Tilford Revisited
12th September 2005
Our annual trip to The Barley Mow ably led by Road Captain Peter ‘Scottie’ Scott was scheduled for September this year, and had to compete with other world-class sporting events - the Belgian F1 Grand Prix, World and USA Superbikes, the 4th day of the concluding Ashes Test... Oh, and the visit to Brighton of the infamous Teutul family of American Chopper fame (surprised that they didn’t visit the Warr’s custom shop to see how to do it PROPERLY). In the face of such competition, we still had 22 riders on 16 bikes.
So what are the ingredients for a successful Autumn run? Well, as normal we had a fine mix of old and new faces, including Rob and Toby from Warr’s - thanks for giving up your time, it is much appreciated. The bikes were Road Kings and Sportsters and some Softails, including Doogie’s brand new ’55 plate Night Train proudly wearing its 200mm rear tyre and Scottie’s well run in (60,000 mile) Heritage. The only Buell was a Ulysses, but we didn’t quite manage an Odyssey venturing into Surrey.
We also fortunately had a dry road, which did not seem to be forecast! Scottie led, and I brought up the rear - some of what was happening in the middle was a mystery, but it all worked out just fine.
It is customary now to expect a properly reconnoitred route, with no unexpected road closures and timely warning of gravel hazards from rain wash-out and the ‘bend from hell’ to watch out for. And, unused but ready in the panniers, lurked the first aid kit, still awaiting its first client.
So we met at Warr’s; we had a briefing; we rode down the A3 until just past the M25; we then had about 25 miles of lovely dry twisty Surrey lanes; we stopped at a genuine ‘real-ale’ ‘proper-food’ cricket-loving country pub situated on an idyllic village green; we ate lunch; we wished each other ‘bon-appetit’ and then ‘bon-voyage’; we drove back to London/Hampshire/Surrey/other parts foreign; we had a fabulous time.
We will do it again (regularly).
Will you join us?