Background
Towards the end of 2019, conversations were taking place in the club about increasing the frequency of weekday rideouts. A well-established program existed for weekend and extended trips but there was enthusiasm expressed for more frequent weekday riding.
To help develop a proposal for the Committee’s consideration, Dave Tomlinson, Social Secretary formed a task group to undertake this, members including: Tim Bolderston, Carl Flint, Bob Mack, Steve Moxey and myself.
At an early stage a multi-function communications website ‘Meetup’ was identified as a helpful means of: publicising events, allowing members to book places, auto-send confirmation and reminders, sharing planned routes, a messaging facility for ride leaders and attendees and other useful features.
With the support of the Committee, funding for a trial membership of Meetup was agreed. A lot of work ensued to establish the Club’s branding on publicity material, negotiating support of BMW dealers, linking with our nominated charity TVAA, extending a welcome to BMW owners who were not yet club members, route planning and posting events for the riding season on our dedicated group page at:
https://www.meetup.com/BMW-Club-Oxford-Motorcycle-Riders/
March 2020
Our first event took place on March 12th and the post on Meetup (details below) gives a flavour of the event. A good turnout of 8 members who enjoyed a brisk gallop through the Cotswolds to our lunch spot at Caulcott.
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Details
This will be the first of our regular, twice a month midweek ride outs for BMW club members and Meetup group riders. James will be leading today´s ride which is 61 miles and will last about 2 hours. The route is mostly on good quality B roads with a few sections of A road. The route avoids busy towns and should hopefully be traffic free. It takes us through some interesting villages on roads with countryside views and flowing bends.
We’ll stop about half way for a short break/leg stretch. We then make our way to the Horse and Groom country pub for lunch. The pub is 10 minutes from the M40/A34/A41 junction for easy access home. I need to confirm numbers for lunch 24 hours beforehand so when you RSVP please indicate in Comments if you are NOT having lunch. After lunch we will scatter home in our different directions.
https://www.horseandgroomcaulcott.co.uk/menu
Meetup at: Mill View Garden Centre Coffee Shop in Wheatley (https://www.millviewgardencentre.co.uk/) before 10 a.m. Coffee and breakfast available from 9.00am
Depart: Riding away at 10.30am – full tank and empty bladder!
Meet us there : If you are not joining the ride today but would like to hang out with fellow members at the lunch spot – that’s fine. Just message James through the Meetup webpage/app.
Route file: : Please have your MyRouteApp open & choose GPX file format with 1.0 version:
https://www.myrouteapp.com/route/open/2708306 (updated 11/03)
Any questions or further information needed? Please message James via Meetup page/app or call/txt mob no. above
# # Please check this listing before heading out in case of cancellation due to bad weather # #
Other important stuff
* A donation of £2 towards Thames Valley Air Ambulance would be greatly appreciated.
* Read our Ground Rules and Disclaimer in the “What we’re about” section.
* View the ´Drop off´ Youtube video links in the “What we´re about” section.
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Sadly, the UK was overtaken by the COVID-19 pandemic and on 23rd March a lockdown of the country was announced, which although slightly eased, remains in force at the time of writing (May 17th).
Future Events
Our optimism remains. Currently we are hopeful that subject to the infection rate decreasing, that more social activity will be taking place commencing in July. If that is the case, we hope that the following weekday rides will commence from 9th July. If not, dates will be re-scheduled !
July 9th https://www.meetup.com/BMW-Club-Oxford-Motorcycle-Riders/events/268224196/
July 16th https://www.meetup.com/BMW-Club-Oxford-Motorcycle-Riders/events/270204043/
July 22nd https://www.meetup.com/BMW-Club-Oxford-Motorcycle-Riders/events/268776562/
Aug 13th https://www.meetup.com/BMW-Club-Oxford-Motorcycle-Riders/events/268405278/
Aug 26th https://www.meetup.com/BMW-Club-Oxford-Motorcycle-Riders/events/269607154/
Sept 9th https://www.meetup.com/BMW-Club-Oxford-Motorcycle-Riders/events/270142880/
Sept 23rd https://www.meetup.com/BMW-Club-Oxford-Motorcycle-Riders/events/268798987/
Oct 1st https://www.meetup.com/BMW-Club-Oxford-Motorcycle-Riders/events/268778152/
Oct. 8th https://www.meetup.com/BMW-Club-Oxford-Motorcycle-Riders/events/268375117/
Originally posted 2020-05-17 19:26:57.
