Editor’s welcome
Though it’s been something of a strange summer – with only 2020 outdoing it in the weirdness stakes, in my lifetime at least – this year we’ve enjoyed a degree of motorcycling normality, with lots of events and shows occurring, with a ‘can do’ attitude prevailing and people getting on and making the best of things.
As we race through September, riding events are drawing to a close, but so starts the show season – with high hopes that we’re going to be back to ‘proper’ events, with proper crowds and the all-round proper show experience. Coming soon is Stafford, October 9/10 – it’s great to think that we’ll be back there, with a show to celebrate. Exciting times.
This month gone, I’ve managed to get out for a couple more rides on the flat-tank Sunbeam, including a nice one with my mate on his modern 300cc Vespa scooter, basically about as chalk and cheese as two motorcycles can be. We did about 120-odd miles, about half in company with another pal on his flat-tank 500cc Raleigh – the two side-valve vintagents were cruising in the high 40s, occasionally just over 50mph, and for quite sustained spells too. The biggest issue with the vintage hand-change ware (both bikes are 1927) is the momentum lost when changing gear – Steve, on the Raleigh and relatively new to vintage riding, was interested in my technique, where I tend to try and avoid changing down at all times, using the ignition rather than the gearbox. But as he said: “It’s hard to see what you’re doing with both hands!”
We had a great day, grateful to be out and about, enjoying the late summer sun. I came home with flushed cheeks and a red nose, an achy backside and slightly tingly hands – the cold beers tasted good that evening, as the Sunbeam rested in front of us and the day drew to a satisfying close.
On a different note, another issue, and another Velo project no-show. Apologies, it’ll be back and hopefully fired up soon, though the realisation it’s not going to make it on the road this year and as the season speeds by, means priority has shifted to the things that are on the road, are kept that way. While we’re on apologies… One is proffered in our news pages to Andy Withers, whose name was accidentally changed to ‘Westlake’ in the byline for his feature on the DR Rally last month. Sorry to Andy – both Andys.
Enjoy the issue and I’ll get back to internally debating whether a Fath-URS or a Thor V-twin would join my dream garage first, or whether a Greeves Scottish or a Ducati Scrambler be more fun on the local lanes…