The riding season draws to a close, and with it the RealClassic Norton Challenge winds down for winter. But that might not be all she wrote...

When we suggested that people might like to take a motorcycle and ride to somewhere called 'Norton', we didn't really expect quite so many folks to find quite so many places. Frank-the-Editor anticipated being among the high scorers, because he goes on an entirely entertaining excursion each month and seeking Nortons seemed like a good excuse. His total is under 30, however, and there are some Challengers who've bagged multiples of that number. Meanwhile, the overseas Challengers have clocked up thousands of miles in their pursuit of places called Norton - it's been astonishing to watch!

The final round-up will appear in the December 09 issue of the magazine (RC68) and it'll reveal just how many Nortons were bagged by the high-scorer and what his reward will be. We've also awarded prizes for those folks who put in absurdly enthusiastic efforts - if you've bagged any Nortons yourself them you might be on the list. Meanwhile, the quest goes on while there's still daylight to ride by…

Norton Blue?

To add something to the Norton Challenge I decided to visit Norton Green, just west of Stevenage. Unfortunately it doesn't have a village sign, so I had to make do with Norton Green Road, which no longer goes to Norton Green as someone built the A1(M) across it, but it is the site of the Wine Society, so well worth a pilgrimage anyway.

Here's my 1975 Morini 3 ˝ Strada (I know, who can resist a bum-stop seat...) on Norton Green Road. Now, if someone can find a Morini Blue Road, that would be well worth a visit. Incidentally, I'm sure I remember a Norton Disney just outside Lincoln, which could inspire a Norton-based film title game. Featherbedknobs and broomsticks was my first thought...

Mark Bailey

Featherbed Found

The rules of the Norton Challenge are… there ain't no rules to the Norton Challenge. Even so, some people thought they needed to ride a Norton in order to take part. Nope, not so, as AndyC ably demonstrates. Heck, one of his Nortons ain't even called Norton!

Lightweights!

As my bike is a lightweight (1961 Crusader Sports), and my friends say I'm a lightweight too, I thought I'd celebrate Norton's unsung lightweight twins and bagged these three locally (I'm a lightweight, remember!).

I couldn't find an Electra Street but thought Rowena's bike should be included so thanks to Electra TV and Film in Brentford for permission to take a smudge of their premises.

Dan Stevens

Win Some, Lose Some

Steve Adcock would score extra points for creatively bagging Norton Plastics in Ilkeston (we like your style, Steve), but then lost all the points and several million more for his 'typing error'… Dreadful joke, Steve!

Honda 750s on eBay.co.uk

Stateside

Here's my pitifully overloaded 1982 Harley Shovelhead FXRS in Norton, Kansas, USA. I was on my annual trip between Detroit, MI and Oakland, CA. It took eight days this time and was 3300-plus miles (I took the long route). Norton is usually unbearably hot but it was early September and foggy for some reason.

Notice the obligatory 'meth warning' sign; a pretty sorry but unfortunately common state of affairs in the rural USA. Also note semi-consumed box of popcorn bungeed on!

Keith

Outward BM-Bound

I ride quite a bit and during my life have owned some 31 machines. The present BMW is one of the last of this model and was manufactured in June 1976.

It now has about 24,000 miles on the clock at present, and took me to these western Nortons with ease.

David Evans