BMW Club Oxford Section Report for May 2019
May 12thRide Out to Whitchurch Silk Mill – John Broad
After a bit of a segregated start from the Esso Garage in Bicester caused by the problem that is the hamburger roundabout and mass traffic lights near Bicester Village, everyone was able to follow the ‘drop off system’ along country roads. As befits the very sensible riders of the BMW Oxford Section, consideration for other road users hopefully left an impression that even with that number of riders can have an enjoyable ride with the least disturbance to the community.
On arrival at the Mill a whole coach park section had been marked out for the Club to park in but even so the run was so popular that some had to use a few car parking spaces.
With two guides ready to take groups round to educate the members of the club on the history of the site, the processes involved in spinning, setting up the looms and the different types of weave that can be produced, everyone had an enjoyable learning experience.
To complete the day a room set out just for the group with excellent tea, coffee, cream, jam and superb scones just left us to thank the staff at the Mill for their excellent service.
Although the Whitchurch Silk museum is called a ‘mill’, this is not technically correct as it doesn’t ‘mill’ anything as flour ‘mills’ do. The waterwheel is an undershot type due to the surrounding flat terrain, which although not so efficient as an overshot type it has sufficient power to run the pulleys that used to run the weaving machines. As with ‘windmills’, some of the teeth on the bevel drive cogs are made from apple wood and can be readily replaced as they wear.
Special thanks must of course go to Rosemary and David Hicks for all the detail arrangements, an excellent route to ride and for somehow arranging the perfect weather.
May 17th– 19thLudlow Weekend – Steve Moxey
The Ludlow and Wales weekend organised by Carl Flint was absolutely brilliant we all had a great time. Carl worked us all hard during our 220 mile ride around Wales with Ospreys and Lake Vyrnwy. On Sunday we finished off with a guided tour of Ludlow Castle with Lady Caroline. The Cliffe at Dinham was first rate. Hopefully Carl will be able to arrange a return trip in 2020?
May 25th– June 2ndScottish Trip – Dave Tomlinson
We met up at the first hotel, the Edenhall Country Hotel in Penrith, where we were made very welcome after a traffic filled and wet journey. Luckily the rooms were large and comfortable so a quick change and off to the bar for some “refreshments”…
The following day Tim Read, who had kindly organised all the routes, led us to the West End hotel in Fort William via some excellent tea stops, Rannoch Moor and Glencoe, which of course welcomed us with its normal gusty, wet weather – lovely!
We were surprised in the morning with a clear and sunny day, so off to Skye we went via the Eileen Doonan Castle, lovely tea shop and a quick stop at the Talisker distillery, highly recommended but no café…. The roads were dry and in excellent condition and the traffic almost non existent and quickly dealt with, what a motorcycle paradise! We then returned to Fort William for another excellent evening of fun and frivolity….
Our next day saw us heading for Dunnet in the far North, via Ullapool. Again the weather was bright, sunny and warm, perfect! Some of the team elected to go a direct route from Ullapool, Steve Moxey and I decided to go on the coastal route, which is part of the NW500 route, mostly single track with passing places with amazing views, well wort a trip. We finally landed at the Northern Sands Hotel where we were made very welcome.
The following day was again dry and bright and we took the opportunity to visit the many attractions along the northern coast, culminating at “john o groats” which incidentally isn’t the most northerly point……
The following day was a more damp and overcast day, turning into rain as we approached the cairngorms and our overnight stay at the Glen Lui. Again excellent accommodation and made very welcome. The restaurant was closed so we found a local Indian Restaurant, where a very entertaining evening was had by all…
More to follow!
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 Thames Valley Air Ambulance and £1.50 postage, a very good cause to support
Future Events: June 2019 / August 2019
June 9thRIDE OUT: To Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes Steve Moxey steve.moxey@bmwoxford.com
June 15th– 22ndOxford Section Austrian Trip– Hotel Weisseespitze contact: Martin Skennerton martinsken@hotmail.com
June 24thCassington Bike Night:John Broad john.broad85@talktalk.net
July 1stLudgershall Bike Night: Section stand Dave & Rosemary Hicks rosemaryhicks@hotmail.com
July 6th– 7thACU / BMF Rally, Carterton Checkpoint. Ian Dobie ian.dobiesnr@btinternet.com
July 7thRIDE OUT:Mystery Tour Andy Byatt andrew.byatt@icloud.com
July 9thUpton (previously W. Hagbourne) Bike Night: Section stand – Graham Chapple gjchapple@googlemail.com
July 14thRIDE OUT:Mystery Tour, Mike Barnard mike@glebe-farm.co.uk
July 27thCalne Bike Event:Section stand – John Russ john.russ1942@gmail.com
August 11thBrackley Festival of Motorcycling: Section stand – Paul & Sally Lambert sally-paul-lambert@hotmail.co.uk
August 18thSection BBQ Savernake Forest: Zenon Krafft zk@krafftandco.com
August 18thRide OUT: Section BBQ, Savernake Forest Tim Bolderstontim.bolderston@bmwoxford.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
dave.tomlinson@bmwoxford.com
