BMW Club Oxford Section Report for February 2015
The winter months can be very variable in terms of the weather with some lovely crisp and sunny days that tempt some to get the bikes out. Whilst modern clothing, often with electric heating, can keep the enthusiastic riders warm, it is the issue of trying to clean the salt off the bike afterwards that is the real problem.
Many of the Oxford section members have been out and about though and a good selection of machines arrived at the Bring & Buy event at Uffington on the 11th January. Although cold, everyone soon warmed up thanks to David & Rosemary Hicks and the dynamic team of kitchen helpers providing and selling hot teas, coffee, soup, bacon and sausage rolls followed by excellent cakes. Once in the hall with all the goodies laid out ready for the exchange of money for all those “things” people needed there was a lively banter and the transfer from the tables to the transport outside. To add to the fun an impromptu auction of goods generously donated by Bahnstormer Motorrad, J&S Accessories and North Oxford Garages raised £88.46.
The Berks, Oxon & Bucks Air Ambulance benefited from added sales thanks to Mike Dore and his stand of Air Ambulance merchandise and donation bucket.
People can donate to the Air Ambulance individually by clicking on the Air Ambulance logo on the website; the section has raised £342 so far, over a third of the way to our target for this year.
There is always something odd for sale at these events and seeing a pair of forks with a front wheel one wag thought it was a unicycle!
The Natter Nights are well attended as it is always good to meet up for a chat in a nice warm pub at this time of the year. The meeting at the Harcourt Arms on the 10th February will be the last for a while though as the pub is being closed for refurbishment. Keep an eye on the email/website/facebook for details of a temporary location for meetings until the work on the pub is completed.
After meeting with Ian Mutch on the Motorcycle Action Group stand at the NEC Motorcycle Live Show, he told me he had an interest in meeting up with some of the members of the BMW Club. As the natter night at The Sun Inn is usually the most popular and has the capability for a short presentation in the side area, Ian came along on the 20th January. As I was unable to make this event Phil Carter looked after Ian and around 20 members found his talk interesting and thought provoking. Phil said that “Ian proved to be an interesting chap with lots of stories to tell plus lots of information on the issues affecting all of us motorcyclists today”. Whilst the BMW Club is affiliated to the BMF, this doesn’t prevent all members from joining the Motorcycle Action Group as individuals and I understand that 5 did so on the night. Ian has written some very entertaining books on his rides to various places around the world and sold a few copies to the members present. For more information go to the MAG website at http://www.mag-uk.org/en/index/a6296
If members wish to try having speakers on these natter nights please let me know. The evenings are really social events but a short presentation can get people talking.
With quite a few nice old bikes tucked away in members sheds and garages many are also members of the VCR (no, not an old video recording system but the Vintage & Classic Register). The Oxford Section welcomed the contact from Peter Ardron, secretary of the VCR, asking for support. John Wheeler has volunteered to be the representative for the Oxford Section VCR members and I know that members with nice old bikes will be able to assist him with this task.
There is more food with the excellent Sunday Lunch at the Sudbury House Hotel and one more indoor meeting before the Hotel weekend in Bournemouth with Rob Allin in March.
The days are getting longer and the feeling that spring is not far away helps us to look forward to a good biking season.
John L Broad
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