Rides-2008

Well Gunner has been actively looking at meeting up and getting your bikes back out on the road, albeit he has given and asked for advice on how to store your bikes over the winter. My advice is just get out there and ride and enjoy, wash off the salt with cold water and get out on it the next day!!

Anyway back to this year January 1st New Years Day saw about 100 bikes gathering at the Vic Pub in Coalville for the annual "Brass Monkey Ride" a charity fund raising for the Childrens Hospice in Loughborough. Greasy roads and pockets of fog didn't put those that turned out and the usual collection of bikes were there as well as motorcycle clubs being represented. Three Blue Knights from England VIII were there for the kick off, but I didn't go to the Hospice, so Geoff and Ian went with the crowd.

If you want to ride out one day get it on our Yahoo talk group and see what response you get you never know!! Also attend the Monday meetings or email Gunner and get your suggestions in. If you do go for a ride out send me a brief report and I'll upload here for this year's ride outs, so we can all enjoy your experience and encourage others to join you on the rides.

Well we kicked off the New Year with the Chapters fantastic Burns night celebration our first event of the year. There were Blue Knights from all over England, Scotland and two couples from Germany VIII were present as well Over 144 people sat down to Haggis Neeps and Tatties and treated to the traditional Burns night celebrations. Gunner exelled himself again and £1775 was handed over to UKCOPS. The Air heads also known as the 4skins put on a fabulous air guitar performance again. I must learn some chords and join them next year.

Four L8Rs rode from Beaumont Leys nick to STEPS not to give but receive. The kids have made a card for us in recognition of our Santa toy run last year. So we met at 12.15 and rode across the Forest to STEPS, where we were once again been given a warm welcome. The Loughborough Echo were there to take photo's and a short speil to go to print

There was a planned ride out on the 15th Feb but not received a report if anyone went can they send me some details for this page!

On the cards for this year are:-

1 Ride out to Matlock Bath Sat 1 March Meet 1000 Jnt 23A M1 memorial.
2 Chapter Side Car Sunday Sun 2 March - The CMA have invited us to a 'Side Car Sunday' in Bitteswell near Lutterworth, the home of the UK Importer for the Ural Side Car, a full day ride around thier own track playing on sidecars is being offered with food! If you want to attend let Gunner know.
3 UK Presidents meeting Sun 9 March @ FHQ.
4 Ride out - Belgium Week-End 14-16 March to the Loft.
5 Chapter Egg delivery to Steps 15th March.
6 Anstey CMA Egg Run Sun 16th March.
7 Chapter Social St Patricks Day - Mon17th March @ The Old Plough Hinckley. A Guiness tasting contest!!
8 Chapter Ride out & Blue Knights Biker Blessing Sat 19 April.
9 Chapter St Georges Ride out Sun 20th March TBA.
10 Chapter social St Georges Day Celebrations Wed 23 April 2008 The Royal Society of St George in association with The Royal British Legion and by kind permission of The Welbeck 6th Form Defence College (DSFC), are holding a Charity Concert with St George & Shakespear in Celebration of English Heritage and Culture.
11 Chapter Ride out Sat10th May Ride out for breakfast in Derbyshire,Coffee at the Cat and Fiddle and Fish and Chips in Matlock in the evening
12 European Convention at Laubach in the Vogelsberg Mountains 9 - 12 May Gunner is planning a few days touring in France visiting the Champagne region then onto Germany via the Rhine Wine Fields. He is planning a ride to visit Colditz Castle.On the return leg he will be riding into Luxembourg and Belgium.
13 Chapter Ride out to BMF rally Sat 17th May (also 18th May) and clashes with the Balldawg Bash!!
14 Ride out to Salisbury Sat 24 May Meet 0900 at Hinckley P/stn.
15 Sat 7th June Ride to "Kens" on the A5 nr Wibtoft (if he's open) then down the Fosse and into Bourton on the Water and even Stratford
16 Moto GP Donnington Park Sun 22 Jun
17 BSB Mallory Park Sun 29 Jun
18 Chapter ride out to Americana Newarke Notts 11-13 Jul.
19 UKCOPS Lawride 19-20 Jul inc party night B4 and ride to Staffs.
20 Chapter Camp Knights in the Belvoir 1-3 Aug with a ride out.
21 WSB Brands Hatch Sun 3 Aug
22 BMF Tail End Show 19-21 Sep
23 NEC Bike Show 28 Nov - 7 Dec