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LEOMINSTER CLASSIC MOTOR CYCLE CLUB NEWSLETTER
Website: www.lcmcc.uk Email: [email protected]
July 2018
Nifty Fifty #5 – Old Station, New Radnor
A good mix of bikes met up at Holmer Road, trouble was, many of them were in other clubs or just out for
a ride, which made identifying members a wee bit tricky. Luckily, I knew that new member Mario
Carvalho would be there so was able to explain the drop-off system before we started. Not so for another
new member, James Wiseman, also out with us for the first time as he joined us on his nice Laverda but
luckily he’d used the system previously although he wasn’t absolutely sure he’d tagged onto the right group
so was quite relieved to find it was LCMCC on arrival at the café.
We met up with a group from Malvern bike club who had invited us to join them for a BBQ at their
clubhouse later in the day, to which several members went along. The journey had been interesting as
we had come across two extensive sections of tar and chippings which hadn’t been there two weeks
previously on the recce! Andy Williams, on his Matchless, had a close encounter with a group of cattle
which a farmer had chosen to herd across the road just as he arrived at the top of a hill. He certainly felt
vulnerable sitting on his bike as they passed him by - once they had become accustomed to his strange
looks and with suitable encouragement from a young drover.
The next nifty fifty will be on Sunday 24th June, but the destination has been changed to Tony’s Diner,
Bridgnorth as Daniel’s Mill has uncertain opening hours. Hope to see you then.
Steve Hackett
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FROM THE EASY CHAIR
We have £1,764 in the current account and £3,010 in the
deposit account; the refund of the hall deposit for the
Withington Show has just been received so will help to pay for
the hog roast next club night. We always aim to pitch the
cost of the roast so that we cover our outgoings without
stinging the punters – better to sell out than be left with loads
over. Plans for the Open Night are well in hand and it looks
to be another great event, hope to see as many of you there
as can make it.
This spell of glorious weather has seen a surge in activity with Bob’s Mystery Tour, the mid-week meet, the
Nifty Fifty and the Aberdyfi runs all being well attended. Dave
Therin’s Aberdyfi run was a great 200-miler which saw 19 riders on 16
bikes take part. We smiled all the way over the mountain to
Machynlleth (what a great road that is) but winced a bit at the £3.20
parking charge on the sea front (later finding free spaces nearby!), tip-
toed over the gravelly bits (why is it always on a corner?) and all arrived
home safe.
Membership is now at 176 as we welcome new members Mario
Carvelho, Hereford; Brian Beaumont, Shobdon; and welcome back
Trevor Ruth from Leominster. We usually get a few new members at
Open Night so it seems likely that we will finish the year somewhere
near to last year’s 181.
There was no raffle last club night as we had only two prizes brought in – no doubt because it was such a
nice evening and everyone came on bikes – so they will be held over to the Open Night. We also have a
couple of other good prizes: a tail pack, donated by Will Morgan, and a top box, donated by Bob Dean.
Definitely worth a punt on a few tickets!
July sees the club offering five runs in addition to the Open Night and mid-week meet; how on earth will
we fit it all in? Hope to see you at one or more of these events.
Steve Hackett (photo by Alan Spencer)
MAG (MOTORCYCLE ACTION GROUP) UPDATE
Ludlow Town Council Motorcycle Parking Ban: Another Town Council
bending to alleged complaints from local residents is running a
consultation on proposals to ban motorcycle parking in Castle Square,
Ludlow. This historic market town relies heavily on tourism, so the
suggestion to ban bikers is illogical and discriminatory. Local town
councillor, Andy Boddington is opposed to the proposals also. Once
again MAG will put in a formal consultation response, but weight of
numbers is what we are looking for. Please visit the council website to
complete the online questionnaire or email your opinions to
Crime and non-punishment: MAG’s had a number of meetings in an effort
to get action from the authorities to tackle the scourge of moped-enabled crime. Around 16,000 bikes were
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stolen in a single year in the Capital. The problem is also reflected nationwide in cities like Liverpool and
Birmingham. Our view is that there’s plenty of talk and not much action. MAG is working very hard to
get answers and action from the Home Office Roundtable initiative, but the long-standing suspicion that
motorcyclists are not being treated as the primary victim is not being dispelled. A new announcement
reports that the police will be able to chase thugs who take their helmets off. Currently the police are
worried they’ll end up defending themselves in court for doing this.
London demo proves two points: Congratulations the London MAG regional group, headed up by Tim
Fawthrop, who held a dramatic demonstration in London to highlight motorcycling matters in the heart of
the city. Hundreds of riders turned up to underline: firstly, our frustrations about the situation regarding
crime which affects so many bikers: and secondly, the discrimination against us regarding road space and
pollution taxes.
Sue Moore
BIGFOOTS MUSINGS ON ALL SORTS
The mid-week meet was enjoyable with eight of us having
turned out on a slightly iffy day at Toddington Railway Station.
There were two other groups there: the Velo club and another
group which included a very nice late 40s Scott. It was good to
see George and Chris Vaughan and Chris Davies join us.
On Friday 18 May I went to Felindre to try out a walk to the
castle of the wolf (Castelly Blaidd in Welsh); it is thought to be a
prehistoric enclosure. I love this sort of walk on drovers’ roads
over open hill with big views; I can almost see the drovers on Welsh Cob horses herding the cattle over the
hill, the noise and the dust as they headed for the markets in England. They sure were a tough lot.
End of May and it was the annual run round all the bike shops and some cafes with the Open Night posters;
a lovely sunny day, just right for a 84 mile ride. Met Scott and Jan at the Bringsty Café so over a brew and
a lump of cake we put the world to rights. May 30th and just come back from 5 sunny days in north Wales,
the downside was one motorcyclist lost his life on the Sunday on a wide open, fast A470. He and a car
had a coming together. Some of the overtaking was terrifying, why do some riders think they are
invincible beats me. If they want to go racing do it on the track not the road; when you’re up in the hills
you can hear some bikes miles away.
Walked from Almwch Port which was where copper ore from Payrs Mountain was shipped to Swansea for
processing. Payrs Mountain was the biggest quarry/mine for copper in the world back in the day. The
quarry is massive and most of the ore was got by using pick, shovel and black powder. The mountain is
also riddled with tunnels, again dug by hand. It must have been a hell-hole to work in. Women and
children did all the sorting and washing of the ore in open pits – no wonder they all died young, and some
say in the good old days things were better. You walk up to the site on footpaths and back by the copper
road on the way to the port.
The next day I did a lovely 8-mile walk on green lanes and forest tracks past Dolwyddelan Castle where
Prince Llewellyn was said to have been born; a very imposing site with views up and down the valley, but I
reckon it would be well cold in the winter – it would have been enough to make a bishop burn his books.
May 3rd it was ‘not the Welsh lakes run’ around the hills and valleys of mid Wales. 18 of us enjoyed a
lovely Sunny ride to Dolfor for a cracking lunch then back to the Watering Hole. The Ariel purred on the
flat bits and growled its way up the hills. It was a real joy to be on a motorcycle on that day.
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The club night saw a very good turnout of bikes and a good mix too. We had some very interesting
machines including a Dresda and a Douglas 90 – not too many of them around; a very enjoyable evening.
On May 10th, it was Worcs VMCC Llyn Brianne run and what a great day we had, the scenery was stunning
under clear blue skies. There was a cycle race over the drovers road and down past the lake. Why
anyone would want to ride a cycle up the Devil’s Staircase I don’t understand – and it was timed. It really
was a fabulous day.
Ride safe,
Bigfoot
“Olive” and I join the Army for a day.
April 2018 .Ed and I met up with the Wye Valley Section
of the Velocette Owners Club for a day out riding the
old Eppynt T.T. Race circuit.
The Eppynt lies in the mountains of South Wales
between Brecon and Llandovery, amongst some great
Motorcycling roads.
In 1948 the first road race for solos and sidecars was
held on the closed army roads, and the last race in 1953.
All the roads still exist and the main road from the A40
to Tirabad is open to the public but the rest is closed
army roads. The site was exposed and remote but the going was superb and anyone riding on it today will
tell you how demanding it must have been ,
We met up with members at the cafe in Sennybridge , Ed on his Venom and me on my 1951 350cc MAC
“Olive”. We headed for the Ministry of Defence road which was superbly smooth and a joy to ride, to be
greeted at Dixies Corner by the army with an ample supply of hot drinks and very posh biscuits, for a small
donation to the Army Benevolent Fund, and were given a pre-ride talk. The first lap was to be ridden behind
an escort vehicle, and a safety briefing followed..beware of battle hardened sheep who will not move off
the road for anything...watch for live blank ammunition in the road which although safe for the rider if
exploded under them wouldn’t do the bikes much good....plus pedal cyclists and cars on the public part
of the track.
The five mile track has some interesting names, Dixies Corner, Llewellyn Way, Piccadilly Corner, Gardeners
Path etc
The first lap was taken fairly slowly as part of the track is public highway, so I followed Ed, and we did meet
wayward sheep and even more wayward car drivers and had to watch for loose grit and gravel on the
hairpin bends, but by the second and third laps I had settled down and speeded up ,and by the 4th lap had
settled down and was really enjoying myself, feeling really at home, remembering to use the full width of
the road when cornering etc. It all ended too soon and I have never seen so many people with huge grins
on their faces.
We said our goodbyes and headed for a late lunch at the Owls Nest in Llandovery and marvelled at how
speeds of over 90 mph could have been achieved on such a tight narrow circuit in the 1940s and 50s.
I had been there, done that and even got the T-shirt.
Sheila Whittingham
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Deadly Dangerous Drop-Off One recent Sunday I was riding along short straight section of a country ‘B’ road. At the end of this straight was a left hand bend and a junction with a side road on the right. There was no traffic visible, but as I passed the apex of the bend and side road opposite, I was confronted with a gentleman on a BSA stopped by the nearside of the road. He had been completely hidden from view by the bend & hedge. I had absolutely minimal warning he was there. It was obvious he was marking the junction for the ‘drop-off system’ (as used by many clubs not just ours) and was waiting for riders to approach from that side road opposite. No doubt he was dead chuffed he was showing his mates the way so clearly, but totally oblivious to the fact he could easily have been just plain dead. He was fortunate I take a wider line through the left bends (as per ‘Roadcraft’) so was well away from the nearside kerb, giving me a glimpse he was there, and could avoid him. But far more than that, he was extremely fortunate I wasn’t driving a wider vehicle – a car, tractor or HGV, any of which could have easily left him as a nasty stain on the tarmac and yet another accident statistic. On club runs when using the drop off system please don’t be lazy and stop just anywhere. Always think about it. Make absolutely sure you are safe. Make sure you are clearly visible to any traffic approaching from every direction, not just to following club members. And never be like that suicidal Old Chuffer and hide in a blind spot! Will Morgan.
Trifest 2018
I never realised that when you become one of the great unwashed that fitting in going to work was so
difficult? Since Carol and I retired in March our feet haven’t touched the ground and long may it continue.
Our annual pilgrimage to the Trifest celebrations in Somerset saw a sea change in as much as we took the
Motor Home with the bike on the back after buying an “Easy Lifter” following Ron’s advice. We had a run
up to Leicester in the Motor Home to fix the thing on from the manufacturer. This was well worth it as
modifications had to be made to get it to fit.
Our deadline for supply was met and our intention is to do as Ron did
and take a bike abroad with us. The test run was the Trifest with the
Triumph T100c on the back.
This worked a treat but the front tyre slot needs a better fixing and the
straps needed to be 75mm wide webbing. Anyway, we got down there
(St Audries Bay Park) to a site filled with likeminded Triumph owners.
The weekend was spent in ride outs and evening entertainment and we took over the whole site. The
Sunday morning saw the Concourse mustered on the front lawn of some 200 triumph motorcycles
including many Trikes, in lovely weather after the sea mist had gone.
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Ken, the Chairman of TOMCC, was the judge and to my surprise over the
loud hailer, he asked, “who owns the T100c, it has won the best pre-1990
award?”
I march up proud as punch wearing my LCMCC T shirt of course to receive
my trophy.
Like most motorcyclists, the TOMCC are a great bunch of people talking
bikes and supporting each other but like our club are constantly looking
for people to help in Club activities. It is always a challenge.
(Watch out for my article on the Picos Mountains, what a trip that was with the T shirt)
Ride Safe
Malcolm & Carol Copson
NEWS BITS
Pembridge Show, Saturday 28th July - We have been invited to put on a display of bikes at Pembridge
Show. Just turn up from 11am and at the gate say you are from the Leominster Classic Bike Club. Please
bring something classic, interesting or unusual. This is one of the last true village shows still going. The
entrance is off the Pembridge to Shobdon road, turn right just before the river bridge. Bigfoot 01432
277720
VMCC Show is at The Moon, Mordiford, Thursday 19th July.
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FOR SALE
Piaggio Scooter – 2011. XEV0400 339cc 22,693km, Black with screen, topbox
and Manual. £2,000. Enquiries to Julia Bramwell (Terrys daughter) 0787 6565
986
400cc Burgman, Year 2001 miles 28692, £950 OVNO, Brian Ruck, 07843
737377
MEMBERS SERVICES
Ian & Richard Logan: welding services 01886 888419.
Lynda Wilshaw Classic Cakes. Homemade cakes baked for any occasion. Phone 01432 760540
RECOMMENDED BY MEMBERS:
Eric Rees Motorcycles: (Run by Ray Griffiths) Discount MOTs for club members: General repairs & servicing
on all bikes. Agent for Helite AirBag jackets. Phone 01432 266164.
Andy Morgan is offering a 20% discount for members off his website prices for vapour blasting at ATM
Vapour Blasting. Contact him at 07989 448418. He also has an ultrasonic cleaning tank. – recommended
by Ken Griffiths
Clothing alterations, repairs & tailoring (including) leather: Sew Bright 01432 352622 (Highly
recommended by many members)
Drive chain oiler. Tutoro, Lydney 01594 841097 (recommended by Bigfoot)
Sheepskin seat covers, canvas bags, sheepskin slippers and boots (Local supplier) web site:
http://www.yurtmatters.co.uk Email: [email protected] Tel 07952 99832 or 01981 510271
(made comfy sheepskin seat cover for Bigfoots Ariel)
Not strictly a recommendation but LCMCC club members are eligible for 10% discount on items
purchased online at the Green Spark Plug Company. Enter the discount code CLUBMEM10 in the
coupon code area of the checkout. website: http://www.gsparkplug.com/more detail here:
http://lcmcc.uk/blog/2016/02/12/members-discount-at-green-spark-plug-company/
www.aidansweeney.co.uk/ . AidanSweeney, Traditional Gents Outfitters, 7-8 The Market Arcade Brecon
Powys LD3 9DA - For anyone like me whose waistline has disappeared and finds it necessary to wear
braces: It can be difficult finding a pair with decent clips that don't let go with a twang at critical moments,
without resorting to the industrial type with crocodile clips. I can recommend these, not cheap but I have
wasted (waisted) loads on supposed quality braces with inferior clips and Aidan is a smashing bloke to deal
with. – Brian Johnson
Motorcycle leathers repaired, altered, patched and stitched. All leatherwork considered. Traditional quality shoe &
boot repairs. Cobblers Cabin, Chepstow 01291 628528 – Sue Moore
OJR Motorcycle Service/Repairs Richard Powell, Outfall Road, Hereford, HR1 1XY. 07391 697166 email
[email protected] – Bigfoot
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Ross on Wye PC Repair, services range from Virus Removal, Hardware Upgrading, Memory Upgrading, Screen
Replacements on Laptops and Notebooks, Hard Drive Upgrades, Anti-Virus Upgrades, Performance Tweaking, all
covered under a No-Fix-No-Fee Policy(or if fault re occurs within 5 days), with No Inspection Fees. You pay only for
the completed work and for any replacement parts. Luke Sutton Tel: 07973 993 049
Email: [email protected] – Sue Moore
CLUB SHOP
Club shirts & other clothes etc.: Clubsport have set up an online shopping facility for us: www.clubsport.co.uk/index.php/clubshops/category/85-leominster-classic-motorcycle-club Or you can order at any of their shops: Leominster (South Street), Hereford (All Saints Court), Ledbury (Bye Street), Ludlow (Old Street), Newtown (Broad Street), Ross on Wye (High Street) and Kington (Church Street). Please note: The design for the club logo is held at the Clubsport base in Kington but any branch’s staff can find it amongst the local sports clubs listed on their in-house computer system. Badges, Stickers etc: Enamel lapel badges £1.00, Club stickers (small £1 large £1.50) all available from Bob Dean at
club nights
Disclaimer: The Leominster Classic Motorcycle Club and committee cannot accept liability or be held responsible for any loss, accident, injury, death or loss of claims due to tips or suggestions given in this newsletter. The articles in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or club committee. Note: Any information that Leominster Classic Motorcycle Club holds remains confidential. Your personal data is stored on digital media in accordance with the provisions and requirements of the Data Protection Act of 1988 and will only be used to contact you on club matters.
Run Details – 8th July
Title: Power of the Cotswolds Start: 9.30am Holmer Road Service Station, Hereford Breaks: Morrisons Tewkesbury – coffee Lunch, The Farmers Arms, Guiting Power Finish: Ledbury 3.30 pm approx Distance: Likely route: A gentle run to the Cotswolds Leader: George Vaughan contact no 01989 762429
Run Details – 15th July
Title: Llandrindod Wells Start: 9.30am Holmer Road Service Station, Hereford Breaks: Bronlys – coffee Finish: Lakeside Café 12.00 approx Distance: approx. 50 miles Likely route: Peterchurch, Hay, Builth Wells, Llandrindod Leader: Mike James contact no 07762 477635
MID-WEEK MEET – 18th July
Venue: Owls Nest, Llandovery, SA20 0DJ Meet from 12.00 noon for lunch or just a drink and a natter
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Nifty Fifty Run Details – 22nd July
Start: 9.30am Holmer Road Service Station, Hereford
End: Maltings, Clun
Distance: approx 50 miles
Organiser: Steve Hackett 01432 272244 or 07731 509 995 on day
Bobs Thursday Evening Mystery Tour Details – 26th July
Start: 6 pm Holmer Road Service Station, Hereford Ride for about an hour, have a drink and get home by dark Organiser: Bob Dean
Run Details – 29th July
Title: Stratford on Avon Mechanical design Museum (Entry fee £6.50 o.a.p)
Start: 9.30 Fromes Hill Café (top of hill by t34 tank)
Lunch/Breaks: Coffee McDonalds Alcester, Lunch at Museum or Airfield café, Tea Deer Park Broadway
Organiser: Dave Therin contact no 07549342745
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2018
All Club events (including runs) should be organized through the Events Coordinator Sue Moore email [email protected] ,TEXT ONLY on 07857 250023 or PM
through Facebook
(Events in italics are non-club events and advisory only, details should be checked)
JULY AUGUST
Wed 4th Open Night & Hog Roast Wed 1st Club Night
Sun 8th Power of the Cotswolds run 3rd / 4th/5th Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage
Extravaganza details
www.glossteamextravaganza.com
Wed 11th Committee Meeting 4th/5th Llangollen Motorcycle Festival
Sun 15th Lakeside Run Sun 5th Weston-Super-Mare Run
Wed 18th Mid-week Meet, Owls Nest
Llandovery, SA20 0DJ
Wed 8th Committee Meeting
Sun 22nd Nifty Fifty Run to Maltings, Clun 11th/12th Tortworth Vintage Rally, Wickwar,Glos
(details www.shakespearesrally.com)
Thurs 26th Bobs evening mystery tour Wed 15th Mid-week Meet, Tally Ho Inn
Sat 28th Pembridge Show & Calne Bike
Meet
Sun 19th Nifty Fifty Run to Lucksall Hereford
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Sun 29th Stratford on Avon Mechanical
Design Museum Run
Sun 19th Tewkesbury Classic Vehicles Festival
(details and booking tewkesburycvf.org)
Thurs 23rd Bobs evening mystery tour
SEPTMBER OCTOBER
Wed 5th Club Night Wed 3rd Club Night
Sun 9th Gentle Bimble round Mid Wales
Run
Sat 6th Ride to the Wall
Wed 12th Committee Meeting Wed 10th AGM
15th/16th Stoke Prior Steam Rally (all classic
vehicles welcome
www.shakespearesrally.com)
Wed 17th Mid-week meet. Maltings Clun SY7 8JB
Sun 16th Run to Bala Sun 21st Nifty Fifty Run to Croome Park, High Green
Wed 19th Mid-week meet. Colliery Café
GL167EL
Sun 28th Winter Meet TBC
Sun 23rd Nifty Fifty Run to Watering Hole,
Aymestrey
Thurs 27th Thursday Evening Mystery Tour
(Longer term outlook can be found on the website)