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Last Updated 01/02/2012
Club Update
Thought we'd have a page to update you on things going on in and around the club, particularly things mentioned at the club meetings, just in case you weren't there.
Latest information in white
Lots to tell you......
We thought as more riders are coming out on ride-outs, it would be a good idea to remind members, both old and new, how we ride in groups on these rides. Please read the article and lets make sure we keep our excellent safety record!
Now you've read the Safe Riding article how about some tips on Better Riding?
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The January meeting was very well attended (was it something to do with the free food?) despite it being a home match for Manchester United with the usual traffic chaos. Well done to young Michael for being the only one on his Harley despite the sub-zero temperature!
Welcome to new new member Terry Cook, hope you had a good time.
We have a stand at the Manchester bike show (17-18th March) and we need 8/10 Harleys for display. You will need to leave your bike there from Friday through to Sunday. The committee are deciding which bikes they would like on display and these will be decided in time for the February meeting. we also need volunteers to man the stand.
Your membership cards will be in the next HogWash.
Alison from Chapel Ash made a passionate appeal for support for their rally Hoggin' the Marina 4-7th May for those of you not going to the Cider Rally. Barry and ken are going so if you fancy a different rally get in touch with them.
Kev announced the production of a new club pin with will have the added attraction of year bars(!) for 5, 10, 15 and 20 years membership, and they will be ....free! Don't say rainy City doesn't give you anything!
Congratulations Nobby on finally being presented with the Iron Butt award for attending more rallies and ride outs than anyone else.
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There was no December meeting as we had the Christmas party.
The November meeting was, considering the weather (it was hail-stoning when I left Preston!) very well attended with almost 40 members there. Barry had set up a continuous video show of photos from the Chester Christmas party and the pub crawl on the Friday. Just pay the blackmail money direct to Barry please!
Events - Roughleys toy run will be on 11th December starting at the old Stockport HD car park, leaving at 11.00am. Its going to the Boys and Girls Welfare Society.
There are now two Manchester Bike Shows. The first is at the old GMEX (we think) on 14/15th January. The second is on the 16/17 March at the Events City which is near the Trafford Centre. The BIG news is that we have booked a prime-position stand (no, its not next to the bar, its near the entrance) so help will be required. Details to follow.
Hard Rock Meeting, Manchester 28th December. Meet at 7.30pm We need to book somewhere to eat (yes, I know Hard Rock is a cafe but...) so if you plan to go let Barry know.
Sherwood Late Christmas Doo, Nottingham, 28th January see the flyer.
Wallace 24-28 May - You need to get your booking in quickly as tickets are going fast!
Burn's night - 21st January. Our friends at Deva Legion have invited us to their annual bash. Pre book by 12th December is essential.
Awards - More of our members have been on the training course organised by Bill Malley. Those presented with their awards were Tony Bailey, Michael Hulme, Nobby, Gary Firth, Ellis Crowther, Pete Wilson and the man himself -Barry. Well done to you all!
Margaret was present with her award for her sterling work with the costumes for the Christmas Party. A very large box of 'Under Eight' mints was her reward.
Michael Hulme was presented with his 'Rock Leg End' rocker for his musical (?) support to Rainy Daze. Thanks Mike!
Quiz - Dave and carol won the very close run quiz. Congratulations!
There was a suggestion that we had free food at the January meeting...you'll just have to come along and find out!
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The October meeting was the AGM with an excellent turn out of 46 hungry bikers who demolished the free food!
Barry reported that the weather had taken its toll on our riding activities (not that we are fair-weather riders!) in the earlier part of the year with 10 weekends ruled out with torrential rain and gales. Having said that we as a group, attended over 40 rallies, ride-outs and other events. We have covered over 63,000 man/woman miles.
We are already planning our programme for next year with rides to the Chalet, Cider and Wallace rallies.
Our own rally Rainy Daze 9 will take place at Bowden Rugby Club on 20/22nd July 2012 (A date for your diary!)
The majority of the committee were returned to their positions. If it ain't broke why try and fix it?
President - Barry Dunnett
Treasurer - Jon Dailey
Secretary - Helen Moran
Events Officer - Mal Hyslop
Photographer - Ken Vickery
Web Master - Norman Harris
Safety Officer - Chris McDonald
Committee Member - Steve Cannavan
Committee Mamber - Nigel Hulme
Committee Member - Michael Hulme
Member of the Year was Nobby. Congratulations!
Kev read out the statistics for our bi-monthly magazine HogWash, surely one of the best club magazines in the HOGsphere? 6 issues with a total of 136 pages, 1105 photos, 73212 words and 29 contributors!
Every one an increase on previous years! Well done everyone!
Thanks to the regular contributors>>>
Ken Vickery 22 articles
Paul and Vanessa Myers 10
Norman Harris 5
Mick Walton 4
Martin Wyatt 4
Chris Chaplin 3
Chris McDonald 3
Barry Dunnett 2
And the following with one article each>>>
Andy Powell, Helen Lang, Alison Male, Shirley Pollard, Steve Cannavan,
Brendan Carthy, Pam Brown
And to the HogWash 'virgins' for their articles>>>
Skye and Rampage (Geordie HOG), Keith Mabey, Roger Womack, Richard Ayerst, Dave Kennedy,
Jeff Sharpe, Sue Jenner, Chris Razzel, Bill Malley, Ian Stanbury, Pete Higgins
And of course, the usual 'anonymous' contributors>>>
Reverend Doctor Chill, The Scribe, The Club Lark, Brother Luke, the Monk of Cool,
and not forgetting Nitro, our in-house cartoonist
Without all these contributors HogWash just wouldn't be the superb magazine it is
but without Kev, Mal and Barry it wouldn't be published at all! Thanks to them all!
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Well, it was a lovely evening for the September meeting so there were plenty of gleaming Harleys parked out side the Brown Cow. With Kev and Mal off on holiday it was a slightly shorter meeting than usual with Barry just giving a brief on Rainy City's part in marshalling the Ride To The Wall on Saturday (not Sunday Adrian) meeting at Sandbach Services (southbound) at 9.00am. Apparently Barry has 305!! bikes expected to turn up, and that's just the ones that have booked in. We have mustered about 12 marshals but if you can help please call Barry. It went astoundingly well!!
The next meeting will be the AGM at the Brown Cow so get your membership payment and details to Barry ASAP.
Bill is organising another of the very popular Rider Training days on Sunday October 9th at Bamber Bridge near Preston. Cost is £20 with Rainy City paying the other £10. See, you get half your membership fee back immediately! Contact Bill if you are interested but be quick as places are limited.
The raffle was won by Shirley, don't the prizes just get better and better? I mean, a spoke cleaning brush to use on her solid wheels!
The quiz was won by Ken's team, hang on, he set the quiz!
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I didn't realise Harley owners were such tidy people. I went out for a quick pee then got chatting to Jeff in the foyer of the Brown Cow, Steve handed me my magazine, I went back in to collect my notes and there they were....gone! So its thanks to Kev and Mal (again!) for rescuing me with their notes!
The August meeting was lacking one vital ingredient...our glorious leader, Barry, but we soldiered manfully on and coped. In case you haven't been to see it the MOSI Custom Harley exhibition ends on 11th September with FREE admission for HOG members accompanied by a full price adult.
The 2012 calendar is all about our bikes so get your photos in NOW! If you can't figure out how to photograph your beloved, Barry is going to send an e-mail with full instructions.
The committee elections will soon be in progress so if you fancy being on the committee and all that POWER get your name on the ballot paper. Don't forget the Member Of The Year too.
Bill Malley is organising another of his very successful safe riding courses at the end of September, you should get a flyer via Barry next week sometime.
Barbara Wyatt (or Valentino) as she is now known was presented with her I.A.M. rocker. She now holds the distinction of being the ONLY lady rider to have passed this test. Well done Barbara! She now has the only 'I AM I.A.M.' rocker.
The MAG demo ride aginst the proposed new EU regulations governing motorcycle use and modification will take place will take place on 25th Sept. The club is not officially taking part. Quite how annoying other motorway users by riding at 45mph helps the cause mystifies me, but that's a personal opinion.
Talking about rides, Barry will be contacting those who volunteered to marshal the Ride To The Wall sometime next week we'l be leaving Knutsford Services on October 1st.
One of our guests was Nigel Jones who owns a Bike Wash strangely named HOGWASH, wonder where he got that from? Anyway its only about 5 minutes from the Brown Cow in Eccles. He kindly gave a £5 voucher as a raffle prize which was won by Ian Davies. It'll save Christine a job any way!
The quiz on 'Dodgy Divas' was won by Nitro's team with Sharon and Mick.
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You want a riding club? You know where to come.
Check the Diary Dates page for the latest events news. New flyers get added almost weekly.
Rainy City Rider's prayer......
Lord, bless all riders that we may live long and happy lives, especially bless our leaders for they are all powerful.
Yea, as they lead us through the wilderness of the country lanes, though they know not where they are going.
Yea, though they lead us down the motorways and over the hills we shall feel no pain in our hearts
though our minds and arses are numb.
Grant them the knowledge to know their north from their south and their east from their west
despite what the GPS may say.
And Lord, let the sun shine so as we may have the faintest idea in which direction we are travelling.
Give them the ability to count, so as at the end of the ride none shall have gone astray.
Grant, O Lord, sunshine at all times but not too hot, with cooling breezes
but not strong winds, shade when needed and incomparable views when we stop.
Spare us from breakdowns, punctures and the usual Harley failings and lead us not down dead ends.
Finally, Lord, let us arrive back home safe and sound for we are but riders in the storm,
the blind led by the blind.
Yea, though we are shattered, give us the strength to turn up for the next ride-out
for we are of the tribe stupid and know no better.
Lord we ask this with tongue in cheek, ever conscious that many a true word is spoken in jest.
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So, if you want an active club you know where to come!!
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