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LEOMINSTER CLASSIC MOTOR CYCLE CLUB NEWSLETTER

Website: www.lcmcc.uk Email: admin@lcmcc.uk

July 2018

Nifty Fifty #5 – Old Station, New Radnor

A good mix of bikes met up at Holmer Road, trouble was, many of them were in other clubs or just out for

a ride, which made identifying members a wee bit tricky. Luckily, I knew that new member Mario

Carvalho would be there so was able to explain the drop-off system before we started. Not so for another

new member, James Wiseman, also out with us for the first time as he joined us on his nice Laverda but

luckily he’d used the system previously although he wasn’t absolutely sure he’d tagged onto the right group

so was quite relieved to find it was LCMCC on arrival at the café.

We met up with a group from Malvern bike club who had invited us to join them for a BBQ at their

clubhouse later in the day, to which several members went along. The journey had been interesting as

we had come across two extensive sections of tar and chippings which hadn’t been there two weeks

previously on the recce! Andy Williams, on his Matchless, had a close encounter with a group of cattle

which a farmer had chosen to herd across the road just as he arrived at the top of a hill. He certainly felt

vulnerable sitting on his bike as they passed him by - once they had become accustomed to his strange

looks and with suitable encouragement from a young drover.

The next nifty fifty will be on Sunday 24th June, but the destination has been changed to Tony’s Diner,

Bridgnorth as Daniel’s Mill has uncertain opening hours. Hope to see you then.

Steve Hackett

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FROM THE EASY CHAIR

We have £1,764 in the current account and £3,010 in the

deposit account; the refund of the hall deposit for the

Withington Show has just been received so will help to pay for

the hog roast next club night. We always aim to pitch the

cost of the roast so that we cover our outgoings without

stinging the punters – better to sell out than be left with loads

over. Plans for the Open Night are well in hand and it looks

to be another great event, hope to see as many of you there

as can make it.

This spell of glorious weather has seen a surge in activity with Bob’s Mystery Tour, the mid-week meet, the

Nifty Fifty and the Aberdyfi runs all being well attended. Dave

Therin’s Aberdyfi run was a great 200-miler which saw 19 riders on 16

bikes take part. We smiled all the way over the mountain to

Machynlleth (what a great road that is) but winced a bit at the £3.20

parking charge on the sea front (later finding free spaces nearby!), tip-

toed over the gravelly bits (why is it always on a corner?) and all arrived

home safe.

Membership is now at 176 as we welcome new members Mario

Carvelho, Hereford; Brian Beaumont, Shobdon; and welcome back

Trevor Ruth from Leominster. We usually get a few new members at

Open Night so it seems likely that we will finish the year somewhere

near to last year’s 181.

There was no raffle last club night as we had only two prizes brought in – no doubt because it was such a

nice evening and everyone came on bikes – so they will be held over to the Open Night. We also have a

couple of other good prizes: a tail pack, donated by Will Morgan, and a top box, donated by Bob Dean.

Definitely worth a punt on a few tickets!

July sees the club offering five runs in addition to the Open Night and mid-week meet; how on earth will

we fit it all in? Hope to see you at one or more of these events.

Steve Hackett (photo by Alan Spencer)

MAG (MOTORCYCLE ACTION GROUP) UPDATE

Ludlow Town Council Motorcycle Parking Ban: Another Town Council

bending to alleged complaints from local residents is running a

consultation on proposals to ban motorcycle parking in Castle Square,

Ludlow. This historic market town relies heavily on tourism, so the

suggestion to ban bikers is illogical and discriminatory. Local town

councillor, Andy Boddington is opposed to the proposals also. Once

again MAG will put in a formal consultation response, but weight of

numbers is what we are looking for. Please visit the council website to

complete the online questionnaire or email your opinions to

townclerk@ludlow.gov.uk

Crime and non-punishment: MAG’s had a number of meetings in an effort

to get action from the authorities to tackle the scourge of moped-enabled crime. Around 16,000 bikes were

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stolen in a single year in the Capital. The problem is also reflected nationwide in cities like Liverpool and

Birmingham. Our view is that there’s plenty of talk and not much action. MAG is working very hard to

get answers and action from the Home Office Roundtable initiative, but the long-standing suspicion that

motorcyclists are not being treated as the primary victim is not being dispelled. A new announcement

reports that the police will be able to chase thugs who take their helmets off. Currently the police are

worried they’ll end up defending themselves in court for doing this.

London demo proves two points: Congratulations the London MAG regional group, headed up by Tim

Fawthrop, who held a dramatic demonstration in London to highlight motorcycling matters in the heart of

the city. Hundreds of riders turned up to underline: firstly, our frustrations about the situation regarding

crime which affects so many bikers: and secondly, the discrimination against us regarding road space and

pollution taxes.

Sue Moore

BIGFOOTS MUSINGS ON ALL SORTS

The mid-week meet was enjoyable with eight of us having

turned out on a slightly iffy day at Toddington Railway Station.

There were two other groups there: the Velo club and another

group which included a very nice late 40s Scott. It was good to

see George and Chris Vaughan and Chris Davies join us.

On Friday 18 May I went to Felindre to try out a walk to the

castle of the wolf (Castelly Blaidd in Welsh); it is thought to be a

prehistoric enclosure. I love this sort of walk on drovers’ roads

over open hill with big views; I can almost see the drovers on Welsh Cob horses herding the cattle over the

hill, the noise and the dust as they headed for the markets in England. They sure were a tough lot.

End of May and it was the annual run round all the bike shops and some cafes with the Open Night posters;

a lovely sunny day, just right for a 84 mile ride. Met Scott and Jan at the Bringsty Café so over a brew and

a lump of cake we put the world to rights. May 30th and just come back from 5 sunny days in north Wales,

the downside was one motorcyclist lost his life on the Sunday on a wide open, fast A470. He and a car

had a coming together. Some of the overtaking was terrifying, why do some riders think they are

invincible beats me. If they want to go racing do it on the track not the road; when you’re up in the hills

you can hear some bikes miles away.

Walked from Almwch Port which was where copper ore from Payrs Mountain was shipped to Swansea for

processing. Payrs Mountain was the biggest quarry/mine for copper in the world back in the day. The

quarry is massive and most of the ore was got by using pick, shovel and black powder. The mountain is

also riddled with tunnels, again dug by hand. It must have been a hell-hole to work in. Women and

children did all the sorting and washing of the ore in open pits – no wonder they all died young, and some

say in the good old days things were better. You walk up to the site on footpaths and back by the copper

road on the way to the port.

The next day I did a lovely 8-mile walk on green lanes and forest tracks past Dolwyddelan Castle where

Prince Llewellyn was said to have been born; a very imposing site with views up and down the valley, but I

reckon it would be well cold in the winter – it would have been enough to make a bishop burn his books.

May 3rd it was ‘not the Welsh lakes run’ around the hills and valleys of mid Wales. 18 of us enjoyed a

lovely Sunny ride to Dolfor for a cracking lunch then back to the Watering Hole. The Ariel purred on the

flat bits and growled its way up the hills. It was a real joy to be on a motorcycle on that day.

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The club night saw a very good turnout of bikes and a good mix too. We had some very interesting

machines including a Dresda and a Douglas 90 – not too many of them around; a very enjoyable evening.

On May 10th, it was Worcs VMCC Llyn Brianne run and what a great day we had, the scenery was stunning

under clear blue skies. There was a cycle race over the drovers road and down past the lake. Why

anyone would want to ride a cycle up the Devil’s Staircase I don’t understand – and it was timed. It really

was a fabulous day.

Ride safe,

Bigfoot

“Olive” and I join the Army for a day.

April 2018 .Ed and I met up with the Wye Valley Section

of the Velocette Owners Club for a day out riding the

old Eppynt T.T. Race circuit.

The Eppynt lies in the mountains of South Wales

between Brecon and Llandovery, amongst some great

Motorcycling roads.

In 1948 the first road race for solos and sidecars was

held on the closed army roads, and the last race in 1953.

All the roads still exist and the main road from the A40

to Tirabad is open to the public but the rest is closed

army roads. The site was exposed and remote but the going was superb and anyone riding on it today will

tell you how demanding it must have been ,

We met up with members at the cafe in Sennybridge , Ed on his Venom and me on my 1951 350cc MAC

“Olive”. We headed for the Ministry of Defence road which was superbly smooth and a joy to ride, to be

greeted at Dixies Corner by the army with an ample supply of hot drinks and very posh biscuits, for a small

donation to the Army Benevolent Fund, and were given a pre-ride talk. The first lap was to be ridden behind

an escort vehicle, and a safety briefing followed..beware of battle hardened sheep who will not move off

the road for anything...watch for live blank ammunition in the road which although safe for the rider if

exploded under them wouldn’t do the bikes much good....plus pedal cyclists and cars on the public part

of the track.

The five mile track has some interesting names, Dixies Corner, Llewellyn Way, Piccadilly Corner, Gardeners

Path etc

The first lap was taken fairly slowly as part of the track is public highway, so I followed Ed, and we did meet

wayward sheep and even more wayward car drivers and had to watch for loose grit and gravel on the

hairpin bends, but by the second and third laps I had settled down and speeded up ,and by the 4th lap had

settled down and was really enjoying myself, feeling really at home, remembering to use the full width of

the road when cornering etc. It all ended too soon and I have never seen so many people with huge grins

on their faces.

We said our goodbyes and headed for a late lunch at the Owls Nest in Llandovery and marvelled at how

speeds of over 90 mph could have been achieved on such a tight narrow circuit in the 1940s and 50s.

I had been there, done that and even got the T-shirt.

Sheila Whittingham

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Deadly Dangerous Drop-Off One recent Sunday I was riding along short straight section of a country ‘B’ road. At the end of this straight was a left hand bend and a junction with a side road on the right. There was no traffic visible, but as I passed the apex of the bend and side road opposite, I was confronted with a gentleman on a BSA stopped by the nearside of the road. He had been completely hidden from view by the bend & hedge. I had absolutely minimal warning he was there. It was obvious he was marking the junction for the ‘drop-off system’ (as used by many clubs not just ours) and was waiting for riders to approach from that side road opposite. No doubt he was dead chuffed he was showing his mates the way so clearly, but totally oblivious to the fact he could easily have been just plain dead. He was fortunate I take a wider line through the left bends (as per ‘Roadcraft’) so was well away from the nearside kerb, giving me a glimpse he was there, and could avoid him. But far more than that, he was extremely fortunate I wasn’t driving a wider vehicle – a car, tractor or HGV, any of which could have easily left him as a nasty stain on the tarmac and yet another accident statistic. On club runs when using the drop off system please don’t be lazy and stop just anywhere. Always think about it. Make absolutely sure you are safe. Make sure you are clearly visible to any traffic approaching from every direction, not just to following club members. And never be like that suicidal Old Chuffer and hide in a blind spot! Will Morgan.

Trifest 2018

I never realised that when you become one of the great unwashed that fitting in going to work was so

difficult? Since Carol and I retired in March our feet haven’t touched the ground and long may it continue.

Our annual pilgrimage to the Trifest celebrations in Somerset saw a sea change in as much as we took the

Motor Home with the bike on the back after buying an “Easy Lifter” following Ron’s advice. We had a run

up to Leicester in the Motor Home to fix the thing on from the manufacturer. This was well worth it as

modifications had to be made to get it to fit.

Our deadline for supply was met and our intention is to do as Ron did

and take a bike abroad with us. The test run was the Trifest with the

Triumph T100c on the back.

This worked a treat but the front tyre slot needs a better fixing and the

straps needed to be 75mm wide webbing. Anyway, we got down there

(St Audries Bay Park) to a site filled with likeminded Triumph owners.

The weekend was spent in ride outs and evening entertainment and we took over the whole site. The

Sunday morning saw the Concourse mustered on the front lawn of some 200 triumph motorcycles

including many Trikes, in lovely weather after the sea mist had gone.

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Ken, the Chairman of TOMCC, was the judge and to my surprise over the

loud hailer, he asked, “who owns the T100c, it has won the best pre-1990

award?”

I march up proud as punch wearing my LCMCC T shirt of course to receive

my trophy.

Like most motorcyclists, the TOMCC are a great bunch of people talking

bikes and supporting each other but like our club are constantly looking

for people to help in Club activities. It is always a challenge.

(Watch out for my article on the Picos Mountains, what a trip that was with the T shirt)

Ride Safe

Malcolm & Carol Copson

NEWS BITS

Pembridge Show, Saturday 28th July - We have been invited to put on a display of bikes at Pembridge

Show. Just turn up from 11am and at the gate say you are from the Leominster Classic Bike Club. Please

bring something classic, interesting or unusual. This is one of the last true village shows still going. The

entrance is off the Pembridge to Shobdon road, turn right just before the river bridge. Bigfoot 01432

277720

VMCC Show is at The Moon, Mordiford, Thursday 19th July.

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FOR SALE

Piaggio Scooter – 2011. XEV0400 339cc 22,693km, Black with screen, topbox

and Manual. £2,000. Enquiries to Julia Bramwell (Terrys daughter) 0787 6565

986

400cc Burgman, Year 2001 miles 28692, £950 OVNO, Brian Ruck, 07843

737377

MEMBERS SERVICES

Ian & Richard Logan: welding services 01886 888419.

Lynda Wilshaw Classic Cakes. Homemade cakes baked for any occasion. Phone 01432 760540

RECOMMENDED BY MEMBERS:

Eric Rees Motorcycles: (Run by Ray Griffiths) Discount MOTs for club members: General repairs & servicing

on all bikes. Agent for Helite AirBag jackets. Phone 01432 266164.

Andy Morgan is offering a 20% discount for members off his website prices for vapour blasting at ATM

Vapour Blasting. Contact him at 07989 448418. He also has an ultrasonic cleaning tank. – recommended

by Ken Griffiths

Clothing alterations, repairs & tailoring (including) leather: Sew Bright 01432 352622 (Highly

recommended by many members)

Drive chain oiler. Tutoro, Lydney 01594 841097 (recommended by Bigfoot)

Sheepskin seat covers, canvas bags, sheepskin slippers and boots (Local supplier) web site:

http://www.yurtmatters.co.uk Email: yurtmatters@yahoo.co.uk Tel 07952 99832 or 01981 510271

(made comfy sheepskin seat cover for Bigfoots Ariel)

Not strictly a recommendation but LCMCC club members are eligible for 10% discount on items

purchased online at the Green Spark Plug Company. Enter the discount code CLUBMEM10 in the

coupon code area of the checkout. website: http://www.gsparkplug.com/more detail here:

http://lcmcc.uk/blog/2016/02/12/members-discount-at-green-spark-plug-company/

www.aidansweeney.co.uk/ . AidanSweeney, Traditional Gents Outfitters, 7-8 The Market Arcade Brecon

Powys LD3 9DA - For anyone like me whose waistline has disappeared and finds it necessary to wear

braces: It can be difficult finding a pair with decent clips that don't let go with a twang at critical moments,

without resorting to the industrial type with crocodile clips. I can recommend these, not cheap but I have

wasted (waisted) loads on supposed quality braces with inferior clips and Aidan is a smashing bloke to deal

with. – Brian Johnson

Motorcycle leathers repaired, altered, patched and stitched. All leatherwork considered. Traditional quality shoe &

boot repairs. Cobblers Cabin, Chepstow 01291 628528 – Sue Moore

OJR Motorcycle Service/Repairs Richard Powell, Outfall Road, Hereford, HR1 1XY. 07391 697166 email

ojrmotorcycles@gmail.com – Bigfoot

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Ross on Wye PC Repair, services range from Virus Removal, Hardware Upgrading, Memory Upgrading, Screen

Replacements on Laptops and Notebooks, Hard Drive Upgrades, Anti-Virus Upgrades, Performance Tweaking, all

covered under a No-Fix-No-Fee Policy(or if fault re occurs within 5 days), with No Inspection Fees. You pay only for

the completed work and for any replacement parts. Luke Sutton Tel: 07973 993 049

Email: info@rossonwyepcrepair.com – Sue Moore

CLUB SHOP

Club shirts & other clothes etc.: Clubsport have set up an online shopping facility for us: www.clubsport.co.uk/index.php/clubshops/category/85-leominster-classic-motorcycle-club Or you can order at any of their shops: Leominster (South Street), Hereford (All Saints Court), Ledbury (Bye Street), Ludlow (Old Street), Newtown (Broad Street), Ross on Wye (High Street) and Kington (Church Street). Please note: The design for the club logo is held at the Clubsport base in Kington but any branch’s staff can find it amongst the local sports clubs listed on their in-house computer system. Badges, Stickers etc: Enamel lapel badges £1.00, Club stickers (small £1 large £1.50) all available from Bob Dean at

club nights

Disclaimer: The Leominster Classic Motorcycle Club and committee cannot accept liability or be held responsible for any loss, accident, injury, death or loss of claims due to tips or suggestions given in this newsletter. The articles in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or club committee. Note: Any information that Leominster Classic Motorcycle Club holds remains confidential. Your personal data is stored on digital media in accordance with the provisions and requirements of the Data Protection Act of 1988 and will only be used to contact you on club matters.

Run Details – 8th July

Title: Power of the Cotswolds Start: 9.30am Holmer Road Service Station, Hereford Breaks: Morrisons Tewkesbury – coffee Lunch, The Farmers Arms, Guiting Power Finish: Ledbury 3.30 pm approx Distance: Likely route: A gentle run to the Cotswolds Leader: George Vaughan contact no 01989 762429

Run Details – 15th July

Title: Llandrindod Wells Start: 9.30am Holmer Road Service Station, Hereford Breaks: Bronlys – coffee Finish: Lakeside Café 12.00 approx Distance: approx. 50 miles Likely route: Peterchurch, Hay, Builth Wells, Llandrindod Leader: Mike James contact no 07762 477635

MID-WEEK MEET – 18th July

Venue: Owls Nest, Llandovery, SA20 0DJ Meet from 12.00 noon for lunch or just a drink and a natter

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Nifty Fifty Run Details – 22nd July

Start: 9.30am Holmer Road Service Station, Hereford

End: Maltings, Clun

Distance: approx 50 miles

Organiser: Steve Hackett 01432 272244 or 07731 509 995 on day

Bobs Thursday Evening Mystery Tour Details – 26th July

Start: 6 pm Holmer Road Service Station, Hereford Ride for about an hour, have a drink and get home by dark Organiser: Bob Dean

Run Details – 29th July

Title: Stratford on Avon Mechanical design Museum (Entry fee £6.50 o.a.p)

Start: 9.30 Fromes Hill Café (top of hill by t34 tank)

Lunch/Breaks: Coffee McDonalds Alcester, Lunch at Museum or Airfield café, Tea Deer Park Broadway

Organiser: Dave Therin contact no 07549342745

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2018

All Club events (including runs) should be organized through the Events Coordinator Sue Moore email bobandsuiz@hotmail.co.uk ,TEXT ONLY on 07857 250023 or PM

through Facebook

(Events in italics are non-club events and advisory only, details should be checked)

JULY AUGUST

Wed 4th Open Night & Hog Roast Wed 1st Club Night

Sun 8th Power of the Cotswolds run 3rd / 4th/5th Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage

Extravaganza details

www.glossteamextravaganza.com

Wed 11th Committee Meeting 4th/5th Llangollen Motorcycle Festival

Sun 15th Lakeside Run Sun 5th Weston-Super-Mare Run

Wed 18th Mid-week Meet, Owls Nest

Llandovery, SA20 0DJ

Wed 8th Committee Meeting

Sun 22nd Nifty Fifty Run to Maltings, Clun 11th/12th Tortworth Vintage Rally, Wickwar,Glos

(details www.shakespearesrally.com)

Thurs 26th Bobs evening mystery tour Wed 15th Mid-week Meet, Tally Ho Inn

Sat 28th Pembridge Show & Calne Bike

Meet

Sun 19th Nifty Fifty Run to Lucksall Hereford

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Sun 29th Stratford on Avon Mechanical

Design Museum Run

Sun 19th Tewkesbury Classic Vehicles Festival

(details and booking tewkesburycvf.org)

Thurs 23rd Bobs evening mystery tour

SEPTMBER OCTOBER

Wed 5th Club Night Wed 3rd Club Night

Sun 9th Gentle Bimble round Mid Wales

Run

Sat 6th Ride to the Wall

Wed 12th Committee Meeting Wed 10th AGM

15th/16th Stoke Prior Steam Rally (all classic

vehicles welcome

www.shakespearesrally.com)

Wed 17th Mid-week meet. Maltings Clun SY7 8JB

Sun 16th Run to Bala Sun 21st Nifty Fifty Run to Croome Park, High Green

Wed 19th Mid-week meet. Colliery Café

GL167EL

Sun 28th Winter Meet TBC

Sun 23rd Nifty Fifty Run to Watering Hole,

Aymestrey

Thurs 27th Thursday Evening Mystery Tour

(Longer term outlook can be found on the website)