IN THE BEGINNING..
On a cold November day in 2004 I was sitting in the shop chatting with old friend John Harvey, discussing the reasons why so many people, including Goldwing owners, buy a touring bike with all the best intentions of touring Europe or Scotland etc, but never do it, either because they are unsure of touring abroad on their own or they think the lack of a different language or knowledge would prevent them or maybe it’s that they have simply never organized a tour abroad for themselves before. “Perhaps WE should organize a tour and take wingers along and show them what to do and how easy it is after all we are both seasoned travelers in Europe”. That day the ‘APPY WANDERERS’ idea was born.
2012 AND ONWARDS..
We have come a long way since November 2004, once again 2011 was a very successful year for Appy Wanderers. We organized more ride-outs than in previous year’s and another European tour which proved a massive hit.
The Appy Wanderer’s is still growing, with more and more Goldwing owners joining our
Ride outs and European tours, yes our group of Appy wandering friends continues to grow.
So what’s happening in 2012 I hear you asking? Well for starters, we have another European adventure planned. 11 couples will be heading to Italy and Austria in July 2012. Also we will have more new ride outs and maybe another weekend break or two in the offing. It just keeps getting better folks!
As we continued to grow the need for help became paramount and finding like minded folk who are willing to take on the responsibilities of a group has always been in the back of my mind.
Dave Sharp decided in late 2011 to retire from running the Appy Wanderers with me to concentrate on his personal bucket list of things to do; I would like to thank Dave & Julie for their commitment to the Wanderers over the years and wish them both well in the future.
Having the skill’s needed in leading and marshalling a group is not in all of us, It’s not just about riding a bike you know! We have been looking for those special qualities in folk and continue to do so…
Derek and Heather
Derek and Heather Thornton came aboard in 2011 to lend a hand. Derek has been helping with the ride outs as a ride out leader, and will continue doing this, plus he will be riding as assistant group leader on the upcoming European tour this year.
Heather took on the new role of our social sec, organizing the monthly social meeting at the Hawks hill social club in Guiseley nr Leeds (1st Monday of each month @ 7.30pm) and organized our first ever Christmas party which was a huge success. For 2012 Heather will be taking on the task of general sec of the group as we move towards becoming a Club, thank you heather for your commitment to the Wanderers.
Geoff Smith has been riding motorbikes since the age of steam and as been part of the marshaling team with the Wanderers for the last 3 years He has proved to be a skilled and mature rider and a hardworking member of the Team. I would like to and thank him and Chris his wife, for all their hard work This year Geoff will be playing a very important role for us, as our main “backdoor” man on the upcoming Ride outs, accompanied by chris, who I hope will still allow us to nick all Geoff’s biscuits when he’s not watching…
THE WEBSITE
The extraordinary Chris Wray
Mark Lovell
Our website with excellent technical help from Mr Chris Wray has evolved into a very busy website and this year we intend to have even more information on touring available to you, however this takes a considerable amount of time and skills.
I am pleased to announce Mark Lovell is coming onboard as our club webmaster to update, and organize these new additions to our website, welcome to the Wanderers Team Mark.
Last year we expanded into FACEBOOK. This year its YOUTUBE we have joined, with many clips of our past tours available for you to watch and enjoy Just type in APPY WANDERERS and join us there too!
I personally feel very excited for the future of the Wanderers, with a growing team taking the helm, and club status coming ever closer, we are moving forward, and this year we join the ranks of BMF affiliated clubs and will be listed in their club directory
For the first time ever, we are planning to attend one or more of the 2012 BMF shows as a club in our own right!
All that said, we are still keen to help you enjoy the open roads, for us riding our Goldwings with like minded folk is what its all about, so If you have the time, come along and join us, you will love it and it doesn’t cost a penny to join in our fun, but should you wish, you can donate to our running costs, We are not a fully fledged club yet, but hopefully soon will be, one things for certain we will always be a group of friends! Don’t take our word for it just ask any of the Appy Wanderers
Yours truly,
Barry Walton
