Hoggin The Bridge

Anyone going to hoggin the bridge can you text Trev, even if you have done so already you need to re-send your text with details of the room you require as all texts have been lost due to Trev's phone having a swim...

Whitby

Whitby has been cancelled due to lack of response it will be rescheduled.

Trev. B

The Sunday Rideouts Page has been upadated.

Trev.B

A bright but blustery morning for today’s ride out to Llangollen. 14 bikes and 18 Hatters were making the trip, including new members Keith, Mitch and Jack, Darren brought Jane with him as a “guest” (could she be another new Hatter soon?).

With Trev leading the way it was onto the M60, M56 and onto the A556. From there we joined the A49, which features in the bmf “The Best Rides” motorcycle atlas as one of the 300 best roads in Britain, sweeping bends and undulations – fantastic. A stop at Raven café for the usual ciggy, brew and stretch (not necessarily in the order) and a close examination of 2 Pints Pete’s bouncing muffler, then off again, passing signs for Wem, (is something happening there later this year?) along more country roads before joining the A5, tree lined and with the smell of wild garlic in the air, entering Llangollen at about 1 o’clock. Parking up in the town centre, Trev gave us 2 hours to explore. Shops, canal boat rides, steam trains, river walks or cafes – plenty to go at. Back in the car park we admired 2 Pints’ custom fix for that bouncing muffler, not exactly what I would call factory H-D parts (see photos), before heading for home with a stop for fuel just outside Llangollen and another stop at Chester services for the usual.

Thanks Trev and all the marshals (Ratty, Malc, 2 Pints, Arthur and Paul) for getting us all out and back safely and also to everyone else on the ride, see you all again next time.

Ross

A very hot morning and with this expected Trev. had already changed the proposed ride to Eden Camp (mostly motorway) to a more leisurely ride to Chesterfield. Arriving at the dealership for the 10:30 departure time and its all change again, Chester H-D for their 5th birthday bash then on to Trev. and Mandy’s for a BBQ.

17 bikes and 21 Hatters left the dealership led by Malc. with Aiden, Bryan and 2 pints Pete acting as markers and Gaz bringing up the rear. The route was M60, M56 to the A556 then through Delamere Forest on the B5152 to Frodsham. Next on the A56 through Helsby and finally the A5117 past Stanlow to Chester H-D. Time to spend money on the offers in the dealership, grab something to eat and, very importantly, drink, listen to the live band or browse the stalls. 5 more Hatters made their own way to Chester.

Those who took up Trev’s invitation then headed for the M56, M6 and M62 to Burtonwood. Trev and Mandy had laid on food and cold drinks, some Hatters even managed a dip in the pool.

Thanks to Trev and Mandy for their hospitality and the Road Captains and marshals for getting us there safely.

Ross

A dull start to the day for the ride to Haworth and their 1940’s style weekend. With Trev and most road captains and marshals not available, it was also back in time for the Hatters too, but not quite as far, 2008 in fact, as we had Keith leading the ride and Paul acting as tail gunner, Arthur acted as marker. 14 bikes and 19 Hatters left the dealership for the M60,M62 and leaving at jct.21 towards Todmorden via Hollingworth lake. Entering Yorkshire and the weather was picking up and by the time we had passed through Hebden Bridge and over the moors toward Haworth the sun was out. Haworth was busy, finding somewhere to park was causing problems, stop/start up the hill to the upper car parks was taking its toll on the bikes and with no space it was back down into the town to park in the fire station yard. The time now was 12:40 so Keith gave us until 15:30 as we had the long climb back up the hill to visit the festivities. Many of the locals and visitors were in period costume both civvies and military, vintage cars and military vehicles lined the cobbled street and vintage bus and steam train rides were also available. After a couple of hours it was back to the bikes, Arthur was having big trouble, no operating clutch necessitated a call to HOG assistance and a wait to be collected. The rest of us departed and headed back the way we had come before turning towards Littleborough, a brief stop at Hollingworth Lake for ice cream then home.

Thanks to Keith, Paul and Arthur for their efforts and all on the ride for their company.

Ross.

Just to say we had a great time on the ride out to Howarth yesterday,plenty of things to do and lots to see at the WW2 Extravaganza that was going on around the village that weekend !!

Here are some images I took,I know that Ross will have taken lots also,,,

1) The Old bike is a 1940 Original American Indian Motorcycle Co, I believe painted in South African Military colours that made its appearance to us on the car park before we set off back home.Arthur admiring!!!

The others for info were taken at Hollingworth Lake the last stop before we reached home.

Happy riding and keep safe,,,,,, Stephen Lee

Two weeks ago I received a phone call from a gentleman called Phil Cocker regarding his sister in law Nicky.
Nicky has been blind since birth and has an inexplicable fanaticism for all things Harley-Davidson, Phil told me it was Nicky's birthday on the 17th of May, so as a special treat he asked me could I give Nicky a ride on my bike.
He also told me Nicky did have a ride an a Harley-Davidson many years ago and never stopped talking about the experience.
So I thought what can I do to better that!

Not just a ride on a Harley-Davidson but a ride with 10 Harley-Davidsons!
So after a few phone calls & e-mails the birthday treat was planned.

We would all meet at Manchester Harley-Davidson on Saturday 15th May
at 11.30 for 12.00 rideout.
Phil arrived with Nicky and her friend Charmaine who was also blind after putting on their helmets and gloves we got them on the bikes and off we went Lenny leading Nicky on my bike and Charmaine on Arthurs.

The ride took us past Hazel grove, Disley over the moors where we stopped for a photo shoot then down to Pott shrigley, Adlington, Wimslow, Handforth dean, and then back to the shop it took just over 1 hour 15 mins the two girls had a great time. Back at the shop they were presented with Hatters t-shirts the two girls were over the moon and could not thank us enough for the day on a Harley-Davidson many thanks to all those who gave up their time to make their day so special and a special thanks to phil who gave us £75 for the air ambulance which is the Hatters Chapter charity for this year.

Thanks to all.

Ratty

From Phil

Keith,
Please find attached a letter of appreciation from Nicky regarding the wonderful day that you and your fellow chapter members helped to create for her on Saturday last.
I too would also like to express my thanks to all at Stockport for the very warm welcome extended to us all on the day.

From Nicky

Hi,

On behalf of myself and my friend Charmaine, I’d like to say a huge thank you once again to all at the Hatters Chapter, particularly Keith, Arthur and Aiden (without whose help I’d never have been able to get on and off that fabulous machine), for making Saturday 15th May a day we’ll remember for a long time to come.

It was a pleasure and a privilege for us to ride out with you guys and we’ll wear the T-shirts you gave us with pride!

Hope to see you on 4th July and will keep my fingers crossed that it’s a great day and the weather will be kind.

Stay safe and happy riding!

Cheers!

Nicky.

Blackpool rideout on utube here is the link.
www.youtube.com/user/kalamitty?gl=GB&hl=en-GB

Keith B

Meet at the brewery on Lower Hillgate Stockport for 07.30pm

The tour takes about 2 hours and concludes in the Unicorn Room where the beers are sampled.

Price is £8.50 per person which includes a finger buffet (special concession for us as a group!!!!!!)

Numbers are limited to 20 per tour

Please ring Davina 07771603331 to confirm place and arrange for payment.

I have to confirm numbers by 12th may at the latest and pay the money

Davina

If anyone is interested in seeing it, there is a short video on Youtube of the rideout to Holmefirth/Wakefield.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMijG1kBVLE

Despite all the disruption caused by volcanic ash, many bikers including a lot of Hatters (too many to count – or was it I just forgot) turned up on a warm but slightly cloudy morning for the St. Georges Day Parade and Bike Blessing in Dunham Massey. A few had arrived early to prepare for the day’s activities, Laney was supplying food and drinks, Rocky claimed to have been buttering barms since 8 o’clock.
At 1 o’clock the parade left the dealership escorted by the police and marshalled by the Blue Knights. The Hatters waited until everyone else had left then rode as a group at the rear of the parade, passing through Cheadle, Altrincham and the village of Dunham Massey before turning into Dunham Park grounds for a short service held by Rev. Jerry Sutton. “Last Post” was sounded, a minutes silence observed, “Abide with Me” was sung then back onto the bikes for the short ride past St. Mark’s church for the blessing. Food, drinks and live music followed at the village hall and a chance to shop at a couple of stalls. With the weather still holding, the Hatters began to drift off home around 3 o’clock. Thanks to all concerned with the organisation on the day.

Ross