The ride out season kicked into life today with a rideout of a diferent kind, it wasnt strictly an Appy Wanderers rideout however I thought that quite a few members turned up to warrant a writeup
It all began when Greg posted on the Steve Saunders brilliant Goldwing web site a few weeks ago asking if a few Goldwings could possibly turn up one Sunday morning and perhaps take wifey Christine for a short spin as a thank you for being a very very special /wonderful/ loving/ and an absolute brick of a wife. She just happens to love Honda Goldwings so this would be a great gift.
Up to the plate steps David aka ”Tanygaer” from Rhosgadfan in darkest Wales look you, and Pete aka “Siverfox” from even darker Croydon in sarf London innit? These two guys took up the challange and stated it had to be done, they too asked on the site if anyone could help, four or five thought it a good idea and are the first to respond..me being amongst them. During the following few days things snowballed so fast it took everyones breath away. I was mega busy at work with an Inspectorate report so much so that all the while I wasnt aware of its rapid growth. Word had spreadreally quickley and wingers reached for dusty bike keys, salivating at the thought of a ride out so early in the year. Even across the water to the USA people were keeping tabs and getting excited, quite a few guys donating a few $ towards it, through the site, you must have a look folks its areally interesting and FREE site and has worldwide membership, you know me its not the money, its free.
It was only on Saturday afternoon yesterday during a casual phone call to Barry asking if he was still up for the little jaunt on Sunday morning that I was told about the pace of the event……hence my very VERY late post to alert you guys on our website.
Sneaking into Rotherham
Sunday morning at 09.00 saw a large gathering of 36 Honda Goldwings of all marks. 1000, 1100 Interstates, 1500 bread vans, 1800cc racehorses some two wheels,others of the three wheeled variaty, Tony Walton with his new American/French bakery van with boot especially shaped to accomodate dozens of French loafs. Lynne and John on their brand spanker 1800 in naughty purple, a guy from East Yorkshire way on a really old home built black goldie minus one pannier lid, it sounded brilliant! Good old Duffie and Julia left their garage in sons hands AGAIN! turning up on their silver grey striped 1800, Barry an Tina where there, Tina was wired up Barry tells me,. ? thought I at first, did he mean fresh?? Whatever it meant we could see her box had slipped by the end of the day! I saw one of the new Wanderer members, Bondy…Arthur. I didnt say hello properly, next time Art. A really magical line up I have to say.
Silverfox and Mrs brought the Southerners, they arrived last after a long hop from darn sarf, they had set of before dawn. As I write this on Sunday evening they are STILL on the road. Proper bikers innit! 10.00 arrives and we move off to the house of Greg and Christine, we didnt get Police outriders after all, maybe they decided the group wasnt big? 36 bikes and 60+ people seems big to me!
squeezed in 2X2 they were
We arrived at the house after squirming up and down several back allys in 50’s style streets, a little like the Coronation Street houses shown on the opening credits back in the 70’s …minus cat sleeping on out house roof of course! We practically filled the length of the back ally at two bikes abreast.
Where is our bike then?
People appeared at their gates and peered at us silently as we arrived, we took our lids of and the banter began and children came out to see, the locals began to smile ans say hello theycame out to join us. Greg and Christine were at their back gate, both were swayed with emotion, she was in a daze and Greg was relieved the secrecy was over, Christine joked she thought he had another woman, he kept going into the room when the phone went off! We sat and stood around for a while drinking tea and visiting Gregs toilet, All the girls made the first initial assault on the house beday as the guys stood back and chortled.
Making a beeline for the beeday
Silverfox and Mrs got out the chairs and Royal Dalton cups , yes guysI kid you not, just ask Lynne. They set up a North / South boundry and because Id worked in west London for 16 yrs I was invited across the line to sample coffee in the cheaper cups,
The Croydon Crew unload the poish cups
Welsh David hopefully offered is passport but was still barred from crossing the line.
You don't want to park it like that mate.....
Christine arrived from the house adorned in bike kit and climbed aboard her chariot for the day,Greg followed in our support car, a quick hop to the local park for photos. The man Emmett soon had his 2 foot camera lens erected and took some smashing photos before declaring quietly to Barry that he really shouldnt be out and will be in for a good ear boxing when he gets home from his wife and daughter, he waved us off before riding back to Stalag 17. Thanks for the snippet Baz. Next time hopefully old boy? Chin chin and all that! It was going to be Neil taking us through Sheffield city centre, not a task I envy doing because I think its a pig of a place to drive through, thankfully the roads have improved, I am REALLY glad we didnt attempt it on any other day. We used the well proven drop off system at junctions, deviations and turn offs. Thanks for that Neil. Enough of us had CB radios to make the ad hoc event work OK. We got through no problem at all and were soon on the A57 Snake Pass. Meanwhile our lord HONDA provided us with dry brisk weather and the occasional sunny spurts, but to protect our winter white skins he didnt overdo it with the sun and kept us lightly chilled throughout the day. We arrived at Ladybower Dam and turned across it as the sun burst through for a few minutes and showed it in its best light.
On through Bamford onto the A6187 into Edale. The tiny roads proved to be quite greasy and not too grippy for our tyres, so a sedate pace was had all the trip, a trip of 30+ miles I think Neil told me.
Our final destination was at the end of this road and incidently “The Official Start Of The Pennine Way”
Gary reckon's the old girl was 16 when Barry first started chatting up The Lady of The Lane
The pub was called after a beligerant odd lady that waved her broom at Lynne and John and told us all to “push orf before I call the police” very poish she sounded but looked forboding through dark furrowed eyes and hawkish fizzog a wolly dressing gown covered her haggered frame and whispy long grey hair move strangley in the breeze. the pub name you ask? The Olde Nags Head!
Is that a love sonnet I hear?
Barry tried his charm on her, but she summed him up smartish by declaring she thought he knew too much. Im sure she was a stunner in her day but it seems the wind has played havoc with her over the years. I have a strange feeling we might see her again before 09 is over!
A thorn between two roses
People began to make plans to move on and about mid afternoon bikes began to trickle away to make trips back home. Greg took loads of photos whilst Christine adored everything Goldwing and revelled in being a biker babe for the day!
Meanwhile I have to report that Mr Mick Gorgde had done it again ladies and gentleman, he arrived, ate dinner and was last seen wondering around outside admiring the views while we mere mortals scrabbled about at the bar ordering scraps of food, how DOES he do it? On the next rideout someone will be tasked to follow his every move and find out how the boy does it!
Greg and Christine.....The whole point to the day...Cheers!
Tilateronthen
The Scribe