Tales From The Riverbank March 2017

Convergence Mileage Program Who's that girl?

A pair of diamonds

March 2017

Editor's thoughts Welcome to Tales From The Riverbank.

Now that most of us have signed up for this year’s mileage program I find myself trying to grab every single moment of good weather and free time to get out on the bike. It’s a great way to blow away any remaining cobwebs.

Whilst putting this edition together, I still had to pop out for an hour of cruising around the local countryside. It was clearly, all in the cause of focus.

The first of this year’s organised rides that I am looking forward to joining is the Rusty Ride out to the Guildford dealership. Hopefully, we can get a really good turn out to start the year off with.

I was really happy to hear about the Convergence Rally in August. This event is being hosted as a joint venture between Thames Valley and Hogsback Chapters.

Grab your tickets now before they all go.

This magazine is only possible with your input. Your ideas, articles, pictures, jokes and stories are always needed to help fill these pages. You can email me items at the address given below or you can Se find me on Facebook and message me. nd ed yo ito Happy reading. u r@ rs ub tha mi me Ride safe and have fun! ssi sva on st lley Andy o: ho g.o rg . uk

New Members.

We would like to offer a warm welcome to our new members. Please make yourselves at home.

Thomas and Elizabeth Small Robert Vickers

Inside this issue

March/April Birthdays

Front cover

Hayley West - Slim at Reading HD

Page 2

Editor's Thoughts

Don Wibberley - 20th

Page 4 - 6

Westie Writes

Janet Smith - 21st

Page 7

Ladies of Harley

Deb West - 23rd

Page 8 - 9

Who's that girl?

Andrew Wayte - 25th

Page 10 - 11

Merchandise Morsels

Page 12-13

Upcoming event & rallies

Page 14

Convergence Rally

Page 15

Farewell Foxy

Page 16- 17

Saturday Social

Page 18

Jack & Joye's 60th

Page 19

H.O.G. European Rally

Page 19

Poker Run

Page 20

Mileage Program

Page 21

New kid on the block

Page 22

Berkshire Easter Egg Run

Page 23

Bike Night Returns.

Back cover

Meet the Committee

March

Luke Shanks - 21st

Mark Stephens - 30th

April Gordon Pike - 2nd Lewis White - 3rd Keith Edwards - 4th Hazel Wibberley - 5th John Grist - 6th Lucy White - 8th Paul Major - 11th Glenn Harger - 11th Amey White - 12th Dave Brown - 16th Andy Tunley - 19th

Huge thanks to all who have sent copy in for this month's magazine: Hayley, Nick, Lou, Thelma, Ann, Linda, & Chris :-)

Hi All, Spring is now just around the corner and most of us are looking forward to our last frost of the year. We are having a real mix of weather, but fortunately some of it has opened out to give us a few days for great riding.

We have been so lucky already this year with a blinding day for the Saturday Social at the Frog & Wicket near Eversley. The lunchtime gathering was well attended with a good number of bikes parked out front. The Landlord at the pub was suitably impressed and judged one bike to be “Landlords Choice� and gave the winner a free meal for two at the pub. Read later to see who the lucky member was.

Another such day was the first Saturday in March, when we had our Mileage Program / Chapter Challenge registration. We saw a fabulous turnout on the day, many new participants joined regulars at the Reading Dealership to get their mileage verified. Over 60 people showed up on the day and registered their mileage. A few more are looking to take bikes in over the next few weeks before the count closes. My sincere thanks to those who took the time to register and to those who are planning to register shortly.

YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOUR MILES! We will go through the exercise again in October and enter our total Chapter mileage into the National Chapter Mileage Challenge. Your recorded miles are also logged for your participation in the Mileage scheme which is the one which is recognised with a mileage patch every so often (5k, 10k, 25k 50k etc.)

For those who did not know, MiD (the UK company with the franchise for HOG Merchandise) is no longer the franchisee. HOG are looking for a new business to perform the role, but meantime it will be more difficult to get some items. Whilst they are able to sell stock items, their franchise only allows them to do this until June.

They cannot manufacture any NEW items which means anything requiring print.

This has left us with a short term issue getting hold of Chapter Rockers. Please

bear with us while we work a plan to make something available as soon as we can.

Looking forward to the coming month, we are starting to ramp up activity in the hope of some better riding weather. By the time you get to read this article many of you will have joined Lee & Lou on the ride to support the Oxford LOH Coffee Morning at their new dealership. I think we are all looking forward to hearing about the new premises which is now near the Abingdon Retail Park just off the A34. I am planning to join that ride and I wish the Ladies well in raising money for their charities.

We will once more be supporting Guildford during their open day on the 18th March. We are running two rides on the day, one leaving SportsAble and the other leaving Reading HD at the same time. We are looking to meet just outside Peasmarsh in order to make a unified entry to the Guildford dealership.

Our Saturday Social meetings are coming to an end shortly with the final one being on the 25th March at The Three Frogs in Wokingham. Some of our chapter will be taking an elderly lady on a ride before the Social starts. Ask Don Wibberley or see the calendar for more details.

There will be a Pioneer Run in March (check the calendar for up to date times and locations) and a breakfast meet at the Pinewood Cafe on 2nd April.

Rallies and Weekends. The Cider Rally is only just around the corner and I know that members are excited about getting into Rally Season. Members attending The Chapter Chillout in Newquay this year should be finalising their deposits with Barry. I believe there are a few rooms left if anyone else wants to join us. The Welsh Weekend (June 16th-18th) in Llangollen is also well subscribed, but if you are interested in joining that one, just contact Malcolm (activities@thamesvalleyhog.org.uk) who will be able to get one of the organisers to contact you.

We are now hearing that onsite accommodation for Thunder in the Glens (August) is full but there are still rooms available in local hostelries, B&B’s and in nearby villages.The Blazing Blitz Rally will be a first at the new site on Hayling Island. There are tickets still available for latecomers, but they won’t last forever.

If you haven’t yet booked your tickets for your summer rallies get onto it now. It’s gonna be a good one !

Some more exciting news, is that Lee and I met with HogsBack's Director at Cirencester Football Club in February to recce the venue in the hope that it could be a suitable place to hold a joint Rally in the calendar slot left open by SOFER. We were all suitably impressed by the venue and staff at the Football Club that we pretty much agreed there and then to set it up. The venue will allow camping onsite (as well as space for camper vans), secure overnight parking for the bikes (behind locked gates in the ground) and two hotels within a mile of the venue.

We are planning to run a shuttle bus to and from the hotels to get people back and forth. There will be a ride to the rally on Friday 11th August in the afternoon and a Ride Out in the beautiful Cotswolds on Saturday.

There will be a Barbeque and top quality band waiting for our return from the ride and entertaining us through the Saturday night. On Sunday, Thames Valley and Hogsback will go their separate ways, each putting on an organised ride back to their neck of the woods. We are currently trying to organise transportation for the camping gear so that people don’t have to carry too much on the bikes. If you think you can help please let us know.

Tickets are just £20. Camping onsite is free, as is the overnight parking for camping vans. The two nearby hotels are Travelodge (GL7 5HB) at around £60 per night and Premier Inn (GL7 1NP) at around £95 per night.

And finally, many of you will be aware of the very sad passing of our dear friend Foxy (Terry O’Farrell) recently. He is a long standing member of the Group and was universally liked for his humour and infectious laugh.

Terry had a long battle with cancer which required surgery some years back but whenever I saw him, he was in good humour and quite often busy “pulling someone's leg”.

My last recollection of riding with Terry was last year, on the Dawn to Dusk / Coast to Coast challenge. I remember pulling into Lands End and asking the organisers, “ Who was the guy we passed on the Motorway?… he looked like he was one of ours”. The reply came back, “That would be Terry O Farrell, he was first here!” Foxy will be missed as one of the real characters of the group.

Rest in Peace our Friend.

Nick

Ladies of Harley Monthly motivation.

"Always go with the choice that scares you the most. Take the road that has more curves, because these are the choices that at going to require the most from you. Never stop challenging yourself."

Another month has passed and the calendar is filling up nicely. With coffee mornings and records to be set, the year ahead is looking to be another great one. Firstly, the Chapter Challenge. I hope you all have your mileage details in, it will be great to see at the end of the year how many miles you've all clocked up.

Then we have a planned a ride out to the Oxford dealership to support their New LOH Office Claire Hunter who is hosting a charity Coffee & Cake morning.

Details are to meet at Reading Harley Davidson for a 9am set off. Lead is myself and Lee. This is followed by the LoH possie having a Pottery & Prosecco night on the 21st April commencing at 7pm @ Moss End Garden Centre, Warfield, RG42 6EJ. There are more spaces available, please contact me via fb or email at: ladiesofharley@thamesvalleyhog.org.uk. If interested, a deposit of ÂŁ5 is required to secure a place.

Furthermore, I must mention the hard work and dedication being put into organising the Sparkle tour for 2017. The tireless efforts of all the ladies involved, either directly or indirectly this truly is going to be one to remember.

Due to the success of last year's Sparkle Tour, this year there are two, one in the South and one in the North during the weekend of Fri 15th-Sun 17th September.

If you are available on the morning of the Sparkle Tour, it will commence at Reading Harley Davidson, and we anticipate them arriving around 8.45am and leave by 9.30am.

It will be fantastic to give the girls a hugely supportive send off!

Other events will be advertised on Ladies of Harley Facebook page The Worlds largest all female bikers meet https://www.facebook.com/events/598201203708693/ Please feel free to share any events that you may be interested in on Facebook as this is a great way of letting people know what other riders are doing. This way you can organise any locations you may want to meet at.

Until next time folks.

Lou X

What do we really know about Thelma…other than the bike she rides!

Despite spending lots of time with the Thames Valley Chapter on ride outs and socials when you reflect back on what you really know about the lovely people we meet we only ‘scratch the surface’. So thanks to Lou for prompting me to write a small article on the “me” outside of TV HOG and riding my Harley.

Born in Watford I am officially a ‘baby boomer’ although had a toe in ‘Generation X’ being born in October 1964. One of four girls and a ‘baby’ brother I was the middle child, so life was always hectic in our small terrace home. The name Thelma means ‘will’ and I provided Mum and Dad with many parenting challenges during my teenage years - I think I was described as rebellious! During those years I enjoyed two things in the main - music and Watford Football Club. I would always surround myself with LPs, singles and cassettes and loved to listen to Radio Caroline in bed despite it being banned by my Dad. I also bagged myself a summer job at WFC and therefore got to rub shoulders with Elton John :-) Cricket also featured in the family events that we enjoyed and I spent many a weekend watching the local cricket team with Mum and Dad.

I wasn’t one for schools and wanted to get out and experience the world as soon as I could, so left shortly after the ink was dry on my last exam paper - I guess this was the ‘will’ thing again! So at 18 I started on my journey, leaving home for Milton Keynes and my first flat purchase. Music continued to be a passion and the 80’s was in full swing - to this day that music remains the era I associate with most.

A couple of jobs came and went until I joined Rank Xerox and remained there for almost 30 years to the day. As I worked through the company I grew with it, and suddenly realised that I actually liked to learn things… why that wasn’t the case at school I have still never worked out!

As time passed, I dropped football from my list of things I enjoyed (I think the Premier League killed it for me, although I keep an eye on Watford from time to time) and added travel to replace it. I have been very fortunate to have travelled a lot, both personally and with work, so I have racked up a lot of air miles and visited countries far and wide (however never the USA!).

In May 2014, the current Mr Bryant (aka Michael Walters) and I added Gretna Green to our list of travel destinations and skipped off to get married on our own.

Posting a picture of the Gretna Green sign on Facebook when we arrived.

It was also three years ago when my motor biking journey began (I firmly put the blame on Michael for encouraging me!). There I was; having never ridden a bike in my life and firmly convinced that I was getting my licence so I could ride a vintage Lambretta. But now, after a number of different bike choices, I have a lovely vintage coloured Heritage and a little black sporty. One day I will have that 1964 Lambretta :-) So what does the future hold? Having left Xerox almost one year ago I now fill my time as an Airbnb host with two apartments in Maidenhead that I let out as holiday lets. It’s a lot of cleaning and laundry but I love it - weird probably, but I like cleaning!

This year Michael and I celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary by completing on the purchase of a Victorian Cottage in the beautiful village of Franschhoek about an hour from Cape Town, which we will use and rent out. 2017 will be the year when I (hopefully) gain my Road Captain's badge which will further my riding experience. Hopefully master the art of the basics of Afrikaans… and as Michael turns the big "50" we are planning a month in South Africa to settle into the new house and also, I’m sure, fit in a fab Harley road trip too.

Merchandise Morsels Hi All, Over the coming months, I'm planning to have the occasional page in the club magazine, in which I can highlight some of the merchandise we have on offer, and canvas your opinions on what sort of merchandise you would be interested in having available to you.

There are some nice ideas in the pipeline, and I'm hoping to be able to get you more details on those soon.

In the meanwhile, we have a small number of 15th Anniversary pin and patch sets left from our anniversary back in 2013.

Whether or not you were a member of the club back then, they would make a nice addition to your patch collection and are a nice historical memento of the Chapter.

These are available to clear at half price (ÂŁ2.50) , and as they say "When they're gone, they're gone!" Come and see me on club night, or email me at merchandise@thamesvalleyhog.org.uk To you all, please do have a think about, and drop me a line to let me know if there are other types of merchandise you would like to see available.

For example, would a Thames Valley Hog beanie hat or buff be something you'd like to have? Mugs are a perennial favourite, (especially given the rate at which I can manage to break them at home!)

How about a baseball cap for the warmer weather?

If you have any ideas, let me know and we'll look into the feasibility of making them appear!

Ladies, I need your thoughts and input!

We'd love to get a TV-LoH logo designed that we can use for t-shirts etc. What would you like to see included in the logo? Roses? Swallows? Swans? Hearts?

I'm throwing stuff out there, but it would be lovely to have a design that is one that you are happy to have on your chest, or wherever!

And finally, just a wee spotlight on some of the current pins we have in stock.

Small, neat and not just for those biker denims or leathers, these are enduring and collectable.

Priced between ÂŁ5.50 and ÂŁ7.95.

To purchase speak to me on club night, drop me a line or visit the Thames Valley website shop.

T.T.F.N.

Ann xx

Thursday, 16 March Club Night (closed event)

Tuesday, 4 April Committee Night

Saturday, 18 March Rusty Ride out to Guildford HD

Sunday, 9 April Warwick Castle (closed event)

Sunday, 19 March Pioneer Ride (see website for further details)

Thursday, 20 April Club Night (closed event)

Saturday, 25 March 90th Birthday Ride (closed event) - 09:30 Saturday, 25 March Saturday Social - The Three Frogs - 12:00 Tuesday, 28 March Terry O'Farrell Big Send Off Thursday, 30 March Ace Cafe Harley Night (open event) Sunday, 2 April Breakfast Meet (closed event)

Friday, 21 April LoH Prosecco and Pottery evening Saturday, 22 April Ride to H Cafe (closed event) Saturday, 22 April Lunch at Nelson's Diner (closed event) Sunday, 23 April John Radcliffe Toy Run For all rides, check the website or call the hotline to confirm.

See in this magazine, TV HOG website or Facebook for details.

Dates, events, ride-outs and activities.

Details correct at time of going to print.

Please check the website for updates and amendments.

RALLIES 2017

CLUB NIGHTS

The Cider Rally 28th April - 1st May

April 20th

Iron Horse Rally 12th - 15th May

June 15th

The Gathering 9th - 12th June

August 17th

Hogs in the Hayfields 16th - 18th June

MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTION DEADLINES

Roar on the Moor 30th June - 2nd July Wake the Lakes 6th - 9th July Proud to be Rutland 14th - 16th July Dragon Fever 20th - 23rd July East of England Rally 27th - 30th July

May 18th

July 20th

April 13th May 11th June 8th July 13th

August 3rd

Thames Valley Birthday Bash June 10th 07:30 to 11:30 pm

Heart 'n' Soul Rally 28th - 30th July

Convergence Rally 11th - 13th August Back to the Forest Rally 18th - 20th August The Old Skool Rally 20th - 21st August Thunder in the Glens 25th - 28th August Circus Maximus 7th - 10th September Blazin' Blitz 29th September - 2nd October

Celebrate our 18th birthday on a party boat cruise with disco & BBQ supper Deposits now being taken.

Foxy's Farewell Ride

Due to some personal travel arrangements I have asked Lee White to make the ride plans and see it through on the day. Since Don was Chapter Director for much of the time that Foxy was a member, I have asked for him to lead the ride with Lee. It seems fitting that we have Grant at the very front of the cortege, as he quite recently bought the bike which Terry used to own. I know that Foxy would be delighted that we could get his trusty steed there on the day.

Please note that Marilyn has asked for a small number of very close friends to ride after the hearse so that the cars transporting the family are not too far behind Terry. The remainder of bikes will be behind the cars.

Full details are shown below: 1). Everyone is invited to meet at the Black Horse pub, 290 Dedworth Road, Windsor SL4 4JR from 1pm on Tuesday 28th March.

2). Leave the Black Horse pub as a group to be at Terry’s House for 2pm.

3). Lead bike will be Grant on Terry's old bike followed by Don and Lee. 4). Terry will follow.

5). Ten invited bikes behind Terry.

6). Terry's family will then follow in cars.

7). The rest of the Chapter and any other biking groups / bikers will then follow.

The entire cortege will make its way to Slough Crematorium where, on arrival, Terry's car will wait at the front gates, while bikes and all cars park up to wait for Terry to arrive.

After the service, bikes are requested to let the family leave in their cars first.

When all the cars have left, bikes will make their way to the Grenadier Guards Club.

In line with family wishes please do not bring flowers; instead you may like to make a donation to Terry's chosen charities (Marie Curie and Alexander Devine). For your convenience we have set up a donation page which you can access at

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Thames-valley-HOG1 Please wear your usual riding gear on the day (Club Colours are fine) and feel free to decorate your bikes with black ribbon as a mark of respect.

If you have any questions please email assistantdirector@thamesvalleyhog.org.uk I am disappointed that I will be unable to make it on the day, but I wish you all well and I would again like to thank Lee for taking the lead on organising things in my absence.

Please enjoy the day as best you can, but remember that Foxy would love to know that amongst the sadness, there would be plenty of laughter and lots of leg-pulling.

Let's celebrate the life of our friend in the Thames Valley way ... with some laughter and loud pipes!

Nick West - Director.

The Saturday Social The Frog & Wicket pub at Eversley Cross was the venue for a grand gathering of the Thames Valley crew for the Stauraday Social. Thirty four people and seventeen bikes turned out for a lunchtime of good conversation and fine nosh.

The management and staff of the Frog & Wicket not only looked after us very well but voted Con Spathas' bike as being the best there on the day.

Con's prize was a two course lunch for two. In the words of Con, "Winner, winner, chicken dinner!"

Jack and Joyce's - 60th Anniversary When Joyce O'Connor met Jack Parry in 1946 at a cycle club meeting, could she have pictured herself married in Pimlico by the next year with a honeymoon in France?

YES SHE COULD!!!

Well, that was then, and now here we are in 2017. They have been married for sixty years on March 23rd. They have been blessed with two daughters, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Just shows you that you never know what a club meeting could lead to...

Huge congratulations from all of us at the Chapter. Happy diamond anniversary to you both.

The 26th Annual European HOG Rally

ANNUAL EUROPEAN H.O.G.® RALLY JUNE 29 - JULY 2, 2017 The 2017 European HOG Rally has been announced. The rally returns to Lugano this year for a ride with a view. If you’re looking for a fantastic ride in 2017, the 26th Annual H.O.G.® Rally is the place to go! The picture-postcard Swiss city of Lugano is just a stone’s throw from the Italian border and is surrounded by some of Europe’s most stunning scenery – as well as majestic mountains roads that you’ll love to ride on your Harley-Davidson.

Poker Run Returns This season's Poker Run starts on 12th April at 18:30 at the Dukes Head.

Dates for your diaries as follows: 12th April - Dukes Head - Farnham Royal, SL2 10th May - The Cunning Man - Burghfield Bridge, RG30 14th June - Venue TBA 12th July - Venue TBA 9th August - Venue TBA 13th September - Venue TBA 11th October - Venue TBA 8th November - Venue TBA 13th December - Venue TBA

Make Your Miles Count The H.O.G. Mileage Program rewards you for doing what you love most ... riding. Harley recognises the accomplishments. The more miles you log on your HarleyÂŽ, the more recognition you receive.

A H.O.G. Mileage Program pin and patch will be sent to all H.O.G. members upon enrollment in the program. If you have more than one motorcycle, be sure to enroll each additional bike. After enrollment, additional awards can be earned by satisfying set mileage levels. See HOG.com/ miles for details.

The Chapter started this years mileage challenge recently with a good number of our members bringing their bikes down to have their mileages registered. If you couldn't make it down on the day and want to add your miles towards the Chapter then just let us know.

New kid on the block New for 2017, the Harley-Davidson®Street Rod™ is set to raise eyebrows and reset expectations.

Grown from the Street platform, it’s built to thrive in the city – and provide an exhilarating experience beyond.

The Street Rod carries a host of details guaranteed to provide maximum riding fun. A tuned High Output Revolution™ X 750 engine produces more torque through the mid-range and power at the top-end, and also chases a higher redline. The bigger hitting motor is matched with sharper chassis geometry and aggressive riding position; there are also upgrades to the suspension, brakes and wheels.

In brief, the new Street Rod features: •

New High Output Revolution X™ 750 V-twin engine – produces higher peak power and torque with an extended rev range

•

New chassis geometry and 17in front and rear wheels net fast, responsive steering

•

43mm USD forks matched to remote reservoir dual rear shocks

•

Dual 300mm front discs with ABS braking

•

Three paint options to show off the Street Rod’s Dark Custom™style to the maximum:Vivid Black, Charcoal Denim, Olive Gold Pricing starting at just £6,745 (Vivid Black)

Berkshire Easter Egg Run The Thames Vale Vultures are again, organising this year's Berkshire Egg Run. Col, from the Vultures explains more: "You are invited to take part in the annual Berkshire Egg Run. A ride through Reading to collect and donate Easter Eggs to those in Berkshire who may be less fortunate than ourselves.

Riders of any type of bike/ trike/scooter/quad are welcome, we just ask that you bring an Easter egg (or several), to donate to the cause.

There will be a burger van at the start and a Bar and Food available at the end point.

If you would like to help marshall the route, that would be fantastic. As is usual with these types of event we need all the help we can get.

IIf you need to know anything else, please dcheck out our website or Facebook page

(https://www.facebook.com/Berkshire-EggRun-211479163216/).

I look forward to seeing you on Good Friday."

Open Bike Nights Are Back.

Thursday 27th April sees the return of the ever popular open bike night at Reading Harley Davidson.

These are always a great event. Good banter, some fantastic bikes and just a really good excuse to hang out and talk about bikes. On top of that there is the food wagon for those who skipped tea, and a great band to serenade you during the evening.

What else would you be doing on a Thursday night since Top of the Pops stopped?

We'll see you there.

2017 Officers & Committee

PRIMARY OFFICERS

Nick West Director

Lee White Asst. Director & Webmaster CLUB VENUE Grenadier Guards Club Maidenhead Rd, Windsor, Berks, SL4 5EY

Colin Wilkins Treasurer

https://www.facebook.com/ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Sue Moyler Secretary

Third Thursday of every month 7:30pm

COMMITTEE

Louise White Ladies of Harley

Andy Tunley Editor

Chris Smith Membership

Sue Knight Historian

Ann Tunley Jones Merchandise

Malcolm Poulter Activities

Linda Friend Photographer

Chris Earley Photographer

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