Federation of UK GoldWing Clubs » Reports

Federation WingFest goes to plan

Secretary — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 08:45:11 +0000

The first WingFest of the Federation has taken place, and amazingly almost everything went to plan. You would not believe what goes into an event even of this size, and don’t let’s get carried away at this early date as we only had around 60 members and visitors for the weekend, it’s not a big event by any stretch of the imagination. However the logistics of providing the bar b cue, run outs and some form of shelter on the site for the weekend took some planning. We certainly made use of a couple of trailers that normally play host to a motorcycle rather than event infrastructure, and as for the main organiser Stuart Ormerod; most of the challenges fell on his shoulders and he certainly rose to the challenge by managing to beg, steal, borrow, but mostly buy everything required, he even called in a few personal favours. I’m not going to mention anyone else in particular for their efforts in making the event a success. Those who got involved and played their part are all to be thanked, no matter what their contribution, it takes a certain character to give up their time and work for the benefit of other club members. Thank you.

The Rugby Club site at Kirkby Lonsdale is now beginning to be known amongst GoldWing riders, it’s been used on several occasions, the last being a Lancs & Lakes Wingding back in 2009. It has all the facilities that are required for a motorcycle based event, not only that the roads in and around the area are superb and provide excellent opportunities for ride outs. Facilities for motor homes, caravans and tents are all available, there is even electric hook up if you get on site early enough. The toilets and showers are adequate, as long as timing is adhered to, and the bar and social areas more than big enough for the event to expand and grow into. Plus the local hotel and b&b accomodation just 500 yards walk along the footpath you couldnt ask for more. I’m sure we will be visiting Kirkby Lonsdale again in the future

Thundering success at Thundersprint

Secretary — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:01:02 +0000

The weather couldn’t have been kinder for the thousands of visitors at this years Thundersprint. It really is quite a unique event amongst motorcycle meetings. The sight of classic racing machines and smell of red hot engines and oil in the paddock is something you cant picture unless you experienced the day. Knutsford Honda, the main Thundersprint event sponsor invited Federation club members to attend the meeting and spend the day parked up on their main Honda stand, right smack in the middle of the action. If it wasn’t a free event this spot would be prime ticket territory. The Thundersprint race takes place around a car park area and lasts most of the day with qualifying and practise sessions taking place. Its very well organised and a credit to those who run the event every year.

The town of Northwich takes full advantage of the thousands of visitors with most of the coffee shops and food stores being open for the Sunday meeting, plus there were plenty of food stalls throughout the town centre providing the necessary burger & chip’s fix. The Goldwings attracted a lot of attention, as they always do, being positioned right at the entry lane to the race track we got to see all of the race machines coming to and from the paddock, we couldn’t have asked for more. We even had a few Goldwing owners expressing an interest in joining one of the affiliated clubs and the Blackpool Illuminations Goldwing Light Parade. We thank Knutsford Honda for their continued support and hope we get a similar invite to next years event.

The Federation’s first European Tour

Secretary — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:24:56 +0000

Visiting Loreley, a spectacular viewpoint on the Rhine

It wasn’t strictly a Federation Tour but when our Secretary, Stuart, organised and led a tour for GoldWings to the Mosel Area of Germany in June, he did it with the Federation in mind and it was an open and inclusive tour, in the spirit of the freedom of choice which the Federation espouses.

Ten bikes and trikes, mostly taking the overnight ferry from Hull to Rotterdam to get across the North Sea, rode to a Biker’s Hotel in Klotten on the banks of the Mosel, a small village near the well known tourist town of Cochem.

Stuart had stayed at the same hotel with an IAM group the previous year and saw its potential for a GoldWing trip. The Hotel is owned by an English-speaking Biker who is also an excellent Chef, the rooms are all en suite, there is a big garage for the bikes and he was also able to negotiate extremely attractive rates.

On board a Rhine Ferry

The Touring Holiday is written up entertainingly on Stuart’s GoldWing Blog. It’s in several parts (one written by one of the ladies on the tour) and it makes for very good reading – especially the bit when Stuart has an amusing altercation with a German Minibus driver and then nearly gets stuck in the Missionary position trying to get back on his bike.

Spectacular scenery abounds

The Federation will encourage and facilitate all types of GoldWing activities and events, including tours like this one, on which several Wingers broke their duck for Continental touring. Many people feel more confident taking their first tour abroad in company with others and a Club tour is potentially a much better and cheaper way of doing it than the commercial alternative – although commercial tours can be a very good way to meet the under-privileged; i.e. those who don’t have the good fortune to have a GoldWing to tour on. And of course a GoldWing is designed, above all, as the ultimate motorcycling Grand Tourer.

Riding Ms Betsy - visit Stuart's Blog to find out more!

Stuart’s Mosel Tour was open to all models and variants of GoldWing. In the Event it was a mixture of GL1500s and GL1800s but this type of tour is perfectly do-able on a Classic GoldWing and Stuart hopes to encourage some of those to join his next Tour.

The Federation will support any Winger who wants to plan and/or lead a Tour and this will include help with planning (and with things like insurance cover) as well as publicising it. Among Federation Members are Wingers who have a great deal of experience of touring including planning and leading them, so there is a wealth of experience to draw upon.

So come on Wingers! If you’ve ever fancied Continental Touring, or even touring other strange or remote places like Wales and South of Watford, this is your chance to put your dreams into practice. If you fancy a tour to Berlin but lack the skills or confidence to plan and lead one, use the Federation’s Website to float the idea to see if anyone else would like to do it.

The Federation gives equal priority to all types of GoldWing activities and events, so anyone is free to ask for, offer or publicise anything as long as its legal and decent – and there are no rules about whether or when you can and cannot do it. Your choice – the Federation is all about freedom of choice.