Once again, Paul Swaddle has raised the bar with the quality of his report on last Saturday’s White Horse run. Shame his bike let him down; anyone know who the previous owner was? 🙂 Many thanks for organsing the run Paul and sorry I couldn’t join you (family commitments!). Paul’s report and photos follow….
After organising my first ever VMCC run last year, your junior correspondent was determined to learn from that experience and make this years “flawless” and thoroughly enjoyable for all involved.
Run pack “sign in” forms, etc all ready and printed, meticulously assembled run sheets ready to go (thank you again for printing them Bernard!), H&S completed, new GPX Sat Nav files created, bike checked over and ready to go…even the recently dire weather was much improved for a dry run with only potentially a light shower.
Around 13 of us and headed out from the Udder Farm shop in East Stour after the safety briefing (13… hmm… starting to wonder if that figure and the gathering dark rain clouds were signs staring me in the face of the impending doom ahead ha ha)
Fantastic to see some folk had travelled from as far afield as Winchester to enjoy the ride out!
Quite an “eclectic mix” of rides of all ages on the day, from a rare obviously much loved X75, to various 60’s Triumphs, a smashing Honda CL350, a sterling Moto Guzzi T3, fantastic BMW’s and a beautiful example of Norton Commando.
Leading the group, it was a magnificent and rewarding sight to see the group stretched out behind me (and I must say, somewhat of a relief finally getting the run together and on the road!)
Setting off towards our first stop, Old Sarum Airfield in Salisbury, the group is about three miles into the journey when, out of the blue, I hear a sound like bell ringing for just a tiny fraction of a second.
Not feeling any difference in the bike at all I just put it down to a sound coming from the traffic all around me at the first roundabout in Shaftesbury (which is now also demanding my total attention being an unusually busy day for traffic in that area)
However, another 300 yrds on.. “rrrriiigggggggggggg… buuuurruummmffff”… yes, it’s definitely your bike Paul and yes the bike is now running on one cylinder.
Coming to a safe stop I tried to diagnose the fault and get the bike going while waving the group to continue on (despite which thank you all who stopped to check on me regardless)
Nothing would coax the bike back into life so, utterly disappointed I’d managed to lead this years run for only @3 miles, I resigned myself to getting the bike safely home and try to get back out to meet the group again.
My good lady wife picked me up, whisked me to East Stour and I departed back to Shaftsbury in the Series One Landy plus bike trailer.
My son helped me load the bike up and I trundled back to East Stour for a hastily swap of machines for a distinctly less classic 2016 Aprilia Caponord.
Speeding off to try re-join the group, I figured if I rode the route the other way around, I’d increase my chances of finding them.
Thoughts of “did you definitely get the that run sheet right?”, “I wonder if the GPX files are working in that chaps TomTom correctly”, “I hope folks see that tricky junction with the semi hidden turn on it”…filled my mind.
However, all such thoughts and concerns were dispelled when I turned the corner to Pewsey town centre to see the entire group also turning into the square that has our Lunch stop cafes.. we couldn’t have timed it better!
The run sheets (and GPX files) had done their job and everyone said how much they’d enjoyed the ride as we tucked into a good lunch.
Re-fuelled both with food and petrol, the group headed out on the final stage of the run, taking in the great views of the 2nd white horse on the hill behind Pewsey as you climb out on the glorious stretch of road leading out towards Salisbury plain.
Once on the plain, the group had a chance to experience what 1930’s roads were like back in T.E. Lawrence’s day as much of the plains service and tank carrying roads are constructed in the same way.
While most bikers have an admiration for Lawrence and his daring adventures, particularly his joy of unfeasible speed rides on his trusty Brough Superior, you honestly add a whole new level of respect for the mans +100 mph riding ability when you try it for yourself on these roads.
Directing the now stopped group at the road junction that such a road ran parrel to our route if they wanted to try it, I set off again along the main road not wanting to accidently lead those that didn’t want to try it in the wrong direction.
Looking behind me as we set off, there was no takers!… maybe next year then?
Five of us eventually arrived back to the Udder in time for “tea and cake” with many of the group having departed for their respective homes (as they’d kindly told me they would) along the final stages of the run.
About 107 miles in total, feedback on the days ride was very good and I’m really pleased it all went well for everyone despite my initial misfortune.
We know these things can happen to our ageing machines, but it does not stop the enjoyment of owning, riding, maintaining and repairing them (in fact, I enjoy restoring/repairing bikes as much as riding them!)
Pulling my bike apart to locate the fault, there was no way it was going to be a roadside repair. Having dropped its exhaust valve seat, this “exploded” into the cylinder, jamming up the piston and valves.
New parts on order, I’m really excited about getting the opportunity to work on it so it’s all set for future runs.
I’ve only a few pictures of the day having unfortunately missed the first half of it, hopefully others will have some to share as well!
At the Start at the Udder Farm Shop
At Café in Pewsey
