News for 2008
A digest of news items...
Toy Run delivers the goods - Sunday, 14 December 2008
In damp and chilly conditions, members of Bexley TOMCC took part in the annual Christmas Toy run. Meeting in the car park of the Pied Bull was a chilly and long drawn out affair for those who turned up on time - even Santa was rather late! A Farningham resident who lives just opposite the car park took some photos from his upstairs window which is a new perspective.
Anyway we got on the road eventually with about 12 bikes and a car for the goodies, bowling up the A2 to Falconwood to our traditional first stop at The Green. We got a warm welcome and much appreciated refreshments while Santa gave out the individually-selected presents to each child.
After giving some of the children a chance to look at, sit on or even rev up the bikes outside, we were off again more or less back the way we had come, to go to Parkwood Hall School at Swanley. Again there was a sizeable contingent of staff, parents and children waiting for us as we rode up the driveway of the 88 acre estate. Presents were dispensed by Santa and more teas, coffees, mince pies and sausage rolls were consumed to stave off the coldness.
With everything taken care of we left in two directions: some people riding straight home and others returning to the Pied Bull for a reflection on a job well done.
Many thanks to Jackie and Julie for organising everything and to Chris Biggs for playing Santa again. Commendations must go to those who dressed up: Ian and Julie in their snowman costumes again, Bob in reindeer guise, not forgetting Jackie (Christmas tree) and Gary (elf). Hopefully no-one's been left out.
Some pictures will be uploaded when we've sorted through the contents of various peoples' cameras.
Halloween party is a frightening success! - Saturday, 1 November 2008
Many thanks are due to Jackie, Julie and all their helpers who made the Halloween party on Saturday 1 November such a great and profitable event.
Also worthy of special mention are the Booze Brothers band who overcame the potential show-stopping problem of Stuart's throat ailment by drafting in a guest vocalist at two weeks notice who did them proud on the night.
There were some great costumes on show and hopefully some pictures will be sourced soon.
Steve Reed snaps up an anniversary Bonneville - Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Well the Thunderbird had to go as I was finding it a bit too heavy with my back, but what better substitute than the 50th anniversary celebration Bonneville? The bike, of which there are only 650 being built at Triumph - and only 47 being retained for the UK market - did initially cause a problem in tracking down one that was still for sale, but perseverance paid off and one was located at Laguna's of Ashford. A good deal was done and many retro accessories ordered. I also met the new owner of my old Thunderbird who was very pleased with his buy.
Summary August 2008
About a dozen bikes turned out for the run to Wessons "Ogri" café on Sunday 16 August. The recent bad weather held off and bar the odd diversion everybody made it there for some refreshments. The café has scaled back its clothing and accessory shop but that has made more room for seating, which was just as well judging by how busy it was. Thanks to Ian for organising that one!
Summary July 2008
The Legend Rally went off smoothly again this year with more favourable weather and intensive organisation. Some pictures are on their way (no, honestly!).
On the evening of Tuesday 8 July, Bexley TOMCC presented a cheque for £160 to the Duchenne Family Support Group. The money was raised from a raffle at Gary's surprise 50th birthday party the preceding Friday. Well done to all who organised it and those who bought tickets.
Eight bikes turned out for a run to the annual Battlesbridge bike show on Sunday 6 July: Ian & Julie, Andy, Tank, Graham, John, Dave J, Phil and potential new member Paul on his low-mileage Thunderbird Sport. Ian led us there via the A13 and A1245 and we arrived in the dry at least.
The show was not as busy as some years, due no doubt to the unfavourable weather forecast. Our bikes (and riders) were allowed in free to fill a vacant space next to the South Essex TOMCC, except Dave was too lazy to unlock his helmet and move his bike so paid the £5 entry instead.
There was just time for a cup of coffee and a wander round the bikes on display before the first rain shower, which fortunately didn't last too long. However it prompted some people to clear off on their immaculate steeds before much of the public would have had a chance to look at them. Oh well.
There was a band "Freefall" playing in the marquee - quite good by the sound of it - and a beer tent plus of course all the usual burger and doughnut vans.
After a couple of circumnativations of the field and something to eat, we made a move back to the Pied Bull in increasingly wet conditions to partake of further refreshments and watch the showers outside.
There is a gallery of pictures featuring various items of interest.
Summary June 2008
The annual Barbecue and classic bike night went off smoothly last Tuesday June 17th with a new crack team of cooks and support staff doing the honours. The weather could hardly have been better and the turnout was the best we can remember. Many thanks to all involved in the organisation.
An impressive entourage of 32 Bexley members convened at the Pied Bull on the morning of Sunday 8 June to proceed en masse to the Medway Branch's 30th Anniversary bike show at Higham (see picture gallery).
Some fine weather accompanied the ride as Ian led us through Wrotham, Gravesend and thence to Higham. A varied gathering of 100 or so bikes spanned much of the history of British motorcycle manufacturing, with Meriden Triumphs obviously forming the majority of the "classics".
Burgers and sausages were in abundant supply and Dave Warren won first prize in the raffle. Bert Waddington won last prize - a box of chocs - and made himself very popular by offering them round during the remainder of the day. What with the warm temperatures, a better idea than letting them melt away.
Prizes were awarded, including a "people's choice" but to be honest, some of us had already nipped off to go back to the Pied Bull by that point. Ian's navigation back was hampered by his own Sat-Nav which got completely confused, at one point taking us off the northbound A289 onto the southbound M2 - hardly where we wanted to be going! Some manual override was needed after that.
Back at Farningham it was almost as busy with some familiar, if lesser-seen, faces being tempted out by the weather. Tom Friar put in a late appearance having come from the Biggin Hill Air Show. As if to prove that it was on, an AWAC 'plane made a couple of passes overhead not long after.
Summary May 2008
Many congratulations to Ian and Julie on the occasion of their wedding which took place on Saturday 17 May at Dunton Green. The bride looked fab and the groom looked pretty smart too. There are a few pictures on-line now.
Some Bexley TOMCC members made it down to Hastings on the Bank Holiday Monday. Dave, John, Kim, Bob and Rose left from Locksbottom at 10:00 for the full A21 experience (heat, congestion and - in John and Kim's case - clutch grief). Brian and co. got there really early to beat the rush; Ian and Julie started later and got there before some. The weather stayed fine and even somewhat hot all day and the place was predictably packed.
Summary April 2008
£300 was raised for the Duchenne Family Support Group, at our quiz night on Tuesday 22 April. A good turnout and a varied selection of 50 questions made for an entertaining night. Many thanks to those involved, particularly Jackie for conducting the quiz, Ian for researching the questions and to Julie for making the larger share of the sandwiches!
The website has had a bit of a makeover as you should be able to see. The main feature other than cosmetic enhancements is that it now allows you to choose what size of text, either by using the feature on your browser or by the links at the top right of the screen. Please report any broken things to the usual webmaster address.
Summary March 2008
The Bexley TOMCC AGM 2008 took place on Tuesday 25 March. The main changes were that Chris "Dutchy" Holland is standing down as club scribe, having written the Nacelle reports for many years now. Barry Drew retired as general runs leader but he and Janneane will still organise the run-out from the rally. Although Lee Adie will fill in as scribe, both these posts are currently vacant.
The meeting concluded with the presentation of a new trophy. In memory of Tom Burnett, the Founder's Trophy has been funded by Tony Schnorr and will be awarded annually to the club member who comes to weekly meetings most often on a Triumph. The winner as expected was Phil Loom who gets down to the Pied Bull nearly every week on one or other of his bikes more or less irrespective of the weather.
Summary February 2008
ACE CAFÉ LONDON celebrates its 70th anniversary by making Jeans for Genes its chosen charity
Ace Café London is celebrating its 70th anniversary by supporting the national children's charity, Jeans for Genes, in 2008. The historic venue on the old North Circular is a favourite meeting place of bike and car enthusiasts, with everything from Café racers to Ferraris pulling up on the forecourt. In this key year in the café's history, Ace is looking for help to raise £100,000 towards the creation of the Jeans for Genes Genetic Roadmap. To find out how you can help and make your visit count, and to download the Ace J4G sponsorship form, go to the Homepage at www.ace-cafe-london.com.
Mark Wilsmore from Ace Café London says: "Jeans for Genes is a great fit with Ace because of the Roadmap project and because denim is such a part of the biker's wardrobe. We're going to be collecting at our key events throughout the year, like our May Bank Holiday ride to Margate and the Reunion Weekend in September, but we hope our regulars will be inspired to organise their own fundraising event for the charity as well."
It could be as easy as having your ride or drive to an Ace event sponsored, or an individual or club setting up a long distance challenge - a perfect excuse for a proper burn up! To make a drive or ride-in count and raise money towards the £100,000 Genetic Roadmap target, special sponsorship forms can be downloaded from the Homepage of www.ace-cafe-london.com. Email events@jeansforgenes.com for other details.