Magazine of the Thames Valley HOG Chapter Magazine of the Thames Valley HOG Chapter

Sue

There was one point this month when I thought there

would be no May magazine! My Hotmail account had been

hacked into and Microsoft had frozen it. I couldn’t

access anything, I couldn’t even open a new account.

I finally thought about using Dave’s email and had to

get Lee to change my editor’s email to that. I had to open

up the mail on Dave’s computer, copy it to a memory stick

and then transfer it to my computer. There were plenty

of problems with this but I managed to get almost all that

I needed.

The questions they ask to recover you’re a/c are all

things that are stored on your email - who was the last

person you wrote to and what was it about? (I’d been away

for Easter, how was I supposed to remember?) Anyway,

make sure you have backup, at least another a/c as they

ask for another email address to contact you. And,

change your password the minute you think you’ve had a

dodgy email!

What a great start to the rally season! The Cider Rally was such a fun-filled weekend, full of laughter, good friends and… Smurfs! If you haven’t seen the photos yet you have a treat in store! The weather was amazing, Bernie even got burnt! Let’s hope that all the rallies are as good - I can’t wait for the next one.

Inside this issue…

Front cover: No club members this month

Page 2 Start your Engines

Page 4, 5 Director’s Update

Page 6, 7 LoH - Sue’s Scribbles

Page 8, 11 Cider Rally, report and photos

Page 12, 13 Meet the Members

Page 14, 15 Calendar

Page 16, 17 Jake Spicer Toy Run

Page 18 Saturday Social

Page 19 Photo Gallery

Page 20, 21 News

Page 22 Whose bike?

Page 23 Mystery Man

Page 24 Fine Pig

Page 25 More Fines!

Page 26, 27 Safety First

Back cover: Meet the committee

May / June

Birthdays

Happy 1st birthday, Leo, 29th May

Clive Skinner 18th May

Jack Parry 1st June

Gill Major 3rd June

Pat Adams 5th June

Sandy Dunworth 5th June

Barry Adams 12th June

Ian Goldswain 14th June

John Cunningham 16 June

Happy birthday to

you all!

A big Thank You to those who have contributed to this month’s magazine:

Linda, Sue, Don, FatBoyMalc, Nick, Elaine, Bernie & Pat.

4

and welcome to our May edition of Tales from the Riverbank. The 2014 season is well under way with four ride-outs, a Poker Run and The Cider Rally already done, and a full calendar still left to do. Since April’s club night Pat and myself have visited a possible new venue for the SofER Rally in 2015. This was the National Show Jumping Ground at Hickstead in West Sussex near Crawley, and as you can imagine the site is very well looked after and covers a vast piece of ground. So, no problems fitting a rally the size of ours in. The entry roads to & from the site are of concrete construction and in excellent condition - no more water filled pot-holes to negotiate! We have a meeting on the 10th May to discuss the new venue and to start organising what looks like being a great rally in 2015. More news on the Rally as I receive it.

Club News As of the May 1st our club membership has risen to 127 Full members & 67 affiliated, a total of 194. Five new members joined us during April. The new revamped Web Site is now up and running and being used by the membership. If you have any trouble getting access to the site please get in touch with Lee, he is here to help you.

Jake Spicer Toy Run Sadly, not very well attended this year by all the Chapters Involved, main reason the weather was not looking very good the night before and on the morning of the Toy Run, which put a lot of members off attending. Although it was looking a bit grotty it turned out to be a good day with only a small downpour as we left the Hospital early afternoon. A number of children and their parents came down from the wards to greet us and have a look at the bikes. Our Easter gifts were greatly appreciated by the staff and were distributed around the wards by the nurses. Many thanks to everybody who made the Toy Run and helped cheer up the sick kiddies by visiting the wards. Well done everybody.

Hi all,

5

Don

Cider Rally What a fantastic weekend with such a great chapter! Around 40+ Thames Valley members attended The Cider Rally this year which helped make it one of the best Cider Rally’s so far. Thanks to Paul and Fred for organising the ride down to Sand Bay with a stop at The Royal Oak for lunch. The weather was extremely kind over the weekend which gave us the opportunity to sit outside the chalets most afternoons with a beer or two and a few nibbles.

The picture, left, is of the Thames Valley Smurfs and below, some of our members dressed ready for a Tropical evening on Saturday. Linda Friend, one of our Photographers, entered a group photo of our Chapter members in Fancy Dress at the rally, into a competition, and to our surprise Linda won! She was awarded a Trophy & a large bottle of Champagne on Sunday evening for the best photo taken over the weekend. Well done Linda!! Congratulations from us all.

Ledbury Weekend August 1st. We still have many places available for the Ledbury weekend, with just over 40 members booked so far. If you would like to join the rest of the Chapter for the weekend, please contact me to put your name down. Tickets are now available for the weekend in Ledbury and will be on sale from tonight.

Chapter Chill-Out Weekend in Tewkesbury, June 27

th

Pat & Barry have organised a great weekend away just chilling out by the River Seven in Tewkesbury. They have plenty of space left for camping over the weekend. If you would like to book a place on the Chill-Out Weekend contact Pat or Barry. And last of all, how many of you are remembering get your Miles of Fun cards signed when you attend chapter ride-outs? We have prizes to be won at the end of the year. Well, that’s it from me this month,

Ride Safe and have Fun

6

Sue says...

Well, Easter has come

and gone and so has the

first rally of the season.

…As I am sure many of us

will know, having either been at the event or having seen all the

Facebook posts over the weekend, that a great time was had by all.

For me, it was the best Cider Rally yet! Not sure if that’s because

I feel so at home at the Cider Rally with so many good friends or

because I went to bed early and didn’t drink too much!!... The food

was great, the company even better and the bands were awesome.

So were Thames Valley - I have never seen so many Chapter

members in fancy dress!

As Ladies of Harley rep I was so proud to see so many girls

dressed in tropical attire and taking such an active part in the

rally; we proved that Thames Valley is well and truly a thriving

Chapter.

Well done to Linda for submitting a photo of Thames Valley in

the photo competition, we won First prize which resulted in a huge

bottle of champagne and a trophy, the first one for our Chapter,

apparently!

7

Sue x

The Saturday Social at The Shire Horse was well attended and

we had a record number of bikes, too. The next social is on 24th

May at The Rose and Crown, Green Road, Thorpe, Egham, Surrey

TW20 8QL, from 12.30 everyone

welcome

Big apologies to Sue, our editor,

for not writing my piece for the mag

until after the deadline, in fact if this

makes it into the mag then she’s

worked a minor miracle! Pat, I will fine

myself!!...

The mag is such a great read that

Leo, who is soon to celebrate his first

birthday, thinks so too!

Happy riding,

8

And so it begins - The 23rd Cider Rally at Sand Bay.

After meeting at Chieveley Services, under grey skies, we arrived at

the Rally with the rain holding off. After being banded, we picked up our

goodie bags for the Tropical Party themed weekend. They contained a t-shirt,

rally pin, a pretty lei and a decorative pair of sunglasses.

Dinner was at 7:00 and the restaurant manager was gobsmacked when every-

one arrived at once! It took over 2 hours for the queues to end.

Dancing on Friday was to Big Mac Wholly Soul Band, Heroes, and DJ Rob.

Saturday began warm and sunny and we got ready for the grand parade

into Weston-Super-Mare. The roads were closed and around 300 bikes

took part, with people lining the roads and waving us on all the way into town.

Groups then decided to look around the town, go to the Bridgewater

dealership, or go back to camp to laze around in the sun.

An early dinner - 5:30, and to say that the next few hours were fun,

would be an understatement! The Smurfs hosted pre-party drinks at their

‘Crossbones Motel’ for Thames Valley members, who had all joined in with the

tropical theme and dressed up. An amazing club turnout.

The Glam Doctors & Devious supplied the music along with DJ Rob into the

small hours, and did anyone from Thames Valley join the 3 o’clock club? I am

very pleased to report that ‘Gobby’ John (Colyer) made it!

Sunday dawned to an even sunnier day. Dave Brown was leading a ride to Chew

Valley Lake, and back via Cheddar Gorge.

The entertainment was a comedian but most of us sat in the back room where

we could all get seats together and chat.

The winner of the photo competition - What does the Cider Rally mean to you? - was announced, and they called out ‘Linda Friend’, WE WON!

The last band of the weekend was Skimity Hitchers and then time for bed.

The rally was over and it can only be described as the one of the best

Cider rallies ever! Linda

9

Chew Valley Ride-out

Meet the Members

Spotlight on...

12

Malcolm Poulter

aka FatBoyMalc

Hi Malc, are you married? Yes, I’ve been married to Sue for 35 years. We have 2 kids, Richard and Sarah, and 3 grandchildren, Ellie-Anne 6, Harrison 3, and Yusef 3, and another due very soon. Tell us about your motorcycling history... My first bike was a Greaves 250 sports twin, in1966. After passing my test that year, I progressed upwards to a Triumph 21, BSA Gold Star etc. but I always wanted a Harley. To my surprise, in 2000, for my 50th birthday Sue bought me my first Harley! It was a 1999 Deuce. However, due to my ever increasing weight and my ill health I sold it 18 months later. Then, in 2007 a little bit fitter I bought a 1994 Road King. 2008 was a big year for me I bought my first Ultra Classic then having been persuaded by Hagrid, I joined Thames Valley. I currently own ’Little Willy’ my 2009 Ultra. So, I’ve been a member of Thames Valley for 6 years. My wife, Sue, only joined in 2012 as until then she had NEVER been on the pillion (but got fed up sitting indoors, and it proves you’re never too old!) Any hobbies? I am into model railways and Sue, who is a florist, loves gardening and crafts.

13

Any special Harley experiences? My very special Harley Experience has to be fulfilling the lifelong dream and being able to spend 3 weeks in June last year doing Route 66 east to west, which I never thought I would be able to do due to my failing health 2 years earlier. How did you get your moniker? As for the name, FatBoyMalc, In 2002 I was 26½ stone, diabetic and on insulin. However, in 2010, having been told I was as good as dead, I took control and changed my lifestyle and my diet and lost 9 st 13 lb over the next 18 months. This enabled me to fulfil that Route 66 dream and of course, as I’m no longer on insulin or blood pressure tabs, I’m able to thoroughly enjoy life! Great story, Malc, thanks for the chat.

Ellie Yusef Harrison

May

Seaside Fish ‘n’ Chips

Sat 17th, 9:00am

Eastbourne & Shaw’s HD

Poker Run - 2

Weds 21st May, 6:30pm

Cricketers, Littlewick Green

Saturday Social

24th, Rose & Crown, 12:30

Egham, TW20 8QL

Ace Café Harley Night

Thurs 29th, 6:00pm

Ireland Bike Fest

Fri 30th - Sun 1st

June

Committee Night

Tuesday 3rd, 8:00pm Primary Officers & agenda

notified by Don

Stratford-upon-Avon Ride

Sunday 8th, 9:00 - 5:00

Starts from SportsAble

European Rally, Croatia

Thurs 12th - Mon 16th

14

June cont.

Picnic-on-the-Green

Froxfield,

Sat 14th, 12:00 - 5:00

Father’s Day Treat!

Petworth House

Sunday 15th,10:00 - 4:00

Meet SportsAble

European HOG Rally

Croatia

Mon 16th

Club Night

Thursday 19th, 7:30

HOGs in the Hayfield

Fri 20th - Sun 22nd

Solstice Ride

Sat 21st, 04:00 - 23:00

Details to follow…

Swansea HD

Sun 22nd, 9:30 - 7:30

Chieveley Services

Ace Café Harley Night

Thursday 27th 6:00pm

HOG World Ride

Mon 21st, details to follow

Club Nights

June 19th

July 17th

August 21st

September 18th

October 16th

Mag contribution

Deadlines

June 12th

July 10th

August 14th

September 11th

October 9th

Dates, events, ride-outs and activities

Details correct at time of going to print. Check the website for updates and amendments

www.thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

15

Entries for your Diary 2014

Big Brum Bash

23rd - 26th May

Ireland Bike Fest

30th May - 1st June

European Rally

Biograd Croatia

2nd - 16th June

Wake the Lakes

3rd - 6th July

Fenlanders Rally

24th - 27th July

Hog n Bog Provience wide

1st - 3rd August

Sherwood Rally

15th-17th August

Thunder in the Glens

22nd - 25th August

European Bike Week

Faaker See

2nd - 7th September

Deva Legion Circus Maximus

12th - 14th September

Check website for Changes / further

details on all events

16

Heavy and light showers dotted the day, but who and what it was for overtook any thoughts of not being there. Just over 50 bikes left the Oxford dealership heading towards the

John Radcliffe Hospital. Toys, games and books were all stowed ready to be given to the children. Although damp, some mums and dads brought their children down from

the wards to see us and the bikes. And in return we went up to the

wards to meet the children and their families.

Jake Spicer lost his 6 year battle with cancer at the tender age of 15. He worked tirelessly for charities in spite of his illness. He loved motorcycles and

was made an honorary member of the Oxford Chapter. The annual Toy Run was named after him in 2010.

Linda

17

18

A great day for a social meeting, twenty two people arrived on fifteen bikes. Good food and great company, as per usual on these occasions. Who could ask for more?

19

20

This picture sums up that question, as interpreted by our photographer, Linda. Friendship, fun and laughter is what it’s all about.

The judges agreed with her as she won FIRST PRIZE! Well done, Linda, we’re all very proud of you!

Linda wins a trophy and champagne

in the Cider Rally Photo competition

Thames Valley HOG

We are looking for members to fill two committee positions that will soon become vacant:- 1. MEMBERSHIP Officer 2. SofER TREASURER If you think you would like to know more, or take on one of these roles, speak to Don or any member of the committee.

21

Hi Peeps,

My name is Bernie, but most of you know

me as Bulldog. My role here at Thames Valley

H.O.G., and on the committee, is as the official

Photographer. For this I take the official Photo-

graphs for the club and take care of the Website

Galleries. I also receive photos from our other

Photographer, Linda, to put up. I’m also very happy for any photos

from members if neither of us is there.

I particularly would like photos of you with your bike for our Members

section please, (see Website Galleries).

You can send them to me at: photographer@thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Cheers. Bulldog.

Thames Valley HOG

We are looking for members to fill two committee positions that will soon become vacant:- 1. MEMBERSHIP Officer 2. SofER TREASURER If you think you would like to know more, or take on one of these roles, speak to Don or any member of the committee.

Our new website became live on the

1st May!

Many, many thanks to our webmaster, Lee White, who

put in SO many hours to make this possible - even using

his annual leave to work on getting it ready in time.

This website is one of the best across the HOG clubs

now, very user-friendly and easy to access information

in any club area.

The forums are a great place to chat. Make sure you

log-in and have a look around, and leave a comment!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, LEE, FOR ALL YOUR WORK!

Committee Members’ Profiles:

Photographer

Whose Bike? Our ‘Jammy’ photographer, Linda, has been taking candid shots of our bikes when we weren’t looking! Do you recognise your bike, or that of another club member? If you correctly identify the bike and owner, you will win a bottle of wine, to be presented at club night. If there’s more than one correct answer, names will be put in a hat and one drawn out - at club night. Good luck!

If you can identify this bike, send your answer to

Linda, c/o: editor@thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

March winner: Sue Dodds Bike: Sue Knight

22

23 23

Luscious long locks, lacy shirt, proud dad, and FAB taste in wallpaper!

Who is he?

Do you have a photo of your

younger self? Have you changed

a lot over the years? Send your photo to the editor (address

on back cover) to be featured on the

Mystery Man page.

Every picture tells a story,

don’t it? So, what is it that Gopher is trying to say

here? Email your

‘Caption’ to the editor.

24

Thames Valley Fines, and aren’t there some great ones here!!

Sue B for harassing Don over his diet.

Don W for not knowing his Bye’s from his By’s.

Not so Big Malc for thinking that the lantern in the raffle on club

night was a biscuit barrel???

Cider Rally Specials – No one is safe - I have my spies! Paul H for leading the rideout astray – down into a quarry I hear!

Nick West for dancing to Nelly the Elephant – or was that dancing

as Nelly the Elephant?

Linda for asking is there were any flashers on the dance floor – I

hope you were not disappointed.

Malc for bragging that he has never been fined – you should never

do that, Malc.

Malc for playing on the magic roundabout.

Sue D for never answering her mobile. I just wanted to know if she

needed anything from Sainsbury’s, like more Bacardi?

Sue D for bringing a bottle of Bacardi instead of Vodka and not

noticing until she drank some. Yuk!

Baz for having the Sainsbury car washers clean his bike –

cleanest its ever been I hear!

Don & Fred as every time we saw them they were either in

Sainsbury’s or on the way to Sainsbury’s.

How much beer and JD did you drink?

Sue and Dave K for going back to their chalet after

dinner, falling asleep and not waking up

until nearly midnight!

Dave K as he said he didn’t want to wake up as he was dreaming

of a nice Blonde – a blonde what - he did not specify.

Lunch Box for complaining that Linda (who was in the dinner queue)

was too late bringing him his chicken as he had already

eaten his salad.

Baz for having two puddings when he didn’t eat his dinner (yes I

was worried for a bit there – that is almost unheard of)

Dave K for being grumpy and not wanting to wear his Hawaiian

shirt.

CJ for suggesting that the 3 Smurfs should be fine free for a

year – silly boy, silly suggestion. No one escapes the Fine

Mistress!

Ralph Smurfette 1, for not assuming his position for long enough –

what can I say!

Bernie D for almost running out of Fuel and saying that it was Sue’s

fault – how does that work??

Bernie D for making out that he had ‘just lost his wife’ to get a

free drink.

Sue B for not getting any jokes – just had to be done – the guy was

just so funny – yes he was Sue!

CJ for making a New Year’s resolution in May – what was it

again?

Gobbie Jon for making the 3 o’clock club but only because he had

fallen asleep.

CJ for refusing to pay any of his future fines. (he wont get his

membership renewed, then)

CJ for - guess what? – not renewing his TV membership.

Diane for being a not-so-secret sweetie eater, Ah yes, Ah Yes!

Clive & Michelle for not being at the Cider Rally – yes, you thought

you were safe – BUT WE MISSED YOU BOTH!

A Happy Pig this month!

25

THAMES VALLEY HOG - How We Roll !

Please note that HOG insists that ALL participating riders get a briefing before

they ride with an organised group.

If you miss the briefing you may not participate in the ride !

Your full attention is required at the briefing. It is an important part of safety for

the whole group. Please try not to interrupt unless you have a genuine

question. For some crew members, it is the most daunting part of their

responsibility. You will hear much of the same information each time but please

support your volunteer road crew by being patient.

Listen carefully to the overview of

the route.

Take note of any hazards which

may be mentioned.

Make sure you understand the

DROP-OFF SYSTEM. If not, ask a

member of the Road Crew.

Identify the LAST MAN / TAIL

RIDER at, or during, the briefing.

Make sure you know how we operate the staggered file as many

Chapters operate this slightly differently. Thames Valley HOG DO

NOT change position in the staggered file when a man is

dropped off.

Riders MUST stay at their drop off point until the last man (tail man)

arrives.

Use an arm signal when dropped off to indicate the direction of the

route. (Switch off your indicators- even your hazards can confuse other drivers!)

The drop off will be indicated precisely, but only stop precisely at that

location if you are happy to do so. Alternatively, stop as close as

you can and consider walking back to mark the route.

26

Leave at least 2 seconds between

you and the next rider in your line

of the formation. In single file, you

should always have a 2 second

gap between riders.

The LEAD RIDER is NOT a part of the staggered formation. He/she

will move to different positions in the road depending on what he

needs to do next. Do NOT change your position in the stagger behind

the leader.

Close up at stops and junctions, buy DO NOT pull up directly next to

another rider unless you are both coming to a complete stop.

No overtaking within the group.

Please leave 7 -10 second gaps on motorways and dual carriage-

ways between groups of 5 riders.

Overtaking other traffic on dual carriageways: Only pass / overtake

when you reach the obstruction. Do not pull out to allow the rider in

front to pass. (He/she may not be ready to pass and you will hold up

other road users unnecessarily).

Every rider MUST fully observe the whole group, NOT just the rider

ahead, in order to be alert to changes in speed

Use your mirrors frequently.

Be courteous to other road users (even if undeserved!)

Leaving the group:- Pull over and wait for the last man, then signal

your intention to leave

Missing a drop-off:- In the unlikely event that you miss a dropped

marker, or take a wrong road, DON’T PANIC! Continue to a safe

point to turn around and go back to pick up the ride at that point.

The rest of the ride should follow you and the ride will get back

on track.

Breakdown procedures:- Last man or his/her marshal will stop and

assess your needs.

Be aware of other riders joining who are not part of the group.

Do not use unauthorised signals. This can confuse following riders and

other road users.

All riders must be aware that...

YOU ARE DEEMED TO BE IN CONTROL OF, AND RESPONSIBLE FOR, YOUR

VEHICLE AND YOUR RIDING AT ALL TIMES IRRESPECTIVE OF ANY GUIDANCE

OR INSTRUCTION FROM ANY MEMBER OF THE ROAD CREW. YOU MUST, AT

ALL TIMES, RIDE WITHIN THE LAW AND OBEY ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.

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facebook.com/groups/ thamesvalleyhog

Club Venue: SportsAble, Braywick Sports Ground, Maidenhead, SL6 1BN

Don Wibberley Chapter Director Email: director @thamesvallyhog.org.uk

Pat Adams Assistant Director Email: assistantdirector@

Colin Wilkins Treasurer Email: treasurer@

Sue Moyler Secretary Email: secretary@

Fred Cotsford Membership Officer Email: membership@

Nij Jones Head Road Captain Email: headroadcaptain@

Nick West Safety Officer & Historian Email: historian@

Barry Adams Activities Officer Email: activities@

Sue Brown Ladies of Harley Email: ladiesofharley@

Lee White Webmaster Email: webmaster@

Sue Knight Editor Email: editor@

Bernie Meason Photographer Email: photographer@

Linda Friend Photographer Email: photographer@

Shirley Churchill Merchandise Email: merchandise@

youtube.com/user/ tvwebmaster1

facebook.com/groups/ thamesvalleyhog

Club Venue: SportsAble, Braywick Sports Ground, Maidenhead, SL6 1BN

Don Wibberley Chapter Director Email: director @thamesvallyhog.org.uk

Pat Adams Assistant Director Email: assistantdirector@

Colin Wilkins Treasurer Email: treasurer@

Sue Moyler Secretary Email: secretary@

Fred Cotsford Membership Officer Email: membership@

Nij Jones Head Road Captain Email: headroadcaptain@

Nick West Safety Officer & Historian Email: historian@

Barry Adams Activities Officer Email: activities@

Sue Brown Ladies of Harley Email: ladiesofharley@

Lee White Webmaster Email: webmaster@

Sue Knight Editor Email: editor@

Bernie Meason Photographer Email: photographer@

Linda Friend Photographer Email: photographer@

Shirley Churchill Merchandise Email: merchandise@

youtube.com/user/ tvwebmaster1

Pat Adams Assistant Director Email: assistantdirector@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Colin Wilkins Treasurer Email: treasurer@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Fred Cotsford Membership Officer Email: membership@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Barry Adams Activities Officer Email: activities@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Shirley Churchill Merchandise Email: merchandise@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Sue Moyler Secretary Email: secretary@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Don Wibberley Chapter Director Email: director@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Nick West Safety Officer & Historian Email: historian @thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Nij Jones Head Road Captain Email: headroadcaptain@ Thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Sue Brown Ladies of Harley Email: ladiesofharley@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Linda Friend Photographer Email: photographer@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Lee White Webmaster Email: webmaster@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Bernie Meason Photographer Email: photographer@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Club Venue: SportsAble, Braywick Sports Ground, Maidenhead, SL6 1BN

Toni Charles Activities Officer Email: activities@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Sue Knight Editor Email: editor@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

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