golden wing - 2006 summer

Golden Wing Summer 2006.qxp 20/08/2006 20:45

Golden Wing Summer 2006.qxp 20/08/2006 20:46

SUMMER 2006 1

Summer 2006, Volume 44 No. 2

Editor / DesignerTim Lee

[email protected]

HOConsumer EditorMark Clargo

[email protected]

Diary Co-ordinatorAndy Stryczko

[email protected]

Advertising Co-ordinatorErica Gassor

[email protected]

Thanks to all contributors

All feedback regarding the content and delivery of Golden Wing should be addressed to The Editor at the

address below or e-mailed to: [email protected].

Golden WingHonda Owners Club (GB)

Units 1B & 5BKemps Quay Industrial Park

Quayside RoadSouthampton

SO18 1BZTel/Fax: 023 8022 6045

Web Page: www.hoc.org.uk

Autumn IssueCopy Date 1st September 2006

Published by end of September 2006

Printing & Distribution by:LPC Printing Ltd

Hardley Industrial EstateHythe,Southampton

Tel: 023 8084 6334

© Honda Owners Club (GB) 2006

We believe the contents of Golden Wing tobe correct at the time of publication. TheHonda Owners Club (GB) cannot be heldresponsible for any errors, omissions, orfor subsequent changes to details given inthis publication or for the consequence ofany reliance on the information.

The views expressed in this publicationare not necessarily those of the HondaOwners Club (GB) or the ExecutiveCommittee

ARTICLES

Dibble Rattle’s On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Editor Says . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Kicking Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5The View Over the Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Membership Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Caption Competition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Barry’s Bit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Classic Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Down Your Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Reports from: Bedfordshire, Biristol, Devon & Somerset,

Cambridge, Eastern, Gloucestershire, NESS, Northants &

MK, North London, Northumbria, Oxford, Solent, Varadero,

West London

New Discount Suppliers . . . . . . . . . . . . .47iHOC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48Soapbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50Showing Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52BMF News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54HOConsumer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56Shop@HOC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60Members Free Ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62Members Discounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

PLACES TO GO & THINGS TO DO

Devon & Somerset Camping Weekend .17Clappers Rally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Birmingham Camping Weekend . . . . . . .22East Midlands Rally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26East Midlands Poker Weekend . . . . . . .27Oxford Rally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Diary Dates centre pagesWiltshire Rally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43Solent Rally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37National Rally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38Three Shires Rally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Wiltshire Rally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41HOC Open Day Brooklands . . . . . . . . . .46

FRONT COVER

The front cover of this issue shows Northants Branchcrossing the Millau Bridge on their branch holiday inApril.

Golden Wing Summer 2006.qxp 20/08/2006 20:46 Page 1

THE GOOD NEWSCONTINUES

Honda UK obviously felt that we wereworth talking to again after our turning up atso many events and getting to know theirstaff.

Three of us went along and had a veryfriendly and business like chat with the aftersales and events team staff. The result sofar is they have taken several pages ofadvertising in GW, and we are planningregular meetings with them at HQ. Inaddition, they have offered their trainingcentre at Poyle for our AGM in October. Youwill also find dates of events put on byHonda UK appearing on the website and inour published diaries. These will includethings like spectating at power boat events,with dedicated bike parking and discountedrefreshments. I hope this is the start of anew and hopefully long term period offriendly relations with Honda.

Since we last published there is now anew branch up and running in Sussex. Themeeting place and contacts are in thelistings at the diary pages.

I went along to the first meeting and waspleasantly surprised that they might have tothink of a venue change due to the largernumbers than expected. Since then theyhave had a couple of successful runs out.So if you are in the Sussex or south Surreyareas or even west Kent this branch couldbe for you.

The BMF show came and went andthanks to the efforts of the Cambridgebranch the club secured first place in theone make club competition, for the secondtime in five years.

It was a wet and cool weekend but westill had new members sign up and wewelcome those who braved the elements.The ‘Pink Ladies’ produced cakes galore forthe event and gallons of tea and coffee wereconsumed raising money for Riders forHealth and MAGPAS charities. Well doneeveryone.

I LIKE RESPONSES !They have come in plentiful numbers but

please don’t stop. I am referring to myquestions over classic bike use in the lastGW. It seems we have a strong contingentof classic bike users and I do notnecessarily mean the ‘Old Bikes’ that manythink of when we talk on this subject. Thereare many Fireblade, CBR600, VFR750 andPan European users out there with the earlymodels of those breeds. These are themodern classics which are to be heldalongside the CB750s the 400 fours etc.

The club has many new bike riders andmany multiple bike owners this wasevidenced in the survey done earlier in theyear. We can genuinely say we represent allHonda Motorcycle ownership across ourclub. This is what makes us unique and amuch respected club. DVLA and insurersare providing referrals to us.

DIRECT DEBIT IS HERE AT LAST.

After two years of form filling and banksearching, form designing and the like, wehave finally got Direct Debit for membershipset up. We would like as many of you aspossible to take up this option. If yourmembership is due for renewal Graham willsend you a reminder and option for this. If itis not yet due you can still apply and you willbe credited with the remaining balance ofyour current membership. Then you will nothave to fill in forms, buy stamps or go to thepost box again, and will still havecontinuous membership of the club.

ACE DAYAT THE ACE CAFÉ

We had a stand at a breezy but mostlydry Ace Café and I bid welcome to thosenew members who signed up on the day.

CCCCHHAAIIRRMMAANNHHAAIIRRMMAANN DDDDIIBBBBLLEEIIBBBBLLEE RRRRAATTTTLLEEAATTTTLLEE ’’’’SSSS OOOONNNN!!!!from Andy “Dibble” Young - Club Chairman

2 SUMMER 2006


EEEE ’’’’SSSS OOOONNNN!!!!

PresidentTrevor Thompson

Vice PresidentsDave Barton,Tony Eldridge,Graham Gull

ChairmanAndy ‘Dibble’ Young

1 Severn Way, Kettering,Northants. NN16 9H

�� 01536 412086 � [email protected]

General SecretaryMark Clargo

9 Hendred WayAbingdon Oxon OX14 2AN


Membership SecretaryGraham Gull

61 Vicarage RoadWare SG12 7BE

� [email protected]

Public Relations OfficeRoy Edwards

3 Pollards Close, Melton Mowbray. LE13 1UY�� 01664 569212 � [email protected]

Saddle Sore Shield Co-ordinatorStephen Davenport


Display Materials Co-ordinatorChris Wright

16 Auckland RoadMexborough S64 0AN


Regalia Co-ordinatorJustin Goddard,

19 Linkfield Avenue,Mountsorrel, Leicester, LE12 7DH

�� 0116 230 3277 � [email protected]

TreasurerDebbie Millard20 Tilden Close

High Halden, Ashford, Kent TN26 3LR�� 01233 850114 � [email protected]

WebmasterAndy (Stritchy) Stryczko� [email protected]

BMF Liaison OfficerJim Peel-Cross

15 Hill View Caravan ParkOare, Marlborough SN8 4JF�� 01672 564680

Classic SecretaryDave Barton

53 Northlands Road, TottonSouthampton. S040 3HA

SUMMER 2006 3

The team from KCS (Honda’s outdoordisplay people), did us proud with the loan oftheir more robust gazebo. Erica and co.were tracking people down with regulartenacity.

My lad enjoyed some of the slightly lessthan safe entertainment provided by theamateur stunt riders and it was a goodbreakfast.

CALLING WEST MIDLANDSAND NORFOLK.

Like the Sussex area we are trying nowto get more regional coverage going aroundthe country. I have a volunteer working onthe south west side of Birmingham to set upa West Midlands/ Severn Valley regionalbranch. Please watch the website and postfor news on this.

Likewise we know there are a lot ofowners in the Norfolk area so this summerthere will be a meeting posted on thewebsite and notified by post somewherenear Norwich. If any of you come along wecould perhaps get a branch up in that area.

RALLY SEASON ANDSUMMER

I have been to Devon and Somerset’sCornish weekend, I dropped in on Bedford’sClappers and got to the BMF and Aceevents. I also know that Wiltshire have hadtheir May bank holiday rally already. So farthese events have been quite well attendedalthough I must admit I have no idea howmany got to Cornwall as we never all gottogether anywhere. All I did get is waves andhellos from passing bikes people shoutingthere’s Dibble. Nice to meet a few of youthere that don’t get to some other events.

So the summer is here despite the wetstart so please everyone get along to at leastsome of the events it makes it all worthwhile.

Ride on but most of all ride safe

Cheers

Dibble


4 SUMMER 2006

EEEEDDIITTOORRDDIITTOORR SSSSAAYYSSAAYYSS ........By far the hardest part about writing this

column is deciding what to write about.There is of course the ongoing saga withthe various projects happening at home,and occasionally something will happenwhich means I can have a rant. Having anoveractive sense of scepticism (some call itopinionated bigotry) helps, and this issue isno different, allowing me to bring togetherthe latest developments at home with a rantabout insurance companies and premiums.

By the time the last issue was sent tothe printers, we had been informed that thesubsidence in our house was a “one offevent”, and that cosmetic repairs were allthat was needed. In the weeks thatfollowed, the insurance company met withthe loss adjuster, who spoke to his surveyor,who liaised with the contractors surveyor,who instructed his works manager, whoscheduled the repair “team”.

As the policy holder I was sent aschedule of works, full of phrases such as“Extra over internal mortar crack repair forrepairing with masonry reinforcement towall comprising 1m length 6mm helicalstainless steel bar fixed in chased slot withcementicious grout and making good abovedoor”, and right at the end, the contractprice.

Commencement day arrived, and Iexpected the combined teams of groundforce and DIY SOS to swoop on my house,accompanied by the various plumbers,electricians and window specialists whohad been given a mention in the schedule.What actually happened was that Fred andBert turned up with their van, andproclaimed that they preferred tea withthree sugars. They then proceededto chip away at various bits of therender, and inserted steel bars insome of the places they weresupposed to. They then squeezedtubes of what looked like poshbathroom sealant into the gaps, andproclaimed “jobs a good un”. I thenquizzed them as to the missing bars,and there was of course a variety ofexcellent reasons as to why theywere no longer necessary, oralternatively, impossible to fit.

On day five, the decorating teamarrived, or to be more accurate, Daz

and his van.Don’t get mewrong, Daz, or“Dell Boy” (ashe was verykeen to tellus his nickname was),is possiblyone of theh a r d e s tw o r k i n gtradesmenI have met.He has alsomade an excellent jobof the decorating and is worth every penny ofhis day rate, and more.

And so to the cost. I calculated that thejob took 22 man days, and assuming ahigher than average day rate of £175, thiswould result in a bill for £3,850. Add to thisthe cost of materials, lets assume £1,000 onhelical bars, posh sealant and sand andcement, another £500 on paint and liningpaper, and a generous £200 for a smallscaffold tower, and the total bill should havebeen around £5,550 plus VAT. The actualcontract price; £10,740.77 plus VAT.

No wonder insurance premiums are sohigh!!

Well, enough of a rant from me.....Igoing off to the Solent rally where I will befound crying into my beer, musing overFred’s passing comment “You do know yourwall ties are corroded, don’t you?”

Keep it tidy!

Tim


SUMMER 2006 5

EUROPEAN TOURING

Read recently of the demise of theVoyager magazine. Not surprised if it wasrun like their Website. Being ardententhusiasts of European touring, we tried toadvertise our facilities in it. Theirorganisation was nothing short of a pain inthe RRRs, & we eventually gave up trying.Shame really, a magazine on that subject issorely needed.

A survey said it was mainly over 40s thatrode in Europe, so what do younger ridersdo with their leisure time. They often ownmodern reliable machines, have creditcards, mobile phones & can get GPSsystems quite cheaply, but seem frightenedto leave their own little worlds.

Rusty & I first ventured abroad by touringHolland & Belgium in 1963, on a 250 ArielLeader without any of these modernamenities, we didn't even have a credit cardthose days.

Touring abroad isn't rocket science, itjust needs some basic planning, & a map ortwo.

C'mon you youngsters, you are indanger of becoming whimps, & missing outon some fantastic rides, & scenery

Pete BroadMember No No 21281 (France)

I would agree with you Pete that thereis much to be gained from Europe when itcomes to traffic free roads, spectacularscenery and all the new experiences whichcome from any trip abroad. Having beenskiing in a number of places in Europe, andhaving a set of parents who live in Spain, Ialways feel regret when I am over theirwithout my bike. However, in my case, aswith many, holidays are preciouscommodities, and as a parent, the kids haveto come first. Ed

OH BARRY!

Barry Tinson's letter was prompted bymy once saying Rockets aren't ideal forEuropean touring.

Sorry, didn't know we aren't allowed anopinion. I've only been riding for 59 years,had my own repair business, raced for 17years, & toured most of Europe, & now runa holiday site for UK bikers.

What do I know about biking.

Pete BroadMember No No 21281 (France)

Pete, I have published your letter,because, as I hope everyone is aware, Ipublish all letters as long as the content isnot libellous or unsuitable for the readershipas a whole.

I would also say that I have the utmostrespect for both you and Barry, as both ofyou have long histories as enthusiasticmotorcyclists and active club members.

However, I have read and re-readBarry’s article, and I can’t find an instancewhere he has stated that anyone is notallowed an opinion. In fact the opposite istrue.

One of the reasons that Barry is sowelcomed as a correspondent is that hisopinions are often disagreed with, andgenerate reactions as a result. As activeparticipation in these pages is something wetry to encourage, I welcome this.

If you feel that “plastic rockets” are notsuitable for European touring, please writein and tell us why, and I will be more thanhappy to print your article. Ed

KKKKIICCKKIINNGGIICCKKIINNGG BBBBAACCKKAACCKK ................Something to Say - Say it here


6 SUMMER 2006

WHY SHOULD I REMAINA MEMBER?

Dear Sir,

I feel prompted to write to you afterreading yet again in your magazine abouthow you value new members, and thefriendliness and welcoming aspects of theHOC.

I joined the HOC in January of this year,and the first ride out I attended was on the29th of that month. The ride was shown tobegin at 10.30 a.m. and so I arrived at 10.15a.m. I saw motorcyclists sat at tables in acafé area. Despite several attempts atconversation with one of them, I was virtuallyignored. No attempt was made to welcomeme. When they finally moved to the car park,I was asked my name. We eventually left thearea at 11.20 a.m.

At 12.20 a.m. they stopped at a pub carpark. No one told me what was happening,but I could not believe that after one hourthey were stopping for lunch. After waitingover an hour in the car park, I decided to rideon my own as it was a lovely sunny winter’sday.

I thought I should not judge too quicklyafter one bad experience, and so I attendeda club meeting. My idea of a club meeting isthat new members are introduced generallyto everyone else. I sat at a table with myorange juice (I have a clean license and Iwant to keep it). After an hour of sitting in apub I did not know with people I did notknow, I decided to leave. It was then that oneperson pulled a chair up to me and talked,this person was the ride co-ordinator I laterrealised.

I have been on four ride outs, two ofwhich did not reach the destination stated, Ihave been to two club meetings, and stilldon’t know anyone by name.

Maybe it is me, but I thought that being amember of a club meant being asked myopinion, voting on decisions and havingequal rights with everyone.

If this is the way the HOC normally acts,and on reading reports from other branches,it is not, then it is not for me. This is the firsttime I have joined any club of any kind.

As I stated at the beginning of my letter, Ihave written because you want to know whypeople leave, or do not renew theirmembership. I have not been welcomed and

I have not been offered friendship. It is clearto me why you do not refund anymembership fees, as I for one would ask formy money back.

Finally I would say this: I have been amotorcyclist (not biker) all my life. I have helda full license for over 44years. I have riddenHonda machines for the last 25 years, and Ihave assisted many people to get theirmotorcycle licenses, including my son.Honda machines for me are reliable, solidbikes and I will continue to ride andrecommend them.

Perhaps I am better riding on my own, asI was told to do by one member of the clubwhen I objected to riding at 80-90 mph on amotorway, which I never normally ride on. Iwas hoping for new friends by joining yourclub, however I meet friendlier people oncomfort breaks than I did at your club.

Yours regretfully,

R. Goodwin Member No 29615

Mr Goodwin (sorry about being formal,but you didn’t include your first name), I amvery sorry to read what you have written, asthis is not the way we normally treat newmembers to the club. If you would be goodenough to let me know the branch inquestion, I am sure the Chairman wouldwish to raise the matter with them.

I can only go on my own experienceswhen I joined the Solent branch some yearsago. I joined the HOC a year or so aftersuffering a very upsetting divorce, hoping tofind new friends and the beginnings of asocial life.

I can honestly say that I had never metsuch a warm, friendly and welcoming groupof people in the whole of my life. I wasaccepted from day one, and the friendships Ienjoy are one of the main reasons I feel sopassionate about this club.

I am sorry your experiences have beendifferent. Ed


SUMMER 2006 7

CALLING ALL KENTMEMBERS!!!!

Hi there.

If you live in the Kent area and want tokeep up to date with HOC diary dates,events, news, join other HOC members inKent for the occasional ride out, etc, pleasedrop an email to

[email protected]

and I will forward you the Monthly MailOut and advise of any plans relating to theHOC in the Kent area.

You may be aware that the actual KentBranch folded last year, but if you have anyideas for activities or meeting at local bikingevents, please get in touch and maybe wecan get a network of Kent HOC members intouch with each other. Perhaps you wouldlike to advertise your bike or spares, ask foradvice/help relating to your bikes, or just findout if anyone else is intending to go whereyou are planning to go.

Like most people, I don't have masses ofmoney or spare time, but still manage to beactively involved in the Club and would behappy to keep you appraised of what's goingon.

It also gets kind of lonely being the onlyapparent Kent members at rallies - theremust be more of you out there!! Drop me anemail and we'll get a Kent email group going,

Maybe in time the Branch will resurrect!!!

Debbie MillardLonely in Kent!,

What a super idea Debbie, good luck.We know from many of the shows we

attend that there are members in variousareas that are keen to start a branch. Thereasons they don’t are numerous, includingpressure of time, pressure of work, and inmany cases, not knowing what is required. Ifanyone is looking to start a branch, they canbe assured of enthusiastic help andguidance from many, but if the task stillseems too daunting, how about an e-mailgroup to begin with. Ed

I just wanted to take a few lines to saythank you to all those people who havesent in contributions for this magazine.

As far as front cover pictures go, a bigthank you to all those who have sent insuggestions, many of which will be usedin coming issues, so don’t worry if yourshas not appeared yet.

Thank you also to those who havesent in articles and photos, all of whichbroadens the variety of what we produce.Please keep them coming.

Lastly, and by no means least, a hugethank you to Erica Gassor who has takenover looking after advertising in themagazine. This was always a job that Inever quite had time to do properly, andthe way Erica has taken it on board canbe seen by the extra variety and numberof advertisers there are in this issue. Ifyou are thinking of making a purchase,please consider our advertisers, all ofthem pay to advertise and the revenuethis generates is essential to the runningof the club. If you are an advertiserthinking of taking space, please contactErica direct, whose details are on page 1of this issue.

Keep it tidy

Tim

EEEEDDIITTOORRDDIITTOORR SSSSAAYYSSAAYYSS ((((CCOONNTTCCOONNTT ))....))....

Kicking BackKicking BackLetters for the next issue need

to arrive by 1st September 2006

E-mail to [email protected]

or post to:Golden Wing, Units 1B & 5B

Kemps Quay Industrial ParkSouthampton.

SO18 1BZ


8 SUMMER 2006

MMMMEEMMBBEERRSSHHIIPPEEMMBBEERRSSHHIIPP MMMMAATTTTEERRSSAATTTTEERRSS ............

WELCOMEWelcome to those of you who joined

us at the rather wet weekend at the

BMF show and at the ACE Honda day

on the Spring Bank Holiday Monday.

A special welcome to Nikolay

Vyglazov of London, who is going to

ride to his homeland (Russia) this

summer on his CBR 600. Hopefully a

report of his experiences will appear in

‘Golden Wing’.

THANKS A special thank you to John Walsh,

one of our life members for his donation

of £50 to club funds, also matched with

a similar amount to his branch. This is

much appreciated.

DIRECT DEBITAs you will have read in Dibble’s

report, we have now managed to

establish a direct debit system for

membership. Not only will this save the

club a lot of money in printing, postage

and administration, it will make it much

less hassle for members.

When you next receive your

membership renewal, you will be

offered the opportunity of using Direct

Debit, and we would encourage you to

do this.

Gone will be the days of writing a

cheque, finding and envelope, buying a

stamp and taking it to the post box; you

will simply receive your new

membership card through the post each

year shortly after your renewal date.

MOVING?Don’t forget if you move, let me

know, and no other club official, as I

keep the address files up to date, (You

can write or send an email). We get

several copies of each magazine

returned by Royal Mail each issue so

don’t let it be YOU who we lose contact

with.

Graham Gull

Membership Secretary

Graham Gull

61 Vicarage Road

Ware SG12 7BE

� [email protected]

CCCCHHHHAAAANNNNGGGGEEEE OOOOFFFFAAAADDDDDDDDRRRREEEESSSSSSSS

PPPPlllleeeeaaaasssseeee sssseeeennnndddd cccchhhhaaaannnnggggeeeeooooffff aaaaddddddddrrrreeeessssssss ddddeeeettttaaaaiiii llllssss

ttttoooo tttthhhheeee MMMMeeeemmmmbbbbeeeerrrrsssshhhhiiiippppSSSSeeeeccccrrrreeeettttaaaarrrryyyy,,,,

nnnnooootttt ttttoooo GGGGoooollllddddeeeennnn WWWWiiiinnnngggg....

TTTThhhhaaaannnnkkkkssss .... .... .... ....EEEEDDDD


If anyone is in possession of pictures which they feel will make a suitable CaptionCompetition, then please send them in to:

Golden Wing, Units 1B & 5B, Kemps Quay Industrial Estate, Quayside Road, Southampton. SO18 1BZ

or e-mail me at [email protected](If sending pictures by e-mail, please send at 300 dpi or greater)

Again, the postbag held agood selection of entries,including a number frompeople who haven’t previouslyhad a go. The winners arelisted below.

1st Prize: An HOC Club Sweatshirt to:Penny Blake (29746) with -

“Penny`s latest attempt at jumping cars on a motorcycle didn`t quite go as planned'”

2nd Prize: An HOC Club Polo Shirt to:John McKee (29741) with -

“No! You can’t give me a ticket, it’s the bike that’s parked on double yellows!!”

3rd Prize: An HOC Club T Shirt to:Keith Gilby with -

“I told him that motorcycling in Italy was dangerous"

Now try this one Same Rules - Same Prizes

CAPTION COMPETITIONCAPTION COMPETITION

My thanks to Amanda Barnard forsending in this picture taken at the SolentRally this year. I know that once again wemanaged to book some hot sunny weatherfor the weekend, but.....................

Email entries to [email protected]

Although not a winner, one from John Hancock is worthy of a mention, as it is what wasactually said to him by a Volvo driver in Sainsbury’s car park at Hedge End..

“I can park in the motorcycle bay, because I have a motorcycle at home !”


TIPPETTS

Tippets of Surbiton, who we aredelighted to see advertising with us, havebeen trading for the past 83 years, since Mr.Walter Tippett first opened business in1919. Repairing motor cars on ArlingtonRoad, Surbiton till 1937. The firm thenmoved to its present location on the EwellRoad. By now the main focus of thebusiness had shifted of motorcycles and asteady supply of AJS and Matchlessmachines passed through the doors.

The Company was continued by PhilAlexander and Jack Wheeler who bought awealth of enthusiasm and hard work to bearon the venture and in 1959 Tippetts Motors(Surbiton) Ltd was launched as a LimitedCompany. A stoke of luck in helping Hondato retain the Mordes Trophy resulted in theoffer of the Honda Franchise and so Tippetswere the second British Honda Dealerappointed and remains the only originalsolus dealer in the country. Of course, itwasn’t all hard work. There was lots of funas well. Usually this was the result of some‘error’ on the part of one or both of the ‘boys’

(Phil or Jack) – like the time they had alarge order for six bikes and were in such arush to make sure that they were on theroad on time that they took one end of abike each to prepare – this resulted withunmatched numbers plates on the front andrear!

Tippets built a ‘new’ workshop in the1970’s but it nearly didn’t happen when thePolish crew, delivering the prefab buildinggot lost in the Lake District for 3 days!.(Having been to this wonderful part ofEngland, I reckon this was on purpose!).However it finally turned up and wasfinished in the pouring rain, just in time forthe launch of the GL 1100DXB.

As time marches on we are delighted tosay so have Tippetts who are now not onlythe longest established Honda Dealer butalso one of the finest.


12 SUMMER 2006

SITTING COMFORTABLY?Some of you older members may

remember children's hour on the radio and

the friendly ‘uncle’ announcer asking "are

you sitting comfortably?"

Well, yes I am and that is just about all I

am doing. In fact I have done little else for

the past seven weeks but ‘sit comfortably'.

Just about the only relief I have had from

‘sitting comfortably’ have been short periods

of extreme discomfort!

I have moved on from accepting the

initial commiseration's from friends and

family and the ‘you are very lucky, it could

have been a lot worse’. Visits have become

less regular and I have overheard people

inquiring of my wife ‘what sort of mood is he

in today’.

You have probably guessed by now that

I am incapacitated. OK, so it is not life

threatening. Yes I know there are a lot of

people far worse of than myself. OK, so I

don't have to worry about getting to work to

keep the family in food and lodgings. Yes I

know that I am lucky!

But I am BORED! True, the plaster on

my left foot does allow me to hobble about.

I can get out in the garage and even down

the garden, but it is the limited movement of

my left arm cause by the aftermath of a

seriously displaced shoulder that is the main

problem.

But that is not quite true. My main

problem is my mental attitude. I was not

prepared to be, even temporarily,

incapacitated.

Motorcyclist talk quite a lot about

protective clothing. We prepare our body

with protective armour, leather and other

specially made clothing. I my case my

armoured Cordura riding coat suffered only

a couple of square inches of surface melt -

no penetration. My Heine Gericke Tuareg

trousers suffered a bit of a scuff on the

leather seat with some 3 inches of stitching

worn through and a bit of damage to the

Cordura - but no penetration. My leather

gloves and boots both had a slight scuff.

This was all ‘slide’ damage at about 30 mph.

If I had just had the slide, I would have

got up and walked away with no problem.

The problem was caused by the fall. My

armour may well have reduced my injuries,

but it doesn't offer much of a ‘crumple zone’.

I think we have to accept that on a bike, we

are the crumple zone!

The next time you are putting on your

biking gear, remember that you are the

crumple zone and give a little thought about

how you will manage if you are only

temporarily incapacitated. The best you can

expect is to become completely bored!

I think that perhaps all motorcyclists

should have a back up hobby of philately,

needlework or perhaps water colour

painting, just in case.

As a postscript - my Varadero has been

written off, the car driver involved in my

incident is being prosecuted by the police, it

will probably be another 6/8 weeks before I

can even think about riding again, I am

looking for a new bike - something a little

lower than a Varadero!

In the last issue of Golden Wing I said

that I would be riding down to Sicily for the

Varadero International meeting. Change of

plans. I will now looking at flying and picking

up a hire car at the airport - for about a third

of the cost of going by bike!

Barry Tinson


SUMMER 2006 13

Thank you to the hundreds of memberswho took the time to complete the survey -either on paper or on-line.

Here is a précis of the informationgathered, full details can be found in theMembers Area at;www.hoc.org.uk/members/surveyresults.html

About YouThe first thing to say is that over 90% of

the respondents were over the age of 41 butjust over a third of those are over 51. Thereis therefore a wealth of biking experience,with 69% having over 20 years on the road.

Surprisingly only 34% of you have takenan advanced riding course. Of those thathave taken a course, by far the mostpopular was from the Institute of AdvancedMotorcyclists.

The vast majority of you also haveaccess to a car, with only 21% using thebike as their principal form of transport. Thisis reflected in bike usage with only 12% ofyou travelling over 10,000 miles a year andusing it mostly at weekends for pleasureonly.

The BMF is the most popular club (otherthan the HOC - of course!) with over twiceas many members in it as it’s nearest rival,MAG. Single type clubs are frequented byonly 20% of the HOC members.

More than half of you go to the BMFShow and NEC bike shows, other bike andclassic shows were also popular, but withonly 13% of you going to them.

About Your BikesMost of you, 55%, have only one bike.

The most popular bike is the multi-talentedVFR, with the Pan European coming a closesecond. The most popular classic machineis the CB750. Your bikes are also quite new;47% being under 5 years old and only 24%being in the classic bracket of over 10 yearsold. Less than 1% don’t actually own aHonda.

About Your MembershipA quarter of you joined as a result of a

friend telling you about the Club and nearly20% joined at the NEC. 59% joinedprincipally for the runs out and socialactivities, which is ironic as over half of youhaven’t taken part in any Club or Branchactivities!

One in five say they want Sundaybreakfast and all-day runs, with the nextpopular being dealer open days.

Two thirds of you have a Branch nearyou, but only half of you actually go.However this is explained by the busylifestyles that we lead, with over half of youother commitments on the nights that theymeet. Four fifths of those that didn’t have abranch locally would like one, but it must beunder 20 miles away! Unsurprisingly, no-one would travel over 60 miles to get to theirbranch meeting.

Happily only 3% wont be renewing theirmembership, which means that the vastmajority of you will continue with the HOC.

HOC WebsiteMost of you (84%) have internet access

and 60% already have access to theMembers Area. Happily a third of youactually look at the site more than once aweek.

Two thirds of you would renew yourmembership on the net - so you’ll be happyto hear that we are working on that.

Congratulations to Tim Palin who wins ayears free membership or a Club T-shirt.Please contact Justin with you preference.

Thanks to everyone who said that theHOC was great as it is! But I can assure youthat all your suggestions, on how to improvethe Club, will be looked at very closely andby taking all your ideas we can give youmore of what you want and make the HondaOwners Club even better.

Strtchy

MEMBERSHIP SURVEYMEMBERSHIP SURVEY


I bought my black beauty in November

of 2002 and have loved every mile that I’ve

ridden on her. She’s called Ermintrude,

because of the CUD number plate, the guys

in the Branch said it was either that

or Daisy!

I call her a CX1100 because as

far as I’m concerned she’s a direct

descendant of the much loved

CX500 maggot. They’ve both got a

cross frame V engine, shaft drive,

styling that you either love or hate

and ‘interesting’ handling

characteristics - I reckon Honda

missed a trick by calling her the ST.

I use her almost every day and

have put over 37,000 miles on the

clock since I got her.

The thing I love the most is the

unhurried way that she’ll take me to 3 figure

speeds and sit there all day, no fuss, no

drama and 45 miles to the gallon.

The best fun is in the twisties. OK she’s

no sports bike, but when handled properly

and set up for corners, she can upset the

odd Power Ranger who gets in my way.

Some people complain about the weekend

warriors who can’t ride for toffee - I say

“bring em on!” there can be nothing more

disheartening than to see a barn door with

twin headlights loom in their mirrors and slip

past them on a bend.

She’s fitted with bike-to-bike Autocom

and darkened indicators (that’s the added

blackness) and shod with Bridgestone 020

tyres.

I wouldn’t swap my Ermintrude for

anything. I did consider a BlackBird, but

where’s the challenge in riding a 200mph

bike fast? I have to work to get the best out

of my CX1100 and that’s the way I love it.

Stritchy

14 SUMMER 2006


16 SUMMER 2006

DDDDOOWWNNOOWWNN YYYYOOUURROOUURR WWWWAAYYAAYYReports from the Branches

To say it's been busy over the last few

weeks would be an understatement! Well,

that’s my excuse for not getting this in earlier

anyway. With the season well underway it’s

been a whirl of runs and rallies since the last

Golden Wing.

Considering the appalling weather we

were amazed at the turnout for our rally at

the end of May. Our second highest

attendance ever. It threw it down on the

Friday and Saturday mornings, but luckily

it’s a well drained site and it remained dry for

the evenings and the Saturday BBQ. We

had a band for the first time (hopefully to be

repeated next year), that were a great

success, though the marquee could have

been bigger! My thanks to all those that

pitched in to help with the event, and to our

guests who showed tremendous fortitude

under the initial conditions.

We are still holding our weekly meets at

the Chequers in Streatley, as the Lynmore is

still closed after all this time, and does not

appear to be re-opening in the near future.

Not as a pub anyway. We’ll just have wait

and see what happens, although the

majority of the branch seem happy enough

with our new home.

As most of you will know the national

rally is now booked for Tenby in South

Wales in September. We budgeted taking 20

caravans and 15 tent pitches and so far we

have booked 18 caravans and 13 pitches.

We have handed back the two surplus

caravans to avoid losing the deposits but

can still take bookings right up to a week or

so before the event for camping, so it’s still

not too late if you are still thinking of going.

The venue is booked, we have a

comedian and a disco for Saturday night

and we’re trying to find someone clever to

do the quiz for Sunday night. South Wales

branch have been in touch about sorting out

a run or two for is so it’s all gradually coming

together. We’ve even got the shirts and

badges ordered!

Balances for the caravans are due in for

the end of June, so if you’re reading this and

haven’t coughed yet, you’re late and we’ll be

sending the boys round to collect the dues

and rough you up a bit! You have been

warned……

I’m running out of steam now and still

recovering from a fantastic weekend in the

New Forest at the Solent rally so I’ll sign of

now until the next issue.

See you at the National?

Enjoy the summer.

Graham

BEDFORDSHIRESecretary: Graham Seymour - 01438 357398


18 SUMMER 2006

BIRMINGHAMSecretary: Dave Langdon - 07834 696833

Well we are now half way through 2006and the weather has still been workingagainst us. We have had a couple ofSunday Ride outs and they have been verywell attended. The weather was kind for thefirst two but unfortunately let Trevor downbig style. They intended going around thePeak district but as the weather looked a bitdubious they decided to follow what theythought was the better weather route andwent to Northwich to the Thundersprint. Welltheir wet weather gear got a good tryout butI am assured that it was still and enjoyableday out in spite of instead of because of.

By the time this goes to print we willhave had our Cheddar weekend at the YHAHostel and if the other 3 years are anythingto go by it will have been an excellentweekend under the expert organisationalskills of Nick.

The week end after that a number of usare intending to descend on the Solent lot attheir rally in the New Forest. Again, a

permanent fixture on the calendar forsome of us but I believe someconverts will be joining us this year.

There are some changes afoot atthe club regarding venue and thesemay well be in place by the time thisis published but we are looking to

holding the 2nd meeting of the month at alocal hostelry which is also on a very goodbiking route. The intention is to either chillout in company at the pub or take anevening bike ride around some of the backroads locally...or do both. The choice is forthe individual. It will also make it easier onRichard at Sutton Motorcycles, who hasbraved all elements to open up for usreligiously twice a month for about 4 yearsnow.

Hopefully by the time you read this ourwebsite will be up and running again. I haveheard that we will be on a new server soonand all the domain names will be up andrunning. As soon as I get the go ahead I willbe updating the site for its relaunch.

Well it only leaves me to say enjoy theroads, enjoy your bike and enjoy thecompany of fellow members but most of allbe safe.

Dave Langdon

Stipperstones

Northwich


SUMMER 2006 19

Even after mail shotting members in our

area and putting fliers up in the local dealers

we still see lack of members turning up to

branch meetings.

Now the better weathers with us

hopefully we'll see more members attending

the meetings. The most members we've

seen is 7 on Tuesday 25th April when we

had our 1st branch ride out to Monmouth

and Wye valley. Please see diary dates for

more rideouts.

4.14pm May 27th saw the arrival of our

youngest member, Lou my partner gave

birth to our son Jacob. At the moment he's

awake every 3 hours for a bottle, he will be

with us at the national rally. Question is do I

put a sidecar on my bike now? Nope,

because the bike could be my escape route.

Time for bottle duty again so better sign

off for now

Ian

Contact: Ian Jefferson 07706 172488BRISTOL

Jacob

Proud Dad


20 SUMMER 2006

I am sitting writing this report on theTuesday after the BMF Show weekend. Inever realized how knackering thatweekend actually is. Still, more about thatlater.

The year started off busy and just gotbusier. We began with a meal at a Chineseall you can eat restaurant. Seventeen of usturned up for this (food was a decidingfactor) and a grand time was had by all,except for Andy who came out to go homeand found a Denver boot attached to hiswheel. It cost him eighty quid to get his carunclamped! When in Cambridge, beware offatherless knuckle draggers bearing yellowplates

Next, we had a ride out to MarshallHonda in Peterborough who had an openday. Bit parky, but it stayed dry. We had aburger (except poor Stacky who had abacon roll and then didn’t know which end topoint at the toilet first).

In March we went to the GranthamHonda open day. We met Roy Edwards andfellow members of the Lincs branch there. Itwas sleeting a bit but we still took their bikesout for a quick blast. Afterwards we went fora late pub lunch (can you see a patternforming yet?

We paid a visit to the Imperial WarMuseum, Duxford in April. It’s funny,although we are quite close to Duxford, noteveryone had actually been there before. Itwas very interesting to see all therestoration work going on. Afterwards, wewent for a late pub lunch/early eveningmeal.

The following Saturday we had a ride outto Muckleborough Museum on the NorthNorfolk coast. As I was leading it wasinevitable that a couple of detours would beon the cards, but we got there eventually.From there, we went to Wells-next-the-Seafor fish and chips. The weather, althoughbitterly cold, decided it wasn’t bad enough,so it started chucking it down with rain as

well. Did I forget to mention the strongwinds? Believe me, it’s a bit unnerving ridingbehind a Gold Wing and watching it movingdown the road leaning right over just to keepit in a straight line.

On May Day we went to theSandringham Craft Fair. The weatherlooked like it had picked up from where it leftoff from the previous ride, but it did improveas the day wore on. We had a good fewhours there and then went on to Hunstantonfor yet more fish and chips (except me, I hada pie, and it’s starting to show).

On the 7th of May we went bowling inCambridge followed by a Chinese meal (thistime Andy parked in the car park). Ian wasthe only one to bring his own bowling ballwhich he promptly dropped onto his footbefore we even started and couldn’tparticipate. Sympathetic people crowdedaround to take photos for the branchmagazine. I don’t know, bloody paparazziget everywhere.

Next up, the BMF. There is a BMF reportelsewhere in this Golden Wing (hopefully)so all I will say is congratulations toeveryone who helped out, not only from ourbranch, but to all the other branches whomade the effort to come along and lend ahand. Thank you all.

The next ride out is to the LancasterAviation Heritage at East Kirby, Lincs onBank holiday Monday. Some of the club aregoing to Normandy at the beginning of Junefor a week, and a few more will be joining usnear Le Touquet for a long weekend.

A weekend in Derbyshire looks to be onthe cards in July as well as the Flying Promsat Duxford.

In August we have the alternative WorldSuperbike BBQ at Roger and Sue’s OffRoad Centre, a lunch run to Foxton Locksas well as a BBQ at Roger and Nina’s place.

Safe riding,

Bill

CAMBRIDGESecretary: Bill Brown - 01480 382295


Devon and Somerset H.O.C. WeekendWidemouth Bay Holiday Park, Cornwall

13th, 14th, 15th 16th,October 2006

BOOKING FORM

Name: ____________________

Address: ____________________

____________________

____________________

Price £75 for a caravan that sleeps up to 6

Please make cheques payable to:John Fowler Holidays

Send to : Jill Moore, 31 Willshere Road, Barnstaple,

Devon EX32 8EL

No later than September 1st 2006

WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU


22 SUMMER 2006

Eastern Branch members have

been getting out and about despite

the weather, with a Branch run to

Bridlington on April 1st. Ken, Dek,

Mick, Graham and myself went

down to the Classic Bike Show at

Stafford. Its good to see the

restored bikes, reflect on the value

of bikes previously owned and

wonder at the prices asked for

lumps of rusty metal.

Various members of the branch

are known for their tightness, being

one of those members I can say

that’s no bad thing. This has

resulted in great piss taking when said

members are actually spotted doing any

kind of spending what so ever.

Myself, Ken & Joyce, Dek and Graham

camped at the BMF members rally and

enjoyed the event despite very wet weather.

We met up with Bob and his wife, at the

Honda stand, who had come down for the

day on Sunday. Graham discovered a new

motorcycle manufacturer called ‘Ahamay’,

known to everyone else as Yamaha.

The Honda Owners

Club stand was excellent, a

credit to the hard work of

the members setting up

and running it. It

deservedly won best Club

stand.

It’s good to see some

new members turning up at

the meetings and I hope to

see them on some of the

club runs this summer.

Regards

John

Secretary: John Hewson - 01469 560306EASTERN

Graham spends money!

Waiting to get into the BMF Members Rally again!


SUMMER 2006 23

Dek, what do you expect for £85

Dek actually parts with

cash!

As an OAP can you afford that Mick?

April Fool Run

Eastern Members enjoying the hospitality

of the HOC stand

Dek, Joyce & Ken


24 SUMMER 2006

Gloucester is still battling on. Now that

the calendar is off and running there is more

indication that there is a future for the

branch. We started off in April with two

promotional events and were quite pleased

with the feedback. They were firstly the

Bikesafe weekend at Cheltenham.

Fantastic weather and good hospitality from

both Bransons and the Honda trailer team

who allowed us to have our table etc in the

public area under cover. Myself Jason and

Ian from Bristol manned the stand over the

weekend. The second promotional

weekend was the Bransons Open Weekend

over Easter. This again was encouraging

and thanks to the hospitality of Paul

Branson and his team at Gloucester.

With regards to our meeting nights going

to one a month, and going out to

surrounding areas to sample the

abundance of local hostelries. We have had

a mixed response to this, and we cannot

say if it is working or not. The meetings

clash with the local IAM branch, who have

nobled a few of our members in the past.

We have had a number of past non-

attending members contact us following the

reports in the Golden Wing, and also the

fact that we have our calendar in the MCN

when there is a meeting or ride out. The few

ride outs so far have had from three to

fifteen riders turn out. We will have to see

how things look at the end of the season.

To summarize, communication and

member awareness appears to have been

the demise of the club of late. Thanks to the

contents of this publication and our diary

details in the pages of MCN. It seems to

have shown we still exist, but getting more

people to involve themselves is proving

hard. Good support from the local dealer is

helping, and hopefully with the new

involvement of Honda UK we will continue

to see more of a recovery.

Tale of Woe: -

Following a low speed spill in March,

there was the need for a crash repair. Three

months later, and with the excess paid, with

an insurance bill of over £2500, the bike is

returned. I noticed the smell of petrol and

commented to the repairer. Must have

overfilled it, (Haven’t we all on a long

weekends ride). After a further 500 miles

and another couple of re fills I was still

smelling petrol. The bike breaks down. The

cause being water in the fuel injection

system, along with blistered paintwork in the

rim of the new tank that was fitted in the

crash repair. So, back to the repairer who

diagnosed a blocked overflow pipe; could

be road dirt! Everyone else says it’s more

likely a repainted tank that allowed the new

paint to block the overflow. Didn’t the

insurance company pay for a new tank?

Moral of the tale: - The removed parts

following a crash repair cannot be returned

to the insured as you would have been seen

to have gained from the claim. However,

there is nothing saying that you are not

entitled to see the old damaged parts to

ensure they have in fact been removed and

replaced, not repaired.

Cheers all,

Ian Nie

Secretary: Ian Nie - 01453 752098GLOUCESTER


26 SUMMER 2006

HUNTS MOTORCYCLES

A familiar site to Manchester bikers,

Hunts Motorcycles has been established in

the same position on Kingsway, South

Manchester for many years. Following a

recent showroom expansion Hunts is now

one of the largest independent Honda

dealers in the country.

Hunts MD John Brown explains: “the

growth of the business over the past few

years has meant that we were keen to

expand. We have been established for over

50 years, and didn’t want to move so

extending the building gives us all the space

we need. We now have the facility to display

many more new and used bikes and to offer

a much wider selection of parts,

accessories and clothing as well as

providing more customer parking. The

investment we’ve made in the expansion of

our business makes Hunts truly a ‘1-stop

shop’ for motorcyclists with everything for

both bike and rider.”

The expansion also includes additional

customer comforts including a new rest

area with free tea and coffee, satellite TV

and even internet access. You can also

have a look at some classic bikes from

John’s own collection including a brand new

RC30, a rare Honda Dream 50, a new

RC51 SP-1 and one of the very first series

of Fireblades brought to the UK.

Want to test ride a bike? – Hunts can

arrange a test ride on any of their new or

used machines. John says: “We found that

many customers were having difficulty

getting a test ride on the bike that they

wanted to buy. For that reason we have

always made sure that we have a very

comprehensive range of demo bikes

available at all times”. Indeed Hunts are

currently offering a free weekend loan of the

Varadero XL1000V as part of their V-Tours

programme which has proved very popular.

Hunts have also spent the past 12

months developing their website which has

comprehensive details of the Honda range,

latest special offers and a wide selection of

used bikes. “We are very pleased with the

way in which the website is working. We get

enquiries from all over the UK for both new

and used bikes and parts and accessories

and can quickly update any special offers or

promotions. We’ve recently added a section

with detailed pictures of all our used bikes

which is already proving very popular”.

If you are in the Manchester you can be

assured of a warm welcome at Hunts

Motorcycles. If you can’t get into the

showroom though, you can still take

advantage of the many great deals as Hunts

offer a nationwide delivery service for both

new and used bikes. To find out more, you

can call Hunts on

0161-432 1303or visit the website at

www.huntsmotorcycles.co.uk.

By the way, don’t forget to mention the

HOC to claim your 10% discount on parts,

accessories or clothing!

Hunts Motorcycles have secured a

limited number of '06' Tri-Colour (similar to

the Africa Twin colour) non-ABS Varadero

XL1000V's. And we would like you to try one

for a weekend!

ADDENDUMAs you know, the Varadero is the

ultimate adventure machine and has a

superb record for customer satisfaction and

model loyalty. So many satisfied Varadero

riders can't be wrong and at just £6499

BRAND NEW on the road you can't fail to

be even more impressed!

This is an excellent opportunity for

current owners to try out the latest model

and for those who haven't ridden one before

to put the Varadero 1000 through it's paces.

Places are limited and availability will be

on a first-come, first-served basis, so please

phone John Brown as soon as possible to

register on 0161-432 1303.


28 SUMMER 2006

Well it’s been a cracking year so far up

here in the Manchester area, our ride outs

are going from strength to strength and our

meetings are well attended, which would

seem to be against the trend I’m glad to

report.

We started the year with a run to

Blackpool in January and although the

weather was a bit on the cold side, we had

15 bikes with 2 pillions turn up. After an easy

ride through the country it was fish and chips

for all, mainly because the pub we chose to

go in didn’t like crowds or kids. Possibly just

bikers, not had that happen for a long time.

Still it put no one off and we even finished off

with a bit of a paddle.

At the end of January we took part in

Hunts, our local dealer and friend, open day

with test rides on some very nice bikes and

a chance to meet and chat with John

McGuiness, that quick guy from the Island.

A success for all involved and we got a

couple of new members to boot.

Norma’s, (our Chairman Alan’s better

half), world famous pancake run came

round again and though it was cold, very, we

had 19 bikes and 3 pillions turn up. I do think

that Norma’s wonderful pancakes had a

major role in that.

For me it was the first chance to get my

new SP1 out, not really the weather for a big

twin but could not resist it.

At Easter a few of us rented a house in

Calais for three days.

We set off in bright sunshine for an

adventure in France nothing could go

wrong.

Stopped for fuel in Maidenhead and

dropped the Blackbird in diesel on the

forecourt because the attendant had been

meaning to clean it up! Fortunately only a

broken hero peg, anyway we catch the

Chunnel and

into France.

What happened

to the sun? Took

it nearly a day to

make it across.

After a bit of

getting lost we

found the house,

it was large and

spacious and all

ours, the owners

had even left

some wine and

beer in the

fridge, how

civilised.

MANCHESTERSecretary: Stephen Davenport - 07970 729384

SP1


SUMMER 2006 29

Unfortunately Rona brought a

bug that her husband Phil had had

with her and it put her out for 24

hours, so they missed day two’s ride

out.

Sadly leaving Phil and Rona

behind we set off to Dunkirk, a great

ride there and we got to see the local

towns and villages. We walked the

beach and found a large German

bunker complex that just had to be

explored, very interesting.

Back to the bikes for more

excursions into France and there’s a

nail in my front tyre, thank God for

creating tyre weld. It might be 20p

for air in the UK but you have to

leave your passport in France.A few

good meals and a couple of drink’s

round the open fire nights later, and

it’s time to return to Blighty.

The sun shone on us for our

return and even made it back across

the Channel this time. We were

making excellent time and thought

we would be home by late afternoon,

when Phil’s chain snapped on the

A14; fortunately it didn’t cause the

bike to go down so it was just a case

of waiting for the AA and wondering

how a six month old chain can snap?

The good thing for all else involved in

the trip was that Phil and myself seemed to

have everyone’s bad luck.

Bringing us up to date with the clubs last

ride out, Port Maerion. It’s 10 am and 23

degrees, 14 bikes 4 pillions for this one.

Mostly new people as some of our regulars

have holidays and the like, always good to

see new faces. The ride into Wales was as

always brilliant, good tarmac lot’s of bends

so we made good progress and got to our

destination for just after 1pm.

We managed to negotiate discount

entry, not sure if was because there were so

many of us, or because they thought we

were OAP’s. Everyone had a good lunch, a

walk round the village and some even went

for a paddle. Just had to keep avoiding a

large white beach ball, not sure what that

was all about.

Anyway that is just a small insight into

our year so far, all details and ride pictures

can be found at our web site

www.manhoc.co.uk.

I would just like to take this opportunity

to thank all of those involved in our branch

and all who regularly turn up for meetings

and ride out’s. It’s you that make its

continued success and popularity possible.

From Manchester, keep it rubber side

down.

Steve Davenport

Hunts Open Day


30 SUMMER 2006

It’s hard to believe that the annual

Branch holiday to France has been and

gone already. All those months of arranging

and waiting over in a flash, and it has now

become just another memory, but a very

pleasant one all the same.

A good time was had by all, the digs and

location lived up to our expectations, and

France again provided us with that unique

blend of great food, fantastic roads through

lovely scenery and a warm welcome for us

bikers wherever we went.

The weather was generally o.k, however

we did get caught out a couple of times. The

worst was when we had been up to the top

of the Puy de Dome, where it rained heavily.

Coming away, we headed off to the spa and

ski town of Mont Dorre for some lunch, a run

of about fifteen to twenty miles during which

we got caught in a very heavy hail storm

which was not only very wet but pretty

painful as well. The problem was that the

winding mountain road didn’t offer us a

chance to pull over and shelter, so we had

no choice but to carry on and ride through

the storm which got so bad that the hail was

resting on the road and made the bikes feel

as though we were riding on marbles.

Other days out took us up to Vichy and a

long ride down to Milleau to take a ride over

the amazing bridge, (see front cover). The

rest of the time we spent pleasing ourselves

with shorter rides around the area we were

staying in, and chilling out at the chateau,

playing boules and generally lazing around.

Back home and we continue to meet

every Wednesday at the “10 o’clock” with a

ride out on alternate weeks.

We would like to congratulate and thank

our chums at the Cambs branch who took

over the organising and running of the HOC

stand at this years BMF show after we had

been doing it for the past hundred years. A

brilliant effort and a fresh eye on the event

saw them take the premier prize for the Best

Club Stand at this years show, very well

done guys, same again next year then?

The next few months will see us heading

of to attend the Brooklands day, and the

National rally in Tenby. We also have some

Sunday runs coming up, and also the

Sunday Dinner ride, so join us along the

way.

Last but not least, July sees some of us

heading down to Weymouth to attend the

wedding of our long time friends and

honorary branch members Andy Brewer

(Jethro) and his lovely lady Chris.

Some of us spent a fair bit of time in

France trying to explain to Chris that she

was making one hell of a mistake marrying

a developing Fred Dibner look-alike, mm,

mm, but the poor besotted and brainwashed

child just wouldn’t listen.

So with a sigh and a shrug of the

shoulders, all we can now do is wish them

both lots of love and happiness for the

future, from all of us here at Northants &

M.K. I’m sure we are in for a weekend to

remember for a long time.

See you all at the national in September

Cheersmedears

Bri

NORTHANTS & M.KSecretary: Brian Dunn - 01604 404706


SUMMER 2006 31

Hello from North London.

All is not doom and gloom! Following on

from the report of our homelessness in the

last ‘Golden Wing’, after several temporary

homes (including a Quaker meeting house

library) we were able to locate permanantly

at ‘The Kings Oak’, a well known biking

venue in Epping Forest. Thanks go to

Winston Sim and Roy Massey for helping us

out in our hour of need. It is an ideal venue,

and recently on clubnigthts we have even

been able to sit outside overlooking the

common and listening to the distant roar of

the traffic on the M25!

We had our annual run on 14 May, held

in memory of 4 of our branch members who

are no longer with us, which included some

of their favourite rides through Bedfordshire

and Cambridgeshire stopping off for a lunch,

this year at ‘The Fox’ just off the A14 at

Catworth.

By the time you read this we will have

had a day trip to France, and several of us

will be riding all night in the ACU National

Road Rally, chasing those 540 miles.

Other runs are planned, but a date in the

diary is September 10th, the annual Essex

Air Ambulance run from Basildon to

Harwich, always popular, with thousands of

bikes heading along the A12.

A special thank you goes to John Walsh,

an HOC life member and former Branch

Treasurer for his generous donation to

branch funds, it is much appreciated.

Ride safe,

Graham Gull

Contact, Tony Quigley 020 8556 5988 NORTH LONDON

N.E.S.SSecretary: Pete Farnham 07931 906394

I'll start with a good bye because bye

the time you will be reading this, my position

as NESS Branch Sec will be in the safe

hands of Pete. Need a bit of time to do my

things.

We have had ride outs booked this year

but response has been poor, not all the

weather.

Holidays this year seem to be couples

going and doing their own thing, easier to

book in one bike rather than a group.

Been a lull in getting new members but

the inquires have know started to come in.

Regards

John


32 SUMMER 2006

NORTHUMBRIASecretary: Graeme Burrough - 07050 158 381

Seven guys and one lady, on seven

bikes set forth early on Saturday morning to

go to Switzerland to ride the eighteen

highest mountain passes.

The trip from Newcastle to Dover was as

usual uneventful with lunch being planned

at Tesco Dover. Unfortunately, Tesco

decided to renovate their entire café section

so the nearest MacDonald’s had to suffice.

Ferry crossing was smooth and on time

with only an hour’s ride through to Lille for

the first night’s stop.

Sunday saw the eight of us enjoy

sunshine as we rode south close to the

Rhine valley, taking a second nights stop on

the German/French border. Monday would

see a couple of hours to the high passes in

Switzerland!

We arrived at our hotel in Andermatt with

a cloudy but threatening sky having stopped

on the shores of Lake Luzern and just

finished tackling the Schollenen Gorge with

its twisting hairpins. Unloading the gear at

the hotel it was intended to ride three more

passes that afternoon. Setting off up the

Oberalp Pass the rain had finally found us

and at some 2200 metres. this was now

turning to sleet! We pressed on planning to

ride a ninety mile circular loop, but the rain

was now reaching mark nine out of ten in

ferocity, so we decided to leave the passes

until the morning.

Asking back at the hotel for the weather

forecast, we were told to head south

through the St Gottard tunnel towards the

Italian side where the weather was better.

After a ten and a half mile ride through the

tunnel we emerged into brilliant sunshine

and a route was plotted into the GPS for a

circular tour of Lake Maggiore. If you’ve

never had the chance to ride around this

lake then it has to be on your list of best

roads to ride. We caught the ferry across

the lake from Verbania for a few euros as

we were running short on time.

The quickest way back was to use the

motorway (vignette compulsory) back to the

St Gottard. We then attempted to cross the

St Gottard Pass but a group of English

bikers coming towards us, stopped to say it

was bad on the top with snow! Perhaps we

should have taken more notice of the car

drivers waving for

us not to proceed. It

was to be back

through the tunnel

and up through the

S c h o l l e n e n .

Coming out of the

tunnel, we were

greeted with what

could only be

described as a

“white-out”! Snow,

snow and more

snow but we had to

get through the

gorge.


SUMMER 2006 33

Disaster; first hairpin mid-way up the

gorge saw three bikes down and one run off

into the rain gully. The snow was coming

thick and fast and even four wheel drives

were fitting chains to their tyres. An elderly

lady, Val, stopped to see if she could assist

and it was decided that Joyce would ride the

rest of the gorge in the car. Val rang for a

snow plough and sure as eggs are eggs, the

plough turned up and cleared the road

enough for us to ride. Imagine that in

England!

Next day the snow was as bad as ever

so we decided to have a

day off the bike and let

the train take the strain.

Off to Brigg, some two

hours away and more

beautiful sunshine. A

complete contrast to

what we left behind.

The train returned

through the Furka

tunnel and the snow had

gone as quick as it

came. Biking was back

on for tomorrow but the

very highest passes

were now blocked with

heavy snow.

I had made up fifteen different routes in

the GPS before leaving home “just in case”

so it was to plan B.

Back over the Oberalp, no rain only

sunshine now, across to the Julier another

road that has to be on “your list” with a

summit of 2284 metres above sea level. A

fast sweeping pass, that makes you go too

fast if you don’t keep your brain in check.

Dropping down to St Moritz, the Majora is

next to knock off the list. This pass is

absolutely stunning with mountains either

side of a

glistening lake,

true chocolate

box style. A

traffic hold up on

the next pass

saw me lead a

back road

through to the St

Bernadino Pass

again with bends

you only have

dreams of.

Climbing steeply

we all jumped as

a Swiss Army

tank fired several

rapid shots up

towards where

we were heading – scary or what?


34 SUMMER 2006

The Spluggen Pass is a pass really for

experienced riders only when attempting

from the Italian side due to the pin sharp

hairpins on the way up. Not having counted

them, all I can say is that you get dizzy and

have to use ALL of the road to negotiate

each bend; great for honing your turning

skills.

Returning back to the St Gottard tunnel,

the tunnel was “closed” due to a huge rock

that fell from the hillside killing 2 people and

closing the north side of the motorway. How

were we going to get back to our hotel? I

stopped and said I would go to the Police to

ask, so we all rode to the village but one

member was spending more time viewing

the scenery than viewing forward and hadn’t

realised the group had stopped. Result?

One bike down the road, with the left side

now severely damaged. I had been trying to

get the group to ride in formation but only a

few had taken it on board. The formation

riding became second nature after this but

too late for this member.

The police told me to ride through the

tunnel on our bikes which is a bit

unnerving when you are the only

vehicles in a seventeen km long tunnel. Out

of the tunnel and guess what? Yes it was

snowing again! How can it be sunshine and

28 degrees ten miles away and minus 4

degrees on the other side? This time the

pass was not quite as bad with snow but still

slippery but ride-able to the top and the

hotel.

Awakening to Friday, it was now time to

retrace our steps back to England with only

the very highest passes not completed, but

we shall return next year (with snow chains

fitted?) Our new friend (Val) told us it had

never snowed like this in June since 1961.

They obviously didn’t know we were

coming!

Next conquest? The Austrian Tyrol and

the high passes of the Dolomites in October

2006. Hull-Zebrugge crossing and across

Germany for a two day ride to Austria. We

even have a local guide to show us the best

roads to ride and even test bikes to try out.

Watch this space!!

Regards,

Graeme


SUMMER 2006 35

Well it certainly has been a busy

Spring at Oxford. With a brilliant weekend

away in North Wales, an excellent Honda

Test Ride morning at Abingdon Honda

(didn’t think I would see the guys returning

from an ‘escorted ride’ with grins from ear

to ear!!), a great weekend in St Ives and

an exciting ‘wind swept’ trip to Le Mans -

not to mention ride outs to the Classic Bike

Show, Portsmouth and Gloucester Docks

(not on the same day!),Thruxton BSB, the

Blue Bell Railway, the BMF and the National

Motor Museum. I don’t think any of us have

had much time to be at home!!!

Secretary: Erica Gassor - 07799 49 2235

OXFORD


36 SUMMER 2006

YES it's BackThe Oxford Rally 2006

at "The Cross Hands Inn"Salford Hill, on the A44, Nr Moreton in Marsh. Glos.

Friday July 21st to Sunday 23rdTents : £8.00 per night Camper Vans £9.00 per night

Arrive Friday Night - Set up and meet friends

(and the Oxford Branch !! )

Saturday - Breakfast in pubor DIY, Ride Out, BBQ

Evening entertainment andraffle, starts 8.00 pm

Sun - Pack up and farewell

All bookings and money to be sent to:

Betty McCulloch, 30 Ansell Way, Milton under Wynchwood, Chipping Norton. OX7 6LU

Tel : 01993 832966 or e-mail: [email protected]

We have also enjoyed interesting

presentations at our Tuesday night

meetings from Rapid Skills Training, Avon

Tyres and Ultraseal. In between times we

have managed to fit in a Skittles Night, a

Quiz Night and a Top Box Sale!

With keen competition between our

Fantasy Road Racing Teams we are

watching the bike

racing with great

interest to see who had

the foresight to select

the winning team at the

end of the season!

You may get the

impression from this

that our members are

now all well exhausted

but I am delighted to

say this is not true as

they all appear to be

looking forward with

enthusiasm to the

second half of the

year’s activities – all

contributing ideas and

input. Watch this

space for more fun and frolic (well, perhaps

frolic is not quite the right word!) in the next

issue!

Erica


SUMMER 2006 41

As I sit down to write this we have just

returned from our Solent Rally in the New

Forest. Again, everyone seemed to enjoy

themselves and the weather did us proud,

with it being hot and sunny for both days.

For those of you who asked about my

daughter Jadies’s sunburn, it has all healed

now! You know how it is with thirteen year

olds, Dad knows nothing, and advice that

factor four tanning oil was inappropriate for

the first day in the sun was filed under

“ignore”.

Once again, thanks are due to Barbara

and Alan for all the hard work they have put

into yet another successful year, especially

with Alan not being in the best of health.

Thanks also to all the other members who

devoted time, effort and energy; the event

wouldn’t be possible without a real team

effort.

The statistics from the weekend make

for some interesting reading. We had fifty

seven units book in, which was a little down

on last year. However, as the Solent Rally is

fast becoming recognised as a family

friendly event, there were actually as many

people as previously. We cooked and

served over 300 meals of one sort or

another over the weekend, of which 160

were breakfasts, and once again we

managed to judge the catering requirements

just right, only just running out of baked

spuds on the Friday evening.

For those of you who haven’t made it

down to our rally yet, make a “must do”

event for next year, most who come once

end up being regulars.

By the time you read this we will have

already held a run to see Poole Pirate take

on the Reading Bulldogs at the Speedway in

Reading. This will be followed by a run to the

HOC Open Day at Brooklands on the 6th

August and a run to the Popham Airfield

Auto Jumble on the 20th. A week later on the

27th, we are going to watch the hill climb at

Gorton Down near Salisbury, and looking a

little further ahead, the bonfire and fireworks

party at Pam & Dave’s on the 4th November

is not one to miss.

Well, that’s it from me for this issue. If

you live in our area, do pop down to one of

our club meetings, or, if sitting around

chatting is not your thing, join us for our bi-

weekly Wednesday evening ride outs to

“somewhere nice”.

Tim

SOLENTSecretary -Tim Lee 023 8025 2113

Branch Secretaries:

The deadline for the next Golden Wing is;

1s1st Sept Septtember 2006ember 2006

These pages are your advertising space, to let

members who are local to you know the real

benefits of active membership. Tell them what is

happening in your area


42 SUMMER 2006

This is the first report from the newly

formed Sussex branch.

First of all, many thanks to everyone who

attended, especially Graham and Andy who

made such a long journey to support us.

Your assistance and guidance has been

invaluable in helping things get off to a flying

start. A total of 23 people attended the Duke

of York at Sayers Common, which was a

very pleasant surprise – didn’t realize that

there were so many members in the area!.

The meet is now a regular event, second

Wednesday of every month, currently at the

Duke of York, but this may have changed by

the time this issue comes out. Dean takes

the register at 7.30pm, but if you can’t make

it by then you are welcome to just join us

when you can. If you wish to confirm details

of location (probably wise –we might have

moved by the time you read this), please

make contact with either Dean or myself at

[email protected] nearer the time, or

look in the website diary.

In any case wherever the meeting is you

will be assured of a very warm welcome.

And now a message from Tony about the

inaugural ride-out.

Hi all, just a note to thank those who

attended the first HOC Sussex Branch ride

out on Sunday 7th. To those that weren’t

able to attend, you missed a good morning’s

ride. The weather was very kind to us all and

kept improving to hot sunshine by the tea

break at Bury Hill. No rain at all which was

most welcome. The run for those who did

not make it was approx 75 miles 2 hours

riding in a circular route from the Café.

Breakfast was very good with the café

nearly full at 08:15 when I arrived, followed

shortly after by Chris & Helen. In all, seven

riders with six bikes made the run having

been joined by Alan & Dave from

Littlehampton. Thanks go to Peter Ring,

who although unable to make the run, came

out for a breakfast and to see us off.

The next route is in the planning stage

and will probably be a similar

length/duration, with the date to be decided.

See you all at the Duke of York for our

regular branch meetings, and if you have an

idea for a future runs it would be most

welcome, regardless of type and

destinations.

Best Regards

Tony

Thanks Tony!

Me again now: The next ride out is 21

May 2006, will report back in the next issue.

If anyone has any ideas for routes for

ride-outs, places to meet, ideally within

A23/A24 corridor please do get in touch.

Suggestions are always welcome, as are

offers from anyone who is able to make a

commitment, even in just the short term, to

help in running the club. Please bear in mind

that our hotmail account only has 1Gb of

memory, so please get in quick, otherwise

you might lose out because we did not get

your email.

I will be keeping the diary on the website

updated with details of runs and meets, or

you are always welcome to contact Dean or

myself directly for very latest updates.

Best wishes

Peter Ring

SUSSEXContact Dean Allgood - 01403 240265 / 07725 814107


SUMMER 2006 43

Footman James was recently voted best

for insurance by UK bikers, for the second

year running. Achieving an overall rating of

more than 85 per cent, the specialist broker,

which covers nearly 51,000 bikes on the

UK’s roads, beat more than 33 competitors

to the top slot in the RiDER POWER 2005

awards.

Footman James has been providing

cover for specialist and classic marques for

more than 20 years and, in addition to this

business is now gaining a strong reputation

in modern car and motorcycle markets – in

2005, more than 30 per cent of all

motorcycle policies are for modern bikes.

Having developed strong links with a range

of motorcycle clubs Footman James are

able to offer discounts to club members.

The broker is particularly popular for its

competitive multi-bike policies; one

customer having more than 30 bikes on just

one policy!

And now Footman James is pleased to

be able to announce a discounted insurance

package with Honda Owners Club.

Following discussions with the club,

members will be able to get discounts off

modern and classic motorcycle policies (and

not just for Honda’s only; we will quote with

a discount for whatever you’re riding) as well

as discounts off other types of insurance i.e.

modern and classic car insurance, kit car

insurance and house and/or contents

insurance. The discounts are for the

members and quotes are available when

you ring 0845 330 9747 and give the clubs

unique reference HOC.

FOOTMAN JAMES AND HONDA OWNERS CLUB


44 SUMMER 2006

Firstly I'd like to apologise for there not

being a Branch report from the South Wales

Branch in the last two Golden Wings, this is

partly due to computer problems and mostly

due to amnesia on my part, but thanks to a

reminder from Tim we made it this quarter.

Doing things in a chronological order I'll

start at the beginning of the year. In January

we held our AGM. Jeff Childs our Chairman

for the past two years decided to stand

down due to other commitments but has

remained involved in the club. I'm sure

everyone at the club would like to thank him

for all that he's done.

When it came to electing a new

Chairman there was really only one

candidate, Wayne Williams, having acted as

Deputy Chairman for the previous few

months. Mike Blewett agreed to stay on as

Secretary and as you can probably tell I

stayed on as Secretary.

The New Year started off with a

somewhat chilly ride out but I'll let our new

Chairman Wayne describe what happened.

Break The Ice Ride Out.14 intrepid riders set out on a cold

Sunday morning, 5 deg C, to have a ride up

to Blaenavon to visit the Big Pit. This is an

old coal mine not in use and is open for

underground visits by the public. It was an

interesting ride with the Brecon Beacons

covered in snow. This was a wonderful view

but did little to warm you up. We stopped at

road works on the heads of the valleys road

which at the high point is some 1350 feet

above sea level. It was at this point we

noticed the temperature had dropped to 2

deg C. This information was passed down

the line. I must say indicating the number 2

with your fingers down the line made some

of the other cars users give us funny looks!!

(think about it). We all went underground

and getting some 14 men and women bikers

in the mine cage was very interesting. Some

of the men had smiles all day.

SOUTH WALESSecretary: Paul Evans - [email protected]


SUMMER 2006 45

The visit underground was very

interesting and we would recommend any

one travelling this way to call in. The men

who show you round are ex miners and

really know what they are talking about. We

managed to grunt our way through a "Coal

face". It was pointed out that it was 20 yards

long and not the normal 200 + yards. After

every one taking it in turns to hit their heads

on the roof we returned from 300 feet below

ground to enjoy a lovely meal in the Pit

Canteen. Great day out at a good venue.

As you can see from the photo it was

cold, and yes that really is snow in the

background.

The Ride outs have continued

throughout the year and a couple of weeks

ago several of our members went away for

a weekend in Devon. Thanks to Gareth and

Donna for arranging the trip. Once again I'll

let Wayne describe how it all went.

Weekend in Devon"Due to all the riders being Chapel going

people the weather for our weekend in

Devon could not have been any better.

Setting off from the warm Welsh climate

it only got better by the mile. Not one piece

of wet proof gear was insight when we all

set off.

Cutting a swathe through the country

side to avoid the motorway was a real eye

opener Bedminster, Highbridge , Bridgwater

stopping for a picnic lunch at Tiverton.

There then followed a steady ride to our

stop at Churston which

is between Goodrington

and Brixham. The Inn

was full of roof beams

and history. Sitting

outside it became

apparent that the more

the drinks went down the

more historical every

one became. The Karma

Sutra etchings proved a

big hit with our treasurer

Mike, as I said the Inn

had every thing. A great

meal was served, the Chef being a top notch

with a CV to suit.

The following morning after much eggs,

bacon and other healthy food we all set of

for a coastal run which meant crossing the

river Dart on a ferry, much to our non sailing

member Lyn proved a challenge. A grateful

stop by the sea, saw a welcome ice cream

break. Never mind the street cred when its

hot its hot. The sat nav on Gareth's bike was

very handy as those on Pans thought it was

to hot for U turns ( can't win can you). After

a full day out it was back to the inn and yes,

we sat outside with a drink to cool down.

Evening walk to Brixham, the distance

seemed to be a bit longer than the sign

posts but the coastal walk was ended with a

fish & chip supper. Lovely stop on the way

back home at Bickleigh by the river, pity we

were still full from breakfast as the Sunday

roasts they were preparing looked

marvellous. All back on diets thanks to a

great weekend organised by Donna &

Gareth "

If you fancy joining in any of our ride

outs, why not come along to one of our

meetings which are held on the Third

Wednesday of every month and the Llantwit

Fadre Sports and Social Club, Main Road,

Church village starting at 7:30pm or email

me for details of the next ride out.

Ride Safe

Paul Evans


SepSepttember ember 22nd, 23r22nd, 23rd, 24th & 25thd, 24th & 25th

HOSTED BY:BEDFORDSHIRE BRANCH

HONDA OWNERS CLUB

AT

KILN PARK HOLIDAY PARK

TENBY

PEMBROKSHIRE, SOUTH WALES

INDOOR HEATED POOL

CHILDRENS ENTERTAINMENT

DEDICATED BAR

SHOP & OFF LICENCE

FOOD AVAILABLE

BED LINEN INCLUDED

CAMPING ON SITE

HOC SPECIFIC ENTERTAINMENT

PLEASE CONTPLEASE CONTAACCT GRAHAT GRAHAMMFFOR LOR LAATE ATE AVVAILAILABILITYABILITY


BOOKING FORMNATIONAL RALLY 2006

September 22nd, 23rd, 24th & 25th Kiln Park Holiday Park, Tenby, Pembrokshire, South Wales

NoNo ££

Silver, 3 Bed, 8 Berth Caravan @ £195 eachGold, 3 Bed, 6 Berth Caravan @ £214 eachTourer/Motorhome Pitch @ £41 eachTent Pitch @ £31 each (based on 2 per tent)

P L E A S E C O N TA C T G R A H A M F O R AVA I L A B I L I T Y

Rally T-Shirt (£9.00) - Please Specify Number and Size

S................M..................L...................XL.............XXL.............

NameAddress

Branch

Email

No in Party - Adults.......Children...... Membership No.........

Please make cheques for the full amount payable to:

HOC BEDFORDSHIRE

and send to:Graham Seymour, HOC Bedfordshire, 279 Wisden Road,

Stevenage, Hertfordshire. SG1 5NR


48 SUMMER 2006

WEST LONDONSecretary: Steve Hill - 020 8291 5263

As you know West London Branch meet

at The Admiral Hawke Pub, Green Street in

Lower Sunbury, just off J1 of the M3.

We meet every Wednesday from 9pm

and would love to see any HOC members

down at The AH for a chat over a drink.

Recently we have been for a walk

around Windsor Great Park, followed by

lunch at the Wheatsheaf Hotel.

The next run was to Bracknell for a slide

(or fall) on the ice!!!(and for some a visit to

the fracture clinic!! Oh we do like to live

dangerously!!)

In April we met up with the embryo

Sussex Branch for a pub lunch and a gawp

at the paragliders etc on Devils Dyke.

In May we went to the BMF Rally,

missing most of the rain as we went on

Saturday. The show seemed to be smaller

than previously and with infinitely less

people. I thought that the HOC tent looked

brilliant, spacious, clean and professional

(but then it always does!)

At the end of May Steve went on holiday

to the IOM and Erica Gassor, her other half.

Graham Gull, Dave Barton, John Hancock

and Dibble, along with me and mine went up

to the Ace Café for the Honda Day. A good

time was had by all, Lauren and Suzanne

enjoyed the stunt riders and their impromptu

display on the road outside. Apparently this

has been rated as a ‘tolerance zone’ and

there certainly wasn’t a very visible police

presence. Photos of the Ace are courtesy of

‘Lauren Stone photographer to the biking

stars’ (actually courtesy of Lauren’s mobolic

telecommunicator , as she would put it)

Thanks to all who helped out!!

By the time you read this Steve should

have returned from the IOM (unless he gets

lost) and …… he and Maureen should be

man & wife!! (Unless there were any last

minute hiccups) Congratulations Steve &

Maureen, we all wish you the very best.

We hope to attend the Solent Rally (be

there or be quadrilateral!), and apparently

Steve has offered to single handedly man

the Fireblade Day stand at the Ace in July!

That’s it for now, don’t forget if you’re in

our area on a Weds, pop in and see us,

you’ll be most welcome.

Jude

The Admiral Hawke The Ace Cafe


50 SUMMER 2006

VARADEROSecretary: Philip Ramsay

I have to rush this one folks. With two

tasks to complete by midnight - this report is

one and the second is to finish packing a

bag for the weekend trip to Ireland. I have

been eying the empty luggage for days now.

This ritual procrastination haunts me. As for

all my love of travel, I really hate packing.

This has been something of a preoccupation

recently. As I write this report our UK and NI

delegates have just left for Sicily and VIM –

Varadero International Meeting. With seven

out of eight VIM’s to his credit, sadly Barry,

our very own UK VIM veteran will not be

joining the squad. Other itinerants include

Harv who is currently roaming Europe on his

Wing, Bodysurfer has been dodging the

weather in France and a number of other

members including Happychappy are

putting finishing touches to their individual

travel plans. Something for next time, but in

this edition we have three reports, and

keeping up our UK theme, one from Wales,

England and Scotland.

Wales in March - As promised, Simon R

led the aptly titled Plod round Wales – later

to be renamed as

'Heddlu around Cymru'.

A brisk and breezy start

as we met up at the

services at Aust on the

morning of 18th.

Bodysurfer, Keith,

Busckbiker, Harv, Mark

and I were joined by the

first-timer Colin B who

keen to make an

entrance turned up late.

Colin had already

admitted that he hadn’t

done much group riding

recently – fair enough.

But what he failed to

elucidate was that he

was a practicing stunt

rider and duly

impressed onlookers when he attempted a

limbo under the toll gate at the Severn

Bridge. Not easy on a Vara. Obviously didn’t

see the Motorcycles Free sign then!

Another new face Dee Duble Yuh with

his cut off screen joined us for the Saturday.

The gang was complimented with some old

faces as well with Loic on his Transalp, and

David C who made it across from Norn Iron,

and gains the FA Award – work it out -

munching 873 miles with his perfect gluts.

Simon took us through some

extraordinary countryside around the

heartlands of Wales. Following a talented

local boy was a privilege; the landscape

dramatic. Surely everyone could hear the

Ride of the Valkyries – or was that just me.

As the vistas appear to unfold and expand

cinematically I questioned why we ever

travel off this island for it has everything.

Punctuating the day at a notable tea stop -

Big Pit, Blaenafon, the team photo says it all

– chilly. You can actually go down the pit – a

unique experience – possibly one for VUK in

September.

Smile please – or just clatter your teeth !


SUMMER 2006 51

The evening was spent in the company

of world champions – bog snorkelling that is

- as the 70’s jukebox bounced off the wall

and tingling feet tapped on the flagstone

floor of the Neuadd Arms. You will really like

Llanwrtyd Wells, dubbed the smallest town

in Britain and definitely one with a sense of

humor. Check out the other champions –

especially in the Man vs. Horse. Nutters.

This next piece from Harv - In April -

Bucksbiker’ decided to put on a Chiltern-

based route for the Vara chappies. The meet

up point was J10 services on M40 and after

coffee (plus the normal two fry ups for The

Speeding Stag) we set off. Not a huge group

today….two KTM 950’s and four Vara’s. We

knocked off one or two twisting ‘B’ roads

before venturing onto a couple of

unclassified gated roads and a ford

crossing.

Our new member ‘Rossisdad’ (the

French exile Claude) was enjoying a

baptism of fire on the single track roads

covered in gravel, grass and sheep

stuff….his previous UK riding being mainly

inner Birmingham commutes.

Lunch involved an ‘al fresco’ snack and a

swift half at a roadside pub with a genuine

Romany Gypsy caravan and obligatory

horse parked opposite. More lanes,

including a short by-way, before the

compulsory afternoon tea stop at a roadside

‘van’.

This was next to a ‘posh’ golf course and

‘Monsieur’ Claude brought a wry smile to all

as he answered the call of nature on the 4th

fairway with golfers wandering by…must be

a French thing. We rounded off the

Saturday afternoon with pictures and ice

creams at Brill Hill windmill before trundling

off to Thame for the evening ‘social’.

A few beers in ‘The Birdcage’ before

moving on to the local Chinese and more

beers followed by a trip to The London Inn

for more beers.

The overnight accommodation was a

local Travelodge but we missed the Little

Thief breakfast next day and opted for a

quick spin North to Jacks Hill on the A5 for a

proper job with black pudding, bubble and

squeak etc. this time joined by Andy on his

Hornet.

Following this we cut south, missing

good old Milton Keynes on some more

twisting lanes as we swept across into the

Chilterns again. We eventually ended up

somewhere near Wycombe where we split

up for home.

Big thanks to Bucksbiker Iain for sorting

his first run……now then….. who else hasn’t

organised one…..?

In early May Barber and chums

organized the Scottish Borders run. A report

from Barber

cont...........

You can’t bottle this -

in more ways than one.

Have you seen my Madonna impression?


52 SUMMER 2006

The Scottish Borders, Dumfries &

Galloway are two, often forgotten areas.

They are shamefully disregarded as people

head north to the Highlands or South to the

Lakes & Dales. Genuine hidden gems, and

in true Varadero-spirit the challenge of "lets

go there" was I believe, the cry at some point

during our recent sojourn to Skye last

October. So we did!

A small turn out, not helped by a fuel

pump going on Happychappy’s machine the

night before the run. He later turned up on

his mates ZZR600. He's 6 4" ... get the

picture. We did!

Quality made up for quantity however

and later on Saturday morning we set off

from Dumfries round the Solway Coast,

stopping in Kirkcudbright before heading for

the Galloway Forrest Park & then North on

the A713 stopping in a very sunny

Carsphairn for tea/coffee & bacon, egg,

potato scone & haggis rolls or some

combination thereof.

East to Moniaive, then Thornhill & the

A702 'Dalveen Pass' road. The group’s faces

were a picture as they were led to and

through a large metal gate on the M74. A

cunning improvisation, IMHO, as the service

road was closed due to some small matter of

replacing a railway bridge on the West Coast

mainline. More B road to the A701 then

North before swinging East via unclassified

roads past Talla & Megget waters, the

highlight, literally, being a 1:5 hill.

"Did you see the view?" was the question

asked as we stopped at the Glen Cafe at St

Mary's loch on the A708. "No, I had my eyes

shut!" resounded from one of our pillions.

Saturday night spent at the Black Bull

Hotel in Moffat. Decent food & good beer – a

first-class end to a rain-free day. Waiting

there for us was our man on the ZZR. Good

effort considering his mate had forgotten the

bike had no MOT or tax. This was all done in

a hurry in deepest Ayrshire on Saturday

afternoon!

Sunday, it rained - all day! Our route from

Moffat took us on B roads through Lockerbie

to Langholm & from there to the B6357. If

you haven't done it, do it! The A6088 into

Hawick & A7 to Selkirk were next then

swinging South West onto the A708 for a bit

before heading into Eskdalemuir on the

B709. We stopped at the SamyeLing Buddist

Centre. The largest Buddhist temple in the

western world. It also happens to have one

of the nicest tea-rooms.

A short blast back to Lockerbie brought

the run to an end. A fab 340 miles spent on

magnificent Varadero roads & in terrific

company.

The next time you're heading through the

South of Scotland don't just blast through.

Stop, have a run, you won't be disappointed!

A warm Caledonian invite from Barber

there. Sounds great mate.

OK what for the rest of the year. In mid

June, Stonewolf will lead his posse around

Donegal, and in July we have the Prodded

Dog leading the Ooop North run around the

Moors and Teesdale. August and Harv is

putting the finishing touches to Devon

weekender. September and it’s the VUK

Rally in Baskerville Hall Hotel

Clyro Court - Hay-on-Wye – Powys

Phil

When we stop

I will mostly be standing like this !!


HOC HONDA OPEN DAYHOC HONDA OPEN DAY6th August 20066th August 2006

BROOKLANDS MUSEUM, WEYBRIDGE, SURREY BROOKLANDS MUSEUM, WEYBRIDGE, SURREY

The motto for the day is

““PPRRIIDDEE OOFF OOWWNNEERRSSHHIIPP””““PPRRIIDDEE OOFF OOWWNNEERRSSHHIIPP””

The 2005 event was very successful with over 250 bikes andmore than 700 people having a great day out at Brooklands

historic racing circuit and museum.

The event is a combination of a concourse for ALL Hondamotorcycles and selected dealer stands.

We would be really pleased if you would join us for this yearsshow on the 6th August.

For further information contact:Steve Hill

West London HOC17 Cheseman Street,

Sydenham SE26 4RA

Telephone: 020 8291 5263


SUMMER 2006 55

NNNNEEWWEEWW DDDDIISSCCOOUUNNTTIISSCCOOUUNNTT SSSSUUPPPPLLIIEERRSSUUPPPPLLIIEERRSS

HOME FROM HOME GUESTHOUSE

Susan Rhodes

Tel No. 01228 792474

Mobile: 07748512990

Email: [email protected]

Website:

homefromhomelongtown.co.uk

I have recently taken over as

manageress of the above guest

house and would be very grateful if

you would please mention us in

your owners club newsletter. Our

location is excellent, on the A7 just

north east of Carlisle (7 miles) and 1

mile from the Scottish Borders,

where there are some of the most

excellent biking roads in the area

(my husband's opinion).

We have 5 rooms, 2 triples, 2 twin

and 1 single, for which we charge

£28 pp per night (discounts for

bikers will of course be available),

we also have private rear yard

parking with good access and

drying facilities (if required).

Longtown is a lovely little town with

a couple of pubs and lovely walks

by the river, loads of history and all

other facilities

LEBANON COTTAGE

Simon Hammerton

Tel No. 01736 788747

Mobile: 07748512990

Email: [email protected]

Website:

www.lebanoncottage.co.uk

Cornwall. self-catering cottage near

Land's End. Ideal for exploring West

Cornwall. Good roads, good pubs (2

minute walk), stunning scenery.

Sleeps 5, linen & towels provided,

garage parking for bikes. 10%

discount for members out of high

season. Short breaks available

WWW.TOPMARQUES.ORG.UK

Joe Blatherwick

Tel No. 07976 981589

Website:

www.topmarques.org.uk

A Nottingham based motorcycle

alarm/security installation business

offering members a 10% discount

on all security products.


56 SUMMER 2006

by Stritchy, Big Ed on the Web

iHOC

As many of you will have noticed, theweb pages are still not back to normal after‘The Great Crash’ of December last year.Apologies to everyone.

We are in the process of changingservers again, which we hope will allow usto do everything that we want - principallythe Members Area and Branch sub-domains. Please keep checking the Clubsite www.hoc.org.uk for the latest news.

The good news is that Alan Sharkey ofManchester Branch has set up a new Forum

for the Club. This can be accessed atwww.hoc.org.uk/forum.html and is open toany Honda rider, whether they are amember or not. Hopefully non-members willjoin in and decide to join the Club as aresult.

My thanks to all those who have offeredhelp and soothing words during this time.Your input has been greatly appreciated.

Speak to you all on the Forum soon Ihope

StritchyBig Ed on the Web

wwwwww.hoc.org.uk.hoc.org.uk


SUMMER 2006 57

ADRENALIN RUSH

Adrenalin rushes are something we

bikers know a lot about and there’s not a

better way of getting that feeling, if you are

not actually riding the love of your life, than

going to a bike race. If you cannot afford to

physically go to any, or many or the races

(and who can!), then watching it on the telly

is a good alternative, although you don’t get

the same atmosphere.

What an exciting year so far in the GP’s.

The obvious rivalry between Kallio and Luthi

in the 125’s, is brilliant, as is Bautista’s

consistency, which is still keeping him

ahead in the championship.

The great performances of Dovizioso,

Takahashi and the Aoyoma brothers in the

250’s, and the battle between the top four in

the GP’s is riveting. It’s interesting to watch

Rossi, as for the first time in years, he

struggles with bike problems; aren’t the

Honda’s doing well!

Anyone who watched the Le Mans GP

will agree that it is all nail biting, sitting on

the edge of your seat stuff. Currently there

are only 6 points separating the top 5, and

we are only on race 6 in the series!

The World Super Bikes also give

excellent racing with Bayliss and Corser

battling it out, and the Honda guys Toseland

and Barros standing 3rd and 5th in the

championship points. However, perhaps

the main accolade should go to Haga, who’s

racing is so exhilarating to watch. Not

forgetting the Supersport series which is

also proving very successful for Honda, with

Charpentier and Tiberico doing sterling stuff

winning 5 of 5 races so far.

BSB is also holding its own, and to see

Lavilla skilfully charging round is an

education. Who can challenge him for the

title? Leon Haslam is the nearest and there

are still a lot of races to go

Our HOC main web site and link to

Honda racing is an excellent quick glance

update format for anyone keeping up with

how our Honda guys are doing and of

course the back pages of MCN is always a

good read when the racing season is on.

It is excellent the way the young racers

such as Pedrosa and Stoner etc are coming

up through the ranks. Even our own

Bradley Smith from the Oxford area is

justifying his existence in the GP’s, despite

not yet being in the points; although at 15 he

has lots of years to catch up.

The one problem that all this excellent,

exciting racing gives is trying to fit in going

to the meetings or watching the races on the

TV – what would we do without the video!

The Stiggette


58 SUMMER 2006

MY SUNDAY RIDE

I haven't done a full on enduro sincebreaking my foot badly a few years ago andthought a 12 hr enduro would be a goodway to get back into it. A few calls andemails later and most of the illustrious 2005Cambrian winning "team brat pack"(members of Varadero Forum) werenowhere to be seen. One of them even rodeall the way to Italy on his Goldwing, in orderto avoid the event.

Matthew came to the rescue. Although itnearly wasn't to be, as his bike trailer andthen car loaded with kit were stolen inseparate incidents during the previous twoweeks.

Saturday was the day to get the bikestogether, get scrutineered and signed on.It's funny how different events andscrutineers concentrate on different things -the chap I encountered was only interestedin loose spokes. We then had a brief look atthe track and a closer inspection of some ofthe potential "stoppers". I explained the bestapproach to the "bottomless pit of doom" toMatthew - "Basically, avoid it. It ishorrendous. If a marshal directs you to aparticular line, aim for him (he'll jump out ofthe way) he'll be stood on the only bit ofdecent ground...".

As we wandered to a scary lookingvertical faced mound of earth with huge rutsleading up to it and very steep drops offeither side, we both realised that therewould likely be a few "offs" during the day.As we walked back, one of the marshalssank his bike up to the seat in what lookedlike dry ground. It was in fact quick sand.They quickly cut out this bit of the track.

We locked the bikes up outside one ofthe organisers campers and then had aquick debate about who was going out first.

Matthew drew the "unlucky" straw.Sunday dawned bright and early at

0450. Why do I do this?? Got to the track at around 0600 to see

lots of very ill looking people - about a thirdof the 125 people entered camped at thevenue and did the decent thing - got really,really drunk. Looked like they regretted it inthe morning. The only thing I really regrettedwas getting too much sun to my freshlyshaven head which was now a little bit sore.

The team gazebo was set up along witha very nice comfy wing back chair.Matthew's bike was lined up on row one,mine was put into parc ferme. Row one is areally scary start place at an event like this -even when only 45 people are riding at atime (TBEC normally have anythingbetween 120 and 150).


SUMMER 2006 59

The track is 5 miles long and onlypartially marked up with tape hencenavigating the first few laps is a little bitfraught. Tension was building for the 0700start when people realised that noambulances had arrived. Bugger. The startwas consequently delayed until 0745. Thisgave us just enough time for another highenergy bacon roll.At this point, I wanderedaround trying to psych out some of thecompetition - asking each team who wasfirst out, then turning to the first man out,laughing, shaking my head and saying "howdid THEY persuade you to do that?? Andyou call them friends??" as I walked away (Ionly did this to the guys I knew..)

0745: Off!! 20 minutes later Matthewsback to tag himself in (you register laps witha transponder on your wrist). He declaresthat there isn't anything too scary - a few"interesting bits" and lots and lots of reallyhard baked 4x4 ruts that we have to cross atan angle.Second lap, he's OK for a third,bringing him up to one hour. The plan formsto run 1 hour each and then swap (theearlier plan, formed during the previousweek was to "sit out about the first sixhours" in the hope that track would berm upnicely and come to us).

Matt's about 2/3 around his last lap so Idecide to kit up and warm up the bike. Hitthe starter. Nothing. Bugger. No kick start.Bugger. Push it down the hill in parc fermeand try and bump start it on the damp grass.Everyone around is laughing. On the thirdattempt and just as I'm getting to the ropesat the bottom, it bursts into life. Luckily Ihave enough weight to encourage traction...

Matt comes in. we swap the transponderand off I go. Instantly getting a telling off forexiting the parc ferme from the wrong exit."use the exit not the entrance" she hollers. Ifind the exit - and off we go. Onto a ridgeand furrow field on slippy damp grass andalmost loose it as the back tries to overtakethe front... a couple of sharp corners whereyou drop in to tractor ruts and bump arounda bit and then drop into the next field.Through some long grass and into somemore ruts, down around a tree and then youhit some dried mud - almost sand beforeturning sharply back up hill then around tothe right down a long slope with deep

muddy ruts that cuts around to the right. Thebest line here is to stay to the left and rideabove the ruts on a grassy bank. A littleaccuracy is required here as dropping offthis little bank at speed will result in anunplanned dismount. So what do I do firstlap? Stay to the right, get cross rutted andnearly lob it. I then miss the tapes for thenext left hander and end up trying to crosssome very deep ruts and have to manhandle the bike out as the front and rearwheels drop into these deep ruts.

Get going again. Around a tree and dropinto either of two deep ruts filled with muddywater. Plow through. See lots of marshallsahead - ah, oh dear - the stream crossing...the bottomless stream crossing... straightenthe bike up. Ignore the marshalls. Pick theroute that involves close contact with a treeand two steep banks (ignoring the obviousdeeply rutted "easy" routes that everyoneelse seems to be using) gas it, bosh in andout. Up the other side and onto the slipperybumpy bit the other side. Up the hill and intosome really soft loamy mud which is gettingcut up really bad (imagine riding through thecontents of about 2 million "grow bags" andyou have the right idea). cont.........


60 SUMMER 2006

Up the hill around the right hand side ofthe huge mound, hitting a step andupsetting my balance, ever-so-nearlythrowing myself into a VERY deep hole butjust saving it. Onto the back of the circuitand a couple of miles of very, very fast drymud, grass and gravel, criss crossingaround the fields with some nice bermedcorners. Zig zag in and out of the hedge afew times with some fiddly ruts. Drop into abig bomb-hole full of water and have to do a"wall of death" around the outside - ace.More ridge and furrow, a very steeptechnical climb and drop the other side,more ridge and furrow. Again zig zag in andout of a hedgerow with ace banked corners.Race across a flat bit - too fast to be able torest or take a drink. Up a slight hill and thendrop off the side of the world, VERY steepand rutted at the bottom. Race accross a

combination of ridge and furrow, loamymud, long grass and sand, zig zagging up aleft to right rise across a field. Into a bit ofshade beneath some trees and a bankedcorner and then drop down to the riveracross some very deep 4x4 ruts which wecross at an angle. The ground is so hard,black tyre marks are being left on the facesof the ruts. Bang, bang, bang, bang - youtake quite a beating over these.

Now we have another climb into thetrees with a couple of very technical ruttedbits and corners (for me anyway, the fastboys just seem to glide through, harryflatters).

Across another wide expanse of 4x4ruts. These are crossed at right angles soyou hit them as fast as you can and keepthe front light, this makes them much morecomfortable. Down and across an off-

camber hill across a foot bridgeand onto a loamy boggy area - gasit.. long grasses, very rough, sharpright hander, photographers, gasit, nearly fall off, slow down. Zigzag up and down a field in avariety of going.

Up onto the top field againmomentarily before droppingsteeply down through the hedgebefore a steep climb back throughthe hedge, back down, back up etcbefore a very technical steep climband drop.

Then we have quite a longdrag alongside the hedge throughsome interesting fast going (nicelybanked corners and jumps witheasy landings) and then its outfrom the trees. Across some longgrasses - don't know what exactly,it's all been flattened by now, but itsmells fantastic, so you gas it andlift the front on the way out -awesome - zig zag in and out ofthe boggy ground and long grass,over a couple of sharp jumps andonto some very fast smooth (foronce) grass and gravel corners -too fast to rest or take a drink!!Still!!


SUMMER 2006 61

Around onto the start of the motocrosstrack - which is pretty much all whooped outand hard packed mud with a liberalscattering of gravel on top. There are somegreat jumps here but we have many, manymore laps to do so I keep it pretty tame. Ihad a warning about one of the jumps - lotsof very rutted mud on the other side. Idecide it must have dried as all the rest ofthe track is bone dry. Stupid mistake. As Icrest the jump, I see the ruts, shut thethrottle and unbalance the bike. Landinghard on the front wheel, I almost go over thebars and wind myself. Off the motocrosstrack and onto the main field. Not long to go.Down to the bottom of the field over a nastyman made hump of earth and then only afew hundred yards of rutted hard packed dirtto go before....

Beep. Beep. One lap logged. Two moreto go.

Second lap, much the same but quite abit quicker. Without the big moment on theMX track.

Third lap and my confidence is up. I'mgoing FAST. Aiming for 16 minutes. I take adifferent route to avoid a guy stuck in theriver and sink the DRZ right up to the top ofthe rear wheel. 15 soul destroying minutesand four very muddy people later and I'm offagain. Only to fall off at the next sharpcorner - no rear brakes! All the heaving anddoing about in the river and the piston

retruned into the caliper and needed to bepumped.

A few hundred yards later and onto thehorrible mound. Overbalance in a rut at lowspeed and bang - off I go again.

End of the third lap - completelyknackered, covered in mud and unable tohold on. Matthews turn...

We did two sessions of three laps each.Then did single laps each for a while andswapped bikes a bit - his KTM 400surprisingly wasn't that much better than myDRZ until you really get going. At low speed,it made no difference.

We did 11 laps each in the end andcalled it a day after around 10 hours.Matthew had a 4 hour drive after the event,there were still a lot of "fresh" people - theteams of four made it a lot easier than ateam of two. And also rather annoyingly,some of the really "fast" boys were coursecutting quite badly - and meeting one ofthese chaps doing 50+ when you're flailingout of control at 10 mph isn't a pleasantthought....

All in all, a fantastic day out. Plenty ofriding for the £50 entry fee - (it's £100 ateam so if anyone fancies it next year......!!)we were quite relaxed about it all - all theother teams must have thought us madwhen our "whole" team stopped for lunch..most civilised. The best thing about this sortof event is that the food you eat tastes better

than anything you'veever eaten before...

I was a little bit soreand achy on Mon/Tuebut by Wed was fine.

Awesome.!

Mark HVaradero Forum


62 SUMMER 2006

SSSSHHOOWWIINNGGHHOOWWIINNGG OOOOFFFFFFFFReport From - the BMF Show

It all started in the Autumn of last year

when Northants & Milton Keynes decided

that, after 8 years, they had done their fair

share (and rightly so) of running the BMF

marquee. So, we decided to give it a go as

it is held just down the road from us.

At our AGM we conned Kim into being

the BMF Co-ordinator, obviously a very wise

choice as we were to find out.

Ideas were flying in from all directions in

the weeks following the AGM and a design

was finally agreed. Thanks to Roger H’s

barn/workshop the building of the

marquee’s interior took place. Andy, Paul,

John and Roger H put in a lot of man hours

into this and boy, did it show. The days

before saw a frenzy of activity with last

minute stake and post making and painting

as well as a lot of cake, scone and sausage

roll making.

We arrived early Friday morning (we

packed the van and trailer the night before)

and within a couple of minutes all you could

hear was the sound of lawnmowers

charging up and down the inside of the tent.

Once that was finished the assembly of

the interior started. Due to a lot of forward

planning everything went together in a very

short space of time. All of the tables, chairs,

etc. arrived on time and by 4pm. we were

ready.

Saturday’s weather forecast was dismal

but luckily they got it

wrong again. The

reaction we received for

the layout was

pleasantly surprising as

everyone seemed to be

happy with it.

Cambridge Team


SUMMER 2006 63

The helmet park was still in place with

the proceeds going to Riders for Health but

with the edition of the cake stand (as

pioneered by Kim and Paul last year), with

donations going to MAGPAS (Mid Anglia

Group Practice Accident Service)

The show’s attendance appeared to be

down on last year, probably due to the clash

with the British Superbikes in Ireland and

the MotoGP in France. This reflected in the

number of new members

signed up (13 on Saturday, 9

on Sunday).

Sunday morning saw

Roger H and Roger B in the

parade on the speedway track.

Roger H was on his Transalp

while Roger B was on the

monkey bike. I think at times

that our branch chairman

doesn’t take life seriously

(thank God).

Weather on Sunday was

crap to say the least. It didn’t

stop raining all bloody day. But

to be honest, I’m not sure

anybody cared as we were all

having a great time.

By about 4pm I was

flagging a bit but was soon

lifted with the news that

the HOC had come first for

the best club display. This

was the icing on the cake

for us all as so much effort

had gone into this. We

have been on a steep

learning curve this year

and we made a few

mistakes but next year

hopefully we will be even

better. Ideas for next year

were being banded about

already, so watch this

space.

I have seen most of

the people before who

helped out for the weekend but something

like this show lets you get to know these

people better and I hope to see these new

friends again next year. I would personally

like to thank everyone, not just Cambs, who

did work bloody hard, who gave up their

time to make this all work. It would not have

worked without you.

Bill

Pink Ladies

HOC Garage


64 SUMMER 2006

MOTORCYCLING ABROAD

Haynes Publishing have never been

slow in letting us know about new

publications and products, and therefore

when this book arrived on my desk I almost

dismissed it. My intention was to perhaps re-

produce the press release and include it

somewhere in the magazine, if there was

space.

To have done so would have been a

mistake, as I found out when I picked it up to

have a glance through whilst waiting for yet

another “update” to release my computer

from its straightjacket.

The book is written by Peter Henshaw

and published in a very useful A5 format,

making it a realistic reference tool whilst on

the road. There is a wealth of information for

everyone, and for the novice tourer it really

is a must have.

Each page is laid out with a particularly

wide margin, which, apart from the picture

credits contains key data such as

illustrations of road signs. The margin is also

home to frequent blue “hint” boxes, which

are common sense reminders of key points.

The front half of the book consists of

chapters dedicated to specific guidance on

a number of topics. Chapter headings

include; On the road, Road hazards, Rules

and regulations, Documents and insurance,

In an emergency and others.

The back half of the book consists of

chapter entitled “Riding in”, and includes

Western Europe, Scandinavia, Southern

Europe, Eastern Europe, North America,

Australasia and a section for Africa, Asia

and South America entitled “further afield”.

Each of these chapters starts with a

“Bikers Tale” from someone who has been

there, done it, and doubtless bought a

number of T-shits. This is followed by key

information on subjects like fuel, animals,

traffic priorities and the like, and information

concerning road signs. Each chapter also

contains a tabular “Fact File” with all the

essential information such as speed limits,

driving ages and emergency telephone

numbers.

In conclusion, a very useful handbook

with a wealth of essential information, and

well worth the asking price of £12.99. There

is even a hint at occasional humour, such as

a line from the section on Australia; “It may

not be in the rulebooks, but it’s sensible to

give way to road trains”

EdISBN: 1 84425 2450 PRICE: £12.99


SUMMER 2006 65

EEEE----BBBBIIIIKKKKEEEE IIIINNNNSSSSUUUURRRRAAAANNNNCCCCEEEE

Six motorcycle charities shared a £25,000 handout from eBike Insurance and New

Law following a website vote by bikers. The two companies came together to donate

£25,000 to charities helping to prevent motorcycle accidents, or helping riders after an

accident. Motorcyclists were able to place their vote on the eBike website –

www.ebikeinsurance.co.uk -- to determine how the money was split.

The six charities chosen for the cash, and the amounts they received, were Riders

for Health £11,165; County Air Ambulance £3793; National Association for Bikers with a

Disability £3688; Motorcycle Outreach £2333; MAG Foundation £2328: and British

Motorcycle Foundation £1537.

Martyn Cook is operations manager for Riders for Health, which maintains and

supports motorcycles for a network of community health nurses in Africa. He said: “This

donation is superb and shows what a great heart the motorcycle community has. The

cheque will do a lot of good work in Africa.”

Bristol-based eBike Insurance is revolutionising motorcycle insurance as the first

website to enable motorcyclists to manage and adjust all aspects of their cover

personally online. It offers a range of new special services, including pay-as-you-go, lay

up and accelerated bonus cover. In its first year it has attracted more than 35,000

customers.

The New Law solicitor’s practice is based in Cardiff and provides legal advice to

eBike customers

www.ebikeinsurance.co.uk

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or e-mail it to [email protected]

HHOOCCHHOOCCOONNSSUUMMEERROONNSSUUMMEERRCompiled by Mark Clargo - HOConsumer Editor


66 SUMMER 2006

HHHHAAAAYYYYNNNNEEEESSSS PPPPUUUUBBBBLLLLIIIISSSSHHHHIIIINNNNGGGG


SUMMER 2006 67

HHHHAAAAYYYYNNNNEEEESSSS PPPPUUUUBBBBLLLLIIIISSSSHHHHIIIINNNNGGGG


68 SUMMER 2006

NYLON WALLET£4.70

NECK-TECTOR£7.40

CAP - £7.40

SWEAT SHIRT£16.90

KEY RING£2.50

MACHINE BADGE£2.50

LAPEL BADGE£2.50

WOOLLYHAT£8.90

POLO SHIRTS £14T SHIRTS £10.00 FLEECES £POA


SUMMER 2006 69

Baseball Caps100% cotton cap with Club logoColours: ROYAL BLUE/RED/BLACKSize: one size fits allCost: £7.40Sweat ShirtPolyester cotton sweatshirt Colours: ROYAL BLUE/NAVY/RED/BLACKSizes: S, M, L, XL, XXLCost: £16.90WalletBlack nylon wallet of good quality to keep notes, coinsCredit cards, and all those precious things.Cost: £4.70FleecesNavy, Black, Forest Green and Red in sizes small to2X LargeCost POAPolo ShirtsHeavier weight polyester cotton, of excellent quality.Colours: ROYAL BLUE/NAVY/RED/BLACK/FOREST GREENSizes: S, M, L, XL, XXLCost: £14

Neck-tectorsKeep out the chill with one of our Neck-tectorsColours: BLACKSize: one size fits all.Cost: £7.40Woolly HatsWoolly hat to keep your head warm.Colours: BLACK & RED onlyCost: £8.90 T-ShirtsCotton T-Shirt with embroidered logo on left BreastColours: BLACK/RED/NAVYSize: S, M, L, XL, XXLCost: £10Machine BadgeCost: £2.50Key RingCost: £2.50Lapel BadgeCost: £ 2.50

Hello every one, just letting you know that I have a few ideas and need a little bit of feedback from the members.

How many people would be interested in a limited run of roll neck tops? I need a provisionalnumber to get a price. Any one interested needs to contact me with an e-mail address or atelephone number. This is so I can let you know the price.

We are also considering doing a range of children’s T-Shirts for family membership’s.We are also looking at ladies fitted T-Shirts and ladies vest tops, I would also like some

feed back on this too.

Please make sure you specify size and colour required clearly. State your membershipnumber, no number, no goods!! Enclose a cheque or postal order made payable to HondaOwners Club GB - but no cash please. Postage and packaging is included in the cost of theitems ordered. Orders accepted subject size, colour, availability. Please make sure youinclude a contact number.

We will do our best to make sure you get your order quickly and efficiently. However someitems may be delayed - you will be informed if this is the case. Item delays will usually occurduring busy periods of the year when we have a high number of orders and low stock e.g justafter the NEC show and near Christmas. Please get your orders in early for Christmas as thistime of year is also a busy time for me.

I work for myself and have limited time to place and chase orders as my own businessmust take priority. Thanks.

Send your orders to:Justin Goddard,

19 Linkfield Avenue, Mountsorrel, Leicester, LE12 7DH�� 0116 230 3277 � [email protected]


70 SUMMER 2006

MMMMEEMMBBEERRSSEEMMBBEERRSS FFFFRREEEERREEEE AAAADDSSDDSSAdverts must be received by the 1st September for inclusion in the Autumn IssueWrite to: Golden Wing, Unit 1B & 5B, Kemps Quay Industrial Park, Quayside Road, Southampton SO18 1BZ

FOR SALE

CB500 FOUR UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY

This bike is being reluctantly sold by Pete Goodger, one of thefounders and past President of the HOC.

Pete has owned the bike from new in 1971/2, and, as can beseen, it is in pristine condition having covered just 23,500 miles.Pete is selling the bike with many new spares, and would like tofind a new owner to enjoy taking the bike to shows and rallies.

As a part of HOC history, it’s too good for a daily use bike

£3,800Call Pete on 023 8061 8595

HONDA CAMIO

The moped belongs

to an elderly gentleman

who bought it in 1968

He did 29 miles on it

before becoming ill

and never used it again.

If anyone is interested

please contact the owner

Mr Nicholson

on

01428 713358£Offers


SUMMER 2006 71

ADS CAN BE POSTED FREE ON THE CLUB WEBSITE ATwww.hoc.org.uk/forum.html

ADVERTISING IN MEMBERS FREE ADS

MEMBERSfree all sections

must state membershipnumber

OTHERS

FOR SALE (BIKES):

£15 1st insertion-subsequent free

(includes freemembership)

OTHER CATEGORIES:

£3 per insertion

TWO 250/4 18,000 RPM

CB 250 R MC19

CB 250 R MC17

Both in good condition.

Taxed and MOT

Plus spares for both

machines.

Call or e-mail for more

information

01924 [email protected]

Bob Peck (26609)

West Yorks

SPARES

CBX 750

Cam chains, &

guides/tensioners

Generator,

4 Con rods

Various odds & ends for

engine.

Can supply photos.

£150 + post & packing

from France.

Tel: 00 332 43 08 00 12

[email protected]

Pete Broad, LONGUEVE,Colombiers du Plessis,

53120, France.

HONDA CB 550 F

1985 C Reg

Owned from new.

36,500 miles

Good condition.

Garaged.

FSH

MOT & Tax

Blue, red & white

Top box

Engine crash bars

Mud flaps

£800 o.n.o

0151 425 3113or

07909 746313John Coslett (23750)

Liverpool


golden wing - 2006 summer

Documents

golden wing summer

oxford rally

solent rally

delivery of golden wing

national rally

shires rally

dates of events

contents of golden wing