Spring Run
For this year’s Spring Run, the lovely weather brought 21 machines out with their riders and passengers, including a strong contingent of pukka vintage machinery that made up a quarter of the entry. Riders left the start at Kenilworth RFC in small groups at their own pace, except for Alan Bailey whose Ariel Fieldmaster was playing up. Despite being pushed up and down the car park it refused to run. Big thanks to Dave Kendall for staying with Alan until the machine started and Alan headed for home.
Major road works meant the usual routes north from Kenilworth were difficult so the run was based on a route last used in 2009, heading out through Hatton and Norton Lindsey, almost to Studley, before looping back through Wootton Wawen, Preston Bagot and Chadwick End. From there the lanes through Temple Balsall, Barston and Hampton-in-Arden took riders to the finish at the National Motorcycle Museum, covering just over 45 miles.
Despite the quantity of wet mud washed onto many of the lanes, David Payne’s 1920 Triumph looked as immaculate at the finish as when it started – a tribute either to sensible front mudguards or his skill at picking a clean line through it all. Several riders trooped upstairs to the cafeteria for refreshments while others just sat outside, enjoying the sunshine. With daffodils lining many of the country lanes and a bit of welcome blue sky it really felt like spring had arrived.
Our thanks go to Martyn Roberts for organising the run and all those who helped Alan Bailey start his reluctant machine.
 |
 |