Report on January 2008 activities

Bore Da! Hi there!

Spring is round the corner and, along with the crocus & snowdrops which have survived an early birth, sunshine and proper biking weather. Now is the time to check over the Wing, get her all cleaned up and ready to go and don't forget the maps in case your geography is not very good and are not sure where Sat. Nav. has sent you. (No offence intended. I have recently found out that some young people do not know the British Isles).

January is historically a fairly quiet month as we all recover from the Christmas festivities and hug the fireside. The January meeting was well attended and prospective new members Alun and Sheila Atkins were welcomed. After the meeting "3 bikes rode to the Ponderosa for lunch". I understand that they were accompanied by the riders! (In fact, Dave and Jan T., Nigel & Joanna took Steve C-P for his first Horseshoe Pass experience. This is another North Wales gem and one that we locals sometimes take for granted. (We used to live in the Dee Valley, 4 miles from Llangollen and often took the children up there and the Panorama to kick a ball around before going to World's End).

Out and about: Early in the month we heard that Pete, our 'Mr Runs' had suffered a nasty accident, while minding his own business, on his way to work on his V-Max. After riding on the bonnet and hitting the windscreen both his bike and the car were a write off and Pete is in a bad way and on crutches. He is however, keeping up beat and exhorts us all to 'keep riding and smiling'. He sent this report on his coping strategy when shopping on crutches:

"On Sunday, Eve my daughter came down from Congleton to help me with my shopping -me on crutches and Eve 7 ½ months pregnant. As we entered the first superstore we passed a brand new red trike and I commented to Eve that I would love a go on it. Eve immediately set of to the Information Desk, and returned with a set of keys. Once I had managed to get on and secure my crutches behind my seat and insert the keys, I was off. Around the store I went, dropping food in the basket, blowing my horn and causing other shoppers to jump out of the way.

I was then approached by a woman in a uniform, who suggested that I didn't ride it at full speed and pointed to the rheostat on the dash. I, like the good driver I am, rode off at full speed to catch up to my red faced daughter. After finishing our shopping and finding that I wasn't allowed to use it on the road, I returned the Shopping Trike to the parking bay. Any way it was a bit of fun while it lasted. Keep smiling and riding, Pete"