That was the Summer that was.
Well the
nights are fair drawing in, soon be time for the clocks going back and yet the
summer I was so sceptical off way back in May when it was still freezing has
turned out to be a cracker. Last Saturday with the calendar going into the
second week of October it was still warm enough for Summer
gloves and no waterproofs.
This for me
has been the year of the Norton, whereas in the past I have shared the miles
between my bikes this year the Norton’s and particularly MVD944L have done the
bulk of the miles. And guess what, I’ve loved every mile, even the ones which
were difficult in Portugal with electrical problems. I have
often said (half tongue in cheek) that the Norton Commando is probably the best
sports tourer ever made. The more
I ride mine the more I believe it (and no I am sober as I write this. It is
surely testament to the basic design that half a century after the Norton twin
the Commando is based on was first designed it is still a very useable bike for
day to day use and for long distance touring. A recent camping weekend we had
just outside Lauder, (brilliant camp site & pub) we were joined by Bill Raith on his Atlas who has owned it since 1964, 42 years
and still going strong, with the exception of some big Vincents
(and the odd Triumph or BSA) which other bike would satisfy its owner that much
that it would still be the bike of choice almost half a century on.
The other
great thing about riding the Norton is that you are never alone,
there is always someone who wants to look and comment on it, even though some
of these people have poor memory. “Had one of those in 54, it would do 100 in
first, sold it when I got married”. The main point of this ramble is I suppose
that we are lucky enough to know that the secret of everlasting joy is indeed a
Norton. Forget Dave’s story of the motorcycle formerly known as Smokey Joe
breaking the crank, or Neil Shoesmiths exploding
commando on a Spanish motorway, or of chocolate camshafts, plastic layshaft bearings, these are merely character building
tests put our way in order to demonstrate moral & mechanical superiority.
Next year, my modern bike will do less miles & I will
continue to try and keep the Norton spares industry going by using them.
JD does Morocco
JD has just returned from a trip to Morocco, no doubt at club night he will be
regaling you all with his tales. Hopefully he will put pen to paper (or word
processor) and share his experiences in literary form.
Begonia Rally 2006
The 25th
Begonia Rally was held in August in Vijwegen deep in Flanders field, this is real WW1 country and we
were camped just a few kilometres from Passeadale and
Ypres, emotive names from the great war. We set off from Rosyth
on the Thursday before, five of us from the Tay Valley Branch. Superfast were
doing a bike goes free discount which made it almost affordable. The usual
overnight Ferry antics took place on the Thursday and the usual groggy
disembarkation took place on the Friday, Superfast gets you in to Zeebrugge at around 12 local time, this is fine if like us you don’t
have far to go but, if a long trip was on the agenda it’s a late start. We
followed George on his Rotary and his work of the devil GPS which he assured us
was “programmed”, my paper directions coincided with the route taken by George
right up to the point where he stopped in Roesalare
and suggested our camp site was half way along a one way built up street.
Further Map reading and consultation with my more basic Garmin
E map helped us in the right direction. As we got to Staden
there was the obligatory Wemlegging (Diversion) which
took us on a detour of the area but eventually we found the site. Interestingly
it was next door to the military area where every day they explode the recently
found ordnance dug up from WW1, we were also told that all the gas from WW1 was
also stored there as it was proving difficult to get rid of and was becomingly
more unstable. These guys know how to pick a Rally site! Joking aside the site
was perfect and the old lady who owned the land was around the Rally site all
weekend looking at the bikes and trying to chat to people. Friday night and myself and Fi broke away from the
beer tent so that Dirk & Guiseppe could take us
to visit the Menin Gate in Ypres. The last post is sounded here
every night at 8pm and always attracts a large crowd. It is a very emotional
experience and brings home to you the futility of war and it dawns on you that
the 58000 names carved on the gates wall are just a minute proportion of those
on both sides that gave up their lives in that conflict. We went to a nice café
in the square for dinner before heading back to join the party. It was again
good to see old friends there, many stories being swapped about the return leg
from the Lisbon trip. Saturday and the weather was overcast but dry, the
run out was good but a bit slow and processional as these things always are. We
stopped at a Trappist Brewery where allegedly the
best beer in the world was brewed, the strongest one being 12% proof. Back to the site and into the beer, eating and
dancing. Alex & Dave both showing their stuff on
the dance floor. I have written about these soiree’s
many times and I’m afraid they always end up the same, gladly this was no
exception. Sunday and another run to visit a restored WW1
trench and museum. Very thought provoking and an interesting but very
sobering experience. On then to Ypres for the late
afternoon early evening in warm sunshine. We all looked around and eat before heading back to
the site in our smaller groups, this time Dave was leading and we done a few U
turns en route before finding the camp.
Sunday
night was a bit quieter but a chance to have a chat with our hosts. Marc put up
a round for all those there, the Tay Valley contingent done the same then,
nothing, the rest bought their own, ah well it was worth a try, and they say
Scots are mean!
Monday, I
awoke to hear the torrential rain outside, brilliant, but I thought who cares.
Packing the tents away especially at the Begonia is always a sad affair. It
signals subconsciously the start of the end of the season. Still
another night to party on the boat. Alex, George Dave, Fi & Myself made our way back to Brugge for a look
round and to take tea in the magnificent town square, en route we had to find a
petrol station (not that easy sometimes in Belgium as they don’t all take Cash
or Credit cards, they have Petrol cards only at some unmanned station) We did
do a bit of pavement riding to avoid yet another wemlegging
to add to the fun.
In Brugge
square we met Shaun & his wife, a most unlikely looking BMW pilot , we got on like a house on fire and he joined us on
the boat for a severe session yet again. On a final note, both ways I had to
get a cabin on board after we set sail as we were told they were all taken when
originally booking. Not sure if this is a con to get
more money out of people or not but on the way back George and crew (Dave &
Alex) also had to get a “last minute cabin” they were cheaper for a 4 berth
than I was for a two berth. When I asked why I was told it was because they had
an elderly person with them and as carers they got a discount. Moral of this
story is, get a cabin with George!!!!
This Months Caption competition
“This years
finalists from the worlds best dressed man competition”
End of
Season Do, Clachan
Hotel, Lochearnhead now on 18th November. Be there or be square! See
George for late bookings.
The Small Print
The views and opinions contained within this
publication are not necessarily those of the NOC or of the branch but are
probably mine as I wrote it.
No one accepts any responsibility for
anything, if you have a good time don't say I didn't warn you.
Gino Rondelli
