It is being held at  Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome,Lutterworth Leics, LE17 5QS

Here is the link to website with some details

Admission is Free and there is something for everyone, on the 4th August there is a Craft fair as well. If you fancy going put a note on the site and we can either do a run up there or make you own way and meet up for a chat

It includes basic details, arranged so far for the day and  also details of the hotel. which has agree special rates for the weekend if you want to stay over for the evenings Light Parade.

The accommodation package is an amazingly good deal with rooms costing £77.50 per person for Friday and Saturday nights (two nights) and include your breakfast and evening meals. Single rooms are also the same price. Wingers can extend the weekend break and add further nights to the package at £30.00 per person per night. How good is that. Ring Maria Broderick at the Hotel on 01704 536 688 and book your accommodation, quoting booking code GOPR2109.

I know some people who joined us in Llandudno for the day said they wished they could have stayed for the evening parade to see what it was like.

Pre dinner drinks at Hunters Lodge

I must admit to having some reservations about the Wild West Trip when we checked the weather forecast on Thursday and found Somerset seemingly missing from the UK map – submerged with several flood warnings in place. However, Rick and Francoise clearly have friends in high places and the weather was kind to us. The weekend turned out to be a great success with a great many enjoyable and sometimes wild experiences. Dennis had his own individual wild experience and couldn’t make the trip. Hope you feel better soon, Dennis!

My new heated jacket made its debut outing and proved a great hit both during the drive down and throughout the weekend. We arrived at Hunter’s Lodge having taken the scenic route through The Cotswolds and meeting up with Nigel and Sue in Stow. We arrived to find Al and Mark busy cleaning their bikes and Christine and Richard, Roger and Edit and Alan and Gill parking up. Rob and Colleen were relaxing in the bar having checked in to their luxury suite complete with four-poster bed.
There was time for a quick shower and change before meeting up for dinner where the conversation shifted from local accents to a wild discussion about bri-nylon and its effects. Bri-nylon is probably the worst product ever invented and we all remembered bri-nylon sheets where every time you turned over in bed the sparks would fly and for all the wrong reasons! Nigel in particular seems to have been scarred (psychologically but perhaps physically also) by bri-nylon jeans bought by his mother. We were distracted by a tough quiz won by Al and Annie.
Saturday morning we headed off towards Bovington Tank Museum which was our morning coffee stop. We drove over Bulbarrow Hill which is one of the highest points in Dorset and gave us some stunning views of Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Devon. Just before reaching the Bovington Tank Museum we rode past Cloud Hill, the rural retreat of Lawrence of Arabia. Some of us missed seeing Lawrence’s cottage due to some conflicting instructions; namely Francoise announcing ‘On the right we are passing Lawrence’s cottage’ at the same time as Rick was saying, ‘On the left we shall be passing Lawrence’s cottage’. Those of us who managed to catch sight of Lawrence’s cottage may be in need of a neck brace.

Dodging shells at the Tank Museum

Refreshed, we left Bovington Tank Museum and rode towards West Bay. En route we passed the Hardy Monument, an imposing 72ft high monument erected in memory of Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, a commander at the Battle of Trafalgar. This generated a deal of ribaldry from certain individuals on the theme of ‘Kiss me Hardy’ which we needn’t go into here. They know who they are. We rode along the Jurassic Coast and stopped to enjoy the view over Chesil Beach.

More food at the Haynes coffee stop

 We stopped for lunch in West Bay, a delightful spot with a surprisingly well equipped bike store. Our afternoon coffee stop was at the Haynes Car museum in Sparkford, Yeovil where many chose to do a quick tour of the museum and came back with nostalgic memories of their first cars.

We rode through some great places which highly interesting names like Lower  Twaddle, Middle Piddle and Upper Snodbury on the Mump.

Dinner was very sociable and lively although the effects of the sea air meant that many retired early to write their postcards. Another quiz to exercise the grey cells may have contributed to our fatigue.

  Sunday was a much brighter day and we even saw sunshine although the heated jacket remained turned on and up. We rode through Somerton (a town which gave its name to the county of Somerset), Sedgemoor and stopped for coffee near Taunton. The ride into Sedgemoor was wild and windy and we were then faced with the hazard of a flooded road. Fortunately our fearless leader successfully navigated us safely through.

After coffee we rode through Exmoor National Park, avoiding cyclists, horses, motor homes and similar hazards and stopped for lunch in Dunster, a delightful medieval village with an impressive castle and yarn market.

Our afternoon coffee stop was at Clarks Outlet Village Shopping Centre in Street. Unfortunately time constraints limited opportunities for significant retail therapy but definitely a place to store in the memory bank for the future. Heading back to Hunter’s Lodge we rode past Glastonbury and Glastonbury Tor, an area with which a number of legends and spiritual traditions are associated. It is said that the Tor is a place where the veil between the worlds is thin. Glastonbury Tor is home to Gwyn ap Nudd, King of the Fairies. In the human realm it is managed by The National Trust. We also rode past the site of the Glastonbury Festival and Worthy Farm.

A welcome rest from all the shopping

Dinner was a lively event and there was much discussion of our proposed ‘Bikers in the Buff’ calendar for 2013. Two daring souls took advantage of the improved weather temperature to pose for photos although one did so under cover of darkness – no doubt to show off his wand to greatest effect! Many retired early, no doubt to practice their poses. Keep those photos coming! We now have three months covered so nine to go!

Many thanks go to Rick and Francoise for organising such a great weekend. We saw some spectacular scenery and were able to experience a great part of the country thanks to their meticulous planning and organising. We learnt a great deal from the quizzes. But most of all we had a lot of fun.

WHY ?

Previously the US spec bike has been a different and much better spec (in my opinion) than the UK/European versions.
BUT….    now that the bike is produced in Japan, (and not the USA) the specifications are much more similar.

The UK bike now has a better Audio system than the US bike (this is a 1st, its always been inferior to the US bike on previous models)
The UK bike radio has RDS as standard, the US bike does not.
The built-in satnav comes with NT mapping and covers all of Europe
The UK satnav has a English voice (the American voice on the US bikes drove me crazy!)
The UK bike has a warranty that is valid in the UK  (not a great concern to me but it could be useful)
The UK bike has HISS2 fitted as standard while the US bike has no security device at all.
Neither of the bikes (UK & US) have all the rear lights working so they both need wiring to make them all work as tail & brake lights

Heres a pic of our bike now that its finished -

The ONLY thing that the US bike has that is desirable on the UK bike is a fully integrated CB.

So, that was my challenge – to sort out a CB for the new 2012 UK spec Goldwing that we now own
Its not been an easy job.

I initially made contact with a guy who now lives in Florida (Pete – an English guy) and who owns a company called BikeMP3.
He specialises in audio/electrical stuff for the Goldwing.
I arranged to meet him in November last year (before we took delivery of our new bike) and asked him if he could supply a unit for the 2012 UK/European spec bikes.
After alot of discussion he said he could and would,  brill I thought.
BUT after several months of promises and false hopes he hasn’t come up with the goods.

The second contact I made was a guy in Germany (a German) called Wolfgang.  He really does know his stuff about Electronics and Goldwings.
He has now supplied me with a CB unit and all the interphase, power suppressores, etc etc etc that I need to fit a CB to this new bike.

I took delivery of the unit a couple of weeks ago and now that I’ve had time to try it I think it works fine
I used it at Easter and found a couple of things that needed tweeking,  so I did them,  and last weekend I used it when we rode over to Chester.
It worked really well and it exceeded my expectations,  I think I can live with it.
Its not as user friendly as the CB on the US bike because it isnt an integrated unit and the controls aren’t easily used when riding  BUT  it is accepatable.

I’ve played about with it now for a couple of rides and I think I’ve got it set up OK.  I can hear all the other bikes clearly, and they can hear me
I dont get much interference now that I’ve sorted a setting for the squelch, and I get a descent range too –  about 1-1.5miles.
All in all,  I think its a very good ‘aftermarket unit’.  (it’ll fit all Goldwings 01-’12)

Its cost me approx £450 plus a Honda CB aerial, which is about the same price as the CB unit to fit the US spec bike.

If anyone wants any more info please drop me a mail
Cheers,
Ian.

Alan and Ann unpack

The weather had been extremely hot the week before Easter, so we all had everything crossed hoping for a repeat of Easter 2011, when the sun shone and the skies were blue. We were not going to be so lucky; the weather forecast was cold, windy and slightly damp.

Friday was dry but there was a chill wind blowing when we set off to join the others at Peterborough. Ian was leading a posse from up North along a scenic route to arrive at the hotel about 3.30. We had seen Joe and Izzy in the distance so tried calling them on the CB but Joe had not switched it on!!

When Roy and I arrived there was Ian busy cleaning his new 2012 bike, Jim and Jill on their new white 1800, Rob and Coleen on their new 1800 red bike, Dennis and Christine on their new 2012 white and finally Alan and Ann on their new white 1800, who says there is recession? And there are now so many white bikes in the group

After settling into our rooms, some of the energetic ones went for a swim and a sauna while the others relaxed in their rooms or in the bar.

Meeting for pre dinner drinks it was lovely to see Terry and Josie again. Terry has been quite poorly over the winter but now he was looking really well and very trim. Netty and Mick, Dave and Meg, Alan and Gill, Paul and Angela Richard and Christine, John and Alison were already down in the bar with tummies rumbling awaiting dinner. Poor Christine Crosley was feeling poorly so Dennis took some dinner up to their room for her.

The food in the hotel was excellent and after dinner I ran a simple quiz on moviesongs which brought most couples to their knees and their iphones however Paul and Angela were the winners with no cheating!

After dinner Roy and Richard were stuck in front of the TV watching the golf, while the rest of us chatted.

Richard lost in the golf

Saturday

Netty set a bad example for the ladies by removing the bike cover for Mick before breakfast!! That is certainly a man’s job not the ladies.
After a hearty breakfast, with blue clear skies we lined up ready for the days ride.
Almost straight away Alan and Roy were off route; too busy chatting on the CB to listen to the Sat Nav. After a circuit of Peterborough we managed to catch the rest up. We now followed the sweeping fen roads, passed ditches full of swirling muddy water and bracing ourselves against the stiff winds blowing straight in from Russia. The land was very flat so we were very surprised when we passed through a village and saw an advert for the Mountain Rescue Team! it must be for people who get stuck on speed humps.
Our coffee stop for the morning was in the beautiful city of Ely. Unfortunately the roads were closed due to a French market taking place, so we all became split up and parked in various car parks around the town. We explored the town and market which was brilliant, selling delicious French food. Most of us had gone to the cathedral for coffee and Alan and Ann took the opportunity to climb to the top of the spire for views across the fens.

At the designated time to leave, Joe was panicking, he had lost Izzy! He was told by the men to “leave without her”, but the fear in his eyes, told us that this was NOT an option, so he went off in search for her. We all tried to keep together, but with heavy market traffic and a road closure, we became split up. Roy came to the front of a small group, John and Alison, Rob and Coleen and promptly led them into and around a rough car park, much to the delight of Rob, who was tail end Charlie. (More about that later) Roy’s excuse was he was trying to find a route around the road closure.

All parked up

We all made our way in splinter groups through the Norfolk countryside to our lunch stop with the Queen at Sandringham. Here we caught up with the main group and lined up in the coach park, which as usual caused quite a stir with the visiting public. Joe had managed to find Izzy and had taken the direct route to Sandringham so they were already there.
Time to eat again, and have a look round. Most could be found after lunch in the gift shop buying pressies for the grandchildren, which gives our ages away.

Dave and Meg decided to stay on and look around Sandringham House, so once more we mounted up and wound our way out of the car park and off the estate. The wind was getting stronger and the chill was beginning to enter the ole bones, so we decided to by pass the afternoon tea stop and head back to the hotel, for a swim and a hot sauna.
Back at the hotel we were all awe struck by a sight which had never been witnessed before “DENNIS CROSLEY CLEANING HIS BIKE”. He was actually using a bucket and borrowed sponge, plus water!!!! Okay everyone lay down in a darkened room!

One for the record books Dennis cleans bike after run out

Time for dinner and again a simple quiz, this time won by Alan and Ann, who cheated of course, after a nail biting tie with Jim. Once more into the bar with Roy and Richard glued to the golf. The ladies started to discuss the calendar for next year “Bikers in the Buff”; we need “calendar girl” style pictures of the men with their bikes to be sent through to Izzy. So come on men start posing!!

Sunday

Denise, the Easter Bunny, visited everyone at breakfast and distributed Easter eggs (there is a lot of room on a wing). With a slightly later start of 9.30 we set off in overcast windy weather to Foxton Locks, The route Ian had planned took us through beautiful chocolate box villages, full of soft sandstone cottages with thatched roofs and small streams criss crossing the centres. The roads were quiet but in places very muddy so concentration was needed.

Alison and Josie help with the locks

what does this button do?

Foxton Locks were fascinating with narrow boats navigating their way up and down the steep incline of 10 locks. I was quite the “expert” because the locks had been on a recent addition of Flog It. We even offered to help by opening lock gates and winding handles. There was a lovely surprise, Deano and Clare arrived with their children Emily and Harry. For those who do not know Deano he had a lovely yellow wing which had to be sold when the little ones appeared on the scene. They were all looking well and busy with their website Kid Shooz, which sells fabulous shoes for children, Grandparents please note. The children loved the bikes and sat on ours for some pictures.

After a good look round, Alison and John, said their goodbyes as they needed to get home to the dogs, one is due to have pups very soon, we headed off for Belton House, Alan was leading as Ian’s sat nav and CB on his new 2012 bike was playing up, Alan was taking us into some darkening and threatening clouds so we needed shelter pretty quickly. Belton House was packed with kids all doing the Easter egg hunt. The car park was full and the security guard, most unhelpful, but somehow we managed to get the bikes on stable ground and after getting everyone in for free we went in search of warmth and food. Dave, Meg Alan and Ann decided to have a look around the house, so we left them there at departure time. Dave and Meg were also going home after visiting the house so goodbyes were made.

Alan upset the security man by going over the cattle grid off the car park and then waiting for the rest to line up, the poor man ( not Alan) was really worried we were going to block the road, but as the rain had begun to fall there was no way we would be hanging about. Soon we were all on the road through some lovely twisty roads keeping a head of the rain. Again Ian’s sat nav was playing up and we became split up. So Rob took the lead of the second group with Roy tail man, there was lots of banter when Rob took us the long way round instead of the short route, Roy really got his own back ! Soon we were saying goodbye over the CB to Paul and Angela who also had to head home.

We arrived safely back to the hotel and once again the folding buckets came out and the bikes were washed down, even Dennis’s!! SWOON

After another excellent meal, Joe and Izzy won the quiz. Denise gave out the prizes which ranged from chocolates to an oil filter. Most of the men glued themselves to the TV to watch the golf, even the ones who do not understand the game. I asked the bar man to wake Roy up at the end on the golf and send him up to bed, he always falls asleep watching golf.

Ian hypnotized by the golf

Monday
All too soon it was time to say goodbye and make for home before the rain set in. Thank you to Ian and Denise for once again organising a lovely weekend, with great company and weather which was not too bad considering the forecasts.

Click here for link to all photos

It was 1st registered in June 2006 by Jim&Jill
its only had ONE careful owner
Its done 43,000 miles
Its got a full service history
Its taxed and tested

Accessories fitted and included in the sale are -
Honda rear spoiler with high level brake light
Honda CB radio and Aerial (Cb is fully integrated and built in to the audio system)
Chrome top box luggage rack
Low level front fog lights
Chrome trims around panniers and top box
Kuryakyn chrome/black ISO grips
Chrome air intake trims

Its FOR SALE at  ONLY  £10,995

Here are a few pics -
   

If you’d like more info or you’d like to view it please contact Jim
Tel; 01709 558012,  07411 702074  e-mail: jimgoldwing06©gmail•com

Jim&Jill live in Rotherham, S.Yorkshire,  just a couple of minutes from junction 34 M1.

Satnav and speed camera alerts

Since 3 January 2012 French laws have prohibited drivers from carrying any device capable of detecting speed cameras. This includes devices able to warn or inform of the location of speed cameras e.g. satnav or gps systems capable of showing speed camera sites as Points of Interest.

As well as the ban on  warning devices, the French government is installing around 400 new, unsigned, fixed speed cameras as well as taking down signs indicating the location of existing camera sites.

If you have a satnav capable of displaying French camera locations in France then you must at least disable camera alerts. Contact the manufacturer for advice too as a software or database update is likely to be available that will remove camera data for France from the device.

If you have a satnav system built into your car then contact the vehicle manufacturer in the first instance.

Breathlaysers

From 1 July 2012 all drivers in France are likely to be required to carry one or more portable breathalysers in the car.

The French government hasn’t published detailed regulation changes yet so we can’t confirm what type of device or how many must be carried, nor can we confirm the actual implementation date.

It is likely – as was the case when requirements to carry reflective jackets were introduced – that there will be an advisory period before on-the-spot fines apply.

AA  expect more detail in March sometime.

Early warning for next winter.  From 1 January 2013 all drivers and passengers of a motorcycle over 125cc or a motor tricycle over 15 KW/h must wear reflective clothing when riding their vehicles and in the event of an emergency stop/breakdown.

Clothing must have a minimum reflective surface of 150cm2 (approx 23in2), either in one piece or in several pieces, and must be worn between the neck and waist

Joe and Izzy modelling the right gear

BMF BACKS DRIVING TEST PETITION

The UK’s largest motorcycling organisation is backing a campaign to ensure bike-related questions are included in the driving test to help raise awareness of motorcyclists on the road.

An online petition calling on the department for transport “to ensure that biker related questions are compulsory in the driving theory test” has been created by Bennetts, one of the UK’s leading motorcycle insurers.

“Since inattentiveness by other road users causes the majority of motorcycle accidents, the BMF has consistently called for further initiatives to raise the awareness of all vulnerable road users” says the BMF’s Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder. He continues: “With over 1.3 million motorcycles on Britain’s roads it’s incredible that prospective drivers can currently pass the test without answering a single question relating to motorcyclists. We would encourage all our members to sign this petition”.

Hannah Squirrell, Director of Marketing at Bennetts adds; “The petition has been approved by the government and we need to get at least 100,000 signatures in order to have this raised in the House of Commons. Bikers are an important group of road users and it’s essential they are recognised within the driving test.”

Motorcyclists and drivers alike can sign-up online via the official government link:epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/26272