Recent Events

Contents:

• December 2009
  Toy Run
  
  
• May 2009
  Demo Run
  
  
• March 2009
  Leeds MAG Easter Egg Run to Lineham Farm
  
  
• February 2009
  Fred Hill Run
  
  
• November 2008
  The NEC Bike Show
  
  
• August 2008
  Yorkshire Pudding Rally & Dave's Stag Do
  
  2009 Toy Run to Lineham Farm

  A very big "THANK YOU" to all those who came on the Xmas toy run, there was more than enough gifts for the children that were at Lineham, and the surplus wil be given as birthday gifts through out next year, So thanks once again for coming out on what was a rather unpleasant cold wet evening.

  2009 Demo Run

  This years Demo was elevated to National status, in protest against the shambolic handling by the D.S.A of introducing the new dedicated test centres.

  Once again the day dawned bright and sunny, so I was hoping for a good turn out. Sheila (regional rep), Jake and myself were at Squires by 9.00 am to man the MAG stand and do last minute stuff. As the morning wore on bikes were steadily arriving, but as always you never know who's coming on the run. After rounding up some marshals and a quick briefing it was almost time to go, but where was the President (Ian Mutch)? A quick phone call and he was with us. As we set off I had no idea how many bikes were following, but when we stopped to meet the police and I looked back I was amazed at the number of bikes, there were almost 400, had I enough marshals ???? would the police let us carry on??? No worries on both counts.

  We followed the tried and tested route as always, and were waved at and photographed by folk we passed, so we were definitely noticed. Once again we brought Leeds city centre to a stand still as we made our way round. The President was interviewed by the BBC and it was shown on the evening local news. Going over the Headrow is always a great buzz and this year was even better with the number of bikes we had , So a big THANK YOU to all who came.

  The police left us as we got back on the A64, and we made our way back to Squires where the President made a short speech pointing out the errors the government and the D.S.A had made in regards to the new test and the facilities required.

  Then we tucked into a buffet and had a bit of a chillout.

  Once again a big THANK YOU to all who came, and to especially all those who acted as marshals

  Easter Egg Run to Lineham Farm

  Thanks to all who turned out for our annual egg run to Lineham Farm, I was a bit worried my chosen route was going to be a bad idea, but we got thro' the Headingley without to much trouble, after regrouping at Lawnswood.

  We arrived to a rousing welcome from all the kids, We had tea and coffee and some excellent easter choclate buns, and then we were entertained with singing, dancing and a bit of comedy from the kids, before they were let loose to chose an egg each.

  There was more than enough eggs, in fact there was enough for the next two groups who were coming to Lineham. So a big THANK YOU to you all.

  Fred Hill Run

  At the second attempt on the 22nd of February, we gathered at Squires for the Fred Hill Memorial Run. It had been posponed from the 8th due to the extreme wintery conditions, The day dawned bright and sunny and this obviously encouraged people to come and join us, the parking was filling up and I thought it prudent to have a collection for MAG fighting fund which raised £100.

  At 11.30ish we set off. Even though we only had some impromptu marshalling at some of the trickier junctions 150+ bikes arrived together at the Sun Inn, so a big THANKS for that, and to those who travelled from further afield, everyone said they had enjoyed it and I was more than pleased with the turnout, thank you to everyone who came along.

  The NEC Bike Show

  Yes it really is that time of year again; I can't believe it's been a year since we last headed to Brummie land to worship at the shiny alter that is the Bike show. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea and I can understand those not wanting to buy in to all the commercial hype that goes with shaving another 5 grams off the latest 1000cc sports bike but it is a good opportunity to paw over the latest machines and talk to the people that make and sell them. Then there's all the cheap kit and free calendars too, not to mention pert young things in Lycra wandering about …

  

  One of the interesting things was the introduction of traction control on the new Ducati 1198S, which in theory will allow much greater corner exit speeds and turn good riders into race gods. I reckon it'll be more use on commuter bikes or tourers, allowing diesel cover roundabouts to be negotiated more easily and stop wet ferry ramps from being a stressful start to some foreign touring…

  The resurrection of the Diversion was news on the Yamaha stand; the bike certainly looks well and hopefully will avoid the 'good but boring' tag that the last incarnation earned itself.

  

  The Bandit 1250 now comes fully faired and ready for touring for only £6800 which is pretty good value for money when you put it against a Pan or the FJR.

  Honda's new CB1100R shows the friendly face of biking, it's lovely looking retro bike that has some nice touches on it.

  Norton seems to be set to make a come back too, there were a couple of prototype looking bikes bearing the Norton name. I wonder if they'll be using a wankel power unit…

  All the usual suspects were there although it was a shame that Aprilia and Moto Guzzi didn't have stands. The latest crop of big sports bikes were all slightly lighter and slightly more powerful than last year as per usual. The GSXR1000 has had a complete re-vamp but is still instantly recognisable as a Gixxer; it did seem to be a bit more plasticy than the old model though.

  

  There was some really cheap kit going too, I saw winter jackets on sale for £25 and waterproof trousers for £15. Not to mention the usual paddock stands, tools and associated paraphernalia.

  I did try the off road experience while I was there, it's free of charge and they provide you with all the kit to wear too. It only lasts 10 minutes but that was quite enough, it's really hard work!

  All in all a good day out and a chance to see the latest in the world of biking up close.

  Yorkshire Pudding Rally & Dave's Stag Do

  As this was my first Pudding Rally and my Stag do I was understandably apprehensive about what might happen. I had been looking forward to a weekend without the women folk, a weekend of giggling at drunk men doing stupid things, a weekend of being 17 again.

  

  The Pudding itself is a lot like the Farmyard but on a smaller scale, like a 1/5th scale model with 1/5th of the people, stalls and entertainment. That isn't a bad thing though, it made it feel more intimate and friendly. You couldn't get lost at the Pudding in the same way as you can at the Farmyard. There was still the custom show though which produced some interesting rides and the comedy show was excellent as my aching ribs testify. The bands were pretty good too.

  

  I thought I had escaped the usual Stag do traditions of 'getting' the groom but I was mistaken. There is a lot of pressure on stag do's these days to be full of strippers and drugs and take place in far off foreign cities at great expense. I had decided to go for a more traditional affair with men drinking, telling tall tales, passing on hard earned wisdom and being a bit daft. It turns out most of the people with whom I associate haven't worked hard enough for wisdom yet and most of the tall tales involve me…. So they decided to dress me up in various daft items of clothing and false lady parts instead. This was ok until a scary half naked man took a fancy to me…

  

  All was going well until some of the female members of Leeds MAG (I don't know who let them in…) decided I looked too warm and needed to lose some of my clothing. Now I'm not against public nudity but I feel it has a time and a place so I decided discretion was the better part of valour and beat a hasty retreat.

  All in all a good weekend and a good rally, thanks to all those who came to mourn my passing from bachelor to husband…