The Pioneer Run Dave Masters – 1911 Veloce
The Sunbeam MCC’s Pioneer Run is one of the gems of the events calendar and it was sorely missed in 2020. But, with a little wrangling and a lot of hard work, the club made sure that it happened in 2021. For a different perspective on this wonderful event, and with thanks to the Sunbeam MCC, we now bring you six accounts of the Pioneer Run from the people who were there and took part! Richard Woodcock – 1913 Rex
My 1913 Rex V-twin (aka ‘Old Peculiar’) flew down to Brighton with little complaint to gain its third Finishers Medal. However, unfortunately, the engine has tightened a little so we suspect a jammed piston ring; further investigation is required. I have completed five Pioneer Runs now (three on my Rex, one by Leon Bollèe and one on
The Dreadnought), and had one retirement with the Rex, and here is my feedback on the latest event.
I always enjoy the challenge of the event and personally saw no need to change the route or the finish at Madeira Drive, though I understand that others have different safety concerns. I like the charisma of the traditional Madeira Drive, in Brighton town centre, broadly following the Emancipation Run ethos of 1896, and with open access to the public who are unlikely to travel out to Shoreham Airport.
The new route was pleasant and a little shorter than the traditional route and well signposted, too. The run in along the perimeter was a little tedious as the speed humps caused my rear stand to keep dropping down. At the finish, it did not seem clear where exactly the finish line was. I think that if the airport venue continues there is scope to provide a more impactful finish line on the same lines as the VCC Car version, but using the iconic Art Deco airport building as a backdrop, with competitors then continuing to the rear of the building where the display and hospitality could remain the same as this year.
By far the best thing about the new venue was the parking for tender vehicles and trailers which was excellent, coupled with the highly successful vintage bus transfer. The prize giving is always a difficulty. The organisers need to allow sufficient time for judging the finishers, and many competitors are anxious to get off home due to travelling long distances. The consequence is that most have left by the time it gets under way at 2pm, which is a shame. I don’t know what the answer is – there is a similar issue at the VMCC Banbury Run. These are small points to assist the organisers in future planning, and should be taken in the context of a VERY successful event, for which they should be duly proud and congratulated. Well done everyone and many thanks to The Sunbeam Club for their excellent organisation and signage in difficult circumstances.
Shoreham Airport, we finally got there – it works! Congratulations to the SMCC for its tenacity and bravery, the organisation was excellent, and we all felt welcome and looked after, well done to the organisers and club for taking the plunge. Everyone I asked agreed the new venue and route was an improvement. It proved that doing things differently does not have to be the end of the world, definitely easier than that A23 Brighton approach and on through the city traffic, much safer and enjoyable.
The ‘Old Guard’ who have steadfastly seen the club through to this point can now happily stand back and relax, knowing the SMCC is in good hands with its current forward-looking executives and volunteers. I feel the future of our club is secure in these ever-changing times and in knowing our committee will confront and adapt to challenges which might affect our members and their treasures.
My ride from Epsom on my four-stroke Veloce was mostly uneventful; we managed to shed a front brake block passing Gatwick Airport and the power dropped off making hill climbs slow. All of this was resolved at Verralls in Handcross where Ian gave me space for a quick overhaul and a muchneeded drink. I had a replacement brake block on board and discovered the inlet valve housing was coming loose, easily repaired. Off we went again, whizzing along at up to 30mph, then the compulsory checkpoint stop at Leonardslee Gardens. After passing through Small Dole I then considered the approach to the A27 up what I know was a complex junction with a long ramp up to the main road, it was easy and the Veloce climbed it with no effort. The approach to Shoreham Airport was also easy but I was not looking forward to the speed bumps mentioned in the Final Instructions. No problem as they were shallow platforms easily taken at low speed.
Our welcome and guidance to the final assembly point was effortless, only just over 200 veteran entrants this year (for obvious reasons) but clearly with space for our usual numbers, it made for a very sociable venue. We got complimentary coffee and burgers with chips to finish off the ride – thank you. My wife Maggi drove my tender and she also found the route, instructions to tender drivers, the parking at the airport, and the efficiency of the shuttlebus to the event great. There was no waiting around, and good directions from the marshals, all within the airport’s boundary, and probably only a kilometre walk if you felt inclined. A lot of effort which achieved a successful event.
May I suggest for next year’s Pioneer Run the club invests in more publicity to attract an interested viewing public? It is an event which exemplifies what we in the historic motorcycle fraternity believe represents some of the best public free entertainment. I always like to complete the Pioneer Run without a stopover, I think I have ridden it 18 times now. I understand that a few riders avoid the whole course by tendering their bikes after the start and unloading before the finish; they have their own consciences to live with. I do resent their lack of commitment which means I have to stop when enjoying the ride. So saying, I coped with it and I didn’t have to stop my engine to get my competition number stamped at Leonardslee.
If you missed the run this year, do enter for next year’s event which is on Sunday, October 2. You won’t regret it.
Debbie Bartlett – 1914 Triumph Model C
After an early start, we arrived at Epsom Downs with my recently acquired 1914 Triumph
550cc Model C Roadster. I eagerly awaited my starting time slot of 8.17am with some fear and trepidation.
In the few weeks leading up to the event there had been many hours of preparation on the machine prior to my maiden Pioneer Run. This limited my time to learn to ride the machine to a ‘one off’ test run in a quiet road close to my home that only lasted
20-30 minutes!
As an experienced bike rider there was still a lot to learn, setting/adjusting hand controls for throttle, air and ignition, not to mention the hand gear change, foot clutch and rear brake and use of the decompression lever and inverted lever front brake. The fuel crisis added to the last-minute pressure and led to several hours of searching the local area for fuel and much wasted time queuing in order to secure petrol for the machine and diesel for the van.
I had the good fortune of having a very supportive team in Barry, Dave and Ross. Dave and Barry crewed the van and stopped at various points so they were close by if I needed them. Ross was out riding with me on his lovely modern bike with brakes!
After some last-minute tightening of my rear-view mirror I finally set off around 8.30am. Immediately leaving the start I had a slight altercation with the rear end of another rider’s bike that had stalled directly in front of me. I tried to swerve but had a tangle with his rear mudguard. Luckily no damage was done, but I had stalled the bike so had to put it on its stand to restart the engine and set off again. The pedalling required to start the engine can be very tiring so my aim was to try not to stall, easier said than done!
After adjusting the various levers to increase my speed I headed off towards Burgh Heath and up a rise to a set of traffic lights where I was to filter right. I timed it well and managed to get through before the lights changed to red. I soon learned that riding the machine was all about timing; being in the right gear with the right amount of throttle, air and ignition timing was imperative and thinking well ahead about stopping in a controlled manner without stalling the engine. Oh, and not to forget about being constantly aware of the danger from other road vehicles.
The other thing I definitely had to remember was to hand pump oil into the engine, as the engine has a total loss oil system requiring regular replenishment. I made a cardboard plan of memorable points on the map (mostly pubs) where I would pump oil and placed it in a prominent position on the handlebars. Forgetting to oil regularly could lead to engine seizure and a large repair bill. Sadly, I passed by many riders who had broken down on the way. The event is a big test of endurance for both the rider and the machine, with machines dating as far back as 1896 and no machines being post-1914, this being the cut-off point to qualify as a Pioneer machine.
As I sailed along the A217, my greatest fear was looming, the dreaded Reigate Hill. I left the roundabout in second and at the first sign of the descent I retarded the ignition and opened up the air to help facilitate some engine braking. This was my first attempt at doing this and the bike coughed and spluttered and finally stalled. Ross parked behind me with hazards on to protect me. Soon the engine was running and I gingerly rode off into the traffic and down the hill.
The brakes were virtually non-existent but entering the hill in the right gear and at a sensible speed paid dividends – I did not make a further attempt at retarding the ignition. I sailed down past the speed camera and across the railway crossing.
Passing through Reigate two thoughtless 4x4 drivers pulled out across my side of the road which led to a couple of very scary moments. I doubt whether they would have done this if they knew I was riding a 107-year-old bike that had little braking! Passing through Woodhatch, I settled into the ride and had learned quickly how to operate the controls and find the best gear for the occasion. The machine was fairly comfortable with its large sprung Brooks leather saddle and rudimentary front suspension. I was due to stop at the Black Horse at Hookwood, where Barry and Dave were waiting but the machine was going like a well-oiled sewing machine and I decided to carry on.
I passed Gatwick Airport and as I approached the many sets of traffic lights on the outskirts of Crawley I stalled at the third set of lights. I pushed the bike to a safe place to restart the engine. Ross parked his bike behind me again and helped me put the bike on the stand to restart. At this point Ross asked me what the hell was the brown liquid that was coming out of my trouser leg… I don’t remember being that scared! I felt around and soon realised a small emergency can of Costa Double Espresso Coffee had burst in my trouser pocket and was running down my leg and out by my right boot!
I continued on my journey with lots of throttle up the long Handcross Hill, waving to onlookers. I didn’t time the traffic lights at the top of the hill right and had another stall and restart. I was soon onwards again through Handcross village to the halfway compulsory stop at Leonardslee Gardens, near Horsham. I had my entry number stamped as proof of my visit, topped up with fuel and quickly checked the machine before spending a pleasant half an hour mingling with the remaining riders and enjoying some well-earned coffee and cake. As I left on the next leg I reflected on my journey so far and at this point my confidence in making it to the finish line was growing.
The weather was lovely and I was now really enjoying the ride and waving to the many onlookers in the pretty Sussex villages the route passed through. I didn’t want to relax too much and forget to pump the oil regularly. I was overtaken on several occasions along the route by riders with bigger engines and more experience, some being somewhat ‘gung ho’ on the downhill sections of the route.
At last, we were climbing the spiral road system near Shoreham to join the A27 West towards the airport. Ross overtook me to indicate and protect me as I joined the swathes of traffic on the busy main road. Now a final left at the lights and on to the airport perimeter road, the lights changed to red as I approached and I stalled the engine. I put the bike on the stand and the engine easily restarted for my final ride to the finish line which I crossed with immense satisfaction at around 11.45am. I signed off and received my medal and badge which I was very excited to receive. A distant childhood dream had been realised this day and I was elated that I had been able to ride the event rather than watching it as a bystander as I have done for the last 50-odd years.
After I parked up in the pits a friendly face appeared, my biker friend Jules had come down from Crystal Palace on her new electric motorcycle. We had a photo shoot and joint riding video to show both the old and the new, a great day much enjoyed, l am looking forward to further events in 2022.
In loving memory of my mother Audrey Hill and father Tony Hill who I know would have thoroughly approved of my taking part in this great event.
Jon Dudley – 1910 Arno
The sky is blue, the day is young and the gentle throbbing of some 200 exhausts fills the Surrey air as members of The Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club leave the grassy knolls of Epsom and head southward for the coast. The annual Pioneer Run is once again begun and men and women guiding their ancient motorcycles are enjoying their day in the October sun. To the general public this is as romantic an idyll of early transport as can be imagined, machines and riders in perfect harmony and set for a ‘grand day out.’ However, I sadly have to disabuse these innocents of their romantic notions with the simple fact that not all of us make it…
As a relative newcomer to The Pioneer Run, my first outing ended in failure but this time I was basking in the confidence brought on by having (relatively) trouble-free finishes in the succeeding years. As for most of us, prior to the run there was time spent fettling machines, in this case my grandfather’s 1910 Arno and, with hindsight, the error of fitting a different carburettor. The substitution of the leaky and battered B&B for an ‘overhauled’ shiny Amac was a rather basic one. I am reminded of the quotation from Phyllis Theroux: “Mistakes are the usual bridge between inexperience and wisdom.”
Nonetheless, the machine started and ran well. All that now remained was to check the tool bag and push the old thing into my van and look forward to the following day. This year we had the nonsensical fuel availability problems with which to deal. Fortunately, I already had 10 litres of petrol in a can for the bike and was able to fill the van with diesel by dint of visiting my local Sainsbury’s filling station at 2am! Others weren’t so lucky and as a result, entries were down by 65 on the day.
Having collected a chum to drive the van for me, we arrived in plenty of time at Epsom, fuelled the Arno and pushed it to the start. The straws were in the wind, however. Would she go? No, she would not. I changed the plug a few times, she fired, she ran for a bit, she stopped, she ran for a bit more and so on. Eventually she did run well enough to get me away but things were clearly amiss as she wasn’t going at all well and as I pulled out on to the A217 we halted. This involuntary stop forced yet another plug change, yielding obvious signs of an over-rich mixture. Running again and fully ‘leaned’ out I was getting merely average performance but was making slow, if steady, progress. Reigate Hill offered a degree of interest with a strange noise emanating from somewhere
... I couldn’t locate it exactly. No matter, I pushed on until just south of Reigate where we ran out of petrol as a result of the over-rich mixture. Having refuelled I pressed on until it became obvious that the noise heard earlier was coming from the front of the machine. As
I ground slowly to a halt I could see that one of the front brake blocks had somehow worked itself into a position at right angles to the rim and was gently kissing the spokes, not only that but it was sorely bent and misshapen. Twenty minutes' work with mole-grips and pliers eventually coaxed the part into some sort of reasonable shape and off we went again.
By the time I had just passed Crawley we once more failed to proceed, plenty of fuel but no go! Inspection of the magneto points plus a shock from the plug lead proved that there were sparks at the plug, so I next removed the carburettor, blew it through as best I could, shook the float and replaced it.
Nothing.
I fiddled around for another 20 minutes or so until the van appeared and by that time, thoroughly hot and bothered, I loaded the bike and we drove on to Leonardslee Gardens for a cup of coffee. Not wishing to miss the sights at the new destination of Shoreham Airport we arrived by four wheels instead of two.
To say I was disappointed would be no exaggeration and yet curiously, and despite everything, I enjoyed my day. Of course, come Monday morning at home, I removed the carburettor but still found nothing wrong. However, the simple experiment of altering its angle very slightly on the inlet stub from the vertical to a few degrees clockwise produced immediate results. The Arno fired instantly and responded to the slightest change in air and throttle controls. Of course, I hadn’t had the nous to think of this on the run, still, there’s always next year! Of course it’s very rewarding to finish The Pioneer Run, but let me tell you, if you don’t make it, it’s also great fun to take part.
In the Pioneer Run we really do have a wonderfully organised event and my thanks go to all the officials, marshals and volunteers who help to make this day such an enjoyable one.
Andy Dean – New Imperial
So, after a cancelled year in 2020, the event that normally begins our riding year has migrated to the end of the riding calendar for 2021. And whatever anyone thought about tailing the season rather than topping it, everyone seemed to agree that it was bloody brilliant to have it at all.
Chuck in a fuel crisis and some sort of ongoing virus-thingy and all the signs were we could well go without for another year. So, all credit to the organisers for sticking to it and putting on an event that’s guaranteed to bring a smile to the faces of the participants. Mind you, with the lockdown haircuts, ratty beards and the wrinkles-all-round of many of the riders, a smile could well be a grimace for all we could tell. And some of the male riders also looked odd.
A big plus of an October Pioneer Run is what appears to be a better stab at having some decent weather. It was a pleasant change to have a nice bit of sunshine after a slightly overcast start rather than the traditional March chill wind gently freezing your assets.
In spite of Rob Pond’s very relaxed, almost non-existent approach to organising at the start, flagging off and getting under way went off smoothly enough for most people.
Entry numbers were down on the usual figures, but we can all think of a few reasons for that. Let’s just hope that falling off the perch wasn’t a reason for many nonattendances, and another year of jabs, masks and no handshakes means more people can come out of the woodwork for 2022.
This year we also had a couple of changes to the event itself. First off was an obligatory compulsory stop at Leonardslee Gardens to compulsorily eat cake and be forced to drink a hot beverage. Not much to dislike about this for most people! And the added attraction was some well organised parking for tender vehicles, so riders and crew could meet up and work out what bits had fallen off and whether it mattered. That probably got a few bikes back on the straight and narrow for the rest of the journey but some of the riders generally need a lot more fettling than a quick service in a car park with an adjustable. And seeing riders refuelling did remind a few people to fill up bikes as well.
The second change was where we were all aiming for. I know there’s the slight safety aspect of the old A23 merge-and-changelanes-or-die game, and a few concerns about the state of Madeira Cake Drive but progress is ever onwards, so into the breach stepped Shoreham Airport. As a destination, it’s a lot nicer to get to. That last bit of trundling through the hills was almost enjoyable this time, plenty of gentle inclines and precious little drama. A bit windy on the rather high elevated section, but a lot less traffic than the original route, so on the whole I think the flatulence went unnoticed.
On reflection, I did miss the jousting with the traffic and jiggling through the traffic lights through the centre of Brighton, but perhaps it’s not the safest of things to be doing in public view any more.
Not everyone enjoys seeing us dicing with death. In fact, there might be a few riders who don’t enjoy it either. However, we did previously have the chance to interact up close and personal with said public once we had got to Have Some Madeira M’Dear, and that’s something that we will likely miss out on at the new destination of Shoreham Wind Tunnel.
The change in date may well have had something to do with public attendance and awareness as may have the change in destination, but it’s very early days for some quite big changes, so let’s all think plenty of them positive waves.
With the next run already firmly pencilled in for October 2, 2022, perhaps that gives us some time to spread the word about where and when to go and see us both en route and arriving in all our glory at the new finish. In the meantime, congratulations to all the organisers, helpers and marshals for putting on such an enjoyable day.
Chris Ronalds – 1908 Triumph
What an exceptional event this was and I can only begin by firstly showering the officeholders of the club with glittering plaudits for having the foresight and commitment to instigate and proceed with the run in early autumn. So too should heartfelt thanks be given to all those club members and volunteers who contributed their time and efforts beforehand, on the day and after.
The southern weather on the eve of the run was simply appalling with torrential rain and strong winds but miraculously subsided in the early hours next day and the roads had mostly dried for the 8am start. Another factor of concern was the acute fuel shortage fiasco which I suspect may have prevented some entrants, needing to travel from afar, from participating.
That said, there was an upside to this in that the roads were clearer of traffic so that the first half of the run, with its challenge of numerous traffic lights and roundabouts, was less demanding than usual.
After the obligatory stop at Leonardslee Gardens the revised route down to Shoreham and into the paddock at Brighton City Airport was a delightful canter. I am aware, and understand why, some are concerned about the loss of the traditional finish along Madeira Drive but have to say that, for me, the concluding stage of the run became that much more enjoyable knowing that the negotiation of intense Brighton traffic no longer lay ahead.
All my past rides on the run have been on bikes very kindly lent to me by Geoff Morris but this was the first Pioneer Run on my own machine and that made it very special. Some years back I found that I was no longer able to run and bump my 1919 model D Triumph. This realisation came when, after an attempted push start, man and machine lost synchrony and went their own separate ways, fortunately with little subsequent damage to either.
Now, about the same time I started to build a 1908 Triumph to ride in the run but, when it was completed four years ago, I found I was unable to even pedal start it when it was off the stand.
However, the recent fitting of the prototype of a purpose designed centrifugal clutch has now enabled me to ride this fixed engine bike so it no longer languishes in the garage.
To be able to stop with the engine still running is a massive advantage for people like myself who no longer have the oomph to run and bump or pedal start a fixed engine machine and I very much hope that use of such a clutch will be considered by others to enable more early machines to emerge from enforced hibernation to be ridden and enjoyed. The Pioneer Run is the premier event for early motorcycles and for riders of any age. Long may it remain so!
The Sunbeam MCC was founded in 1924 for Sunbeam motorcycles but was opened up to all makes in 1925. The Pioneer Run began in 1930 and originally ran from Croydon Aerodrome to Brighton. It’s open to all veteran (pre-1915) motorcycles and three-wheelers, and is one of a number of events organised by the Sunbeam MCC. Club membership is open to anyone interested in veteran, vintage (1915-1930) or post-vintage (1931-1939) machines and you can find more details at www.sunbeammcc.co.uk. The 2022 Pioneer Run will be held on Sunday, October 2 and spectators are very welcome.