LindumColonia

UKChapterHOGCommittee2019/2020

PaulRedheadChapterDirector

IanJenningsDealerPrincipal

SteveWallisAssistantDirector

PeteAbbottHeadRoadCaptain

WendyHoneySecretary

DebraSeedTreasurer

DaiGunterEditor

CharlieGordonWebmaster&Membership

AnnCozensLadiesofHarley

MikeRichardsonHistorian

AlanBucklandSafetyOfficer

KirkNicholsonMerchandising

ChristineNicholsonMerchandising&Activities

AlisonHarrisonActivities

AdrianHarrisonPhotographer

BonnyWallisCharity&Activities

-____________________________________________________________

ContactDetails:editor@lindumcoloniachapter.com

Greetings&Salutations…fromPaulRedhead,ChapterDirector

Wellletmestartwith‘NothingHasChanged’.Yes,nothinghaschangedsinceIlastcommunicatedwithyouall-theruleshaven’tchanged.We’restillrestrictedastohowmanywecanridetogether,noclubnightmeetingsandnogatheringsofpeoplemorethan30orlessthan30ifitsfromtwohouseholdsorless–unlessyouareinapub,inTesco’s,inatrafficjam.Andthatleadsmetomynextbit.Patience.Ireallydohavetothankyouallforyourpatience.Idon’tthinkitwillbemuchlongerbeforewecanlegallygettogetherasaproperclubagain,butuntilthen,staypatient.

Andtalkingofraves,wehadourfirstvirtualclubnightlastmonthviathatZoomthingyonthecomputer.Ihadmypersonalassistantsetmeup(Markwhat’s-his-name–ohyeah,Nick,that’sit)onthecomputer(awizardheis)andwewereflyingwithabout20ofus(includingIanJenningsandhisgoodlady,whotunedinfromhiscampervanupinScotland)enjoyingabitoffriendlybanterandsuch.Makesureyoutuneinforournextvirtualmeeting;it’spropergood.

WhatafantasticjobPete,ourHeadRoadCaptain,isdoing.WiththehelpoftheRoadCrew,he’smanagedtoorganiseride-outsthataresowellattendedthattheaverageturnouthasbeenasgoodas,ifnotbetterthan,pre-Lockdownride-outs.That’sbrillandwellworthavirtualapplause;sothankyouRoadCrewforputtinginsuchanefforttokeeptheheartoftheChaptergoingstronginthesetryingtimes.Also,whataboutthecharitystuffthatBonnyandherlittlehelpershavebeendoing?I’msureyou’llgetadetailedreportfromBonnyinthemagazine,butIcantellyouthatthecharityfundraisinghasnotstoppedandthepotcontinuestogrowtobenefitthosecharitiesthatourChaptercontinuestosupport.Welldonetoeveryonewhohasboughtraffletickets,donatedprizes,etc..

AndwhataboutthosememberswhohaverecentlycompletedtheirCovid-19IronHogChallenges?Brill..!andI’mreallylookingforwardtoreadingsomethingaboutthatintheImp.

Sothat’sitfornow.StaysafeandI’llseemanyofyouattheIBCCon27thSeptemberfortheChapterplaqueviewing.

Paul

WordsfromtheEditor…fromDaiGunter,ChapterEditor

ThegreatthingaboutbeingtheEditoroftheChaptermagazineisthatyougettoreadthesubmissionssentinbeforeanyoneelse,andthiseditionoftheImphasbeenunexpectedlydifferent.How?WellfirstlyIthoughtI’dgetseveralwrite-upsabouttheride-outsastheyhavebeensowellattended,butalas,no–Igotjustone,fromBerniceGordonandyoucanreadthatlater.So,astherewaslittlematerialtofillthepagesIwasbeginningtothinkaboutwhatIcouldconjureupwithsomeramblings–sinceI’venotrambledonforawhile.Butthenalightilluminatedinmyhead‘whatabouttheladswhodidtheCovidChallengerides?’SoIaskedifCharlie/PeteandChriswouldkindlyputsomeinktopaper,andboydidn’ttheyjust..!WhattwobrilliantarticlesontheCovid-19IronButtHogChallenge.IenjoyedeverywordasIwentthroughbotharticlesandaddedpicturestoillustratethemforPaul(helikeslookingatpictures).Andthen,becauseCharliewrotetheCovid-19article,Peteofferedsomethingelse–anabridgedversionoftheHistoryofHarley-Davidsonengines.AlovelypiecethatlinksH-Dmotorsthroughtheages–somucheasierthantrawlingthroughthethickdustybooksandhundredsofpages–alllaidouthere,intheImp,overjustafewpages.Ofcourse,oneofthefirstarticlessubmittedwasfromMrWallis,ourillustriousAssistantDirector.Stevehascontinuedsharinghis

exploitsashe’stouredthecountryandcontinents.Therearetheusualupdatesanditemstoofromsomeofthe‘regulars’–theusual,jawdroppingmaterialwehavesofondlycometoadore(perhapsadoreistoostrongaword,but…).

ThereallygoodnewsisthatIamnowfitenoughtogetbackontwowheels.Betweenlockdownandpersonalrecoveryaftersurgery,thebestoftheweather,itappears,Ihavemissedbutwhocares?Ihavebeenoutforseveralshortridesandattendedmyfirstride-outthisyearasaguestonSteveWallis’sridetoStamford;whichIenjoyedtremendously.Andnow,asItype,Iampreparingtoleadmyfirstride-outthroughthewestofthecountyonaleisurely

bimblethroughClumberParkwiththeride-outterminatingattheHanworthCountryPark,justoutsideBranston–possiblyafuturevenueforamotorcyclerallyasithasalmostalltheboxestickedforalltherequirementsofanevent–cabins,caravan/camping,fishingforPaul&Russ,wellstockedbar&food–allthat’smissingisamarqueeorhallforthelivemusic–butI’msurethatwillcome.

Soallthat’sleftformetodonowistosay‘sitback,relaxandenjoyyourlatesteditionoftheImp,fromthebestHOGChapterintheUK’…

Alltheverybest,Dai.

TheWorldAccordingToWallis…bySteveWallis,ChapterAssistantDirector

Followingonfromouradventure/mishapsinthepreviouseditionoftheImp,here’safewmoresituationsthatwefoundourselvesinwhenontour.

Irelandiseverythingyou’veheard,andmore.Wonderfulhospitalityandfriendlyfaceswhereverwewent,althoughsometimesatunexpectedmoments.InKinsale,abeautifulcoastaltownsouthofCork,wefoundagreatB&Bownedbyaglamorousblondeladywhowelaterdiscoveredhadaneccentriccharacter…Whilelyinginbedearlyonemorning,weweresurprisedwhenthedooropenedandincameourhostessaccompaniedbytwopotentialguestswhosheproceededtoshowaroundourroomwhilstwepulledthecoversuparoundournoses.Afterbarelyacknowledgingourpresencesheandthebaffledvisitorsdepartedbacktoreception!Welatersawherspread-eagledonthedeckofayachtintheharbourwithabottleofwineinattendance!

InIrelandthelegendistrue…youcancomeacrossroadsignspointingtothesamevillageinoppositedirections,andwiththesamemileage!Onetime,whenrunninglatetryingtofindsomewheretostayforthenight,westoppedatagaragetoaskachap(whowasleaningononeofthepumps)ifheknewofanywherelocalwherewemightstay.Inabroadaccent,hesuggestedwegoalongthelaneheindicated,andseehissisterwhowouldlookafterus.Encouragedandrelieved,wefollowedhisdirectionsonlytofindourselvesridingthroughanimpressivegolfcoursetoaveryup-markethotelwhichcostalmostasmuchforonenightastherestoftheholiday.Asweleftnextmorning,theoldguywasstillsatonthegarageforecourtandgaveusabigsmileandawaveaswepassed–setuporwhat..!?

BackinKinsale,weweredowningtheMurphy’s(noGuinnessdownthere),andtimetickedinpastmidnightwithnosignofthepubclosing.Onaskingthebarman‘whattimedoyouwouldstopserving?’hetoldus‘thatwouldbewhenwewenthome’.

WhenIaskedwhatthelocalconstabularythoughtofthat,hesimplysaid‘whydon’tyouaskhim,he’sstoodnexttoyou!’OnlyinIreland..!

InGreece,withBonny’ssisterandpartner(alsonamedSteve)adayofsittingaroundthepooldidn’tlookveryappealing,soSteveandIdecidedtocrosstheCorinthCanalbyferrytovisitatownwhereasteamtrainrantripsintothemountains.Wecheckedthelocalferrytimesforthereturncrossingandhadagreatdaychillingoutinthecoolermountainair.However,onridingbacktotheferryterminal(arampontotheboat)itwasclearthatthestaffhaddecidedtocallitadayandhadgonehome.Alocalsatnearbyhavingasmokeandwithsignlanguageandsomemiming,wemanagedtodiscoverthatanotherferryoperatedabout20milesalongthecanal,butthelastsailingwouldprobablybeinabouthalfhour.Withnomeansofcommunicatingwiththegirls,wehadtogoforit!Luckily,theroadwaswellsurfacedandtrafficlight,andallIcansayisthatRoSPAruleswerenotpartofourthinkingandJoeyDunlopwouldhaveraisedaneyebrowasweblasteddowntothatferry,propelledbyourfearofverbalthrashingfromthegirlsifwedidn’tgetback.Howrelievedweweretofindtheferrystillloading,andinfactitdidn’tleaveforatleastanotherhalfhour,partlyduetothecrewchattingtothequaysidebarownerandgenerallyrelaxing..!Arrivingbackwiththegirlstappingtheirwatches,wedidwhatallblokesdoundersuchcircumstances…blameeachother..!

StaySafe,Steve

RoadNoise……fromPeteAbbott,ChapterHeadRoadCaptain

Ithasbeenquiteayear;itwasdecidedthatonceLockdownwaseasedwewouldcommenceride-outs.The

planwastocomplywithgovernmentguidelinesandplanaseriesofrideswithamaximumofsixmembersoneachride.TheRoadCrewwouldconsistofjusttheRoadCaptainwithnoneedforTECorSweepduetolownumbers.

Fortunately,theChapterhasafantasticRoadCrewwhohavesteppeduptothechallengeandhaveputonsomegreatridesalmosteveryweek.ThisincludessomeoftheRoadMarshallswhohaveledrideswithaRoadCaptainmentoring.Theuptakebymembershasbeenremarkableasthefollowingdatashows…Numberofmembersparticipatinginridesoverallsofar:48Averageattendanceoverallsofar:24Totalnumberofride-outsoverallsofar:33ThefeedbackIhavereceivedhasbeenfantasticsofarandthepicturesthathavebeenpostedconfirmthatwehavevisitedsomeinterestingplacesandhavehad

funalongtheway.Ihaveplannedtocontinuethesameformatuntiltheendofthenormalridingseason(weatherpermitting).

OneeventthatinvolvestheChaptertogetheristheridetotheIBCConthe27thSeptembertorevealtheChapter’smemorialstone.Theformatforthiseventwillbeaseriesofride-outswithamaximumofsixmembersleavingfrom

differentstartpointsallendingattheIBCC.ThestaffatthevenuehaveriskassessmentsinplaceforthiseventsoitdoescomplywithCovid-19guidelines.

ThankyoutoalltheRoadCrewwhohavemadethisworkinthesestrangetimesandthankyoutothememberswhohaveattended.

Pete

TreasuredWords…fromDebraSeed,ChapterTreasurer

NotesfromaNoviceRider…Assomeofyouknow,IdidmyCBTlastSeptemberandbecametheproudownerofaSuzukiMarauder.Withoutgoingintodetail,Ihadaneventfulfirstrideandhadtoberescuedbyacoupleoffriends.Mysubsequentridesweredoingacircuitroundthelocalcountryroads;itwasasteeplearningcurveandIhadtofigureafewthingsoutformyself.Igraduallybegantogainsomeconfidenceandventuredontobusierroads.IwasthrilledwhenIgottothestageofbeingdisappointedwhenIcouldn’tgooutduetobadweather,ratherthanrelievedtohaveanexcuse.However,allthatwentbythewaysidewhenIhadacostlyandembarrassingmoment,whichoneortwoofyounowknowabout!

CominghomeafterarideinwhichIwastryingtogetusedtousingmybackbreak,Iturnedontoourdriveandpulledupalongsidethecar.ImyfootdowntosteadymyselfbutforgotthatitwasthefootthatIhadbeenusingthebreak!Ipanicked,wobbled,andwentdownontothecar.Iwascompletelyshockedandmortified,andcouldn’tpickthebikeup.Luckilyforme,twobikersridingthroughthevillage

sawmeandcametomyrescue.Ihavetoapplaudmyhusbandforhisverbalrestraint,otherwiseknownas‘lostforwords’-averyunusualresponseforhim!Thecarhasthreedents:

onthewheelarch,topofthewingandgoingontothebonnet,plussomescratchesonthebumperandapossibledentonthedoor-mostofthedamagebeingdonebythethrottlegrip.Iamatleastpleasedtosaythatthebikeisundamaged,notsomypride!

Themoststressfulpartoftheeventwastalkingtotheinsurancecompanies.Theinsurancemantookdownmydetailsthensaidthathehadtodothe3rdpartydetails;“oh...that’syou!”HethenstartedtolaughandsodidI;itwasclealyanovelexperienceforhim.Onthebasisthatitwasnotthebike’sfault,butcompletelymine,Iwent

outagaintwodayslater.Afterthatthough,Iseemedtolosemynerve,butforcedmyselftocontinueriding.IamslowlyregainingconfidencebutnotyetbacktowhereIwas.

Upwardsandonwards..!

Deb

TheWeb&TheMembership…fromCharlieGordon,ChapterWebmaster

&MembershipSecretary

AsyouallknowIamtheMembershipOfficerfortheChapterbutexactlywhatdoesthatentail?

WellIamtaskedwithkeepingthe‘topsecret’spreadsheetwithallyourdetailsonitsothatyoucanbecontactedviathee-briefandkeptuptodatewithalltheChapternewsaboutrideoutsandsocialevents.ItallowsmetosendoutreminderswhenyourmembershipisdueforrenewalandIalsohavetocrossreferenceyouagainsttheHarleyOwnersGroupdatabase,asyourChaptermembershipisdependentofyoubeingacurrentmemberofHOGaswell.Whenwegetanynewmembers,IsendthemawelcomeletteralongwithaLindumColoniapatch&pin.Containedinthewelcomeletterarethedetailsofwhatwedoasachapter,linkstothewebsiteandtheLindumColoniamerchandisealsoaninvitationtojoinourChapterFacebookpage.AlsoattachedistheChapterguidetogroupridingsothatifyouhaveneverdoneitbeforeyouknowwhattoexpect.

IcanremembertheveryfirstChaptermeetingIeverwenttoanditwasabitintimidatingseeingallthosepeopleandalotoftheminblackleather.So,ifIknowthereisanewmembercomingalongtotheirfirstmeeting,IwillputonmyredTshirtwith‘Ifyou’renewtalktome’ontheback,andintroducethemsomeofthemembers.

WeareaveryfriendlyChapter,notasbigassomebutquantitydoesn’talwaysmeanqualityandIwouldliketothinkwegooutofourwaytomakenewmembersfeelwelcome.Lastyearwasaparticularlygoodyearfornewmembers.Wehavelostafewmembersthisyearforvariousreasons;somehavegivenupridingduetotheonethingnoneofuscanavoid,growingolder,afewhavesoldtheirbikessocannolongerridewithus.WhateverthereasonhasbeenforlosingthemithasneverbeenbecausetheyhadagrievancewiththeChapteritself.

WearealwayslookingtogrowtheChaptersoweactivelylookfornewmembersandruneventstopromoteit;wewouldalwaysbegratefulofanyideasyoumayhavetohelpwiththat.So,ifyouseesomeoneoutonaHarleyalwaysmentiontheChaptertothemandencouragethemtocomealong.

Thisyearhasseenabigchangeinthemembershipprocedureaslaidoutbelow:-

ChangestotheMembershipProcedure…

Inanefforttoconsolidateandstreamlinethemembershiprenewalprocessitwillbe

undergoingachange.InfutureallmembershiprenewalswillbedueforrenewalbytheendofthemonthofFebruary,itgiveseverybodyachancetorecoverfromtheChristmasexpenses.ThiswillstartasfromFebruary2021.Inthemeantimemembershiprenewalwillbeadjustedtobringeveryoneinlinewiththenewdate.

NO-ONEwillloseoutfinanciallyduringthisperiodandmembershipsubswillbeadjustedtoaccountforashorterperiodofmembershipin2020.Forexample:IfyourrenewalisdueinMarch-March2020toFebruary2021=

11monthssoareductionof£2.IfyourrenewalisdueinApril-April2020toFebruary2021=10monthssoareductionof£4,andsoon.WhenwegettoNovemberanyonewhoisduetorenewthenwillbegiventheopportunitytopay£6extramakingtotalof£26,whichwillcontinueyourmembershipthroughtoFebruary2022.

ThesechangeswillsimplifytheprocessformeandtheTreasurerandgivetheChapterabettercashflow.

Wellthatisallfrommeifyouhaveanyquestionsorcommentspleaseletmeknow.Ihopetoseeyoualloutonarideshortlyandatasocialeventoncethecurrentrestrictionsareliftedandwecangetbackto“normal”whateverthatisthesedays.

Alltheverybest

Charlie

Charity&EventsUpdate…fromBonnyWallis,ChapterCharity

&ActivitiesOfficer

CharitiesUpdate

WiththelockdownIwasworriedwewouldnotbeabletoraisemoneyfortheCharitiesbutwehavemanagedtocarryon,withhelpfromtheamazingsweetsellersAlison,Andi,Tracyandmyself.Thesweetshaveraisedatotalof£660.

TheChapterquizzeshavebeenagreatwaytoraisemoneysothankstoCharlie&Bernandourotherquizmasterswehaveraised£315.00.Thankyoualsoforallthedonationsthathavebeenmade.

AndwehavealsohadourfirstVirtualChapterClubNight,althoughbythetimeyouarereadingthis,wemighthadhadoursecondasit’sdueaboutnow,butifwehaven’tdojoininanddon’tforgetyoucanpurchaseraffletickets–detailsareonCharlie’se-BriefsthatcomeouteveryweekalongwithhowyoucanjoinusforsomesociallydistancedgatheringsinourVirtualChapterClubNight.

So,thetotalsraisedforthisyear’scharitiesare:StBarnabasHospice-£1735.93LincolnshireEmergencyBloodBikeService-£1520.27InternationalBomberCommandCentre-£1500.00Heartlink-£1023.60Edanlincs-£420.00GrandTotalraisedbyyouisafantastic£6199.80Keepupthegoodwork..!Thankyouallsomuch.

Autumn&WinterEvents

OurautumnandwintereventscalendarisstillinprogressaswearestillrestrictedbytheSocialDistancingGuidelinesandLawsaslaidoutbytheUKGovernmentandPolice.SoonceIhavesomethingtosharewithyouwe’llgetitouttoyouviaane-BriefandtheImp.Butinthemeantime,don’tforgetwearestillgoingaheadwithnextyear’sYellowBellyMeleeandIstillhaveacoupleofroomsavailableifyouwanttojoinusforsomesome–dropmealine,givemeacallorjustnabmeononeofourride-outsthattheRoadCrewarebusyputtingonforusalltoenjoy.

Virtualhugs&kissesfromBonny

Covid-19–IronHOGChallenge……byCharlieGordon

Iamnotreallysurehowitstarted,butPeteAbbottandIhadbeenchattingabouttheIronHOGwhenIthinkImentionedthattherewasanewchallengecalledtheCovid-19whereyou‘only’hadtovisit19ofthethen30dealershipsaroundthecountry.Petesaidwecoulddothatanditwillgoodtodoalong-distancerunashisfirstchoiceoftheNationalRoadRallyhadbeencancelledthisyear.IsaidIwoulddoabitofresearchandgetthedetails;inactualfactallIdidwasringAxelThillwhoistheco-ordinatorfortheIronHOGchallengesandjusthappenstobeafriendofmine.HesentmeallthedetailsandthenexttimeIsawPetewedecidedtogoforit;Kevin&Julieoverheardusandaskediftheycouldcomealongaswell.Iwenttoworkonarouteandsentitoutfortheirapproval,weagreeditwasOKandthenhadtodecideonadatetodoit.Thiswasalittlemoretrickyduetoeveryone’svariouscommitments,butintheendwecameupwiththe14th&15thofAugust.

Day1

WearegoingtostartatHarleyworld,Chesterfieldat08:30.Petearrivesatmyplacejustbefore07:00wehaveaquickcoffeeandsetofftoChesterfieldwherewehavearrangedtomeetKevin&Julie.JuliehaspromisedtohaveKevthereingoodtimeandtruetoherwordtheywerewaitingforus.Wehadplentyoftimetosortoutthepaperwork(there’smorethanyouthink)andhaveanothercoffeeasthedealershipwasalreadyopen.

So,wesetoffpromptlyat08:30onourfirstlegtowardstheRobinHooddealershipatNottingham.WehadagoodrundowntowardsNottinghamtheonlyslowpartwasmakingourwaythroughNottinghamitselftoRobinHood.Wearriveandgetthephotosdoneandthelogsheetcompleted;aquick

visittothetoiletandweareoffagainthistimetotheSycamoredealershipinRutland.OnceweclearNottinghamitisaquickblastdowntheA46andthenacrosscountrytoUppingham;norainsofarbutwecanseewhereithasalreadygonethroughand

lefttheroadsdampbutweareinthedry.TheHarleysat-navannouncedwehadarrivedatourdestinationata3-wayjunctionandwithnodealershipinsightwepulledover.Aquicktootfrom

Kevin,andPeteandIformupbehindasheleadsusdowntheroadandaroundthecornertoourdestination.WegettheSycamorephotosoutofthewayandthenwhatwastobecomeourestablishedroutinebegan-Kevheadsforthetoilet,JulieheadsforthesalerailandPeteandIgoin

searchofacoffeeafterallweareaheadofscheduleatthispoint.

WeareallstillOKforfuelsowegetunderwayandsetoffonour

nextlegtothedealershipatNewMarket.ItisapleasantrunacrossmainlycountrysideuntilwehittheA14.Foranyonethatdoesn’tknow,therehasbeenahugeprojecttoupgradethisroad,andanyonewhohastravelledwilltellnotbeforetime.Thesat-navisquiteconfusedforsometimeandglancingatthescreenweappeartobemakingourwayacrossploughedfields.Toaddtotheconfusion,wewillhavetogobackonaroadjoiningfromtheleftthatdoesn’tappeartohavebeenbuiltyet.Wefollowournosesforafewmilesandsuddenlyalliswellagainandwearebackenrouteandthesat-navrecogniseswhereweare.WepullintothenewNewMarketdealership,whichisrelativelynewandmuchbiggerthantheoldone.RoutineisputintopracticebutwearetoldthecoffeemachineisofflimitstocustomersduetoCovid.AssoonastheteamtherefoundoutwewasonanIronHogtheysaidtheycouldmakeusacoffeeifthatwasOK,whatnicepeople.

Wearenow30minutesaheadofscheduleandbecomingquiteconfidentthatwecanpulloffthischallengewithnoproblematall.WeneedfuelandKevinknowswherethelocalTescofillingstationisandleadsusthere.

So,wesetoffbrimmingwithconfidenceforthe65mileruntothenextdealershiponourlistwhichwasatWatford.Theroadsaren’tbusyandwearemakinggoodtimewhenweencountersomerain,butnotenoughtomakeusstopandputonourwets.ItwasallgoingreallywelluntilweturnedofftheshortstretchoftheM1,thetrafficwasquiteheavy

andbythistimetherainwasaswell.Itwasslow-goingnowandnothelpedbyasetoftrafficlightsthatseemedtotake10minutestoturngreen.Theythenallowedonecarthroughbeforeturningredandthewholewaitstartingagain.TheguysattheWatforddealershipwereveryfriendlyandagainmadeus

acoffeewhichweenjoyedinverycomfortablearmchairsupstairs.Thephotosweretakeninside;weputonourwetsandsetoffintheraintocoverthe47milestoLakeside,ournextstop.

AsfarasIcanrememberitrainedonandoffallthewaytoLakesidewhereit

becameparticularlyheavy;thetrafficwasalmostatastandstillsowewerefilteringjusttomakeprogress.Lakesidedealershipwaslocked,youhavetomakeanappointmenttogetinbutwiththemagicwordsIronHogwewereadmitted.PeteandIhadnowdecidedtotryandcollectapokerchipfromeverydealershipwevisit,JuliehassethersightsmuchhigherandappearswithaHDbathmat,abiggrinandthewords70%off.

OurnextdealershipshouldhavebeenWarr’sinEastLondonitwasonlyabout17milesawaybutitwasnow16:30,wewere30

minutesbehindschedule,thetrafficwasatastandstillandtherainwasheavy.AquickvotetodecideshallweskipWarrsanddoSouthamptontomorrowwasaunanimous‘yes’,soweheadedofftoMaidstone.

IttookquitesometimetofilterandsqueezeourwaybackontotheM25andthenovertheDartfordBridge.ItwasdrytheothersideandwewereoffagainmakinggoodtimetowardstheMaidstonedealership.ItwasgoingwelluntilwecametothelastroundaboutandImissedaturningandendedupgoingbackuptheothersideofthemotorway.Petehadfollowedme,butKevinwhohasavastknowledgeofwherethedealershipsaretooktherightturning.HavingzippedupanddownthemotorwayacoupleoftimesPeteandIeventuallyfoundtherightexitandcaughtupwithKevoutsidetheMaidstonedealership.ThedealershipwasjustclosingsowithnotimeforshoppingitisofftoGuildford.

IwaspreparedfortheM25togetverybusythecloserwegottothewestsidesohaddecidedtoturnoffatReigateandskirtroundGuildfordtogettothedealershipthatway.Also,allday,thetrafficnewshadbeensayingtheA3wasshutsoitseemedagoodplan.TheA25isaniceroad

anditwasn’tbusyandallwasgoingwelluntilIreachedtheturningIwaslookingfor:‘ROADCLOSED’wasnotwhatweneeded.So,wewereforcedintonavigatingGuildfordtown,lostevenmoretimeandeventuallyarrivedatthedealershipat19:20.RobinSeymourandhiswifeBeverlyoftheHogsbackChapterhadcomeoverjusttowelcomeusandhandoutsomeverywelcomechunkyKit-Kats.Wedidtheusualpictures,hadanicechatwithRobin,whoofferedsomeencouragementandwordsofadvice.RobinandAxeldevisedtheIron

HogChallengeandhavingcompleted9himself.HeadvisedontheroutetoReading;wesaidourgoodbyes,wentnextdoortorefuelandsetoffonthefinallegofthedaytoReading.

Wehadanuneventfultrip

acrosstoReadingbutduetoanewroadlayoutthe

sat-navwasn’tquitesureofwhereweweresotookusonatourofthelocalroundaboutswhileKevinleftmeandPeteandslippedunnoticedintothedealership.Wecaughtupwithhimafewminuteslaterandgotthephotostaken.Itwasnow20:30andwewere

allfeelingtiredandinneedofsomethingtoeatandashower.Kevin,whoknewexactlywhere

thePurplePalacewas(PremierInn)ledusin.Welockedupthebikesandmadeourwaytoreception,Petewasanxioustogethiswetsoffashewasnolongersureiftheywerekeepingthedampinorout.JuliewasheadingoffforabathwhileKevin,PeteandIsaidwewerejustgoingtodumpourstuffandgetsomethingtoeatintherestaurant.Petewasfirstdownanddiscoveredtherestaurantwasnolongertakingorders.IwasnextdownwiththenewsthattheBirminghamdealershiphadcloseddownsowenowhadtoaddtwomoredealershipstothesecondday.WhileIwasorderingoursecondbeer,Imanagedtopersuadethebarmaidtoaskifitwaspossibletogetacoupleofbowlsofchips.ThechefpoppedhisheadoutandsaidOKandwouldbealrighttojustputtheminonebigbowl;we,ofcourse,saidthatwasfineandanenormousbowlofchipsappearedwithtwoforksandallthecondiments.WhilethiswasgoingonPetewastryingtoorganisetheSundayride-outsfortheChapter.Justbeforeheadinguptobedwedecidedthatitwouldbea

goodideatostartabitearlierinthemorningandagreedtomeetforbreakfastat07:00,thusendeddayone.

Day2

WhilehavingbreakfastKevin,PeteandIdiscussedwhichtwoextradealershipsseemedtheeasiesttoincludeinthetenwehadtodotoday.WedecidedintheenditwouldbeeasiertoincludeBridgewaterandCardiffratherthangotoSouthampton.Ithadbeenrainingovernight,not

unexpected,sothebikesaddleswerewet.PeteaskedmeifIhadanythingtogivethemawipewith.BeforeIcouldsayanything,Kevinofferedtheunderpantshehadwornyesterday,thesewerepolitelydeclined.HethenofferedJulie’s,againwedeclinedthisgenerousofferfornootherreasonthatwefelttheywouldnotbebigenoughtodrythreeHarleys.Withagoodbreakfastinsideus,andthefirstphotosofthedaydone,wesetofftoOxford.WeleftthePurplePalaceandIturnedontowhatIthoughtwastherightroadonly

tobetoldbythesat-nav“makeaU-turn”.TheHarleysat-navdecidedweshouldnotleavewithoutanothertourofthelocal

roundaboutsandhavingcompleteditputusbackontheroadithaddemandedweturnoffinthefirstplace.

WewentacrosscountrytoOxford,theroadswerewetandtheweatherbestdescribedasmurky.HavingturnedofftheA34Kevincametothefrontagainandledusstraightintothedealership.Aswehadalongdayinfrontofus(wehadnoideaofjusthowlongatthatpoint)itwastheusualquickphotosandoffonthelonglegtoBridgewater.

TherewasstillrainintheairandtheroadsweredampbutbythetimewegottojointheM4everythinghaddriedupandwemadegoodtimedownthemotorwaytowardsthejunctionwiththeM5.IamnotsurewhetheritmighthavebeenbettertodoBristolbeforeBridgewaterbuteveryonehasaPhDinhindsightandwedidn’t.JoiningtheM5wasfinebutitbecameverycongestedaswepushedon.Then

downcametherainsowewerenowfilteringformileaftermileinheavyrain;andtheworstthingwasitwaseatingupthetime.WefinallygottoBridgewateratmidday,and

althoughnobodysaidanything,Ithinkweallrealisedwearehalfwaythroughthedayandthisisonlythesecondstopoften,andtomakethingsevenworsetheyaren’tlettinganyoneusetheirtoilets.

AroundthecornerfromtheBridgewaterdealershipwasagaragewherewerefueledandgrabbedacoffeeandasandwichbeforesettingofftoournextportof

call-RidersofBristol.Again,itwasslowwetridebackuptheM5withmorefilteringandheavyshowers,inplacesitwasjustlikesomeoneturningataponandoff.Togettothedealershipitfeltasifwehaddoneatourofthecity,itwasveryneartheentrancetoaretailparkthatwasverybusyonawetSaturdayafternoon.

Photosdone,aquickpeeandwewillbeonourwaybutonceagainwearenotallowedtousethetoilet.Notsureaboutthelogicoflettingyouintobuystuffbutnotlettingyouusethetoiletyoujustinvitingpeopletopeeupyourwalls.

ThenextstoponthelistisCardiff,theonlydealershipthatKevinandJuliehaveneverbeentosotheyarekeentogetthere

hopefullybeforeitcloses.WiththerainstoppedwegetoutofBristoleasilyandaresoonbackontheM4andheadingintoWalesoverthenewestoftheSevernBridges.ThebridgeitselfisquitesomethingandIenjoyedthecrossing.Theroadsareclearandweareoff,cruisecontrolonanditisaneasyridetotheCardiffdealership.Ihavetosaythatthestafftherearereallyfriendlyandinterestedinthechallengeweweretryingtocomplete.JuliehadaquicklookatthesalerailandPeteandIpickedupapokerchipeach.WeleftCardiffatabout15:30andthatwasthelastdealershipwevisitedduringthechallengethatwasopen.

WenowareheadingofftothedealershipinCheltenham,arunof73miles,whichwilltakeusbackacrosstheSevernbridgetolinkupwiththeM5.Wewillbegintostartheadingnorthwhichtomeisthestartofthejourneyhome.ThislegwasuneventfulandwepulledintothegaragenexttoourCheltenhamstoptorefuelagain.Wetooksometimeheretostretchourlegsandhaveabitetoeatandadrink.Photosdoneandlogcompleteditistimetogetgoingagain.

NextstopisWolverhampton,notoneofPete’sfavouriteplaces;hemaintainsitgotbombedduringthewarandnobodybotheredtorebuilditanditstilllookslikeithasbeen

bombed.ThislegisverystraightforwardasitisvirtuallyjustablaststraightuptheM5.Theweatherisdry

andtheroadsareclear,wemakegoodtimeastobehonestourplannedschedulehasnowbecomecompletelyirrelevant.AswegettowithinthelastmileortwoKevinslidesuptothefrontagainandleadsusstraightin,whichisagoodthingastheonlyplacetostopisupasidestreetbesidethemainbuilding.Not

reallymuchtostayaroundforsowegettheusualphotosandlogcompletedandareonourwaywithin10minutes.TheroutefromWolverhampton,althoughnotthefastest,hastobeformethebestofthe

trip.IreallyenjoyedtheflowingcurvesandbendsoftheA41onthewaytoChester.Itwasearlyevening

andwithnotmuchtrafficaboutweareabletokeepupasteady60mphfornearlyalltheway.WearriveatChesterat20:45justasitisstartingtogetdark;againwiththedealershipbeingclosed,oncewehaddonethepaperworkitwastimetobeonourwayagain,thistimetoBowkerHarleyDavidsoninPreston.

WearequicklybackontheM56andagainitismainlymotorwayallthewaythereandasfarasIcanrememberitstayeddryforus.Thedealershipprovedeasytofindandweparkedoffthemainroadnearagym,thiswouldbethefurthestnorthwewouldbegoing.Itwasdarkbynow,BernrangmeandafterItoldherwethoughtwecouldfinishitinacoupleofhoursshebroughtmebackdowntoearthwith‘doyourealiseyoustillhave200milesleft’,IhadnotfactoredinthetripbacktoChesterfieldandthentohome.TheothersthoughtwecouldstilldoitbutagreedtoreviewitoncewegottoManchester.

Petenowofferedtolead,soIfallinbehindhimaswesetofftoManchester,leavingPrestonwaseasyandweweresoonbackeatingthemilesupontheM61.WearegettingabitlowonfuelsoPete

leadsusintotheRivingtonservices.Weallgrabahotdrinkandsomethingtoeat,we

thenhaveaseriousdiscussiontomakeaboutfinishingthechallengeorstoppingforthenightattheLodgeonsite.Youwouldhavethoughtwewouldallbedesperatelytiredbuteachofusagreewewerestillwideawakeandwouldratherfinishtonightratherthanhavingtostartagaininthemorning.Kevinisgettingabitchilled

andhavingemptiedhistopboxandmostofJulie’sclothesontothetarmacfoundthehoodyhiswaslookingforandissoonreadytogoagain.

TheManchesterdealershipiseasytofindandweslipbetweenthebollardstogetintothecarpark,photosdoneandweareoffagainthistimetothelast-but-onedealershipinLeeds.Peteassuresusitismotorwayallthewaythere,noproblemwewillbethereinnotime.WeheadoutofManchesterinsearchoftheM62,asyoucanimaginethereisvery

littletrafficnowandwearesoononourwaytoLeeds.AsweapproachtheHalifaxandHuddersfieldturning,Irememberthatthe

M62isthehighestmotorwayinEnglandandwiththatsuddenlythereisamistappearing.The

furtherwegothethickeritgetscausingustoslowdown;itisactuallylowcloud,justwhatweneed.Thankfullyitonlylastsforabout10minutesandweareabletopickupspeedagain.ThesignsforLeedsarestartingtoappearandthentheheavensopenandwearriveatthedealershipalittlewettosaytheleast;itdidstopforustogetthephotosdone.ItisnowSundaymorningandwehaverealisedthatthecopyoftheSunwehavebeenusingtoprovethedate,isnowoutofdate.IsaidtotheothersthatAxelalsohadthedetailsformytrackersohecouldcheckifhewasinanydoubt.

AfterbackingverygentlydownthesteepapproachtotheLeedsdealership,Peteleads

offforthereturntoChesterfieldandthecompletionofourIronHogChallenge.The

rainissteadynowbutwedon’treallycareasweshouldbehomeina

coupleofhours.ThereisnotmuchtosayaboutthereturntriptoChesterfieldapartfromitiswetanddarkanditisallontheM1untilwegettoSheffield.Itisjustafewmoremilestothedealershipandweallfeelveryelatedwhenwepullin.Afterthephotosthereisabitofsociallydistancedbackslappingbeforesayinghowmuchwehadenjoyedtherideandeachother’scompany.Itisnow02:00onSundaymorningandweareanxioustogethome;

Kevinespeciallyashehashisnamedownforaride-outlateron.KevinandJuliesetoffforhomeandPeteandIheadoffinadifferentdirectionsheadingtowardsGainsboroughwhereheleavesmeandheadstowardsGrimsbyandhome.

Itwasquiteanadventure,andIconsidermyselfveryluckytohavehadthecompanyIhad;theywereallunfailingcheerfulandoptimistic,Idon’tthinktherewaseveradoubtthatwewouldn’tsucceed.IfanyoneelseisthinkingofdoingitIwouldsaygiveitago,andifyouneedanyhelporadviceinplanningitletmeknow.SincewritingthissadlytheLakesidedealershiphasnowclosed.

Charlie(withPete,Kev&Julie)

Charlie’sCheeseHunt……byBerniceGordon

SixofusmetattheA57CaféonSunday9thAugustonwhatwasabeautifulmorning.Thebaconrollstherearetodieforanditissonicetoseethecaféopenagain.Sowewere5bikessettingoffat10:30amandheadingoffacrosscountry,skirtingroundMansfieldtowardsMatlockandthePeakDistrictNationalPark.Asitwasanicedaytheroadswerebusyanditwasquiteslowuntilwearrivedatourfirststoptostretchourlegsandgrabadrink.

OncewegotgoingagainwerodeonmorecountryroadsthroughprettycountrysideuntilwearrivedatthebeautifulvillageofHartington.HartingtonvillageissetintheDerbyshirePeakDistrict,lyingontheRiverDove,closetotheStaffordshireborder.Itisaveryoldmedievalmarkettownfullofcharmwithanarrayofbeautifulstonebuildingsallsetaroundavillagegreenandbeautifulduckpond.Itisverypopularwithcyclistsandwalkersandoneofthemainattractionsisthelocalcheeseshop.Thecheeseshopsellsahugevarietyofalllocalcheese,aswellasalltypesofcrackers,chutneysandaccompanimentstogowiththecheeses.Thestickytoffeepuddingcheddarisafavouriteifyoulikethatkindofflavour.Itisafantasticlittleshopwithfriendly,helpful

staffwhoareveryknowledgeableaboutalltheircheeses.CharlieandIlovecheesesowejusthadtogoinandendedupbuyingthreelocalcheeseswhichhavebeen

delicious.

Wehadallboughtapicniclunchwithus,sopicnicblanketscarefullylaidonthegrassaroundtheduckpondinthesunshine,wesatadmiringtheviewsandtheattentionoftheeverhopefulducks.Itisabeautifulsetting,very

peacefulandtotallyunspoilt.Afterastrollaroundthevillageandasearchfortoilets,itwastimetosetoffforthejourneyhome.CharlieledusbackthroughBakewell,Chesterfield,Worksop

andRetfordbeforewesaidourgoodbyesatTheTrentPortinGainsborough.

IwouldstronglyrecommendavisittoHartingtonifyou’veneverbeen,itissoworthit;youwillnotbedisappointed.

Bern

MemoriesOfAnthonyHarryWaldron15thAugust1941-28thMarch2020

WerememberTonyasaquietbutenthusiasticmemberofthechapterwithadrysenseofhumour.Thiswasveryevidentwhenheranguphisdaughterwhowasworkingathisengineeringcompany,calmlyaskinghertoorganiseacranetocomeouttoaspotbythesideoftheroad.Why..?BecauseTonyhadcomeacropperonhisGoldwingandcouldnotgetoutfromunderitasitwasatthebottomofaditch!

TonystartedridingHarleyslateinlifeattheageof65;allofhisbikesheextensivelyrefinedtosatisfythecomfortandsafetyrequirementsofhislife-longpartnerandwifeJowhowashisconstantcompaniononmostrideoutsandtripsabroad.

Tonywasameticulouspersonandtookgreatpridewitheverythinghedidinlife,fromrestoringanearlyV-RodtodressinguphisnewHeritageSoftTail,buthisgreatestpridewashisfamily:hissonDarrenresidentintheNetherlands,whowefirstmetataBeneluxrallyandonoccasionalride-

outswhenhevisitedhome.HisdaughterMandy;granddaughterandfourgreat-grandchildrenwho

enlivenedourFrankie&Benny’sbreakfastoutingsonmorethanoneoccasion.

HeextendedhisnaturaldiligencetohischapterroleasHeadPhotographer,restoringandorganisingourchapterphotographichistorytothepermanentrecordwhichweseetoday

onourwebsite.

Tonystartedhisengineeringcareerworkingforalightaircraftcompanybeforemovingintothepetfoodindustrythenstartinghisownengineeringcontractingcompany,finallyinsemi-retirementworkingasatutorassistingNVQengineeringstudents.Oneofmytreasuredpossessionsisamodelmarinesteamenginemachinedfromroughcastingsbyoneofhisstudentsunderhisguidance.Aswellas“bikey“photoshealsoenjoyedunderwaterphotographyathisfavouriteholidaydestination,theSeychelles.

RestinPeaceTony,weallmissyou.MikeRichardson,ChapterHistorian

HarleyDavidsonEnginesthroughtime……fromPeteAbbott,ChapterHeadRoadCaptain

AsanextrainthiseditionoftheImp,PetehaspulledtogethersnippetsofhistorytogiveusallanabridgedversionofthehistoryofHarley-Davidsonmotors…

1903EinzylinderMotorThefirstHarley-Davidsonwasnothingmorethanasingle-cylinderengine

mountedonabicycleframe,whichdirectlydrovetherearwheelviaabelt.Thebikehadneitheraclutchnoragearbox.Fromtheoutset,thedesignersattachedgreatimportancetostabilityandquality,whichhasgivenHarley-Davidsonits

reputationasareliableeverydaytooltothisday.Formorethan100years,Harley-Davidsonhasbeenproducingitslegendaryline-upofBigTwinengines.Throughthedecades,varioustechnologicaladvanceshaveledthecompanytodevelopninedifferenttypesofbasicBigTwinmotors.

1909AtmosphericV-TwinFittedto27experimentalmotorcycles,the811cc45°V-Twinmade7bhpandsettheconfigurationofH-D’smotorsforever.

1911-1929F-HeadFirst1000cc,then1213cc,themotorhadawaterproofignitionsystem,andwasdesignedforstreet,police&commercialapplications.

1929-1976FlatheadThisenginehadnovalvesinthecylinderhead–theyweresetofftotheside,providingeasilyremovableheadsforservicing.

1936-1947KnuckleheadTherockercoversresembleaclenchedfistinthefirstH-Dtwintohaveoverheadvalves.Thisarchitecturehascarriedforwardtotoday.1948-1965PanheadAluminiumcylinderheads,hydraulicvalvelifters,improvedoilcirculationandcrankpinrollerbearingsalladdedtothedurability.1966-1984ShovelheadTheoriginalElectraGlidegot12Velectrics,anewcarbandeasilyadjustabletiming.Namedafterthe‘shovelled-out’rockercovers.

1984-1999EvolutionHarley’sfirstenginecreatedusingComputer-AidedDesign.Itranbetter,usedlessfuel,andmademorepowerandtorquethanbefore.

1999-2017TwinCamThesecondtwin-cammotorgotbiggerdisplacement,morepower,bettercoolingandamorerigidengine/transmissionconnection.RevolutionengineInplaceofthefamiliar45-degreeV-TwinenginesthatHarleyisknownfor,theRevolutionengineisaliquid-cooled60-degreeV-Twinpowerhouse.ThisenginehasbeenstandardequipmentonHarley-Davidson'scruiser/musclebike,theVRSC,orV-Rodsince2001.Originallyavailableasa69cubicinchdynamo,the

Revolutionwasbeefed-upto76cubicinchesin2008.Designedtoprovidecompetitiontobothimportedanddomesticpopularstreet/cruiserbikes,theRevolutionengineisactuallyacollaborativeeffortbetweenHarley-DavidsonandPorsche.

Milwaukee-EightengineIn2017thenewMilwaukee-Eightengineislaunched,socalledduetoitssingle-cam-actuatedeightvalves.

Making88.5bhp@5450rpmand111lb-ft@32540rpm,theair/oil-cooled107(1745cc)motorcurrentlypowerstheentire2017TouringRangeofHarley-Davidsons.TheCustomVehicleOperations(CVO)TouringmodelsgettheMilwaukeeEight114Twin-Cooledengine,whichmakes101bhp@5250rpmand122lb-ft@3250rpm.

FutureHarley-DavidsonEnginesDuetoGovernmentpressure,themotorcycleindustryhashadtoresearchanddevelopnewpowerplantsforthemotorcyclesofthefuture.Harley-Davidsonhavedevelopedtwopotentialsolutions:H-DRevelation™PowertrainThepermanentmagnetelectricmotorcanproduce100percentofitsratedtorqueinstantly–it’sthereasonforLiveWire®motorcycle'sincredibleacceleration.It’slocatedbelowthebatterytolowerthecentreofgravityforeasierhandling.Thismotorsatisfiestheneedforamoreeconomicalandsustainablesolutiontoclimatechangeconcerns.Harley-DavidsonDieselEngineRecently,themotorcompanyhastestedanewdieselengineforthetouringrange.Theengine

wasdesignedasolutionforbetterfueleconomy,buttestingrevealedthatemissionswerepooroverall.

Kevin,thetestridersaid,“itdidn’trunwell”.Theprojectwasabandoned.

TheCovid-19IronHogChallenge……byChrisThorpe

RideDay1

NotreallyhavingplannedastowhenIwasgoingtoembarkonthisride,IpreparedmysteedforwhenIwasreadytosetoff.Tyreschecked,oiltoppedup,mapsloadedontomysat-nav,Iwasn’treallysurewhatIwouldneed,buthey,itwasgoingtobeanadventure.FridayeveningcameroundandCharleneandIweretalkingaboutthechallenge,sheaskedmewhichdaysIplannedtodoitoverandIsaidsometimenextweek,dependingonweather.Yes,Iknow,notveryhelpful,buttherewasnorush.Anyway,afterdiscussionsIdecidedtoleaveinthemorning.

ArrivingatRobinHood,afterashort,uneventfulride,which,ofcoursewasclosedatthattimeoftheday,Ifoughtwiththewindtotrytotakeaphotoofmyselfholdingthatday’snewspaper,theclapperboardandthedealershipinthebackground.Well,beforetheadventureevenstartedIwasgettingfrustrated.Fortunately,ayoungladywhoworksatRobinHoodhadjustarrivedandshekindlyagreedtotakethesnapforme.Offtothenextdealershipnowfeelingpositive.

Chesterfieldwasontheagendanext,butthatlegoftheridedidn’tgososmoothly.Myheel-toeshifterstartedslipping,notthefirsttimeeithersinceI’vehadthebike.DaiwillknowtheproblemIhadonaridelastyearwhereIhadtodoalittleroadsidebodgetoenablemetoselectgearsandcontinueontheride.

Anyway,Ihadpurchasedandfittedanewheel-toeshiftersplinelastyear,butitchoosetogiveupagainafewmiles

fromHarleyworld.LimpingintothedealershipannoyedandconcernedthatImayhavetopulltheplugontherideandcallbreakdownbeforeithadevenstarted,IsettoworkstrippingitdowntoseewhatIcoulddo.IdecidedIneededacoffee(possiblysomethingstronger)andthoughtIwouldgettherequiredphoto,inthehopeIwouldbeabletocarryon.Coffeesipped,phototaken,IwentbacktomybikeandrealisedIneededtodosomethingelse.Admittingdefeat,Iwalkedbackintothedealeranduptothepartscountertoaskiftheyhada

newspline.However,luckwasnotonmyside,notintheformIwashopingforanyway.Thechapbehindthecountertoldmethatthemaintechnicianwasbusyallmorningbuthewaspreparedtohavealookforme.Soheproceededtotakemykeysfrommeandtakemybikeroundthebackintotheworkshop.SometimelaterIseemybikeemergeandbeingriddenaroundthecarparkasI’mlookingaroundsomenewbike.Hmmm,maybeitwasn’ttimeforanewonejustyetafterall.QuickrepairdonefromthechapatHarleyworld(forfree,mightIadd),Ifeltmyluckhadchanged.

JustablipuptoLeedsandtheweatherwasholdingoutforme.Sunwasshining-allwasgood.PullingintoLeedsHarley

Davidson,firstthingsfirst,photo.Ablokewasinacarnexttomeandlookedlikehewasfinishinguphiscrosswordandcuppa,sowhenhegotoutIaskedifhewoulddomeafavourandtakemypicture.He,ofcourse,askedwhatitwasforandwhyIneedtoholdthenewspaperandclapperboard,soIexplained,andwishingmegoodluckoncehetookacoupleofsnapswanderedintothedealership,andIfollowedtousetheirfacilitiesandhaveamoochround.NowwhatcanIsayaboutmyridetoManchesterontheM62thatyouprobablydon’talreadyknow?Yes,itwaswet,verywetinfact.Visibilitywaspoor,carsweremakingrashdecisions,butoverall,Ifeltcalm.Ithought,‘IfIgetwoundupoverthetheseidiots,thenthisweekendisgoingtobeverylongandexhausting.’

NowI’venothadanydealingswithanyHell’sAngelsMCmembers,butwhenIsightedManchesterHarleyDavidson,Isawabout40oftheirfinestgatheredinfrontinthecarpark.Irolledin,parkedup,gotoutthenewspaperandclapperboardoutofthesaddlebag,linedupaselfieandachapfromthedealershipapproachedmeandaskedifhecouldtakethephotoforme;ofcourseIaccepted–alreadyIhadrealisedthephotosweregoingtobeanuisance.OneoftheHell’s

AngelsmemberswalkedoverandaskedwhereIwasfromandwhereIwasheadingandwhatthephotowasabout.Webrieflyspokeandthentheyallmountedupandtookoff.Whatasound!

Theownerofthecaféinthecarpark,Route66Café,offeredmeafreecoffee;bargain,eventhoughIwasonlysavingaquid,itwasstillappreciated.

Iwasonlyplanningonhavingaquicklookaroundthebikesinthedealership,butIbetIspentabout45minutestalkingtoaguyfrom

Canada,whohasbeenlivingoverherefor16years.Hewastellingmeheisaretiredprofessoroffinearts,andinhiswords,“HarleyDavidsonpaymetogoofaround”.Heworksonedayaweektobasicallytest

bikes,shattocustomers,whateverandhelovesit.HelivesandbreathesHarleys.ItwasreallyinterestingchattingtohimbutIreallydidneedtocrackonandpushforPreston.

BowkerinPrestonwasnext.Quickpic,quickbrowseintheshop,facilities(again)andbackontheroad.

Weatherwasholdingoutwellforme,apartfromtheM62,Ifeltalittleoverdressedwithmyover-trousersonandalittlewarmtoo.However,Ididcometoappreciatethemlaterthateveningasitcooleddown.

16:15,IarrivedatChesterHarleyDavidson.Theobligatoryselfiedoneandslurpofcoffeefrommyflask,Iwentintothedealershipandpurchasedmythirdpokerchipoftheday:

Manchester,BowkerandChester.Afterhavingabitetoeat,Isaddledupandsetoff.

WithStratstoneinWolverhamptonfirmlyinmycrosshairs,Iwasalittlesurprisedbythelocationofthisdealership.ImustadmitIwasn’twowedorimpressedinanyway.Ithoughtitlookedrundownorneglectedalittlebit.Maybebecauseitwasinthecity-centreandpossiblywiththepollutionandexhaustfumescausingthebuildingstolookalittle‘grubby’,astheydo.Anyhow,picturetakenandoffIwent.

Losingthelightandreadyforachangeofseatasmyderrièrewasgoingnumb;HarleyDavidsonshould’veputmoretimeintotheirR&Dwiththeirseats.IalmostmissedCheltenham’slittleoffering,tuckedawaybehindapetrolstation.InfactIdidmissactuallyandIhadtodoaU-turntopullin.Unfortunatelyitwasclosedsonoopportunitytohavealookround,nevermind,onwards.

Onthewaytomynextstop,IcameupbehindacoupleofSportstersatsometrafficlightinaquaintlittlevillage.Thelightschangedandwesetoff.Nationalspeedlimitsign,andthevillage,disappearsinourmirrorsandtheygunit.Itwasawelcomedinviteforalittlefun,ithadbeenalongdayandittookmymindoffthemileslefttodo,anditinvigoratedme,energisedme.Mytypeofroadsstretchedoutinfront,(notthemilesuponmilesofmotorwaythatoffernointerestorstimulus)justashamethelighthadaboutgone,butfollowingthesetwoitwascleartheyknewthe

roadsanditencouragedmetopushandIusedtheirlightslikeabeaconguidingmeinasalighthouseguidedshipsatsea.Anyway,theyturnedoff,butbeforetheydidtheyput

upahandandwaved,Igesturedbackandwecarriedonourseparateways.

Irememberseeingloadsofcarsparkedatthesideoftheroadandpeoplecrowdingthehedgerows,lay-bys,kidssatoncarroofsoranywheretheycouldfindspaceonmywaytotheOxforddealershipandwonderingwhy,consideringitwaslate.Anyway,selfie

snappedandphonecalltoCharlene(ofcourseI’dbeentextingherateverydealertokeepherintheloopastowhereIwasonmyrouteandtoletherknowIwassafe),itwasnicetohearhervoice,quickchataboutmyday,andhers,andtosaymynextstopwastomybedforthenightatWinnershTriangleTravelodge.Backtothesepeopleatthesideoftheroad,itturnsouttheywerewaitingforafireworksdisplay,aprettybigoneasithappens.Why?I’venoidea.IcaughtglimpsesofitinmymirrorsorwhenturningroundcornersasIwasridingaway.AnicefinishtothedayIthought.Well,Ihadn’tquitefinished;IstillneedtogettoReading.A40-somethingminuterideandIwasatmylodgingsforthenight.Itwasok;clean,pleasant,butsourcingamealthatlatewasn’tonthemenu.FortunatelyIhadafewsnacksleft,soaftereatingthemIturnedinforthe

night.

RideDay2

Ok,soday2camearoundquickerthanI’dhaveliked.Upearly,

breakfast,coffee,flaskmadeupandIwassetfortheday.ReadingHarleyDavidsonwasjustroundthecornerandnexttoapetrolstationsoniceandeasy.Ifuelledthebike,grabbedapaper,grabbedaphotoandoffonthetrektoCardiffHarleyDavidson.

Thejourneywasamixofwindandwet.FortunatelywhenIarrivedintheircarpark,Ihadashortwindowwheretherainstoppedjustlongenoughformetotakethephotobeforeitstartedagain.AquicksplashanddashtotopupandIwasbackontheroadagain.WhenIarrivedatRidersofBristol,thesunhadmadeanappearance-itwasalmostsummer-like.Itfeltnicetojustchillforafewminutes,tohaveabitetoeatandacuppa.

Next,IchosetogotoBridgwaterandCharlieGordonhadwarnedmeaboutthetrafficandamountoffilteringhehadencounteredanddone,butIfeltthatatleastthisdealerwassortofintherightdirectionasopposedtotaggingonSwanseaafterCardiff.Believeme,IalmostwishedIhad,however,Ithinkthetimedifferencemusthavemadeitworthwhile,atleastIthinkitdid.

SouthamptonwasnextonmylistandIwasmadetofeelwelcomedbyachapwhoworksthere,despiteitbeingclosed.I’llexplain.Iparkedup,starttogettherelevantbitsandbobsoutforthephotoandthisguycomesaroundthecorner.HesayshelloandasksifIwantedhimtodealerstampmyclapperboard.Iacceptandhecomesoutwithapokerchiptooand handsittome,also

askingifIneedanythingformybike.Irespondwith,“acomfierseat?”.Ohwell,itwasworthatry.Hetookadecentphotobytheway,evengottheflagsinframe.Anyhow,itturnsouthelivesabovethedealershipwheneverhe’sworkingthere;Iguessitsavesontravelcosts.Fed,watered,Imovedon.

NowthisnextdealershipIwould’vereallylikedtohavelookedaround–somebeautifulbikesinthewindowsupstairsanddownbutunfortunatelyGuildfordHarleyDavidsonwasshut.Nowitwasat

thispointwhileItextCharlene,thatshemadequestionwhetherIneedtobookanotherTravelodgeforthenightasitwasalreadyjustgone18:30andIstillhadafewmileslefttocomplete.But,fellingconfident,IsaidI’dmakethatdecisionwhenIgettomydealership.SoIsetoffformynextdestination,

Maidstone.

ArelativelyquicktripEastsawmeatMaidston’sHarleyDavidson,whichwastucked

away.Notimetohangabout,aquickcupofgo-gojuice(forme)andIwasonmywaynorthbound.

TheDartfordTunnelwasnogreatfuss,itflowednicely,andIturnedoffforLakesideHarleydealer,whichhasclosedit’sdoorsforgoodnow.Quickselfiewithasmileandaneonsigninthebackground-loveit.

Notsosmileyhoweveratmynextpit-stop,Newmarket,asIwasstartingtofeelthelagfrombeingontheroadsince07:30thatmorning.Ohthejoys.Checkedinwiththebossandbackontheroad.

NowIwasonfamiliarroads,knownterritory,Sycamore,Uppingham.Deserted,Ipulledofftheroadandintothecarpark,gotthepictureandstraightoffagain,notwantingtodelayanymorethanIhadto,althoughIcould’vedonewithastrongcoffeeaboutnow.

Atlast,likeamuchneededoasisinthedesert(oramuchneededmotorwayserviceswhenyou’vehadtoomuchtodrink),Isawmyendgoal,theplacewhereitallbegan.RobinHood.01:43.1103milesandwithabigsmilespreadacrossmyface.I’dneverbeensopleasedtoseeadealership,closedornot,asIwaswhenIroundedthecornerandpulledin.Gotthe

photo.HomehereIcome.

WhenIwenttogetoffmybikeforthefinaltimeafterarrivinghome,myhipshadfallentosleepprettymuchandwalkingwasalittlefunny,abitstrangeconsideringIwasoffmybikeonly45minutesago.Ijustwantedmybed,butI

hadtoputthebikeaway.Garagedoorup,trustysteedputintoherstable,itwastimeformegettobed.02:50myheadhitthepillowandIdon’tthinkitwasmuchlaterwhenIeventuallydozedoff.

Whatatrip!Whatanadventure!Twolongdays,somepartsofthemwet,butnotmuchreally,somewithglorioussun.ThepeopleIdidspeakto,althoughfewandfarbetween,

madeitalittleeasierandbrokeupthearduoustimespentinthebum-numbingseat.Also,ifI’mhonest,Ithoughtitwasgoingtobemuchharderthanitwas.NowI’mnotsayingitwaseasy,butconsideringthedistanceandtimedoingthissolo,Iwasproudofmyself.Actually,inawayIenjoyedit.WouldIdoitagainorsomethingsimilar?YesIwould.

Chris

DearDoktorBob…

HellomyfriendsandwelcometoanotherDearDoktorBob;apageofexcellentandwonderfuladviceabout

anything,everythingandnothinginparticular.

Now,someofyoumaystillbeonthisfurlough–whichisanothernameforgettingpaidfordoingabsolutelynothing.Iknowthatsomeofyouareboredandwanttodonothingbutrideyourmotorcycles,andsomeofyoujustcan’tbebotheredtodoanything.Othersmightwanttodecoratetheirhomesteadsandpaintpictures.ButIknowthatallofyouwanttoreadmyadvice(anditisveryimportantadvice)aboutallthingsandeverything(andofcourse,absolutelynothing).Solet’sgetonwithit–here’safewsnippetsfromthemembersoftheLindumColoniaChapterHOGmotorcycleclubthing…

DearDoktorBob…Canyouadvisemewhenthebesttimeistoputfuelinmytank?

TheGoodDoktorReplies…Yes,Ican…Next..!Ahbutseriously,letmemakeanassumptionhere.AmIcorrectinthinkingyoumightwanttogoononeofyourride-outthings?Yes?Wellitstandstoreason,thebesttimenottofillupisinthemiddleoftheride-out.Ihaveheardthatcertainriderswhocommandgreatroleswithinyourmotorcycleclubhavebeenknowntohavebigfueltanksandgoforshortridesandyet,yes,theystillneedtoholdeveryoneuptostopatthegasstationinthemiddleoftheserides,butthesepeopleshouldknowbetter.Inanswertoyourquestion:fillupBEFOREyoustartyourlittleridingsessionandthatwaytherewillbenoneedtofillupalongtheway–ifyouwantmoreclarityonthatthendon’taskyourHeadRoadCaptainbecausehehasbeenknowntonotfillupbeforethestart.Ofcourse,therewillbetimeswhentheride-outhasmanymilesandtherewillbeaneedtofillupwiththegasoline,butatthesetime,almosteveryonewillbepleasedtohandoverthecontentsoftheirwalletsinexchangeforthego-faster-juice.

DearDoktorBob…IsyournamereallyBob,DoktorBob?

TheGoodDoktorReplies…Yes..!Next..!

DearDoktorBob…DoyourideaHarley-Davidsonmotorbike?

TheGoodDoktorReplies…Donotbesostupid,howcanIrideaHarley-Davidson?ThebikeisfartoonoisyandheavyandexpensiveandcontaminatedwithcorrosionevenbeforethepartshaveleftthefactoryintheFarEast.Ohno,IhaveaverystronglybuiltGerman1936BMWR12750ccmotorcyclethathascoveredmorethan100,000kmandneverbeenwashedandIhaveonlyneededtofillupwithgasolineonce.Itstillglistensinthesunshine–norustybitsandpiecesfromtheFarEast.

YoucansendmeaquestionbyemailviayouEditor:editor@lindumcoloniachapter.com

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