This year's run was preceded by some confusion as to the correct date, the main cause being Classic Bike Guide which had apparently listed it as taking place a week early. After some telephone calls for re-scheduling, ten bikes met up at the Pied Bull on Sunday 23 March for a run to Brighton. The weather was near to perfect for the second Sunday in a row and by 10:30 a.m. we were off, with Ian and Julie leading the way and Bob and Rose bringing up the rear.
We were doing fine until just before Boarshead on the A26 when Brian's T110 gave out with a suspected sticking carburettor float due to rust in the tank. When the carb was cleaned out and the bike still refused to start, an additional problem with the magneto was diagnosed and it became a relay case. A great shame as Brian had paid substantial sums to get the bike into tip-top condition. More on this in future months perhaps?
Anyway Ian and Julie kept bike and rider company until the truck arrived (fortunately within twenty minutes) while the rest of us pressed on. Once at Brighton, parking was tricky as Madeira Drive was said to be full and we were warned off some sea front areas because of an expected anti-war demo. We found somewhere eventually, by which time Ian and Julie were near the seafront so we met up and wandered onto the pier for some traditional refreshment in Horatio's bar. Unfortunately this lead to the enactment of another tradition, namely that of staying there past the time when the old bikes were starting to head home.
What with the fish and chip restaurant on the pier having a one hour wait, Madiera Drive saw us stopping for food, but this allowed more relaxing in the sunshine and watching bikes and people come and go. By about 4 p.m. some had already started home and the rest of us soon followed suit.
All in all a good ride out for those who made it and commiserations to Brian who didn't.