GoldWings North West » preston

Club welcomes new members at Octobers meeting.

Bob — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:00:21 +0000

Swallow Hotel

It was great to see everyone at the October meeting, especially Dave Baylis who’s back after a medical procedure. The nice surprise was three new applicants signed up for membership, plus we had a Goldwing owner interested in the club and a visitor who turned up on the spur of the moment. I’m sorry if I don’t mention all your names here but welcome to Goldwings North West. You caught us with a very busy meeting with lots of reports to get through. It’s not normally that intense. For those who joined and had their photo’s captured, have a look in the members section, you’ll be amongst good company. If you didn’t join the club today, I trust you enjoyed the meeting and had a taste of what the club is about, your welcome to download the application form and send it to the secretary at any time.

See you all at the next meeting or the Salvation Army Toy Run on the 7th November.

Welcome

Bob — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:00:20 +0000

GoldWings North West is a club for Honda GoldWing motorcycle owners in Central Lancashire and the surrounding areas. The Club welcomes GoldWing owners and riders and those who are interested in maybe one day owning and riding a Honda GoldWing. We meet on the last Sunday of the month at the Samlesbury Memorial Hall, close to Junction 31 of the M6, so we’re easily accessible and handily placed for the wonderful biking roads and scenery of the Lancashire fells and the Bowland Forest. If you own a GoldWing, or are interested in GoldWings and would like to meet like-minded and friendly people, then please come along to our next meeting, you will be made most welcome.

Detail shape’s Light Parade

Bob — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:12:49 +0000

Light Parade 2006

The final details are now taking shape nicely for this years Blackpool light parade. We have had to manage quite a few problems this year but most of the major hurdles are now sorted. We had positive news from the Police that they can provide us with a Green Light at Squires Gate Traffic lights and also some cover at Gynn Square at the opposite end of the promenade,. The evening’s entertainment at Pontins promises to be spectacular with plenty of Pontins glamour, plus we will have Knutsford Honda in attendance over the weekend. Lots of other minor stuff to pull together but you couldn’t ask for much more.

The team are really looking forward to welcoming you all to Blackpool again this year. It’s going to be a great weekend

Bob Summers

Chairman Goldwings North West

Display Lighting Workshop 18th April – Bill Squires

Bob — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:15:54 +0000

Several members took advantage of this workshop and made the journey over to Grimsargh to spend the day in Bills garage. Jim Melia and Pete Rodgers came away happy bunnies after fitting several light systems and switch boxes between them. Personally I acquired every blue l.e.d. light i could find in the place, you never know when they may come in handy. Barbara provided lunch for the visitors which was very much appreciated by all. Its nice to be looked after. My thanks to both Bill & Barbara for giving up their time and expertise on such a glorious sunny day and for opening their kitchen and garage to Goldwings North West Members.

Steve Fox reports on his Run Out – 4 April

Bob — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:19:09 +0000

Calderstone’s Yorkshire Dales ride out – 4th Apr 2009
Firstly apologies for not being able to submit this post report early due to work commitments so here goes:
The weather on Saturday morning at 9am was how I can put it “changeable!”, and therefore myself and my partner’s 14 year old daughter “Heaven” prepared by putting on our wet gear and thermals for the day’s ride. I luckily had fuelled up the night before and checked the bike out and all was in order. We arrived at Mac Donald’s just off the A59 near Clitheroe at 10.25am to find Stuart Ormerod and Bill Squires on their White GL1800′s waiting for us in the car park. A third person a biker on a Dragstar (I believe) was chatting to them whilst having a short break and a quick drink from his thermos flask. The conversation once I parked up turned to “How many are you expecting Steven?” To which I replied “Seven I hope”. As we waited Mel, a female work colleague of mine appeared on her new Kawasaki ER -6N having just passed her test recently and was looking forward to a great day’s riding.
We waited and waited but no-one else came, Stuart reassuringly told me that these things happen, all have good intent but factors stop people making the final decision to ride. Factors that I could think of were, Grand National, Blackburn playing, bad weather, BOGOF at Tesco’s and a tidal wave off Bangladesh!!!!!, Well, at least we were four bikes and after a rundown of the intended route and stops, a few puns at Bill from Stuart which had us all laughing we set off up the A59 in the drizzle. I lead closely follows by Mel, then Stuart and finally Bill to the rear. The pace was a leisurely 45 to 50 mph and I must admit I was thinking to myself that other road users seeing us would be thinking that Mel was getting a Police escort due to us all having White Wings and high vis jackets on, (Opps Bill didn’t have one, just his Storm trooper helmet!).
All was going smoothly and the weather kept changing from wet to dry, then wet again. We eventually made it to the Grassington roundabout and headed up the B6160 towards Kettlewell. The roads started to narrow and the Dales opened up. Heaven looked at the scenery and the little lamb’s bouncing around in the fields whilst listening to my radio through the speakers. I kept checking back to see how Mel was coping and everything was ok. I did lead the group slightly astray by making a wrong turn, but I realised my mistake and put us back on track. Before we knew it we were cruising gently through Kettlewell and onto Buckden.
At Buckden the road (B6160) forks and we followed the road to the right and up higher into the Yorkshire Dales. Passed through some small villages on small winding roads and admired the views which included a few small waterfalls and rolling valleys. The weather became more extreme the higher we got. We all were looking forward to a break as we had been riding for well over 1 hour. Eventually we reached the “T” junction with the A684 and headed west towards Hawes which was 14 miles. As we were planning to stop in Hawes for lunch it seemed like an eternity those 14 miles, but the weather improved enough to let the sun shine through for short periods, which made it all seem worthwhile. After 2 hours of steady riding we reached the Wensleydale Cheese Factory and parked up opposite the site shop which is also the entrance to the restaurant. We took a few minutes to stretch our legs and stow our helmets away then entered the restaurant.
Now the funny thing is I got Heaven to come along as my pillion under the pretence that I would buy her a “Knickerbocker Glory”, but we found out once seated that it was not on the menu so she had to settle for Fish, chips and peas instead!!!!, Typical I’ll have to make a return trip on my wing some other time to get one later on in the year,,,, How bad is that!!!!!!! LOL.
Well, we all had a nice meal even if Bill found a bone in his pie, and Stuart provided the entertainment with comments about Bill, which all seemed uncalled for, but funny just the same. Also Mel told us about her other hobbies, Diving, studying etc and before you know it we were sat on the bikes ready for the return trip.
The next phase of the ride was to turn left out of the car park and along Beggarmans road which takes you up into the dales with some stunning views to the right into the valley, the road being similar to one of those 6 lane wavy slides you go on at the seaside sat on a sack, but instead your going up and up. Once at the top it is winding roads with tight corners, steep descents and cattle grids all the way until it levels out near Beckermonds. Now this next part is my favourite as the road follows the river for about 5 miles and it is so relaxing and pleasant to the eye. The shallow water flows over the rocks and there are lots of places to have a picnic if only the weather was better. I just wish all roads were has nice as this one! Eventually the road becomes Stubbing Lane and this is very narrow meaning passing points and very careful riding. This road leads all the way back to Buckden which meant that we could return back down the B6160, towards Kettlewell, the way we had originally rode up. Stuart had suggested in Hawes that we stop at a trout fishing lake at Kilnsey south of Kettlewell for another break, which we did and this is where Bill made his farewell as he needed to get back home.
Stuart got out his Flask and had a brew whilst I had a final smoke before the return ride back to MacDonald’s, but Mel pointed out that she would be turning off before Clitheroe, so I decided to ride the A59 with Stuart until my turn off came. We made our farewell’s and thanked each other for the company and a nice ride out then it was off we go back to the starting point of our ride out.
I would just like to thank Mel for turning up (definitely not a sugar biker!) and also to Stuart and Bill for their support and assistance in making it all worthwhile.
Steven Fox

Social Night – Grimsargh Club 6 March

Bob — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:17:28 +0000

What a good social night Friday at Grimsargh club turned out to be. Really pleased to see so many members taking the trouble to come along and get to meet each other. I think everyone had a good time. Raffle was ably organised by Bill Squires, thats a first for Bill, with the quiz rounds put together by Bob and Judy. The picture rounds certainly had a few of you intrigued with Ernest Borgnine being the decider on the night. The general knowledge quiz was really good with 50 questions in total. The winning team were amazed they had done so well and walked away with a bottle of wine and a medal. All good fun. Visit the photos section for pictures from this evening.

The next run out is to the Goldwings North West meeting next Sunday. Click on the diary.