Tuesday 22 July 2014

Uxbridge Rotary Club Auto Show



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.











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