The run to the 'Coventry Arms' English pub was an attempt to blow the cobwebs off the pre 1950 and smaller engine capacity bikes. It was not arranged like the usual runs that start at the Services Club but a short amble from 'home' anywhere in Canberra to Garran and return. A BBQ was arranged and the backup trailer was on hand if required which quite surprisingly it wasn't. Two motorcyclists riding down Kitchener Street dropped in for a 'sticky beak' and we might even see one of them joining the club.

It was a beautiful day with 27 bikes and 36 club members turning up for the mainly social event. There were four bikes built before 1930, two tiddler two-strokes and a few more pre 1950 machines. It was good to see the Stubbs' Ariel and Rob Woolley's TT Triumph out for an airing. Caroline Bradley rode her BSA WM20 from Royalla and according to her young son, travelling with dad in the car, said she rode like a 'rocket'. My 1927 Triumph decided to have dry corks in the fuel tap and piddled out more fluid than my 18 month old grandson. However the old girl did start and was seen by all to potter off around the roundabout and back home to show that it does actually go.

Steve Davey's 1918 Harley Davidson was rather an attraction for Mick Gentleman who was allowed to try it out around the block. He was obviously not used to a foot clutch and so when he started off with a jolt the bike was heading for an Alfa Romeo car coming in the opposite direction. For a few seconds, before correcting the steering, the fear on his face would have made a marvellous photo. Mick survived the Gilmore Crescent circuit and now qualifies for the term 'Vintagent' having actually ridden a real motorcycle that takes forethought and in this American case, three feet! With British motorcycles of the period you only need three hands to work the clutch, throttle and hand change gear lever.

I think everyone who attended had a good natter in the sunshine followed by numerous half pints of John Somerville's sour cherry stout. Louise Courtney did her usual 'over the top' catering and she cannot bring herself to a cook yourself steak with a couple of bowls of salad. The homemade soup also went down well and Ollie Walker returned for seconds. Unfortunately he didn't realise that Louise had changed the pots and so we nearly went without the mushroom gravy. Washing up was this time a little easier due to paper plates but the cutlery gave me the usual problem. Don't ask Louise to change to plastic as we all know forks break and knives don't cut.

Overall I could not think of a better way to spend a casual 4 or 5 hours on a sunny autumn day. If we run this event again next year think about bringing an 'old' bike of the type that started off the club over 30 years ago. I know there are at least another six pre 1930 bikes out there including an AJS, BSA, Douglas, Triumph and a Raleigh. So how about dragging them out of the shed corner for a fettle even on a trailer if they are not registered. As a passing thought the older bikes in the club could go on some of the events organised by the Veteran and Vintage Car Club. They have a cut off at 1930 and on the whole are a lot slower than our two wheel machines?

- Bob Courtney

Mick Gentleman sent in this video which he had taken on his Blackberry mobile phone:

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