It turned out to be a very pleasant morning, where was the rain that was forecast? 18 bikes with 23 Hatters on board set off for Ruthin. Today we had two new members, Brad and Sarah, who only joined the Hatters last week and were on their first ride with us, Paul Imison and Little Imo were also out today.

Trev’s route took us along the M60 and M56 to Jct.7 where we joined the A556, main Chester Road, towards Chester before branching off onto the A55 towards North Wales. The A494 and A5119 took us into Mold where the group got split up at a series of roundabouts. Time out for a ciggy break on the forecourt of the aptly named “Harley’s” garage and a chance to regroup before heading on into Ruthin. After one lap of the town square it was down to the Gaol where we met up with fellow Hatters Keith, Meg and Humpty. Parking the bikes up, it was time for refreshments, anything from tea and eccles cakes to chicken, chips and peas. Most of us went on the visit the Gaol where some reprobates fitted well in the surroundings. An interesting place with plenty to see (we even had electronic thingies which told us about the exhibits and history of the gaol). By the time I was dragged out, everyone was astride their bikes, helmets on and engines running, late back again.

The sun was out and it was really warm for our ride home, a quick route this time. The A494 onto the A55 then M56 and a stop at Chester services for coffee and fuel. The group would now split up when near home. I took the opportunity to take a few action photos of the main group heading out of the services before making my way home via Frodsham and Heslby.

Another great ride, thanks to Trev and the five marshals who came out with us, excellent job!!!

Saturday lunchtime, 32 bikes and 40 Hatters met up at Knutsford services. 2 new members, Ian Parsonage and Shirley Pollard, were amongst those riding and 4 Hatters were on new machines (Ratty, Humpty, Jerry and Bryan). Big Dave and Karen were on hand to make sure we got away safely. It was a chilly start as we set off down the M6 stopping at Hilton Park services for a stretch and smoke. Still cold as we headed for the M5 and a fuel stop at Strensham services. Leaving Strensham and the sky was beginning to clear and by the time we left the M5 at jct.11a it was turning into a nice afternoon making it a very pleasant ride through the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire countryside arriving at the hotel at about 5:00 pm.

Check-in complete, a quick wash and change of clothes for some, then time to hit the bar or restaurant. Some headed for Wootton Bassett by taxi and enjoyed an excellent Chinese buffet before joining some of the others, who had spent the early evening in the hotel bar, in the Cross Keys for a few more drinks. At the end of the evening it wasn’t just the Harleys that were well oiled.

Sunday morning and we were greeted with blue skies. Breakfast at 8:00 am, the bikes loaded and off to Hullavington airfield by 9:15 am. A short blast along the M4 to jct. 17 then join the queues. Once on the airfield we tried to regroup before making our donation to the Afghan Heroes charity, then it was wait our turn to ride to Wootton Bassett. Despite all our efforts to stick together the group did get split into 2 different lanes, the plan was therefore to rendezvous at Strensham services after the event. At 11:00 am the first group of bikes left Hullavington with a police escort followed quickly by the next lane. At 12:15 pm it was the lane with Trev and the majority of the Hatters turn to go, the remaining 9 bikes left about 20 minutes later. Each group left Hullavington with a police escort and 2 support riders and headed North towards Malmesbury at a steady 20 mph. On the outskirts of Malmesbury the group headed East along quiet country roads towards Wootton Bassett, entering the village from the South. In each village, hamlet and farm along the route, the locals were out with flags and banners, waving and clapping the riders as they passed. The numbers of people grew the closer we got to Wootton Bassett and the main street itself was lined on both sides with people waving flags, a complete opposite to the scenes we have grown accustomed to seeing on the TV in recent months.

On clearing Wootton we followed the signs for the North and with Arthur leading the way, we headed for the rendezvous point at Strensham. On arrival, Trev and the rest of the Hatters were nowhere to be seen but after a brew and some food they arrived having taken a different route and stopped for refreshment at an aptly named café - “On The Run”. Fuelled up, it was time to leave for what I found a rather unpleasant journey home with long stretches of road works and 50 mph limits, a right pain in the arse. Finally we pulled into Knutsford services at around 6:00 pm. A big thanks must go to Trev for making all the arrangements and also the Road Captains and marshalls for getting us all there and back safely, a brilliant weekend for a great cause.

Ross

* We raised £130 at the Swap Shop at the last meeting. Many thanks to
everyone who either brought stuff or bought it!! Money going to Air
Ambulance.

* Our April get-together will be an Italian meal on the 24th April in
Cheadle Hulme. This could be a St. George's Day do and we can all wear
something red, socks or knickers will do!! More details to follow.

Cheers, Lady Sue.

Any new riders who want to partake in the saturday run for new riders/group riding need to send Trev a text by Friday 26th March, please be aware if there is no response the run will not go ahead, and no meeting will take place at the dealership.

Text Trev on 07748966730

Cheers

Trev.B

Trev’s first “New to group riding” ride out of the season took place today and following a short briefing, just after 12 o’clock, twelve bikes set off for Two Wheel Tyres in Byley. Led by Lenny, seven “old stagers” and five “newbies” headed for the M60 then the A34 through Wilmslow before turning towards Mobberley. From there it was quiet country roads to Byley where we stopped for a coffee and debrief. A few observations made by Trev, Arthur and Ratty were passed on to the “newbies” and a warning from Ratty that it is polite on your first ride but any time after that it’s a p*** take. Suitably refreshed, the points taken on board and a photo call completed, it was the quick route home via the A556 and M56. Today was also Two pints Pete’s first time marshalling in anger, a job well done. So it’s welcome to Paul, Jackie, Ian, Graham, Paul and “Little Imo”, see you on the Sunday ride outs.

See photo Gallery for Pics.

Ice cold in Leeds

The first ride of the season saw 20 + bikes turn out , although it was a lovely sunny day it was cold and you needed a couple of layers on, but one lady rider ( sue ) took this to the extremes . She arrived looking like the Michelin woman to start with! But before we left she added even more layers and what looked like a layer of chain mail.
Another subject to do with the cold was Jerry’s small ornamental bullet which for reasons only known to him decided to hang it from his trouser zip! At first glance it looked rather rude just hanging there! But when someone said I know it’s cold but that looks tiny and is it normally the size of a 303 bullet? He looked offended and promptly removed it and hooked it on to his jacket.
With Trev leading the group we left the dealership around 10.30ish and headed towards the M60, but with all the traffic lights the group got spilt up, and then at the first roundabout for some unknown reason 4 of the group took the first exit on to the M60. So with much horn blowing by Arthur and myself we managed to alert them to their mistake, now if they had followed the rules and looked for the marshal marking the exit this wouldn’t have happened! If it’s not marked then don’t turn into it.
Onto the M60 – M62 stopping at Birch services to meet a couple more hatters, before continuing on up the M62 , now this where it got very cold and the higher and longer we rode the colder it seemed to get. Glad I have heated grips as for those who don’t your hands must have been like blocks of ice I recommend heated grips they make the ride much more comfortable. Once into Leeds the group got split again at the roundabout traffic lights, its always going to happen with large groups of bikes in built up areas, I was keeping an eye on the Sat Nav when I noticed the group taking the first exit on the roundabout when Sat Nav was indicating the 4th exit! So with the Sat Nav screaming at me to do a u turn I shot to the front to see if someone knew a different route, where Lenny said he had taken the wrong turning, now following the Sat Nav I lead the group to the dealership. I over shot the entrance to the dealership by a few feet on purpose so I could test some of the member’s ability to handle their bikes by making them practise their reversing skills; they all passed my test, well done to you all, next week I will be testing U turns. What you don’t believe me? Ok the truth is despite a car park full of Harleys and a very large sign I managed to ride past the entrance by a few feet “sorry “. So eventually we all got parked up and went about having a good look around, getting a burger and brew, where after an hour so most were just stood around looking lost! It was time to make a move, it was decided that a more scenic route would be taken for the journey home. We headed out of Leeds and towards Skipton along the country roads, it was great to be out on the bike and in the sunshine, but the day looked warmer than it actually was, by the time we got to Skipton for a short break it was getting cold. So with the sun slowly going down we headed out and on to our next and last stop of the day for fuel and a short break at McDonalds, here the group split into two groups for the journey home. One group lead by Ratty heading towards M66 / M60 Stockport and the other group lead by Trev heading towards the M65 / M6.
Arriving home around 5.00pm cold, hungry, but being able to get out on the bike made all the discomfort worth it. Great start to the riding season, sunshine, dry roads, good turn out of bikes and Hatters.

Thanks to Trev and the Marshals

Paul

YES I have retried (just standing in for Ross)

See photo gallery for pics.

To Jerry on his new bike.

Ratty & Humpty's New bikes.

Please note changes to the Saturday/Sunday Rideouts as follows:

1st ride of the season Sunday 7th March the destination is now Leeds HD, New Official Opening
28th March Destination now Ruthin Gaol, The Gruelling Experience
Sunday 16th May Haworth
Sunday 6th June Ripon Law & Order Courts
Saturday 21st August Possible overnight stay to Whitby
Sunday 29th Hartshead Top Cafe

These destination have been changed as per suggestions from Chapter members, please note there are still dates available for further suggestions/destination from Chapter members.

Trev. B