BMW Club Oxford Section Report for June 2016
June the first is, according to the weather men on TV, the official start of meteorological summer; yippee! It’s no wonder the British are always talking about the weather as it varies so much from day to day.
Back on the 8th of May Brian & Lillian Garforth led a group of intrepid riders out to find the BBC’s idea of the bendiest road in Britain, which surprisingly isn’t in Scotland. As Timothy Oates said of the ride “not knowing or remembering where Zig Zag hill was, I was in it and through it before I had time to worry about dropping it in front of my peers, thank God!” I think Phil Carter summed up the day as “great organisation, fantastic route, and incredible weather – exemplary!” It was also good to see some new members on the run; this should entice them to join in more of the sections activities.
On the 14th May John Ottaway, ably assisted by Geoff Clough, led some 13 riders on an interesting ride through the Cotswolds to the Rohan shop in Bampton. Taking in Woodstock, Chipping Norton and Stow on the Wold for a pee stop had me wondering if John had the wrong Rohan as there is one at Stow as well. Bibury always looks like a chocolate box picture apart from the mass of tourists but it wasn’t far from there through Lechlade and into Bampton. With a bit of judicious bike juggling, the section got most of the bikes parked outside the shop. Rohan’s Karen Bradshaw looked after us very well with tea and biscuits and many spent more than they possibly intended but then you do pay for the technical quality of Rohan products. Arrangements for the Oxford Section to take over half of the Romany Inn next door for an excellent buffet lunch meant people could wander between food and shop. The comment heard “now a few quid lighter but richer for the experience” is very apt.
The following day, Chris Bond led a group to the Ace Café without using the motorways and with a stop off at the ‘Deep Mill Diner, Great Missenden’ for breakfast, providing another ride through some of England’s finest countryside. Yet again the sun shone to make a perfect day.
Chris also arranged a ride out to the “Bike Shed” on the 29th May, which if you haven’t heard of it is a fantastic show of custom bikes and well worth seeing. Or as Chris put it, “We will have a leisurely jaunt through London to the East End and our destination at Tobacco Docks hopefully arriving just before midday for an afternoon of Motorcycling pornography”. With a stop off for breakfast at the Ace Café after an early start, everyone had a very enjoyable day.
We are indebted to John Ottaway again for leading another superb ride to the Brecon Beacons on the weekend of the 22nd & 23rd May. Dave Shorten commented “We had some real master classes of riding ability both dry and wet, led as always by John. Terry displayed how his RS can handle the twisties (shame it didn’t like puddles), Geoff demonstrated the confidence he has in his new RT, we had new pillions on the trip, new roads, new cafe stops even a couple of river crossings not to mention Ian discovering you can’t start a GSM when it’s in gear. How will John top this one! I for one can’t wait to see”. Like many who read the facebook pages, everyone is now intrigued to know what “Terry’s little tool” is or does?
As I write this some people will be out there near Lechlade on Dave Hawkins camping weekend, an event that requires good weather. Although cloudy today, tomorrow is destined to be very sunny and hot, perfect camping weather. Dave will be leading a ride out through the lovely Cotswolds to Burford on the Saturday, nice and cool for riding but more in the next report.
Lots of Bike nights in the local villages, with Cassington being the major one. The section stand will be at most so pop along and say hello. The 10th July has a ride out to Worcestershire to climb Abberley Clock Tower, should be fun.
A midweek special has been organised by Rob Allin to visit the Morgan car factory on the 18th July but if you wish to go you must pay the section the £25 prior to the event; no payment on the day as this is for the included buffet lunch and to reserve your place on this tour. For more information, email Rob Allin marrionrob@btinternet.com or phone him on 01235 850111.
Talking of food, the section BBQ is rapidly approaching down at the Savernake Forest on the 7th August. The coordinators of this event are Bob and Ann Mack (01235 767221) and they would appreciate any assistance with people willing to bring salads, coleslaw, and all those other nice things to go with the BBQ’d meat. Anyone willing to bring another superb fruit salad or especially another of those wonderful pavlovas will be welcomed with open arms.
What a fantastic range of rides, food and fun we can look forward to get out there and enjoy it.
John L Broad
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