Classic Bike Guide - Real rides, real riders

New Wave

This year I had a slightly different itinerary and spent a lot of my time outside, thus seeing the show for the first time from a slightly different angle. Admittedly the sunny weather helped no end, but despite gloomy times in the real world, there was a distinct buzz about the place.

I spoke to several people, many of whom were Stafford first timers – a fact noticed also by artist Roy Barrett, who felt that there was a new wave of showgoers present, which went some way to making his show a commercial success. Those of us down at grass roots level have felt this to be the case now for a good while, so it’s nice to hear it from elsewhere, perhaps now we’ll be believed.

The CBG Lincs Aviation Heritage Wolds Run was another successful day. There’ll be a full report next issue, but suffice to say, despite a lousy weather forecast, more than 650 motorcycles turned out to support the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance.

So a big thank you to the Aviation Heritage Centre, the organising Skellingthorpe Classic MCC and their helpers, James and Andy, who manned the CBG stand and especially to all of you who came along to make it a great day.

I'm also dead chuffed to be able to report that the new Nortons have eventually begun to arrive with their purchasers. I'm the first to admit to being rather sceptical of the new venture, but having seen the very first one with its new owner, I am only too happy to eat my words and I sincerely hope that this slow, small start goes onto greater things.

Now, on a different note, you’ll have probably read my grumbles about how our local police tend to single out motorcyclists for offences. Well, recently, a friend lost a lot of welding and other equipment when thieves very professionally bypassed his alarm and removed a large wall mounted extractor to gain access to his workshop. He called the police at 8am who promised to be round as soon as possible. At 4.30pm he was still waiting. At 5.30pm I drove past a regular Wednesday evening motorcycle gathering at a picnic park, whereupon I spied no less than three police cars, two bikes and a van parked up. Priorities eh?