Spring Run
This year’s Spring Run brought 15 machines out with their riders and passengers, ranging from Derek Morris’s trusty 1928 Matchless T4 to Dave Sketchley’s sparkling 1979 Honda CX500. A last minute re-route in order to join the 70th Anniversary ceremony at the VMCC AGM at Gaydon meant the riders were sent in a southerly direction this year, instead of the more usual northern route. This brought unforeseen problems due to a conflict with the Warwick Half Marathon which unexpectedly closed several roads in the Warwick area.
Riders encountered the first road closure just outside Kenilworth, having to abandon the intended route through Beausale and detour through Leek Wootton. After a short stretch on the Warwick by-pass, attempts were made to re-join the route via Hatton (road closed) and Hampton (road also closed). With riders now scattered across the area, I led a substantial group to the BP station on the Warwick by-pass and suggested they pick up the route nearer to Stratford, well to the south of the road closures. To those who disappeared, and were not seen again until Gaydon, I can only apologise and point to the lack of prior notice regarding the road closures. The route was checked two weeks before the Spring Run and no warning signs were evident!
Safely back on route, the riders passed through Hampton Lucy and Charlecote, then Loxley and Alderminster. After a short loop South of the river Stour, the riders made their way via Ettington, Walton Hall and Wellesbourne to Moreton Morrell and Lighthorne and the finish at Gaydon.
With the group re-assembled, the entrants were invited to take part in the ceremonial start of the 70th Anniversary Baton Relay, after which a number of us disappeared inside the museum for a hearty lunch. The weather was kind to us and, despite the early problems, everybody seemed to have a good time.
Our thanks go to Martyn Roberts for organising the event especially as he had to change his original route at the last minute to finish at the British Motor Museum to take part in the Baton Relay Rlly, without this change they would not have encountered the problems thay had with the road closures. Thanks go to Frank Parker for the photos.