Uxbridge Rotary Club Auto Show

www.london-motorcycle-museum.org

Uxbridge Auto Show 2014

Uxbridge Auto Show 2014

I missed the rain last Monday and just got home in time before another rainstorm would have got me soaked as it had when I had last ridden the Valiant. I'm beginning to think it attracts the rain, or is it me? Just as I was about to leave for the show on the Sunday morning a few spits of rain were falling and I was tempted to put on my leaky over-suit to keep the worst off. Fortunately nothing came of it and I had a dry trip to the Uxbridge show ground for the event. I was too late to get the Valiant into the concours but got an event plaque when I arrived instead. I was relatively early and the Museum stand was not yet set up but was directed to the location by the Triumph Owners Club which was next door. All hands to the pumps to set up the stand for the event when everyone did arrive.

First priority was a mug of tea that I bought from one of the mobile cafes. This one was a Citroen H van. I was now ready for the day I went on the rounds of the club stands leaving Gary and the gang in charge of the gazebo and fliers. It was not long before I returned to collect more fliers and on out again this time to the car club stands. I ran out of fliers again, had lunch at a burger van, talked to the guys at the Institute of Advanced Motorists also Motorcyclists. There were more bikes on the stand than cars. Back for more fliers talking to anyone and everyone and completed the rounds about 3pm.

It was time for the prize giving. I treated myself to an ice-cream. I felt like I had walked miles, but the day was not done yet. There was a great deal of interest in the Museum. Those there all day said it had been quite busy. On request I fired up the Valiant just to show how noisey it was. Those around seemed to enjoy the sound. There were a number of comments about the silencing capabilities from the silencers. I agreed that there was not much in them.

As the event wound up people were still visiting the stand and picking up fliers. By 4:30 it was time to pack up. Black clouds were looming again and there were spits of rain in the wind and it was in the direction I was heading. When it was time to go the Valiant had had it's good start for the day and now just refused to run. It started easily on pushing. There were many names to call it but none to be repeated in print. I blasted away after the engine un-choked itself and I was on my way home. Filtering through the traffic and probably making a nuisance of myself being not slow but not quick either, finding the spaces to get to the front of the queues. It was a good day out with the bonus of clear interest from the car clubs to take a trip to the Museum.

I struggled to get to the Museum on Monday morning. Filtering past Chris as he waited in traffic. Fortunately it was a slow start and there was time to have mug of tea with the first visitor of the day from Ecuador. He was interested in anything and everything. Ecuador does not have a big history of motorcycles and most of what he saw was new to him. More people arrived, a couple from New Zealand and a gentleman from Denmark. The New Zealanders were the last to leave and the doors closed around 4:30. After more huffing and puffing the Valiant finally got going. I've got to do something about it but not this evening as I was off out to my local 2CV club meeting. It would have to wait for tomorrow.

A New Visitor

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The Ivy Arrives

I have been at the Chinnor Byke Dayz all weekend having fun enjoying the real ales and music that Wycombe MAG put on. I was there for fun but also to represent the Museum handing out fliers and soaking up the atmosphere. It rained on Friday night and I have the Valiant in the tent with me. Old bikes and rain do not mix well.

I did the ride out on the Valiant, and got very wet again in the monsoon rain storms that were brief but heavy. The Museum had two free ticket in the raffle so it added to the promotion. I managed to get some fliers put into the “goody bag” which was a bit sparse so there are thought about what could be done for next year. On the run out I just happened to park next to a very nicely restored Triumph at the stop.

I handed out more fliers at the concours show and the Valiant was parked up in one corner of the arena. No prizes today but as I had Museum fliers taped to the spokes I'm not surprised. I did win a bottle of scotch instead in the raffle. So there was something to take home.

It was a very good event having live music from 1pm to 1am and there were some very good bands there too. Real ale and good food always helps. I'm going to have to put this one on the calendar for next year. I would recommend this event for a musicfest. As you probably gather, I liked it. Monday back at the Museum on the Valiant and I missed the rain today! During the morning we had a surprise visitor in this case it was an unusual 1924 Ivy motorcycle. It does look the classic for that year and after getting it out of the van we put it in the tea room to have close look at it. Another opportunity to take more photos.

Windsor Great Park Rally

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BEN Charity Ride Through Windsor Great Park

Saturday 28^th June started well with a little sunshine as I headed for the start of the run. We set off from Ascot Race Course car park and wend our way along some pleasant country roads to enter the Park and then a ride along roads that are not normally open to vehicles. At the start there was an exceptional collection of veteran, vintage and classic cars and motorcycles. While at the start the rain clouds gather and just before we set off it starts to rain. 

The clouds are black and it rains so hard drops splash up from the puddles. It was wet! I was on the Valiant and surprisingly it ran quite well in spite of the heavy rain. I had a minicam with me and when I have time I'll upload the video to youtube so you can see how wet it was. I was drenched inside my over-suit. The zip leaked! As usual I hand out fliers at the start and again when at the destination which is the Sunningdale recreation ground where we all congregate to show off our polished machines for the concours. It was a difficult afternoon and I did not manage to hand out many fliers as there were not many people there because of the weather. A little disappointing for everyone with so much effort that goes into the event. At the end of the show vehicles are judged and prizes are handed out. The event finished early. I was in a flower stall tent waiting for the rain to go off when I heard my name and had won something for the Valiant. It was another second prize! It was worth getting wet! 

By the time I had collected my prize and made my way back to the Valiant there were only three bikes left. An unusual 1939 side valve BMW, a 1954 Vincent and me. Geared up and ready to go I was asked by the BMW man to help him get his bike on a trailer. I only had to steady it while he tied it down. The Vincent man was also leaving. He had an assistant and was still kicking it over as I returned to the Valiant. After a couple of kicks it fired up and I was away. I had twenty miles of rain to go through to get home. Easily accomplished! It finally stopped raining when I got home so I chamoised the bike down before putting it away. So it would be clean for when I used it next.

In between it has been a busy time with visits to bike shops, namely new rear tyres for both the Buell and the Kawasaki and MOTs so Snobs at Hangar Lane for wheel bearings, HGB in Ruislip who have done me some deals on tyres, Jack Lilleys for MOTs and Wycombe MAG for a very pleasant evening out. I've also been out to Newlands Corner to hand out fliers on Sunday morning. A couple of weeks ago we had a few members of the Royal Enfield Club turn up at the Museum and last Monday we had another visitor from New Zealand.