A view over the docks	The Inland Waterways Museum	Arriving	Still arriving!	Trusty Tesco's

Nominations for rider-of-the-month are:-

1. Geoff for being Tireless

2. Brian for trying to chat  up the cafe staff in at the museum

Attendees were: Richard, Terry, Paul, Brian, Andy & Anita, Graham & Dave P..

Electric Mountain Run - Sunday 21 September

The rain that threatened never really came nor did Rob Hughes but did he??? More later.

A record number of 13 bikes made their way to the Electric Mountain at Snowdon although Dave decided he didn't like our company for breakfast and stopped somewhere else! We had a total of 17 people which was easily a record on one of our RAT runs and the rain clouds that threatened never really came to anything as we arrived in Snowdonia. After a fascinating tour under the mountain we then headed off towards the Welsh coast where as soon as turned towards England the sun came out! A total of 235 miles was done and we arrived back around 6.30!

The interesting thing was that whilst making a temporary stop outside Porthmadog who turns up in a car but our long lost Rob Hughes. He pretended that he was just passing but we know he had been following us really!

Getting ready but still no Brian or Geoff!	We are hungry!	Brian curses as he spots that Terry has beat him to being served	The bikes kept rolling in	A happy group at the Electric Mountain - but who is missing?

Attendees were: Geoff, Richard, Terry, Paul, Brian, Michael & Alison, Michael S, Alan & Ann, Les & Yvonne, Dave and Lesley, Dick, Dave and Rob (Much Wenlock).

Summer Party Run

The summer party run proved a bit of a disappointment. Whether it was the weather being so hot or the fact it is peak holiday season only seven bikes showed up. And........ despite only going to Clun we managed to lose Terry on the way who then decided to do the sensible thing and get some breakfast.

In the car park	How did the flag get there?	The flag is seen again on the castle	Has the flag been recovered?

Attendees were: Geoff, Richard, Terry, Paul, Graham & Hilary & ????????.

Michael's Old Relics Run

After all of the recent activities it was perhaps not too surprising that we were down on numbers on this run, especially with regulars Richard and Brian not available. Very few cars were on the road as we wound our way to the Museum of Lost Content at Craven Arms where a huge display of old toot was on display. There was absolutely everything that you remember from your childhood (maybe not the headmaster's cane or the PE teacher's trainer with a blackboard duster insider). Unfortunately there is only one nomination for Rider-of-the-month. It is for Les who decided to treat Yvonne to a nice day out but then ask Geoff to pay for it - how to influence and impress your wife and so many years of happily married bliss!

Attendees were: Geoff, Richard Williams, Michael and Les & Yvonne.

Terry's Hot Hot Breakfast

Was it hot or was it hot. No It was BLOODY hot as Terry took us off to Buxton for a breakfast run. On the hottest day of the year, so far, we enjoyed a good run out to Buxton to Five Ways Cafe.

A welcome sight!	Brian looks back in anguish as we have to leave	A satisfied bunch

Attendees were: Terry, Brian, Geoff, Richard, Paul, Graham and Terry's lad.

June Michael's Hang 'em High Run

So off we went to Wales again for Michael's Hang 'em High Run and believe it or not it did not rain!

A dry Wales beckoned for our early June breakfast run. Despite this our recent winner of Rider-of-the-Month, Simon, still managed to bring his waterproofs just in case. Simon seemed to bask in his new found fame as he then proceeded to have breakfast and get himself a tea cup with no handle!

After breakfast we went off to the Judges' lodgings at Presteigne where organiser Michael then announced that he was not going in! Les made up for it as Richard accidentally (honest) locked Les in the cells. Much to everyone's amusement the staff then struggled to unlock the door.

Arriving at Hay-on-Wye for breakfast	Arriving at Hay-on-Wye for breakfast again	Simon gets his waterproofs out	Simon has the cup with no handle!	Brian and Simon swear that thery were not speeding in Newchurch
Up before the beak	Lunch Time

Attendees were: Richard, Brian, Michael, Simon, Paul and Les.

Spooky Breakfast Run

A dry Wales beckoned for our early June breakfast run. Of course this was all in our dreams as we approached the Welsh border and if like magic the heavens opened and it threw it down. The highlight of the morning was Graham trying to get out of his rain suit only to give up as by then we had finished breakfast and had drunk a second mug of tea. The really interesting thing about Graham though can be revealed in the really spooky photo below. Are these Graham's bones that we can see or something more sinister?

The way back back, in continual rain, was brightened up by constant radar traps. In the pouring rain there were at least two traps with the worst being at Morville, which fortunately only Richard came across.

Attendees were: Richard, Les, Geoff, Terry, Adrian and Graham

May Tony's Virgin Run

Tony's Virgin Run was nearly washed out with only 4 of our regulars being present. With Richard and Reg both in sunnier climates the early rain was not welcome.

Attendees were: Tony, Les, Brian and Rob.

Luvly Grub Run

Well this was our very special additional run for May. A breakfast run to Hilary and Graham's in deepest, wettest (of course), sheepest Wales. To say that Hilary and Graham live off the beaten track would be an understatement. To say that Hilary and Graham do a lovely breakfast would be an understatement.

Seven of our intrepid group (including 5 from Ireland) made their way on a dark cloud day to Graham and Hilary's retreat. Richard provided the eggs and Graham actually managed to make out that he knew how to make the tea. Richard Williams made the long trip all the way from Knighton and even Paul came down from nearby BURTON-ON-TRENT! Thanks to Hilary and Graham and we are now taking bookings for the next run!

Yes Graham can make tea!	Hilary sees the light	Luvly Grub	Our friendly hosts Hilary and Graham	We were there - honestly!

Attendees were: Richard S, Tony, Geoff, Paul, Terry, Richard W and Les.

April Run Out of Steam Run

Yet another run in fine weather, that's three out of three so far this year. The Run Out Of Steam run should have been named the 'Run Out Of Ideas of Where They Could Be Run' for poor old Tony. With meticulous planning he ignored our two meeting places and decided to wait en route for us. A great idea except he did not know our route. The net result was a camera illuminating experience as he desperately rode all over the Cotswolds looking for us. Finally he decided to go to the Railway Museum to meet us there. Amazingly by going to a place that we actually had arranged to go to he actually met us. WELL DONE TONY!

The visit to the Steam Museum was quite uneventful although we managed to get a nice photo under a relevant sign. We all then trooped off to lunch at the pub across the road to be entertained by Geoff doing some Topless posing.

The bikes arrive for lunch	Looking good - us or the steam engine?	Proof that some of the trains still worked	An appropriate sign........	Brian shows us his T-Shirt
Geoff goes topless in the pub!	The Pigeons have revenge on Geoff for going topless

Attendees were: Richard, Tony, Brian, Geoff, Rob, Graham, Michael and Alison.

March Close Encounters Run to Joddrell Bank

We have to thank Reg for leading us on our March run to Joddrell Bank in exceptionally sunny weather. On a glorious March day we met at Wylie & Holland and a total of 10 riders set off for Joddrell Bank and beyond. Rapid progress was made to our breakfast stop at the Bridgemere garden centre. Unfortunately this is where our rapid progress stopped as we encountered the mother-of-all delays. Why? Because they had run out of Hash Browns. Still at least Geoff took the opportunity to retrieve his gloves which he had left on his bike and Tony had the opportunity to get over the shock of running into his wife in the car park. (a funny old co-incidence!)

After breakfast we made our way to Joddrell bank where we were entertained by Geoff sitting down on a turntable and Les holding a wheel (see photos below). Then it was off, after lunch, for a quick run up to the Cat and Fiddle.

The weather was stunning and a good day out was had by all. Attendees were: Richard, Reg, Les, Paul, Tony, Brian, Geoff, Steve, Rob (new member) and Simon from Triumph.

Off we go then	The bikes are hungry	A happy bunch getting ready to queue for ages for breakfast	Arriving at Joddrell Bank	Can anyone guess what Les is doing
Geoff's piles are playing up	Cat and Fiddle

Attendees were: Richard, Reg, Les, Paul, Tony, Brian, Geoff, Steve, Rob (new member) and Simon from Triumph.

February Horseshoe Pass Run

The first run of the year saw us take a breakfast run to the Horseshoe Pass. The weather was a little unpredictable (or of course you could say predictable for this time of year) but we warmed up with one of the Ponderosa's renowned breakfasts. Young Les was trying to conserve the calories as he carries on with his new year fight to become lightweight but the rest of us made up for any calorie loss.

It was pleasing to have two virgins with us on the run; Tony on his Sprint RS and Graham on his Sprint. Both were totally immaculate for about 200 yards!

This first run gave us the opportunity to vote for the rider of the month and the honour of holding the prestigious RAT mug for a month. There are three contenders for this month and please e-mail Richard before next month's meeting to cast your vote (or phone). Please see below for the contenders and their reasons.

Attendees were: Richard, Reg, Les, Tony, Brian, Geoff, Terry and Graham.