Report on September 2006 activities

Hi Folks

Me again, maybe for the last time as AGM looms closer within NWW and all the posts are up for re-election.

Not too much to report this month with only a few events taking place. Jan and I have been a bit busy with the daughter’s wedding and as a result the Wing was on the back-burner for a few weeks.

First of all, Congratulations to Collette from all the members as she is now a full licence biker, having passed her test after much patience, practice and borrowing Loopy’s 125 bike. Stevie had better keep the keys for the Tango Wing hidden or she might try it out for size one of these days while he is out of the country working, after all it is such a shame to see it sitting there unattended. Collette is currently riding her Kawasaki 600cc Eliminator bike while she gets used to a bit more power before she upgrades to something a lot bigger. I look forward to watching her progress onto bigger things….! (I really do mean it, Steve).

While Collette does the solo thing, Loopy has gone down the other path and brought a noise generator or at least it sounds like it. It is actually a Goldwing Trike but the exhausts are a touch noticeable. Mark is busy sorting out a few things on it before he lets Liz out onto the Public, but she is raring to go. My spies tell me that Mark is leaving the exhausts noisy as it is only fair on the public that they know she is after them! I must say from the photos I have seen of it, it is Liz to a ‘T’, being bright yellow and noticeable. Hope you have many enjoyable miles on it, Liz.

Now then, many of you will know about Ed, our resident nutter and sidecar enthusiast (same thing!). He has managed to buy one at long last and in his own words:--

“Hired a van and went to HGB to pick up our Sidecar that we had seen at the Treffen, made a day of it complete with picnic and it just fitted into the Transit van length and width. Took some pictures of it on the driveway with us all in it trying it out.

Just starting to fit it now, as usual for me had to take it apart to check it over and service suspension and brake etc. Hopefully by the time you read this in the Wingspan I will have the best side stand ever!!”

Need I say more – the men in white jackets will be here soon! The shame is that he had to sell a very useable motorcycle to buy the chair and everyone thought that he was showing some sense when he sold his Enfield.

The Stoke on Trent Pet Food Run was next on the agenda with attendance by Peter and Joy, Nigel and Joanna, Mark and Liz, Steve G and Carol, and Janet and I. It nearly didn’t have three bikes as when we left Chester to go there was the most horrendous thunderstorm and torrential rain, and I think that Nigel was waiting for me to turn around and I was waiting for him to turn back. Peter stayed at the back and would have followed us. We continued and met up with the others then onto the Run from Port Vale Football Club. It was a great event being open to all bikes and the length of the circuit was something special. It was great to see all types of bikes, trikes and scooters riding together.

Poor old Mark and Liz had a slight problem and came to a grinding halt while three quarters of the way around. Mark had forgotten that the 1500 battery is not that powerful and had lost all its juice. The other members who were by him all stopped to give him a bump start which they managed successfully, though I understand poor Pete may have the onset of a hernia from all his efforts. I didn’t see it and didn’t know about it until it was all over as we were too far ahead. The first Jan and I knew was when the parade was finished and there was no sign of our group. A quick CB call and they stated they were on their way and shortly afterwards they appeared. Janet was trying out a new camera and took some excellent shots from the back of the Wing during the course of the ride. These can be seen on the NWW web-site.

Whilst I mention the web-site, it is worth commenting on all the alterations that Nigel, the web-maestro, has made to the overall appearance and usability of the site. He has spent a lot of time making the photos easier to access and view. His latest estimate on the number of photos on the site is in excess of 7700. Likewise, some time has been spent re-organising the ‘wanted’ and ‘for sale’ ads, so that these are easier to access and to see. Please visit the web-site and check it out - www.northwaleswings.org.uk – and I’m sure you will agree

Finally, we have returned to our previous meeting time of 12 mid-day on the first Sunday in the month, still at the usual venue.

That’s all folks

Keep the shiny bits up.

Dave T