January 2010 - Section Notes

[Duncan]

Did anyone notice a double helping of Hampshire notes last month? Somehow those intended for the December issue lost their way and you were treated to a repeat of the previous month. Consequently there is some catching up to do…..Section activity showed no sign of moving into hibernation as another year ticked relentlessly by (over and done with by the time you read this). One victim of our packed calendar was the Surrey sections ‘Change of Clocks’ meet, where only five representatives were able to make a gentle and enjoyable cross country run to Holmbury St Mary. Meanwhile Wiggy and Do-Nut had embarked for Luxembourg where they met up with a Sussex raiding party, persuading them to take time out from their pillaging to enjoy the excellent riding on almost deserted twisting roads, through spectacular autumnal countryside in unseasonally fine and warm weather. News from Kempton was that the president was seen passing Growler something under the counter, when we say that no money changed hands you may need to understand the nature of the mystery and all became clear at club night when the latest weapon in calendar sales was let off his leash. Several members were witnessed hiding in the corner sobbing “No more please, I’ve brought five already”, thanks Roy we owe you one! The imaginatively titled “Bits in a Bag” challenged members to identify, parts from the 1930’s to the late 1960’s. Waldorf narrowly lost out to Daft Vader by one point and has already started practicing hassling for bonus marks to ensure a level playing field next year. The day before the ‘Frostbite Run’ witnessed the worst storm of the year (so far!) with wind speeds of over 100mph. In the flurry of e-mails discussing the following days run Wiggys forecast of “hot and sunny with only a slight chance of a small shower in very isolated areas” seemed a little improbable. Come the day “damp, warm and sunny” would have been an accurate description of the weather as eight riders enjoyed a few hours of cruising along the muddiest, wettest and most debris strewn back roads East Hampshire had to offer, before retiring to the West Meon Hut for lunch and banter. Post run discussions tackled weighty subjects like should desert come with custard or ice cream and will global warming mean that we should rename the event to the ‘Hawaiian Shirt Run’? Colin’s initial meeting with the Dark Rider had not deterred him from participating in this, his first section event on his tidy 1957 G3 which will take several hours of work to return to its pre-run mud free condition. Wa-Hey Valley’s Mike G also brought his well used Brough Superior along enjoying it as originally intended, a lesson to GRay who was at that time hiding on the small channel island of Alderney, allegedly to avoid the run, where he was defining a new benchmark for locals to measure the slower pace of life out there. Our ‘Sausage and Mash’ evening was as popular as ever with 40+ attendees, including a good number from adjoining sections, enjoying the specially prepared fare. With a degree of arm twisting we just about managed to pull together a team for the Surrey section skittles evening. Ninth place was a bit disappointing though (sounds better than last) however, on the up side Daft managed to come up with a winning raffle ticket so there was some benefit to be had. Just time to pass on belated seasons greetings to all, including Sussex and Wa-Hey Valley, we hope your Christmas stocking was full and that your engine never wet sumps in the New Year.