Flywheel festival 2016

Way back in the summer my friend Alan persuaded  a few members to attend the Flywheel festival at
Bicester Heritage near Oxford. And WOW what a great time we had, Vintage aircraft,cars, and of course bikes. It turned out to be a very friendly show with something for everyone, in fact the organisers even let us run our machines around a straw bale lined circuit.  Above shows my Cotton with another visitors BSA. And the other picture shows Alan's wonderful black Ariel parked in front of a Catalina flying boat...not an every day occurrence.

Flywheel festival 2016

A couple of nice Austin 7's waiting for a days fun to start.

This was not the only Bugatti in the village!

For overnight visitors to the festival vehicle storage was arranged in the huge WW2 hangars found on the  airbase, the original and  enormous bomb proof doors  had to be wound open with large cranking handles to allow vehicles to leave, just like this rather splendid Bentley on the Sunday morning.

A view from the Coventry Parade

The Coventry Parade is always a day to look forward to, with riders meeting in the morning at Coombe Abbey country park on the outskirts of Coventry and after a relaxing  ride around the glorious country side a lunch stop with  wonderful food on offer. This year was no exception for interesting motor cycles ranging from a 1911 Rudge Single speed to a mint condition early Z1 Kawasaki. At the top of the page is a 1913 6HP  900cc  V twin REX made in Coventry, and how often do you see those?

A view from the Coventry Parade

Spotted at Banbury

Spotted at Banbury

Spotted at Banbury

1924 Indian Scout

Spotted at Banbury

1929  Ivory Calthorpe

Spotted at Banbury

1902 Quadrant    1 3/4 hp

Spotted at Banbury

A 1913 Wanderer, modified into its present form in the 1950s.

The next   N.A.W.T.Y   ( not at work today ) meeting is next Thursday all bikes welcome.

A visit to the Pat Davey Dot museum

This years VMCC Relay Rally found me visiting the Burton section check point housed at the Pat Davey Dot museum. This was situated North of Burton upon Trent and as usual was staffed by friendly people  who for a donation could offer the weary traveller Snack and hot coffee. This was the first time I had ventured north on the Relay Rally, exploring new roads and visiting different  sections is one of the reasons I enjoy this event so much.  My next stop was to my home check point of the Warwickshire section, all together a days riding of just over a 100 miles, long may this event continue!

Many thanks for the hospitality.

The Ladybird book of the Motor Cycle.

There was a time and an age when if you wanted to know any thing about the world  all you had to do was look in a Ladybird book, these books covered most subject's and being sad I do  have a few of them in my possession .
However one book in question eluded me until last Saturday while shopping in Fargo village in Coventry. Ladybird books were always well illustrated and this one is no exception with a 1960's Scrambler ( BSA ) and period looking scooter complete with suitable attired young lady rider on the front cover...well worth the asking price of just a few pounds.

The Ladybird book of the Motor Cycle.

 Now this is all I needed a few weeks ago when my Norton's electrics started playing up!

The 'new' New years day run.

These  images  was taken at the end of our first 'New years day run'. This  is the rear  car park  of the Green man public house in Long Itchington, we had just arrived after a cold  40 mile run around the Warwickshire country side. The owners of the Pub gave us all a warm welcome along with Hot soup and a bread roll...just the thing!  We are always pleased to welcome new members along to our Club meetings and runs, we met up with some new faces including  the owner of this marvellous Ariel motor cycle, who I believe bought it to compete in the Banbury run.

The 'new' New years day run.