Ride out to Thundersprint, Sunday 13th May

Me and Sue arrived at Truck stop 2000 car park at 8:45 to find our Ted waiting with his gleaming black 1800.

After a short while, Jim and Chandra rolled up on their respective blue 1800’s. After a bit of a natter and with no one else having turned up, we set off for Northwich at around 9:30.

Once there we parked our bikes on the grass verge and walked into the event, and took in a few of the side stalls and displays along the way. We all then found a little café in the market hall and had coffees and a bite to eat, before we went on another wander around the event.

On the main street we bumped into Dave and Tonia who had parked their trike up on the car park near to the market hall.
There were all the usual stalls selling bargain priced biker clothing and accessories and a few bike dealers displaying their gleaming new bikes, there was a stand from the newly re-born Norton marque which had a few of their new commando models in various versions, nice.

A good collection of classic bikes of all makes was on display for us all to reminisce over, the Yamaha 50cc ‘Fizzy’s’ corner was of particular interest as most of us can remember the little screaming two strokes from our teen years, many of us probably rode one of these or similar as our first taste of motorcycling.
In the little park area, where me and Sue sat eating our packed lunches, there was a blues singer and guitarist, a country singing trio, some youths performing active dance routines and then some marshal arts displays.

In between these there was a fly past and aerobatic display by a beautiful Spitfire that did several passes and victory rolls over the area before flying off into the blue yonder.
It was a good day, the weather stayed dry throughout, even on the way home. The turnout of just us, Ted and Dave and Tonia from our club was a little disappointing for such a popular event, as it has been much better supported in past years by many more bikes. It was nice to see Jim and Chandra again also.

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.

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!

Their first meeting will be held on February 12th at  Moorville Hall Leek Rd, Werrington, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire ST9 0DG at 4pm. I’m sure they will be very welcoming if you fancy paying them a visit at their very first meeting.

Although it’s probably unlikely that there’ll be anything like the generator shown here, just a reminder to you that we will be holding the bi-monthly raffle at this month’s meeting, so don’t forget to bring a prize.

 Who knows, you could even win your item back!

Pictures from the weekend are now uploaded to the 2011 gallery

STOP PRESS! Hot on the heels of their return from the good ‘ole US of A, Stuart’s good lady, (and part-time swing arm smuggler!), Elizabeth is looking to tempt the weary traveller’s tastebuds on the Friday night with a newly concocted Southern delicacy……..Taco in a Bag!

Apparently, these have been tested and approved by no less than our resident gourmet, Mr Frank Goodman, and pronounced excellent. I’m also advised by Stuart that you’d struggle to eat three, so if you’re pitching up on Friday and can’t be bothered cooking dinner, they’ll be available at a nominal cost of £3 each or the bargain two for £5. Served, no doubt, in a convivial atmosphere with more than a hint of alcohol, these are sure to be popular, so don’t be late and miss out!

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!

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24th Jan..Checking with the Feathers Hotel this morning, we now have a total of 98 members and guests booked for the Dinner Dance. Fantastic news, considering there is nothing but doom and gloom in the news and press and that Christmas and New Year has only just taken place.  If last years event was anything to go by then we are going to have a brilliant night.

Details are now confirmed for our all inclusive dinner dance on the 29th January  2011.  As last year, the venue is the Premier Leyland Hotel at Leyland, just off Junction 28 of the M6. Click for map and directions, Voted Lancashire’s Best Large Hotel, the evening will include drinks on arrival, free red, white, or rose wine with our meal, a free bar up to midnight, grand buffet, mini fish and chips super, disco and reduced accomodation plus

 a free meeting room for our AGM the following morning. The all inclusive price is  £39.95 per person, and an Executive room (double or single occupancy) costs £70.00 per night. (I did try to negotiate for a non-executive room, but they don’t exist! (however they have reduced the cost by £5 because we were there last year). The hotel have also confirmed that rooms may be either double or twin-bedded, allowing those members who wish to share a room to do so, but they would need to know which (double or twin)  at the time of booking.

Bookings (inc deposits) can now be made directly with the hotel by calling them on 01772 422922 and quoting reference GO 290111. Early booking is advisable (and also confirms our reservation).

Details of the package can be viewed here and downloading the Christmas brochure.