BMW Club Oxford Section Report for November
I have to start with a very sad note this month.
It is with deep regret and sadness that I have to inform you that Geoff Steele passed away on the 19th October having succumbed to injuries he sustained in a collision with a car whilst riding his R1100S. The incident is still under investigation by Thames Valley Police.
Geoff had been a long standing and very active member of The BMW Club, the AJS & Matchless Club and the Velocette Owners Club. He was a very accomplished and advanced level motorcycle rider.
Our thoughts are with his son Martyn and his family.
The Plas Menai weekend went very well as Tim Read said “a great weekend including a ride-out in Snowdonia and around the Lleyn Peninsula on the Saturday and sailing and power boating on the Sunday. Most of the rain fell overnight and so there was plenty of autumn sunshine to enjoy”.
The last of the regular Sunday ride outs for this year was led by John Hillier to the Vyne National Trust property on the 12th October. John reported “A foggy day greeted us on the day of the ride out to the Vyne but at least it was not raining! At Newbury wharf the car park was already full of beemers and their riders, nineteen bikes and twenty three people set off on a round the houses route to the Vyne National Trust property; unfortunately the fog shrouded the beauty of the countryside. A coffee stop was made at the Wellington farm shop, where we filled the café and where some people decided to purchase some of the quality though expensive produce. When we had eaten and drunk our fill we carried on to the Vyne at Sherborne St John. The Vyne was excellent with its beautiful grounds, unusual and ancient architecture and a history that included such characters as Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Catherine of Aragon. Thanks to all those who made the effort to come on the ride out, especially good to see new members Dave and Tracey Griffiths from Swindon. Thank you to my friend Andy Clowes for doing the tail end job”. And of course the Section thanks to John for organising and leading the run.
On the 26th October the Western Section had their opportunity to overcome the defeat at skittles against the Oxford Section last year. I know they have been putting in extra training whereas the Oxford Section just used their inherent skills. The contest took place at the Wellesley Arms, Sutton Benger and, with all that extra training paying off, the Western Section won. Steve Moxey said “Congratulations to Western section on a good win it was very close in the second match. The Oxford team tried everything including Zenon throwing himself down the skittles alley in a vain attempt to knock over more skittles!” The sausages, chips and beer didn’t really help Oxford members but the pub really did a good job looking after everyone and deserves our thanks.
Sunday the 9th November will have been the Section AGM and the first of the winter indoor events at Uffington Village hall. The Photographic Competition, that was an idea from Geoff Steele with targets set by him, will have been judged and the winners will be off to enjoy their superb prizes. With many thanks to MotoGoLoco, Bahnstormers and North Oxford Garages for providing the awards.
The Natter Night locations all have Christmas meals arranged and members should book their menu choices and places soon, if they haven’t done so already.
The riding season is not over though as the weather can often be fine and sunny, if a little chilly, at this time of the year. With the First World War 100th Anniversary taking place at many sites, maybe now the mass of tourists have left might be the time to visit them. A few of the members have been to see the amazing ceramic Poppies at the ‘Tower of London Remembers Memorial’ and Bob Mack rode in to park very near the site. We have all been amused by the antics of one member who tried to use his GPS to get there and ended up going round in circles before giving up and going home to throw the GPS in the bin! I liked Bob’s suggested navigation instructions for him on the Face Book page “Just follow the river and signs for Tower Bridge, if you get to the Bridge you’ve gone 100 metres too far, if you hear a splash you’re in the sea”.
Remember that this is the season for serious ‘SMIDSY’ drivers with misted up windows, ‘so be careful out there.
John L Broad
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