VMCC South Durham
Anniversary Run 2020
Alternative Version
A few bikes at Reeth - more photos
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The run took place on a fine sunny day on Sunday 11th October.
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The meeting point was at Reeth at around 12 noon each rider or group making their own way by any route they fancy.
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There were well over 20 bikes of all years and types assembled on the cobbles at one stage - more than usually turns up on the normal Anniversary run.
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The oldest bike was Eric Alderson's Humber around 1913/14 era, the youngest being Garry Catterick's Kawasaki W800 2011/12
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People departed over the afternoon by various routes, some, including Linda and me went over the Stang and some headed to the Crown at Manfield for final refresments-coffee, tea etc. The good thing was it didn't rain although it's made up for it since for the next three days. We were just lucky for a change.
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Our next official run is the Anniversary Social Run 6th December - fine weather has been ordered so lets have a good turnout as usual - ??
The Walworth Concours Run took place on Saturday 22nd August starting from the Chequers Inn at Dalton on Tees (not Walworth Castle which was the original venue from the days when Fred Gowton was the organiser,the event name has remained the same).
The organiser, Chairman Dave Headon provided a route sheet of 40 miles finishing at the Chequers by 3.00 pm.
The route tok us through various villages eg East Cowton, Hornby, Appleton Whiske down to Brompton near Northallerton where some stopped for refreshments at the Crown Inn, then back via East Harsley, East Rounton, Girsby, through Neasham, Hurworth and back to Dalton.
Weather - some bright sunshine coupled with the odd quick but sometimes heavy showers, just a reminder that motorcycling can be wet.
Around 15 bikes completed the route, including Kelven from the Northumbrian section on his 250cc BMW.
The winner, judged by the pub landlord, was Steve Wiggesworth on his very nice Norton 650SS. - Well done Steve.
Walworth Concours de Elegance
Winner Steve Wiggesworth with his Norton 650SS
Some of the motley crew enjoying refreshments - Nearly a smile Brian!
Tony Bailey on his Velocette MAC going through the starting procedure
Socially Distanced Social Run No.4 (SDSR4)
Paul Feldon and myself left Haughton on a fine sunny day, by the time we got to the Barton Street junction the roads we streaming although we never saw any rain and by the time we got to Stapleton we had dry roads and sunshine all day. I suspect that this very localised shower was the cause of the low turnout, which was a shame as it was a great motorcycling day. The low turnout was compensated for by the quality of rider who did turn up, Eric Alderson came all the way from Hawes and Robbo from Byers Green, the rest from Darlington and environs.
We spent a very pleasant hour or so outside Bowlees visiter centre exchanging stories of jolly japes and daring do whilst watching the ever changing variety of wild bird at the garden feeders, those that didn't turn out were the losers.
Some of us had a back lane return trip round Coldberry, Auckside and many other little lanes and roads to the Blue Bell at Bishopton where we had lashings of ginger beer. We wern't the famous five, only the famous four.
Don't forget Dave Headon's concours run on Saturday the 22nd, see the section website for details.
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Treasurer Smith
A few of us relaxing at Bowlees visitor centre - Brian you're not smiling again! I'm not in it cos I'm taking the pics
Socially Distanced Social Run No.2 (SDSR2)
About 16 riders and assorted vintagents and vintagentesses gathered at Danby beacon on Wednesday 24th, my birthday for future reference. It was warm and sunny with a breeze keeping everything cool, perfect for motorcycling. (I'm not sure everyone agrees with you on that one Brian, but it was certainly "warm") Afterwards 6 of us went for a ride around the back roads and secret places of the North Yorkshire Moors. Steve Wigglesworth had invited everyone back to his place for beer, snacks and sophisticated conversation where a jolly time was had by all. Only a small number availed themselves of this generous offer, perhaps others were frightened of enjoying themselves. (You may be accused of being an ......ist for something with a statement like that)
Birthday boy Brian in the foreground, not smiling. Maybe no-one brought him a present
Some of the others. reluctantly posing for a photo.
Paul didn't want to join as he reckons he's not photogenic
Two photos from Neil McKee taken the next day as he got the date wrong - never mind Neil try again next run
First Socially Distanced Social Run - Report
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Twenty two healthy souls, albeit some in cars gathered for the first run of the year on a warm sunny day in Lunedale. Howard Duddles was there sporting his latest injury, there were three generations of Robbo, Santa Clause on holiday from Lapland was there along with one of his elves and various other strange sundry individuals. Unknown to the assembled throng there was also a young lady going commando, I cannot of course reveal her identity as I am too much of a gentleman aren't I ??????????? The car park where we arranged to meet was locked but the was space a few yards away, well there was space until Roy Sturgeon tried to block the road with his hairdressers car at least Howard Masters parked his hairdressers car out of the way.
The reservoirs were so low the pack horse bridge over the course of the old river Lune was visible, a rare sight. Tom Norman always up to the minute with technology brought a drone and took some footage which will hopefully appear on this site in due course. Link to footage:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vdemdri1nhne9vy/Social%20Run%20150620.mp4?dl=0
People began drifting away about 1.30 but it was such a nice day (Not so) Tight Mike, John Rutherford, Jed Watson and myself decided to go for a ride. We headed toward Brough but turned off on to all the small roads to Tan Hill then down to Muker, ice cream in Reeth (Brian reluctantly had to buy his own) and back to Darlington, about 100 miles. Marvellous !
Look out for details of the next Socially Distant Social Run. Or is it South Durham Section Run, they are both S.D.S.R.
Brian.
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