You can read all about it here, thanks to our resident reporter, Graham C Pinder….

Me and Sue rode down on the Friday, we met up with Bob and Jackie Summers at Truck stop services on the M6 southbound at around 12:30 pm. and tried to get into McDonalds for some lunch but it was chocker, so we went into the Truck stop diner and had a real truckers’ feast instead. We then set off for our Hotel in Mold, The Beaufort Park. On the way there we got peppered with everything that the weather could chuck at us, intense rain, sleet, hail, you name it, we got it thrown in our faces.
We arrived safely, but very wet, around a half hour later and then got sorted with our rooms and stashed our wet bike gear to dry.

That afternoon was spent in the bar area where we had a few drinks and a good natter with some old friends from our club, G.W.N.W. and some friends from other Goldwing Clubs that had begun to arrive. Then it was time to get ready for dinner, which was held in a special room with all the other Gold wingers from various regions.
Saturday morning came and a hearty breakfast was had by all, then it was time to saddle up and ride into Chester City centre. When we got there, we were shown to one of the three locations for the static display of our bikes; we got the spot right in front of the City Hall.

We then all had a good wander round the streets, bumped into lots of other Gold wing Folk from our club and others along the way, checked out all the other bikes on display, some of the girls did a bit of retail therapy, and we had a nice coffee and a sumptuous cake. The weather was a mixture of rain and sunshine throughout the day but this didn’t really spoil it in any big way.

We then all rode back to the hotel for an early dinner and then back into Chester for the Light Parade mustering area.
As we all got ready to line up, it was estimated that there was over a hundred bikes and trikes there, which was quite good considering that it was the first event of this kind to be held in Chester. Jim and Chandra were up there near the front, just after the leading trikes,

Jim had a celebrity pillion passenger, ‘Owen’ the builder from Coronation Street. There was our Ted there as well, with his skeleton head on, Graham Coleman and Jean on their new 2012 model, Jimmy and Daphne, Dave and Tonia , Bill, Nigel and Joanne Mackintosh etc. etc. and many more besides.
The parade started at around 8:15 and we started to depart from the car park, the police motorcycle marshals did a brilliant job of stopping the traffic at all the traffic lights and roundabouts, the public seemed to like what they were seeing along the way and there were waves and cheers as we passed through the more populated areas of the City Centre. We did the circuit twice before the parade was split into those who were entering the best lit bike competition and those who were carrying on back to their accommodation.
We all got back to the hotel nice and dry, as the weather had kept off with the rain for the parade, which pleased everyone. After stowing the bikes under their covers on the hotel car park, it was a quick change and then back to the lounge area for drinkies and chatter with friends once again.
Everyone said that they had enjoyed it and that they would do it all again, so here’s to Southport now and another good parade.
After another hearty breakfast on Sunday morning, some of us rode home while some others linked up with some members from Goldwings North Wales and had a ride to the new J&S Accessories store near to Northwhich to bag a load of greatly reduced Goldwing goodies.

A Guide to touring in France - There are two new rules which come in to force from 1st July 2012 –

• The French require all riders of bikes above 125cc to wear at least 150 square cms (23 square inches) of high visibility reflective material on the back of their jackets. There is a 68 Euro on the spot fine and talk of 2 points on your licence for not adhering to this.
• All riders need to carry a breathalyser kit – 11 Euro fine from November for not having one. The legal drink drive limit in France is 50mg per 100ml of blood (UK is 80mg per 100ml). Single-use breathalyser kits will satisfy the requirement. The kits cost between £1 and £2 and will be available at ferry and tunnel terminals for crossing to France.
Anyone driving in France is already required to carry a warning triangle and a fluorescent safety vest and motorcyclist should carry spare bulbs. UK motorcyclists must display a GB plate.
It is proposed to ban motorcycles and scooters manufactured before 2004 from French city centres – machines could be immobilised and issued with a fine of 65 Euros, payable on the spot – no official date has yet been announced.
There is also the possibility you may get fined if caught using Sat Nav/IPhone, which warn of speed traps/cameras and possible confiscation of the device.
Be warned, travelling through France could damage your wallet!!
VIVE LA FRANCE!!

The Thundersprint is one of the biggest events of its kind in Europe. If you are reading this and have no idea what The Thundersprint is about let me direct you to their wonderful website which explains everything you would possibly want to know. After visiting the site, clear the dates in your diary and sit back and wait for May 13th.

Not only do you get to watch all manner of weird, exotic and wonderful bikes racing against the clock, but can also enjoy wandering around the town itself and the numerous trade stands offereing goodies at sometimes ridiculously cheap prices.

In my opinion the day isn’t long enough and can quite easily be made into a a full weekend affair if you choose to attend the Bike Show held on the 12th as well. If the hairs on the back of your neck don’t respond to the sights, smells and sounds of the day then your not into motorcycles.

I am due to collect an amazing trike from Barry at Colin Appleyards in April but I do not yet have a garage.

I have been trusting the local council to rent me one, but they are not offering a safe garages, as they are all tucked away in silent places.

I have looked at metal garages to have built on my property, but the car garages are too large and the bike ones do not allow enough door space to allow for a trike.  

Without this I cannot get insurance.  Is there something I havent thought of?  Is there anything else I can do?  

I have waited for the chance to own my own trike for years now.  I cannnot lose it just for a garage?  Can someone help please?

This is urgent now. I have ran out of ideas.  I met many lovely people in Llandudno last year, and I hope someone can help me. 

So, Team, has anyone out there any ideas as to how Pam can get her trike and the insurance she so desperately needs?  Comments here, please or contact me for Pam’s email address (removed to prevent Spammers).

An online petition calling on the department for transport “to ensure that biker related questions are compulsory in the driving theory test” has been created by Bennetts, one of the UK’s leading motorcycle insurers.

“Since inattentiveness by other road users causes the majority of motorcycle accidents, the BMF has consistently called for further initiatives to raise the awareness of all vulnerable road users” says the BMF’s Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder. He continues: “With over 1.3 million motorcycles on Britain’s roads it’s incredible that prospective drivers can currently pass the test without answering a single question relating to motorcyclists. We would encourage all our members to sign this petition”.

Hannah Squirrell, Director of Marketing at Bennetts adds; “The petition has been approved by the government and we need to get at least 100,000 signatures in order to have this raised in the House of Commons. Bikers are an important group of road users and it’s essential they are recognised within the driving test.”

Motorcyclists and drivers alike can sign-up online via the official government link:epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/26272

The more signatures they get, the better chance they have of getting this through, which can only hopefully make life better for those of us on two wheels.

Full details can be found on http://www.goldwings.org.uk/, where you can also find details of our very own Southport event later this year.

Both events promise to be a great time for Wingers, so go and check them out where you’ll find full details of both events.

Please note the stipulation that we cannot use horns or sirens on the parade itself – the Police are ok with our lights, but will take action against anyone making a racket!

Excited discussions and suggestions as to potential events and opportunities soon began to spring up as Members realised the wider scope of things now available to us with this relocation. All I can say is Watch this Space!

You should all have received an email from John on this topic by now, but just in case…..

Take J31 of M6 (North or Southbound) as your starting point, turn EAST towards Blackburn on A59 and continue uphill to the newly constructed, traffic-light controlled roundabout (adjacent to our former meeting venue “The Swallow Hotel”) with A59 Blackburn New Road (A677). Here, go completel6y around the roundabout, effecting a 360 degree turn to head back the way you just came (now heading West to pass the Esso Garage) .  Immediately after the garage take the  left turn into Cuerdale Lane ( not the road running behind the garage!) and find “The Memorial Hall”  in 200 metres on the right (note Way In and Way Out of extensive Car park).

Our next meeting there will be on the 25th March, starting at 11 am. Tea and coffee will be available (just remember to wash your cup up after!)

See you there!

This will be the first official event of the newly formed Federation club and they invite you to take part. Plans include an overnight stay in a local hotel, taking part in the ride of respect,  followed by a ride around
the area on the Sunday. Pre-registration for the ride is required as numbers are expected to be high.

Last year around 10,000 bikers descended on Wiltshire to ride through the town of Wootton Bassett in appreciation of the sacrifice made by British soldiers. They rode through the town, the scene of many moving homecomings for service personnel killed in Afghanistan.

Over the past 2 years Julia Stevenson and Anne Cole have set up and run The Ride of Respect bike ride through Royal Wootton Bassett. In that time they have raised over a quarter of a million pounds for military charities.

After a huge amount of requests from local residents and businesses they have decided to run the Ride of Respect this year on 18 March for the very last time to say ‘Thank you’ to the residents of this wonderful town for they have done over recent years for our ‘fallen  heroes’ and their families.

The ride will be leaving RAF Hullavington airfield riding through The High Street of RWB.

This year will be supported by The Royal British Legion and all monies raised will be split equally between 10 nominated military Charities as listed on their website www.rideofrespect.co.uk Registrations are now open.

Further details can also be found on the GoldWings North Midlands website

And, don’t forget that we’re always looking out for new things to get involved with, so if you’ve an idea for a run out or event, let us know!

No kidding, The Thundersprint is one of the biggest events of its kind in Europe. If you are reading this and have no idea what The Thundersprint is about let me direct you to their wonderful website which explains everything you would possibly want to know. After visiting the site, clear the dates in your diary and sit back and wait for May 8th.The Federation’s main sponsor Knutsford Honda will once again be playing a big part in the event with the Honda stand in  prime position. We are usually invited to park our Goldwings on their stand and have the most enviable parking spot of the entire event. In my opinion the day isn’t long enough and could quite easily be a full weekend affair. If the hairs on the back of your neck don’t respond to the sights, smells and sounds of the day then your not into motorcycles.

Here is a google map link for directions to RAF Woodvale plus the route to our camping area by the runway. It may be useful for those members on their first visit.

Make your own way to RAF Woodvale. Remember you must have an entry pass for your exhibit. No pass no entry.

The ever popular RAF Woodvale Rally will take place on 7-8th August 2010. The rally provides a weekend of entertainment for the whole family and we know that our visitors have special interests and come to see the models, aeroplanes, cars and other mainstream exhibits but many of you come for just a great weekends entertainment. To make it a memorable weekend we bring to-gether the best that we can to make the weekend something that you will enjoy.

Goldwings North West has a club area set aside each year alongside many other specialist motorcycle owners clubs. Many of our members choosing to camp over the weekend, enjoying the usually good weather and having a good time late into the evening, making it one of the best events of the year. You must book well in advance for a camping and exhibiting permit. You wont be disappointed. Entry Form Download available here. Please note there is a £5.00 camping fee this year which is a charitable donation.