Salvation Army Toy Run Sat 19th November 2011

Just when you thought the scooter season was over that time of the year comes around…… you know what I am talking about, the time when someone says “lets go on a ride and deliver Christmas presents or selection boxes to the children in hospitals, hospices or less fortunate circumstances than ourselves.
So being the kind hearted scooterist’s we are, that will do anything for a good cause, it’s back into the garage or shed and remove the cover and get out your polished pride and joy ready for another rideout !

The first one of this year is the Salvation Army Toy Run , this takes place in Manchester annually when armed with presents we meet up with the bikers at the Showcase Cinema on Hyde Road and head through Manchester up to the Trafford Centre. When we arrive there is usually a bit of a carol concert with the good old Sally Army Band playing and we drop off the presents with them.

We met up with  some of the other club members at the Stocks in Walkden and headed in Manchester, when we arrived we noticed that there wasn’t as many riders as the previous year - probably due to the attitude of the police last year but less said about that the better. We soon all on our way with the bikes leading the procession of two wheelers with riders dressed as Santa, Elves, Snowmen even the odd bear or two! There were a fine selection of Goldwing’s adorned with plenty of chrome and lights, as one of their riders said to me “They’re just big scooters really” I know what he means because they have their clubs, their own rallies, they love their rideout’s so I think the only difference is the distances they travel compared to us.

The route was all over the place with loads of  starting and stopping, what happened to turning left at the MEN arena and just going straight through the centre - It had always worked in the past. Anyway as we passed through there were lots of people taking picture, applauding or just watching the procession of two wheels. As usual we had the impatient car driver who thinks it is more important to get home after doing his big shop than the good causes that we are involving ourselves in.

We arrived at the Trafford Centre and all parked up, there was a fantastic display of machines and a fair bit of banter between riders. We headed inside and dropped off the presents whilst listening to the band. Then it was off to the toilets before heading to one of the many food outlets for a bite to eat.

Once we had all finished it was time to head off home, the weather had been glorious, we had no mishaps and we had done the first of many rideouts over the autumn/winter period

by Steve
 

MAKE A CHILD SMILE (2 Wheels in Unison) RIDEOUT

 After reading a thread on the Lancs Alliance Forum about doing something for charity for Derian House, which is a children’s Hospice in Chorley. The alliance decided it would be a good idea to do a joint rideout with motorcyclists from Black Diamonds Motorcycle Club at Hindley Green and the Manchester Chapter of Satan’s Slaves and charge £2 per machine. This money on top of that raised by various scooter clubs in the alliance including our own and other fund raising events would raise a fair amount of money for Derian House. It was decided that the rideout would take place on Sunday 5th December 2010.

 On the Sunday morning the weather was treacherous with all roads looking like ice rinks, most of us were still up for it but after a few frantic phone calls and hearing that Paddy and Bill had their scoots, we decided it was too risky and called it off, just as well as Keith from the Alliance had cancelled the event. Anyway no major damage to the scoots but a few bruises to Paddy and Bill. Keith informed Alliance clubs that a new date would be set in the New Year.

In January we found out that the event was re-scheduled for Sunday 13^th March so we were all up for it, as it was going to be the first main rideout prior to the season starting. We all met up at the Howfener prior to heading off to the Black Diamonds clubhouse where the rideout would start from. We got there only to find that we were the first of the scooter clubs to turn up. We were ushered through the gates to go and park up - riding past all the choppers and motorbikes with the owners clad in black leather it was a right Mods and Rockers situation!!

We parked the scoots up then it was to the butty van for a brew and a bacon barm. More and more scooters and bikes arrived, the weather turned sunny and it looked like we were in for a good day. Alf our No 1 came up to us and said that Keith had asked the Greyhound to marshal Chequer Bent roundabout - we were possibly the smallest scooter club in the alliance and we had to marshal this roundabout (if Carlsberg did dangerous roundabouts - this would be it!!). We headed off about 15 minutes before the rideout began so we could be in place for when everyone came passed. When they did it was very impressive with a convoy of scooters and motorcycles all doing their bit.

The rideout was quite uneventful but on arrival various tins, boxes etc containing donations were presented to members of the Hospice. After an hour or so of chewing the fat with members of other clubs, we decided to head back to the Howfener, we had invited the lads from Vesperados SC to join us for a drink which they duly obliged!

It was a good rideout for a worthy cause and a good start to what should be another great scooter season.

 Club members and friends at Derian House, Chorley

The following response to the rideout was taken from the Lancs Alliance forum:

 We write to acknowledge reciept of your kind donation of £3,389.51 to Derian House Childrens Hospice which has been raised by the supporters of your Two Wheels in Unison. This is a tremendous gift to recieve and one that will be put to very good use here at the Hospice. Thank you so much for your generousity and support,it is very much appreciated and thanks to everyone who helped you in whatever capacity.
Derian house has now been open for 17 years and needs to raise over £2.6 million per year to continue its care.We are open for 365 days but recieve statuary funding for only 9 weeks.This means we remain almost totally reliant on voluntary funding and why your contribution is so important to us,it will make a difference
yours sincerely
Mrs Val Rimmer
Appeals Administrator

WELL DONE TO EVERY ONE WHO TOOK PART OR DONATED TO THIS CAUSE

SUNDAY AT THE SEASIDE

By Pop's

Day started a bit overcast and we did think it would rain but it held off. Met at the Howfeener bout 10.30 ish and then found out that Joebuck was sitting on his scooter at the Mercury. (I think he was waiting for the crinkleys to turn up). Graham kindly offered to go grab him by the ears and fetch him to the Howfener.
It was very kind of Sue (the landlady) to offer us all cup's of fresh brewed coffee and said if we are going to meet up for a ride let her know in advance and she will make us all Bacon butties, hows that for service eh guys.

In attendance were:
Graham.
Gary.
Kev.
Joe Buck.
Paddy.
Joel.
Shawneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Billy Bunnions.
Mrs Bunnions.
Ian.
And mi sen.
We met up with Alf and Janice In Blackpool, who had been with the Lammie Owners Club

Anyway, helmets on gloves on and kick em up we were off with Graham at the helm along the dreaded A6 at Blackrod and onto Chorley. Around roundabout town and onto Bamber and then headed for Preston.

We then came across a whole tribe of scooter reprobates at a very large roundabout and after a short while we were off again, through Preston and onto Blackpool (did you know they have a big iron tower there).
Eventually with no mishaps, breakdowns, punctures or seize ups we arrived at the Start point for the ride into Blackpool. There were quite a number present, not sure how many and the burger bar was very busy. There were a few stalls selling the same stuff you find at most meets, T shirts, badges, spare parts, and a couple of very nice lambos, but no one had a 6v 5w bulb for me……… ah well.

Before long the marshals, and there were loads with their bright green hi vis vests on stated to get things together for the ride into Blackpool. We and quite a few others decided not to do the ride but make our way into Blackpool direct.

This was in no way a slur on the ride organisers, but we heard that the ride would be about another 20 miles or so.

So setting off we made our way into the town centre in glorious sunshine and all the day trippers looking on taking photos and pointing like they do. It made me chuckle once or twice thinking “here they are, by the seaside taking in the brisk sea air…yeh right, more like lungs full of sweet two stroke fumes..

On arriving at the South Pier those at the front of the posse drove onto a large almost deserted car park only to be moved a couple of yards beyond a white line, “cant park here mate it belongs to the pier,” Cheeky sods.

club members at St Annes

So a burger and chips later and a natter we decided to have a ride into St Anne’s where it was a bit quieter, It was Billy’s idea, I think he might be sizing the joint up for retirement .

It was very pleasant apart from just one thing…………that bloody drum band, talk about chinese water torture . After an ice cream or two and waiting for the Red Arrows which we heard but didn’t see,,,,,, but we did see the Lancaster Bomber and I think a Spitfire and a Hurricane, and some kites it was time to get going.

Oh on a side note Alf managed to chat to an old couple for about half an hour at which the old guy kept slowly walking away and looking a bit stressed out, I think his missus nodded off stood up.

Anyway, back to this epic, we donned our lids, pulled our gloves on and set off for home.It was pretty much an uneventful ride back but pleasant in the sunshine but with threatening grey clouds and just hoping that we made it home without getting wet.

Well what can I say, another crackin ride, good weather, good company, and the Red Arrows to boot.

So there you have it,

Pops.





Oh and UTD won 3-1 .