Coast Ride 2024!

[Simon.Gardiner]

The sun's been shining, I've got the now-Huntmaster running, it must be time to pick up on the anniversaries of the 1924 Round the Coast run (by Raleigh motorcycles) and the 1954 Round the Coast commemoration run (Titch Allen, Huntmaster combo) for an Ariel version of the VMCC-suggested commemoration for the 100-year and 70-year anniversaries! (Details of the original runs - particularly the 1954 event - have been in Cheval and are on the AOMCC website and the VMCC website. )

The idea is to get on a suitable motorcycle (all Ariels are suitable although Huntmasters must surely be most suitable ) and have a ride that includes a section of road that can be classed as 'coastal'. There can be many rides on many different occasions throughout the anniversary year (2024!). Maybe if enough people chip in all the different 'coastal' runs might manage to cover the entire coast of Britain, by the end of the year.

This obviously favours those who live not too far away from the sea and/or those who have been blessed with an 'iron butt'. I definitely fit the first category - not the second these days, but I might be able to put together a section that'll complement something from someone who has been so-blessed!

So, first run - Lynmouth to Weston, 60 miles. Possibly a bit of a cheat as it's mainly along the A39 and one of my favourite routes anyway - but I'm pretty certain the same road would have been used in 1924 and 1954 so it's all good! (And I got the opportunity to attempt a couple of 'photo updates' along the way )

Lynmouth - very pretty (looking towards Countisbury, up that hill!)

Harbour(1)

Harbour(2)

The May '54 Feridax advert (as in the AOMCC website) has a photo of the Allen combo 'Breasting Countisbury', which is the road east out of Lynmouth. The original is very grainy newsprint and unlike Titch Allen I had to find a spot to park the bike to try and get a similar photo. Here's my attempt at a 'then and now' - I think the background matches a bit, at least.

'Breasting Countisbury' (1954)

'Breasting Countisbury' (2024)

Between Lynmouth and Porlock the road runs along the edge of Exmoor - the views are fantastic.

View from Countisbury

Porlock, out of sight, immediately below, Minehead North Hill beyond

And here's my 'update' on the 1930s photo that's on the cover of the June Cheval, (also discussed on the Forum here:
viewtopic.php?t=13574 )
Not too difficult to get the right position but would have been better with a few more bikes and people

'Near Porlock' 2024

And a couple of pics in Minehead (excellent refreshment opportunities and a steam railway terminus!)

Minehead - harbour and North Hill

Minehead - parked up on the sea front, railway station in the background.

This topic is going to be 'sticky' and available for anyone else to add in their 'coastal' contributions, which will be most welcome.
(But please note, you need to be an AOMCC member - this isn't posted this in the 'Members Area' of the Forum as not all Forum members have informed Admin that they are also Club members!)



SG

[Roger Gwynn]

I was very interested in Simon's article on the coast ride, especially about Marjorie and hugh's earlier exploit that I didn't know about, not that I remember anyway. I was intrigued enough to plot a route using the map and list of towns visited in 1924 and realised that I could do a big chunk of the route on the way to the Cuddy rally. The next step was to realise that there was just about enough time to travel around the North of Scotland, north west England and Wales before arriving at the annual rally conveniently placed in Tewkesbury. It would involve riding 300 or so miles a day but I could give up at any time!
So here I am camping in a field in County Durham overlooking the North Sea, having been buffeted by a strong cross wind all day. 317 miles, the first 200 without even a glimps of the sea, more round the edge of Britain than round the coast, mainly due to the low lying land requiring big banks to keep the sea in its place through Norfolk and Lincolnshire. I have stuck to the roads that existed in 1924 as much as I can but had to use the Humber bridge as the ferry closed some time ago. I have visited some new places like Hartlepool and some like Middlesborough that I didn't want to visit again, no sign of a 1936 VB, unfortunately but I did re-visit the transporter Bridge.
No photos as I was using my camera and it doesn't have tinterweb.

[Roger Gwynn]

Day 2 of my epic ride. I missed out St. Andrew's to save a bit of time ome as I had misffire earlier in the day that became progressively worse so stopped for breakfast just south of Berwick after 80 miles and lost an hour fixing it. Oil in the mag and on the pick up. After fixing that it became obvious that the clutch was slipping rather more than I thought so had to stop and re- tighten the clutch spring nuts. She fairly flew after that. I think i forgot to mention that i missed Redcar yesterday due to a navigational error. Edinburgh was as horrendous to ride through as it was when I lived there but Newcastle wasn't bad, probably because I got the chance to see the 7 or now 8 bridges in the flesh.
Rain that was promised finally arrived on the approach to Dundee, famous for marmalade, fruit cake, jute and most of all for the Beano. Arrived at the Cuddy at Aberfeldy to find a welcome beer and only 2 beds left! I was late for the fish supper order but I needn't have worried as I received donations. Currently enjoying a bit of a folky music session with fiddle and acoustic guitar, Stan is joining in, or trying to.

[Roger Gwynn]

No coast ride yesterday as i was at the excellent Cuddy rally. Rode the 70 odd miles to rejoin the route at Arbroath, a lovely town but I didn't stop for any Smokies. The A923 road from Dunkeld to Blaigowrie was superb, it helped that it was dry and the sun was shining. Highlight of the day was parking outside the old premises of George Cheyne, purveyor of Ariels in these parts, including my very own Caroline. Continuing up the east coast I eventually turned west towards Inverness and found another superb road between Fraserborough and Elgin. Passed through Cullen of Skink fame but didn't see any. The weather became tediously damp at Inverness and all campsites were fully booked. Just as I had resigned myself to a spot of wild camping a saw a nice looking sight at Tain and they had space, result. Plus the sun came out to watch me erect my tent.

[Karol Burger]

I also long for such a ride, when I recover, I'll make a fairy tale. Although work does not allow me to spend much time on my motorcycle, at least for one long weekend I have to leave my house and experience a great ride in the countryside. Roger, you are a great role model for me. I follow your posts and look forward to our meeting.

[fpassmore]

That does sound like a great way to see the north. I am stuck at home with the doctors nay-saying any travel at all as I am not recovering as I should. No balance no strength so no riding, driving or working in my shop at all. They are starting to talk like never again at all! DAMN!!!!
I still have so many projects planned.
Frank
ps. Not stopping me though. I have my next order planned for Draganfly for the ‘48 A7, ‘39 VA500 plus the ‘52 Bantam I promised to my daughter last fall. My good friend Joe is coming by to help soon so he will help a lot with these we have done 8 motorcycles in the last 6 years. He already has just taken delivery of my ‘69 Norton S for rebuild and will have my SQ4 soon it appears. Ah well at least they have a good home.

[JohnnyBeckett]

hi it look like a vary nice ride out with some nice places to see

[paul.jameson]

Sorry to hear of your poor health Frank. Lets hope it improves.

[Roger Gwynn]

It's Monday so this must be Applecross, finally made it after 2 previous attempts and it was mostly dry and sunny. Yes Marjory didn't include Applecross and I cut a couple of parts of her route out in order to fit it in. There were a fair number of camper vans but not as many as I had been warned about, because a lot of the route follows the NC 500 tourist route devised to promote tourism in the Highlands. A mixed blessing as there are complaints of mess, shortages of fuel and food, methinks a tad exaggerated. The scenery is absolutely amazing, although I have been here twice before at least a third of today's roads were new to me. I should explain that today's route was north from Tain to Thurso for fuel, supplies and a bit of spannering, then along the north coast, wind farms, nuclear power station and a space centre. Then south, east, south again before west to the Applecross campsite. The Polish owner was impressed that I had a rally sticker from a Polish rally.

[Roger Gwynn]

Sorry for lack of report yesterday, it started so well with glorious sunshine for my first ride over Belach na Ba, the twist and steep alternative route from Applecross. The journey as far as Inveraray was also really good, back to familiar roads. At Connel Ferry (no ferry) I found where the rattle that had been annoying me for the last 30 miles was coming from when the dash board started flapping about due to 2 of he 4 bolts going walkabout. Soon mended and ate my lunch watching the falls of Lorn that were in full spate. After Inveraray I took a different route to the usual one over The Rest and be Thankfull that joined the The Rest etc at the top, very nice it was too. This is where the rain started and continued all way to the campsite on a hill road north of Largs in Ayrshire. It blew a hoolie (strong wind) all night, so much so that all my tent poles broke, scrap one tent.
Sorry pics are in reverse order!