BMW Club Oxford Section Report for June 2018
20thMarch onwards – Venue Change
Our Pub Social is moving home, please make a note of the new address: Tawny Owl, Taw Hill, North Swindon, Swindon SN25 1WR
6thMay – Haynes Motor Museum – Noel Robertson
Feedback on the day: Thank you Noel for a well thought out and very interesting route to the Hayes Motor Museum. You clearly put a lot of time and effort into the planning which was appreciated by all that attended. The route on the way home was led by Geoff Clough who was followed by the six amigos…… Fine scenery and a cracking pace well done!
10thJune – Devils Dyke – Carl Flint
We assembled on the M4 East Services between junctions 12 and 11 had a briefing from myself and the TEC for the day, Ray Cawte. We had a steady ride down through Hook, Alton, Selbourne, Liss and Rogate to our first stop after about 90 minutes at the Cowdray Estate Coffee and Farm Shop at Eastbourne near Midhurst. Lots of coffee and cakes were consumed, to set us up for the next section.
We then went to Petworth and Wisborough Green on the A272 and then turned off south to Adversane, Ashington and Wiston, getting on the A283 as far as Bramber and then up to Devil’s Dyke through Fulking and Poynings.
18 bikes got to Devil’s Dyke and had a very good pub lunch that was good value and given it was a Sunday, with a lot of the public around, the service in getting the food out was good too. Many bikers decided to call it a day so only eight bikes set off for Beachy Head. My route took us through Clayton, Ditchling, Westmeston, Plumpton, Offham and then a slight mishap with the Sat Nav took us into the south of Lewes but out again to Ringmer, Laughton, Lower and Upper Dicker and dropping down across the A27 to Alfriston, Friston and finally Birling Gap.
The ride into Beachy Head is great with a very fast open road on the top of the downs winding down beautifully to Birling Gap and Beachy Head. Tea and other refreshments were taken, including ice creams of course and then everyone set off back home.
This what my route looks like from the Where Have I Been app on the Nav V, a total of 231 miles. The ride out was enjoyed by all bikers having a thoroughly good day out in some magnificent country in the South Downs.
A view from Steve Moxey: We had an excellent ride out today to the Devil’s Dyke and Beachy Head. Many thanks to Carl Flint and Ray Cawte for a very good day. There was a good turn out, about 20 members. Our first stop was Cowdray Park near Midhurst for coffee, and then to the Devil’s Dyke for lunch and the final leg to the Birling Gap was completed by 10, two even made it on to the beach. The weather was very good, and we covered 262 miles from Newbury I expect those near Oxford may have covered more than 300 miles. The scenery was wonderful, and we benefited from the diligent planning Carl had put in to the trip, we might even ride the route again sometime
26thJune – Cassington Bike Night Dan Bakewell (Organiser)
From all the bike night committee, thank you so much for donating your time and experience to helping with marshalling last night, the night was a huge success and you all played a part in making it so.
We accomplished our key objective and had no reports of any accidents or injuries which, with thousands of motorbikes and pedestrians mingling in the heart of a small village, is fantastic. You also all helped to move thousands of motorbikes to the right places and kept everything flowing lovely, well done all. Finally, and by no means least, the bucket shakers raised nearly £3000 to be split over our four village charities which is incredible. On top of that will be the substantial income the local charities make from burgers, bacon rolls, teas, cakes and storing helmets, which couldn’t happen without your marshalling.
Special thanks to our first-time marshals for taking the plunge and we hope to see you back next year. Particular thanks to Jane Bishop who spent the entire evening in the control bunker keeping us all in the right places at the right times. Thanks to the BMW Bike Club for sending so many marshals over, and particular thanks to John Broad and Rosemary for encouraging the numbers upwards. Thanks also to the School, OAGAM and CMA for their marshalling, we are particularly grateful to the CMA for managing one of the busiest and toughest spots at the entry point to the big bike park, and sticking at it well after their slot ended!
We’ll get some photos up on the main website soon, but local photographer Anthony Morris has published this excellent review of the evening on his site here – https://www.flickr.com/photos/anthonypmorris/sets/72157698410924765/
Very many thanks again, and we look forward to seeing you again in 2019.
28thJune – Cotswold Ride Out – John Ottaway
Just x3 of us turned up. Zenon, Nick and myself.
An easy start as we wound our way on country roads past Bicester to Banbury before taking the road to Shipston on Stour, with sunny weather we had great views along here with plenty of lovely villages en route.
Some 1 3/4 hrs since starting we arrived at Watsonian Squire in Blockley, a really down to earth production team specialising in sidecars and Royal Enfield’s. Stuart greeted us and offered us tea straightaway. (Top bloke) . We then had a walk around (no pressure) and enjoyed time talking to the team. Shane etc.
A GS rider even turned up to test ride the New 400cc ‘Himalayan’ . Nick could ‘flat foot it’ when sat astride it, looked good.
We left to go to a local pub for lunch, joined here by Steve M (recovering from foot operation, so travelled up in the car !!) we spent an hour putting the BMW world to rights!! (If only they would listen)
Then we went are separate ways. Zenon and myself went via Bourton on the water, for Ice cream time (He informed me the fish and chips are great at this location ..so we may have another early evening ride out soon .) Watch this forum.
A really pleasant day.
Oxford Section Sat Nav Project and Survey
Earlier in the year we announced the start of the Oxford Section Sat Nav Project between the Oxford Section and North Oxford Garage. The aim of the project is to improve our collective knowledge of how to use our Sat Nav’s and to help members get the best from them.
We have produced an electronic newsletter, and now we are working on a booklet supported by a local dealer of top 100 tips. The first of a number of workshops is organised for January addressing some of the issues identified by our members.
Drop me a line if you would like an insight into the results
Future Events: July / October 2018
July 2 Ludgershall Bike Night: Section stand. Dave & Rosemary Hicks rosemaryhicks@hotmail.com
July 7 – 8 ACU Rally: Carterton Checkpoint. Andy Lawson harvest.moon@ntlworld.com
July 7 – 14 Isle of Man: Staying at the Empress Hotel, Douglas. Rosemary Hicks rosemaryhicks@hotmail.com
July 8 Ride out: Super Sausage Cafe. Leave Costa Thame 10.30 Dave Tomlinsondave.tomlinson@bmwoxford.com
July 22 Ride out: John Hillier 27johnhillier@gmail.com
July 28 Calne Bike Event: Section stand. John Russ john.russ1942@gmail.com
July 29 Ride out: Nuffield Place, Henley on Thames RG9 5RX. Steve Moxeysteve.moxey@bmwoxford.com
August 12Brackley Festival of Motorcycling: Section stand. Dave Shanks dave.shanks@bmwoxford.com
August 16–19 Red Kite Rally: Camping White Mark Farm,82 Hill Road, Watlington OX49 5AF. John Ottaway jwocott@btinternet.com
August 19 Section BBQ: White Mark Farm, 82 Hill Road, Watlington OX49 5AF contact Dave & Rosemary Hicksrosemaryhicks@hotmail.com
August 19 Ride out: Section BBQ Meet 11.00 Tim Bolderstontim.bolderston@bmwoxford.com
September 9th: Ride Out Henk Gouws hgouws@ymail.com
October 5 – 8 Autumn Weekend Hotel Breakstaying at the Northfield Hotel, Minehead contact: Dave Shanks dave.shanks@bmwoxford.com
October 7RIDE OUT:Meet Newbury Wharf Ian Cummins i.cummins@outlook.com
October 28 Skittles challenge: Western Section v Oxford. The Old Royal Ship, Luckington, Wiltshire, SN14 6PA. contact: Dave Tomlinson dave.tomlinson@bmwoxford.comor Denis Bradbeer western.social@bmwclubuk.net
Don’t forget to make a note of the dates from the trifold calendar that you wish to attend into your diaries, we will also be updating the website regularly and posting on Facebook.
Here’s to safe riding and some good weather.
Dave Tomlinson
dave.tomlinson@bmwoxford.com
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