BMW Club Oxford Section Report for October 2018

Change of Venue

With immediate effect the pub social based at the Prince of Wales, 60 Barrow Rd, Shippon, Abingdon, OX13 6JQ has been moved to:-

The Cherry Tree, 33 High Street, Steventon. OX13 6RZ

R1250 Crowd Sourced Road Test project

We would like to invite members to test (at your leisure) both GS and RT R1250 models with the main focus would be the new engine of course.

We would then report your views under a small number of key headings:-

• 1250 engine impressions (power/torque/noise)?
• VVT system in operation (can you detect operation?)
• R1250 in operation, what’s it like to ride?
• New exhaust system
• Slipper clutch
• Dynamic Hill Start Pro (new modes and operation)
• Overall impressions: better than the R1200, would you buy one?
• New technology on the bikes, do it enhance your riding experience?

Send all your comments / suggestions to dave.tomlinson@bmwoxford.comSocial Secretary for the Oxford Section

October 5 – 8 Section Weekend – Northfield Hotel, Minehead

We all made our way either via a well organised and attended or ride in (led by Dave Shanks and ably assisted by Geoff Clough) or separately to the very welcoming Northfield Hotel in Minehead.

The event kicked off in style with complimentary tea and buns at 4pm, then a separate (rebel) group, made their way into town, just to check that the local Weatherspoon’s was still working!! It was a led onto a memorable dinner and drinks in the bar….

The following morning started very grey and wet! The majority (of sensible) people made their way to the West Somerset steam railway https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/to enjoy the delights of the track all the way to Taunton, with multiple interesting stops on the way.

As I hadn’t visited the area before, I was keen to explore the Exmoor wilds and waited with bated breath for the rain to subside which it di around midday.

There are numerous stories of daring do but Porlock Hill on a wet autumnal day with lots of leaves was tremendous fun. If you haven’t visited the North Devon coastline, the roads and views are superb, at least there is little traffic in October!!

Better weather on Sunday meant that a lengthy ride out to various scenic spots on the coast and inland ensured together with a hearty lunch, very enjoyable.

Many thanks to Dave Shanks and Geoff Clough for organising an excellent hotel weekend in Minehead. I think the very enjoyable ride out on Sunday should be known as the ‘Valley of the Crisps’ run for reasons well known to the participants We are looking forward to the next hotel weekend already.

October 8^th– SNR Aerospace Bristol Steve Moxey

On the way back from Minehead we had an SNR to Aerospace Bristol at Filton. The attendees were dropping like the proverbial flies (mechanical, punctures etc) so it ended up with just Tim & Jill and the two of us.

This was my second visit to Aerospace Bristol and it is a fantastic museum, one of the guides told me they had had more than 160,000 visitors in the first 12 months against a plan of 50,000. On the way back ,we stopped in Bath for the local delicacy the famous Bath Buns – they were delicious

October 19^th– SNR Boscombe Down Aviation Museum Ian Cummings

The original ride was scheduled for a Sunday, unfortunately a named storm and torrential rain brought that to an untimely end.

Not to be thwarted the original team planned an exceptionally interesting and varied route, with little or no traffic, roads in superb condition and sun – they are obviously the men to know.

The museum based at Old Sarum Airfield is an aviators delight and well worth a visit if you are in the area http://www.boscombedownaviationcollection.co.uk/

October 24^thSNR to Solent Sky Museum Steve Moxey

We had a good SNR run to The Solent Sky Museum in Southampton. We had 11 attendees in total, a very good turnout. https://www.solentskymuseum.org/

The weather was kind and we called in at the Harley dealer at Dock Gate 20, with an excellent cafe for a snack. After a pleasant ride on some small lanes we visited the Waitrose Farm Shop for cakes and cream teas.

October 28^th– Annual Skittles Match

The Oxford Section was planning to once again dominate the friendly skittles challenge against the Western Section at the Old Royal Ship skittles alley that we enjoyed last year.

After enjoying the sandwiches, sausage & Chips as well as the al la carte menu for some members, the “serious” competition. After much “nashing” of teeth the first victors were Western Section who bowled spectacularly well showing that the 12 months of practice were paying off!

The second session was won by Oxford, so the result was a well deserved draw

Sat Nav Event – Steve Moxey

BMW Navigator V,VI Top Tips guides available so that members can get a copy for a £5 donation to TVAA, a very good cause to support

Future Events: December 2018 / March 2019

December 9^thChristmas indoor meeting: Uffington village hall, mince pies, cake, etc. Speaker: Nigel Richardson 14.00. Travel Talk nricho53@gmail.com

December 9^thRide out: Charity Reading Toy Run Chris Bond chris.bond@bmwoxford.com

January 1^stNew Year Day Social– Lock, Stock & Barrel, 104 Northbrook Street, Nr the Wharf, Newbury, RG14 1AA from 12.00.

January 13^thBring & Buy Sale: Uffington Village Hall, SN7 7RA; Food available & Seller set up from 13.00. Sale starts at 14.00.

February 10^thINDOOR MEETING:Uffington village hall, soup & food, Speaker: Geoff Clough 14.00. Travel Talk Isle of Man Geoff Clough geoff.clough@bmwoxford.com

February 17^thTen Pin Bowling: Southern vs Oxford at Newbury Bowl. Bob Mack bob.mack@bmwoxford.com

February 24^thSunday Lunch: Hongxin Chinese, Pepper Box Hill, Peatmoor, Swindon SN5. 12.00 for 12.30 Martin Skennertonmartinsken@hotmail.com

March 10^thIndoor Meeting: Uffington Village Hall, SN7 7RA.  Speaker Gemma from ROSPA

March 12^thDiamond Light Source Tour, Harwell OX11 0DE 18.30 Catherine Moxey catherine.moxey@bmwoxford.com

March 15 – 17 Spring Weekend Hotel Break – Hotel Collingwood Bournemouth Rob marrionrob@btinternet.comGeoff geclough@gmail.com

March 24^thSunday Lunch: Astall Leigh Rosemary Hicksrosemaryhicks@hotmail.com

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