VMCC South Durham

John Lines BSA A10 being questioned by Jane with Kelvin McNish BMW R26 waiting patiently

Out of a total of 52 entries, 46 gathered at Middleton St George Cricket Club
on 22nd May for the 36th Quaker Run.

We were pleased to see familiar faces from South Durham as well as those who travelled a little further from Nottinghamshire, Cumbria and Tyne and Wear.

As we dealt with some late entries in a flurry of paperwork including a clutch
of pristine Bantams, Jane handed out route sheets.

Dave on his V twin Rex was on the oldest machine and delighted the crowd
with his starting technique, unfortunately he retired shortly afterwards with belt
slip. Rob noted that many “stylishly” negotiated the manoeuvrability test.

Even though Gerry’s machine seemed a reluctant to start, all were soon
heading to Hornby where Wally provided the entertainment.

 A Trio of Bantams awaiting questions at the start

By the time competitors reached Scorton the gale force wind and horizontal
rain meant Eric had difficult conditions at his checkpoint. Then it was on
through the Vale of York to Jervaulx Abbey where Dave was pleased to report
that the rain stopped when the first rider arrived. Paul on his Raleigh then had
an unhappy birthday, but did succeed in repairing a puncture with the help of
his escorts.

The cool wind prevented riders getting warm at the lunch break in Masham
Square with many reporting waterproofs that were no longer waterproof.
Viv set the survivors off in the afternoon and after our two checkpoints in
sheltered lanes riders negotiated Grinton Moor where our Chairman
commented that he had never ridden in such strong wind.

Meanwhile Stan our recovery man, having had a busy morning, was relaxing with a Sunday
lunch with Mike who had earlier found that his B31 does need to be filled up occasionally.

 Ken Tully on his 1974 BMW R90S

The event culminated with a buffet prepared by our hosts Colin and Elaine,
results of the Road Safety Run were announced and Concours trophies
presented by Sue.

Once again we thank you all for your support ---David, Martin and Irene
Porteous

                                       Anniversary Run 2010

The last of the season’s main riding events was the Anniversary run ably organised, again, by Mike Carruthers. Twenty five riders assembled for registration at the George Hotel at Piercebridge which proved a good replacement for the Duke of Wellington which is now closed. Roy Adamson was a non-starter due to his wife’s accident. We wish her a speedy recovery.

The route comprised some 110 miles evenly split between morning and afternoon with the lunch stop at Malham.

The morning route took us generally south west to Richmond and thence through the Yorkshire Dales, via Coverdale, to Malham. What a good spot.

The sun was very warming for those of us who chose to sit outside of The Buck Inn to enjoy a half (or more). The chef’s special was of ample proportions as were some of those who ate it!

Having admired the bikes on display – particularly the BMW’s of Wally and Kelvin, Dennis’ Spitfire and Dave Archer’s Triumph – and having failed again to succeed with the questions we were off again. The afternoon route took us to Castle Bolton, Grinton, Marske and Ravensworth again. This is the route as far as I can remember it, although it isn’t necessarily the same as your route.  

The temperature was now starting to fall as the afternoon sun declined but the remaining ten miles were soon over and the George beckoned.

Results were announced as refreshments were taken and Mike, Linda Easby and Howard Masters were thanked for a thoroughly enjoyable day’s riding. 

Spring cannot come soon enough.  

 More images From Dave Porteous & Martin Peacock click here... 

2010 Baydale Run  Sunday 5^th September.

9.45:  Already quite a few machines have gathered at Middleton St. George Cricket Club. Organiser Dennis Marwood, fresh from holiday at the Manx Rally, greets us as Sue Tubby assists with the signing on procedure. Take a few moments to greet other riders - nice to see Ron Kirkham again and his 350 Ariel.

9.55:  28 entrants begin to queue in the sunshine before trying to answer questions asked by Stan and Sandra Fraquet

10.00:  Riders start to leap ( ? ) aboard their machines.

10.30:  A brief halt at David Allison’s checkpoint; grr should have known that one about the Clypse course—oh well onwards through Esperley.  Who is this at the side of the road? Park up the BSA and take a few photos of Wally Holmes fitting a new belt to the Vintage Rudge, So that’s how its done, Kelvin McNish pauses on the 250 BMW.

11.00 ish:  Descend into Weardale through Wolsingham and Stanhope and on to the final instructions on the morning route.

12:15:  It’s the final instruction of the morning - 48 mile TL Golden Lion car park. So we’re here in St Johns Chapel,

Time for Lunch al fresco for some, a chat with John Pearson - Brian Smith joins us to extol the virtues of supporting the local pubs in these remote parts, Dennis, Betty and Viv are inside tucking into a Sunday lunch.,

1.30:  Getting ready for the return .More questions from our breakdown man whilst we witness the antics of the early starters.  Time for a few photographs as Howard Duddles points out that it is unusual to have two Square fours on our events.

1.45: Head west, then south, up and over into Teesdale, fine views fine open roads. Dennis has more questions close to High Force.

Cruise down to Barnard Castle, a brief stop by Whorlton Bridge, before tackling the final 20 miles back to the finish.

3.45: Time to look at the gathering of Classic cars and then Dennis calls us inside to read out the winners of the various awards.  Well done Bill Birks.  Tom Reed thanks Dennis on our behalf in the absence of Chairman John Robinson who has had to depart early.

Written by Tom Reed

Once again, Eric’s run was blessed with clement weather for the 23 riders who managed to start and complete a course of some 45 miles along the best of local lanes.

     Alan Hillaby had to miss his entry due to an eye operation and two nameless entrants made it to Dalton but could not encourage their machines to start for the run.  More maintenance and less polish chaps.

     The run concluded back at the Village Hall with tea and tiffins provided by Denise Londesbrough and Shirley Fisher  -  thanks ladies.

    As to the results:

1^st        John Fawcett                                                  13 points

2^nd       David Porteous                                              12 points   (with the help or handicap of Martin on the pillion)                                               

3^rd       Tom Norman  (after a five-way tie)                 11 points

Vintage                                    Steve Davis

Post war                                   Dennis Marwood

Post 60                                     Tony Bailey

Under 200cc                             Simon Thomson  (Bantam faster than his Goldie)

Lady                                          Sarah Norman

  Thanks for the run, Eric, Roy Adamson (back-up) and check point chaps.

VMCC Walworth Castle Concours 15^th June 2010

 Written by Richard Blackburn

This event, organised by the South Durham section, is held annually in the grounds of the imposing Walworth Castle, just west of Darlington.  The format of the event is in the spirit of riding the bikes, so after arriving and signing on each competitor is given a route card.  For this event it was just under 45 miles, running along the edge of the Dales on the country lanes.  Following a hopefully successful navigation of the route within the 2 hours allowed the judging takes place followed by the prize giving.

I arrived at the Castle early so was the second or third rider to sign on and earning me the 36 plate for the 1929 Scott TT Replica I’d dug out for the occasion.  I’m no hardcore concours entrant and was more interested in the road run side of things.  I’d given the bike a good clean and polish the day before though so it was looking its best.

All told around 15 bikes were entered but one did not make the start.  A scrambler style Triumph had decided to only run on one cylinder and after much playing about the rider retired the bike.

Being my usual unprepared self I’d not brought any form of device to hold a route sheet so I stuck it to the tank.  Off we set on the run and the first instruction to turn left out of the castle entrance had been missed by the rider in front of me, who promptly set off in the wrong direction.   It was not looking good….

Of course my lack of preparation bit me when the first time I got near 60mph the route sheet started flapping about so I grabbed it with my left hand before it blew off completely.  I did the rest of the run with it in my left hand, stopping at each junction to memorise the next couple of turns.  The route sheet certainly caught a few out as I overtook only one rider going the same way as me, but 4 or 5 going in the opposite direction.  Quite how they got ahead of me only to end up going the wrong way baffled both me and them, but in the end all bikes made it back for the judging.  I feel I held up the Scott tradition by being first home after a thorough blast along the lanes.  Typically we were kept waiting for a couple of stragglers who had been “dragged” into an ale house en route.

Here are some pics of various bikes, some very nice examples turned out from a crisp sounding very tidy Bantam to BSA, Triumph, Ariel, Norton, my Scott, Velocette, Royal Enfield plus one or two others I failed to get pictures of.

So onto the results and we all filed into the castle.  I do not claim to know or understand anything about concours judging so was somewhat surprised to find my name among the results.

 First:      Ron Todd BSA A7

Second:  Richard Blackburn 1929 Scott TT Replica

Third:     Dave Headon Norton Dominator

 So overall not a bad turnout, excellent weather, great location and a good blast home along the back roads afterwards.  I seem to have hopefully fixed the Scott’s penchant for overcharging and blowing bulbs by fitting a new larger capacity battery and a 36W headlamp bulb.  That means I can now give it full beans at night without being plunged into darkness!

 Richard Blackburn

    Written byTom Reed

What a good idea .  A run through the North Yorkshire Dales to celebrate 100 yrs of Rudge Motorcycles:  and who better to organise it, but Wally  Holmes.

    The Model P all prepared and up at 6 o’clock to find the rain coming down like stair rods . Enthusiasm drained just like the weather and so at 9 o’clock a phone call to Viv for moral support .  Following those immortal words “It’s looking a bit brighter now” we decided to be big brave boys and head for the Duke of Wellington at Conniscliffe.

         The five stalwarts who assembled were Wally on his 1912 Rudge Multi TT Roadster, Brian on his 1926 AJS, John on his 1914 BSA , Viv on his 1924 Rudge Multi and me on the 1925 Triumph P. It was indeed looking brighter and so it was off at 10 o’clock. Or not. Wally’s Rudge was in a sulk in the sparks department. With Brian to the fore, bodger John at his shoulder and sucking of air through the teeth of the others, the h.t. lead was soon decreed to be adequately re-affixed to the magneto.  This time we were off.

     A mile later the Rudge had obviously looked at the gathering clouds and decided that a warm garage was preferable to the Upper Dales in a rain storm.  Having said cheerio to Wally, the remaining four pressed on to the prospect of a late lunch.

     It is only a slight exaggeration to say that it was an enjoyable ride but the miles, if not exactly flying by, passed at a good pace.  Richmond, Reeth, Gunnerside and Muker all came and went and, yes, there was Keld where Wally had arranged lunch at the pub. Cheers Wally.

     Provisioned and relieved, we were on the move to Tan Hill, Unfortunately, part way up the hill to the highest pub in England, the model P took the huff and shed it’s rear chain. This was soon put right but was a portent of more trouble to come.  Tan Hill was reached and we stopped because – it’s a pub.

     A couple of miles further on the P lost drive with all symptoms of gearbox failure.  A lovely couple, Rob and Dot Wardle, stopped to offer help, organised the rescue and arranged to meet at the manx. They marshal at Laurel.  John and Viv were well on their way and were oblivious to all of this and so Brian fished out the length of washing line and towed me about five miles to the CB Inn where the rescue vehicle was to pick me up.  I know it’s another pub.  Brian headed after John and Viv and I was picked up after half an hour.

- well done Footman James.

     That’s’ all I know of the run.  Wally had arranged tea at Walworth Castle Hotel , another pub, but Viv had stopped three times with water in the magneto and decided that home was the best option. Then there were two.    As I said at the beginning!  What a good idea for a run.  Still I’ll be out on the B 33 at Walworth Castle Run on Tuesday – well you have to haven’t you.

Eight riders set off from Middleton St George Cricket Club at 10:30ish after Dave finally arrived, much to Brian's amusement as always when someone's late.  After much discussion the desination was to be Lealholm, as usual by the longest route possible with Brian at the front. Martyn Peacock reckons the run should be re-named;  "Let's Ride Through Every Farmyard on the N Yorks Moors" We eventually arrived at the Board Inn for a warm by the fire and some hot soup.

Eventually it was time to move on, unfortunately it spoilt itself by raining a little, but we headed for Sadberge, from where the inaugural run took place back in December 1975 from the Three Tuns, although we went to the Buck Inn across the road- something about no proper beer!

We all drifted off, apart from two who ended up carol singing with a travelling folk group who came in after everyone else had gone,  Wonder if Brian is still there??

All in all a good day - not too cold and good company

For some pictures taken by Martyn Weston follow the link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/martynwestont100/2009AnniversarySociaRun

Edited by Mike

What a super run. A gorgeous sunny day, with nature displaying its finest colours of early Autumn, 18 riders were in for a treat. Although it started to rain slightly during question time at the start, Brian stopped it by putting on his waterproofs, always works. Despite creaky knees, we left the Applegarth Car Park, Northallerton and headed for the North Yorkshire Dales.

The route ignored main roads and took us via Lightwater, Brimham Rocks, across the River Nidd at Summer Bridge, past Thruscross Reservoir to the Bolton Abbey Estate. A delicious narrow lane followed the River Wharfe through the Estate where visitors were enjoying picnics in the morning sunshine.

The lunch stop was at Burnsall: an ideal spot by the River Warfe Good pub, good tea shop, and plenty of parking in a panoramic setting of hills, river, village green and ducks willing to share our sandwiches.

Eventually, the call of two wheels could be ignored no longer. Up the lane to Kettlewell and then the long run over Park Rash through Coverdale with the River Cover ever-present to our right.

 We were soon into more familiar territory of Jervaulx Abbey, Bedale, Yafforth and then the pub at Northallerton. Some of us managed to fit in Middleham and Leyburn on the way but there was no extra charge for this. As long as you’re not blaming the route sheet - Mike

 So, 105 miles of pure pleasure thanks to Mike, Linda, Howard, Dave & Shirley Allison.

By a huge stroke of luck and vast knowledge Brian Smith took the main award but we were all winners on the day.

Results are  Here

More pictures click Here

Boxing Day 2009 Run to High Force

A few brave & hardy souls (5) battled their way on Boxing Day to High Force on bikes.  A few more sensible people used their cars, & had to suffer the usual barrage of derogatory comments from you know who.  Nevertheless, the warm fire in the hotel was much appreciated by those rock 'ard types. No one else could get near it !!

For more photos follow the link http://picasaweb.google.com/martynwestont100/BoxingDayRun2009#

To view the results click Here

To view the results click Here

To view the awards click  Here