Sometimes you need an excuse to take your classic bike for a ride. RC readers join in the Norton Challenge, which leads them to all manner of strange locations...

In The Spirit Of Things

You know how we said you could ride any old bike on the Norton Challenge, and that it didn't need to have any kind of Norton connection? Well, Bruce Pollard ignored all that. He was on a Norton, his Big 4, travelling to a Norton Owners' Club event, so he couldn't resist bagging a couple of Nortons en route.

One is near the Roman remains at Wroxeter while the other is about five miles north of Bridgnorth. And we happen to know that those bulging pannier bags contain a very cute kettle and tea set…

Wine at Wroxeter

Robin Ellis had a very similar idea, and rode his 1930 Ariel Model G over the Wenlock Edge to find the Norton near Wroxeter. 'All we could find was the sign referring to, amongst other places, Norton itself, Wroxeter Roman City -- and Wroxeter Vineyard.' Oh well. Could be worse - finding a vineyard is never too much of a chore, is it? And Rob confirms that 'Wroxeter Vineyard has, since 2004, held the record for growing the most northerly red wine grapes in the world.' Add that to the things you didn't know before the Norton Challenge started…

Ariels on eBay.co.uk

Child's Play

Martin Luker 'could not resist the challenge' and these are some of the results of his travels.

He reckons 'more coffee stops should have these types of toys to encourage the young generation!'

Dublin Delight RC readers in Ireland have had a particularly tough challenge because there really aren't that many places called Norton on the emerald isle. As Peter Redmond explains; 'Irish place names vary between the un-spellable and the un-say-able!' However, he was undaunted and went on a voyage of discovery to uncover … drum roll… Nortons Avenue. Excellent effort, Peter: double team points (whatever they are).

Harley Davidsons on eBay.co.uk

Karl in Kent

'Just to ease the gloom of broken crankcases' says KarlB, 'I decided to go out and find a Norton for the RC collection. This one is just outside Faversham in Kent. I had to be quick as a monster hedge cutter was headed my way! That's Gorby, my 300cc engined MZ ETZ, lurking in front.'

Blo' Me Down

Nigel Macbeth grabbed this snap on a 'very pleasant afternoon at Blo' Norton church in Norfolk. Blo' Norton became famous as the home of the last member of Punjab royalty. His father, the last Sikh king of the Punjab, was banished to live in England by the British. His son, Prince Frederick Victor Duleep Singh, was quite the British gent, which isn't surprising as he was educated at Eton and Cambridge. He even joined the British army and served in France during WW1.

CBXes on eBay.co.uk

He died and was buried at St Andrews church, Blo' Norton in 1926. His father and brother are buried at Elveden Hall nearby. None of the family ever visited the Punjab, they appear to have adopted the UK as their home and even became Christians. I have no idea why it's called Blo' Norton... sounds like something one says when your bike has a gasket problem!'

Cider Country

Rob Norton has been out touring the West Country lanes; 'awkward places to stop, those Somerset roads!' he says. Still, that didn't prevent him bagging Norton Malreward, Midsomer Norton, Norton St Phillip, Norton Ferris and Norton Bavant. We would say that his Command looks a bit cleaner this month but… that would be a fib!

All Hands To The Pumps

Down on the Sussex coast near to where Jon Pelling is based, a pumping station at Norton has recently been refurbished. So 'I thought I should go and find it. It's as good a reason as any for a ride-out! I had to use the Beemer as my Commando is broken…

Just inland from Seaford, through Bishopstone, on a dead end road I found a lovely cluster of houses at the edge of the downs and the afore-mentioned pumping station but no Norton name sign, not even on the pumping station itself. So I had to make do with Norton Farm.' No problem Jon; hey, at least you got to where you intended to go - not all Norton Challenges go so smoothly…

Prince of Darkness

Denis Philips scores extra points this month for his initiative in locating Lucas Way while on a '56 mile bimble in the Herts/Beds countryside.'

He also 'stumbled upon two Nortons that had escaped my attention in March. The photos were taken at great risk to my personal safety as it was a tiny lane marked frequently by mounds of tomato fertiliser left by the local gentry's horses!'

Tricky Decision

Paul White had a tough decision to make. It was Sunday morning. The sun was shining. 'Do I cut the grass and trim the hedge, or venture forth and bag a few more Norton? As you can see, the choice was easy! Now I wonder if my mower will start…

And Finally…

Robin Haigh's sign which came from 'the late, great Harold Daniell's shop in Forest Hill' doesn't actually count! But thanks for the thought. Thanks also to Roy Sapsford for his info on other Nortons for us to find.

-------------

Do It Too!

You too could escape domestic drudgery for a few hours. Grab any motorcycle and claim to be participating in an international survey of all Nortons known to man. (And woman, of course.) (And indeterminate objects). Send us a snap by post or email and your efforts will appear in the magazine or at www.NortonChallenge.net

And (gasp! Excitement!) we'll even send you a sticker…