Tales from the RIverbank - October 2019

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mb i l c ill

de i r t h g ni

club night

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m ar tin fe

bla zing

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50s ral ly

biker corner

www.thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

October 2019

Ed Quarters As we are nearing end of the year, not only are days getting shorter but we are getting fewer days with good weather for ride outs and hence fewer and fewer rides. As I sit in my study writing this piece a group of our fellow members are doing the noble RTTW. I have been wanting to do it for past two years, but due to one reason of other unable to do so. Now my commitment is to do it next year!

You will realise that our summer socials have stopped while Saturday socials are being planned. The immediate event that would hopefully see a big turnout is the PC Harper Memorial ride for which the date has just been announced as Sunday October 27. We must all make effort to join this ride and show our solidarity to the people who make sure that we are safe while risking their lives! I will be visiting my daughter in Stockholm that weekend for Diwali (hindu festival of lights) hence, will miss the event but will remember PC Harper and his family on the day.

In this issue we have news from Kop Hill ride, Night ride and Rock Martin festival form our club members. I did get a lot and I mean a lot of photos from Mac and Linda from the Blazing 50s rally, but sadly most of them arrived, especially Mac’s, after the artwork for the magazine was ready. I urge everyone to please make sure that you send in your article and photos by end of the month in case you are not sure of the deadline, though they are published in every issue. We also have Mike C's story about his love for bike in the usual Biker's corner.

In this we also have started a classified section, about which I had written in the August issue and Mike (J) and Nick E have their services advertised. I am sure a lot of us would be able to make use of their service either by buying Jewellery for Christmas for our loved ones or becoming future leaders – looks like we need a few to run this country! Reading HD is also advertising attractive service offers!

Keep riding fellows and remember to send in articles and pictures! Also do not forget that clock go back an hour on Oct 27 - one more hour of lie in!

Ride safe!

Mohit 2

to: ons rg.uk i s mis g.o uk sub lleyho mag. r u g a o v o y s h nd ame w.tv Se h ww @t o t r ad at i d e o l up Or

Inside this issue Front cover - Blazing 50s

Look out for our Facebook and instagram tweets

Page 2 Ed Quarters Page 4-8 Westie Writes Page 9 Chapter Mileage Page 10-11 Kop Hill Climb Page 12-13 Night Ride Page 14 TV Times Page 15 The Committee Page 16-17 Softail Scriblings Page 18-19 Rock Martin Festival Page 20-21 September Club night

Huge thanks to all who have sent copy in for this month's magazine: Nick, Mike (J), Mike C, Linda F, John, Hayley, Nick E, Gary Your contributions are appreciated.

Page 22-23 Blazing 50s Rally Page 24-26 Biker's Corner

Youtube Channel We have launched a new Youtube channel - thanks to Robin or setting it up!

Page 27 Classified Adverts Back cover - Valley Rally

There are a few videos uploaded there andI would like members to please check them out and provide us with feedback on what they want to see, so that we can make it better !

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Hi All. As we move out of prime riding season, more and more days (especially weekends) are being lost to the weather habits. Mornings are noticeably cooler and days noticeably shorter.

It’s not all doom and gloom though. As I am writing this note I am finalising arrangements for this year’s Ride to the Wall.

Whilst it’s a sobering occasion, it is a great opportunity to celebrate the lives of those who gave so much that we might be free. The wreath arrived yesterday and we will be laying a poppy tribute at the wall on behalf of our membership. I am hopeful that Mac will be there with his camera to capture the moment.

At the September Clubnight we announced our 2020 Committee Nomination process. The Chapter needs your help to continue the great work for our membership. All positions are up for nomination as per standing orders at the Chapter. We need help in many areas for next year so please speak to someone if you feel you can help in any way. As you heard, I will be vacating the Director role after 3 years in post and Assistant Director, John Green will be taking the helm. We have a great leadership team and I know that John will be great for the Chapter. He will have my full support throughout his 4

Directorship. I will speak more about this in December, which will be my last month as Chapter Director.

Regular visitors to the Dealership will have noticed a new “postbox” on the wall between the toilet doors.

This has been provided to capture any and all of your communications. You can post feedback, membership forms, nominations and any other communications that are appropriate for the Chapter.

Please use it freely.

Recently, a number of our Ladies of Harley took part in the Sparkle Tour. I heard good things about this now annual favourite. Some travelled far and wide for a slice of the fun. Perhaps we will see a return of a “South” tour next year … fingers crossed.

By the time you have this magazine in your hands we will have had our last summer social and poker run for the year. As usual we will announce the winner and runners up at the Christmas Clubnight which we are hoping to hold at Reading Harley Davidson in December. Good luck and many thanks to those who have participated throughout the year and particularly to Sue Knight for running things on the night this year. We are preparing to switch to Saturday Socials in November so please keep an eye on the calendar for details.

Hayley and Patricia finally completed their charity skydive at Chiltern Park in South Oxfordshire. The weather caused the original jump to be postposed, and the follow up dates clashed with holidays etc. In the end, over £800 was raised for Alexander Devine Hospice Service and the photos and videos will offer a lifetime memory for both. A huge thanks and extremely well done !

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We have seen the last of the regular Bike Nights at Reading Harley Davidson until next spring. We were played out by yet another excellent band and treated to a thrill with the “Extreme Wheelie” machine. A truly inspired move by our “not-so-new” DP, David Kennedy.

Some of our members have also been out on international rallies and rides. Some went to Faaker See for the annual rally out there and some went over to Belgium to join Flanders Fields Chapter on their annual Night Ride.

The Chapter sent just under 40 people to the New Forest Blazin’ 50’s rally again this year at Hayling Island. A mix of weather meant that we were able to get some riding in but many of the local rides were cancelled due to high wind speeds on the island. As usual, the venue was perfect, the food was good and entertainment full-on. Another great rally by our friends and close neighbours at NF Chapter.

We started our ticket sales for 2020 Thames Valley Rally last month with sales now possible on the Valley Rally website. Dates are confirmed for the weekend of 26th - 28th June 2020 and we are already lining up entertainment for another weekend of shenanigans at Beaconsfield Football Club. We have engaged with a number of local HOG Chapters who are looking to promote the Rally and bring parties to our Rally. I would like to encourage early take up by our members so that we do not end up turning our chapter members away next year.

Coming up soon is the annual Chapter Challenge Mileage Check.

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Last year the national challenge start and finish dates changed to Jan 1 to Dec 31 but we are going to do an interim capture at our usual October and March events to help us determine our Thames Valley Chapter stars. This year we will have an open day at the dealership on Saturday 26th October to capture your updates. When we take your challenge mileage, your HOG miles will be updated automatically (if you are registered) and if you are not yet registered we will help you get that process started.

Whilst the Summer Nike Nights are officially finished we will have a bonus this year as October 31st falls on the last Thursday of October. Get your halloween outfits ready for a 2019 Harleyween event to remember. David Kennedy is promising entertainment, a band and some scary visitors to make your halloween go with a scream ! Come along and join us, it’s set to be a hoot.

We will have our second “New Owners Ride” on Saturday 2nd November so if you are a Chapter member and have recently bought from Reading Harley Davidson, you can come on a short ride to sample a group ride with like minded members. The ride is open to HOG members whether they have taken a Chapter Membership or not.

Our roadcrew will be gathering in November to set up our calendar schedule for next year. We need your input and feedback on what you would like to see in our calendar so please use the new letterbox at the dealership to post your comments and ideas, or speak to any committee member with your feedback. Maybe there is a specific event that you would like the Chapter to support ? Perhaps a destination that you have stumbled across which would be great to 7

take our group to .. remember it’s YOUR Chapter !!

The Reading Toy Run is now confirmed for Sunday 8th December so please mark that in your calendar and come along to support one of the biggest charity rideouts in the country. I will be seeking help from our road crew and experienced riders to assist with marshalling at the Showcase Roundabout again this year. Please make your availability to help known to me at clubnight so that I can add you to the comms list for this year.

Remaining tickets for the Christmas party are now down to single figures. I hear that we may be able to get more, possibly in blocks of 8 or 10 but we will not get the early discount so the price may be a little more for late comers. Speak to one of our Activities Officers for more details.

Keep the shiney side up !

Nick

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Kop Hill Climb 2019 “Run Ride” “Cancel Ride” ??? With changing forecasts & after fantastic Sunny week & beautiful Saturday evening clear sky is it really going to be crap 2moro?? After last Recce, chat with Stewards event still on / M2 / Ralph, let’s go with it.

Sunday. Woke to clear 4hr window in weather & time to get to Kop Hill dry !! Decided Buddy system as just ourselves and Alan. Nice sunny ride by Thames via Cookham, Gt Missenden, past Chequers to Kop Hill. Chatted with Stewards & managed to ‘Charm’ our way into the show area with the Entrants for the event. Where we had a lot of people looking at our bikes as well as the array of different bikes from all eras with interesting chatty characters happy to explain their rides.. There was a lovely ‘Triton’, Ralph took a shine to a Norton Dominator, M2 stuck with the Older look, Alan looked at all.

Harley represented by a custom built with Nitro which was quick up Hill even with bald tyres & damp track ;-! .

Heavens darkened and Mike (M2) decided that he would lead (surprise surprise) Buddy system to the Beer Tent & just in time, Heavens opened, torrential, so got wet on the inside rather than outside ;-) … After a while it cleared just in time for the afternoon 10

event so headed for Grandstand up the Hill. Nice array of different cars, bikes, steam, petrol, saw an Old Austin 7 remembered my father had one. Did we really go on Holiday in this with four of us + suitcase and our dog ??? Mind you there was less of me then ;-0 … Lots of vehicles that brought back memories. Drizzle arrived so took cover and then chatted our way into the Start line Grandstand.

Commentators were amazing, new all the history of vehicles and chatted with entrants so you got to hear about acquisitions etc. The event finished early as I think some people had decided not to run The Hill due to weather forecast, Saturday would have been busier & I saw a lot of cars leaving Saturday evening. Also 2 runs by all had been done. We headed back to Bandstand good Soul Band on before return home luckily to dry ride back as well…..

Thanks to M2, Ralph, Alan and my Stepson for braving it & turning up, what was forecast to be a ‘damp’ day turned into a not so & good one. Will def look at adding to next years Calendar as a good fun day out for spectators and entrants … lets hope forecast dryer & more people to join ride Mike (M1) J 11

Night Ride Malcolm has taken part in the night ride put on by the West Flanders Chapter for a few years now but this year I thought I would give it a go so got myself booked.

Myself and Dad made our way on Friday afternoon whilst Darren Standring, Alan Moss, Mark Edis, James Bostick and Nick Ekendahl took an early train. We all met with Malcolm and Chris at Shifters (a restaurant next to the dealership in Roeseslare) in the evening for food and a drink or two!

Knowing the following day was a long one, I left early and left the others to drink a few more. We agreed to meet in the hotel lobby at 10.30 for the short ride to the dealership for registration and a look around. The 25 euro registration fee got us a t shirt, pin, patch and a drink at every stop as well as lunch before we left, a sandwich a little later on and spaghetti bolognese when we finished the night ride. All registered we soaked up the sun, had some lunch and then saddled up for a 1pm depart.

The first part of the ride saw about 100 bikes take in some of the Belgian countryside ending at a pub with beautiful views. From here Philip and JP (West Flanders members) kindly led us to our next stop which was the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. From here, they kindly guided us through all the checkpoints of the night ride. We couldn’t have been luckier with the weather, blue skies and bright sunshine all day which made way for a stunning sunset (especially with the 12

yellow lenses, thanks Nick!) We hit our last stop around 1am, a small pub back in the Belgium border, by this point the temperature had dropped quite a bit and I was very thankful for my heated gear! It had been a long day and I have to admit I was starting to flag, we finished at the West Flanders Clubhouse (out the back of the dealership) at 2am and was greeted with spaghetti bolognese, a drink and another warm welcome. I cannot thank the West Flanders Chapter enough for their hospitality, they really looked after us and the ride was one I won’t forget.

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Philip Sasse of the West Flanders Chapter on his new role of Activities Officer for International, I couldn’t think of a better person to take on this role he liaised with Malcolm to get us all booked and was an awesome host! If you are thinking of taking part in this next year, don’t hesitate, it was awesome!

Hayley West

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RIDE OUTS

CLUB NIGHTS

Saturday, 26 October Halloween/Mileage Record

September 18th October 16th November 20th December 18th

Sunday, 27 October PC Harper Memorial Ride Thursday, 31 October Harleyween @ Reading HD

MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTION DEADLINES

Saturday, 2 November New Owner Rides - Reading HD

Nov 7th Dec 5th Jan 2nd

Feb 6th Mar 5th Apr 2nd

Sunday, 8 December Reading Toy Run Saturday, 4 January New Owner Rides - Reading HD Please check the website for the latest on all rides.

THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER ST

READING HARLEY-DAVIDSON

660 Wokingham Rd, Earley, Reading RG6 7HN

Saturday, 7 December 2019 Christmas Party

LIVE BAND FANCY DRESS FASHION SHOW BURGER VAN CREEPY CRAWLY ‘TOUCH’ EXPERIENCE BIKES & LATEST 2020 CLOTHING

Friday 26 - Sunday 28 June 2020 Valley Rally

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2019 Officers & Committee https://www.facebook.com/ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

PRIMARY OFFICERS

Nick West Director

Andy Tunley Lesley Lederer Secretary & Ass.Director Treasurer

John Green Assistant Director

COMMITTEE & SUPPORTING OFFICERS

Mohit Khanna Editor

Mike Connolly Membership

Robin Sasson Webmaster

David Kennedy Dealer Principal

Mike Connolly Safety Officer

Jamie McLaughlin Rally Manager

Gary Watts Activities

Nick Ekendahl Activities

Hayley West Social Media & Charities Officer

Linda Friend Photographer

Alex MacDonald Photographer

Payal Khanna Photographer

CLUB VENUE Burnham Cricket Club Memorial Ground, Taplow Common Road, Burnham, Slough, Berks, SL1 8LP Third Wednesday of every month 7:00pm

Email any committee member at (position held)@thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Softail Scriblings Hi All, IIt’s been a busy time since the last club night, New Forest’s Blazin’ rally was last weekend and RTTW is just a couple of days away as I scribble this down.

The weather was better than expected for Blazin Fifties on Hayling Island, not perfect but the Saturday was dry for the ride out and bike show on the sea front. Thames Valley did well again at the bike show winning two awards; Best of the Rest went to Shirley’s trike and Best in Show went to Jo’s Deluxe ‘Dixie’ – congratulations to both of them!

There was a rather embarrassing third win for the ‘Dirtiest Bike’ which I’m ashamed to say I won with the Fatboy narrowly beating Barry’s Sport Glide (he’d given his silencers a wipe over).

Barry did Thames Valley proud in the talent competition and the Chapter was narrowly beaten to the ‘most attended’ award by 1066 who are much bigger than us. I have it on good authority that in terms of percentage of chapter members in attendance we came out on top.

Just before last club night, but after I’d submitted my article a number of Thames Valley LOH were away with the annual Sparkle Tour and by all accounts had a great time, although I’m sure some tales are not for 16

sharing …

Coming up, we are well into preparations for this year’s Christmas Dinner event and also the plans to visit the Jersey rally next year are progressing well – both of which you can find out more about in this magazine.

The 2020 model launch has now been moved to Sat 26th October which is also the day that we will be at the dealership recording your mileages for our Chapter mileage competition. We hope to have a cake sale and live music as well so please make the effort to come along and support the Chapter and the dealership.

Nomination forms are now available for committee nominations for next year If you think you’d like to get involved, then please talk to one of the committee members to find out more and get those forms in.

Finally for this month – Valley Rally tickets are now available and can be purchased at a reduced rate by Chapter members only up to the end of November so don’t put it off, buy now and save a few quid.

Cheers, John Green Assistant Director

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Saint Valery 2019 “Rock Martin” festival Rally not confirmed for 2019 – Ralph Whatsupped group ‘It’s On’ AC/DC tribute mainline act .. Happy Days ;-) Last minute Gite/Tunnel 10 of us booked ‘Rock on’ Let’s hope as good as last year.

Usual start meet Tesco’s J10 M20, then did the coast road we have done on Lads weekend to Hardelot for lunch. Different restaurant an amazing Croque Monsieur done in a bowl with toast, ham then a ‘block’ of cheese melted over with an egg. ‘Collestrial’ bliss. Then to Saint Valery.

First night met at Ralph’s, Nick got Ham and cheese platter from restaurant round corner. Then Nick, Mike & I went to the ‘Gardenier’ for some 11.5% beer with a very meaningful and successful discussion about something / nothing before a Meander back to bases.

Saturday Rally … As last year great Atmosphere, Traders stands, Music, Bar & Sun. Some went on bikes some decided to walk which is a nice stroll down banks of the River Somme. Fireworks display was beyond amazing. Rock Marins President owns a firework factory 3 displays to different music. Then the Headline Band. “Ladies Ballbreaker” Female AC/DC Tribute. They were brilliant, very different but did an amazing slow version of ‘Hells Bells’ best I’ve ever heard and there stage act was full of energy. We all said if in France and saw they were on would def go & see again. Walked back about 01.30 music still buzzing in our heads.

Sunday morning market along the banks of the Somme before heading back for a chilled out day at Rally/Fest which finished at 18.00. Back to Ralph’s before heading to ‘Garndenier’ for Moules 18

Frittes & then returning to male bonding chats about nothing / something. Nick sorted music & Ralph did an amazing ‘Angus’ (AC/ DC) impersonation through the door into the street Air Guitaring, which was hilarious as he went from sleep to action. I then walked back to Gite through very quiet but safe feeling town.

Monday head for home, forecast looking bad but due to train delays & nightmare on the English border control (Why only 2 open stations when busy??? French just waived us through) we missed the main rain. Nick left early and got drenched.

Never know if Fest held from year to year but if on for 2020 def rebook. Also “Opale Shore” Rally Hardelot next year so hope to combine the two.

Thanks Guys & Gals for another Great trip. Mike J …

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September Club Night

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Blazing 50's Rally

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Biker's Corner It’s a long way to Tipperary!

As those of you who’ve known me for a while will know, I’m one of the lucky members of our chapter who has somehow managed to acquire more than one Harley – it wasn’t something that I had planned to do and it did involve a trip to Tipperary – hence the title of this piece. So let me tell you the story….

I was a “Brit bike only” biker for longer than I care to remember and my last Brit bike was a lovely Triumph Bonneville T140V, manufactured in 1974 which I owned from 1978 to 2002. But deep down I had always yearned to own a Harley and in 2002 that wish came true – I became the proud owner of a 1998 Dyna Lowrider, which I still ride today, 17 years and 60,000 miles down the road.

THE Dyna is a beautiful bike to ride and gave me everything my old Bonneville delivered and more. However, over the years a slightly different image of what kind of Harley I’d like to be riding started to emerge from time to time in my head as I travelled around the open spaces of the UK – that image looked more like this…

So I started thinking about a change of bike – maybe one with a really retro look about it. At first I didn’t see anything that came close to what I thought I needed. Then, after a couple of years of thinking and looking, I came across a Harley that I had not noticed before. This was in 2013 when I saw a second hand bike for sale in a well-known 24

bike shop in Woburn Green. What was that I asked – it’s a Crossbones came the reply. Well I think I might be interested in that bike I said – and then I heard the words that we all dread to hear when we’ve spotted the bike of our dreams…………

“I’m sorry but I sold it last week and the new owner is coming in to ride it away today.”

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

What could I do – apparently there are not many Crossbones in the UK and very few were coming up for sale. I was crest fallen – but decided to have a look on the internet to see if what I’d heard was actually true. After a few trips to the “world wide web” I began to realise that what I’d been told was in fact true and I was no closer to owning the kind of bike I desired. Then…. I saw this on the Irish version of Ebay….

Yes I thought, that’s it and impulsively picked up the mobile late one night and rang the number. To my surprise the owner had only posted the advertisement minutes before. So the bike was available. Great I said – I’d like to have a look at it – where are you. Well you’ve guessed it I’m sure. The reply was – Sure you can come and see it, we’re in Tipperary! (see top of page ).

It’s a long story which one or two members of our chapter have already heard, but I did make the long way to Tipperary and the long way back home and this was the result.

That’s me in 2013 (Yes I did look like that because then I had to go to work) with the bike at my house after a great deal of travelling, riding, and form filling – the reason for that 25

was the bike had to be imported from the EU as EIRE was a foreign country. That isn’t the end of the story. I had added a sissy bar and rack to the bike but it didn’t really conform to the “look” that I was after. The problem was I had by now run out of money and needed to save a few pennies before going to the next stage. Just to give you an idea of what still needed to be done this was the sort of thing I was aiming for…I didn’t think it would come cheap!

One of the great things I love about Harley Davidson is that they want us to change our bikes to get the look we want and they provide the parts to be able to do it. So the challenge was simply to track down the right bits, pay for them and bolt them on to the bike. Sounds easy and I suppose, looking back I’d have to say it wasn’t as hard as I’d expected. So after a year or so I had managed to get as close to the dream as I think I can. Here she is, my retro crossbones.

I still get out on my old Dyna, which is of course much older than my crossbones, but somehow I only get that “retro” feeling when I’m riding the Crossbones. Maybe this last picture shows what I mean – it’s not that far away from that picture of the old guy riding around the open spaces in the USA after all.

Mike Connolly

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