Well its got to that time of year when not a lot happens apart from some birthday celebrations. Trish held her (dare I mention how old??!! – oh bugger it) 50th where a fair number of us went along & got well drunk. I was told that someone has photo’s of me dancing with her when she was very, VERY drunk – oh dear!! Duckhams & Jane came over & stayed at ours so we managed a few JD’s as you do on these occasions. I must also wish Peterfrombrid a happy 50th – many congrats mate, sorry we couldn’t get to yours & help you celebrate although I’m sure you managed well enough without any of our assistance!!

Sunday the 15th Keith organised a club run to Sandtoft trolley bus museum. I’ve been told it was very well attended & enjoyed by all although not every one of us managed to go, me included. A few of us spent a Sat night ‘at the field’ for one last BBQ with, of course, a few beers. The sun shone & kids enjoyed pony rides the following day whilst ‘some of us’ recovered.

We have had some new/prospective members attend on club nights, One who’s Dad used to be a member of the Sheffield branch in the 60’s. Hope you liked what you heard??

I guess the main thing on our agenda at the moment is discussing next years Concours show & our branch’s 25th anniversary. Opinions vary as to whether we should change our venue or not eg ‘why change something that works’ etc but the fact of the matter is, we are pushed for space where we are. Committee members were invited along to view the proposed alternative venue & I must admit, its very promising having plenty of hard standing with excellent facilities. We now need to decide whether we should hold 2 shows (one for each), put them both together for one ‘biggie’ and should we change it to a Sunday event or stay with our tried & trusted Wed evening. This is proving to be quite controversial & I won’t use this forum to air my views but I will say this then close on the subject. The topic of apathy within both branches & the TOMCC in general has been acknowledged & widely discussed including during the AGM. If we want to progress as a club then change is needed. If we want to attract younger members (lets face it, we need to!!) then change is needed. I’m not suggesting that the TOMCC do anything wrong but there is always room for improvement & this ‘improvement’ doesn’t come without a certain risk factor. So why not get out of our comfort zones & try something new? What do our ‘cousins across the pond’ say? ‘no pain, no gain’ ……………. The soap box is away now.

Back to our news.

MC has done it again, whats that? disgraced himself I hear you ask? No, not this time, he’s the proud owner of a low mileage, very tidy Speed Triple. I believe he has sold one of his ‘other’ bikes to make room for this in the garage – good job as he’s less room than me!! I’m making progress on the Nourish project – actually its more like one step forward & two steps back but there you go. During a ‘brainstorming’ session with Duckhams (this when we were very hung over too) I/we decided that it should have a 2 into 1 with an underseat can. Great idea I thought & set about this with gusto cutting yet more frame rails away. I then had to make new shock mounts (clearance issue) & will have to cut a ‘relief’ out from under the seat. I can still hear his words ‘it’ll look great mate, you’ve got to do it!!’ – I’ll hit him with that bloody can next time I see him. What did I say about no pain no gain?

Stig is considering parting with some cash & fitting S/less rims & spokes to his Legend. After receiving his first quote & then picking himself up off the floor this is still ‘under consideration’!

Some of us are having a w/end away in Nov & will be going to the National Motorcycle Museum on Sat 25th so if anyone’s interested in meeting up, we’ll see you there.

Before I go I must mention our Xmas bun fight do (dinner actually). Grange Park Golf Club on Wed 6th December. Anyone wishing to go then see Dennis.

Ttfn

Rubbermick