Bradford on Avon Run 
Bradford on Avon Run
The weather did not look too promising at the outset, being foggy, feeling cold and damp but the trusty winter sun managed to burn through for a bright autumn morning.
Our change from the normal start venue, to the Cafe on the A32, did not faze any of our group but the Café had a shaky start with no hot water and cold griddles, not assisted by the 50 odd other motorcycles and a half dozen or so Caterhams that came and went as we grouped for our trip to Bradford on Avon. Much amusement was gleaned from a rather lifelike severed head that Chris happened to have in his topbox, most of us take tools or compressors but hey each to their own..
Our food related delay allowed the day to warm up for a sunny start which allowed us to fully appreciate the glowing autumnal colours of the Hampshire back roads. Our leader for the day was John Barnes who provided a spirited start to get the juices flowing in readiness for a prescription dose of Morestead Road . Doing this road East/West is so much easier than the normal opposite way, as the tight bends are all uphill so engines were not being pushed into the major downchanges needed the other way. Our route followed an interesting cross country route to Stockbridge then on to Cholderton then UpAvon.
On a stop for regrouping, a number of the group including the Backmarker were found to be missing. VHF traffic ensued and a member elected to backtrack, found the missing bikers standing around Clive’s bike, scratching their heads. Clive’s puncture curse had struck again, this time it looked terminal for the tyre, something nasty had ripped a big entry wound in the tread, continued round and caused a sizable dent in the swinging arm. Tutts were exchanged as one rider admitted removing a puncture kit that morning to save space and the other rider, a compressor to save weight. Another plug kit was located and following the written instructions supplied, Clive got down and messy with glue, reamer and stretchy plug. To the surprise of all, the plug held and three co2 cartridges inflated the tyre enough to reach the nearest petrol station which, as you may have guessed, did not have an airline. Another rummage through several of the group’s kit found a boxful of cartridges that finished off the job. On checking he had enough vehicle recovery cards, Clive did the wise thing and left the group at the next fuel stop for a more sedate return home, however suffering the ignominy of being overtaken by a chopper. For those interested, 5 cartridges gave just over 30 psi in the rear tyre of a K1200. All involved repairing the puncture were well impressed how quickly the kit worked and of the sizable hole it managed to repair, give TipTop a putty medal for excellence…
The warmth and sun started to struggle on the higher ground and foggy weather returned so we were glad when we turned in to our lunch stop at The Lock Inn. No.. it is not an after hours drinking club but a rather charming canal side hostelry which boast of narrow boats as eating rooms. Unfortunately the management saw the size and quantity of our party and feared the safety of their waterborne attraction and found space in the much safer land locked End Room. Countless calories and courses were consumed thanks to the speedy service of the efficiency plethora of young serving staff. A big thank you to Bob and friends from the RoSPA car group who had taken up our invitation made at the AGM, and joined us for lunch; hope they had a pleasant drive out.
The afternoon seemed much colder as we headed off from the Inn, heading north around Chippenham to Malmesbury, South Cerney and Wantage. Along the way we passed, heading in the opposite direction, a certain Mr Fuell, one of our group needing an urgency of “motion lotion”. This put our well established marking system to the test but our Backmarker swept up those missing and all returned safely to the group.
Cheerio’s were made as various members peeled off to early evening appointments. The temperature continued to drop until we reached our final refreshment stop, the groovy Americana of Nelson’s Diner. Copious amounts of hot chocolate and tea were consumed and chemical handwarmers retrieved from forgotten pockets, until body temperatures were restored enough to eat ice cream and waffles.
Heading off in to the blackness of Hampshire country roads, some of us thankful of our HIDs to illuminate our ways home.
Many thanks to John Barnes for the route and leadership of the ride, made all the more difficult by an intermittent radio, to Paul Sheehan for sterling work as “Tail End Charlie”, showing the marking system does work and everyone else for entertaining good company and safe riding.