GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page1
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page2
WELCOME TO THE CLUB
If you are interested in visiting your nearest Region’s monthly meeting,
phone up the Rep (see list of Regional Reps) or just turn up and make yourself known.
DECEMBER
Charlie and Sheila Chivers Oxfordshire
Gary and Sheila Stansfield Yorkshire
John and Beryl Hayes Perth and Kinross
Jeffrey and Gail Brook Staffs
Ross and Gail Robinson Staffs
DECEMBER
Holly Perkins (Yorkshire) will be 12 years old on the 10th
George Stanhope (Yorkshire) will be 6 years old on the 10th
Mason Roberts (Lancs & Lakes) will be 5 years old on the 12th
Melody White (Lancs & Lakes) will be 3 years old on the 24th
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALL
Sorry to tell you of the death of a former member, George Thornton.
He died on the 7th November 2015 aged 87 years. The funeral took
placed on 23rd November. He was a member of Lancs & Lakes and he
joined the Goldwing Club in the Mid 80's.
George & his wife, Hilda, used to help out a lot at Treffens, when Pete
Fisher had the Club Shop.
We send our condolences to his wife and family.
Fozzy & Yvonne Foster
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page3
CALENDAR of EVENTS 2016
Date
Event
Type
Location
18th- 20thMar
20thMar
28th Apr - 1st May
29th Apr - 2nd May
5th - 8th May
12th - 16th May
18th - 22nd May
20th - 22nd May
26th - 29th May
27th - 30th May
27th - 30th May
2nd - 5th Jun
31st May - 5th Jun
10th - 12th Jun
10th - 12th Jun
16th - 19th Jun
17th - 19th Jun
23rd - 26th Jun
30th Jun - 3rd Jul
7th - 10th Jul
14th - 17th Jul
18th - 20th Jul
21st - 24th Jul
22nd - 24th Jul
25th - 27th Jul
28th - 31st Jul
04th - 7th Aug
05th - 7th Aug
11th - 14th Aug
12th - 14th Aug
18th - 21st Aug
25th - 29th Aug
1st - 4th Sep
7th - 11th Sep
14th - 18th Sep
21st - 25th Sep
23rd - 25th Sep
Norfolk
Appleyards
Belgium
Hampshire (BH)
France
Holland
Germany
Border
Slovenia
Alba (BH)
Kent (BH)
Spain
Trent
Portugal
L&L/Cumbria
Czech Republic
Lincolnshire
Italy
Austria
Belarus
Poland
Latvia
Finland
South Wales
Russia
Norway
Denmark
Yorkshire
Sweden
Norfolk
Ireland
Great Britain (BH)
Ukraine
Greece
Bulgaria
Turkey
Skegness
Light Parade
Open Day
Treffen
Wing Ding
Treffen
Treffen
Treffen
Wing Ding
Treffen
Wing Ding
Wing Ding
Treffen
Wing Ding
Treffen
Wing Ding
Treffen
Wing Ding
Treffen
Treffen
Treffen
Treffen
Treffen
Treffen
Wing Ding
Treffen
Treffen
Treffen
Wing Ding
Treffen
Wing Ding
Treffen
Treffen
Treffen
Treffen
Treffen
Treffen
Light Parade
Hunstanton
Keighley
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
Kalkar
Redcar
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
T.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
Taff’s Well RFC, Taff’s Well
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a. (Can book from 7th-14th)
Ballincollig County Cork
Oswestry
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
t.b.a.
Skegness
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page4
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page5
GWOCGB National Committee
NATIONAL COMMITTEE
Chairman TIM BROOKS
Tel:01233 820682
email:[email protected]
General Secretary JANET CROSS
Tel:0118 981 2311
email:[email protected]
Membership Secretary PAT HELM
Tel:01924 824323
email:[email protected]
GWOCGB Registered Address
Edwards, Harmony House, 34
High Street, Aldridge, Walsall,
West Midlands, WS9 8LZ
CO-OPTED POSITIONS
MAG/BMF Rep ANDY APPLEBY
Tel:01204 411442
email:[email protected]
Minutes Sec MARION ROWDEN
Treasurer BARRY HAWKINS
Tel:07736433384.
email:[email protected]
HONORARY POSITIONS
International Rep DUNCAN MITCHELL
Tel:01294 553755
email:[email protected]
Honorary Life Member ALLAN FOSTER
Tel: 014577 63038
email:[email protected]
Treffen Coordinator NIGEL WHITEHOUSE
Tel:07919 554749
email:[email protected]
WINGSPAN
Events Secretary MARK PHIlLIPS
Tel:07787 108578
email:[email protected] or
[email protected]
Founder & Former President
HARRY WARD (1929–2001)
Wingspan Editor CHRIS EASTER
email:[email protected]
KEEP YOUR REGIONAL CONTACT
DETAILS UP TO DATE
Committee Member /Charity PETE
FISHER
Tel:01924 521392
email:[email protected]
Webmaster DEREK HENDRY
Tel:0191 567 0303
email:[email protected]
It’s very important for Regions to keep the
Committee (Gen Sec, Events & Membership
Secretary) as well as the Wing Span Editor up to
date with any contact changes. This is one of the
duties of the Regional Rep. Please bear this in
mind when Regions are organising their Annual
General Meetings.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE:All material, information and images used in the WingSpan are the property of the originator and
may not be reproduced or published in any way, shape or form without the written permission of the WingSpan Editor.
DISCLAIMER:the opinions expressed in the articles in WingSpan are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily
reflect the viewpoints of the Gold Wing Owners Club of Great Britain, its Committee or its members. No liability can or
will extend to the Club in relation to the contents of such letters and it is only on this basis that we can publish such
correspondence. In addition, the Gold Wing Owners Club of Great Britain has no knowledge of the condition or
merchantability of any of the items offered for sale in this WingSpan. The Purchaser must rely on its own enquiries
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page6
Chairman’s Festive Report
My last for 2015
What a year 2015 was! and where did it go !!
Not only this last year, but with members now beginning to ask if I will
be re-standing for Chairman in 2016, I am reminded that, I have only a
few months left of my 2 year Chairmanship.
The position of Chairman for the GWOCGB will be up for election at the
2016 AGM, at the moment, I see no reason not to stand for a further 2
year term. But..... I would encourage anybody that thinks that they would
like to stand for the position, to consider it over the next couple of
months, get nominated and apply. This is good for democracy....it is
your right and you will not upset or offend me. Elections are an excellent
way of receiving a mandate from the members. I am fully aware that I
walked into the “Job” unopposed, but since, I feel that I have received a
warm welcome from the membership.
As a committee, we have achieved quite a lot in the last 19 months or so.
We now have a full committee, with no one having to carry out two roles.
We have some new officers, with fresh ideas and new ways of doing
things. The future is looking bright. There is still plenty left to do!
Our National Committee Meeting on Saturday 17th October, was a long
one. So long in fact that, we took an extension on the booking time and
then succeeded in over running that. A lot was discussed regarding the
running of the club, a copy of the minutes will be available on the
website, under the Gen. Sec. Section.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page7
The Member’s Meeting on Sunday 18th October was not so well
attended as usual. I was a bit disappointed by the number of Area Reps
non attending. The meeting was quite productive, we got a bit bogged
down at one stage, but, from the few reports I have heard, the members
present, found it informative and useful.
Helen Perkins gave a report on the 2015 Treffen at Kelso. Helen
explained that the event made an operational loss of £838.63. Had
another 15 bikes turned up, we would have broken even.
One useful bit of information from Membership Secretary, Pat Helm,
was that we now have 714 memberships (1218 members) which is just a
few down on the same time last year. I hope that this is not just a blip,
and that we finally have stopped the downward spiral.
Also new Treasurer, Barry Hawkins, conducted an excellent presentation
including overhead projection of the state of our finances in a manner
that I think most people could understand. We seem to have, at the
moment, stemmed the flow.
As with the NC minutes, the minutes of the Members Meeting will be in
the Gen Sec section of the website.
We attended the Belgian Friendship Weekend, this year hosted by
GWMCB at Hotel Duinse Polders, Blankenberge, Belgium. This was
well attended by GWOCGB members with a few less Belgian friends. A
good time was had by all, the weather was great for the time of year.
Also quite unusual to see so many dressing up for the Witches and
Wizards theme, ah well it was actually Halloween. Thanks to Chris
Hinds, for organising the British bookings.
The organised tour to the Trenches of Death, WW1 preserved trenches
and visitor centre, was in interesting ride. There were not enough
Belgian Marshalls, so a few of the Brits were co-opted. I think the girls
loved the power of being able to hold up a little lollipop bat and stop the
traffic. If only we could do that over here!
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page8
Time to round off this report with a traditional greeting from the
Chairman.
I wish you All a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous and Healthy
New Year. Let’s all look forward to a great riding season in 2016.
Tim
Greetings!
Hopefully by now you will all have had the chance to look at the two
accounting spreadsheets that were in last month’s Wing Span, if not, they
are still on the Forum. They just give you a flavour of the “state of play”
concerning the Club’s finances.
The Management Accounts spreadsheet will again feature in the January
Wing Span report and will show the situation at the year-end (or as near
as is possible). Also during that month our audit will take place and the
formal year end accounts to 31 December, 2015 will be available at our
AGM to be held in April, 2016.
In the meantime, if you have any queries about the Club’s finances please
get in contact at any time. That’s all for now folks – short report this
month! Ride safe. Barry.
Hi guys,
By now you should have received your renewal form for 2016. Your
membership runs from January to December. Along with the renewal
form I have sent everyone a standing order form. This will enable you to
set up a standing order for the next 3 years at a fixed price of £40.00 for
joint and 32.00 for a single member. This form needs to be sent or
handed in to your bank. Please just write on your renewal form how you
have paid; cheque, standing order or Bacs payment and don’t forget I still
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page9
need the renewal form back please.
I have ordered the GWOCGB cards. However we cannot produce the
GWEF cards until I have the renewals in so that I can get these printed. I
usually send the list to GWEF on 15th of January so please get your
renewals back to me before this date. You will not receive your new
cards until I have both cards probably mid to late February.
Our membership numbers for 2016 were just slightly down on last year
at 714 memberships compared with 731 this time last year. We on the
national committee are thinking of ways to promote the club to new
members. You too can help with this. If you know of a garage that sells
Goldwings ask them if they will put a membership form in the top box.
If you change your bike you could pass one on to the new buyer. If you
need any forms they can be easily printed off from the website or give me
a call and I will send some out in the Post.
Derek has done a great job of the website there are pictures there of the
badges I have in stock. Please if you need badges can you add £1.00 for
post and packing.
If there is anything else you need to know just give me a ring.
Hi Everyone, not sure why I am writing this as us blokes will be scouring
the petrol forecourts looking for last minute Christmas presents and the
women will be doing the Boxing Day sales that start in November. Also
we somehow have to fit in all those parties in as well.
Not a lot to report really. The website continues to churn away. I would
love to see the events pages being used more for the events that the
regions are holding, remember its not just for Wing Dings and Treffens.
Please also send a brief report in if you have been collecting for charities
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page10
so we can get it on the charity page.
You should have been sent your new membership renewal form and
standing order form. These forms are also on the website if you need to
print one out. Click Here
I am pleased to say that in this month’s Wing Span we have a couple of
excellent articles, many thanks to the members who have taken the time
to write them. Now as you know we are fast approaching the stir crazy
months. Please consider writing an article of maybe your travels in the
summer time. Remember it does not need to be a travel one, anything
bike related would be good.
The recent open meeting confirmed once again that the members are well
and truly behind the club. Protecting the club seemed to be their first
priority, long may it continue.
Its just leaves me to wish the members and their families a Merry
Christmas and all the very best for the new year. Ride Safe Derek
Report for Classic Section
Hi folks, what a great show we had at Stafford. We gave out 6 new
membership forms and gave
help to some members with
problems with there classic
Wings. Chris Hunter came with
his GL1000 cut away engine
(see photo)
and it was the centre of a lot of
questions.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page11
The
new
GL1000
K1/K2
exhaust was
on the stand
and I sold 2,
they are now
on sale to the
public. My
thanks
to
Pete, Steve,
Chris,
big
Jim and Jim
R, Jack and
Mes, Robin
and John for
a
great
weekend.
The
next
show is at
Newark in
Jan
2016,
hope to see
you
there,
Peter.
Report on the Club’s charity
Hi folks, well the charity will go on until the AGM so send in your
donations for the Royal British Legion. We have had donations from
Trent Wings for £25, thanks for that, a donation from Sussex Wings for
£250, many thanks for that, and a last one from Mick Gordge of £50.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page12
Thank you all for these. The total now stands at £2107-50 so keep the
donations coming. Remember this is the last year we will have a charity
so lets make it a good one. Peter.
For sale
I am selling all my GL1000/1100 spares; I have 2 containers full, the list
is too long to print. Janet and I are selling up and going to live in our
motorhome. We will have Winters in Spain and Summers in England as
Janet’s pain is getting worse. All spares are open to offers ,if not sold
they will go to the scrap yard. All bikes are for sale too
Finally Janet and I wish all of you a merry Christmas and a very happy
New Year. Cheers Peter.
Hi All!
Time for a Treffen Update! What’s been going on? Lots of things are
now starting to come together. The first site visit since the booking took
place on Tuesday the 3rd Nov 2016. People in attendance were myself,
Geoff (Staging/Bar), Neil (Catering) the Police, Highways UK,
Shropshire Council Tony Webb, Tony Perkins and Colin Jones. I would
like to thank all the people who turned up to what was a very fruitful visit.
We now have in place the catering for the event with Neil going away
happy with the plan. The bar, staging, sound and lighting is good to go,
and the site got the green light as a workable site from Tony and Colin
who looked at electrics (hook ups, main hall for the band etc). Many
thanks for their input and more importantly giving up their time.
Ample toilets and showers are now in place with the Rugby Club
confirming the hire of their shower blocks for the duration of the week.
This will take away any water issues that may have been in people’s
minds from the last time.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page13
The meeting with the Highways UK, Shropshire Council and the Police
went very smoothly mainly due to the hard work Tony Webb had done
before the meeting – a big thank you to him! We now have the go ahead
to carry out our Light Parade and Parade of Nations. The Friday run-out
is now being finalised with a run to Kidderminster and the Severn Valley
Railway (more to follow).
On the entertainment front we now have a Disco booked for the 4 nights
in the form of a guy called Pat the Cat (he actually rides a wing). Those
that have been to a post Capital Christmas Bash will have danced to his
music. He is also a swing/jive dance instructor so I’m hoping to get him
to put on a couple of lessons for those interested (watch this space).
We also have a band for the Saturday night; they are a 3 piece band called
Turnpike. I’m still hoping to get a band for Friday night, monies
allowing (again watch this space).
Traders are still a struggle to get anyone interested in coming and putting
a stall on is like pulling teeth. The bigger traders in biker clothing and
such like are just not interested as they can do more trade over the
internet. Adele Partridge is hoping to get some smaller traders to come
along on the Sunday (again more to follow).
To clear up the issue of the Treffen opening; officially gates open for the
Treffen at 1200hrs on Thursday 25th Aug 2016. However, should
anyone turn up before and are not turning up to work they will not be
turned away. There will be a small charge of £5 a night for the days
before the opening date.
Night time Security: If you would like to do night security please send
me your names ASAP so that I can put a stag list together. I’m ideally
looking for 4 a night for 4 nights. Just as a reminder this is a paid job.
You can drop me an e-mail/text or just ring me.
I now have my begging bowl out for sponsors: I’m looking for sponsors
for the Treffen! I have had a couple already paid for the printing of
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page14
fliers/posters and a bouncy castle for the Wing Nuts has been covered.
So if any individual or Region would like to sponsor any part of Treffen
(e.g. Friday night band) or just make a donation to the Treffen it would
be most gratefully received. You know what they say - you don’t ask you
don’t get!
Well, that’s it for now folks and all that’s left to say is have a very
MERRY CHRISTMAS (may you all get what you wished for) and a very
prosperous NEW YEAR.
Hi all,
First of all may I thank everyone for a fantastic year in our Club. Due to
personal circumstances Helen & I were unable to attend some events
including the Treffen but we had a great time at all other events especially at Skegness Light Parade; we are already booked for next year.
Also may I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very special Merry
Christmas and a very happy New Year.
As I write this report I'm just checking the route to Salford where I've
been invited to attend MAG’s AGM. I will let you all know what and
who has been mentioned at their meeting. Last year I attended and was
made very welcome, I just managed to squeeze my Wing in between
those Harleys.
At the moment I'm in the process of improving our contact with BMF and
hopefully should receive a regular report of their monthly activities; will
keep you posted.
As always I am sending out to all our Reps a monthly news letters from
MAG who i turn send them to region members. If you are not in a region
and would like to receive MAG’s news letters please let me know so I
can place you on my email list.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page15
MAG News
MAG Central back on line
The issues MAG Central have been experiencing with telephones
and broadband connection have now been resolved and so our
wonderful staff can be contacted via the details below
Telephone 01926 844064
Fax 01926 844065
E-mail [email protected]
MAG’s new address is;
The Motorcycle Action Group Limited,
Unit C13, Holly Farm Business Park,
Honiley,
Kenilworth,
Warwickshire.
CV8 1NP
Reflective Jacket law in France
from Jan 2016 it will be compulsory for all motorcyclists (two or
three wheelers) to carry reflective jackets and wear them in the event
of an emergency/ breakdown. Many thought that this was already
law but it looks like it soon will be.
Daytime Running Lights
MAG is resuming its opposition to the European regulation
requiring cars to use headlights in daytime in the light of mounting
evidence that this practise disadvantages vulnerable road users.
Dedicated lobby group ‘Lightmare’ is blaming a rise in casualties
suffered by pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists on the increasing
use of intensely bright car lights that render other road users
comparatively inconspicuous. Lightmare argues that the rise in road
casualties in the UK since 2010 can be directly linked to an EU
mandate from February 2011 stating that all cars should have
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page16
daytime driving lights. It says that after the 2011 mandate, many
vehicle manufacturers started introducing BiXenon High Intensity
Discharge (HID) headlights which it claims can cause temporary
blindness and as a result accidents have increased.
Lightmare claims that the EU's road safety advisors only did
laboratory tests and did not consult ophthalmologists about the
detrimental effect of BiXenon HID headlights on the eye. MAG’s
positive road safety philosophy emphasises the common sense
priority of promoting good motoring practise with an emphasis on
observation, caution and mutual respect by all road users. MAG’s
approach does not favour the adoption of what the group considers
to be gimmicks like the use of bright day running lamps in
conditions when any competent road user should be able to see
perfectly well. MAG President Ian Mutch said: “It is time that the
promotion of common sense displaced the eccentric, extravagant
and counterproductive schemes that those in the road safety culture
are often too eager to embrace.” He added; “Drivers who can’t see
each other in the light of day without ludicrous levels of illumination
should ask themselves whether they are fit to be in charge of motor
vehicles.”
Trike Helmet Law Campaign:
http://www.gwocgb.co.uk/images/documents/trikehelmetlaw.pdf
November Network Magazine :
http://www.mag-uk.org/network/Network_2015-11.pdf
BMF News
How to take the perfect photo of your motorbike:
We all love our bikes, but it’s hard to capture the feel of the machine,
its personality, its beauty. Here, Photography Monthly magazine’s
Adam Scorey shares some top photography tips you can use to create
great motorcycle portraits. (Click on link over page for full article)
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page17
http://www.bmf.co
.uk/news/show/ho
w-to-take-theperfect-photo-ofyour-motorbike
Introducing the new brain cooling motorcycle helmet that could
save your life
Halo Active Technology vows that motorcycle helmets will never be
the same again. BMF spoke to inventor and co-founder Jullian PrestonPowers about the new Halo helmet, due to launch this winter.
http://www.bmf.co
.uk/news/bmfnews/show/introdu
cing-the-newbrain-cooling-motorcyclehelmet
that-could-save
your-life
Worst case scenario: 7 steps to take if you suffer or witness a
motorcycle accident (click on link over page for full article)
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page18
As we head into the
beautiful but dangerous
autumn season, every
motorcyclist knows to
look out for the additional
hazards it brings.
http://www.bmf.co.uk/ne
ws/show/worst-casescenario-7-steps-to-takeif-you-suffer-or-witness-a-motorcycle-accident
Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_of_European_Motorcyclists
_Associations
FIM Europe & FEMA: ‘OECD Report Great Basis To Review
Motorcycle Policies’
In a recent report the OECD gives clear recommendations on how to
improve motorcyclists’ road safety.
http://www.fema
online.eu/website/index.php/news/
NABD
Disabled biker Forum
http://forum.disabledbiker.co.uk/
That's it Don't forget "always BE ABLE to stop in the distance you can
see to be CLEAR" on your side of the road.
Ride Safer
Andy
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page19
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report and images attached as files.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page20
My Eastern Europe Trip on a Trike.
I am Vince from Pennine Wings and my mate is Clive; he is not a triker.
I retired last year and my mate retired in September so I thought why not
celebrate, so after being on a solo all my life I changed to a trike at 65 and
I LOVE IT.
I talked my mate, who happens to be an ex mod, into going on the trike
for a touring holiday. Unsure where to go to we decided on eastern
Europe as far as Poland. We set off for the tunnel at 2am and were in
France by 9am, I had booked a hotel in Reims which was cheap but not
very cheerful, but at least we got a bed for the night.
Next day we set off for Metz and into Germany. That night we had
trouble finding a hotel, but when we did it turned out to be very
hospitable indeed, we got free beer and shots all night from a very nice
man called Thomas. It turns out the hotel was closing in October so we
think he was empting the bar rather than leave it; we were very happy to
oblige. After a very heavy night we set off again heading to Ulm where
we found a nice hotel aptly named Comfort Hotel. I had made a list of
hotels so we could find them easily.
So, on to the Bavarian Alps to find the Eagles Nest; very picturesque, but
you have to go on a bus to see it and it will take about 3 hours if you are
lucky so we passed on that and carried on to Austria.
With the sat-nav set to avoid motorways so that we didn’t need a
vignette. You see a lot more of the country that way; ok it takes longer
but you are on holiday after all. The roads are very good so why pay
extra to see the country. By the way, my mate was filming on his
camcorder and stills camera all the time.
After a long day in the saddle it started to get dark, so we had to find a
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page21
hotel. After a while we found a belter called Sports Hotel in ZwittleRodl, a bit more expensive but well worth it. After being fed and watered
we had a good nights sleep, just the job.
In the morning we had a good breakfast and set off again, this time we
were off to the Czech Republic, and a place called Ostrava. We found a
very good hotel called Isora which was very biker friendly and we could
put the trike in the garage. They had a bar and served food so all was
good, I would stay there again but the roads where very bad. You come
across a road block with no signs where to go, so you follow a car and
they don’t seem to know where to go either. Then you come across a
pallet stood on its end with a arrow on it, this leads into a field with
nowhere to go but the field. Another problem we came to was a village
that had the road surface taken off, again no signs, so we carried on only
to find the road finished at a dead end!! Workmen there could have
stopped us but didn't, not impressed with the roads at all. This all
happened as soon as we got into the Czech Republic.
Once again on the move into Poland; this is where I got mixed up with
the hotels, I had booked one in Krakow for 3 days but put Wroclow in
the sat nav. Wroclow is 173 miles away from Krakow in the north, but
it turned out to be a very nice place, but that day there was a running race
on and everything came to a halt; trams and buses plus all the cars didn't
move for over 2 hours. At the traffic lights some cars where turning left
so I thought I’ll follow them, big mistake, we ended up in a pedestrian
area no cars only us, I have never had my picture taken so many times ha
ha. Anyway the hotel was ok the trike was safe. We got a taxi into the
city, a nice place to visit with plenty to see.
We now had to get to Krakow, to the Daisy Hotel I had booked; it was
£64 for 3 nights, another 173 miles. We got there early afternoon so went
into the city but as it was market day it was very busy.
After a good look round for fridge magnets we found a bar for a well
deserved drink, damn good beers but the city was not as nice as Wroclow.
The following day we had booked to go to Auschwitz and Birkenau.
This was an eye opener to see everything that went on there. It’s a long
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page22
day but well worth the effort, lots of walking.
At the hotel we got our washing done by a very nice lady, the lad on
reception even ordered a takeaway for us so all was well.
We have had great weather 29 degrees most days, riding in shorts and T
shirts.
Time to move on this time off to Slovakia, the roads were still bad; time
was getting on so it was time to find a hotel, we did but yet again not a
word of English but sign language came to the rescue. They didn't serve
food or drink but just across the road was a café, beer was 1 euro a pint
the meal, which was chicken, was only 3 euros. The hotel was only 12
euros each, everything was so cheap, but the country is beautiful; worth
putting up with the bad roads. The girl on reception came out in the
morning so she could sit on the trike and have her picture taken.
We then headed to Bratislava and onto Austria and went back to the hotel
in Zwittle-Rodl, it was so nice, worth going again before getting back in
Germany.
Good night there so off to Germany and Nuremburg. We found the hotel
by sat nav, it was a very nice place, the hotel was called Jagerheim and
the chef and his son are both trikers so we put the trike in a garage yet
again. Went into the city where there is plenty to see and very friendly
people, then back to hotel had drinks and once again given free beers; it
was alcohol free beer so we could drink while driving.
The following morning the chef and son came out to look at the trike, sat
on it and took pictures. The chef said he would send a picture to his mate
and say it was his new trike.
On the road again this time off to Frankfurt, found a hotel using sat nav.
At the hotel we rang the intercom, the receptionist said she would be
there in 2 min, she then turned up in a car, booked us in then she went off
not to be seen till morning, very odd. The breakfast was odd as well. She
turned up 5 min before, served it then off again cannot recommend this
place.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page23
On route to Calais we found a motel in Belgium this time just 70 miles
away from Calais. Very friendly staff and a nice room with restaurant
next door. At this motel we met a Russian guy and his wife who where
from Siberia on a BMW 1200 he spoke good English. That morning we
had the first rain in 15 days being only 70 miles from Calais we set off
for the tunnel, we were not due back till the following day but got the
next train at no extra cost.
Back in UK now so decided to press on and get home, my mate missing
his wife after 15 days and 3600 miles.
So the moral of this is you are never to old to have an adventure, just get
out and do it.
Spain to the UK by Goldwing by Stephen Hennigan
Introduction
I have always wanted to do road trips on my Goldwing. This stemmed
from catching the touring bug very early on at the age of seventeen on a
holiday with friends to Como in Italy in 1980 when I saw the big tourers
of the day (Yamaha XS1100 and Kawasaki Z1300 for example) arrive
each evening at the campsite we were staying at, settle down for the night
and then at the crack of dawn be up and off for another day's journey like
nomads across Europe. Couple that with my imagination having already
been fired up by the mighty GL1000 Goldwing of the 1970's I knew what
I wanted to do with biking even then when I only had a 125cc commuter
bike.
By nineteen I had my first big bike (a CX500, don't laugh) and quickly
sourced a large touring fairing and panniers for it. I took that to the South
of France for the 1982 Bol D'Or 24 hour endurance races. At the age of
21 I had managed to progress to my ultimate tourer a 1981 Goldwing
GL1100 which I converted later that year to full Interstate spec.
Despite owning and riding Goldwings since 1984 and travelling
extensively in the UK we have only had two trips out in Europe on them.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page24
1985 we went to the Belgian Treffen on my GL1100 (a mudbath of epic
proportions) and 1986 we went to the Dutch Treffen on my then new
GL1200 (superb weekend in the sun).
Despite this we never repeated the exercise across the channel for some
reason probably related to cost and opportunity.
By 1994 the Wing was taking a back seat in our lives as we had children
and I had experimented with, but not liked, sidecars. My Gl1200 by then
had 140k miles on it from 8 years of commuting into London and was put
away in the garage awaiting a rebuild that I never got around to. I had
another bike to commute on by then, a BMW K100 but a year later I
wrote it off at the bottom of Bluebell Hill in Kent and replaced it with a
second car rather than a bike as we now had child number two in
production. Finally I returned to Wings in 2011 when I purchased my
current bike (a 1989 model GL1500K imported into the UK in 1994
about the same time I had given up riding my 1200).The intention was to
get back into long distance touring as originally intended back in those
formative years.
The bike has this year been extensively revamped with a new paint and
artwork all over the bike, blacked up chrome and panels and a new screen
and seat, this took most of the summer so I booked a late trip out to Spain
on the ferry with the intention of riding back to the UK. This was a
somewhat ambitious first trip out on the bike but at my stage in life I don't
believe in building up to such trips any more, it was literally `UK or bust`
as I felt I was only going to get one chance to prove to both of us that we
could do it if we wanted to.
Planning the trip
Before I planned the trip I worked out (with direction from my wife
Carol) what our daily limits were likely to be. We had completed a trip
to the Lake District earlier in the year on the bike and we rode up to 200
miles per day, based on the fact that we are both decrepit 50 somethings
with joints that don't work like they used to and also wanted to see some
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page25
countryside and not from a Motorway.
So this set our daily planning target at a max of 200 miles and four hours
riding time to allow us to get off the bike and enjoy the scenery and any
interesting tourist spots on the way. We also took advice from some of
our friends in the GWOCGB about our intended route and tried to build
into the route some of their recommendations. Of particular note was the
help and advice from Nettie and Rich from Sussex Wings as well as
resources such as biker maps of Europe and recommended roads.
We sat down in early August for some detailed planning sessions armed
with maps, sat navs, guides and books and an account on Booking.com.
First we roughed out the route on Google Maps, then we checked each
stage using my European sat nav in motorcycle mode for mileage and
approx journey times, then we added in our likely tourist stops
(Pamplona, Carcassonne, Millau, a trip beside the Dordogne reliving a
holiday we had with the kids in 2005, Oradour sur Glane, Monet’s
Gardens in Giverny etc) and finally looked on Booking.com for suitable
hotel or B&B accommodation that met our budget. By the second week
of August I had a detailed plan of the trip and bookings made and
confirmed for every night. I also had worked out costings for the whole
trip and booked and paid for the crossing by boat going out and then Le
Shuttle coming home.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page26
Getting to the start line
The fateful day arrived on 27th September and we packed the bike with
our new luggage set (Ebay £65 for leather bags to fit the Wing) and set
off in good weather for Portsmouth at lunchtime with the intention of
spending some time at the Mary Rose exhibition in Portsmouth Historic
Dockyard (PHD).
We arrived shortly before 2 pm in warm sunshine and managed to find
some parking in the underground car park in the Gunwharf Quay
shopping area followed by a short(ish) walk to the PHD. Now with the
Wing packed to the top with luggage we had to cart helmets and coats
with us on a very warm afternoon. One of the great things about Wings
is that you can normally leave all this in the bike but not today.
When we arrived at PHD we purchased our single exhibit tickets for what
I considered to be quite a princely sum of £18 each and asked if we could
deposit our coats and helmets somewhere. We were told ‘No that for
security reasons we would have to carry everything with us’. More on
this later.
Mary Rose, as you may already know, was King Henry VIII's flagship
and was sunk in the Straights off Portsmouth whilst leading the fleet
against a French invasion fleet in 1545. Henry must have been gutted.
Anyway they dug what was left of it out of the mud in the 1980s and have
spent the last 25 years treating it with a waxy oil to preserve the wood
which would otherwise have totally disintegrated. This stage is now
completed and they have built an exhibit hall on three levels around it to
show off the artefacts they recovered from the ship and have built stages
around the original hull to show how the ship would have looked. The
preservation process however is not yet complete as they have been
drying it out for three years now and have another two years to go. So if
you can contain yourself for another two years the exhibition will be even
better.
After the visit we went back to Gunwharf Quay for an evening meal by
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page27
the Marina and watch the sun go down until it was time to go to the port
to board our ferry. Boarding was the usual queues and waiting for the
ship to unload before we could board and being sent down into the
basement deck of the ship with the other bikes and a few cars, tying the
bike down (my new custom seat !!!!) and then upstairs to find our cabin
and get washed up and hit the bar before we even left port.
Monday morning we awoke at 0800 to an unscheduled stop at Roscoff
on the North Brittany coast. No explanation was given but as the boat
was French and sailing between England and Spain I suspect that it was
for a staff changeover. Anyway after two hours we were on our way
again around the Finistere coast (after which the boat was named).
Monday was spent at sea, we made use of the Orca Preservation Groups
lecture on whales and dolphins followed by a hour or so up on deck
whale spotting. They didn't see any on the starboard side of the ship so
I got bored and crossed over to the port side and there they all were,
blowing spouts, leaping out of the water and chasing the ship. Well at
least that's what I told the whale spotters. In actual fact it was the windy
side of the ship and the area where the passengers dogs were kennelled
so I had the place practically to myself.
After that we were entering the Bay of
Biscay so I went back to the bar for
some prescription cider (they advised
us to drink bubbles to counteract the
potential seasickness if need be). Now
I must say at this point that I don't get
seasick and the sea was like a
millpond but I follow instructions
especially when it grants me
permission to drink a pint or two of
cider.
After a fairly boring day of leisure on
the boat (sea, sea and more sea) we
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page28
popped off to bed looking
forward to the start of our
adventure in the morning.
The Tuesday morning
started very early for us as
we
had
to
repack
everything,
get
some
breakfast, and get out of our
cabins by 07:00 so we set
the alarm for 06:00
European time (05:00 UK
time). Once we had docked
it was off down into the
bowels of the ship to rejoin our bikes and repack the panniers and top
box. Finally at 08:00 they released us into the Spanish dawn which at
that point was looking fairly promising.
(The next section of this report is a slightly expanded version of the blog
I ran on Facebook, during the trip. I have had great feedback on these
blogs from my friends over the last couple of
years so plan to continue this on future trips.
Day 1
Boltana
Bilbao
to
We disembarked at
Bilbao at dawn to a
cool and potentially
sunny day. The first
leg of the journey was
to Pamplona via the
motorways but the fog
was bad and kept
speeds down. We
arrived in Pamplona mid morning looking for coffee to warm us up and
a slice of Spanish omelette for 2nd breakfast. This was had and was
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page29
excellent in quality and value. 1Euro for the food and 1.2Euros for some
great coffee, you just try and get two slices of food and coffee in a
Starbucks in the UK for that sort of money. Then off onto the N240 at
Yesa for a great ride that saw us stopping for a couple of photos at the
lake at Tiermas which is a flooded valley and was half empty showing
the tops of roofs and trees flooded long ago in what is now an almost
desert setting of the lake floor and exploring one of the hilltop villages
just off the road at Berdun.
We arrived at the
hotel at Boltaña at
1500
having
covered 208 miles
of mixed roads
with no real
issues and only
took a wrong turn
twice.
The
thunderstorms
were threatening
us and we had
stopped at the
right time. After
such an early start
we had an afternoon siesta before going down to explore the hotel
facilities. For the first night I had decided to spoil Carol with a spa hotel
but at a cost of 23 Euros for one hour in the Spa, not including treatments,
we both decided to give it a miss.
Day 2 Boltaña to Andorra
After a good nights sleep we set off from Boltaña later than planned and
almost immediately hit a problem with the clutch. The gears engaged
almost immediately and at the town of Boltaña (fortunately only 4 miles
away) we discovered the problem with the aid of a local garage. We had
lost clutch fluid to the point where we were sucking in air. 30 minutes
later and 24 Euros lighter we had a working clutch for what became the
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page30
most demanding day of the tour so far. 145miles of twisty and steep
mountain roads on the N260 across the Pyrenees towards Andorra. After
several hours and several stops for pictures and a break at La Pobla de
Segur we found our way down to Adrall on the N260 and then picked up
the N145 to Andorra. We had a recurrence of the issues we had in May
with fading linked brakes in the last 5 miles down to the main road on the
N260 though for those who were with us in Windermere in May, yes I
had bled all the brakes this summer and changed the rear disc and pads
also I used engine braking whenever possible but the rear disc was
golden and too hot to touch when we got to the bottom and also so was
the rear tyre so we must have made some serious demands on the rear
wheel and suspension on this stage of the trip.
The N145 into Andorra was pretty straightforward but Andorra itself is
busy and commercial and lots of traffic and fumes. The hotel Mila we
were staying at is at the northern end of the City and is bike friendly. The
rooms are quite basic (it is a skiers and backpackers hotel) but the staff
are friendly and the food was great. Roast rabbit for dinner with
homemade tagliatelle and help yourself to the liqueurs after. Finally hit
the hay about 22:00 as we were both pooped and more than a bit merry
after the large G&T’s being poured by our host and the wine and liqueurs
at the meal.
Day 3 Andorrato Trebas
After a groggy start (caused by too many post dinner liqueurs the night
before) we departed the Hotel Mila under a crisp blue sky and headed
south and up the CG3 to La Massana via the tunnel and then up through
the Ordino pass back onto the CG2 and the border via the tunnel into
France. Very careful not to cook the brakes this time so much more
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page31
engine braking and
slower
overall
speeds
were
observed. Lots of
traffic at the border
due to roadworks
but not as bad as the
other way which
had several miles of
queues trying to get
into Andorra from
Ordino Pass, Andorra
France.
After a
stop for some lunch
we had a fairly straightforward and pretty run to Carcassonne and
stopped there for some refreshments in the medieval fortress piazza. We
left there at four o'clock still with 70 plus miles to go of country roads
and a hotel to find near Trèbas. Overall only 170ish miles today but a
very hard initial 50 or so miles over the mountains has taken it out of the
pair of us so it's an early night after a very good meal at the hotel.
Day 4 Trèbas
to Sarlat
We started out
from Trèbas
this morning
and
headed
over
the
Millau viaduct
under another
blue but cool
sky. The lanes
heading out
east
were
great riding
and
the
surface was good but beware of the cow dung and the horse chestnuts that
fall onto the road this time of year. We headed across the Millau Viaduct
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page32
from South to North which is not unfortunately the best way to see it
before you cross but we pulled into the Aire du Viaduc de Millau
Brocuéjouls to marvel at the engineering and take some pictures.
Apparently my mate back home was one of the design team for the
Millau bridge and was the person who suggested to the chief engineer the
method for setting out the deck of the bridge during construction (but
that's another shaggy dog story)
Then off we set for
Sarlat
in
the
Dordognevia Figeau
and got some lunch
on the way at a place
called Firmi. Finally
getting to the hotel
about four thirty. No
dinner in the hotel
available tonight so
went into Sarlat on
the bike and eat in the
old town and got
rained on coming back. 184 miles and nearly six hours on the bike today
via some beautiful parts of France and sticking mainly to D roads and N
roads.
Day 5 Sarlat to Buzancais
Started today in the rain which had continued all night. We diverted
down through Vitrac and along the Dordogne to revisit some of the
memories we had from a family holiday there in 2005. Almost got wiped
out by a car coming the other way along the gorge on the wrong side of
the road. By the time we got to Périgueux the rain had stopped and we
were on a drying track so could pick up speed a bit on the straights but
the corners were still a bit damp, as were we. After 2.5 hours we arrived
at our lunchtime stop of Oradour sur Glane. This was the scene of a
massacre of a whole village in 1944 by the Waffen SS. A sobering
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page33
couple of hours was spent at the memorial and walking around what was
left of the village which has been left by the community as a reminder of
the barbarity of war even in this quiet corner of what was Vichy France.
As we were quite late leaving this memorial (it was four thirty and we
still had 100 miles to do before our stop) I broke a rule and switched the
sat nav from bike mode to fastest route and we covered just over 100
miles in 2 hours using the motorway from Limoges to Chateauroux. The
rain came back to greet us as we left the motorway and the temperature
dropped somewhat so we were quite cold by the time we found the
Châteaux Le Bois Renault, a splendid country châteaux near Buzancais.
No dinner was being served there that night so we went out to find
something to eat.
That was easier said than done as
nowhere was open on a Saturday
night. We did eventually find a
nice restaurant in the Logis hotel
in Buzancais and after a very
pleasant meal we returned to our
Châteaux and our Regency room
and so to bed dreaming of the
journey to Giverny tomorrow.
Day 6 Buzancais to Giverny
Another cloudy day saw us
leaving the Chateau Le Bois
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page34
Renault at Buzançais on our way to Giverny. We hadn't got any planned
stops on this 185 mile day but then spotted the Chateau de Valançay
about 45 minutes after starting and went in for a look.
Panorama shot of Chateau de Valançay
We stayed for lunch and set off for Giverny at 14.30 (still four plus hours
of riding to do) across the plains of central western France. Very flat
farming land with many miles of straight roads punctuated by the
occasional roundabout. We stopped for a coffee at a McDonalds of all
places (nothing else was open) at Mainvilliers and finally arrived at
Giverny at seven pm. Tired and hungry we were made most welcome at
Le Petit Giverny just two doors down from Monet's gardens which we
intended to visit the next day.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page35
Day 7 Giverny to ForgeslesEaux
After breakfast and the great hospitality of Jean Jacques at Le Petit
Giverny he gave us some umbrellas for the morning just in case, whilst
we went next door to Monet's gardens. We spent the morning there
avoiding the coachloads of American and Japanese tourists. It's a good
thing we were in off season as in high season it is rammed with tourists.
Approx. 800k tourists a year visit these gardens. The village is only 350
strong. The gardens are in fact smaller than one thinks and to get to the
lake one has to take a tunnel under the road. The gardens are beautiful
though with plenty to look at even in Autumn. As we departed the
gardens and went back to the hotel the
heavens opened and the rain stayed for
the rest of the day including the trip to
Forges les Eaux for the night. I hate
riding in the rain and even worse across
country where mud and gravel lurk
around every corner. But the things I
hated the most were the white lines,
particularly the white stripes on the
frequent zebra crossings in the villages
as these are lethal when wet and we had
a few slips today.
Due to the rain we did not stop and
arrived earlier than scheduled at our B&B. The lady owner had not
finished cleaning but still set out some cheese, ham and pate, bread and
wine to welcome us. Later, the owner of the B&B offered for her
husband to take us up to the high street in town for dinner at the Logis
Hotel and we ordered our final meals of the holiday. Unfortunately after
ordering Carol started to feel unwell and could only manage her soup. I
of course did the gentlemanly thing and eat her dinner for her before we
departed back to the B&B courtesy of the owners husband again.
Day 8 Forges les Eaux to Home
We awoke to more rain in the morning and with Carol still unwell, I
hastily had breakfast before we togged up for the trip home. We had to
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page36
pack the bike in the rain with the proprietors son holding a brolly over us.
I don't know why he did that as we were fully togged up and helmeted
and he got totally soaked but the thought was there. After the rainy trip
from Forges Les Eaux to the
motorway the weather cleared a
little for the blast up the motorway
to the Chunnel. We made better
time than expected and were able to
take the train an hour earlier than
planned.
Boarding the train was a scary
experience as the deck inside the
door of the train was bare metal and
we slipped badly on the way in.
Then we had to ride down four
carriages to the parking point. I of
course had ridden down the left
hand track and then had to back up
to the end of the carriage to cross
over and then parked diagonally across the carriage as per the
instructions from the stern lady who was loading us. After chatting to the
other two bikers on our train for 30 minutes we crossed into the UK at
1230 and were home again 45 minutes later. Dirty, tired and happy. We
now had to unpack and clean and dry out the bike which had covered
1500 miles of roads in eight days and endured two whole days of rain and
dirt. Before I changed I gave the bike a thorough clean and shammy
down before putting her back in the garage.
Post Trip thoughts
For a 25 year old bike she did very well coping with the load of me and
Carol and all our gear over some pretty tough roads and over 1500 miles
and eight days of solid riding.
Apart from the glitch with the clutch which at the end of the day was
easily sorted with a local garage she did not let me down once. Brakes
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page37
can be a problem on the mountains but suitable care on those roads and
the separate front brake saved the day. As for us, we have not done
anything so active for years and the aches and pains were real enough.
Despite that I went to sleep each night with a big grin on my face. I love
road trips and especially on the bike. May there be many more to come
before I hang up my helmet.
I am dreaming of a trip through Germany and into Switzerland next,
Carol wants to do Italy by bike or even a trip up the Norwegian coastline.
But my ultimate trip would be a month or more to do a US coast to coast
run. 200 miles a day on non motorway routes is a little ambitious, we
spent 56hours or more in the saddle and restricted our ability to stop
whenever we felt the need.
We need more confidence in being able to stop for the night without
preplanning each hotel/B&B. This would have given us the freedom to
call it a day when we had had enough. If I did this trip again I would take
two weeks rather than 10 days and spend more time in Spain or cross the
Pyrenees north to south a few times and then return to Bilbao or
Santander(although the costs would be a lot higher as the crossing was
£400 one way). New tyres are essential before a trip such as this and I
am glad I changed them before we went.
Brakes were fully inspected and new rear pads and a disc were added
before the trip, despite this the linked brakes on the bike faded coming
out of the mountains on the second day before we got to Andorra.
Parking up for half an hour restored normal function but that rear brake
and tyre were both very hot. They have to control 1300lb of bike, rider,
co-rider and luggage so must be in top condition.
Check all your fluids, I must admit I had overlooked the clutch. When
was the last time you checked the clutch fluid on your Wing. I don't think
I ever have on either of the hydraulic clutched Wings I have owned in 30
years.
We discovered Logis Hotels in France, they are a chain of 2 and 3 star
hotels of reasonable quality that usually have very good dining attached.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page38
The quality of some of the meals we had in them was good to
exceptional. I think they are similar in style to the old Relais Routiers
from the 1970s and 1980s (which is when I first experienced them)
before RR got taken over and turned into an overpriced chain as they
have been in the UK in recent years.
Personally I would not recommend Le Shuttle for bikes, I am not the
most confident of low speed riders particularly as my knees don't work
very fast to put my feet down. The entrance deck of the train was bare
metal and I skidded badly getting on and god knows what would have
happened if it had been wet. The bikes are parked diagonally across the
train and you stand by the bike for whole trip.
We were last to get on and last to get off and although it was only
30minutes travel time by the time you factor in the boarding and off
boarding times there isn't much difference between Le Shuttle and the
boat. In the UK we found that nowhere is particularly bike friendly. Its
not as bad as in the Eighties when we were first touring on bikes but it is
still a problem for the British public facilities.
In Portsmouth Historic Dockyard they refused to take our heavy riding
gear and helmets citing security reasons for not doing so. The fact that
we could have concealed anything in that kit and taken it into some pretty
important historic monuments seems to have escaped them.
In France, whenever we asked for this help it was never too much trouble
and they were used to doing it as well as they operated a ticketing system
and kept our gear in a locked room for us.
So why can't the British do this?
Also in PHD here were no alternative language options for tourists, and
I am not talking about Urdu and Gujarati but French and Spanish and
Dutch. In France it was common to see or be offered English, German
and Spanish Guides both written and recorded for a very minimal fee.
End of features.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page39
Region: Alba
Rep: Janet (Jinty) Mawer
Tel: 0141 584 9867
Mob:07960 087470
Email: [email protected]
Meet: The Steam Wheeler
Address: (next to Dobbies Garden Centre),
Braehead
Time: 1st Sun Apri-Sep 11am
Region: Centre
Reps: Kevin Rutter & Phil Woodall
Tel: 07952646077 (Kevin)
Tel: 07877581329 (Phil)
Email: [email protected]
Meet: Cradley Heath Liberal Club
Address: 60 Upper High Street, Cradley Heath,
WestMidlands, B64 5HU
Time: Every other Wed 8pm
Region: Avon
Rep: Chris Johns
Tel: 01275 790069
Mob: 07811 616926
Email: [email protected]
Meet: The Lord Nelson
Address:58 Main Road, Cleeve, Bristol,
BS49 4NR
Time: 1st Sun Noon
Region: Cheshire & Merseyside
Rep: Position Vacant
Email: [email protected]
Meet: The Egerton Arms
Address:Hermitage Road, Saughall, Chester
CH1 6AF
Time: 1st Sun Noon
Region: Border
Rep: Dave Henderson
Tel:0191 3857890
Email: [email protected]
Meet: Durham Prison Officers Club
Address:The Hallgarth, Durham
DH1 3AX
Time: 2nd Tue 7.30pm
Region: Cumbria
Rep: Gail Ewin
Tel: 01697 475846
Email: [email protected]
Meet: Dobies Garden Centre
Address: Near Carlisle
Time: (Nov-Mar) 2nd Sun 10.30am
Meet:The Red Rooster
Address: Penrith
Time: (Apr-Oct) 2nd Sun 10am
Region: Broadland & East Anglia
Rep: Tony Spinks
Tel: 01284 788297
Mob:07775 736046
Email: [email protected]
Meet: The Park Hotel
Address: Diss
Day: Contact Rep for Details
Region: Devon & Cornwall
Rep: Chris Easter & Bill Burke
Tel: 01822 615262 (Chris)
Tel: 01752 843704 (Bill)
Email: [email protected]
Meet: Poldark Inn
Address: Delabole
Time: 3rd Sun 11am
Region: Cambridgeshire
Contact Gen-Sec for details
Region: Essex
Reps: Colin Ellis & Mike Condon
Tel: 01277 655616 (Colin)
Mob:07757080973 (Mike)
Email: [email protected]
Meet: The Plough
Address: 570 Rayleigh Rd, Hutton, Brentwood
Essex, CM13 1SG
Time: 1st & 3rd Tue 8pm
Region: Capital
Reps: Ray (Yetti) Brooking & Chris (Rocky)
Sidaway
Tel:020 8884 1418 (Ray)
Mob:07867 971054 (Chris)
Email: [email protected]
Meet: The Railway Tavern
Address: 131 Angel Lane, Stratford E15 1DB
Time: 1st Wed 8pm
Meet: The Woodbine
Address: Honey Lane Waltham Abbey Essex
EN93QT
Time: 3rd Thu 8pm
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page40
Region: Hampshire
Reps: Mike Upton & Alan Garrett
Mob: 07738 091775 (Mike)
Tel: 01264 363608 (Alan)
Mob: 07796 140083 (Alan)
Email: [email protected]
Meet: Queens Head
Address: Titchfield
Time: 3rd Sun 11.30am
Region: Hertfordshire
Rep: Position Vacant
Email: [email protected]
Meet: The Cross Keys
Address:Gustard Wood, Wheathampstead,
Herts AL4 8LA
Time: 1st Fri 8pm
Region: Keltic
Rep: Jake McNab
Tel: 01506 438816
Mob: 07770 696100
Email: [email protected]
Meet: The Green Hotel
Address: 2 The Muirs, Kinross, Perthshire
Time: 2nd Sun 10.30am
Region: Kent
Rep: Peter Fisher
Tel: 01304 330390
Email: [email protected]
Meet: Dancing Dog Saloon
Address: Shepley Way, Sittingbourne, Kent,
ME9 8QP
Day: 1st Sun 12.30pm
Region: Lancs and Lakes
Rep: Allen White
Tel: 07817 107896
Email: [email protected]
Meet: Hartwood Hall Hotel
Address: Preston Rd, Chorley, PR6 7AX
(Just off M61 at jct 8)
Time: 2nd Sun 10.30am
Region: Lincolnshire
Rep: Mark Sands
Mob: 07889 211579
Email: [email protected]
Meet: Contact Rep for Details
Address:
Time: 1st Sun
Region: Norfolk
Rep: Roy Penn
Tel: 01366 324396
Mob: 07918 820310
Email: [email protected]
Meet: The Chequers
Address: Church Rd, Wimbotsham, Downham Market
Time: 1st Sun Noon
Region: North Wales
Rep: Position Vacant
Meet: The Ponderosa Cafe
Address: Horseshoe Pass, LL20 8DR (A542 )
Ring first to check. Mob: 07715 055653
Time: 4th Sun
Region: Pennine
Rep: Gary Jackson
Tel: 01204 796138
Email: [email protected]
Meet: Urmston Masonic Hall
Address: 15 Westbourne Road, Urmston, Manchester
M41 0XQ
Time: 3rd Sun 10am
Meet: Manchester Rugby Club 1st Wed
Region: Shropshire
Reps: Kerry Rigby
Tel: 01691 656252
Mob: 07763 935612
Email: [email protected]
Meet: The Horseshoe Inn
Address: Uckington, Shrewsbury, SY4 4UL
Time: 2nd Mon 8pm
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page41
Region: South Wales
Reps: Bob (Vlard) Carter & Dave Webster
Tel: 01443 477068 (Vlard)
Mob: 07730 073978 (Vlard)
Mob: 07724 607349 (Dave)
Email: [email protected]
Meet: The Barn
Address: Llantrisant
Time: 2nd Sun 6.30pm
Region: Staffordshire
Rep: Michael Rushton
Tel: 01782 769669
Mob: 07732 508725
Email: [email protected]
Meet: The Holy Inadequate
Address: Etruria Old Road, Etruria,
Stoke on Trent, PT1 5PE
Time: 1st & 3rd Fri 8.30pm
Region: Sussex
Rep: Rich Woodland
Tel: 01825 769978
Email: [email protected]
Meet: The Alma
Address: Framfield Road, Uckfield
Time: 2nd Sun Noon
Region: Thames Valley
Rep: Phil Ireland
Tel: 01635 269141
Mob: 07736 351226
Email: [email protected]
Meet: Royal British Legion
Address: Eversly Rd, Arborfield,
RG2 9PR
Day: Last Sun 1pm
Region: Trent
Reps: Alan & Cheryl Roulston
Tel: 01773 856221
Mob: 07976 523624
Email: [email protected]
Meet: Contact Reps for Details
Address:
Time: 4th Sun
Region: Tudor Rose
Rep: Val Coode
Tel: 01933 673651
Mob: 07899 691719
Email: [email protected]
Meet: Sports & Social Club
Address: Yardly Gobion
Time: 1st Sun 12.30pm
Region: Wessex
Rep: Keith Thorogood
Tel: 01202 573208
Mob: 07533 156829
Email: [email protected]
Meet: Social Club
Address: Bryanston Social Club, (a mile from
Blandford)
Time: 4th Sun 11am
Region: West Wales
Reps: Phil Griffiths & Vaughan Roberts
Tel: 01267 234273 (Phil)
Tel: 01558 668452 (Vaughan)
Tel: 01267 234273
Email: [email protected]
Meet: Hagans Cafe
Address: Pensarn, Carmathern
Time: 1st Sunday 10am
Region: White Horse
Rep: Roger & Claudi Cooper
Tel: 01793 480023
Mob: 07977 598053 (Roger)
Mob: 07875 389872 (Claudi)
Email: [email protected]
Meet: Contact Reps for Details
Address:
Time:
Region: Yorkshire
Rep: Sean Stanhope
Mob:07896635924
Email: [email protected]
Meet: Squires Cafe
Address: Newthorpe, South Milford, Leeds, LS25 5LX
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page42
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page43
Hi everyone,
It’s unreal that this is the last
report of the year and, what a
good year we all hope you have
had!! The Alba calendar has been
pretty full, and we’ve taken
advantage of as many “good
weather” days as possible.
Nina from BHF receiving our cheque at our
January meeting.
Our start to the year was handing
over a Charity cheque at our first
monthly meeting, which was also
the day we celebrated Ian
McGurn’s BIG BIRTHDAY. I
must say, the amount of biking,
here and abroad he has done, he
doesn’t look that old.
February, as usual, is quite a quiet
month for taking the bike out,
Ian McGurns surprise birthday cake.
mostly because that’s when we
seem to have the roads salted,
whether they need it or not!
Anyway, one nice dry day, we
took our bike out for a short run.
We didn’t have a destination in
mind and kind of just let it take us.
We eventually stopped for a
cuppa and, low and behold, we
couldn’t believe what we
On a run out We caught Santa on holiday.
saw…..it was Santa on his
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page44
holiday after his very busy time over the festive period. Who could blame
him, but we thought he’d have gone to sunnier clime’s ?
For years we’ve been hosting the GWOCGB bike show at the Royal
Highland Show nr Edinburgh, and this year was even better. We had
changed the position of our stand
from where it had been for a
number of years, and it was a
good move indeed. It gave the
public a chance to walk all the
way round, showing off the bikes
to their full advantage.
Great classics at the Show.
It’s very hungry work and each
year on the Saturday night, we
have the usual get together for a
Carvery meal.
April saw the gang taking part in
the Glasgow Easter Egg run.
Dinner at the Scottish Bike Show
There is always a great number of
bikes turn up for this event and
although I’ve only posted one photo,
the others are somewhere!!, it’s Tom
and Marion doing what they are best
at. Helping raise money for charity
and dressing up! Well, they also like
the same attention all wingers do.
Tom & Marion on the Glasgow Easter
Don’t we?
Egg run
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page45
Moffat Dropout in May went very well although a wee bit chilly at night.
The area has lots to see and plenty of places to visit, but unfortunately on
a short visit as you know it is a wee bit impossible to do.
We had a lovely run on the
Saturday, led by Ian McGurn,
which ended up at St Mary’s
Loch for lunch. Thank you Ian,
great choice.
A good run out from our Moffat Dropout
Thanks to Gurny
There was another couple of good
runs in June, and for the first our
Brendan was the leader, who took
everyone to Tighnabruiach and
Portavadie. It was a super run
along roads that are not too busy,
as it’s a bit of forgotten county
side. Hope after he gets married,
leading some runs won’t stop ?
Ian McG in the driving seat again
and this time it was Duncan,
Brendan and Ian taking the long
way to Aberfeldy. There is some
Absolutely stunning. Even in a damp day.
beautiful countryside to see with
some great views on the way.
Another fabulous day out and to
crown it all, riding the perfect
bike, a Goldwing.
In July, before the Treffen, we
took a run down to Kelso to hand
out leaflets to the public, to keep
Think Shirleys forgotten she cant make a call
them up to date as to everything
with her helmet on
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page46
we were going to be doing over the weekend. I was lucky to get some
fliers printed and some enlarged for shop windows too, so it meant there
was no doubt the Goldwings were coming to the town.
David doesnt care if Herr Fuhrer
Dougan,cup is empty.
Alex explaining what the large stone is
used for on a Friday night lol
Thanks to all the guys for their help.
Then August, where we normally have a Gala day the week before the
British Treffen, sadly it had to cancelled. It then gave us breathing space
to get better organised for Kelso.
As usual when we arrived, we met lots of friends who we haven’t caught
up with for some time. Actually when we went to pitch our tent we
realised we had Stephen and Marie (Irish Alba) beside us and Mick and
Sandra behind us. Great start!………now the icing on the cake was
Cumbrian Wings were just up from us.
(That’s a tenner you owe me Gail for giving
you a mention x x x).
The real icing on the cake was as you all
know, or hopefully know by now, David
Bendelows contribution to the Kelso
Charity.
Before the night was over because of the
generous donation from all the wingers and
David’s the town had ordered a second
defibrillator. How good was that ?
Just a wee picture of the Parade of Nations.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page47
I’ve been talking to Margaret,
who accepted the cheque at the
Treffen, and she said over and
above that defibrillator, the town
has now supplied four more to
small villages close by. Knowing
our money is going to help saves
more lives, is the best news we
could have.
Kind people of Kelso stopping for the
Parade of Nations.
Alex and Duncans ventriloquist act.
As usual, this September we
travelled to the SLP again, and
once again had a very good
weekend.
When we all go anywhere
together, we certainly know how
to enjoy ourselves and love the
crack with other wingers. We
also enjoy riding the bikes/trikes
on the parade each year, but this
year seemed different. We all
agreed there was more public on
the pavements watching the
parade go by. Before the Parade,
Border Wings getting into the
photo
Afterwards
Wings.
it
was
Cumbria
Border Wings getting in on the act at SLP
Now I’m not too sure about a lot of things going on in Alba this October,
as Duncan and I were on holiday
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page48
Scarborough & Canada 2015 005
Where, I wonder ?
Thing is, I have to wish you all a very Merry Christmas “ now “ but I
hope when you read the WingSpan, you’ll all be in a Christmas mood.
Remember, “I want doesn’t get” but “I would like” might stand a chance!
Fingers crossed, most wishes materialise.
I wish you all trouble-free riding. Take care, Jinty x
Whoa – this is weird – the clocks haven’t gone back yet but I have to
begin this missive by offering salutations for the festive season. Do hope
one and all have a great time. October is always a fairly quiet month
though when the days are sunny we can still get the bikes out for a spin
and our monthly meetings still generate a high percentage of BEARs.
The count-down has begun for the Inter Regional Bowling Competition
in the Spring and the first “practice” was on 25 October at Martlesham.
Eleven BEARs turned up (fewer than expected) but everyone had a good
time. Some continued their bowling form from a few months ago when
we last bowled. Highest scores went to Rep Tony who topped the men
and to Shirli and Eunice who jointly topped the ladies. Pam, despite
bowling well in one game managed to take home the “Doris” skittle – or
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page49
she would have if it had been on hand. Hopefully we can present it to her
at the next meeting. Our bowling concluded when many folks sat down
for a good lunch before wending their way home.
Tony has arranged for our pre- Christmas lunch to be held on Sunday 6
December at the Park Hotel after our usual meeting. Please let him know
of you plan to attend so he can give the hotel the number to cater for.
Remember that the Gala Dinner preceded by the AGM is on Saturday 23
January 2016. The book for nominations will be available at the next
meetings for those willing (or unwilling!!) to stand. Please check first
that the nominee is willing to stand.
At the monthly meeting at the start of November Ian and Anne G. sadly
announced that their trike, Ruby, was no longer with them. The decision
was caused by Ian’s ill health and they very reluctantly made the decision
to let her go. Everyone at Broadlands was so sorry to hear the news but
hoped that they would still keep in touch.
Two of us attended the Friendship Weekend in Belgium and what a good
time we had. We left England in the rain and returned to foggy
conditions but in-between the sun shone. Friday was a settling in time
and a renewal of the taste buds with Belgian beer. The run-out on
Saturday was
to the “Trench
of
Death”
which is the
sole remnant
of miles of
revetments
and dug-outs
in
Belgium
situated next
to the River
Ijzer and only
50
metres
from
a
W.W.1 trenches Belgium
German
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page50
bunker. It was at once interesting, fascinating, horrific and very moving.
Diane and Janet as witches ]
A complete change was the Halloween party in the evening which
sported a covey of witches, wizards and all sorts of spooky individuals –
and a very good time was had by all.
I know that the numbers of member for the Club is dropping but those
which remain seem to be everywhere. When we visited the National
Memorial Arboretum we met a group of Wingers but they were in a rush
to catch the land train and couldn’t stay and chat. Then when Brian and
I were in IKEA in Milton Keynes we spotted Sid and Joy with a trolley
of “goodies”. We couldn’t show them ours as we were just starting our
“spree” but it was good to have a chat and catch up with old friends.
No more for now. Ride safely - it’s a busy world out there.
Diane XXX
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page51
Scary goings on happened in
Blankenberge when the Brits
met the Belgians for the
Friendship Weekend – the last
big international get-together of
the year. Everyone got into the
spirit of things - devils and
ghouls were out in force with
lots of face paint to disguise
their mischievous acts. Count
Dracula appeared for a drop of
the red stuff, vamping it up as
usual. Nigel, meanwhile, turned
heads when he went out on the
town.
Here's Counting on you, Dracula
As the year comes to a close, it’s
time to reflect on and remember
the good times – Capital’s free
Wing Ding and the week’s tour
of Switzerland - as well as the
not so good times – friends
selling their Goldwings because
of ill-health and the passing of
family members.
Here’s a
reminder of the ladies doing
their ever popular Human Fruit
Machine.
Lovely Lorna, the granddaughter of Mike and Dottie and
daughter of Adam and Helene,
was a happy little girl despite
Treffen co-ordinator trying the hat on for size her illness and we were only too
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page52
A winning line-up
glad to help support her and her family in any way that we could. Fund
raising took many forms (I wonder if Dottie has repeated her epic walk
up a mountain?) but the biggest was our Wing Ding in July. We have
recently received a thank you letter from Lorna’s parents and they are
happy for us to reproduce it here:
“Dear Yetti and Capital Wings
When Doris and Mike first told us of your intention as a club to support
the ‘Looking after Lorna Fund’ we were pleased and very appreciative of
the gesture. When they told us about your weekend and the efforts you
went to and the final amount raised, we were humbled.
The Fund enabled us to do so many things with and for Lorna which
meant she could experience as much as possible during her short life,
given the limitations of her condition. It also gave lots of friends’
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page53
families and even strangers a focus to support our family at its time of
greatest need.
Finally, it became a symbol of the impact that our little girl had on the
world. It is now her legacy and we feel strongly that the impact she made
should continue. The funds will be split between seven charities that
helped us.
Some money has been set aside to continue to support us through
counselling and Helene is training as a Makaton tutor - Makaton gave
Lorna a voice through sign language.
Heartfelt and sincere thanks to you all - Adam and Helene.”
December signals the famous Capital Lights Run around the capital – ho,
ho, ho! The London streets are already bedecked with decorations,
waiting for us to roll up and toot those horns. Kylie Minogue switched
on the snowflake-themed Oxford Street lights on November 1st- “I can’t
get yule out of my head” - while neighbouring Regent Street are “the
Christmas lights to watch”. The latter have been warming up since
November 15th – 11,000 lights showing “immersive” video animations
and avant-garde displays of watch springs and sprockets, partly inspired
by the Street’s status as a centre for watchmakers in the 19th century.
You’ll have to join us to see if you believe the publicity material. We
will be leaving The Liberty Bounds Wetherspoon pub, close to Tower
Bridge, on Sunday 6th December at 4.30pm (15 Trinity Square, London
EC3N 4AA). Johnny and I will be leading, with Yetti somewhere in the
middle and an unknown, as yet, back marker (Noel maybe?). Please let
Yetti know if you are coming on our expedition.
Finally, from us here in Capital Region to all of you around the UK and
the world, we wish you all a very Happy Christmas and send our best
wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2016.
Miss (Helen) Whiplash
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page54
The Tuesday Rendezvous was right down past the Tamar at Dobwalls so
some of the Cornish could make it but not us unfortunately. Here’s what
Bill had to say about it “Good Rendezvous yesterday. Glyn and I braved
the rain and came on bikes. The rest sensibly came in cars. 12 people
altogether including ‘non regulars’ John and Elaine, Pat and Terry, and
Pete and Di, which was nice to see.
Chris was looking fit and well and making a good recovery from his
operation. The general view was that the Highwayman at Dobwalls is
well worth a visit offering a good welcome and a wide, reasonably price,
excellent menu.” Thanks for that Bill.
For a change we had the monthly meeting and ride out on a Saturday.
All the usual suspects were there so maybe it no longer makes a
difference which day we pick – at least there was more choice for eats at
the lunch stop. It was a coldish day and a long one for those coming up
from Cornwall as Brian had decided to take us on a tour of mid/north
Devon across to Somerset and back but the stunning scenery and
autumnal colours soon made us forget that and warming up with bacon
butties and cream
teas
was
very
welcome.
Who wants a cream tea
We set off from
Exeter Services and
Peter led the first
couple of miles to
get around Exeter
avoiding the traffic
before Brian took us
north crisscrossing
the River Taw and
the Tarka Railway
most of the way up.
Lunch was at a
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page55
bustling South Molton where the car
park appeared to ban all of us apart
from Bill & Helen; according to the
notice motorcycle combinations were
allowed but no mention was made of
the solos or trikes but we weren’t
thrown out even tho’ we stood
around for a while having the
meeting.
Meeting in progress
It must have been the shortest on
record I reckon, absolutely no
discussion at all about anything Bill
told us! After lunch Brian set off for
Exmoor, then down the Exe Valley
before stopping at the National
Trust’s
Knightshayes
House – some of
our more smug
members claimed
free parking as they
also
had
membership of the
National Trust but
most of us just
ignored them as
there was a flat tyre
to sort out. Bugs,
How flat did you say
whose bike it was,
happily let Barney lie underneath it with a lead that Peter had raided from
Bill’s bike, then Pete also lay down – in the end Bugs just followed John
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page56
to the nearest garage
but it just goes to
show how they all
love just ‘messing
around with bikes’
whenever they get
the chance.
We
heard later that it was
a genuine ‘nail in the
tyre’ that had caused
it.
A Saturday ride out
meant that Sunday
was free to go to the
Stafford Bike Show. Peter left here very early and was up at the show
not long after it opened joining the gang on the GWOCGB Classic
Section stand. He had stopped off in Stafford itself to meet Bob Farrugia
and have a pit stop for coffee and more bacon butties.
Is it you
GWOCGB at Stafford
They report that it
was a very good day
with lots of interest on
the stand. They also
accompanied Steve
Cox
into
the
Bonham’s
auction
and thankfully kept
their hands in their
pockets as some of
the prices would have
bought our house!
Meanwhile Chris &
Anne drew the straw
and represented D&C
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page57
at the national meeting in Walsall. But then they got to enjoy themselves
by also going to the Belgian Friendship weekend and reported back.
“Annie and I attended the Belgium Friendship Weekend and what a
good do it was! We left home on the Thursday to go to Ashford where
we stayed overnight, this allowed us to get an earlier ferry than we
would have if we had gone straight from home. We picked the Dover
to Dunkirk route to avoid Calais and any potential problems on the way
back. On the boat we enjoyed the company of Peter and Julia Russell
and Andy and Jan Matthews. The crossing was very good and we were
soon off the boat in Dunkirk and on our way to Blankenburg. Once
there we checked in, met up with those already there and were
immediately in the party mood. Friday night was “easy time” chatting
and laughing with friends. The evening meal was very good, a buffet
with free beer and wine. I think we were only supposed to have one
glass and no one told us so....... guess what!!!
Saturday dawned bright and cold. After breakfast we joined the
organised runout to Diksmuide where there is a First World War trench
known as the Trench of Death (very interesting). Afterwards, the run
set off back to the hotel but Annie and I went to Ypres to attend the
vigil at the Menin Gate to signal the start of the Royal British Legion
(Ypres Branch) Poppy Appeal. The vigil ran from 8am to 8pm on 31st
October. We were able to take part in it but had to leave before the
evening’s ceremony took place.
Back at the hotel, we had dinner and then got changed for the evening’s
fancy dress party, the theme was Witches and Wizards. Most people
dressed up and some of the costumes were really good.
Sunday morning also dawned cold and bright and after a good breakfast
we packed up and set off for home. Once again the crossing was good
and we had Ray and Ginny for company but when we got to Dover the
mist had rolled in and caused difficult driving conditions all the way
home until Wincanton. Motorways are no fun in fog, especially at
night. We arrived home around 11pm after a really good weekend.
Thanks to Frederic and Chris for organising it.”
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page58
The Tuesday Rendezvous was right down past the Tamar at Dobwalls so
some of the Cornish could make it but not us unfortunately. Here’s what
Bill had to say about it “Good Rendezvous yesterday. Glyn and I braved
the rain and came on bikes. The rest sensibly came in cars. 12 people
altogether including ‘non regulars’ John and Elaine, Pat and Terry, and
Pete and Di, which was nice to see.
Chris was looking fit and well and making a good recovery from his
Hi everyone my name is Mike
This is my first full year since my wife and I joined Essex Wings and this
is my first report since becoming joint rep at our AGM in October. We
got involved with our first Essex Wing Ding in June which was held at
West Mersea. A big thankyou to all the members who came along and
although the inscriptions were down we had a successful weekend and
we all had a good time.
Since then we have been to 3 other Wing Dings, Avon, Capital and
Yorkshire, we also attended the Skegness Light Parade weekend which
we enjoyed very much. Along the way we have made lots of new friends
and we are looking forward to meeting other members at events next year.
I attended the open meeting in October where I was able to put more
names to faces and meet up again with many of the friend made this year.
Essex members have been active over the last few months. We had a ride
out to Copdock motorcycle show, where we met members from
Broadlands who were displaying their bikes and trikes.
We joined with members of Capital to participate in the M25 ride of
respect. Hundreds of bikes left from different points around the M25 to
form a circle of red around the motorway. It’s the first time I have ridden
the 117 miles around the motorway and it’s not something I would like
to repeat too often.
We have also been busy collecting for our chosen charity, Breast Cancer.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page59
Asda invited us to put our bikes on display and collect for charity over 2
weekends. We collected in searing heat in June and on the coldest
weekend in November.
I would like to thank everyone who got involved and braved the extreme
weather conditions. Our thanks go to Asda and their customers for their
donations. For our efforts we collected in excess of £2,700.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page60
We are looking forward to taking part in Capital’s Toy Run and Christmas
Light Run in December.
On behalf of ESSEX WINGS we would like to take this opportunity to
wish everyone a safe and Happy Christmas and New Year.
Mike
Open Meeting and witches and wizards.
Hiya all Wingers, the Kent members wish Duncan a speedy recovery.
Ann and I went up to the Open
Meeting on the Saturday for dinner so
as to watch the rugby and Ann decided
that we could fit some shopping in at
the same time while up at the meeting.
Well as it was getting near to the time
for the game to start with Ann in tow I
made a dash for the car only to hear
Ann shout we have not been in that
shop. Well, a deaf ear was needed so
I started the car and off we went. On
parking the car I made a bee-line for
the bar to catch the start of the game
with beer in hand, rugby on the
television. After the game we decided
Ann & Pete Witch Hunters
to eat in the hotel restaurant and,
bearing in mind the last meeting at the hotel, the chef had a melt down
with all the orders we decided to take some pot noodles but we did not
need to worry as they had a new chef and the meal was great as was the
cheese board, then after the meal we had one more drink and meet with
old friends; all in all a nice dinner and drink. The next day, Sunday, Jason
arrived as he had come up for the meeting.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page61
The open meeting went well, and Kent members would like to thank
Helen Perkins for being Treffen Co-ordinator and Treasurer for the
GWOCGB. Well done, though I am sure you will be on hand for any
requests for advice that may come your way.
The Committee said we needed to look forward and not look back, well
the ideas that came from the top table in “a way forward” I thought are
good. Nigel Whitehouse has taken over the role of Treffen Coordinator
and Barry Hawkins as Treasurer. The Treffen outline sounds good and
the 40’s theme sounds good though not sure, Nigel, if your uniform from
that year will still fit LOL.
Although there was a good number of people at the meeting I thought
there would have been more especially as we had driven up from Dover.
Ann and I had to be back on the Sunday to start a early shift but then
that’s what the club means to Ann and me and we want to know and be
involved to make the Club great again; we was also noted the lack of
Area reps; 10 had not attended. Some had taken the time to send in
apologies for not attending, whilst others were AWOL. However it
would be great if we could get more for the next meeting in February and
Ann & Teresa
Area Rep Pete in new club house
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page62
Brian with a few cream cakes
John, Julie & Sue enjoy a drink
even better for the GWOCGB, AGM in April.
Kent members gathered at the port of Dover for the Belgium friendship
weekend that Chris Hinds always organises and is a great venue well
done Chris. We had 9 wings booked for the crossing, 17 people, Dover
to Dunkirk and as we are waiting for the ferry who should turn up,
Capital Wings lead by Yetti and Ginny then our Chairman Tim Brookes;
we wee all booked on the same ferry. We had booked on Dover to
Dunkirk as we did not want to get caught up in Dover with the potential
problem of immigrants entering or trying and in some cases getting into
the UK. BRING BACK THE WALL. However our return trip had to be
to Calais as the ferries from Dunkirk are all sold out till 22.30pm on the
Sunday night. I had a phone call from Ian and May, they had to cancel
at the last moment as May could not travel due to health reasons. Sorry
you both missed out though I am sure we will make up along the line.
Tony, Tree and Jason stayed the night at our house and Jason said it took
him from 13.00 to 17.00, 4 hours to get to us as the weather was bad and
also as Tony and Tree were coming into Dover they were faced with the
reduced speed limit with speed camera on the A20 as you come past
Folkestone down into Dover. This is done to ease traffic in the port of
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page63
Kent group at Tunnel
Nigel & Ann do you like the
boots
Dover though this does not work as there is grid-lock very often. To
avoid this they came off at Capel la Ferme and used the back road into
Dover. The road, as you enter Dover, has lots of flats and B&Bs so if
you decide to take this route beware that some people are allegedly
pulling out in front of slow moving cars and breaking hard in the cars so
as to claim from insurance. Tony and Tree found this out as Tony, being
a competent rider or perhaps he did not want mark his Wing avoided
someone so be aware, still the weather for our trip looked good.
The weekend was classed as a Witches and Wizards but Ann and I
decided to go as Witch and Wizard hunters in the form of Steam Punk.
The Friday night was a welcome night with a few drinks and Frederic the
Rep came around to welcome us all. At the evening meal Martin decided
to a large number of meat balls, i.e.,40. LOL. So you are known now as
the meat ball man. There was great company, good food and drink, what
more could you want. The following day saw the Wings gather to do the
ride to the war trench called The Trench of Death. Tony, Chris and I
helped with the marshalling thus becoming Belgian Marshalls LOL.
Ann, Teresa and Sarah were given lollipops and arm bands with the
power of the Almighty. They were told to wait at junctions and stop cars
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page64
Teresa with her chocolate
Tony & Pete
with the lollipop. Brilliant power to the lollipop.
The Trench really brought home how hard it was to live, sleep and fight
in that situation for 4 years. Respect to the Belgian Army.
After we had returned to the hotel we sorted the fancy dress costumes out
after our evening meal. Brien ate 9 cakes for his desert and he the same
on the Friday night; I think Ann and he are in competition as pudding
partners. After the meal we went back to our rooms to sort out our
costumes then we went down to the hall for the gathering. What a sight,
everyone had made an effort; well done all though Ann and I had our
work cut out hunting all the Witches and Wizards. I was drinking Red
Bull and Jägermeister and I could not stay off the Dance Floor.
All in all, well done to everyone and I know Kent Wings had a great time
and Brien and Sue enjoyed their first trip in Europe. Big thanks to the
Belgian Goldwing Club and Frederic for making us all welcome, bring
on the 2016 gathering Chris.
By the time you read this, Kent will have done their light run static
display at Margate as we are opening the Xmas festivities. Then it will
be Kent Wings AGM.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page65
Belgium Friendship Gathering
Then in December we will all be going to the Xmas Market in Amiens
near Paris for the weekend, a trip which Ann has sorted out. So for now,
thanks to all from Kent for the support throughout the year and let’s see
what the AGM will bring to the table for Kent, and a big thanks to the
committee from Kent. Ride safe keep safe all.
AREA REP PETER FISHER.
Greetings from Red Rose Country (via the land of the Rugbyconquering Dragon – Wales) Well, it was when I started this but they
have been overcome. At least the Ref is Welsh.
A lively monthly meeting this month in spite of a few absentees /
apologies. Malc. and Sandra were celebrating Malc’s birthday and first
wedding anniversary. Congratulations went to Ian Clowes and Denise
on the birth of another grandchild at 8lb 14oz - ouch! Although it is the
parents who have the congratulations, as I don’t know what Ian had to
do with it?
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page66
Everyone said what a cracking do was the Skegness Light Parade. Many
have already booked a caravan for next year. At this point Bob and
Alison arrived a tad late. Bob said he had a ‘speed limiter’ on the back.
Hmm. We discussed details of forthcoming events – see below –and
Allen (W) who was in full voice today with a full agenda, asked for any
other ideas to get them in the diary.
As I finish off this report, poor Malc. is still suffering and managing one
– handed. Hope you are soon back in the swing of things. xx from us all.
Open meeting. Again, a lively and positive meeting. The Constitution
is in the process of being re-worked and should be on the web and to reps
by December so that it can be cascaded to regions and feedback gathered
ready for the AGM in April. Derek – who has done a fantastic job on the
website – asked for anyone having problems with it to contact him. He
will give support with uploading content. He says we can make it our
own.
Nigel is going full steam ahead with next year’s Treffen. Oswestry is a
good spot, with lots to offer in the surrounding area. The town itself has
been greatly improved since the last Treffen there – lots of BIG shops
whilst retaining LOTS of independent shops. It is a lovely market town.
Plug over. (We used to live eight miles from there and many of our
neighbours would not dream of going anywhere else.) Nigel had drafts
of Treffen flyers and posters.
More events needed for 2016 calendar and flyers need to be in by second
week in January so that the Hunstanton Light Parade can be included in
the Events Guide. There was a lot of clarification over 1-day events and
PLI implications.
The power of the people proved its worth when a suggestion (which had
been discussed the day before [I understand] about charging nonmembers at charity events) was overwhelmingly overturned. Another
reason to go to meetings, vote, and get the results you want. Next
Reps/Open meeting is February 7th 2016.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page67
Forthcoming Events.
December 6th. Southport Christmas Charity Toy Run. See the poster on
Lancs. and Lakes Facebook page or
https://www.facebook.com/events/1475859432738279/
meeting up at Hartwood Hall at 10am for 10.20 kick-off. George has
been told that he is leading down the back roads to Southport. It is
weather permitting so if bad - contact George.
Notes from the organiser:
The Toy Run musters in the Car Park in Southport at 11.30. The Parade
will leave Southport Pleasureland at 12.30pm and will then make the
route through Southport Town Centre, Promenade, Birkdale, Ainsdale
delivering lots of donated toys to a local Childrens’ Home (Springbrook
Childre’s’ Home) in Ainsdale. After the parade has finished everyone is
invited back to The George Pub on Duke Street, for a drink, food and a
catch up with other fellow parade goers.
On November 8th after the meeting some of Lancs. and Lakes are
planning to take part in the Ring of Red loop around the M60 as a mark
of respect for Remembrance Sunday. (It will have taken place when you
read this.
N.B. December meeting and Christmas Lunch on 2nd Sunday- 13th
- have been cancelled.
Looking ahead to 2016. Regional AGM. This was due before the end
of the year but has been put forward to the 10th January meeting. A full
turnout would ensure that you all have your say, pick holes or whatever
in a democratic fashion and vote for whom you want to toil away and
burn the midnight oil in making the success of the region happen.
Whoever it is/ they are, they need the support of the rest of us.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page68
Lynne has organised a weekend at Strathmore Caravan Park in the
Borders for Easter weekend. Easter is early next year - March 25th - 28th.
Lynne has worked hard on this as she is doing with trying to co-ordinate
plans for a regional joint Irish/British Treffen next year. One of the
unsung hero/heroines
Lancs. and Lakes are joining Cumbria for a Wing Ding in June.
Confirmed date of 10th-12th. Site still under discussion but don’t forget
to put it in your diary and enjoy a wonderful weekend in the beauty of the
Lake District and Cumbrian hills.
Biker’s Corner. Andy and Helen weren’t able to be at this month’s
meeting so no Bikers’ Corner as such but there is plenty on the Forum
and the Lancs. and Lakes Facebook page where he highlights various
issues, which could or will affect joyful bike riding.
Join the fun.
If you want a taste of all this fun and are new to the region or have not
joined in before, come along and make yourself known before the
meeting so that we can give you a proper welcome. Contact:
[email protected] for more information. Being a member
of the GWOCGB family means that through your membership fee, you
have access to any region at any time – not just one – for one annual
membership fee. Value for money indeed. Full details of the regions and
their goings on are in various sections of our new dynamic website.
When Allen (P) was up at the Ponderosa with Dennis last week, they had
a good chat with a new Goldwing trike owner from Wrexham. They
extolled the virtues of GWOCGB and its good value, pointed him to the
website so hopefully, he will shortly join.
Websites.
The new GWOCGB dynamic, user-friendly site is up and running.
http://www.gwocgb.co.uk Lancs. and Lakes are still without a dedicated
website, so the best way to find what is going on is to e-mail our Rep. on
[email protected]; follow the links on the GWOCGB
website; or ask to join our Lancs. and Lakes Facebook page, which is for
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page69
members only. It has a wealth of up-to-the-minute information and
photos.
Last but not least - this is my last effort in writing the regional reports.
Thank you to all who have provided such colourful and varied copy and
kept me informed of the fun and games you have had as part of the
Goldwing biking family. Derek, if the November report doesn’t arrive,
don’t put my name in the window. Look to our leader! I am now off to
a sunshine land.
Diary Dates.
December 13th. **NO MONTHLY MEETING.**
January 10th. 10:30am. Monthly Meeting and Regional AGM.
Hartwood Hall Hotel, Chorley.
February 14th. 10.30am. Monthly Meeting. Hartwood Hall Hotel,
Chorley.
Ride safe! Christine x x
Lincolnshire Wings – 2 November 2015
After a very busy September
and a highly successful
Skegness Light Parade, Lincs
Wingers started to settled
down ready for the winter
months. Sandy and Jayne
decided to get some more use
out of their new Trike so they
invited anyone to join them for
a
run
out to the Newfield Ice Cream Parlour. After
a nice dinner at the Unicorn Hotel together
with Pat and Dick, they called in for Sundaes
and a nice ride home.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page70
In response to our charity fund raising
efforts of last year, Lincs Region was
invited to fill a table at the RNLI Charity
Ball. So on 10 Oct, Sandy and Jayne were
joined by Stephen and Lynne, Doug and
Sue, Graham and Elaine, and Mark and
Debbie for a formal fund raising dinner at the Sun Castle in Skegness.
The 4 course meal was outstanding quality and each table was loaded
with delicious wines. Two different bands provided entertainment
through the evening with the disco taking charge of an already filled to
capacity dance floor to round off the night. The raffle (at £10 per strip)
raised an impressive £2440 and the auction that followed surely added
over another thousand to this. In total, the Charity Ball was a resounding
success which helped raise over £10,000 towards RNLI funds this year.
A few of us also took to the roads on 18 Oct to attend the GWOCGB
Open Meeting in Walsall, where we had the chance to discuss issues
affecting the
club.
Not
many
showed up
on
their
bikes but we
did see at
least 7 wings in the car park.
Our monthly meeting took place on 25 Oct
2015 at Langworth Hall. The weather was
clear but cool so not too many bikes in the
carpark this time. Sandy gave us an update
on the Skegness Light Parade results and also on the plan for next year.
The Light Parade subscriptions together with profits from the raffle, a
Goldwing cakes stall and a small Jumble sale (arranged by the RNLI)
raised over £2000 this year for the RNLI charity. Next year’s Parade will
take place on 24 Sept 2016 and so we discussed ways that can improve
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page71
the experience for participants and spectators.
The main issue will aim at keeping the
parade closer together and to avoid other
traffic from interfering. This would include
a better line-up for the start and addition
marshalling along the route. Sandy was also
pleased to announce that the Golden Palm
Holiday Resort were happy to continue their
highly successful offer of £99.00 for 4
persons sharing a caravan for the weekend.
Indeed at this time, they had already prebooked 32 caravans for 2016 and they are happy to accept pre-bookings
from anyone who wants to attend next year.
Our next focus will be the Lincs Wings Christmas bash to be held at The
County Hotel, Skegness between 11 and 12 Dec 2016. So with that in
mind, we would like to wish everyone in the Goldwing Owners’ Club a
very Merry Christmas. Ride safely Stephen
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page72
Hello lovely boys and girls
I hope you are all well so dig out your thermals as the weather looks to
change for the worst.
First of all I would like to thank Ken, Vaughan, Gerald, Mr. Tibbs,
Lester, Karan and Sophie who attended the open meeting in
Wolverhampton and saved our seats. First was very good news for me
with the news that all report dates are now a little flexible yippee, I need
all the wriggle room I can get. Also, the news that the Treffen at Kelso
all but broke even, just 15 inscriptions short. It seems that the way
forward is beginning to show signs of working; keep it up, we will get
there.
Our Regional AGM
November is the time we have our AGM. I am able to report that there
are no changes to the line up in South Wales; Vlard, Dave and Barry have
been re-elected for another term. It was nice that 35+ turned up to
support the team and it was decided to change our venue to the new Wing
Ding site at Taff’s Well to give the troops a look at the new site and get
a feel for the area.
Barry showing the AGM our Trophies for the 2016 Wing Ding
This worked well although the weather was very wet
but we all managed to get a good look as to what's on
offer.
Our charities will remain the same for the next 12 months - Rowan Tree
cancer care, Blood Bike Wales and Cardiff Street Ministers. We will also
support the GWOCGB national charity, Royal British Legion, so we
have had a very good year. The purchase of two small party tents will
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page73
help with Wing Dings and also a secret purchase for the goodie bag; only
Tony Webb receiving his reward for being Winger of the year
those who come will find out !!!!
A subject up for discussion was run outs; we need to make sure that
communications are a little clearer and use of our Facebook site seemed
to be one answer as well as well as our e-mails to all members.
Adrian and Anne's new trike arrived last week. The new trike was
awaiting for the log book to get it on the road. It now seems that we have
three Baron big boy tourers in the club.
So without further ado onto our Wing Ding, 19th to 24th July 2016. I am
so pleased to be able to tell all members of the Gold wing Owners Club
of Great Britain that
we in South Wales
are having a "Wing
Ding" in July, 2016.
It will be at Taff’s
Well RFC, Maes
Gwyn,
Glan
y
Square, Taff’s Well,
CF15 7JD.
For all those who
have sampled our
hospitality in the past
Demonstration of how to beet the cold winter in
Cwm S. Wales
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page74
you will know that we always facilitate a very good weekend and try to
help you have a time to remember. So please avail yourself of our
hospitality - great welcome, live music, good hot showers and run-out(s)
to spectacular places of scenic beauty. The area lends itself to
exploration for within 15 miles you have the Welsh Folk Museum, Castle
Coch, (remember Alan Ladd), or take a river cruise through the capital
Cardiff and beyond to Cardiff Bay, visit the Dr Who Experience, or
Techniquest (the science extravaganza), the historic town of Pontypridd
- birth place of Tom Jones, Caerphilly and it’s amazing castle and the
birth place of Tommy Cooper and last but not least you can explore the
Brecon Beacons just by continuing on the A470 which is just 300 metres
from the site. This is a brief summary of the places in the vicinity. Go
on spoil yourself see the glories that is Wales.
So much to see and do - have a Celtic holiday.
We are looking forward to seeing you all there, and, watch this space for
more information, there will be more news to follow watch this space.
All that is left to do is to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a very
prosperous
new
year. Hope you will
be enjoying good
health and wealth in
the coming months,
see you all at a
Wing Ding near
you.
May your god grant
you all of your
needs and some of
your wants
Bob
“Vlard”Carter, Rep
Nico Rosberg with two very unlikely Santas
South Wales Wings.
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page75
Sussex Wings Wingspan Report December 2015
Our October meeting was held in the cosier surroundings of the bar at the
Alma and was ably chaired by Kath Lewis while Richard and Nettie were
off enjoying their anniversary weekend. Our numbers were a bit down
on the usual – possibly due to the clash with Brightona! Kath reminded
all those going to the Sussex Christmas bash at The View Hotel that final
payments and menu choices are needed as soon as possible. We’re all
looking forward to letting our hair down for the last event organised by
Kath and Roger before they step down as Events at the AGM.
The following weekend Kath, Roger, Mike and I went to the GWOCGB
Open Meeting in Walsall. The meeting, as ever, was very informative
and we asked a couple of questions raised by Sussex members; notes
were circulated by Rich and the full minutes will be on the website under
the Gen Sec section in due course. Hopefully a few more Sussex
members might be prepared to travel north for the next Open Meeting in
February or the AGM in April. It’s a good opportunity to show our
support to the National Committee and raise any points or questions we
have in view of the way GWOCGB will change and evolve over the next
few years. Not only that, it’s a good way of having a weekend away with
your Sussex friends and, if you book, as we did, in advance with Premier
Inn, it doesn’t need to cost that much either!
The end of October saw nine of our members travel across the seas (well
through the tunnel) to the Belgium Friendship weekend. We travelled in
two groups and took advantage of the unseasonable good weather to
make a couple of stops en-route. Roger and Kath had planned to take
Mike and I to The Loft for coffee as it would be our first visit.
Unfortunately it was closed when we arrived and was not due to open
until late that afternoon, so instead we went to the nearby town for lunch
and then took a ride on to the hotel in Blankenberge with only one small
detour via the tramlines in the town…It seemed that a lot of Sat Navs had
problems with the last mile or so of the journey! The other Sussex group
stopped for lunch in Veurne and then made their way, funnily enough via
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page76
the same tramline, to the hotel.
Bill tests his teeth in Veurne
It was a fantastic weekend once you got over the fact that
you had to make your own bed
in the hotel – and demonstrates
the strong bond of friendship
between
GWOCGB
and
GWMCB.
We joined the
organised ride on Saturday to
the Dodengang WW1 museum
and trenches which was very
interesting. On the return our
group departed from the ride so
that we could drop in at our
eagerly anticipated visit to The
Loft for a snack, before getting
back in time to don our fancy
dress outfits for the evening
festivities.
Ride to Dodengang
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page77
As it was
the
Hallowe’en
weekend
the theme
was
Witches
and
Wizards
and most
had gone to
town for
the
occasion. It
was also
Rich Woodland’s birthday and he
was given a number of birthday
drinks ‘bought’ at the free bar
during dinner from some of his
Goldwing friends. This was then
followed by a birthday cuddle
from a few more ‘friends’
including Ziggy. I think Rich was
traumatised by the whole thing.
What a laugh!
On the Sunday we had an
afternoon Shuttle booked so we
took advantage of the continued
glorious weather and followed
Nettie and her Sat Nav to Ypres
and then onto Cassel in France.
All in all, it was a great weekend.
November sun lunch stop in Ypres.
The Witches of Sussex
Hopefully the weather will
continue to stay dry and mild so
that our Wings don’t have to be
tucked up away from the ice and
snow and we can get out for
another ride or two. So now
looking forward we have a couple
more club meetings, the second
Sundays in November and
December at the Alma, before the
Christmas party. It will then be
the January AGM and time to vote
for our new Rep. “Who will it be?”
we ask ourselves. All will be
revealed - once someone has put
forward their CV! Remember, it
could be YOU. See you soon, Jill
GWOCGB Wingspan December 2015 Page78
Trent had their AGM at the end of October; it was a fantastic turnout and
many thanks to all that came along and supported us. Alan and Cheryl
were voted in again as Reps, Phil and Pat were voted in again as
Webmasters and Sue was voted in again as Treasurer.
Lots of things were discussed including our Christmas party night in
January and more importantly our Wing Ding for next year. Members
will be updated via email, the GWOCGB website, Trent’s website and
Trent Wings Facebook page (if you're not on this already please ask to
join). We are already looking forward to planning the ride outs for our
Wing Ding, that’s the best part about having the best touring bike in the
world.
Finally Alan, Cheryl and everyone at Trent would like to wish you all a
very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2016.
Please note that items for Sale or
wanted now all appear in the
website Forum under
CHECK OUT T H E
GWOCGB WEBSITE
at www.gwocgb.co.uk
The GWOCGB website is your
online resources for all things to
do with the Club, including all the
latest news and views
● For Sale/Wanted
● Goldwings for Sale
If you have any items for sale and
dont know how to place an advert
in the forum then please contact
the Webmaster.
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