, but never the less his photographic skills can be viewed on the GoldWing Light Parade website in the 2010 Gallery. You will not be dissapointed. 

Congratulations to the 2010 team for pulling off another successful GoldWing Light Parade

Appleyards open day, need I say more. A great opportunity to pick up all those chrome accessories and Goldwing goodies that are a must have prior to the start of the season. Everything for your Goldwing will be on sale at the North West’s premier Goldwing dealership.  Take plenty of money or at least your credit card. There is usually a good turn out of other Goldwing riders from all over the UK so its a great chance to meet up and have a chat with all your friends.

Taken from Appleyards website

We are recognised as one of the UK’s foremost Honda Goldwing centres, with a massive selection of Goldwing bikes and trikes as a well as a huge range of Goldwing parts and accessories.

We also have our own specialist trike conversion centre for the Goldwing GL1800 and GL1500SE plus the Harley Davidson FLH models, we really can offer you a choice of the best from Lehman (USA) and EML (Holland).

We actively encourage you to visit our Keighley showroom, which is home to our large selection of pre-owned Goldwings and Trikes. Test rides can be arranged on any of our range and for car licence holders who are new to the trike experience, trike rider training can be arranged on your new machine.

With award winning workshops and one of the largest parts/accessories and clothing departments in the country we can cater for all your riding needs.

We attend most of the major motorcycle shows in the UK; BMF, Americana, Goldwing Treffen, and the NEC to name but a few, and on the Sunday before Easter we hold our annual Goldwing Open Day at our Keighley showroom where we invite customers and members of the Goldwing Owners Club to join us for a free lunch (£1.00 donation to charity) and providing the weather is good we can expect up to 500 Goldwings to arrive (and yes you are welcome too!)

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have, and we all look forward to meeting you in the future here at Colin Appleyard’s Goldwing and Trike Centre.

There is usually a good turn out of other Goldwing riders from all over the UK so its a great chance to meet up and have a chat with all your friends.

We will be leaving from  the Swallow Hotel around 11:00 am on the Sunday Morning of the meeting. Please visit http://www.colinappleyard.com/goldwing/  to register and claim your lunch.