Stories

Easter Monday Ride Out

A last minute call out on WhatsApp for an impromptu ride out to somewhere, as the
diary was empty for Monday and the weather forecast was good.
Pete Jordan, Dave Andrews, Dave Turner, Andy Perkins and myself met at the
Yarnton Services on the A44 and we were to be joined by Colin Webb who was on
his way. We were to meet up with Robin Milligan in Chipping Norton.
After a patient wait we find out that Colin went to the wrong meeting place,! I said to
him to make his way to Chipping Norton and join us when we get to Robin. Colin
coasts into the car park with a dead VFR!! No matter what we tried, we could not get
the bike to fire up again. It was either a duff battery or the rectifier had packed up.
So, unfortunately, Colin had to wait it out in Chipping Norton for the recovery. He was
not very happy, to say the least, and wasn’t picked up until 5pm!!!
We got on our way for a lunch stop at the Steam Railway Centre at Toddington, via
Churchill, Kingham, Stow-on-the-Wold, Upper Swell and Ford.
After a quick lunch, we were to get back onto the bikes when Dave T decided to
check out the marquee that was holding a kiddies Lego display. Fifteen minutes later
he eventually emerged, and we were on our way again.
Heading towards Broadway via Stanway, we ascended Fish Hill and then turned left
to Chipping Campden. From there we headed to Shipston-on-Stour and then
towards Bloxham via Lower Brailes and Tadmarton. Once we got to the main road
between Banbury and Oxford, we all went our separate ways home.
A nice day out on the bikes, enjoyed by all (but not for Colin! Sorry mate, maybe next
time).
Mark