Watch this space
for reports on all the things we did in 2024
Updated regularly
Heading 5
Club Night Wednesday 17th April Tank Painting.
Alan Fox came along to give us a talk on the steps required for tank painting. We quickly came to realise that this was a highly skilled operation and not something that can quickly be knocked out in a shed.
The results he achieves are unbelievable the finish obtained being more like glass than paint.
If you’d like him to do your paint work contact him here:-
Thursday 18th April Mystery Elevenses Run
A cool but dry and sunny start to the day, clearly brought out the pent-up desire for a bike run with like minded folk.
In all 23 people, including 2 ladies on their own bikes, met up at the Shustoke Resevoir entrance and set off on a 50 min ride….
Ok, there was a short delay to the start while John kicked away at his BSA, which once fired up sounded great.
Bob led us on a great ride through some country lanes around the outskirts of Tamworth before arriving at our destination; The Four Shires Farm Shop and Tea Rooms in Seckington, where we were made very welcome.
It was so warm by now that most people elected to sit outside with their drink of choice and some very well cooked food.
On leaving we noticed that Adrian’s 250 Suzuki had a very flat back tyre….but Colin (who presumably must have been a Boy Scout in times past) produced a pump and the tyre was quickly inflated. Unfortunately it didn’t stay inflated all the way home, but with our usual support for biking comrades, help was there when he needed it and he got home.
Sunday 14th April Ride to Gilks Café.
We tried something new for this run, meeting up with two of our adjoining VMCC Sections for a combined run.
Midlands set off from Meriden Cross and rode via Leamington Spa to meet the other two sections at Chesterton Windmill. From there we descended en-mass to Gilks Café at Kineton for Coffee & Cakes.
Deemed to be a “great success” by all participants, we will be repeating the exercise again in the future.
Thursday 21st March Mystery Breakfast Run.
The day dawned brightly with a hint of mist that would not last long, and the promise of a dry day ahead. Clearly elsewhere it must have been full sunshine as when I got there, only 5 minutes after the scheduled meeting ‘from’ time, around 13 or 14 bikes were already assembled and their riders were busily chatting and pointing at interesting bits on each others bikes…
In all 18 riders assembled, although 1 had just ridden there to test out his bike, and was not coming on the run. So 17 of us set off wondering what the morning would provide for us. After some excellent meandering along some leafy lanes, our leader decided that we clearly needed some ‘wider’ road experience for the 2nd half of the run…and managed to get us all safely to our destination before the end of the breakfast service - well done Bob!
We had managed to negotiate free parking in exchange for eating as many breakfasts as possible
- and so we applied ourselves to the task!
A great destination - the National Memorial Arboretum - and one to re-visit in the future - possibly in the summer…and all on leafy lanes next time…
Saturday 6th April Museum Friends
Once again volunteers from the club were on hand to assist and marshal the Museums “Ride a Bike” day. Where the car park is closed off and a number of machines from the collection are brought out for Friends of the Museum scheme members to sample how they perform.
Mystery Run "To the Wall" 7th March 24
We had the run today and it was a little on the chilly side…
The day dawned an uninspiring grey, the weather was decidedly chilly, and most sensible people who didn’t actually have to get up would probably have had an extra hour in bed. But not us daft lot! On with the thermals and thick woolly socks, an extra thick slice of Scots Porridge Oats and we reluctantly left the warmth of our respective homes…
Meeting up at the Shustoke Sailing Club entrance, Bob led 9 mostly willing followers up hill and down dale and along some roads less travelled until we arrived in Warwick and discovered our destination was Warwick University! We parked directly outside and hurried in to warmth, hot drinks and hot food, glancing briefly at the inside climbing wall which apparently was the clue to the destination in the email invitation…”we have a mystery run that will drive you up the wall!” - Well now we know!!
Wednesday 20th March Club Night.
We held our annual AGM, it was brief and all the usual suspects were re-elected, apart from our treasurer John Surman who chose to stand down. He was replaced by Nigel Lane who was foolhardy enough to raise his head above the parapet.
Here is a picture of him with his Triumph 500
Many thanks to John for his sterling (get it?) service. He continues as a member and we are sure to see plenty of him on runs throughout the summer.
After the AGM we had a look at some of the videos being prepared for the Museums new forthcoming audio visual displays
Tuesday 13th February
The Thursday cleaning crew were out in force today, for a major move. 60+ Bikes were taken from the Museum display and loaded onto curtain sided waggons for transport to The London Motorcycle Show at Excel in the Royal Victoria Docks. All in all a successful venture with all bikes moved to the Premier Suite in a little over two hours.
Tricky bit is coming up on Tuesday 20th February when we have to try and put each bike back in its correct place.
Wednesday 21st February Club Night.
Central Wheels were on hand for February’s club night to give us all an insight into wheel building. Everything from spoke selections and measuring to choosing the right rims.
Of particular interest, we were treated to a demonstration from first principals, with the build and trueing of a Velocette wheel.
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Wednesday 17th January Club Night Auction.
We never cease to be amazed by the generosity of our members
Shame there were no Stradivarius Paintings or Picasso Violins, but there was some good stuff (and tatt), most of which sold and raised a significant sum to club funds.
Purchasers, you know who you are, hope you managed to sneak it into the house past the wife
Special thanks to all who stayed afterwards to put away the tables and clear the leftovers.
11th January The first Mystery Elevenses Run of 2024.
A dry but chilly day saw 3 hardy souls, Bob, Nigel & Steve meeting up at the Shustoke Sailing Club entrance on the Coleshill Road. Setting off into the unknown we picked up John, our 4th hardy soul, en-route.
Just the first stage of the potential 2-stage run was used today as the draw of a warm cafe and hot food was too hard to resist!
Bob has promised full sunshine for the next one!!