March 2020
West Highland Section On The Map
After serving their time as a Group, West Highland has officially become a Section of the VMCC following Glasgow’s recent lead, so congratulations to Jones and the team for their hard work. It brings up the question of where the other blanks need to be filled in to make sure everyone in Scotland is in easy reach of VMCC Section. Whilst the existing Sections cover a wide are of the country, there are still areas where it would be a trek to get to the local meeting, and where chances to enjoy the company of existing members can be a bit of hit and miss. So if anyone in the Borders, South West Scotland or other area without a local Section fancies getting together to form a new Section, pop a letter in the Journal and take it from there.
New Hudson Family Links
Leafing through the’Old Dumfries’ Facebook site I came across a photo taken around 1928 of a proud Walter Grant astride his New Hudson. It was posted by Walter’s Grandson, David who is researching his Grandfather’s 1920’s racing career.
I got some more information from VMCC New Hudson Marque Specialist Eric Londisbrough (http://www.new-hudson.co.uk/), and was also able to check early Dumfries vehicle registration details, which are still held in the Ewart Library. They were able to confirm that the bike was a 3 1/2HP model, registered to Walter in October 1926.
.
An earlier trip to the library by David unearthed a couple of articles in the Dumfries Standard on local motorcycle events that his grandfather competed in. The first, from the 27th of June 1928 covered sand races at Powfoot, organised by the Dumfries and District Motorcycle and Light Car Club. Clearly a local highlight, the races attracted over 6,000 spectators, with one bus company alone delivering over 30 charabanc loads there. The first event of the day was a 350cc scratch event. Walter didn’t compete in it, but another New Hudson, a Power Plus ridden by E Irving managed to beat the Cammy Velo ridden by R Scott into second place by half a lap. Irvine also managed to come second in the 500cc race, only losing against J Swan on one of the new CS1 OHC Nortons by quarter of a lap. Walter was, however victorious in the unlimited side valve class, the New Hudson beating a 16 year old A Tickle of Carlisle on a 550sv Ariel. Tickle went on to win the unlimited handicap race.
In the Club Championship race, Walter was pitted against fellow New Hudson rider, Irvine, amongst others. Walter came in second by 200 yards from Irvine, making it New Hudson 1 - 2.
The next cutting came from the Dumfries Standard of the 17th October 1928, reporting on the Reid Cup Acceleration Test. The 15 entrants included Walter, as well as Cammy Norton mounted J Swan and Velocette mounted J Scott. There was also the appearance of J Halliday on a James V Twin. Much praise was given to the Dumfries Magneto Accumulator and Electro Plating Company for the loan of their electrical timing equipment which ‘timed the competitors to the smallest fraction of a second’. Pretty advanced stuff for 1928. Not surprisingly J Swann on the 500 Norton, has the Fastest Time of the Day, Walter ‘s performance also given high praise, coming first in the 350 class and 3rd in the Unlimited class.
Spurred on by the information in these reports David is keen to pursue the story that Walter raced against Jimmie Guthrie on the sand at Silloth, with his Grandfather beating the legendary rider. Guthrie raced in many local hill-climb and grass-track races, but checking with John Rogerson and Jimmy Steel, both historians of the Hawick hero, confirmed that although he raced at St Andrews, Crudeness Bay, Leven, Powfoot, Newton-by-the-Sea, Druridge Bay and Saltburn-by-the-Sea, they had not heard of him racing at Silloth. Coincidentally, Guthrie also rode New Hudsons in the 1927 Isle of Man TT. In the Junior he retired on the 5th lap with a broken petrol pipe, but was 2nd in the Senior behind Alec Bennet on the works Norton. By the time of our race reports, however Jimmie had started his record breaking stay with Norton.
Keen to take his research on his grandfather further, David plans to search the Cumberland News records to see if he can find any records of racing at Siloth, and make a return to the Ewart Library in Dumfries to check more reports on the racing at Powfoot.
So from an old snapshot, and some family folklore David has been set off on a voyage of discovery into the motorcycling world of over 90 years ago, bringing it back to life and proving you can do work on old bikes in libraries and archives as well as garages and sheds. Use these important local resources whilst you still can. The information on Walter’s bike registration confirmed that he sold it in May 1929, so David might have to root around in the photo album to see what he replaced it with and start the next phase of the investigation.
John McMillan
We learned from John’s family that he had sadly passed away after his long battle with cancer. Undoubtedly there will be a fuller celebration of John’s life in the Journal but as a mainstay of the Clyde Valley Section, and the force behind the Early Motor Bicycle Run and the Veteran Interest Group, he did more for the early motorcycle movement that anyone else over the last few years. His ride on the 1903 Dreadnought in the Emancipating Run in 2018, the first that allowed 2 wheelers, showed that he wasn’t going to allow illness to get in the way of packing as much motorcycling adventure as he could in his remaining time. Gone, but definitely not forgotten.
After serving their time as a Group, West Highland has officially become a Section of the VMCC following Glasgow’s recent lead, so congratulations to Jones and the team for their hard work. It brings up the question of where the other blanks need to be filled in to make sure everyone in Scotland is in easy reach of VMCC Section. Whilst the existing Sections cover a wide are of the country, there are still areas where it would be a trek to get to the local meeting, and where chances to enjoy the company of existing members can be a bit of hit and miss. So if anyone in the Borders, South West Scotland or other area without a local Section fancies getting together to form a new Section, pop a letter in the Journal and take it from there.
New Hudson Family Links
Leafing through the’Old Dumfries’ Facebook site I came across a photo taken around 1928 of a proud Walter Grant astride his New Hudson. It was posted by Walter’s Grandson, David who is researching his Grandfather’s 1920’s racing career.
I got some more information from VMCC New Hudson Marque Specialist Eric Londisbrough (http://www.new-hudson.co.uk/), and was also able to check early Dumfries vehicle registration details, which are still held in the Ewart Library. They were able to confirm that the bike was a 3 1/2HP model, registered to Walter in October 1926.
.
An earlier trip to the library by David unearthed a couple of articles in the Dumfries Standard on local motorcycle events that his grandfather competed in. The first, from the 27th of June 1928 covered sand races at Powfoot, organised by the Dumfries and District Motorcycle and Light Car Club. Clearly a local highlight, the races attracted over 6,000 spectators, with one bus company alone delivering over 30 charabanc loads there. The first event of the day was a 350cc scratch event. Walter didn’t compete in it, but another New Hudson, a Power Plus ridden by E Irving managed to beat the Cammy Velo ridden by R Scott into second place by half a lap. Irvine also managed to come second in the 500cc race, only losing against J Swan on one of the new CS1 OHC Nortons by quarter of a lap. Walter was, however victorious in the unlimited side valve class, the New Hudson beating a 16 year old A Tickle of Carlisle on a 550sv Ariel. Tickle went on to win the unlimited handicap race.
In the Club Championship race, Walter was pitted against fellow New Hudson rider, Irvine, amongst others. Walter came in second by 200 yards from Irvine, making it New Hudson 1 - 2.
The next cutting came from the Dumfries Standard of the 17th October 1928, reporting on the Reid Cup Acceleration Test. The 15 entrants included Walter, as well as Cammy Norton mounted J Swan and Velocette mounted J Scott. There was also the appearance of J Halliday on a James V Twin. Much praise was given to the Dumfries Magneto Accumulator and Electro Plating Company for the loan of their electrical timing equipment which ‘timed the competitors to the smallest fraction of a second’. Pretty advanced stuff for 1928. Not surprisingly J Swann on the 500 Norton, has the Fastest Time of the Day, Walter ‘s performance also given high praise, coming first in the 350 class and 3rd in the Unlimited class.
Spurred on by the information in these reports David is keen to pursue the story that Walter raced against Jimmie Guthrie on the sand at Silloth, with his Grandfather beating the legendary rider. Guthrie raced in many local hill-climb and grass-track races, but checking with John Rogerson and Jimmy Steel, both historians of the Hawick hero, confirmed that although he raced at St Andrews, Crudeness Bay, Leven, Powfoot, Newton-by-the-Sea, Druridge Bay and Saltburn-by-the-Sea, they had not heard of him racing at Silloth. Coincidentally, Guthrie also rode New Hudsons in the 1927 Isle of Man TT. In the Junior he retired on the 5th lap with a broken petrol pipe, but was 2nd in the Senior behind Alec Bennet on the works Norton. By the time of our race reports, however Jimmie had started his record breaking stay with Norton.
Keen to take his research on his grandfather further, David plans to search the Cumberland News records to see if he can find any records of racing at Siloth, and make a return to the Ewart Library in Dumfries to check more reports on the racing at Powfoot.
So from an old snapshot, and some family folklore David has been set off on a voyage of discovery into the motorcycling world of over 90 years ago, bringing it back to life and proving you can do work on old bikes in libraries and archives as well as garages and sheds. Use these important local resources whilst you still can. The information on Walter’s bike registration confirmed that he sold it in May 1929, so David might have to root around in the photo album to see what he replaced it with and start the next phase of the investigation.
John McMillan
We learned from John’s family that he had sadly passed away after his long battle with cancer. Undoubtedly there will be a fuller celebration of John’s life in the Journal but as a mainstay of the Clyde Valley Section, and the force behind the Early Motor Bicycle Run and the Veteran Interest Group, he did more for the early motorcycle movement that anyone else over the last few years. His ride on the 1903 Dreadnought in the Emancipating Run in 2018, the first that allowed 2 wheelers, showed that he wasn’t going to allow illness to get in the way of packing as much motorcycling adventure as he could in his remaining time. Gone, but definitely not forgotten.
february 2020
The Final Push on Low Emission Zones
On the 30th of October I met with Katrina Sheills and Stephen Thomson of Transport for Scotland as part of the individual stakeholder engagement on Low Emission Zone Regulation and Guidance. This covers the exemptions from LEZ restriction in our city centres and I was able to give face to face feedback on the club’s views and reaffirm our view that motorcycles were part of the solution in reducing emissions in city centres, not part of the problem,.
Whilst the letter we received from Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson gives us a degree of confidence that both Historic Class vehicles and all motorcycles, not just Euro 3 compliant machines will be given exemption from the new LEZs in the Guidance, this is by no means a guarantee.
Keith Kintrea , Clyde Valley Section’s Chairman has reminded me that the consultation on Regulation and Guidance is still open to the public until the 24 February 2020. It would have significant impact if as many members as possible responded to ensure that our views were taken on board, so follow the link at https://www.transport.gov.scot/consultation/scotlands-low-emission-zones-consultation-on-regulations-and-guidance/
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the proposed legislation in more detail, please contact Transport for Scotland on [email protected]
On the 30th of October I met with Katrina Sheills and Stephen Thomson of Transport for Scotland as part of the individual stakeholder engagement on Low Emission Zone Regulation and Guidance. This covers the exemptions from LEZ restriction in our city centres and I was able to give face to face feedback on the club’s views and reaffirm our view that motorcycles were part of the solution in reducing emissions in city centres, not part of the problem,.
Whilst the letter we received from Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson gives us a degree of confidence that both Historic Class vehicles and all motorcycles, not just Euro 3 compliant machines will be given exemption from the new LEZs in the Guidance, this is by no means a guarantee.
Keith Kintrea , Clyde Valley Section’s Chairman has reminded me that the consultation on Regulation and Guidance is still open to the public until the 24 February 2020. It would have significant impact if as many members as possible responded to ensure that our views were taken on board, so follow the link at https://www.transport.gov.scot/consultation/scotlands-low-emission-zones-consultation-on-regulations-and-guidance/
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the proposed legislation in more detail, please contact Transport for Scotland on [email protected]
January 2020
Wings to Wheels
I learned from an article in a recent issue of the Aeroplane magazine that George Handasyde, the co-founder of aeroplane manufacturers Martinsyde, had been a pupil at Edinburgh High School. This was obviously of interest as after the Great War, Martinsyde went on to produce an interesting range of motorcycles. A quick chat with Rick Parkington, owner of the Tait Martinsyde sprinter, confirmed this. He said that Handasyde’s son had also lived in Edinburgh. Apparently he was going to write a biography of his father, but unfortunately he died and the paperwork ended up getting thrown out in the house clearance.
Interest piqued, I got in touch with Brian Walker, the club’s Martinsyde Marque specialist, who provided me with a further wealth of information.
Early Days
George Harris Handasyde was born in Edinburgh on 30th March 1877. After his apprenticeship he worked at the Madelvid Motor Carriage Company in Granton, one of the pioneers of electric cars in the Victorian era. Moving on to Ramage and Fergusson, shipbuilders in Leith, he served for 2 1/2 years as a Marine Engineer before moving to Bertram’s in Sciennes, which produced machinery for the papermaking industry.
Around 1906, he built his first car and after a short spell with the Edinburgh Autocar Company he moved to London to take charge of the London General Omnibus Company garage before taking a couple more jobs in the motor industry.
With a mutual interest in the fledgling aviation industry, Handasyde teamed up with Helmut Paul Martin to form the grandly titled ‘Martin and Handasyde Aeroplane Manufacturers and Aeronautical Engineers’. In 1900 Martin had built a motorcycle engine from plans published the English Mechanic magazine. Fitted to the handlebars of his bicycle and driving the front wheel via belt, Martin used his machine to tour Germany in 1901, making it back to the UK without major incident, a phenomenal feat for such a primitive device.
Their first venture, completed in 1909, was reminiscent of contemporary Bleriot monoplanes. It was less than successful, with the propeller breaking up and the Beeston-Humber engine ripped from its mountings. By the time the duo had completed their second plane in 1910, they had moved their base to that racing and aviation Mecca, Brooklands.
To the Air
Further monoplanes were developed, although progress came at the cost of more crashes and the death of their test pilot Graham Gilmore, also an experienced car and motorcycle racer. In 1912 the poor safety record of monoplanes of the time led to the War Office banning their use by the fledgling RFC. The company’s hope was that they could interest the Admiralty in their new 80hp Laiator engined machine, however that plane also crashed and whilst the pilot, Gordon Bell survived, the passenger, Lt JL Branch was killed and any hope of sales to the Admiralty died with him.
With the outbreak of war, the company built their first biplane, the single seat S1. This was more successful with 67 built for the RFC.
By May 1915 the company had become Martisyde Ltd and expanded into a new factory in Woking where the new G100 was produced. With its Beardmore 120hp engine, the plane’s original role was for long range reconnaissance. Its large wing area allowed it to carry fuel for 5 1//2 hour round trips and as well as photographic equipment to record troop positions from above. Because of its size it got the nickname of the Elephant. Quickly pressed into service as a bomber, 270 Elephants were ordered. They served in France, North Africa and Russia.
In 1917 Martisyde went on to produce the F range of fighters, culminating in the F4 Buzzard, powered by a 300 hp Hispano-Suiza engine. It was easy to fly and very fast for the time. Orders for 1,450 were received, but deliveries had just started when the war ended and the bulk of the order cancelled.
V Twin Success
After the Armistice, with aviation orders dried up, Martinsyde bought the manufacturing rights to a 680cc twin cylinder motorcycles engine penned by Howard Newman, designer of ‘the Ivy’. The design had a novel exhaust over inlet (EOI) set up.
With surplus space and manufacturing capability, they decided to manufacture the bulk of components for this new venture in-house.
A diamond frame was developed to take the 680 engine, with gearbox built in house under licence from AJS. Forks were supplied by Brampton.The machine was initially marketed under the Martinsyde-Newman name and quickly gained a reputation for reliability, with success at Brooklands, and the Scottish Six Days Trial.
A 500 cc twin was offered in 1920, with a sports version in 1921. A 350cc single was also offered. The most famous of the V twins is the Quick Six (6hp), developed by H. H. Bowen. This came out in 1922. The 738 cc engine had significant differences to the earlier models, producing 22 horsepower, with a top speed of 80 miles per hour, aided by piston design from Harry Ricardo. With only a handful made, this was to be Martinsyde’s swansong, as the Woking factory was destroyed by fire in 1922, forcing the company into liquidation. In its 3 years as a motorcycle producer, Martinsyde had produced around 2,000 motorcycles.
The Legacy
George Handasyde eventually returned to Edinburgh and died there in 1988 aged 81. If his son had managed to finish his father’s biography, we might have a fuller picture of his later life, but a few of the handful of Martinsyde’s remaining products have returned to Handisyde’s birthplace over the years. Rick Parkington’s reinterpreting of the Quick Six engine, continues the work that Chris Tait put into developing his sprinter, showing the potential of the bikes from Woking with a Scottish heart.
I learned from an article in a recent issue of the Aeroplane magazine that George Handasyde, the co-founder of aeroplane manufacturers Martinsyde, had been a pupil at Edinburgh High School. This was obviously of interest as after the Great War, Martinsyde went on to produce an interesting range of motorcycles. A quick chat with Rick Parkington, owner of the Tait Martinsyde sprinter, confirmed this. He said that Handasyde’s son had also lived in Edinburgh. Apparently he was going to write a biography of his father, but unfortunately he died and the paperwork ended up getting thrown out in the house clearance.
Interest piqued, I got in touch with Brian Walker, the club’s Martinsyde Marque specialist, who provided me with a further wealth of information.
Early Days
George Harris Handasyde was born in Edinburgh on 30th March 1877. After his apprenticeship he worked at the Madelvid Motor Carriage Company in Granton, one of the pioneers of electric cars in the Victorian era. Moving on to Ramage and Fergusson, shipbuilders in Leith, he served for 2 1/2 years as a Marine Engineer before moving to Bertram’s in Sciennes, which produced machinery for the papermaking industry.
Around 1906, he built his first car and after a short spell with the Edinburgh Autocar Company he moved to London to take charge of the London General Omnibus Company garage before taking a couple more jobs in the motor industry.
With a mutual interest in the fledgling aviation industry, Handasyde teamed up with Helmut Paul Martin to form the grandly titled ‘Martin and Handasyde Aeroplane Manufacturers and Aeronautical Engineers’. In 1900 Martin had built a motorcycle engine from plans published the English Mechanic magazine. Fitted to the handlebars of his bicycle and driving the front wheel via belt, Martin used his machine to tour Germany in 1901, making it back to the UK without major incident, a phenomenal feat for such a primitive device.
Their first venture, completed in 1909, was reminiscent of contemporary Bleriot monoplanes. It was less than successful, with the propeller breaking up and the Beeston-Humber engine ripped from its mountings. By the time the duo had completed their second plane in 1910, they had moved their base to that racing and aviation Mecca, Brooklands.
To the Air
Further monoplanes were developed, although progress came at the cost of more crashes and the death of their test pilot Graham Gilmore, also an experienced car and motorcycle racer. In 1912 the poor safety record of monoplanes of the time led to the War Office banning their use by the fledgling RFC. The company’s hope was that they could interest the Admiralty in their new 80hp Laiator engined machine, however that plane also crashed and whilst the pilot, Gordon Bell survived, the passenger, Lt JL Branch was killed and any hope of sales to the Admiralty died with him.
With the outbreak of war, the company built their first biplane, the single seat S1. This was more successful with 67 built for the RFC.
By May 1915 the company had become Martisyde Ltd and expanded into a new factory in Woking where the new G100 was produced. With its Beardmore 120hp engine, the plane’s original role was for long range reconnaissance. Its large wing area allowed it to carry fuel for 5 1//2 hour round trips and as well as photographic equipment to record troop positions from above. Because of its size it got the nickname of the Elephant. Quickly pressed into service as a bomber, 270 Elephants were ordered. They served in France, North Africa and Russia.
In 1917 Martisyde went on to produce the F range of fighters, culminating in the F4 Buzzard, powered by a 300 hp Hispano-Suiza engine. It was easy to fly and very fast for the time. Orders for 1,450 were received, but deliveries had just started when the war ended and the bulk of the order cancelled.
V Twin Success
After the Armistice, with aviation orders dried up, Martinsyde bought the manufacturing rights to a 680cc twin cylinder motorcycles engine penned by Howard Newman, designer of ‘the Ivy’. The design had a novel exhaust over inlet (EOI) set up.
With surplus space and manufacturing capability, they decided to manufacture the bulk of components for this new venture in-house.
A diamond frame was developed to take the 680 engine, with gearbox built in house under licence from AJS. Forks were supplied by Brampton.The machine was initially marketed under the Martinsyde-Newman name and quickly gained a reputation for reliability, with success at Brooklands, and the Scottish Six Days Trial.
A 500 cc twin was offered in 1920, with a sports version in 1921. A 350cc single was also offered. The most famous of the V twins is the Quick Six (6hp), developed by H. H. Bowen. This came out in 1922. The 738 cc engine had significant differences to the earlier models, producing 22 horsepower, with a top speed of 80 miles per hour, aided by piston design from Harry Ricardo. With only a handful made, this was to be Martinsyde’s swansong, as the Woking factory was destroyed by fire in 1922, forcing the company into liquidation. In its 3 years as a motorcycle producer, Martinsyde had produced around 2,000 motorcycles.
The Legacy
George Handasyde eventually returned to Edinburgh and died there in 1988 aged 81. If his son had managed to finish his father’s biography, we might have a fuller picture of his later life, but a few of the handful of Martinsyde’s remaining products have returned to Handisyde’s birthplace over the years. Rick Parkington’s reinterpreting of the Quick Six engine, continues the work that Chris Tait put into developing his sprinter, showing the potential of the bikes from Woking with a Scottish heart.
December 2019
Transport (Scotland) Bill – Light at the End of the Tunnel?
The trip to Glasgow offices of Transport Scotland for further consultation on the Bill was quite positive. A few days earlier I had received a letter from Transport Minister Michael Matheson in response to at he meeting I mentioned last month. He said’…it is likely that LEZ guidance will take the position that motorcycles should only be included in an LEZ scope where the scientific evidence supports such an approach. This means that emissions from motorcycles will have to be shown to be suitably substantive in order to justify their inclusion in a LEZ scheme.’ He also said that he is strongly minded to include an exemption for Historic Vehicles within the Regulations. There also still appears still to be a slight hope that this may be extended to vehicles over 30 years old, in line with the UNESCO definition of historic vehicles.
Consultation on the Dundee LEZ is now underway and Central Scottish Section have already had a look at the proposals, but if you live in the Tayside area, make your views known at https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/a-low-emission-zone-for-dundee-we-want-your-views
Whilst this is means that as Classic motorcyclists, are still likely to be able to roam freely through our cities centres, remember that Classic Car owners, with vehicles that are 10,20, 0r 30 years old, will probably face penalty charges if they try to do the same.
Early Motorcycle Delight
I was lucky enough to get along to Early Motor Bicycle Run at Castle Douglas on the 5th and 6th of October. With around 30 entrants, including a sizable Dutch contingent, this is a fantastic turn out for an event targeted at bikes over a century old.
Although the weather forecast had not been too favourable, the rain managed to hold off as the Veterans rode off through the Galloway countryside. One of the benefits of the area is the miles of country roads that have hardly changed since the bikes were new, with little modern traffic to spoil the experience. There was a warning of one long gradient early on, where the single speeders were advised to take a long run at it, but the hill was managed with relative ease by all. Mind you, by setting the route through the Army firing ranges , we were a a bit worried when we started seeing ‘Beware of Tanks Crossing’ signs en route.
With lunch in Kirkudbright over, we returned to Castle Douglas via Borgue,Twynholm and Rhonehouse after which the happy competitors had an excellent evening get together at the Douglas Arms Hotel.
Luck couldn’t hold out though, and the riders on the Sunday run via Sandywell and Bridge of Urr faced the heavy rain, with a few rider deciding that pushing their bikes through the puddles that straddled the road was much safer than risking a bow wave drenching the magneto .
Even with the less than perfect weather, the event was a great success, with the Dutch contingent promising to be back next year. Much thanks to Clyde Valley’s Keith Kintrea, John Harper, Tim Ryan, John McMillan and their team of marshals and helpers for making this such a unique event.
Scottish Motorcycle Show
Preparations are now underway for the VMCC stands in the Classics Hall of the Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston on the 7th and 8th of March next year.
Central Scottish Section are trying to find something to top their crown pulling BSA Dandy on their stand last year, which just goes to show that it is not just the big capacity concourse bikes that capture the hearts of the paying public.
The Combined Scottish Sections stand is looking to put on an ‘Any Colour AS Long As It Isn’t Black’ display of machines covering the dawn of motorcycling to the most recent club eligible bikes. Tim Ryan has bravely stepped into Gordon Mowat’s shoes to co-ordinate the stand, although Gordon will still be shouting words of encouragement from the ringside. As well as offers of bikes for display, Tim will also needi a band of volunteers to man the stand over the weekend and tell the public about the great benefits of being a member of the club. If you can spare some time, contact [email protected]
Programme Sir?
Scottish sections have again agreed to get together to produce a programme covering the major events and incorporating club contact details. Norrie Russell has taken over the reigns on this from Gordon Mowat, who deserve great thanks for getting the idea off the ground and driving it over the last few years. Look out for the leaflets in the New Year, or better still, grab a bundle and distribute them in your local bike shop or other biking haunts to publicise the Club and what it can offer.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
I wish you all a Merry Xmas and a Good New Year, and give a special thanks to all those Section officials and helpers who make the club in Scotland the success that it is. .
The trip to Glasgow offices of Transport Scotland for further consultation on the Bill was quite positive. A few days earlier I had received a letter from Transport Minister Michael Matheson in response to at he meeting I mentioned last month. He said’…it is likely that LEZ guidance will take the position that motorcycles should only be included in an LEZ scope where the scientific evidence supports such an approach. This means that emissions from motorcycles will have to be shown to be suitably substantive in order to justify their inclusion in a LEZ scheme.’ He also said that he is strongly minded to include an exemption for Historic Vehicles within the Regulations. There also still appears still to be a slight hope that this may be extended to vehicles over 30 years old, in line with the UNESCO definition of historic vehicles.
Consultation on the Dundee LEZ is now underway and Central Scottish Section have already had a look at the proposals, but if you live in the Tayside area, make your views known at https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/a-low-emission-zone-for-dundee-we-want-your-views
Whilst this is means that as Classic motorcyclists, are still likely to be able to roam freely through our cities centres, remember that Classic Car owners, with vehicles that are 10,20, 0r 30 years old, will probably face penalty charges if they try to do the same.
Early Motorcycle Delight
I was lucky enough to get along to Early Motor Bicycle Run at Castle Douglas on the 5th and 6th of October. With around 30 entrants, including a sizable Dutch contingent, this is a fantastic turn out for an event targeted at bikes over a century old.
Although the weather forecast had not been too favourable, the rain managed to hold off as the Veterans rode off through the Galloway countryside. One of the benefits of the area is the miles of country roads that have hardly changed since the bikes were new, with little modern traffic to spoil the experience. There was a warning of one long gradient early on, where the single speeders were advised to take a long run at it, but the hill was managed with relative ease by all. Mind you, by setting the route through the Army firing ranges , we were a a bit worried when we started seeing ‘Beware of Tanks Crossing’ signs en route.
With lunch in Kirkudbright over, we returned to Castle Douglas via Borgue,Twynholm and Rhonehouse after which the happy competitors had an excellent evening get together at the Douglas Arms Hotel.
Luck couldn’t hold out though, and the riders on the Sunday run via Sandywell and Bridge of Urr faced the heavy rain, with a few rider deciding that pushing their bikes through the puddles that straddled the road was much safer than risking a bow wave drenching the magneto .
Even with the less than perfect weather, the event was a great success, with the Dutch contingent promising to be back next year. Much thanks to Clyde Valley’s Keith Kintrea, John Harper, Tim Ryan, John McMillan and their team of marshals and helpers for making this such a unique event.
Scottish Motorcycle Show
Preparations are now underway for the VMCC stands in the Classics Hall of the Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston on the 7th and 8th of March next year.
Central Scottish Section are trying to find something to top their crown pulling BSA Dandy on their stand last year, which just goes to show that it is not just the big capacity concourse bikes that capture the hearts of the paying public.
The Combined Scottish Sections stand is looking to put on an ‘Any Colour AS Long As It Isn’t Black’ display of machines covering the dawn of motorcycling to the most recent club eligible bikes. Tim Ryan has bravely stepped into Gordon Mowat’s shoes to co-ordinate the stand, although Gordon will still be shouting words of encouragement from the ringside. As well as offers of bikes for display, Tim will also needi a band of volunteers to man the stand over the weekend and tell the public about the great benefits of being a member of the club. If you can spare some time, contact [email protected]
Programme Sir?
Scottish sections have again agreed to get together to produce a programme covering the major events and incorporating club contact details. Norrie Russell has taken over the reigns on this from Gordon Mowat, who deserve great thanks for getting the idea off the ground and driving it over the last few years. Look out for the leaflets in the New Year, or better still, grab a bundle and distribute them in your local bike shop or other biking haunts to publicise the Club and what it can offer.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
I wish you all a Merry Xmas and a Good New Year, and give a special thanks to all those Section officials and helpers who make the club in Scotland the success that it is. .
November 2019
october 2019
Transport (Scotland) Bill - The Next Step
Here is a further update from Transport Scotland on engagement with stakeholders on the Low Emission Zones. The regulations and guidance aspect of the consultation will cover details of what vehicles are and are not allowed into the zones, and although we hope that motorcycles and Historic Vehicles will be exempt, there is still no guarantee. Katrina Shiells has advised me that the next round of consultation could be from September.
We need as many individual members as possible to respond to the Scottish Government consultation. This will help ensure our voice is heard and that all motorcycles will continue to be able to access our cities freely and without penalty. Contact [email protected] to be kept up to date with your chance to respond to the proposals as once the law is passed , there will be little chance of changing it.
Remember Our Transport Heritage.
An article by John Yellowlees in ‘The Scotsman’ of 27th August reminded us of the importance of celebrating our transport heritage, both in Scotland and the UK as a whole.
The article highlighted the unveiling by the Transport Trust of one of their Red Wheel plaques at Paisley Canal. This piece of engineering includes the longest arch of the Canal Age, which in 1885, with the coming of the railways, became part of the Glasgow and South Western Railway and is now the country’s oldest operational railway bridge.
The Transport Trust was founded over 50 years ago to promote and encourage the preservation and restoration of Britain’s unique transport heritage and stop it slipping into oblivion. The VMCC is an affiliated organisation to the Trust
As well as the Red Wheels locations the Trust has a database of over 800 heritage sites on its website. Motorcycling is covered by the inclusion of the Ace Café, the AJS works, the TT Grandstand and Brooklands, and whilst Scotland is well represented by a plethora of bridges, from those constructed by General Wade to the Forth Road Bridge, the only motoring heritage is charted by the 1911 Botanic Gardens Garage, which was Britain’s first multi storey car park, and the iconic Argyle car factory.
The Trust has plans to unveil further Red Wheels plaques across Scotland and it would be great if some of these represented our rich motorcycling heritage. Possible candidates could include the Beveridge Park Race track in Fife, the Second World War Royal Enfield Shadow Factory off Leith Walk in Edinburgh or the John O’Groats Hotel, starting and finishing point of so many early End to End motorcycling record attempts. What locations would you want to see immortalised by the Transport Trust? Letters on a postcard please! For more details of the Trust, see their website at https://www.transporttrust.com/
The link to the controversial figure of General Wade continues with the plans to build a Scottish National Motor Sport Heritage Centre at the Rest and Be Thankful Hill Climb site in Argyll, built in 1750 to the General’s plan. Whilst the Centre is still just a twinkle in the eye of Douglas Anderson, the Dundee man responsible for the return of the Monte Carlo Rally to Scotland over recent years, the dramatic hillside design aims to breathe new life into the popular historic motor sport location and bring tourism and jobs to the community.
The proposed £25million centre is hoped to be a multi-use facility which can be used by the local community as well as having a retail area and a restaurant. For further information the website is http://therestheritage.scot/ Whilst the project it is likely to focus principally on four wheeled friends, this may be an opportunity to get involved with a venue that may be able to chart some of our Scottish motorcycling heritage as well. The Jimmie Guthrie Exhibition at Hawick Museum has shown that with community interest and support out motorcycling heroes can be remembered so a dedicated band of members could take forward a project to help keep Scottish motorcycling heritage to the fore for a new generation. Any takers out there to be Ambassadors of Scottish Motorcycling Heritage?
Caption – Do you want more Red Wheels plaques like this commemorating motorcycling heritage in Scotland?
Here is a further update from Transport Scotland on engagement with stakeholders on the Low Emission Zones. The regulations and guidance aspect of the consultation will cover details of what vehicles are and are not allowed into the zones, and although we hope that motorcycles and Historic Vehicles will be exempt, there is still no guarantee. Katrina Shiells has advised me that the next round of consultation could be from September.
We need as many individual members as possible to respond to the Scottish Government consultation. This will help ensure our voice is heard and that all motorcycles will continue to be able to access our cities freely and without penalty. Contact [email protected] to be kept up to date with your chance to respond to the proposals as once the law is passed , there will be little chance of changing it.
Remember Our Transport Heritage.
An article by John Yellowlees in ‘The Scotsman’ of 27th August reminded us of the importance of celebrating our transport heritage, both in Scotland and the UK as a whole.
The article highlighted the unveiling by the Transport Trust of one of their Red Wheel plaques at Paisley Canal. This piece of engineering includes the longest arch of the Canal Age, which in 1885, with the coming of the railways, became part of the Glasgow and South Western Railway and is now the country’s oldest operational railway bridge.
The Transport Trust was founded over 50 years ago to promote and encourage the preservation and restoration of Britain’s unique transport heritage and stop it slipping into oblivion. The VMCC is an affiliated organisation to the Trust
As well as the Red Wheels locations the Trust has a database of over 800 heritage sites on its website. Motorcycling is covered by the inclusion of the Ace Café, the AJS works, the TT Grandstand and Brooklands, and whilst Scotland is well represented by a plethora of bridges, from those constructed by General Wade to the Forth Road Bridge, the only motoring heritage is charted by the 1911 Botanic Gardens Garage, which was Britain’s first multi storey car park, and the iconic Argyle car factory.
The Trust has plans to unveil further Red Wheels plaques across Scotland and it would be great if some of these represented our rich motorcycling heritage. Possible candidates could include the Beveridge Park Race track in Fife, the Second World War Royal Enfield Shadow Factory off Leith Walk in Edinburgh or the John O’Groats Hotel, starting and finishing point of so many early End to End motorcycling record attempts. What locations would you want to see immortalised by the Transport Trust? Letters on a postcard please! For more details of the Trust, see their website at https://www.transporttrust.com/
The link to the controversial figure of General Wade continues with the plans to build a Scottish National Motor Sport Heritage Centre at the Rest and Be Thankful Hill Climb site in Argyll, built in 1750 to the General’s plan. Whilst the Centre is still just a twinkle in the eye of Douglas Anderson, the Dundee man responsible for the return of the Monte Carlo Rally to Scotland over recent years, the dramatic hillside design aims to breathe new life into the popular historic motor sport location and bring tourism and jobs to the community.
The proposed £25million centre is hoped to be a multi-use facility which can be used by the local community as well as having a retail area and a restaurant. For further information the website is http://therestheritage.scot/ Whilst the project it is likely to focus principally on four wheeled friends, this may be an opportunity to get involved with a venue that may be able to chart some of our Scottish motorcycling heritage as well. The Jimmie Guthrie Exhibition at Hawick Museum has shown that with community interest and support out motorcycling heroes can be remembered so a dedicated band of members could take forward a project to help keep Scottish motorcycling heritage to the fore for a new generation. Any takers out there to be Ambassadors of Scottish Motorcycling Heritage?
Caption – Do you want more Red Wheels plaques like this commemorating motorcycling heritage in Scotland?
September 2019
The Early Motor Bicycle Run Correction
Last month I gave the wrong date for the 5th Early Motor Bicycle Run. It will actually be run from Castle Douglas on the 5th and 6th of October, as any of you who had looked at the advert on page 27 of the August journal will have realised. Profound apologies for the confusion caused.
Contact John Harper on [email protected] or 07770647799 for more details.
Edinburgh Inter Club Ride In
The July Edinburgh (ARE) Meeting say the interclub ride in. With a substantial increase in turn out over last year we had a fantastic range of machines turing up, from CZs to Brough Superiors, although more Czech products than Nottingham ones were in evidence. With a few new faces, plus a lot of old friends, it was good to stretch out the hand of friendship to other clubs.
Kinross Classic Ride Out/Ride In
Get down to the Boathouse Bistro, Kinross before 10.30 am on Saturday the 21st September if you want to Ride Out on the Edinburgh (ARE) Section Kinross Classic Run. Conversely, if you want to Ride In, get to the Crieff Visitor Centre at around lunch time to catch up. The run is for all VMCC eligible bikes with a route of about 90miles. For more details, contact George Plumb on 01506 491307or at [email protected]
Transport (Scotland) Bill
More movement on the legislation as City of Edinburgh Council has carried out consultation on how they are going to implement the Low Emission Zones once the Act is passed, including the size of the zone itself. We have stressed to the Council the benefits that motorcycles in general have in helping to reduce pollution levels in the cities asking for exemption to be given to all motorcycles. We have also supported the exemption of 'historic’ vehicle tax class vehicles.
If you didn’t get a chance to respond to this consultation, please contact your local councillor to stress that bikes and historic vehicles should be exempt from the Edinburgh LEZ or contact Andrea Mackie at [email protected].
The legislation will be rolling out in other Scottish cities so keep your eyes out in your area.
Resignation from Board
As you will probably already know, I have resigned as a Director of the club. I believed that the club needed to make significant changes and improvements in its structure and management to ensure it delivered services in a professional and businesslike manner befitting an organisation with a £1m turnover if it was to retain and continue to serve its members.
The previous committee had laid the groundwork for this and Geoff McGladdery had shown incredible commitment in co-ordinating the 3 year Business Plan, an essential requirement, but ignored by past Boards. Unfortunately the momentum to implement the plan has been lost, and barriers put in the way of changes which are necessary if the club is to flourish in these challenging times.
I have the utmost respect for Geoff and the commitment he put into trying to take the club forward to a better place, and without his vision and leadership I think it will be difficult to address the issues facing the club. As a result I tendered my resignation. I hope I can continue to support the club in other ways.
Last month I gave the wrong date for the 5th Early Motor Bicycle Run. It will actually be run from Castle Douglas on the 5th and 6th of October, as any of you who had looked at the advert on page 27 of the August journal will have realised. Profound apologies for the confusion caused.
Contact John Harper on [email protected] or 07770647799 for more details.
Edinburgh Inter Club Ride In
The July Edinburgh (ARE) Meeting say the interclub ride in. With a substantial increase in turn out over last year we had a fantastic range of machines turing up, from CZs to Brough Superiors, although more Czech products than Nottingham ones were in evidence. With a few new faces, plus a lot of old friends, it was good to stretch out the hand of friendship to other clubs.
Kinross Classic Ride Out/Ride In
Get down to the Boathouse Bistro, Kinross before 10.30 am on Saturday the 21st September if you want to Ride Out on the Edinburgh (ARE) Section Kinross Classic Run. Conversely, if you want to Ride In, get to the Crieff Visitor Centre at around lunch time to catch up. The run is for all VMCC eligible bikes with a route of about 90miles. For more details, contact George Plumb on 01506 491307or at [email protected]
Transport (Scotland) Bill
More movement on the legislation as City of Edinburgh Council has carried out consultation on how they are going to implement the Low Emission Zones once the Act is passed, including the size of the zone itself. We have stressed to the Council the benefits that motorcycles in general have in helping to reduce pollution levels in the cities asking for exemption to be given to all motorcycles. We have also supported the exemption of 'historic’ vehicle tax class vehicles.
If you didn’t get a chance to respond to this consultation, please contact your local councillor to stress that bikes and historic vehicles should be exempt from the Edinburgh LEZ or contact Andrea Mackie at [email protected].
The legislation will be rolling out in other Scottish cities so keep your eyes out in your area.
Resignation from Board
As you will probably already know, I have resigned as a Director of the club. I believed that the club needed to make significant changes and improvements in its structure and management to ensure it delivered services in a professional and businesslike manner befitting an organisation with a £1m turnover if it was to retain and continue to serve its members.
The previous committee had laid the groundwork for this and Geoff McGladdery had shown incredible commitment in co-ordinating the 3 year Business Plan, an essential requirement, but ignored by past Boards. Unfortunately the momentum to implement the plan has been lost, and barriers put in the way of changes which are necessary if the club is to flourish in these challenging times.
I have the utmost respect for Geoff and the commitment he put into trying to take the club forward to a better place, and without his vision and leadership I think it will be difficult to address the issues facing the club. As a result I tendered my resignation. I hope I can continue to support the club in other ways.
August 2019
Transport (Scotland) Bill
We received 32 responses from MSPs as a result of attempt to get exemptions for motorcycles and historic and classic vehicles from the Low Emissions Zones proposed by Holyrood for Scottish cities. This means that around a quarter of our politicians have taken the time to look at our concerns, and has raised our profile as a campaigning organisation.
The outcome is that the Scottish Government will now consider exemptions as part of the development of regulations section of the Bill, doing so in conjunction with interested parties with specialist knowledge, which will include the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, MAG as well as ourselves.
Whilst this gives us some comfort, we are not out of the woods yet. Whilst the Scottish Government is rightly trying to improve the air quality within our cities, it is essential that these regulations provide a balance. As we have seen with the London Low Emission Zones, older motorcycles have been penalised being charged the same as older cars, ignoring the fact that the levels of emissions is considerably less than most of the vehicles which are exempt from the scheme.
The answer to this is for individual members to get in touch with their MSPs directly so they are aware of the depth of feeling that exits, and help make sure the Scottish Government include all motorcycles and ‘Historic ‘ class vehicles as exempt classes, as well as giving due consideration to the younger classic vehicles that may be caught within the restrictions.
Find your MSP from this list.
https://www.parliament.scot/msps/current-msps.aspx
The Scottish Double
You might just have time to catch the mega event that is the Scottish Double. Stirling Castle’s S & T will take place at Cultibraggan camp at Comrie over the 3rd and 4th of August, with Central Scottish Section running the Scottish National Rally at it’s new venue at Guildtown near Perth over the 10th and 11th of August.
Over a week of runs and fun are promised by these twin events, with reliability trials, social runs, eating and drinking and entertainment a plenty. Contact Douglas Cowie at [email protected] or 01764 653474 about the S &T or Brian Gordon on [email protected] or 01241 853946 concerning the Scottish National.
Scottish Vintage and Veteran Gathering
The passing towards autumn brings us round Scottish Gathering, Caledonia’s answer to the Banbury Run, the. With it’s base now established at the Rosetta Holiday Park in Peebles, this two day event takes place on the weekend of the 7th and 8th of September. There will be a social run and an evening get together on the Saturday, with main run around the Borders on the Sunday, including a lunch stop at the Woll Restaurant at Ashford Golf Club in Selkirk. Contact Ralph White on 0131 3344144 or e-mail [email protected] for further details
The Early Motor Bicycle Run
For even older bikes, the Early Motor Bicyle Run will be at a new venue in Castle Douglas this year. All pre 1924 machines are welcome as over the 11th and 12th of October the roads of Galloway will resound to the roar of Veteran and early Vintage machines. There with runs on both days and a meal and get together on the Saturday night.
Contact Tim Ryan at [email protected] or 07714505386 or John Harper on [email protected] or 07770647799, or just go down and catch the atmosphere. We are expecting a number of Dutch visitors, so there is a chance to see some exotic machinery not usually seen in this part of the world.
Royal Deeside Run
The North East Scottish Section are putting on a run for any VMCC eligible machine. The 100 mile trip around the Aberdeenshire roads and epic scenery will be on the 15th September starting near Banchory. For more details contact Tony Mortishire at [email protected] or phone 01330 844322 or 07887740396.
We received 32 responses from MSPs as a result of attempt to get exemptions for motorcycles and historic and classic vehicles from the Low Emissions Zones proposed by Holyrood for Scottish cities. This means that around a quarter of our politicians have taken the time to look at our concerns, and has raised our profile as a campaigning organisation.
The outcome is that the Scottish Government will now consider exemptions as part of the development of regulations section of the Bill, doing so in conjunction with interested parties with specialist knowledge, which will include the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, MAG as well as ourselves.
Whilst this gives us some comfort, we are not out of the woods yet. Whilst the Scottish Government is rightly trying to improve the air quality within our cities, it is essential that these regulations provide a balance. As we have seen with the London Low Emission Zones, older motorcycles have been penalised being charged the same as older cars, ignoring the fact that the levels of emissions is considerably less than most of the vehicles which are exempt from the scheme.
The answer to this is for individual members to get in touch with their MSPs directly so they are aware of the depth of feeling that exits, and help make sure the Scottish Government include all motorcycles and ‘Historic ‘ class vehicles as exempt classes, as well as giving due consideration to the younger classic vehicles that may be caught within the restrictions.
Find your MSP from this list.
https://www.parliament.scot/msps/current-msps.aspx
The Scottish Double
You might just have time to catch the mega event that is the Scottish Double. Stirling Castle’s S & T will take place at Cultibraggan camp at Comrie over the 3rd and 4th of August, with Central Scottish Section running the Scottish National Rally at it’s new venue at Guildtown near Perth over the 10th and 11th of August.
Over a week of runs and fun are promised by these twin events, with reliability trials, social runs, eating and drinking and entertainment a plenty. Contact Douglas Cowie at [email protected] or 01764 653474 about the S &T or Brian Gordon on [email protected] or 01241 853946 concerning the Scottish National.
Scottish Vintage and Veteran Gathering
The passing towards autumn brings us round Scottish Gathering, Caledonia’s answer to the Banbury Run, the. With it’s base now established at the Rosetta Holiday Park in Peebles, this two day event takes place on the weekend of the 7th and 8th of September. There will be a social run and an evening get together on the Saturday, with main run around the Borders on the Sunday, including a lunch stop at the Woll Restaurant at Ashford Golf Club in Selkirk. Contact Ralph White on 0131 3344144 or e-mail [email protected] for further details
The Early Motor Bicycle Run
For even older bikes, the Early Motor Bicyle Run will be at a new venue in Castle Douglas this year. All pre 1924 machines are welcome as over the 11th and 12th of October the roads of Galloway will resound to the roar of Veteran and early Vintage machines. There with runs on both days and a meal and get together on the Saturday night.
Contact Tim Ryan at [email protected] or 07714505386 or John Harper on [email protected] or 07770647799, or just go down and catch the atmosphere. We are expecting a number of Dutch visitors, so there is a chance to see some exotic machinery not usually seen in this part of the world.
Royal Deeside Run
The North East Scottish Section are putting on a run for any VMCC eligible machine. The 100 mile trip around the Aberdeenshire roads and epic scenery will be on the 15th September starting near Banchory. For more details contact Tony Mortishire at [email protected] or phone 01330 844322 or 07887740396.
July 2019
The Transport (Scotland) Bill and Low Emission Zones
For some time the Scottish Government has been interested in creating Low Emissions Zones (LEZ) to help reduce Nitrogen Oxides (NOx ) and Particulate Matter Emissions within Scotland’s major cities to improve air quality. Access to LEZs is usually based on Euro emission engine classification standards which provide the emission rating of a vehicle.
Consultation started in 2017 with ‘Building Scotland’s Low Emissions Zones’. This included proposed that vehicle under the ‘Historic’ vehicle class would be exemption from the proposal.
The legislation has now reached the second reading of the Transport (Scotland) Bill, and whilst there are no specific exemptions listed in this stage, it is expected that this will be dealt with later by regulation making powers in the Bill.
This is all well and good, but where does this leave newer classics that are less than 40 years old? These will still be subject to the same penalties as other vehicles that do not meet the emission standards, so we still need to make sure the case for their protection is put forward.
As motorcyclists, these concerns may be academic as most of the LEZs in the UK already recognise the lower environmental impact of motorcycles and exempt them. However, as Roger Bibbings has detailed through RAG reports, the exception to the is the ULEZ, where all non 'Historic' motorcycles first registered before 2008, have to pay a daily fee of £12.50, the same level of charge as for non compliant cars. We would not want the Scottish Government to follow the London example.
If all this isn’t enough, we have to take into account that the Scottish Government proposed a Penalty based approach, not the charging scheme which all other LEZs in the UK use.
This means that, rather than having to pay a charge to enter the LEZs, non exempt vehicles are banned, and will receive a penalty, or it plain language, be fined for entering the zone, which seems an excessively severe and inappropriate response to the issue.
I think it is also fair to say that lack of joined up working in some of the proposals coming forward. In Edinburgh the setting of 20 mph speed limits within large areas of the city was heralded as a road safety coup, however recent surveys show a substantial decrease in support from residents since its introduction. There is also evidence that air quality has suffered as a result of the slower moving traffic, so this is actually increasing the pollution the LEZs are being set up to combat.
Vehicles are being made with increasingly short life spans and disposed of prematurely. They have far more CO2 and NOx embodied in their manufacture than they will ever produce in their lifetime.
Roger Bibbings has recently been in touch with the Green Alliance which confirms that keeping vehicles longer, rather than replacing them with newer models is the most sustainable pathway, so part of the answer is to go on using older vehicles for longer, not force them off the road through inappropriate LEZ restrictions.
The Scottish Vintage Vehicle Federation (SVVF) has been working with Murdo Fraser MSP to try to get amendments introduced into the Transport Scotland Bill which would safeguard the old vehicle community. I have contacted all MSPs to raise our concerns and ask for their support to the amendments and have already received a number of positive responses. What would make a difference is if all members in Scotland contacted their local MSP personally as this would show grass roots support for exemptions for classics.
We have already been exploring how the VMCC and other Scottish Heritage Vehicle organisations can have closer links with the Scottish Parliament. Scotland does not have an equivalent of the Westminster All Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group, so we have been looking into ways the VMCC could assist in getting a similar body set up within the Scottish Parliament. Closer involvement in the consultation and implementation stages of the Bill is a step towards this.
So if you want such events as Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride and other classic events to take place in the city centres, or even to be able to just meets some old bike chums in the city café or pub, have a look at the proposals and get in touch with your MSP.
List of MSPs
https://www.parliament.scot/msps/current-msps.aspx
Transport (Scotland)Bill
https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/108683.aspx
For some time the Scottish Government has been interested in creating Low Emissions Zones (LEZ) to help reduce Nitrogen Oxides (NOx ) and Particulate Matter Emissions within Scotland’s major cities to improve air quality. Access to LEZs is usually based on Euro emission engine classification standards which provide the emission rating of a vehicle.
Consultation started in 2017 with ‘Building Scotland’s Low Emissions Zones’. This included proposed that vehicle under the ‘Historic’ vehicle class would be exemption from the proposal.
The legislation has now reached the second reading of the Transport (Scotland) Bill, and whilst there are no specific exemptions listed in this stage, it is expected that this will be dealt with later by regulation making powers in the Bill.
This is all well and good, but where does this leave newer classics that are less than 40 years old? These will still be subject to the same penalties as other vehicles that do not meet the emission standards, so we still need to make sure the case for their protection is put forward.
As motorcyclists, these concerns may be academic as most of the LEZs in the UK already recognise the lower environmental impact of motorcycles and exempt them. However, as Roger Bibbings has detailed through RAG reports, the exception to the is the ULEZ, where all non 'Historic' motorcycles first registered before 2008, have to pay a daily fee of £12.50, the same level of charge as for non compliant cars. We would not want the Scottish Government to follow the London example.
If all this isn’t enough, we have to take into account that the Scottish Government proposed a Penalty based approach, not the charging scheme which all other LEZs in the UK use.
This means that, rather than having to pay a charge to enter the LEZs, non exempt vehicles are banned, and will receive a penalty, or it plain language, be fined for entering the zone, which seems an excessively severe and inappropriate response to the issue.
I think it is also fair to say that lack of joined up working in some of the proposals coming forward. In Edinburgh the setting of 20 mph speed limits within large areas of the city was heralded as a road safety coup, however recent surveys show a substantial decrease in support from residents since its introduction. There is also evidence that air quality has suffered as a result of the slower moving traffic, so this is actually increasing the pollution the LEZs are being set up to combat.
Vehicles are being made with increasingly short life spans and disposed of prematurely. They have far more CO2 and NOx embodied in their manufacture than they will ever produce in their lifetime.
Roger Bibbings has recently been in touch with the Green Alliance which confirms that keeping vehicles longer, rather than replacing them with newer models is the most sustainable pathway, so part of the answer is to go on using older vehicles for longer, not force them off the road through inappropriate LEZ restrictions.
The Scottish Vintage Vehicle Federation (SVVF) has been working with Murdo Fraser MSP to try to get amendments introduced into the Transport Scotland Bill which would safeguard the old vehicle community. I have contacted all MSPs to raise our concerns and ask for their support to the amendments and have already received a number of positive responses. What would make a difference is if all members in Scotland contacted their local MSP personally as this would show grass roots support for exemptions for classics.
We have already been exploring how the VMCC and other Scottish Heritage Vehicle organisations can have closer links with the Scottish Parliament. Scotland does not have an equivalent of the Westminster All Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group, so we have been looking into ways the VMCC could assist in getting a similar body set up within the Scottish Parliament. Closer involvement in the consultation and implementation stages of the Bill is a step towards this.
So if you want such events as Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride and other classic events to take place in the city centres, or even to be able to just meets some old bike chums in the city café or pub, have a look at the proposals and get in touch with your MSP.
List of MSPs
https://www.parliament.scot/msps/current-msps.aspx
Transport (Scotland)Bill
https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/108683.aspx
June 2019
Small is Beautiful
Well, the big event for the small capacities is going from strength to strength. With over 40 bikes on this year’s fun filled event. From Honda Cubs to Morini ‘Little Pirate’, with trick Puch Maxis thrown in, the happy throng had a rather chilly, but entertaining run. Gordon Mowat has decreed that the model Twiggy had graced the launch the Raleigh Wisp, but unfortunately John Gray hadn’t the figure to compete! See more on the Glasgow Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1159389524207632/
If you feel that you’ve missed out, it’s not too late to sign up for Central Scottish Section Tayside Scoot Aboot on the 1st of September. Leaving from near Perth with a 40 mile run around the Carse of Gowrie. Get in touch with Arthur Merchant at
[email protected]
Lanarkshire Veteran Run
The early season Veteran Run brought out around a dozen early bikes including another outing for the Dreadnought. Regulars John McMillan, Tom Gaynor, Dave Moffat, John Proffit, Jimmy Steele, Tim Ryan and Gordon Mowat were joined by a few new faces for a 35 mile meander around Lanarkshire, with a lunch stop in Braehead....not the shopping centre!
Donnie Mathieson rode guard bike on his ex police Honda Pan European, to give an air of officialdom, accompanied by a very nice D1 Bantam trials. Who said age and capacities don’t mix! For more veteran action, don’t miss the Early Motor Bicycle Run at Castle Douglas on the 5th of October.
Make Mine a Double
The twin peaks of club activity in Scotland are the S&T Rally at Cultibraggan Camp, Comrie on 2nd to 4th of August and the National Assembly the following weekend at Guildtown, near Perth on the 9th to 11th of August.
With 6 runs over 9 days and a raft of social activities in between, this could the ideal summer holiday in the Highland for you. Contact [email protected] for info on the S&T and [email protected] for the National Assembly.
Rock and Roll Run
Don’t forget to dust off your black leather jacket, and drag out your cafe racer from the shed to go along to Clyde Valley’s Rock and Roll Run on 22nd June. Starting at Overton Farm , Crossford , Carkuke ML8 5QF it will run through Lanarkshire, Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders. Even if you haven’t got a bike that shares parts with a Rock-Ola jukebox, come along as all VMCC eligible bikes are welcome. Contact Willie Malone, or see www.clydevalleyvmcc.co.uk Willie Malone
Job Vacancy
As you will have realised, as well as being Scottish Area Rep, I have also been elected to the club Board. With the workload of both these posts, plus other commitments, I don’t think I will be able to continue to give both responsibilities the attention that they deserve. With this in mind I intend to step down as Scottish Rep in the near future and would like to be able to hand the responsibility over to an enthusiastic member who wants to get more involved in the goings on of the club in Scotland. This is a very rewarding post where you will be well supported by the Section committee members around the country. Get in touch if you want to chat it over with me.
Well, the big event for the small capacities is going from strength to strength. With over 40 bikes on this year’s fun filled event. From Honda Cubs to Morini ‘Little Pirate’, with trick Puch Maxis thrown in, the happy throng had a rather chilly, but entertaining run. Gordon Mowat has decreed that the model Twiggy had graced the launch the Raleigh Wisp, but unfortunately John Gray hadn’t the figure to compete! See more on the Glasgow Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1159389524207632/
If you feel that you’ve missed out, it’s not too late to sign up for Central Scottish Section Tayside Scoot Aboot on the 1st of September. Leaving from near Perth with a 40 mile run around the Carse of Gowrie. Get in touch with Arthur Merchant at
[email protected]
Lanarkshire Veteran Run
The early season Veteran Run brought out around a dozen early bikes including another outing for the Dreadnought. Regulars John McMillan, Tom Gaynor, Dave Moffat, John Proffit, Jimmy Steele, Tim Ryan and Gordon Mowat were joined by a few new faces for a 35 mile meander around Lanarkshire, with a lunch stop in Braehead....not the shopping centre!
Donnie Mathieson rode guard bike on his ex police Honda Pan European, to give an air of officialdom, accompanied by a very nice D1 Bantam trials. Who said age and capacities don’t mix! For more veteran action, don’t miss the Early Motor Bicycle Run at Castle Douglas on the 5th of October.
Make Mine a Double
The twin peaks of club activity in Scotland are the S&T Rally at Cultibraggan Camp, Comrie on 2nd to 4th of August and the National Assembly the following weekend at Guildtown, near Perth on the 9th to 11th of August.
With 6 runs over 9 days and a raft of social activities in between, this could the ideal summer holiday in the Highland for you. Contact [email protected] for info on the S&T and [email protected] for the National Assembly.
Rock and Roll Run
Don’t forget to dust off your black leather jacket, and drag out your cafe racer from the shed to go along to Clyde Valley’s Rock and Roll Run on 22nd June. Starting at Overton Farm , Crossford , Carkuke ML8 5QF it will run through Lanarkshire, Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders. Even if you haven’t got a bike that shares parts with a Rock-Ola jukebox, come along as all VMCC eligible bikes are welcome. Contact Willie Malone, or see www.clydevalleyvmcc.co.uk Willie Malone
Job Vacancy
As you will have realised, as well as being Scottish Area Rep, I have also been elected to the club Board. With the workload of both these posts, plus other commitments, I don’t think I will be able to continue to give both responsibilities the attention that they deserve. With this in mind I intend to step down as Scottish Rep in the near future and would like to be able to hand the responsibility over to an enthusiastic member who wants to get more involved in the goings on of the club in Scotland. This is a very rewarding post where you will be well supported by the Section committee members around the country. Get in touch if you want to chat it over with me.
may 2019
Scottish Motorcycle Show
This year’s event passed off without the blizzard of the previous event, although there was a small flurry of snow on the Sunday which might have put off the less hardy.
Gordon Mowat made a great job of organising the VMCC’s Rock and Roll themed stand. Massive appreciation to all those who provided bikes, and even bigger thanks to those members from all around the country who gave up part of their weekend to man the stand, chat to the crowds and make converts to the VMCC. We manage to sell nearly £750 worth of tickets for the raffle Norton, which Ian Botham had brought up to be on the stand, as well as signing up 5 new members to the club.
Maurice Chandler and Tony Mortishire brought along a Viper and Venom for the Velo lovers. Both bikes have had a bit of petrol tank juggling recently, with Maurice’s machine getting a new pinstriped item from Stafford last year to replace the plain black one the bike came with, and Tony’s bike has had a leak sorted out for the new riding season.
Rock and Roll icons came in the shape of Tom Gaynor’s very special 600cc Vincent Comet and the Gold Star of Derek Holt, both getting a lot of attention from the crowd
Triumph twin presence came from Tim Ryan’s Daytona and Ross Wilkinson’s Trophy. Tim also fielded a splendid Douglas MK5. Jane and George Plumb had a Norton duo with their Electra and Dominator. Triton corner included examples from Doug Bradley and Brian Connell. Tiddlers included Harry Lovell’s Tiger Cub, Gordon McLean’s Bantam and the spectacular award winning Francis Barnett Plover from Provan Izatt.
Over the other side of the hall, Central Scottish Section also put on a fine display including a Vintage Baby Triumph, a rare Massey and JAP engined OK Supreme, and my personal favourite, a very original BSA Dandy.
Brighton Burn Up
The Scottish Spring Trip to the Seaside came with a substantial outing to the Sunbeam MCC’s 80th Pioneer Run.
Alastair Alexander fulfilled Presidential honour by successfully completing the course on the Dreadnaught. David Morton’s Humber, with Bill Dunlop in the saddle made it from Epsom to Brighton without any fuss. Bill was especially pleased to have his son Jamie along to share his enthusiasm and see what all the fuss is about! Another father and son duo, Bob and David Clark came down from Forres with a 490cc Brown and 500cc Rudge, with Paul Morley also taking part on his immaculately turned out 1914 226cc James.
Surprisingly, this was Dave Moffat’s first Pioneer run, but he won Best Newcomer, riding a Zenith twin. After sorting out pre run carburetion problems Martin Shelley got his 1914 Blackburne to the start line, only for it to backfire, sending his flywheel spinning into the undergrowth. This prompted him to put himself forward for the 'Worst Oldcomer' award!
This strong showing of Scottish members in this event bodes well for the Lanarkshire Veteran Run at Peebles on the 9th of June. These events allows you to see Veteran motorcycles being used as intended and not just static displays locked away in some dusty museum.
Tiddler Tootle
Time to get your Tiddlers out again! Clyde Valley and Stirling Castle Sections are again rolling out Scotland’s premier event for sub 250cc machines. Starting from Tullibardine distillery, Blackford, PH4 1QG at 10.30 on the 19th May, it will be a pleasant meander around the Perthshire countryside. Drag your old learner or commuter out of the shed and get it ready. Contact the irrepressible Don Riley on 07714505386 or [email protected] for more information.
Beeftub Bikers One Shot.
This will be on Saturday 27th May 2019 in Moffat Town Centre. You ride up on your bike, strike a pose and local photographer Jonathan Cosens will take one shot. The best photo wins. Last year’s event was featured in Bike magazine, and this time it will be bigger and better. Andy and Kaaren have set aside special parking for classics. More information at. https://www.beeftubbikers.com/
Capital Café Run
If you want a nice mid week evening run, meet up with the Edinburgh (ARE) Section at 7.00pm on Monday the 17th June at the Rail Bridge Café, The Promenade, South Queensferry, EH30 9TA. After the run it’s back to the café to have coffee and a bun and take in the splendid view of the Three Crossings over the Forth,
This year’s event passed off without the blizzard of the previous event, although there was a small flurry of snow on the Sunday which might have put off the less hardy.
Gordon Mowat made a great job of organising the VMCC’s Rock and Roll themed stand. Massive appreciation to all those who provided bikes, and even bigger thanks to those members from all around the country who gave up part of their weekend to man the stand, chat to the crowds and make converts to the VMCC. We manage to sell nearly £750 worth of tickets for the raffle Norton, which Ian Botham had brought up to be on the stand, as well as signing up 5 new members to the club.
Maurice Chandler and Tony Mortishire brought along a Viper and Venom for the Velo lovers. Both bikes have had a bit of petrol tank juggling recently, with Maurice’s machine getting a new pinstriped item from Stafford last year to replace the plain black one the bike came with, and Tony’s bike has had a leak sorted out for the new riding season.
Rock and Roll icons came in the shape of Tom Gaynor’s very special 600cc Vincent Comet and the Gold Star of Derek Holt, both getting a lot of attention from the crowd
Triumph twin presence came from Tim Ryan’s Daytona and Ross Wilkinson’s Trophy. Tim also fielded a splendid Douglas MK5. Jane and George Plumb had a Norton duo with their Electra and Dominator. Triton corner included examples from Doug Bradley and Brian Connell. Tiddlers included Harry Lovell’s Tiger Cub, Gordon McLean’s Bantam and the spectacular award winning Francis Barnett Plover from Provan Izatt.
Over the other side of the hall, Central Scottish Section also put on a fine display including a Vintage Baby Triumph, a rare Massey and JAP engined OK Supreme, and my personal favourite, a very original BSA Dandy.
Brighton Burn Up
The Scottish Spring Trip to the Seaside came with a substantial outing to the Sunbeam MCC’s 80th Pioneer Run.
Alastair Alexander fulfilled Presidential honour by successfully completing the course on the Dreadnaught. David Morton’s Humber, with Bill Dunlop in the saddle made it from Epsom to Brighton without any fuss. Bill was especially pleased to have his son Jamie along to share his enthusiasm and see what all the fuss is about! Another father and son duo, Bob and David Clark came down from Forres with a 490cc Brown and 500cc Rudge, with Paul Morley also taking part on his immaculately turned out 1914 226cc James.
Surprisingly, this was Dave Moffat’s first Pioneer run, but he won Best Newcomer, riding a Zenith twin. After sorting out pre run carburetion problems Martin Shelley got his 1914 Blackburne to the start line, only for it to backfire, sending his flywheel spinning into the undergrowth. This prompted him to put himself forward for the 'Worst Oldcomer' award!
This strong showing of Scottish members in this event bodes well for the Lanarkshire Veteran Run at Peebles on the 9th of June. These events allows you to see Veteran motorcycles being used as intended and not just static displays locked away in some dusty museum.
Tiddler Tootle
Time to get your Tiddlers out again! Clyde Valley and Stirling Castle Sections are again rolling out Scotland’s premier event for sub 250cc machines. Starting from Tullibardine distillery, Blackford, PH4 1QG at 10.30 on the 19th May, it will be a pleasant meander around the Perthshire countryside. Drag your old learner or commuter out of the shed and get it ready. Contact the irrepressible Don Riley on 07714505386 or [email protected] for more information.
Beeftub Bikers One Shot.
This will be on Saturday 27th May 2019 in Moffat Town Centre. You ride up on your bike, strike a pose and local photographer Jonathan Cosens will take one shot. The best photo wins. Last year’s event was featured in Bike magazine, and this time it will be bigger and better. Andy and Kaaren have set aside special parking for classics. More information at. https://www.beeftubbikers.com/
Capital Café Run
If you want a nice mid week evening run, meet up with the Edinburgh (ARE) Section at 7.00pm on Monday the 17th June at the Rail Bridge Café, The Promenade, South Queensferry, EH30 9TA. After the run it’s back to the café to have coffee and a bun and take in the splendid view of the Three Crossings over the Forth,
April 2019
Stanley Wood on VMCC Stand!
OK, so it wasn’t the famous Norton and Velocette TT rider back from beyond the grave, but one of our youngest supporters enjoying his visit to Clyde Valley stand at the Haggis Gathering Autojumble in February.
Stanley (the young one) has his own Watsonian sidecar which he has to share with brother Henry. Dad Kevin will soon be putting it on the newly acquired ex AA BSA M21.
Our young supporter seemed to enjoy his experience on John McMillan’s 1913 Ariel, so he might be persuading Dad to add something even older to the Wood (no s!) stable.
It never rains, but it pours
After finally seeing Gordon Johnston’s Douglas in print in the Classic Motorcycle, you were faced with a half page spread of me staring out from the pages of the monthly, extolling the virtues of my 1927 Ariel Model A. Apologies to all my fellow Doonhamers as Tim Britton referred to us Dumfresians! The Ariel was bought from Rick Parkingtion’s mate Giles. Giles and Rick originally came across the bike in the 1980s and he was only persuaded to sell it because of the arrival on his door step of a large menacing brown envelope from the Inland Revenue containing a Tax Bill! He still regrets parting with it. Black Ariels are some of the most underrated of Vintage machines, as our former Chairman, Pat Rowbotham will attest to. Geoff McGladdery ‘s article in the February edition showing how he thrashed his Ariel around the Spanish hills on last year’s Moto Piston Rally is testimony to their hardiness. Geoff’s bike also has another link to mine as it was previously owned by Hugo Wilson, former editor of Classic Bike and Rick performed the rebuild from a box of bits. If you leaf back though the back copies of that magazine you can follow its rebirth.
Legal Precedent
In an article in The Scotsman of 21st Jan 2019, Brenda Mitchell, Senior Partner of Road Traffic Accident Law (Scotland) LLP, brought news of a court case which highlights an important lesson in road safety
On 29 May 2016, Northern Irish visitor Leslie O’Donnell was involved in a serious accident on the A82 near Tarbet. He caught up with a car travelling around 50mph, keeping 50-60 yards behind the car. The driver became apprehensive when she saw motorcyclists in her mirror and braked so hard she performed an emergency stop. O’Donnell hit the now stationary car injuring to his right wrist, knee and neck.
Liability for the accident was disputed and the case went to Court and the judgement on the case was issued 21 December 2018. The Sheriff coming down on Leslie’s side.. He said in his judgment that “there is no rule that the collision by one vehicle running into the back of another automatically gave rise to an inference of negligence on the part of the following driver’. The Sheriff said Leslie was complying with the Highway Code regarding to stopping distances and the so called “two second rule” and that the accident was caused by the driver’s negligence. The Sheriff accepted there was no legitimate reason for the driver to be apprehensive and no reason for the driver to brake.
In any collision with a car, the motorcyclist will always come off worse. Although motorcyclists only account for 1 per cent of total road traffic, they account for around 18 per cent of deaths on the road. Whilst Leslie was blameless for the accident, it is little consolation for the injuries he sustained. So even when you think you are riding within the law, still take that extra bit of care to beware of the unexpected. Whilst the “two second rule” is a good guide, remember your brakes may be early to mid 20th century, not early 21st century so add a few more fractions of a second just to be sure.
OK, so it wasn’t the famous Norton and Velocette TT rider back from beyond the grave, but one of our youngest supporters enjoying his visit to Clyde Valley stand at the Haggis Gathering Autojumble in February.
Stanley (the young one) has his own Watsonian sidecar which he has to share with brother Henry. Dad Kevin will soon be putting it on the newly acquired ex AA BSA M21.
Our young supporter seemed to enjoy his experience on John McMillan’s 1913 Ariel, so he might be persuading Dad to add something even older to the Wood (no s!) stable.
It never rains, but it pours
After finally seeing Gordon Johnston’s Douglas in print in the Classic Motorcycle, you were faced with a half page spread of me staring out from the pages of the monthly, extolling the virtues of my 1927 Ariel Model A. Apologies to all my fellow Doonhamers as Tim Britton referred to us Dumfresians! The Ariel was bought from Rick Parkingtion’s mate Giles. Giles and Rick originally came across the bike in the 1980s and he was only persuaded to sell it because of the arrival on his door step of a large menacing brown envelope from the Inland Revenue containing a Tax Bill! He still regrets parting with it. Black Ariels are some of the most underrated of Vintage machines, as our former Chairman, Pat Rowbotham will attest to. Geoff McGladdery ‘s article in the February edition showing how he thrashed his Ariel around the Spanish hills on last year’s Moto Piston Rally is testimony to their hardiness. Geoff’s bike also has another link to mine as it was previously owned by Hugo Wilson, former editor of Classic Bike and Rick performed the rebuild from a box of bits. If you leaf back though the back copies of that magazine you can follow its rebirth.
Legal Precedent
In an article in The Scotsman of 21st Jan 2019, Brenda Mitchell, Senior Partner of Road Traffic Accident Law (Scotland) LLP, brought news of a court case which highlights an important lesson in road safety
On 29 May 2016, Northern Irish visitor Leslie O’Donnell was involved in a serious accident on the A82 near Tarbet. He caught up with a car travelling around 50mph, keeping 50-60 yards behind the car. The driver became apprehensive when she saw motorcyclists in her mirror and braked so hard she performed an emergency stop. O’Donnell hit the now stationary car injuring to his right wrist, knee and neck.
Liability for the accident was disputed and the case went to Court and the judgement on the case was issued 21 December 2018. The Sheriff coming down on Leslie’s side.. He said in his judgment that “there is no rule that the collision by one vehicle running into the back of another automatically gave rise to an inference of negligence on the part of the following driver’. The Sheriff said Leslie was complying with the Highway Code regarding to stopping distances and the so called “two second rule” and that the accident was caused by the driver’s negligence. The Sheriff accepted there was no legitimate reason for the driver to be apprehensive and no reason for the driver to brake.
In any collision with a car, the motorcyclist will always come off worse. Although motorcyclists only account for 1 per cent of total road traffic, they account for around 18 per cent of deaths on the road. Whilst Leslie was blameless for the accident, it is little consolation for the injuries he sustained. So even when you think you are riding within the law, still take that extra bit of care to beware of the unexpected. Whilst the “two second rule” is a good guide, remember your brakes may be early to mid 20th century, not early 21st century so add a few more fractions of a second just to be sure.
March 2019
Worth the Wait
Those of you who can remember back to the long hot summer of last year may remember that we got together a few bikes at Biggar so Tim Britton of The Classic Motorcycle could carry out a group of road tests. Well those of you with sharp eyes will have noted that in the February edition of the magazine, the first of those has gone into print, with a magnificent spread on Juliet and Gordon Johnston’s well known 1913 Model O Douglas. If you haven’t peeked at it, borrow a copy from a mate, or order up a back copy.
Scottish Motorcycle Show
We are all looking forward to the Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston on the 9th and 10th of March. Hopefully this year will be kind and, unlike last year, the event won’t be snowed off and rescheduled!. In addition to the joint Scottish Section’s stand, Central Scottish Section will have there traditional presence, so there should be a lot to look out for. Gordon Mowat has been beavering away on the Rock and Roll themed extravaganza, so plenty of 50’s and 60’s classics to drool over. Come along and say hello.
What’s On?
Gordon Mowat has also been working hard over the Festive Season to put together the Scottish Programme of Events. This will be available at the Scottish Bike Show and other events throughout the year, with supplies sent to all Scottish Sections. The Programme is one of the main ways we have to publicise to a wider audience what the VMCC in Scotland has to offer. Drop me a line if you have any ideas where else we could circulate copies to spread the word
Blue Haze
Clyde Valley Section will be kicking off the riding season on 24th March with the Blue Haze Run. Starting off at Broadlees Golf Club, Chapelton ML10 6GH, it is aimed at 2 stroke machines, so get your ’stinkwheel’ up and running and help turn the air blue.
Forfar Bound
The 31st of March sees Central Scottish Section’s annual Autojumble at Strathmore Hall, Forfar Mart, Market St, Forfar DD8 3EZ . Last year the event had to contend with the clash due to the rescheduling of the Scottish Motorcycle Show, but hopefully this year it will be unopposed. Anyone who would like to show a bike at Forfar or have an autojumble stall can get in touch with John Lamb at [email protected] or 01738551308.
Over the Bridge to Skye
A reminder that on the 13th of April, Stuart Duff will be hosting the first Sky Run at Sligachan Hotel, Skye IV47 8SW. It is the first major event run by the new West Highland Group. There will be picturesque 60 mile run around the north of the island, but book early as places are limited.
Pip Squeak
The phenomena that is the Pip Squeak Run will occur on the 14th April, with a starting point at the car park over the road from Tesco in Kilmarnock KA3 2TX
The Glasgow Section welcomes mopeds and sub 100cc machines to the event which already has generated nearly 30 entries.
Lanarkshire Veteran Run
As a warm up for the Early Motor Bicycle Run later in the year, John McMillan will be hosting Lanarkshire Veteran Run on the 20th April. This will start from the High Street Biggar ML12 6DH with a cast of Veteran and Pre 1924 machines. Even if you haven’t got a Veteran, this is a chance to see some rare machines from the dawn of motorcycling ripping up the roads, so take some time to go along and see them.
Rock and Roll
Tim Ryan reports that Clyde Valley’s Rock ‘n Roll Run entry forms are now out. It's not till the 22nd of June but it's always good to book early. Available on the section website (www.clydevalleyvmcc.co.uk) or from Willie Malone (01357 521375).
Westminster Mission
We have managed to arrange a meeting at Westminster in early March to talk to Sir Greg Knight MP, who is the Chair of the All Party Historic Vehicle Group. It’s a chance to discuss the concerns we have about legislation that may impact on our continued use of old machinery, as well as raise the profile of the club within the Corridors of Power. We are planning to follow this up with a similar event at Holyrood, so watch this space for progress.
Those of you who can remember back to the long hot summer of last year may remember that we got together a few bikes at Biggar so Tim Britton of The Classic Motorcycle could carry out a group of road tests. Well those of you with sharp eyes will have noted that in the February edition of the magazine, the first of those has gone into print, with a magnificent spread on Juliet and Gordon Johnston’s well known 1913 Model O Douglas. If you haven’t peeked at it, borrow a copy from a mate, or order up a back copy.
Scottish Motorcycle Show
We are all looking forward to the Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston on the 9th and 10th of March. Hopefully this year will be kind and, unlike last year, the event won’t be snowed off and rescheduled!. In addition to the joint Scottish Section’s stand, Central Scottish Section will have there traditional presence, so there should be a lot to look out for. Gordon Mowat has been beavering away on the Rock and Roll themed extravaganza, so plenty of 50’s and 60’s classics to drool over. Come along and say hello.
What’s On?
Gordon Mowat has also been working hard over the Festive Season to put together the Scottish Programme of Events. This will be available at the Scottish Bike Show and other events throughout the year, with supplies sent to all Scottish Sections. The Programme is one of the main ways we have to publicise to a wider audience what the VMCC in Scotland has to offer. Drop me a line if you have any ideas where else we could circulate copies to spread the word
Blue Haze
Clyde Valley Section will be kicking off the riding season on 24th March with the Blue Haze Run. Starting off at Broadlees Golf Club, Chapelton ML10 6GH, it is aimed at 2 stroke machines, so get your ’stinkwheel’ up and running and help turn the air blue.
Forfar Bound
The 31st of March sees Central Scottish Section’s annual Autojumble at Strathmore Hall, Forfar Mart, Market St, Forfar DD8 3EZ . Last year the event had to contend with the clash due to the rescheduling of the Scottish Motorcycle Show, but hopefully this year it will be unopposed. Anyone who would like to show a bike at Forfar or have an autojumble stall can get in touch with John Lamb at [email protected] or 01738551308.
Over the Bridge to Skye
A reminder that on the 13th of April, Stuart Duff will be hosting the first Sky Run at Sligachan Hotel, Skye IV47 8SW. It is the first major event run by the new West Highland Group. There will be picturesque 60 mile run around the north of the island, but book early as places are limited.
Pip Squeak
The phenomena that is the Pip Squeak Run will occur on the 14th April, with a starting point at the car park over the road from Tesco in Kilmarnock KA3 2TX
The Glasgow Section welcomes mopeds and sub 100cc machines to the event which already has generated nearly 30 entries.
Lanarkshire Veteran Run
As a warm up for the Early Motor Bicycle Run later in the year, John McMillan will be hosting Lanarkshire Veteran Run on the 20th April. This will start from the High Street Biggar ML12 6DH with a cast of Veteran and Pre 1924 machines. Even if you haven’t got a Veteran, this is a chance to see some rare machines from the dawn of motorcycling ripping up the roads, so take some time to go along and see them.
Rock and Roll
Tim Ryan reports that Clyde Valley’s Rock ‘n Roll Run entry forms are now out. It's not till the 22nd of June but it's always good to book early. Available on the section website (www.clydevalleyvmcc.co.uk) or from Willie Malone (01357 521375).
Westminster Mission
We have managed to arrange a meeting at Westminster in early March to talk to Sir Greg Knight MP, who is the Chair of the All Party Historic Vehicle Group. It’s a chance to discuss the concerns we have about legislation that may impact on our continued use of old machinery, as well as raise the profile of the club within the Corridors of Power. We are planning to follow this up with a similar event at Holyrood, so watch this space for progress.
February 2019
East West Swap
Last month I mentioned that a Glasgow built Victoria was hanging up on the wall of the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. This month the Glasgow Group celebrated their AGM with a visit to the reserve collection at the Glasgow Museum of Transport, where they dug up an Edinburgh built New Gerrard. These bikes were built by Jock Porter, and named after his son. Jock competed in the Senior TT in 1922 and 1925 on machines of his own manufacture. There is information on Jock and his bikes in Kirkcaldy and District Motor Club’s ‘From the Archives, Volume 3’ if you want to know more.
Blackburne Survivor
I had a trip over to Shelley Towers to see the ever enthusiastic Martin Shelley. He was a little less ebullient than usual as the veteran Blackburne he had recently completed did not want to run. The belt driven single speed beast luckily has a clutch, but when you not only have to change jets, but to manufacture each one from scratch first, the fettling process can be a bit frustrating. Help was at hand, as I had come armed with a set of starter rollers previously used to bump Tim Miller’s AJS 7R into life. First attempts were not as fruitful as hoped, but with a new jet, a splash more petrol in the tank and the arrival of Chris Odling to reset the points it was chuffing away like a good ‘un. A quick spin round the block was it’s first journey under power in about 80 years, and it’s ready for the Pioneer run later in the year.
North South Girder Quandary
On the 4th of May we have a National Quandary. Should we head North to Tony Mortishire’s North East Section Girder Fork run at Clatt (Contact Tony on [email protected]) or should we head South to Gretna and Geoff Brazendale’s two day joint event with the Marston Sunbeam Club ( Contact Nick Shelley at [email protected]) . This is an example of the flourishing number of events that we have on offer this year across Scotland, and both runs will have fantastic local support. Check the Section Runs and Events page or the club website and start filling up your diary.
Closed Road Competition Consultation
Because of the tragic fatalities at the Snowman and Jim Clark Rallies, in 2013 and 2014 closed road events in Scotland has been curtailed pending Government review on spectator safety. This has now been concluded and recommendations made to improve safety for future events.
The Scottish Government is now proposing to give the SACU, Motorsports UK and Local Authorities powers to issue permits for closed road events as long as a number of safety requirements have been complied with.
This new two stage process is hoped to balance public enjoyment with a high degree of safety for spectators and road users and will also take into account the needs of local residents and communities when events are planned.
More details on the proposals can be found at
https://consult.gov.scot/transport-scotland/motorsports-on-closed-public-roads/?fbclid=IwAR3wL_bfeI0bWfdmVUBsKJabGCmpUIGEUqoMwZ5X8TcpI1NmkxrO7B7gtoQ
or by contacting
[email protected]
Whilst this legislation may not result in such events as the Isle of Mull TT, it opens up the opportunity for vintage and classic events on the Scottish roads so it would therefore be useful if as many members as possible responded to this consultation.
Start
The SCRMC Haggis Gathering Autojumble on Sunday 4th February at Lanark Market, Hyndford, Rd, Lanark ML11 9AX will the start of the season for most classic bikers up here. Both Clyde Valley and Central Sections will be present to fly the flag, so even if you don’t normally get along to Section events, have a chat to the guys on the stands to see if they can tempt you along. See you there!
Last month I mentioned that a Glasgow built Victoria was hanging up on the wall of the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. This month the Glasgow Group celebrated their AGM with a visit to the reserve collection at the Glasgow Museum of Transport, where they dug up an Edinburgh built New Gerrard. These bikes were built by Jock Porter, and named after his son. Jock competed in the Senior TT in 1922 and 1925 on machines of his own manufacture. There is information on Jock and his bikes in Kirkcaldy and District Motor Club’s ‘From the Archives, Volume 3’ if you want to know more.
Blackburne Survivor
I had a trip over to Shelley Towers to see the ever enthusiastic Martin Shelley. He was a little less ebullient than usual as the veteran Blackburne he had recently completed did not want to run. The belt driven single speed beast luckily has a clutch, but when you not only have to change jets, but to manufacture each one from scratch first, the fettling process can be a bit frustrating. Help was at hand, as I had come armed with a set of starter rollers previously used to bump Tim Miller’s AJS 7R into life. First attempts were not as fruitful as hoped, but with a new jet, a splash more petrol in the tank and the arrival of Chris Odling to reset the points it was chuffing away like a good ‘un. A quick spin round the block was it’s first journey under power in about 80 years, and it’s ready for the Pioneer run later in the year.
North South Girder Quandary
On the 4th of May we have a National Quandary. Should we head North to Tony Mortishire’s North East Section Girder Fork run at Clatt (Contact Tony on [email protected]) or should we head South to Gretna and Geoff Brazendale’s two day joint event with the Marston Sunbeam Club ( Contact Nick Shelley at [email protected]) . This is an example of the flourishing number of events that we have on offer this year across Scotland, and both runs will have fantastic local support. Check the Section Runs and Events page or the club website and start filling up your diary.
Closed Road Competition Consultation
Because of the tragic fatalities at the Snowman and Jim Clark Rallies, in 2013 and 2014 closed road events in Scotland has been curtailed pending Government review on spectator safety. This has now been concluded and recommendations made to improve safety for future events.
The Scottish Government is now proposing to give the SACU, Motorsports UK and Local Authorities powers to issue permits for closed road events as long as a number of safety requirements have been complied with.
This new two stage process is hoped to balance public enjoyment with a high degree of safety for spectators and road users and will also take into account the needs of local residents and communities when events are planned.
More details on the proposals can be found at
https://consult.gov.scot/transport-scotland/motorsports-on-closed-public-roads/?fbclid=IwAR3wL_bfeI0bWfdmVUBsKJabGCmpUIGEUqoMwZ5X8TcpI1NmkxrO7B7gtoQ
or by contacting
[email protected]
Whilst this legislation may not result in such events as the Isle of Mull TT, it opens up the opportunity for vintage and classic events on the Scottish roads so it would therefore be useful if as many members as possible responded to this consultation.
Start
The SCRMC Haggis Gathering Autojumble on Sunday 4th February at Lanark Market, Hyndford, Rd, Lanark ML11 9AX will the start of the season for most classic bikers up here. Both Clyde Valley and Central Sections will be present to fly the flag, so even if you don’t normally get along to Section events, have a chat to the guys on the stands to see if they can tempt you along. See you there!
January 2019
December 2018
Early Motor Bicycle Run
Peebles seems to be the Mecca for the Veteran and Vintage bike world in Scotland. After September’s running of the Scottish Vintage Gathering there, the Early Motor Bicycle Run followed hotly on its heels in October.
With 35 signed up, the oldest being Lex Biermans’ 1902 Sommaire, it was probably the biggest Veteran get together outside the Pioneer Run. Such is its international attraction that run information went out with Dutch/English headings. Roel Van Maarseen on his 1903 Pebok co-ordinated the Netherlands contingent, who have made this a regular pilgrimage, also bringing his son and daughter to join in the fun.
Alastair Alexander was riding the 1908 Quadrant owned by Des Josling, whose great grandfather was the first owner, however a sticking throttle spring in the double barrelled instrument meant that he was eligible for an early bath on the Sunday run.
John McMillan, whose great efforts have made the run so successful, was also an early finisher, with problems with the belt on his 1913 TT Ariel. As a consolation prize, however, he once again has custody of the Dreadnought and will be riding it in the Veteran Car Club London to Brighton Run. This prestigious event for pre 1905 vehicles is, for the first time, inviting motorcycles to participate. John will be mixing it with the likes of De Dion trikes and Humber forecars as well as the 4 wheelers, and has been watching Kenneth More and John Gregson in the classic movie, ‘Genevieve’ to get some pointers to help him make the whole 60 miles.
Early Lunch
Unfortunately I missed October’s Veteran Group Lunch. A healthy turnout of 16 or so met at Stirling to look at the fresh Sunbeam crank cases Chris Odling had produced. It shows that with a lot of ingenuity, no old bike is past saving.
John Shaw brought along a rare Harwood clip on engine he is working on and will be attached to a Kynoch bicycle, which he acquired from the factory’s collection. The company is still around, manufacturing cartridges and ammunition, but no longer motorcycles.
Vee Twin Swop.
Edinburgh VMCC had a rapid substitution of speaker at the October event, but at least the V twin theme was kept alive.
The much awaited talk on Indian motorcycles by Alan Forbes had to be cancelled at the last minute because of family illness, so hot foot from the Stafford Show, Rick Parkington stepped in. The substitution was not without incident, as the clutch in Rick’s van had given up on the way up, and he had to continue the journey in his Morris Minor pick up. Such was his dedication that he made it with minutes to spare.
The Vee twin in question was Rick’s 1921 Martinsyde, which he had originally seen as a grainy black and white photo in the VMCC library, showing the much modified bike as campaigned in sprints and races by Chris Tait. Rick related the tale of Chris and his brother’s modification to make the sidecar hauler competitive, it’s phoenix like resurrection from a fire and it’s painstaking return to racing spec.
The next day Edinburgh was treated to a sight not seen for a long time, when Rick transported my Rudge Special across town on the back of the Morris Minor pick up. We could almost have been back to the 60’s. Such was the impact that someone snapped us and put the photo up on Facebook.
In the Beginning
After the Martinsyde talk I was chatting to Rick and he reminded me what a good read the Founder’s Tale by Titch Allen is. From his school days with Battle of Britain ace Jonnie Johnson and early racing on a Baby Triumph to his career as a local journalist in the 30s and dispatch riding adventure during the war, it’s strange to think that the original idea for the Club came to him in 1929, even before the Vintage era had even ended.
I particularly like his affirmation that he was an inveterate bodger, and not a a concourse restorer. A man after my own heart. I was already a fan of Titch’s writing as I constantly return to The Velocette Saga, a compilation of articles originally written for Motorcycle Sport. His biography is bit of a bargain at only £8.00 from the club shop. Buy one for yourself and another to stick in your mate’s Xmas stockings
Peebles seems to be the Mecca for the Veteran and Vintage bike world in Scotland. After September’s running of the Scottish Vintage Gathering there, the Early Motor Bicycle Run followed hotly on its heels in October.
With 35 signed up, the oldest being Lex Biermans’ 1902 Sommaire, it was probably the biggest Veteran get together outside the Pioneer Run. Such is its international attraction that run information went out with Dutch/English headings. Roel Van Maarseen on his 1903 Pebok co-ordinated the Netherlands contingent, who have made this a regular pilgrimage, also bringing his son and daughter to join in the fun.
Alastair Alexander was riding the 1908 Quadrant owned by Des Josling, whose great grandfather was the first owner, however a sticking throttle spring in the double barrelled instrument meant that he was eligible for an early bath on the Sunday run.
John McMillan, whose great efforts have made the run so successful, was also an early finisher, with problems with the belt on his 1913 TT Ariel. As a consolation prize, however, he once again has custody of the Dreadnought and will be riding it in the Veteran Car Club London to Brighton Run. This prestigious event for pre 1905 vehicles is, for the first time, inviting motorcycles to participate. John will be mixing it with the likes of De Dion trikes and Humber forecars as well as the 4 wheelers, and has been watching Kenneth More and John Gregson in the classic movie, ‘Genevieve’ to get some pointers to help him make the whole 60 miles.
Early Lunch
Unfortunately I missed October’s Veteran Group Lunch. A healthy turnout of 16 or so met at Stirling to look at the fresh Sunbeam crank cases Chris Odling had produced. It shows that with a lot of ingenuity, no old bike is past saving.
John Shaw brought along a rare Harwood clip on engine he is working on and will be attached to a Kynoch bicycle, which he acquired from the factory’s collection. The company is still around, manufacturing cartridges and ammunition, but no longer motorcycles.
Vee Twin Swop.
Edinburgh VMCC had a rapid substitution of speaker at the October event, but at least the V twin theme was kept alive.
The much awaited talk on Indian motorcycles by Alan Forbes had to be cancelled at the last minute because of family illness, so hot foot from the Stafford Show, Rick Parkington stepped in. The substitution was not without incident, as the clutch in Rick’s van had given up on the way up, and he had to continue the journey in his Morris Minor pick up. Such was his dedication that he made it with minutes to spare.
The Vee twin in question was Rick’s 1921 Martinsyde, which he had originally seen as a grainy black and white photo in the VMCC library, showing the much modified bike as campaigned in sprints and races by Chris Tait. Rick related the tale of Chris and his brother’s modification to make the sidecar hauler competitive, it’s phoenix like resurrection from a fire and it’s painstaking return to racing spec.
The next day Edinburgh was treated to a sight not seen for a long time, when Rick transported my Rudge Special across town on the back of the Morris Minor pick up. We could almost have been back to the 60’s. Such was the impact that someone snapped us and put the photo up on Facebook.
In the Beginning
After the Martinsyde talk I was chatting to Rick and he reminded me what a good read the Founder’s Tale by Titch Allen is. From his school days with Battle of Britain ace Jonnie Johnson and early racing on a Baby Triumph to his career as a local journalist in the 30s and dispatch riding adventure during the war, it’s strange to think that the original idea for the Club came to him in 1929, even before the Vintage era had even ended.
I particularly like his affirmation that he was an inveterate bodger, and not a a concourse restorer. A man after my own heart. I was already a fan of Titch’s writing as I constantly return to The Velocette Saga, a compilation of articles originally written for Motorcycle Sport. His biography is bit of a bargain at only £8.00 from the club shop. Buy one for yourself and another to stick in your mate’s Xmas stockings
November 2018
Vintage Gathering
There was a good turnout at Peebles on the 8th and 9th of September for the Vintage Gathering. Saturday saw a combination of sub 250 and vintage machines hit the road. I tailed an AJS out of the car park. I laughed as he sped over the bridge. ‘Wrong at the first turning’ I thought as I headed off down the High Street. I begun to question the wisdom of my choice but when I caught up with a posse of tiddlers I thought all was well. I shadowed them on my side valve Sunbeam until the Galashiels turnoff when there was a joint realisation that we all had achieved a D- in map reading and that the AJS I had failed to tail had got it right. Some of us did an about turn and retraced our steps at speed to the lunch stop at Dawyck Botanical Gardens, where we finally met up with Norrie Russell and the rest of the crew.
I had lent Norrie my Ariel Model A for the run, but a sticking float and a leaking copper petrol pipe had marred the single’s easy running characteristics, so after a couple of forced stops on the way back to the campsite, he decided that his trusty BMW single would be more suitable for running around taking photos on the Sunday.
If you want to hear more about the main event, you will have to wait until next month’s Journal, where Norrie’s write up and photos will be given pride of place.
One Shot
Whilst I was pottering around at the vintage Gathering, there was another slightly different motorcycling event going on not too far away in Moffat. Andy and Kaaren at Beeftub Bikers (https://www.beeftubbikers.com/) were having their first One Shot Photography event.
The group focuses on their website which gives information of local services and upcoming motorcycling events in the area. They linked up with local photographer Jonathan Cosens (https://www.jonathancosensphotography.com/) to create a unique event in the town. Using the Town Hall frontage, Jonathan set up his camera and invited motorcyclists to primp themselves up and get one chance to have their bike and themselves snapped. Andy and Kaaren had expected maybe 20 or 30 for this first event, but over 80 turned up, travelling from as far as Blackpool. Participants could get a copy of their photo, or even have it emblazoned on a mug, and the winning photo is to be featured in a future edition of Ride magazine.
Whilst this year there was a predominance of newer bikes, for the next event Andy wants to see a greater vintage and classic component, and more of a festival approach for the event, so expect a photo call
Back to the shed
With the nights drawing in, the last of the summer riding events are receding into distant memory, with only the hardy setting off for a quick spin in the cold and damp. This signals the start of long winter nights getting new projects ready for next year, or breathing life into the old faithful that has been at the back of the shed for umpteen years. Well, while you are beavering away, start thinking about what you want the club to be up to next year. More runs? More speakers? Inter Section ‘Strictly’ contest? Scottish Section committee members are meeting at Doune on the 2nd of November to try to co-ordinate what’s happening in the New Year, so if you have any ideas, or want to be more involved, get in touch.
There was a good turnout at Peebles on the 8th and 9th of September for the Vintage Gathering. Saturday saw a combination of sub 250 and vintage machines hit the road. I tailed an AJS out of the car park. I laughed as he sped over the bridge. ‘Wrong at the first turning’ I thought as I headed off down the High Street. I begun to question the wisdom of my choice but when I caught up with a posse of tiddlers I thought all was well. I shadowed them on my side valve Sunbeam until the Galashiels turnoff when there was a joint realisation that we all had achieved a D- in map reading and that the AJS I had failed to tail had got it right. Some of us did an about turn and retraced our steps at speed to the lunch stop at Dawyck Botanical Gardens, where we finally met up with Norrie Russell and the rest of the crew.
I had lent Norrie my Ariel Model A for the run, but a sticking float and a leaking copper petrol pipe had marred the single’s easy running characteristics, so after a couple of forced stops on the way back to the campsite, he decided that his trusty BMW single would be more suitable for running around taking photos on the Sunday.
If you want to hear more about the main event, you will have to wait until next month’s Journal, where Norrie’s write up and photos will be given pride of place.
One Shot
Whilst I was pottering around at the vintage Gathering, there was another slightly different motorcycling event going on not too far away in Moffat. Andy and Kaaren at Beeftub Bikers (https://www.beeftubbikers.com/) were having their first One Shot Photography event.
The group focuses on their website which gives information of local services and upcoming motorcycling events in the area. They linked up with local photographer Jonathan Cosens (https://www.jonathancosensphotography.com/) to create a unique event in the town. Using the Town Hall frontage, Jonathan set up his camera and invited motorcyclists to primp themselves up and get one chance to have their bike and themselves snapped. Andy and Kaaren had expected maybe 20 or 30 for this first event, but over 80 turned up, travelling from as far as Blackpool. Participants could get a copy of their photo, or even have it emblazoned on a mug, and the winning photo is to be featured in a future edition of Ride magazine.
Whilst this year there was a predominance of newer bikes, for the next event Andy wants to see a greater vintage and classic component, and more of a festival approach for the event, so expect a photo call
Back to the shed
With the nights drawing in, the last of the summer riding events are receding into distant memory, with only the hardy setting off for a quick spin in the cold and damp. This signals the start of long winter nights getting new projects ready for next year, or breathing life into the old faithful that has been at the back of the shed for umpteen years. Well, while you are beavering away, start thinking about what you want the club to be up to next year. More runs? More speakers? Inter Section ‘Strictly’ contest? Scottish Section committee members are meeting at Doune on the 2nd of November to try to co-ordinate what’s happening in the New Year, so if you have any ideas, or want to be more involved, get in touch.
October 2018
Image is everything
There has been a lot of talk about the VMCC website recently and ways of making it better than it already is. Gordon Johnston, the Chairman of Clyde Valley Section commented that the home page header photo montage showed only a small selection of very expensive bikes, Broughs, Vincents and the like, fresh from the auction catalogue. He felt that rather than having exotic, unaffordable motorcycles as the club’s banner illustrations, we should have people riding old bikes and clearly enjoying themselves while they are at it. The club has taken this on board and Ian has updated the site with member’s photographs. Hopefully this will reflect the image of a club that caters for all kinds of vintage and classic bikes and enthusiasts, but what kind of image would attract you to join the club and why?
Veteran Trendsetter
Another reminder for the Early Motor Bicycle Run at the Rosetta Holiday Park in Peebles on 6th & 7th October 2018, run by the Clyde Valley Section.
Even if you’re not taking part, spectators are welcome to this Borders answer to the Pioneer Run. With many visitors from abroad, this is a fantastic opportunity to see rare veteran and early vintage motorcycles on the roads being used the way they were intended. Come and have a look and you might get smitten.
Painful Lesson
On the Glasgow group’s recent Ayr to Girvan Run, Gordon Mowat had the painful experience of sliding off his bike as the result of a diesel spill. If this wasn’t bad enough, he managed to break his hip in the process. Gordon is well on the mend now, with the benefit from a new hip from the NHS.
Trying to figure how he did the damage even with armour in his trousers and jacket, he found the worse scuff on his jacket pocket matched the shape of his pocket multitool!
The conclusions are to watch out for overfilled diesel cars and lorries and don’t carry plugs, plug spanner’s or tools in pockets,
Double Result
Well, that’s the Scottish Double over for another year. Central Scottish Section is recovering from the longest Scottish National Assembly event yet, which included an extra social run on the Tuesday. It’s a shame that the weather didn’t hold out and everyone ended up a bit damp, but that’s Scotland! Special congratulation to Stan Williamson on his AJS Model 18 for winning his class regularity award as well as the Alan Wooler Trophy.
I managed to get along to the start of the S&T, where the weather held out a bit better, and with 80 odd bikes to ogle at Cultybraggan Camp, it was a fine event. I even got to see our Chairman, Pat Rowbotham getting off the line on his 1929 Model F Ariel. Stick the dates in for next year’s events and you won’t be disappointed.
Out and About at Strontian
Chris Jones of the West Highland Group reports that some members had taken their bikes to the Sunart Show at Strontian. They met several potential new members, including the elderly gent who mentioned that he has recently begun to find it difficult to get insurance to ride his Bantam, having been born in 1928. Chris was gobsmacked when he confirmed that he was indeed 90 years old and still cocking a leg over an old bike. His name is Harry Witney and he worked his entire career at the DeHavilland Aircraft Corporation and knew their chief test pilot, legendary wartime fighter ace John ‘Catseyes’ Cunningham.
There has been a lot of talk about the VMCC website recently and ways of making it better than it already is. Gordon Johnston, the Chairman of Clyde Valley Section commented that the home page header photo montage showed only a small selection of very expensive bikes, Broughs, Vincents and the like, fresh from the auction catalogue. He felt that rather than having exotic, unaffordable motorcycles as the club’s banner illustrations, we should have people riding old bikes and clearly enjoying themselves while they are at it. The club has taken this on board and Ian has updated the site with member’s photographs. Hopefully this will reflect the image of a club that caters for all kinds of vintage and classic bikes and enthusiasts, but what kind of image would attract you to join the club and why?
Veteran Trendsetter
Another reminder for the Early Motor Bicycle Run at the Rosetta Holiday Park in Peebles on 6th & 7th October 2018, run by the Clyde Valley Section.
Even if you’re not taking part, spectators are welcome to this Borders answer to the Pioneer Run. With many visitors from abroad, this is a fantastic opportunity to see rare veteran and early vintage motorcycles on the roads being used the way they were intended. Come and have a look and you might get smitten.
Painful Lesson
On the Glasgow group’s recent Ayr to Girvan Run, Gordon Mowat had the painful experience of sliding off his bike as the result of a diesel spill. If this wasn’t bad enough, he managed to break his hip in the process. Gordon is well on the mend now, with the benefit from a new hip from the NHS.
Trying to figure how he did the damage even with armour in his trousers and jacket, he found the worse scuff on his jacket pocket matched the shape of his pocket multitool!
The conclusions are to watch out for overfilled diesel cars and lorries and don’t carry plugs, plug spanner’s or tools in pockets,
Double Result
Well, that’s the Scottish Double over for another year. Central Scottish Section is recovering from the longest Scottish National Assembly event yet, which included an extra social run on the Tuesday. It’s a shame that the weather didn’t hold out and everyone ended up a bit damp, but that’s Scotland! Special congratulation to Stan Williamson on his AJS Model 18 for winning his class regularity award as well as the Alan Wooler Trophy.
I managed to get along to the start of the S&T, where the weather held out a bit better, and with 80 odd bikes to ogle at Cultybraggan Camp, it was a fine event. I even got to see our Chairman, Pat Rowbotham getting off the line on his 1929 Model F Ariel. Stick the dates in for next year’s events and you won’t be disappointed.
Out and About at Strontian
Chris Jones of the West Highland Group reports that some members had taken their bikes to the Sunart Show at Strontian. They met several potential new members, including the elderly gent who mentioned that he has recently begun to find it difficult to get insurance to ride his Bantam, having been born in 1928. Chris was gobsmacked when he confirmed that he was indeed 90 years old and still cocking a leg over an old bike. His name is Harry Witney and he worked his entire career at the DeHavilland Aircraft Corporation and knew their chief test pilot, legendary wartime fighter ace John ‘Catseyes’ Cunningham.
September 2018
What Vintage are you?
Are you a Vintage Motorcyclist or are you interested in Vintage motorcycles? A bit of a strange question, but it helps to understand some member’s motivation to be involved in the club and what they get out of it.
What kind of bikes do you like? Are they ones you used to ride in your youth? Are you one of the baby boomers who never had it so good, brought up on A10s, Wideline Dominators and those new fangled twin carb Bonnevilles? Did you sign on for a new Commando on HP, but get seduced by Japanese multis in the 80s? Did Ducati’s resurgence in the 90s turn you into a Latin Lover or was a Hinkley Triumph a route to bring back memories of the good old days but with electric start and no oil leaks?
Or have you never had a new bike and find that although you began with mounts only 10 or 15 years old, you now mix it on machines that your grandfather would have thought old fashioned. Does getting a spare part mean you fire up the lathe and spend evenings in the shed replicating a bit that was last available over the counter when Jack Hylton and his band were in the music charts?
Whatever one you are, or one of the other myriad of sub species of old bike lover that exists, the VMCC is your club and has a place for all, so let’s share our passions and enjoy our common love of old motorcycles.
Testing Times
President Alistair had agreed with Tim Britton of The Classic Motorcycle that a Road test of Scottish VMCC member’s bikes was a capital thing to do, so at the beginning of July, we managed to get a few of the guys together at the Big Red Barn outside Biggar with a selection of interesting mounts. Over two days Tim and snapper Gary managed to put a range of machines from the teens to the 80s through their paces, with the Big Red Barn, Biggar Gasworks and Harwood House serving as excellent backdrops to the photography. Special thanks to Gordon Johnston, Ralph White, John Shaw, Peter Occleston and Tim Ryan for bringing along their bikes, and commiserations to Gordon Mowat, who set off from Gourock only to have his van start to overheat a few miles out and have to return home. Better luck next time Gordon as we hope to get Tim back to test some more Scottish delights later on. The bikes? Well you will have to wait until they pop up in the Classic Motorcycle over the next few months to find out who brought what, but rest assured they are all gems.
Vintage Extravaganza
For all of us into the more elderly range of two wheeled transport, the Scottish Vintage Assembly is the highlight of the local calendar. The run for Veteran and Vintage machines is Scotland’s answer to Banbury, but with paper cups instead of the china mugs. This year we are back to the Rosetta Camp Site at Peebles on Sunday the 9th of September for the main event, with a Saturday warm up run open to under 250cc bikes as well. If you haven’t entered, then come along to spectate. You never know, you might get hooked and be out on an old crock on next year’s run!
Indian Summer
On 17th of September we are hoping to have Alan Forbes, Indian guru and front man to famous Scottish punk band the Rezillos along to the Edinburgh Section for a talk on the famous American marque. I first came across Alan in the 1970s as I watched his alter ego Eugene Reynolds and band mates Fay Fife, Joe Callis Angel Patterson and William Mysterious strut their stuff in the Edinburgh clubs of the time. If you haven’t already got it, their single, ‘Motorbike Beat’ should be added to your collection.
Alan has always had a passion for the big twins from Springfield and went on to found Indian specialists Motolux, before embarking on building the brand new Indian 4 motorcycle in the 1990s. You can see some of the spirit of the times in the documentary, ‘Old Indians Never Die’ on Duke Videos to get the idea.
As Alan is a busy man with a rock and roll lifestyle and the Rezillos are still around and touring, so please check nearer the date to make sure that he hasn’t had to cancel at short notice.
Are you a Vintage Motorcyclist or are you interested in Vintage motorcycles? A bit of a strange question, but it helps to understand some member’s motivation to be involved in the club and what they get out of it.
What kind of bikes do you like? Are they ones you used to ride in your youth? Are you one of the baby boomers who never had it so good, brought up on A10s, Wideline Dominators and those new fangled twin carb Bonnevilles? Did you sign on for a new Commando on HP, but get seduced by Japanese multis in the 80s? Did Ducati’s resurgence in the 90s turn you into a Latin Lover or was a Hinkley Triumph a route to bring back memories of the good old days but with electric start and no oil leaks?
Or have you never had a new bike and find that although you began with mounts only 10 or 15 years old, you now mix it on machines that your grandfather would have thought old fashioned. Does getting a spare part mean you fire up the lathe and spend evenings in the shed replicating a bit that was last available over the counter when Jack Hylton and his band were in the music charts?
Whatever one you are, or one of the other myriad of sub species of old bike lover that exists, the VMCC is your club and has a place for all, so let’s share our passions and enjoy our common love of old motorcycles.
Testing Times
President Alistair had agreed with Tim Britton of The Classic Motorcycle that a Road test of Scottish VMCC member’s bikes was a capital thing to do, so at the beginning of July, we managed to get a few of the guys together at the Big Red Barn outside Biggar with a selection of interesting mounts. Over two days Tim and snapper Gary managed to put a range of machines from the teens to the 80s through their paces, with the Big Red Barn, Biggar Gasworks and Harwood House serving as excellent backdrops to the photography. Special thanks to Gordon Johnston, Ralph White, John Shaw, Peter Occleston and Tim Ryan for bringing along their bikes, and commiserations to Gordon Mowat, who set off from Gourock only to have his van start to overheat a few miles out and have to return home. Better luck next time Gordon as we hope to get Tim back to test some more Scottish delights later on. The bikes? Well you will have to wait until they pop up in the Classic Motorcycle over the next few months to find out who brought what, but rest assured they are all gems.
Vintage Extravaganza
For all of us into the more elderly range of two wheeled transport, the Scottish Vintage Assembly is the highlight of the local calendar. The run for Veteran and Vintage machines is Scotland’s answer to Banbury, but with paper cups instead of the china mugs. This year we are back to the Rosetta Camp Site at Peebles on Sunday the 9th of September for the main event, with a Saturday warm up run open to under 250cc bikes as well. If you haven’t entered, then come along to spectate. You never know, you might get hooked and be out on an old crock on next year’s run!
Indian Summer
On 17th of September we are hoping to have Alan Forbes, Indian guru and front man to famous Scottish punk band the Rezillos along to the Edinburgh Section for a talk on the famous American marque. I first came across Alan in the 1970s as I watched his alter ego Eugene Reynolds and band mates Fay Fife, Joe Callis Angel Patterson and William Mysterious strut their stuff in the Edinburgh clubs of the time. If you haven’t already got it, their single, ‘Motorbike Beat’ should be added to your collection.
Alan has always had a passion for the big twins from Springfield and went on to found Indian specialists Motolux, before embarking on building the brand new Indian 4 motorcycle in the 1990s. You can see some of the spirit of the times in the documentary, ‘Old Indians Never Die’ on Duke Videos to get the idea.
As Alan is a busy man with a rock and roll lifestyle and the Rezillos are still around and touring, so please check nearer the date to make sure that he hasn’t had to cancel at short notice.
Indulge me a little, Dear Readers. I will be coming to a Significant Birthday this month. It still makes me one of the youngsters in the VMCC, but I thought I might reflect on how I started off in this murky world of vintage motorcycling.
The mid 1970s saw me tottering off on L plates with a rather smart 175 CZ. Not fashionable, but cheap. The 1972 model seemed old at the time, but ended up being the newest bike I have ever owned.
Whilst the local bike boys were of buying RD and GT 250s, my chums and I went down a different route. My mate Rolf bought a new Ducati 250, and Jim, realising the Enfield Super 5 that had been stuffed under a taxi by Rolf’s brother was never going to run, got one of the aforementioned GT250s, before swopping his soul for a MV Augusta. Me? I graduated quickly to a BSA Starfire, a straight swap for the CZ from the ever helpful Eddie Graham at local dealer’s Grierson and Graham.
As I approached my 18th birthday I felt the need for something to reflect my impeding maturity. Enter stage left the Dunstall Atlas. Resplendent in metallic blue frame and bright red racing seat, the first time I rode it, it nearly ripped the arms out of their sockets. Luckily when I changed gear the rear set linkage fell to bits, so any attempt to explore its top speed were thwarted. It’s strange tendency to turn into a 375 single was eventually tracked down to the previous owner having ground the tops of the valves to get them to fit. With the case hardening gone, there was a neat 1/4 in countersunk hole in the valve stem.
The marvels of the Norwich Union Rider Policy had allowed me to swap cover to the Atlas, but come renewal, the premium was going to be around double the bike’s value, so back to Eddie Graham to seek an alternative. A Suzuki T350 came my way as another straight swap. Not my ideal choice, but it would do for a while ( I still own it 42 years later…). My dad was quite impressed when he could wheelie it though the first 3 gears straight off…
I was sad to see the Atlas go, Even more sad that on a test ride a prospective owner stalled the bike and on restarting it, the carb spat back, finding the leak in the 5 gallon alloy tank. From eye witnesses, the flames went about 25 feet in the air, and every bit of alloy on the bike melted. An obvious no sale.
The lime green Suzuki gained a pair of bright red Avonaire panniers, high bars, a screen and a leopard print seat. I have always been at the Vanguard of style….. As well as getting me from home to University, dashes to London and back and trips round the Highlands, it was a jack of all trades until I holed a piston on the way to Glasgow one Sunday evening.
This signalled the beginning of the end of phase one of my motorcycling career. My descent into serial Velocette addiction and lust for older and older motorcycles will have to be told another time, but these were the events that started it all.
Normal service will be resumed next month when I have my bus pass. In the mean time, to see what’s on this month check the Diary for more details of Scottish Section’s events
The mid 1970s saw me tottering off on L plates with a rather smart 175 CZ. Not fashionable, but cheap. The 1972 model seemed old at the time, but ended up being the newest bike I have ever owned.
Whilst the local bike boys were of buying RD and GT 250s, my chums and I went down a different route. My mate Rolf bought a new Ducati 250, and Jim, realising the Enfield Super 5 that had been stuffed under a taxi by Rolf’s brother was never going to run, got one of the aforementioned GT250s, before swopping his soul for a MV Augusta. Me? I graduated quickly to a BSA Starfire, a straight swap for the CZ from the ever helpful Eddie Graham at local dealer’s Grierson and Graham.
As I approached my 18th birthday I felt the need for something to reflect my impeding maturity. Enter stage left the Dunstall Atlas. Resplendent in metallic blue frame and bright red racing seat, the first time I rode it, it nearly ripped the arms out of their sockets. Luckily when I changed gear the rear set linkage fell to bits, so any attempt to explore its top speed were thwarted. It’s strange tendency to turn into a 375 single was eventually tracked down to the previous owner having ground the tops of the valves to get them to fit. With the case hardening gone, there was a neat 1/4 in countersunk hole in the valve stem.
The marvels of the Norwich Union Rider Policy had allowed me to swap cover to the Atlas, but come renewal, the premium was going to be around double the bike’s value, so back to Eddie Graham to seek an alternative. A Suzuki T350 came my way as another straight swap. Not my ideal choice, but it would do for a while ( I still own it 42 years later…). My dad was quite impressed when he could wheelie it though the first 3 gears straight off…
I was sad to see the Atlas go, Even more sad that on a test ride a prospective owner stalled the bike and on restarting it, the carb spat back, finding the leak in the 5 gallon alloy tank. From eye witnesses, the flames went about 25 feet in the air, and every bit of alloy on the bike melted. An obvious no sale.
The lime green Suzuki gained a pair of bright red Avonaire panniers, high bars, a screen and a leopard print seat. I have always been at the Vanguard of style….. As well as getting me from home to University, dashes to London and back and trips round the Highlands, it was a jack of all trades until I holed a piston on the way to Glasgow one Sunday evening.
This signalled the beginning of the end of phase one of my motorcycling career. My descent into serial Velocette addiction and lust for older and older motorcycles will have to be told another time, but these were the events that started it all.
Normal service will be resumed next month when I have my bus pass. In the mean time, to see what’s on this month check the Diary for more details of Scottish Section’s events
July 2018
Up to Doune
Stirling Castle section were subjected to my Velocette talk at the Woodside Hotel in Doune in early May. The fantastic turnout of bikes on the night, contained a number of bikes from the AMC stable, from AFS 350’s to 600 twins. I wondered why some sections favoured different factories. Was it a popular local dealer, or a fanatical club member who turned heads to his chosen marque. What is the favourite in your section and why?
Relay Free
The 6th of May brought us a pleasant Sunday and the local Lothian and Border’s Club’s annual show at Peebles. On the way, however, a number stopped in at the Big Red Barn at Biggar to sign on with Tim Ryan and his crew at the National Relay checkpoint.
I managed to be the first through, with Mark Aitken on his Brough next. We had a good turnout, but with only Central Scottish and Stirling Castle section furnishing other checkpoint North of the Border, you had to travel a fair distance through the Hills and Glens to pick up 3 ticks on your sheet.
Maybe next year we can muster up a few hardy souls to brave the sunshine and rain at other points so we can get a few less miles ticks per tick.
Tootle
Having managed to blow up my flat tank Sunbeam on a run the previous day, I sat out the Tiddler Tootle, but a stream of, Starfires, Bantams, Ducatis, among others made their way round Perthshire courtesy of Clyde Valley and Stirling Castle sections. Ernie Page took the benefit of the slow pace to use his recently restored Model H Triumph, and at the other end of the scale Hamish Buchanan made the trip on his wonderfully original Puch moped.
Highland Fling
The West Highland Group managed their first club run, earlier in May. Chris Jones, on his Harley VL, Paul Tebbett on a BSA L32 and Willie Evans on his C11 went for an evening ride from Fort William out to the Commando Memorial, stopping for tea and cake at Spean Bridge. It sounded a nice ramble. If you want to swell the numbers on the next run, get in touch with Chris.
Demob Happy
A throng of rider’s with their Petrol Coupons at the ready met at Bo’ness Steam Railway for the Demob Run
A fantastically preserved Royal Enfield J2 was wheeled onto the platform as a backdrop for Norrie Russell’s traditional cajoling to get the best out of the group photo. His cries of ‘back just a little more’ almost had the whole party falling off the platform in front of the train…… .
Thanks again to George Plumb for his roller coaster route through West Lothian.
Veteran Taster
Such is the popularity of John McMillan’s Early Motor Bicycle Run that he put on an additional event on 3rd June, with 11 Veteran and early vintage machines on muster at Biggar.
The 1907 Quadrant on display has been brought back to life with John’s help. It has been in the same family in the Peebles area since new. The first owner was a tailor, who rode around with sample books and tape and took orders.
Passing through a farm, the group were even chased by a sheepdog in true early motorcycling style.
For more Veteran fun later in the year, check out the Early Motor Bicycle Run in the Borders on the 6th and 7th October.
Check the Diary for more details of Scottish Section’s events and come along.
Stirling Castle section were subjected to my Velocette talk at the Woodside Hotel in Doune in early May. The fantastic turnout of bikes on the night, contained a number of bikes from the AMC stable, from AFS 350’s to 600 twins. I wondered why some sections favoured different factories. Was it a popular local dealer, or a fanatical club member who turned heads to his chosen marque. What is the favourite in your section and why?
Relay Free
The 6th of May brought us a pleasant Sunday and the local Lothian and Border’s Club’s annual show at Peebles. On the way, however, a number stopped in at the Big Red Barn at Biggar to sign on with Tim Ryan and his crew at the National Relay checkpoint.
I managed to be the first through, with Mark Aitken on his Brough next. We had a good turnout, but with only Central Scottish and Stirling Castle section furnishing other checkpoint North of the Border, you had to travel a fair distance through the Hills and Glens to pick up 3 ticks on your sheet.
Maybe next year we can muster up a few hardy souls to brave the sunshine and rain at other points so we can get a few less miles ticks per tick.
Tootle
Having managed to blow up my flat tank Sunbeam on a run the previous day, I sat out the Tiddler Tootle, but a stream of, Starfires, Bantams, Ducatis, among others made their way round Perthshire courtesy of Clyde Valley and Stirling Castle sections. Ernie Page took the benefit of the slow pace to use his recently restored Model H Triumph, and at the other end of the scale Hamish Buchanan made the trip on his wonderfully original Puch moped.
Highland Fling
The West Highland Group managed their first club run, earlier in May. Chris Jones, on his Harley VL, Paul Tebbett on a BSA L32 and Willie Evans on his C11 went for an evening ride from Fort William out to the Commando Memorial, stopping for tea and cake at Spean Bridge. It sounded a nice ramble. If you want to swell the numbers on the next run, get in touch with Chris.
Demob Happy
A throng of rider’s with their Petrol Coupons at the ready met at Bo’ness Steam Railway for the Demob Run
A fantastically preserved Royal Enfield J2 was wheeled onto the platform as a backdrop for Norrie Russell’s traditional cajoling to get the best out of the group photo. His cries of ‘back just a little more’ almost had the whole party falling off the platform in front of the train…… .
Thanks again to George Plumb for his roller coaster route through West Lothian.
Veteran Taster
Such is the popularity of John McMillan’s Early Motor Bicycle Run that he put on an additional event on 3rd June, with 11 Veteran and early vintage machines on muster at Biggar.
The 1907 Quadrant on display has been brought back to life with John’s help. It has been in the same family in the Peebles area since new. The first owner was a tailor, who rode around with sample books and tape and took orders.
Passing through a farm, the group were even chased by a sheepdog in true early motorcycling style.
For more Veteran fun later in the year, check out the Early Motor Bicycle Run in the Borders on the 6th and 7th October.
Check the Diary for more details of Scottish Section’s events and come along.
June 2018
Show Time at Last!
The rescheduled Scottish Motorcycle Show finally went ahead .Some of the traders couldn’t make the new date, but the Classic Hall was packed out. The VMCC stand, co-ordinated by Gordon Mowat and his team, looked great, with specially constructed display stands giving split level views of some of the machines The theme was used or un restored bikes, and there was great interest in bikes with a few drips of oil, paint chips and bucket loads of patina. The stand was rewarded with Best Veteran going to Jimmy Steel’s Wall Autowheel and my Velocette GTP receiving Best Original Bike.
Central Scottish Section put on a fine display on there stand too, especially as the rescheduling now meant a clash with their Forfar Autojumble and Show, which had a great turn out too.
Thanks to all who helped make it a great show.
Stafford Pilgrimage
As usual and I bumped into friends old and new. The Scottish contingent was represented well by Peter Oram, Peter Occleston, Duncan McKinnon, Maurice Chandler among others, as well as El Presidente Alistair, resplendent in his new embroidered Presidential Fleece! Apologies for those I didn’t catch up. The much welcomed tea and biscuits on the VMCC stand revived many show weary travellers and the club was well rewarded with rosettes for some of the bikes on display. A great job by the Allen House staff and helpers.
Café Society
The Edinburgh Section will be having their annual summer night out with the Capital Café Run. Gathering on Monday evening on the18th June at South Queensferry, there will be a run around West Lothian before returning for fish and chips in sight of the three Forth crossings. Just turn up on the night.
Grand National
Arthur Merchant reminds me that the Central Scottish Section’s National Assembly will be taking place at the Rugby Ground in Blairgowrie on the 28th and 29th of July. This is one of the Jewels in the Tiara of the VMCC in Scotland, so get your entry form in now.
S & T
Make a week of it, and catch up with another diamond event, Stirling Castle Section’s S&T Regularity Run on 4th and 5th of August. Held at Cultibraggan, Comrie, this historic former WW2 Prisoner of War Camp was bought by the community and is a fantastic base for the event. For more information contact http://www.stirlingcastlevmcc.co.uk/
Rock and Roll Part I
Clyde Valley’s Rock n Roll Run will now run on Saturday 23rd June. The Oven, Overton Farm, Rosebank on the A72. Come at 10.00am for a start at 10.30am. Targeted at bikes from the Rocker period of the 50’s and 60’s, but all VMCC eligible bikes welcome, all Mods beware! For more details see http://www.clydevalleyvmcc.co.uk/
Singles Club
Clyde Valley will be at it again, with The Sound of Singles run on the15th July. All singles welcome, from Bantams to Panthers. The run leaves from the Big Red Barn at Elsrickle, ML2 9QL, which is a great gathering point on it’s own. It is planned to book lunch at the Buccleuch Arms in Moffat, so make sure Tim knows you are coming along.
As usual, this is just a selection of the forthcoming Scottish events, so check the Diary, for more details.
The rescheduled Scottish Motorcycle Show finally went ahead .Some of the traders couldn’t make the new date, but the Classic Hall was packed out. The VMCC stand, co-ordinated by Gordon Mowat and his team, looked great, with specially constructed display stands giving split level views of some of the machines The theme was used or un restored bikes, and there was great interest in bikes with a few drips of oil, paint chips and bucket loads of patina. The stand was rewarded with Best Veteran going to Jimmy Steel’s Wall Autowheel and my Velocette GTP receiving Best Original Bike.
Central Scottish Section put on a fine display on there stand too, especially as the rescheduling now meant a clash with their Forfar Autojumble and Show, which had a great turn out too.
Thanks to all who helped make it a great show.
Stafford Pilgrimage
As usual and I bumped into friends old and new. The Scottish contingent was represented well by Peter Oram, Peter Occleston, Duncan McKinnon, Maurice Chandler among others, as well as El Presidente Alistair, resplendent in his new embroidered Presidential Fleece! Apologies for those I didn’t catch up. The much welcomed tea and biscuits on the VMCC stand revived many show weary travellers and the club was well rewarded with rosettes for some of the bikes on display. A great job by the Allen House staff and helpers.
Café Society
The Edinburgh Section will be having their annual summer night out with the Capital Café Run. Gathering on Monday evening on the18th June at South Queensferry, there will be a run around West Lothian before returning for fish and chips in sight of the three Forth crossings. Just turn up on the night.
Grand National
Arthur Merchant reminds me that the Central Scottish Section’s National Assembly will be taking place at the Rugby Ground in Blairgowrie on the 28th and 29th of July. This is one of the Jewels in the Tiara of the VMCC in Scotland, so get your entry form in now.
S & T
Make a week of it, and catch up with another diamond event, Stirling Castle Section’s S&T Regularity Run on 4th and 5th of August. Held at Cultibraggan, Comrie, this historic former WW2 Prisoner of War Camp was bought by the community and is a fantastic base for the event. For more information contact http://www.stirlingcastlevmcc.co.uk/
Rock and Roll Part I
Clyde Valley’s Rock n Roll Run will now run on Saturday 23rd June. The Oven, Overton Farm, Rosebank on the A72. Come at 10.00am for a start at 10.30am. Targeted at bikes from the Rocker period of the 50’s and 60’s, but all VMCC eligible bikes welcome, all Mods beware! For more details see http://www.clydevalleyvmcc.co.uk/
Singles Club
Clyde Valley will be at it again, with The Sound of Singles run on the15th July. All singles welcome, from Bantams to Panthers. The run leaves from the Big Red Barn at Elsrickle, ML2 9QL, which is a great gathering point on it’s own. It is planned to book lunch at the Buccleuch Arms in Moffat, so make sure Tim knows you are coming along.
As usual, this is just a selection of the forthcoming Scottish events, so check the Diary, for more details.
May 2018
Snow Joke
The cold snap and snow storms have put a lot of early year events out of sync. After saying I was looking forward to the Scottish Motorcycle Show in the last Notes, I find myself in the same position this time around, with the new date being the 7th and 8th April. Hopefully next time I can report on how it went.
Trip to the Castle
My first ‘official’ outing was to visit the Central Scottish Section to give a talk on Velocettes at their meeting place at the Strathmore Vintage Vehicle Club’s palatial (well, it is just next to Glamis Castle) headquarters. This houses a massive workshop, display area and meeting rooms. As well as cars, lorries and tractors, it has a fine display of members’ bikes. This is a great example of the VMCC local sections working closely with other clubs. If you missed the talk, I will be at Stirling Castle Section on Monday 14th May for a repeat performance.
Blue Haze
As their start of year event, the Clyde Valley section had their Blue Haze run on 25th March. The 80 mile ramble attracted the expected MZs, Suzukis and Yams, but there was two stroke royalty in the form of John Harper’s’ beautiful metallic orange Silk. Mind you, it does have a Yamaha TZR engine, so probably a bit faster than the Shipley based ones! Willy Malone didn’t let a rusted out petrol tank on his 1920’s Velocette Model B stop him taking part. Going for the bobber look, a scavenged NSU Quickly tank saved the day. Hope he remembered to put it back on the moped before the Pip Squeak run!
West Highland Way
By now the establishment of the new West Highland Group will have been officially confirmed by HQ. They meet every 2nd Tuesday, they are going to rotate locations to avoid the need for the same members having to travel all the time. Their next event will be the Pre Midge Ride Out from the Men’s Shed at Fort William at 7.00pm on Tuesday 8th of May. Contact Chris Jones at 07768 268854 or e-mail [email protected] . You can also check out their Facebook page.
Tiddler’s Tootle
May the 20th will bring us the Stirling Castle/Clyde Valey Tiddler’s Tootle. Starting from Tullibardie Distillery at Blackford, you can relive your pre test youth as there is a 250cc limit for entrants. Expect anything from Velo MOVs to Yamaha LC250s.
Demob Happy
Edinburgh (ARE) Section host the Demob Run on the 27th May. With a good central location for Tthe start of the run will be the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway Museum so, there should be a good Vintage and Post vintage turnout from all points of the compass.
Popular Veterans
The success of John McMillan’s September Veteran weekends over the past three years has meant a demand for an early year outing as well. On 3rd June Clyde Valley Section will host a new pre 1920 event. John’s runs have a reputation for attracting an international entry, so it is a chance to see some Continental exotica. Although Veteran focussed, it is open to all VMCC machines, so go along to be surprised how much fun these century plus bikes are.
As usual, this is just a selection of the forthcoming Scottish events, so check the Diary, or have a look at the Section’s websites for more.
Raymond Albeson
Scottish Area Rep
The cold snap and snow storms have put a lot of early year events out of sync. After saying I was looking forward to the Scottish Motorcycle Show in the last Notes, I find myself in the same position this time around, with the new date being the 7th and 8th April. Hopefully next time I can report on how it went.
Trip to the Castle
My first ‘official’ outing was to visit the Central Scottish Section to give a talk on Velocettes at their meeting place at the Strathmore Vintage Vehicle Club’s palatial (well, it is just next to Glamis Castle) headquarters. This houses a massive workshop, display area and meeting rooms. As well as cars, lorries and tractors, it has a fine display of members’ bikes. This is a great example of the VMCC local sections working closely with other clubs. If you missed the talk, I will be at Stirling Castle Section on Monday 14th May for a repeat performance.
Blue Haze
As their start of year event, the Clyde Valley section had their Blue Haze run on 25th March. The 80 mile ramble attracted the expected MZs, Suzukis and Yams, but there was two stroke royalty in the form of John Harper’s’ beautiful metallic orange Silk. Mind you, it does have a Yamaha TZR engine, so probably a bit faster than the Shipley based ones! Willy Malone didn’t let a rusted out petrol tank on his 1920’s Velocette Model B stop him taking part. Going for the bobber look, a scavenged NSU Quickly tank saved the day. Hope he remembered to put it back on the moped before the Pip Squeak run!
West Highland Way
By now the establishment of the new West Highland Group will have been officially confirmed by HQ. They meet every 2nd Tuesday, they are going to rotate locations to avoid the need for the same members having to travel all the time. Their next event will be the Pre Midge Ride Out from the Men’s Shed at Fort William at 7.00pm on Tuesday 8th of May. Contact Chris Jones at 07768 268854 or e-mail [email protected] . You can also check out their Facebook page.
Tiddler’s Tootle
May the 20th will bring us the Stirling Castle/Clyde Valey Tiddler’s Tootle. Starting from Tullibardie Distillery at Blackford, you can relive your pre test youth as there is a 250cc limit for entrants. Expect anything from Velo MOVs to Yamaha LC250s.
Demob Happy
Edinburgh (ARE) Section host the Demob Run on the 27th May. With a good central location for Tthe start of the run will be the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway Museum so, there should be a good Vintage and Post vintage turnout from all points of the compass.
Popular Veterans
The success of John McMillan’s September Veteran weekends over the past three years has meant a demand for an early year outing as well. On 3rd June Clyde Valley Section will host a new pre 1920 event. John’s runs have a reputation for attracting an international entry, so it is a chance to see some Continental exotica. Although Veteran focussed, it is open to all VMCC machines, so go along to be surprised how much fun these century plus bikes are.
As usual, this is just a selection of the forthcoming Scottish events, so check the Diary, or have a look at the Section’s websites for more.
Raymond Albeson
Scottish Area Rep
April 2018
A big hello to you all! This is my first Scottish Notes since taking over from our new President as Scottish Area Rep.
In February we were honoured to have Martin Shelley give a talk to the Edinburgh (ARE) Section on his book ‘Two Wheels to War’, written with his brother, Nick. It covers the exploits of WW1 dispatch rider Willie Watson and his comrades in the early months of the conflict, as told in ‘Adventures of a Dispatch Rider’. Martin, who is the VMCC Blackburne Marque Specialist, was lucky enough to acquire the medal collection and photograph album of the Burney Brother, the founders of the Blackburne company, and identify them as part of the group Watson served along side and wrote about. Through this Martin and Nick were able to delve deeper into the individual characters and produce an evocative and comprehensive book covering the back stories of the early dispatch riders.
I will miss the excitement and frisson of the AGM as we will be raising the profile of the VMCC North of the Border with mass display of around 30 member’s bikes at the Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston on the 3rd an 4th of March. We will be trying to attract new members by showing what a great range of runs and events the Sections have on offer. A big thanks to all who provided machines and their time in promoting the club
The development of the club in Scotland goes on leaps and bounds. President Rod Hann made the journey to Fort William to chair the first meeting of the revived Highland Section. Chris Jones has been elected Chairman, so if you live in the area, get in touch with him at 07768 268854 or e-mail [email protected] for to find out about the next meeting. I know Stewart Duff was planning a run around Skye as one of the future events, so watch out for that.
Central Scottish Section is putting on the Forfar Classic Bike Show and Autojumble on Sunday 8th April. With only handful old bike specific shows in Scotland, this promises to build into a premier event in the calendar, so get along there if you are able.
One of the fastest growing events in the Scottish calendar is the Glasgow Section’s Pip Squeek Run, on Sunday 15th April. Aimed at sub 100cc bikes, such is the success of the event, that there has been a moped renaissance, so get that old moped out the back of the garage and sign up for it.
Tony Mortshire wants to make sure there is a good turnout to Aberdeen Section’s Girder Fork Run on Saturday 5th May. It will run from Clatt Village Hall 85 miles through the Moray countryside, with a lunch stop at the Dufftown Railway café.
This is just a selection of the forthcoming Scottish events, so check on the Diary, or have a look at the Section’s websites and go along.
Raymond Albeson
Scottish Area Rep
In February we were honoured to have Martin Shelley give a talk to the Edinburgh (ARE) Section on his book ‘Two Wheels to War’, written with his brother, Nick. It covers the exploits of WW1 dispatch rider Willie Watson and his comrades in the early months of the conflict, as told in ‘Adventures of a Dispatch Rider’. Martin, who is the VMCC Blackburne Marque Specialist, was lucky enough to acquire the medal collection and photograph album of the Burney Brother, the founders of the Blackburne company, and identify them as part of the group Watson served along side and wrote about. Through this Martin and Nick were able to delve deeper into the individual characters and produce an evocative and comprehensive book covering the back stories of the early dispatch riders.
I will miss the excitement and frisson of the AGM as we will be raising the profile of the VMCC North of the Border with mass display of around 30 member’s bikes at the Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston on the 3rd an 4th of March. We will be trying to attract new members by showing what a great range of runs and events the Sections have on offer. A big thanks to all who provided machines and their time in promoting the club
The development of the club in Scotland goes on leaps and bounds. President Rod Hann made the journey to Fort William to chair the first meeting of the revived Highland Section. Chris Jones has been elected Chairman, so if you live in the area, get in touch with him at 07768 268854 or e-mail [email protected] for to find out about the next meeting. I know Stewart Duff was planning a run around Skye as one of the future events, so watch out for that.
Central Scottish Section is putting on the Forfar Classic Bike Show and Autojumble on Sunday 8th April. With only handful old bike specific shows in Scotland, this promises to build into a premier event in the calendar, so get along there if you are able.
One of the fastest growing events in the Scottish calendar is the Glasgow Section’s Pip Squeek Run, on Sunday 15th April. Aimed at sub 100cc bikes, such is the success of the event, that there has been a moped renaissance, so get that old moped out the back of the garage and sign up for it.
Tony Mortshire wants to make sure there is a good turnout to Aberdeen Section’s Girder Fork Run on Saturday 5th May. It will run from Clatt Village Hall 85 miles through the Moray countryside, with a lunch stop at the Dufftown Railway café.
This is just a selection of the forthcoming Scottish events, so check on the Diary, or have a look at the Section’s websites and go along.
Raymond Albeson
Scottish Area Rep
March 2018
Raymond Albeson will be the new Scottish Area Rep. following the AGM on 4 March. These Notes will be my last and in future I will continue to contribute to the Journal through the medium of President’s Progress starting with the April issue. I have been your Area Rep. for five years and after sixty issues of Scottish Notes and thirty thousand words I thought a few observations on what we have collectively achieved might be timeous. The Club in Scotland, at Section level, is in very good order. You are very well served by your respective Section Secretaries who are the bedrock of the Club. A new Section has been successfully established to cover Glasgow and the surrounding area and has quickly established itself and much of that is due to the efforts of Gordon Mowat. The North East Scottish Section, in Aberdeenshire has been reinvigorated after several years of relative inactivity. Look no further than Tony Mortishire and Crawford Logan to understand why that has happened. On the 25th of February there is a meeting in Fort William organised by local resident Chris Jones to see if there is enough interest to form a West Highlands Section. VMCC members are few and far between in the catchment area but the fact that the meeting is taking place is noteworthy in itself. Auld Reekie Edinburgh Section has grown its attendance over the period from perhaps fifteen at Section nights to anywhere between twenty five and close to fifty depending on the entertainment on offer. Jane and George Plumb are responsible for much of the turnaround in the Section’s fortunes. Stirling Castle, Central Scottish and Clyde Valley Sections all report increased attendances at evening meetings and space to accommodate attendees is becoming an issue for two of the Sections. The standard of entertainment in the form of speakers, technical demonstrations and vidoes has changed dramatically and is one of the main reasons for the increased attendances. Members like to be entertained and informed as well as to enjoy the pleasure of meeting up with fellow enthusiasts for a chat. The diary of runs used to be quite small but now we have a packed calendar of events for the Club in Scotland. Our promotional leaflet for 2018 has twenty five main events on offer and that is much greater than any other vintage or classic bike club in Scotland. The variety of runs has a strategic thread running through it to encourage the use of all the classes. Most of the runs are eligible for all motorcycles over twenty five years but we have a few focused on certain classes to ensure safe riding opportunities for our members. The list of the latter is impressive and includes the Blue Haze Run (two strokes), The Pipsqueak Run ( mopeds and autocycles), The Tiddler Tootle and the Autumn Tootle (lightweights up to 250cc), The Demob Run (pre-1950), The Sound of Singles Run ( single cylinder bikes), Classic Ride and Ride Out Run ( 1970s and 1980s) ,Scottish Gathering (pre-1931) and the Early Motor Bicycle Run (veterans). Over and above, we have a large number of local social runs and events taking place. The veteran class was just about on its last legs in Scotland and a veteran on a run was a rare sight. Enter John Macmillan and after three years we have an internet group with close to one hundred members and two veteran runs in the calendar for 2018 one of which will see international riders coming over from Holland. The President, Rodney Hann, organised a series of meetings throughout the UK for local Section office bearers to attend. We held our first in Doune in late 2016 and the second took place in late October 2017. Both meetings were very well attended and we are now seeing the benefits of working more closely together. Two manifestations of this co-operation are the joint stand activity at the Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston and the promotional leaflet which has been produced by the six active Sections. The October meeting agreed that within the twenty five main events eight of them were of strategic importance and that we should all work actively together on their promotion. Two of these are just about upon us so please come and see us at the Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston on 3-4 March and at the Forfar Show and Autojumble in Forfar on 8 April , the latter being organised by Central Scottish Section. We see the Forfar event as our great opportunity for a big social get together in the Spring so please come along. Another strategic change is to organise two mid-week runs between the Scottish National ( 28-29/7) and the S & T (4-5/8) so that six days of riding are on offer. Regularity Runs are now very rare in the VMCC Calendar and we are fortunate to have two of them so please note the Scottish National and the S & T in your diary. We have become very active at spreading the word about Scotland in the Journal. A number of you have become contributors and none more so than Norrie Russell with his powerful images of us all having a great time out and about on runs and at meetings. Thumb through the January 2018 issue of the Journal to see just how strong the Scottish coverage has become. Contributions now appear regularly in the motorcycling media and have become a vital part of our promotion. The big opportunity for the future is to use all the good work we have done and the great programme of runs and meetings we have developed and all the other benefits of Club membership to attract new recruits to come and join in the fun. A big thanks to you all for your support and I have thoroughly enjoyed being your Area Rep.. I look forward to continuing to support the Scottish membership and wish Raymond Albeson all the best in his new role.
Alastair Alexander, Area Rep. for Scotland, 1 February 2018
Alastair Alexander, Area Rep. for Scotland, 1 February 2018
February 2018
Please could you spread the word about the meeting to consider a new Section in the West Highlands. The meeting has been set up for 7.30 pm on Friday 23 February , 2018 in the Alexandra Hotel, The Parade, Fort William, PH33 6AZ. Attendance will be welcome from both VMCC members and non-members. Please contact Chris Jones on 07768 268854 or [email protected]. The Haggis Gathering takes place at the Lanark Auction Centre, Lanark on Sunday 4 February. Central Scottish and Clyde Valley Sections will have stands in the entrance hall so please pay them a visit. Their experience of exhibiting at Lanark has been very productive as a means of promoting their respective Sections’ activities as well as the VMCC in Scotland as a whole. The Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston on 3-4 March will see a larger stand, than in 2017, operated jointly by Glasgow, Clyde Valley, Stirling Castle, North East Scottish and Auld Reekie Edinburgh Sections. Central Scottish Section will continue to have its own stand. Between the two Stands the VMCC will be one if not the largest exhibitor at the Show. The promotional leaflet or flyer being produced on behalf of all of the Scottish Sections should be available in January. The leaflet will contain an unrivalled twenty five or more social and riding events throughout Scotland in 2018. It is a very dynamic programme of activities which should appeal to a wide audience and perfectly illustrates the strength we gain by the Sections working together. The diary for the riding season is now getting full up and it is hard to find a gap to fit in a new run but that is exactly what Clyde Valley Section have done with a Veteran Run planned for Sunday 3 June. Further details will follow once the final arrangements have been sorted. Contact John Macmillan on [email protected] or 01555 662760. The Veteran Group have another lunch meeting planned for 12.30 pm on Saturday 10 February at the Highland Gate Restaurant (FK9 4TW) just off Junction 10 on the M9 at Stirling. The last lunch held at the beginning of December was very well attended. You do not need to have a veteran motorcycle and anyone with an interest in the oldest class of motorcycles is most welcome to come along. There are usually some mysterious or interesting parts being parts being passed round during the meal for our education and entertainment. Bookings please through John Macmillan using the contact details as above. Central Scottish Section have their Classic and Vintage Show and Autojumble on Sunday 8 April in Forfar . It is already a big affair but we would like to see it become the big annual spring social for members. When all of the Scottish Section office bearers met at Doune in October we agreed to try to do more to promote the Forfar Show and Autojumble to our respective memberships. It will get mentioned again in Scottish Notes prior to the event. The first main social run of the season will be the Blue Haze Run organised by Clyde Valley Section on Sunday 25 March. The focus is on encouraging two strokes but any motorcycle over twenty five years old is eligible to enter. Contact Willie Malone on 01357 521375.
Alastair Alexander
1 January 2018
Alastair Alexander
1 January 2018
January 2018
There is still time to complete the membership questionnaire that was included in the December Journal. It is important that you take the opportunity to record your views and opinions. We need a strong response rate to ensure that we get meaningful and reliable results. The plan is to have the results ready in time for the AGM on 4 March. You will recall how helpful the Scottish Membership Survey findings from 2014 have been in shaping what we now enjoy by way of events and activities in Scotland. The aim of the survey is to do the same but for the Club’s membership as a whole. There is a move afoot to see if there is interest in establishing a Section in the West Highlands. Chris Jones in Fort William is the member to contact and the President, Rodney Hann, has been very helpful in moving matters forward. A meeting room has been booked in the Alexandra Hotel, The Parade, Fort William, PH33 6AZ for 7.30pm on Friday 23 February , 2018. The President will be present as well as myself to support Chris’ efforts. We know that the members in the west highlands are few and far between but we now have access to the internet to shrink the distances. The meeting will not be restricted to members only and anyone with an interest in vintage and classic bikes is welcome to attend. Please get in contact with Chris on 07768 268854 or [email protected] . Auld Reekie Edinburgh held its AGM in October and I stepped down as Chairman and Norrie Russell is the new Chairman with George and Jane continuing as Secretary and Treasurer, respectively and Mark Aitken joining the Committee. It is a very strong team so look forward to some sparkle and crackle in 2018. My period of tenure as the President will start on 4 March and at that time I will step down as your Area Rep. so that I am free to devote the time needed for my new role. I received an email from Mike Coxon of Reivers Section about a new event for veteran motorcycles. It is being organised by the Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club and is called “The Norther Pioneer Road Test”. It will take place in Leyburn, North Yorkshire on the 1st July 2018. If you are interested in taking part please contact Wallace Holmes on 01325 460554 or [email protected]. It is a noteworthy development in the north of the England and I like to think it has much to do with the sterling work that John Macmillan and Clyde Valley Section have been doing to encourage the veteran class in Scotland and the Bamburgh Run. The two big opportunities for members to get together early in 2018 are the Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston on 3-4 March and the Central Scottish Section Autojumble and Show in Forfar on 8 April. They are both big occasions to showcase the Club as well as being great chances to meet your fellow members. Best wishes for 2018.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
30 November 2017
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
30 November 2017
December 2017
Central Scottish Section is celebrating its 50th anniversary and held a party in Glamis on the 5th November which was a great success. There was a regional meeting of all of the Scottish Sections in Doune on the 28th October which was very well attended and highly productive. The concept of a calendar of Scottish events was initiated by Gordon Mowat to provide a promotional flyer for the 2017 Scottish Motorcycle Show. It was agreed at the meeting that there was merit in developing a calendar for 2018 and expanding the list of events included. A list of events was discussed with twenty one events on it and we added in the VMCC stands at the Haggis Gathering in February and an additional social run in the week between the Scottish National and the S&T. Central Scottish agreed to organise a social on the Tuesday and Stirling Castle a social run on the Thursday. Therefore six days riding will be on offer and that represents a big opportunity to be promoted. We agreed that individual Sections would look to include a number of other events in the calendar which happen throughout the year. The final list of events should be very impressive and offer a great opportunity to promote the Club in Scotland and beyond. Gordon has agreed to act as the co-ordinator to get the list finalised and printed. We agreed that there were eight events in our calendar that were of strategic importance to the development and future of the Club in Scotland. These were the Forfar Autojumble and Show, the Pipsqueak Run, The Scottish Demob Run, the Tiddler Tootle, the two big Regularity Runs, The Scottish Gathering and the Early Motor Bicycle Run. We agreed that the organising Sections should continue to run the events as per usual but that the other Sections should feel a responsibility to help to promote these events because of their strategic importance. The Forfar event could, for example, be our big spring get together . Central Scottish and Stirling Castle are looking at how they work together on promoting their new bigger event which includes two mid-week social runs. The calendar of events will be printed as an A5 document and used to promote any shows we attend including Ingliston and for leafleting bikes at runs and rallies, motorcycle shops and many other uses. We have asked HQ to meet the printing cost as it covers Scotland as a whole. We plan that it will be available for use from the start of next year. We covered the plans for the Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston. Glasgow, Auld Reekie Edinburgh, Clyde Valley, Stirling Castle and North East Scottish will operate a joint stand. Space has been booked with the organisers and there was a discussion about themes. The general feeling was that we should show bikes that are used without too much concern for their shiny condition. Examples of projects/ incomplete machines, bikes and the runs they are used for and affordability were the main ideas offered and a theme will emerge from these suggestions. Central Scottish Section will continue to have its own stand at Ingliston. It was confirmed that Central Scottish and Clyde Valley will have stands at the Haggis Gathering in Lanark. Promotional banners from HQ were promised a long time ago. They have now been ordered and those Sections which have asked for one should get them soon. The library dating fees were considered and there was general agreement that they were too high and that other clubs offered more competitive assistance. The subject has been taken up with HQ.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
1 November 2017
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
1 November 2017
November 2017
There is still time to complete the membership questionnaire that was included in the December Journal. It is important that you take the opportunity to record your views and opinions. We need a strong response rate to ensure that we get meaningful and reliable results. The plan is to have the results ready in time for the AGM on 4 March. You will recall how helpful the Scottish Membership Survey findings from 2014 have been in shaping what we now enjoy by way of events and activities in Scotland. The aim of the survey is to do the same but for the Club’s membership as a whole. There is a move afoot to see if there is interest in establishing a Section in the West Highlands. Chris Jones in Fort William is the member to contact and the President, Rodney Hann, has been very helpful in moving matters forward. A meeting room has been booked in the Alexandra Hotel, The Parade, Fort William, PH33 6AZ for 7.30pm on Friday 23 February , 2018. The President will be present as well as myself to support Chris’ efforts. We know that the members in the west highlands are few and far between but we now have access to the internet to shrink the distances. The meeting will not be restricted to members only and anyone with an interest in vintage and classic bikes is welcome to attend. Please get in contact with Chris on 07768 268854 or [email protected] . Auld Reekie Edinburgh held its AGM in October and I stepped down as Chairman and Norrie Russell is the new Chairman with George and Jane continuing as Secretary and Treasurer, respectively and Mark Aitken joining the Committee. It is a very strong team so look forward to some sparkle and crackle in 2018. My period of tenure as the President will start on 4 March and at that time I will step down as your Area Rep. so that I am free to devote the time needed for my new role. I received an email from Mike Coxon of Reivers Section about a new event for veteran motorcycles. It is being organised by the Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club and is called “The Norther Pioneer Road Test”. It will take place in Leyburn, North Yorkshire on the 1st July 2018. If you are interested in taking part please contact Wallace Holmes on 01325 460554 or [email protected]. It is a noteworthy development in the north of the England and I like to think it has much to do with the sterling work that John Macmillan and Clyde Valley Section have been doing to encourage the veteran class in Scotland and the Bamburgh Run. The two big opportunities for members to get together early in 2018 are the Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston on 3-4 March and the Central Scottish Section Autojumble and Show in Forfar on 8 April. They are both big occasions to showcase the Club as well as being great chances to meet your fellow members. Best wishes for 2018.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
30 November 2017
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
30 November 2017
October 2017
The S&T Regularity Run on 5-6 August at Cultybraggan Camp by Comrie in Perthshire was an outstanding success with ninety four entries. The weather was good until the mid-afternoon of the Sunday social run when we got a mild soaking. The new venue, now in its second year of use by Stirling Castle Section has plenty of space for campers and an old parade ground area which is ideal for use as the assembly point prior to the start and for displaying the bikes at the end of the run. The Section will confirm the dates for next year in due course but it looks like 8-9 September 2018. The social run organised by Stirling Castle Section mid-week between the Scottish National and the S&T Regularity Rallies proved to be a hit with thirty five entries. The two regularity events happen purposely a week apart to try to offer something unique in the annual calendar. The mid-week run was an attempt to improve on that offer and thereby attract more enthusiasts. Peter Oram did all the hard work and the Wednesday run seems to have been a very popular addition to the programme. There is still time to book a place on the Early Motor Bicycle Run, for veteran or veteran like machines, being organised by Clyde Valley Section in Dumfries on 7-8 October. I have heard from the Dutch entrants and their earliest bike will be The Pebok which was made in 1902 closely followed by our 1903 Dreadnought. The Dutch posse are coming for the second time and their participation gives us a chance to see the very early bikes in action. How often can you see several 1902-1908 machines from the dawn of motorcycling in active use? Exactly, so seize the day and come and spectate. Details from [email protected] or 01555662760. Last year the President, Rodney Hann, organised a series of regional meetings around the country getting together the key officials from each Section. The Scottish meeting was held in Doune and was very well attended and very productive. It is planned to repeat the exercise during October so that the Sections can compare notes, improve the national calendar and endeavour to dovetail our activities. Head for Dalserf on Tuesday 10 October where Clyde Valley Section members will hear a talk by Gino Rondelli on his and his wife, Fiona’s Himalayan motorcycle adventure. Auld Reekie Edinburgh Section’s AGM will take place on the 16 October at the Newliston Arms in Kirkliston. North East Scottish Section will be holding their AGM on the 14th November at the Ashdale Hall, Westhill, Aberdeen, AB22 6FY. I am planning to attend and will be giving a talk. Details from Tony Mortishire on [email protected] or 07887 740396.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
1 September 2017
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
1 September 2017
September 2017
The Scottish National Regularity Rally run by Central Scottish Section on 29-30 July was a great success. The exact date for 2018 has yet to be determined but when announced please make a note in your diary to attend if you can. There is still time to enter the Scottish Gathering for pre-1931 motorcycles being organised by Auld Reekie Edinburgh Section and held at Dirleton, near North Berwick on 9 and 10 September. There is a social run leaving Dirleton Village Centre at 1.00pm on the Saturday and is open to the Gathering entrants and riders on motorcycles of up to 250cc ie. Tiddlers. The route of about 30 miles on mainly flat going is suitable for veterans, vintage and tiddlers. It offers the opportunity to ride with some very old machines and experience what vintage motorcycling is about. Some of the early Regs. and maybe an email or two stated this run starts from Yellowcraig Caravan Park which is not the case. Both the Saturday and the main Sunday Run start in Dirleton and apologies for any confusion caused. Details from Ralph White on 0131 3344144 or [email protected] . Next up is the Pre-1975 Run being organised by North East Scottish Section on 17 September. The 2017 SVVF Calendar states Banchory as the starting point but this has been changed to the Feughside Inn at nearby Strachan. The Feughside Inn is the perfect point to gather for the event and the roads in the area are some of the best in Scotland and sublime for our purposes. Entry details can be obtained from Tony Mortishire on 07887 740396 or [email protected]. The Section’s AGM takes place on Tuesday October 10. Saturday 23 September is the date of Auld Reekie Edinburgh Section’s Classic Ride in and Ride Out starting from Kinross and meeting for lunch at the Crieff Visitor Centre. The run will be about 100 miles and aimed at appealing to the later classic owners although any eligible machine can be entered. You might have noticed in the Journal that it is now possible for Area Reps. to have a deputy. The change has been introduced because some of the areas covered are very large and it could help to spread the load. Any member interested in getting involved please get in contact with me. The Early Motor Cycle Run on 7-8 October in Dumfries seems to be the last big event of the riding season. The Dutch posse on very early machines is riding again and the Dreadnought is booked to appear and a deputation is coming over from Northern Ireland. The organiser, John Macmillan, is the man to contact for details and he has prepared entry details for riders and spectators. The latter is a new and most welcome initiative so even if you do not have an eligible machine you can spectate at the start and finish and points in between. Come and see how skilled riders manage to make good progress on motor bicycles manufactured as early as 1902.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
2 August 2017
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
2 August 2017
August 2017
You might just still have an opportunity to take part in the S & T Rally organised by Stirling Castle Section on 5-6 August 2017. The event takes place at the former POW Camp at Cultybraggan near Comrie in Perthshire. The venue is very historic and atmospheric as most of the old camp is still intact. For details contact Douglas Cowie on 01764 653474 or [email protected]. Auld Reekie Edinburgh Section hold their Scottish Gathering for pre-1931 motorcycles on the 9th and 10th of September. The venue changes this year to the village of Dirleton nearby to North Berwick in East Lothian. The Section have decided to invite Tiddlers to take part on the Saturday Social Run which will be over thirty miles of fairly easy going with a coffee stop along the way. There is no entry fee for the Tiddlers so if you have a motorcycle of over 25 years of age and less that 250cc come and join in the fun at Dirleton. We would like to know if you are coming so please contact the Event Organiser, Ralph White, who will provide details (0131 3344144 or [email protected]) The main event for the pre-1931 machines takes place on the Sunday with entrants starting to arrive from 09.00 and the first of them setting off from 10.30 and with a lunch stop in Gifford. North East Scottish Section is following up on their very successful Spring run with another for pre-1975 motorcycles on the 17th September starting in Banchory. Please contact Tony Mortishire on 07887 740396 or [email protected] . If you can manage along please sign up for their Banchory Run and help the Section to build up its new programme of activity. The Section is meeting monthly and providing very good evening entertainment. The Section Notes have not appeared in the Journal but that has not been for want of them being submitted by The Secretary. There seems to have been a glitch in the system at HQ which I am assured has been fixed. Back to Auld Reekie Edinburgh Section and their second “Classic Ride Out and Ride In” starting at the Boathouse Bistro in Kinross on Saturday 23 September. The run is designed so that riders can “ride out” from the start as per usual or if they are distant from the start they can “ride in” to the lunch stop in Crieff for a get together. The event is open to machines over 25 years of age but the Section is keen to encourage the later classics to get an airing hence the route of over 100 miles. Details from George Plumb on 0131 3333336 or [email protected]. We have had a number of Scottish contributors writing in to the Journal including Jim Leddy, Keith Steyert and George Plumb. The most recent contribution(June Journal) by Gordon Mowat on the Pipsqueak Run was excellent and epitomised the fun we are having in Scotland even with the raw power you can feel from a 32cc machine. Great stuff and keep sending those stories in to the Editor.
Alastair Alexander;
Area Rep. for Scotland;
29 June 2017
Alastair Alexander;
Area Rep. for Scotland;
29 June 2017
July 2017
Glasgow Section’s Pip Squeak Run doubled last year’s entry with thirty five riders and a huge variety of machines from 32 up to 98 cc. The weekend of 6-7 May was very busy with two runs taking place from Clatt in Aberdeenshire ( North East Scottish Section) and the Galloway Weekend (Stirling Castle Section) and then the Scottish Demob Run ( Auld Reekie Edinburgh Section) happening on the 14 May. All three were for girder fork machines and it highlighted very effectively the need, in future, to co-ordinate calendars between Sections to ensure at least a fortnight’s gap between similar events ( S&T and the National being the exceptions). I have suggested as such to all of our Section Secretaries and have not had feedback from all of them so far. However, I am confident that we will manage to dovetail our events more strategically for 2018. The Clatt Run was well supported and being North East Scottish Sections first major event in recent years that was significant and augurs well for the future. Peter Oram, who stepped in at late notice to keep the Castle Douglas Weekend on track did a grand job and was rewarded with thirty five entries. Maurice Chandler and Duncan MacKinnon also deserve a mention in despatches for providing much needed support to Peter to put on a very successful event. I am just home from taking part in the Skagenlob Rally over three days in Denmark. It involved riding over 150 miles a day catering for one hundred and eighty-five riders and followers including all meals and accommodation. The Danish Veteran Motorcycle Club is an affiliated member of the VMCC and our group was made very welcome. The international aspect of Club membership is very understated at present and I will be looking at how we can build stronger links for the future . From a Scottish perspective, we have already benefitted from the Dutch posse led by Roel Marseveen taking part in the Early Motorbicycle Run organised by John Macmillan ( Clyde Valley Section) in October of last year. The Scottish Double ( the Scottish National and the S & T Regularity Runs ) is just about upon us. These two events happening on consecutive weekends , with a mid-week run included , allow an unrivalled opportunity to enjoy some of the best roads in Scotland. The Scottish National run by Central Scottish Section takes place in Blairgowrie on the weekend of 29-30 July (contact Brian Gordon on 01241 853946 or [email protected]). The S & T Rally organised by Stirling Castle Section takes place the following weekend, 5-6 August, at Cultybraggan, Comrie ( Contact Dougie Cowie on 01764 653474 or [email protected] ). Clyde Valley Section is running their Sound of Singles Run on 16 July from the Big Red Barn Café ( junction of A702 & A721). For details please contact Tim Ryan on 01698 373213 or [email protected]. Finally, The Scottish Gathering for pre-1931 motorcycles takes place on the weekend of 9-10 September. The location this year is Dirleton, near North Berwick ensuring new routes for the Saturday social run and the main run on the Sunday. Details can be obtained from Ralph White on 0131 3344144 or [email protected].
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
1 June 2017
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
1 June 2017
June 2017
The AGM will be reported elsewhere in the Journal. From my perspective it went better than I had expected. The main resolutions were all passed and the one seeking a vote of no confidence did not come to pass. It has been a difficult year but now the Directors, with the addition of some new blood and a change of Chairman, should be allowed to get on with the job of steering the Club towards a better future . I am hopeful that we have all learned lessons from the last year and that we can unite to drive the Club forward. I have been on the Management Committee for the last four years and I bear some responsibility for where we have got to now. I came in at a time when the losses were stacking up and it felt a bit like being on a supertanker where you need ten miles to stop from when the decision is taken and in our case probably two and a half of the last four years just to get to a stable starting point. Pat Rowbotham did a grand job of steadying the ship but regrettably we were unable to persuade him to stay on. The Directors have continued the work and we are in better shape but still have some way to go. The unsettling of the staff in this period of change is one area I hope we have put firmly behind us. Four years ago I signed up to be the Scottish Area Rep. In the interim what I have learnt, but knew anyway, is that if you want to have any real influence on the direction and shape of the Club you have to be a Director. In the new arrangements Area Reps. are not required to attend Management Committee meetings. Six directors should be able to run an operation of our size. I have no interest in becoming a director having spent much of my working life in such roles. Where I do see an opportunity is to serve in the role of Club President hence my willingness to be nominated for the position of President-Elect which was confirmed at the AGM. The experience I have gained as a Section Secretary and presently as a Section Chairman and an Area Rep. seemed to me might just be useful in the national role of President. The President’s role on the Management Committee is apolitical and hence does not carry a vote. However, the position carries something much more powerful and that is the links to the Area Reps, the Sections and to every single member of the Club and the ability to use those links to inform , support, influence and when appropriate to challenge the Directors. I will be using the next year to do the ground work necessary to the role but more on that later. You will need to start looking for a new Area Rep. for Scotland ready for April 2018. It is not possible or realistic for me to combine the two roles. If anyone is interested I would be delighted to speak to you. It is a very rewarding position and great fun working with the members in Scotland.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
1 May 2017
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
1 May 2017
April 2017
There are a couple of important changes to the calendar of runs which should be noted. Firstly, The 43rd National Assembly organised by Central Scottish Section will be held two weeks earlier than usual now taking place on the weekend of 28-30 July 2017 in Blairgowrie. The change is not of the Section’s choice or making and the hope is that the event will continue to be very actively supported. Stirling Castle Section is putting on a mid-week social run ( Wednesday 2 August ) starting at Crieff prior to their S&T Rally at Cultybraggan Camp, Comrie on the weekend of 4-6 August. Add the whole lot together and you can enjoy five days of riding with organised social evenings included. Enquiries to Brian Gordon for the National Assembly ( 01241 853946 or [email protected] ) or Dougie Cowie for the S&T and mid-week run ( 01764 653474 or [email protected] ). Secondly, The Galloway Flat Tank and Girder Fork Weekend planned for the 5-7 May has a change of organiser . Geoff Brazendale and Dave Moffat are not able to run it this year so Peter Oram, of Stirling Castle Section, has stepped up to the plate to make sure that the event goes ahead. I was delighted to learn that he had volunteered his services and with Peter involved we are in very good hands ( Details from Peter Oram on 01764 681300 or [email protected] ). There are a couple of other girder fork/ flat tank events in May and these are the NE Scottish Section Girder Fork Run on 7 May starting at Clatt Village Hall in Aberdeenshire ( Details from Tony Mortishire on 01330 844322 or [email protected] ) and the Scottish Demob Run (pre-1950) being organised by Auld Reekie Edinburgh (ARE) Section starting at the Powmill Milk Bar on 14 May ( Details from George Plumb on 0131 3333336 or [email protected] ). The following evening ARE Section hosts James Robinson , the Editor of “ The Classic Motorcycle “ magazine, for an illustrated talk. It should be a fascinating evening, to which you are all invited, held at the Newliston Arms, Kirkliston starting at 7.30 for 8.00pm on Monday 15 May. Do not miss the opportunity to visit Central Scottish Section’s Classic Motorcycle Show and Autojumble on the 9th April in Forfar. Clyde Valley Section is organising a lunch meeting at the Oven, Overton Farm, Rosebank on the A72 starting at 12.00pm. (details from Tim Ryan on 07714 505386 or [email protected] ). ARE Section received a large donation of books and magazines last year and George Plumb reckoned we had enough to run an auction. We received some further donations from members like George Ogg, Allan and Brian Forbes, Bill Dunlop, Anton Roberts and others and the scene was set for the auction at our February meeting. Norrie Russel was our auctioneer resplendent with a bow-tie and a gavel. He used his wit , good humour and general bonhomie to relieve us of a healthy contribution to the Section’s funds. The format might work for other Sections.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
28 February 2017
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
28 February 2017
March 2017
Scottish Notes for the March 2017 Journal
North East Scottish Section had an excellent attendance for its January Section night with a lively talk by Tom Gaynor . The Section’s March 14th meeting hosts Chris Odling who will give an illustrated talk on “Vintage Engine Restoration” ( contact Tony Mortishire on [email protected] or 01330 844322). If you have not heard Chris talk before I strongly recommend that you take the time to attend. Central Scottish Section have their Classic Motorcycle Show and Autojumble on 9 April in Forfar ( contact John Lamb on 01738 551308 or [email protected]). Clyde Valley Section holds its Rock ‘n’ Roll Run for 1950s and 60s bikes ( but open to all eligible machines) on 17 June starting at the Oven, Overton Farm, Rosebank (A72). The run will be approximately 100 miles through Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. Entry forms are now available on the website http://www.clydevalleyvmcc.co.uk or by contacting [email protected]. Plans for the stands at the MCN Scottish Motorcycle Show on 11-12 March are progressing well. Ian Botham from HQ will be attending, bringing the Suzuki GS1000 raffle bike, promotional and retail materials to support our activities. We will be recruiting to take full advantage of the new membership offer of three months of the Journal on-line followed by a year’s full membership. Do not miss the Galloway Girder Fork and Flat Tank run based in Castle Douglas on 5-7 May. The organisers are Geoff Brazendale and Dave Moffat so you know that you are in for a treat. Contact Geoff on 01228 549445 or Dave on [email protected]. Auld Reekie Edinburgh Section hosts Tom Gaynor on 20 March for his illustrated talk on tuning S7 and S8 Sunbeams (Contact George Plumb on 0131 333336 or [email protected]). I have until now confined the content of Scottish Notes to matters concerning the camaraderie and fun to be had as a member of the VMCC. However, I am conscious that a number of the Scottish members whom I represent do not attend Section meetings and therefore may well not have been aware of the controversy surrounding Pat Rowbotham’s letter. I want it to make it clear that I have I have done a lot of work on the matter through the Section Secretary Network. I am supportive of Chairman Peter Miller’s views and planned actions covered in the Chairman’s notes in the February Journal. The Directors have a very tough job to do on our behalf not least because of the failings of previous Boards of Directors. Our current Directors have come to the table with varying degrees of experience to enable them to tackle some very difficult issues facing the Club. Gone are the days of good income on bonds and cash deposits, modest competition in the insurance market and few competitors in the raffle bike business. We need new ideas and new direction. Peter Miller’s February report contained words not heard for a very long time: a surplus in the accounts and that is a significant achievement in itself. The Club still has its challenges and issues and we as members should give the Directors the support they need to rebuild the Club. I would be pleased to speak to any member who wants to discuss the above.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. Scotland
1 February 2017
North East Scottish Section had an excellent attendance for its January Section night with a lively talk by Tom Gaynor . The Section’s March 14th meeting hosts Chris Odling who will give an illustrated talk on “Vintage Engine Restoration” ( contact Tony Mortishire on [email protected] or 01330 844322). If you have not heard Chris talk before I strongly recommend that you take the time to attend. Central Scottish Section have their Classic Motorcycle Show and Autojumble on 9 April in Forfar ( contact John Lamb on 01738 551308 or [email protected]). Clyde Valley Section holds its Rock ‘n’ Roll Run for 1950s and 60s bikes ( but open to all eligible machines) on 17 June starting at the Oven, Overton Farm, Rosebank (A72). The run will be approximately 100 miles through Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. Entry forms are now available on the website http://www.clydevalleyvmcc.co.uk or by contacting [email protected]. Plans for the stands at the MCN Scottish Motorcycle Show on 11-12 March are progressing well. Ian Botham from HQ will be attending, bringing the Suzuki GS1000 raffle bike, promotional and retail materials to support our activities. We will be recruiting to take full advantage of the new membership offer of three months of the Journal on-line followed by a year’s full membership. Do not miss the Galloway Girder Fork and Flat Tank run based in Castle Douglas on 5-7 May. The organisers are Geoff Brazendale and Dave Moffat so you know that you are in for a treat. Contact Geoff on 01228 549445 or Dave on [email protected]. Auld Reekie Edinburgh Section hosts Tom Gaynor on 20 March for his illustrated talk on tuning S7 and S8 Sunbeams (Contact George Plumb on 0131 333336 or [email protected]). I have until now confined the content of Scottish Notes to matters concerning the camaraderie and fun to be had as a member of the VMCC. However, I am conscious that a number of the Scottish members whom I represent do not attend Section meetings and therefore may well not have been aware of the controversy surrounding Pat Rowbotham’s letter. I want it to make it clear that I have I have done a lot of work on the matter through the Section Secretary Network. I am supportive of Chairman Peter Miller’s views and planned actions covered in the Chairman’s notes in the February Journal. The Directors have a very tough job to do on our behalf not least because of the failings of previous Boards of Directors. Our current Directors have come to the table with varying degrees of experience to enable them to tackle some very difficult issues facing the Club. Gone are the days of good income on bonds and cash deposits, modest competition in the insurance market and few competitors in the raffle bike business. We need new ideas and new direction. Peter Miller’s February report contained words not heard for a very long time: a surplus in the accounts and that is a significant achievement in itself. The Club still has its challenges and issues and we as members should give the Directors the support they need to rebuild the Club. I would be pleased to speak to any member who wants to discuss the above.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. Scotland
1 February 2017
February 2017
The 25th Haggis Gathering, organised by the Scottish Classic Racing Club, takes place at the Lanark Auction Centre on Sunday 5th February. Large numbers of VMCC members usually go along and it is a great place to meet your friends and to find that elusive part for your rebuild. Central Scottish Section holds their Classic Motorcycle Show and Autojumble on the 9th April in Forfar (contact John Lamb on 07925 535403 or [email protected]). It is a big date in the Section’s calendar and well worth a visit. Just a reminder of the Clyde Valley’s Blue Haze Run on 2 April starting from Broadlees Golf Club, Chapelton, Near Strathaven (contact Willie Malone on 01357 521375) and the Glasgow Group’s Pip Squeak Run (Gordon Mowat on 01475 638528 or [email protected] ) in Ayrshire on 9 April. Both of these events should see a host of two strokes which are beginning to emerge from the shadows after years of non-use. Auld Reekie Edinburgh (ARE) Section will be holding a book and magazine auction in aid of Section funds on 20 February at the Newliston Arms, Kirkliston with Norrie Russell as the auctioneer. It should be a fun evening and all of you are welcome to attend. Donations would be most welcome but the Section is not looking for collections of the big magazines like “Classic Bike” or “The Classic Motorcycle” to be donated (contact George Plumb on 0131 3333336 or [email protected] ). Encouragingly, ARE hosted thirty three members and guests for the Section’s Xmas dinner, up from twenty two in 2015. The MCN Scottish Motorcyle Show at Ingliston on 11-12 March will see a big change in the VMCC presence and much has happened since my last report. Central Scottish Section will showcase at least a dozen machines ( contact Arthur Merchant on 01241 852369 or [email protected]). Gordon Mowat of the Glasgow Group is coordinating a stand on behalf of Stirling Castle, Clyde Valley, Glasgow Group, North East Scottish and Auld Reekie Edinburgh Sections and has secured a central location in the Exhibition Hall. Gordon has been offered a great range of machines from the above Sections and we are indebted to Gordon for his ongoing work (contact as above). I have asked for support from HQ and, at present, believe that we will have HQ staff attending, bringing stand promotional and retail material and the raffle bike. The President, Rodney Hann, has been invited but much will depend on his commitments around that time. When show time arrives we will be actively selling raffle tickets and endeavouring to sign up new members. Last year we sold £707 in raffle tickets and signed up twelve new members so that gives us a target to beat in 2017. It may surprise you to know that Sections can claim 10% of raffle ticket sales if they are co-ordinated through the Sections. The idea is to offer encouragement to the Sections to promote raffle ticket sales. I have emailed all of the Section Secretaries to make sure they are aware of the offer from HQ.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
3 January 2017
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
3 January 2017
January 2017
I will start with my annual plea for members’ contact details , especially email addresses, to be supplied to the Section Secretaries so that they can keep you up to date with activities and developments. If they have no means of contacting you, you might just miss out on lots of fun during the year. North East Scottish (NES) Section will be holding their first meeting on 10 January as their Committee starts to reinvigorate the Section. Please try to attend and provide your input to help the Section get off to a good start in 2017 ( Tony Mortishire, 01330 844322 or [email protected] ). Two events that NES Section will be organising will be a girder fork run starting at Clatt on 7 May and a pre-1975 run starting in the Banchory area on 17 September. It would be great if members from throughout Scotland made a note of these dates and did their best to attend. It is some time since we have had the chance of organised runs in Aberdeenshire so these new runs are a perfect opportunity for you to explore new territory. Plans for the joint Sections’ stand at Ingliston are coming along nicely with Gordon Mowat ([email protected] or 01475 638528) co-ordinating our presence at the Show. For the first time we will have a theme to the stand and it will be about the affordable bikes, not the shiny ones, that we use on runs and which all enthusiasts can appreciate. If you want to volunteer to exhibit a suitable bike or to help to man the stand please contact your local Section Secretary ( North East Scottish, Clyde Valley, Glasgow, Stirling Castle and Auld Reekie Edinburgh ). We get off to an early start in the riding season with Clyde Valley’s Blue Haze Run on 2 April which focuses on two strokes, but all eligible machines are welcome to participate (Willie Malone, 01357 521375). The following weekend you will have to get your pipsqueaks out so fettle your sub-100cc machines and anything with pedals for the Pipsqueak Run in Ayrshire on 9 April (contact Gordon Mowat as above). Reivers Section has been in contact as their members are planning to come up for the opening ceremony for the new Queensferry Crossing Bridge in May. A wee chat with some of the Scottish Sections concluded that it was an excellent idea and an opportunity for us to get together with Reivers for a special day. If you want to be involved please contact your local Section Secretary. If there is enough interest I will try to find out what is planned on the day and if the VMCC can take part. Finally, we had representatives of six Scottish Sections coming together on the 19 November for a meeting with the President, Rodney Hann in Doune to look at ways to strengthen the Sections and how HQ could provide more support. A note of the meeting was prepared and has been sent to the Section Secretaries for circulation. All the very best for 2017 and thank you for your support.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
30 November 2016
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
30 November 2016
December 2016
North East Scottish Section held its AGM and you can read all about it in this month’s Section Notes. The Section has a new Chairman, Crawford Logan, and Tony Mortishire is the new Secretary and Alan Griggs continues as Treasurer. The Section’s catchment is largely defined by the Aberdeenshire boundary and if you have the AB postcode you should get a letter about future plans. One way or another, please make sure that you are in touch with Tony (01330 844322 or [email protected]) and are on his list of contacts and try to attend the first meeting of the year on 10 January 2017. The second big moment of the month was, not so long ago inconceivable, three days of veteran riding in Scotland. The long weekend kicked off at the Museum of Flight on 8 October where 28 riders gathered on motorcycles manufactured from 1902 to 1922. Clyde Valley was the organising Section and they did a grand job.The party continued on to Glendaruel, Argyll with 18 pre-1914 riders touring Cowal and Bute. Notably present was the party of Dutch riders on the earliest machines. Particularly encouraging was Roel Marseveen’s comment that the mention of “The Early Motor Bicycle Run“ in Scottish Notes was the catalyst for the Dutch riders to attend. Even more encouraging is that our Dutch friends want to come back again and bring reinforcements including some of their German rider friends. The drivers behind these two linked events were John Macmillan and Paul and Dawn Morley and their hard work is gratefully acknowledged. Over the last few years a large number of new runs have been introduced to compliment an already strong and varied calendar of events. The events with a long record of success like the Scottish National and the S&T have been added to with new annual offerings like the Scottish Gathering, the Tiddler Tootle, the Blue Haze, the Scottish Demob, the Rock ‘n’Roll Run, the Sound of Singles and the latest newcomers the Pipsqueak Run and the Auld Reekie Classic. All of the above have gone on to become regular fixtures in the calendar. In addition, there are a host of social runs and events which Sections organise. If we want to add to this already crowded diary one way forward might be to start to consider one off events which happen for a compelling reason but do not go on to become regular fixtures. The Glendaruel Veteran Run, above, is a perfect example. The desire for the event was matched by the Morleys’ willingness to stage the Run but it is most unlikely to be repeated. The moped/autocycle Hebridean Hop and the Castle Douglas girder fork and vintage run are other exemplars. Any comments would be most welcome. Finally, I am standing for re-election to continue as your Area Rep. for a further two years. Collectively, we have made a lot of progress and I have enjoyed working with you. All the very best for the Festive Season.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
31 October 2016
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
31 October 2016
November 2016
Plans are being prepared for the VMCC’s exhibition stands at the MCN Scottish Motorcycle Show in March 2017. Central Scottish Section, which has been a long term exhibitor, will be there with a dozen bikes on display. Auld Reekie Edinburgh, Clyde Valley, the Glasgow Group and Stirling Castle will be exhibiting as a group under the banner of VMCC Scotland. The group will have a dozen motorcycles on the stand and is planning to have a theme to the display which is being discussed at present. Last year we strongly promoted the VMCC message and got twelve new members and sold over £700 of raffle tickets. We had the benefit of the raffle bikes, HQ staff and the President and I have asked for similar support for 2017. The Show has become a vital opportunity to showcase what we do and what we have to offer and as such is one of our best recruitment opportunities. In the same vein, Auld Reekie Edinburgh held its first VMCC recruitment run , the Auld Reekie Classic Ride Out and Run In, on Saturday 24 September starting at the Boathouse Bistro on the shore of Loch Leven, Kinross. The concept was novel with a one hundred mile ride out combined with a ride in to the lunch stop at the Crieff Visitor Centre. The route was aimed at the later classics especially from the 1970s and 1980s. In advance, we produced a press release which did get covered in publications like Old Bike Mart and The Classic Motorcycle. It was a wet and windy day for weather but despite that the attendance at Kinross was very encouraging and we saw members who we had not seen on a run before and some new potential recruits. Anyone from the west of Scotland would not have used two wheels that day given the ghastly weather. Nonetheless, a healthy number of enthusiasts journeyed by car to see the bikes and meet the riders at Crieff. A big thank you to all of our members who joined in on the day. All very encouraging stuff and fodder to ponder on what might have happened had it been a sunny day. We believe the concept is sound and will repeat the Classic Run next year. I would be delighted to hear any ideas you have about how we can widen the appeal of the Club and especially to younger enthusiasts. November is dominated Section AGMs. Clyde Valley hold their AGM on the 8th followed by Auld Reekie Edinburgh (ARE) on the 21st and Central Scottish Section on the 25th all during November. ARE’s AGM was scheduled for the October meeting but the absence of George and Jane Plumb , Secretary and Treasurer, respectively resulted in it being postponed until November. It will, as usual, be a short affair and immediately followed by a talk by Barrie Brown on wheel building. Stirling Castle Section hold their Bring and Buy Auction on 14 November which is always good entertainment.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
27 September 2016
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
27 September 2016
October 2016
There is still time to enter the “Early Motor Bicycle Run” being organised by Clyde Valley Section at the Museum of Flight at East Fortune, East Lothian on Saturday 8 October. Spectators are most welcome to attend. There is a charge for entry to the Museum Site which is £12 or £10 for Seniors. We believe we have negotiated a Group Rate concession which would be £8 but the Museum are still to inform us as to how they will administer it. My advice is to ask at the kiosk for “the Group Rate to attend the Veteran Motorcycle Event” and see if that works. Not ideal but it is the best I can advise at present. Event details from John Macmillan on 01555 662760 or [email protected] . The above run is immediately followed on the 9 and 10 October by the Glendaruel Veteran Run in Glendaruel, Cowal , Argyll being organised by Paul Morley of Highland Section. It is specifically open to pre-1915 machines and there is still time to enter. Details from Paul Morley on 01369 820287 or [email protected]. The Dutch posse, of ten riders on pre-1910 motor bicycles, is riding in both events. The North East Scottish Section AGM will take place on 11 October at a venue yet to be confirmed but likely to be in Oldmeldrum. The Chairman, Bill Falconer and the Secretary, Jacqui Watson are both standing down after long periods of valuable and dedicated service to the Section and the Club. The Treasurer , Alan Griggs, has indicated that he is willing to continue in post. AGMs are important occasions so please try to attend and help shape the future direction of the Section. Details from Jacqui Watson on 01888 544710 or [email protected] . The Auld Reekie Edinburgh (ARE) AGM is being postponed from the October 17th meeting to the November 21st meeting as the Secretary and Treasurer ( George and Jane Plumb) cannot attend. Suitable entertainment will be provided at the October Section night to fill the gap. The Section’s move to the new venue at the Newliston Arms Hotel in Kirkliston is proving to be a hit with attendees. Long standing VMCC stalwart, Joe Gray, from Lerwick in Shetland managed to get the 70th Anniversary Baton up to Unst which is the most northerly part of the UK in the company of a large number of fellow enthusiasts. Thanks for organising the trip Joe. Stirling Castle Section’s move to Cultybraggan for the S&T Regularity Run attracted an entry of eighty seven. I was a very late entrant on a 1986 125 Yamaha, for which I received much leg pull, but thoroughly enjoyed the new venue which has been booked again for 2017. Stirling Castle Section has a talk by Chris Jones on Pre-war Harley Davidson Twins on 10 October and on 28 October John MacDonald will talk to Central Scottish Section about three wheelers especially Morgans. ARE’s Inter Club Invitational Section night as reported on September’s Section Notes provides food for thought for other Sections. Extending an invitation to other like minded Clubs in your respective areas might well generate a similar healthy response and give new people a taste of the VMCC experience.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
1 September 2016
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
1 September 2016
September 2016
The Scottish Gathering for pre-1931 motorcycles will take place on 10-11 September at Roslin, Midlothian. There is still time to enter or you are most welcome to come as a spectator. We generally have over thirty entries so there will be plenty of interesting early machines to see on the day (contact Ralph White on 0131 3344144 or [email protected]). The Auld Reekie Edinburgh “Classic Ride Out and Ride In” is on Saturday 24 September and we are keen to see as many members and non-members as possible on 1970s and 1980s motorcycles but it is open to all eligible machines ( contact George Plumb on 0131 3333336 or [email protected]). Come and see us at the start in Kinross or at the Crieff Visitor Centre at lunch time (refer to July’s Scottish Notes for details). I spent the weekend of 30-31/7 in the company of some members of the Scottish Mafia, namely Bill Dunlop, Chris Odling and our own Don Corleone , Neil Cowan, participating in the Mountains of Mourne Run organised the Northern Ireland Section. The event was very well organised and we can highly recommend it for a future occasion. The range and quality of machines was top notch including a host of Scotts which was a rare and welcome sight. The Scott owners knew their stuff as their bikes ran very well with no smoke evident. John Kidd of Dundrum deserves a special mention as our exemplary host. October is a very special month for the Club in Scotland if you have an interest in or like to see the earliest machines. The Second Early Motor Bicycle Run organised by Clyde Valley starts on Saturday 8 October at the Museum of Flight in East Lothian. The run is designed to appeal to veterans but veteran like machines may be accommodated up to 1920 where the design did not change beyond the veteran cut off date such as Rudge Multis and certain Sunbeams. Details from John Macmillan on 01555 662760 or [email protected] . The present position is that entrants and spectators will have to pay the entry fee to the Museum. I am trying to negotiate free passage on the day for all but so far I have not had an answer to my proposal from the Museum. I will update you in the October’s Scottish Notes and am hoping that I can get the problem sorted. Immediately following on is Highland Section’s Glendaruel Veteran Run on Sunday 9 and Monday 10 October specifically for pre-1915 motorcycles taking place in Glendaruel on the Cowal Peninsula, Argyll. The routes will be easy going and will include a tour of the Isle of Bute. We know that a posse is coming over from Holland, for both of the above events, led by Roel van Maarseveen, and made up of at least eight riders on 1902-08 motor bicycles. Details from Paul Morley on 01369 820287 or [email protected]. The organisers of both events would be delighted to receive entrants from throughout the UK and beyond to take part in a very special long weekend.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. Scotland
1 August 2016
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. Scotland
1 August 2016
August 2016
The Tiddler Tootle was a huge success with an entry of seventy seven machines. I referred in my July Scottish Notes to a hope that the event might be attracting younger riders. For this reason, I asked the organisers ( Don Riley and Jim Leddy) to find out the age of entrants when they signed on. Individual ages are, of course, confidential, but the raw data is very helpful and a big thank you to those who provided their ages. The demographics of the entrants were as follows: over 65 years of age, 56%; between 61 and 65, 22%; between 51 and 60, 17% and aged 50 or less, 5%. There was no-one under the age of forty. The fact that 78% of entrants were over sixty years of age shows the scale of the challenge we face to get younger enthusiasts to get involved in the Club. The Tiddler Tootle entry demographic matches closely that of the Scottish membership, as a whole, so it does not appear to be attracting younger riders at this stage. A closer look at the entry came up with some fascinating facts. A third of the entrants were riding two strokes which are seldom seen and heard at our other events and a fifth of the machines were of Japanese manufacture. The entry provided a real feast of rare, unknown and unseen motorcycles like Raynal Auto, Puch, Bianchi, DMW, Terrot, Motom, Gerosa and Simson. There were a dozen non-members taking part which was very encouraging and others spectating who could be interested in joining the Club. The organisers are seeing an opportunity at next year’s Tiddler Tootle to have a VMCC stand with promotional material, raffle tickets and membership application forms. I am hugely supportive of such a move. I may just be imagining this but I have the impression that we are seeing more spectators coming along to our events than in previous years. Spectators offer us opportunities to promote the Club so please think about what can be done to attract them to join the Club. We tend to focus on getting runs organised and delivered on the day and little time is available to exploit the wider opportunity to promote the Club and enlist new members. Auld Reekie Edinburgh Section’s “Classic Ride out and Ride In” on 24 September might just be the type of event to attract new enthusiasts. The Section sees it as a recruitment opportunity, hence there is no entry fee and two ways in which to enjoy the day. The “ride out” will start from the Lochside Bistro, Loch Leven, Kinross, with a run around Perthshire to the lunch stop at Crieff Visitor Centre where, from about 12.30pm, individuals can “ride in” and meet us for a chat and/or a bite to eat. Please spread the word and try to support this novel event. If you are quick there might still be time to enter the S&T Rally at Cultybraggan ( 6-7 August, [email protected] or 01764 653474) and the Scottish National at Blairgowrie (12-14 August, [email protected] or 01241 853946). Finally, the Scottish Gathering (pre-1931) is on 10-11 September at Roslin, Midlothian ( Ralph White, 0131 3344144 or [email protected] ).
Alastair Alexander, Area Rep. for Scotland
25 June 2016
Alastair Alexander, Area Rep. for Scotland
25 June 2016
July 2016
The entry for the Tiddler Tootle on 22 May was a record at seventy five. It seems to have captured the imagination of our members and attracted some new enthusiasts. I have asked the organisers (Don Riley and Jim Leddy) to record the age of the entrants when signing on. I am hoping that it might show that the event is appealing to some younger members as we need to attract a younger age group to balance the ageing demographic of the Club’s membership. Getting the Club to appeal to younger riders is a must for the future and a personal preoccupation. In this regard, I am asking for your help with one specific event this autumn, namely, the “Classic Run and Ride In” that Auld Reekie Edinburgh (ARE) Section is organising on Saturday 17 September. The format will be novel with a social run starting from the Lochside Bistro by Loch Leven, Kinross with a Run on A and B roads of between 100-120 miles combined with a Ride In to the lunch stop. All bikes over 25 years old are welcome but we are aiming at the riders of bikes in the period 1970-1991 and that should mean a host of Japanese, Italian and American bikes as well as British machines. It is asking a lot for members to ride from remote parts of Scotland and cover maybe 100-150 miles to the start and 100-120 of the run and then head home. For them the event might be about a ride in at midday to see all the bikes and to meet fellow enthusiasts and friends. For others more proximate it might be more about doing the social run, so a bit of a hybrid approach but nothing ventured nothing gained. ARE has specifically chosen a central location at Kinross and will announce the lunch stop location as soon as the route is finalised by George Plumb. ARE is absorbing the costs so there is no entry charge but you do need to complete an entry form so that we comply with insurance requirements (01313333336 or [email protected] ). We would like you to spread the word about the event and make it known that non-members are welcome to attend. ARE will be sending invitations to all of the classic clubs we can think of in Scotland. It should be a big day out but that all depends on yourselves and we hope that the format appeals to you. Stirling Castle has a Fish & Chip Run on 4 July. Clyde Valley host their “Sound of Singles” Run on 10 July starting at the Big Red Barn Café, near Elsrickle. ARE host their Inter Club Invitational Meeting at the Ratho Park Hotel on 18 July. Central Scottish members will be very active in support of the Glamis Extravaganza on 9-10 July and have an evening run on 22 July. Finally, thank you to all of you who organised or rode to the Relay Rally Checkpoints on 1 May.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. Scotland
20 May 2016
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. Scotland
20 May 2016
June 2016
The AGM at Gaydon was an encouraging and reasonably business like affair. Our Chairman, Pat Rowbotham, has been outstanding throughout his tenure and deserves great credit. All of the Resolutions were passed and three Directors were appointed, one of whom has hands on commercial experience of the classic scene which should be very helpful. The proxy voting was very interesting and well over a thousand members exercised their right to vote. From a democratic standpoint it is certainly progress but with about one hundred and fifty members present the results were already sorted unless a resolution’s vote was finely balanced (of which there were none) and final voting influenced by the discussion at the AGM. We will gain more experience of the proxy process over time. Only a handful of Scottish members voted which concerns me. A number of you expressed the view that it was hard to vote for Directors when so little information was provided in their election profiles. The workings of proxy voting also requires better explanation to you. Yours truly picked up the Editor’s Award for Scottish Notes which came as a surprise. It does, however, reflect well on all of you who have contributed to the Journal in recent years. The Scottish membership and our activities are well to the fore in the Journal and noticed throughout the Club. Keep those contributions coming please and especially if you have a technical piece. My motorcycle policy was up for renewal and as per usual I asked for a quote from Footman James (FJ). I try to give our bespoke insurer the chance of my business every year. FJ’s quote was competitive and on better terms so I have made the shift. The point of the preamble is that the Club will earn a commission of £28 which is quite a boost on top of my annual subscription. It is all too easy to just renew an existing policy but please remember that every policy placed with FJ earns us a commission and we really need that income. A big thank you to all of the Sections and riders who took part in the Baton Rally. Some members had to ride long distances and especially those in Highland and NE Scottish Sections. The turnout was good and especially the transfer between Clyde Valley and the Glasgow Group with the latter looking more like a full blown social run. Central Scottish Section have an “Underground Run” at 10.00am on 25 June staring at Bridgeview House, Glamis and heading for the Arbroath Bunker and Museum and thence to the Edzell Bunker. Clyde Valley have a Chip Shop Run to Biggar in place of their usual Section night on 14 June followed by the Rock & Roll Run on the 18th June starting at The Oven , Overton Farm, Rosebank. Stirling Castle Section have a talk by John Lamb on 13 June entitled “ Adventures in Afghanistan”. Auld Reekie Edinburgh hold their fourth Capital Café Run on Monday 20 June in South Queensferry starting from 7.00pm.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. Scotland
27 April 2016
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. Scotland
27 April 2016
May 2016
The VMCC Stand at the Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston in mid-March was highly successful. Central Scottish Section had a great collection of bikes and their members were prominent in winning a number of awards. Auld Reekie Edinburgh merged its stand with Clyde Valley and the Glasgow Group and in an expanded space from last year accommodated the two raffle bikes brought up by HQ. Collectively, we exhibited under the banner of the VMCC, rather than as individual Sections, aimed at exploiting the powerful name that the VMCC represents to show attendees. Twelve new members were signed up and £707 of raffle tickets were sold and very valuable lessons learnt about how to present and promote the Club at events. Notable amongst these lessons was the interest shown by younger enthusiasts in Susan MacIver’s Yamaha XT500. Other Sections’ members also exhibited bikes and among them Stirling Castle’s Ian Thomson with his BSA Gold Star and Peter Oram with his Scott on the Scott Stand. The President, Tim Penn attended and was asked to judge the pre-war classes which got him introduced to a wide audience around the Show. Our thanks go to Tim, Giles Willison and Ian Botham for coming up to the Show and for bringing the raffle bikes which gave a strong focal point to the Stand. Thinking caps on please over the riding season about plans for next year and I will be contacting all of the Sections to learn what they want to do for the 2017 Show. The Founder’s Relay is on 1 May and it is great to see Highland Section with a Checkpoint (Number 31) and North East Scottish Section (43) hosted by Andy Loosemore and Tony Mortishire, respectively. Please give them your support along with the other five Checkpoints in Scotland. The North East Scottish Section is organising an Interclub Run and BBQ on the 2 July. I remember the Section being very active in the early 1980s including the establishment of the Cairn ‘o’ Mount Rally and more recently with the Plus One. It would be good to see it flourish again not least to give members in the rest of Scotland the chance to ride round some fantastic roads in Aberdeenshire and Kincardine ( Contact Jacqui Watson on 01888544710 or [email protected] ). Entries for the Tiddler Tootle are rolling in and might be higher than last year’s 69. Interestingly, a local wheel builder reported that his workshop was full of wheels for tiddlers so the Club has had a major influence on enthusiasts’ actions. There is still time to enter the Demob Run (pre-1950) on 15 May which starts from Powmill ( Contact George Plumb on 01313333336 or [email protected]). Clyde Valley have their Rock & Roll Run on 18 June starting at Overton Farm, Rosebank. They are also hosting Roger Moss who is giving a talk on Scott motorcycles on 10 May. Roger is the foremost expert on Scott motorcycles and his tuned Scotts have been in a class of their own on the race tracks.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
31 March 2016
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. for Scotland
31 March 2016
April 2016
Stirling Castle Section’s S&T Regularity Run is moving to an exciting new venue. The 36th S&T will be held in the World War II Cultybraggan Camp 21 near Comrie, Perthshire. The Camp was built in 1941 to house the most high risk prisoners and today much of the Camp is still intact. Andy Loosemore, Highland Section Secretary, told me he was there post war but assured me not as a prisoner. It is only right that the membership gets behind the Run to make it a memorable weekend over 5-7 August. Contact Dougie Cowie on 01764 653474 or [email protected]. April used to be a quiet month in our calendar but no longer. The Scottish part of the 70th Anniversary Baton Rally will take place from 16-23 April. See page 7 of the February Journal for the details and get in contact with your local Section Secretary. It is a great opportunity to get out on your bike and meet fellow members in your own and other Sections. In a similar vein, the Relay Rally takes place on 1 May and full details should appear in the April Journal or contact your local Section Secretary. Clyde Valley’s Blue Haze Run on 10 April will start from the Broadlees Golf Club, Chapelton, near Strathaven (Willie Malone 01357 521375). It is open to all machines up to 25 years old but the Section is keen to see as many two strokes as possible. On the following weekend the Glasgow Group will hold the first Pip Squeak Run for machines of up to 98cc and over 25 years old (Gordon Mowat, 01475 638528 or [email protected]). These are great opportunities to get out some of the later and perhaps Japanese bikes and broaden the appeal of the Club to younger riders. If you took part in the last two Tiddler Tootles Yamaha FS1Es and Honda Step Throughs mixed very comfortably with the more traditional machinery we see at VMCC events. The number of non-members taking part was very noticeable and augurs well for our future. Both events are great ways of using affordable bikes and becoming part of the VMCC scene. On 11 April Mark Whitham will give a talk to Stirling Castle on the Scottish Six Days Trial from its inception in 1911 up to 1965. Mark is very knowledgeable on the subject and gave his talk to Auld Reekie Edinburgh late last year. Exceptional is the only way to describe the talk so please take the time to go along to Doune. Auld Reekie Edinburgh’s Scottish Demob Run for pre-1951 motorcycles moves to Powmill this year. Contact George Plumb on 0131 333 3336 or [email protected]. Motorcycles do strange things to people. I met David MacMurchie, a pipe major, at the recent Haggis Gathering in Lanark, whose uncle taught him to ride a motorcycle and composed a pipe music score entitled “Donald MacMurchies’s Motorcycle”. The bike was a 1952 Velocette MAC. If any member wants a copy of the tune please get in contact. It puts a whole new meaning on the “The Sound Of Singles” as per Clyde Valley’s Run of that name.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. Scotland
1 March 2016
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. Scotland
1 March 2016
March 2016
2016 is a pivotal year for the Club and we need your help. I have been encouraged with the progress being made when attending Management Committee meetings. HQ staff are doing a grand job for us. We are hopefully emerging from the recent dark years when the Club lost its way. The finances have been brought under tight control and a more realistic agenda of member support and activities is being pursued. It remains a tough proposition to get the Club back on to a stable financial footing. The miserly returns from investments compared to the past, pressure on insurance commission and raffle income have added to the negative mix the Management Committee has had to address. You can see from the membership numbers in the Journal that we have lost ground with total numbers down well over one thousand from four years ago. Given the turmoil of the last few years it is remarkable how many members have stuck by the Club. During that period it was not the best or easiest time to persuade members to stay or to recruit new ones. Recently, the Scottish scene has been transformed despite the difficult bigger picture above and that is of great credit to all of those involved. Section night entertainment has moved up a gear in terms of quality and variety. A host of new events have been introduced to add to the jewels in the crown, The S&T and the Scottish National Regularity Rallies. All the age classes are active again. Novel runs have been introduced with the Early Motorcycle Run for veterans, the Gathering, the Demob, the Blue Haze, the Tiddler Tootle, The Sound of Singles and now the Pip Squeak Run. Attendances at Section nights have increased and the number of non-members taking part on runs has risen. We even have a new Section ( presently termed a Group ) covering Glasgow and its hinterland. Add all of these developments together with our core Club benefits and we have a strong package to go out and recruit new members. The attendance at the MCN Scottish Motorcycle Show is a perfect opportunity for recruitment. A press release has already been issued through HQ to raise our profile in advance. Another is being penned on our Scottish activities and the wider membership benefits. There will be a promotional offer available only at the Show to encourage enthusiasts to join. However, away from the Show, you could play a vital part in helping the Club. Please tell your friends about what is on offer and encourage them to come along to Section nights and runs to experience first hand the Club scene. Another way you do, and can, help is to sell the raffle tickets you get with the Journal. Raffle income is one of the few ways that we can boost income over and above the membership subscription. If all of our members sold the tickets sent in the Journal over £100,000 would be raised for each raffle. Now I know that will never happen but please think about the impact you can make when you sell those tickets or enlist a new member.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. Scotland
1 February 2016
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. Scotland
1 February 2016
FEBRUARY 2016
The Glasgow Group is organising a novel event called the Pip Squeak Run in Mid-Ayrshire on 17 April 2016. Many of our members have a lot of fun on very small machines so the Pip Squeak is aimed at 98cc or less bikes and up to 25 years old and encouraging other members to join in the fun. If you do not have an eligible machine just come and spectate. See Glasgow Group’s Notes and the article elsewhere in the Journal for more information. The December Journal was full of Scottish material and the photography was first class. Most of the pictures were taken by Norrie Russell including those of the Triumph Model H Centenary Event. Norrie has been doing sterling work for the VMCC in Scotland and this year he has excelled himself. We are getting close to the MCN Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston on 12-13 March. Central Scottish, Auld Reekie Edinburgh, Clyde Valley and the Glasgow Group will be exhibiting along with HQ staff displaying the two raffle bikes. The combined VMCC presence should get us noticed and we will be actively selling raffle tickets and trying to recruit new members. Auld Reekie Edinburgh has a new website developed by Raymond Albeson and full of great photos taken by Section member, Norrie Russell. Please search under “edinburghvmcc.weebly.com” or just enter “edinburghvmcc.” Lachlan Macleod of Central Scottish has prepared a website so search under “www.centralscottishvmcc.wordpress.com”. . A Facebook page is also up and running under https://www.facebook.com/Central-Scottish-VMCC-512591782253259 or just try “Central Scottish VMCC”. The Haggis Autojumble will take place at Lanark Auction Market on 7 February. The Glasgow Group will have a Bring and Buy Night on 16 February. Clyde Valley’s Blue Haze Run is set for the 10 April starting from the Broadlees Golf Club near Strathaven. The day is designed to appeal to two stroke owners but all machines over 25 years can be entered (contact Willie Malone on 01357 521375).
January 2016
The coverage in the November Journal of Scottish activities was exceptional. A big thank you to those members who contributed the words and pictures. May I appeal to the technical amongst our membership to send in hints, tips or engineering challenges tackled to the Editor. It is New Year’s resolution time again. You know it is a hoary chestnut of mine but if you are not already on a Section Secretary’s mailing list please act now. The Scottish scene is very vibrant at the present time and we want to be able to contact you and keep you up to date on developments. Communication with the members is a challenge as not all members want to be contacted and this we do respect. But if you are amenable to contact please send that email or make that call to your local Secretary. The Glasgow Group is now official following the last VMCC Management Committee meeting. It is great to see the efforts of Gordon Mowat and the rest of the Committee finally rewarded. I gave a talk to their November meeting and the room was full and the enthusiasm and interest of the members was commendable. Their Committee has put together a calendar of events for next year so get in contact with Gordon for more information ( [email protected] or 01475 638528 ). The Veteran Group held a lunch at the River House in Stirling and ten members attended. It was a very lively and much enjoyed affair. The next lunch will take place on the 6 February at the River House. The 8th October at the Museum of Flight will be a very special day in our 2016 Calendar being the time and venue for the second Early Motorcycle Run. John Macmillan has been approached by some of the Dutch entrants in the 2015 Anglo-Dutch Trial. Roel and Henne van Maarseveen are planning to take part in our Veteran Run along with several of their friends. They are very experienced riders and especially of the earliest motor bicycles. If all goes to plan you will have the rare opportunity to see machines such as a 1904 Rex, 1902 Humber, 1904 Werner, 1903 The Pebok and a 1903 Excelsior previously owned by the late Colin Dunbar. The organisers of the first run in Thornhill were delighted with the number of members who attended just to see the spectacle and you are all welcome back next year and bring your friends. Membership of the Veteran Group has grown from twenty at the outset to well over fifty including members in Holland, South Africa and Australia. For more information please contact John on [email protected] or 01555 662760. Central Scottish Section had a full house for their November meeting where Lachlan Macleod gave an excellent illustrated talk on the restoration of a post war nuclear recording bunker in Aberlemno. Lachlan is sixteen and the youngest Committee member in Scotland and with responsibility for Central Scottish’s finances. All the best for 2016.
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. Scotland
1 December 2015
Alastair Alexander
Area Rep. Scotland
1 December 2015