RC readers prove that you don't need to ride a Norton to take part in our Norton Challenge. Any old bike will do: just drag it out of the garage and take it to somewhere called 'Norton'...

We had expected that the Norton Challengers would fall dormant over the winter - but no. Even after the 2009 Challenge officially finished at the Malvern Show, we continued to receive photos from keen classic riders who take advantage of any excuse to get out on their old bikes. Given that the weather has been particularly horrid of late, you all deserve considerable credit for your efforts (and your bikes need a good clean. Why are you inside reading this when you could be shivering in the shed, splashing on the Autosol?)

In the face of such determination, we'll be running a slightly revised version of the Norton Challenge in 2010, because you all obviously don't have enough to do with your time. There's a rumour that the Norton Owners' Club will be joining the fray, and there will be a couple of opportunities to meet up with Frank-the-Editor and bag a Norton or two en masse.

But in the meanwhile there is nothing to stop you firing up your classic bike - which could be a Triumph, BSA, Velo, Enfield, Douglas, Ducati, Honda or even a Harley-Davidson - because (draws deep breath) you don't have to ride a Norton to take part in the Norton Challenge. Got that? Go to a place called Norton. No need to ride a Norton. Very straightforward. We award prizes at the end of the year for people who got the gist, and sent us suitably entertaining photos of their bikes next to signs which say 'Norton'. Extra points if you can get yourself into the photos (without getting arrested).

Martin Peacock was one of the first participants in the 2009 Norton Challenge, and he's also been the first to get into gear this year and send us a suitable snap. 'I actually went out because the roads were dry-ish, the sun was bright and I hadn't been on a bike since before Christmas. Then I realised it was a year ago that I first ventured out in search of Nortons. And so my route inevitably led to Norton.

The snow on the not-so distant Cleveland Hills was not a surprise, but the snow on the roads around Norton was. An unpleasant one too, as the resulting slush meant another dreary session of not quite getting rid of all the salt from the Triumph's dodgy chrome, exposed alloy and oh so many crevices. That bloke who wrote in and talked about choosing a bike by the effectiveness of its mudguards (RC66) had a point. Maybe…' It was worth it, Martin. If not for the pleasure of the ride itself, then you've earned the kudos of being the first Challenger to score points this season.

And here's a Welsh Norton which Dave Danielsen bagged. 'Everyone else missed it' he says; 'it's a hamlet on the downs above Ogmore in South Glamorgan.' And yes, that is a Norton he's riding. (Sigh). 'I took Frank's advice and bought an 850. It's a real stonker!'

But Fred Homer has the right idea about which bike to ride, as seen here. 'This one with my 1958 Velocette MAC was taken just outside Dartmouth in Devon during the brief bright spell today before the rain returns. I was out for a run to try out the clutch which I have just rebuilt, and it is fine!' Lovely MAC, Fred. If we ever need someone to help us adjust a Velo clutch then we know who to ask…

Velo-bits on eBay.co.uk

And here's another not-a-Norton at-a-Norton. Angus Campbell's Rickman Interceptor was off the road for most of last season after two rebuilds: 'don't ask' says Angus, following big end failure on the way to Belgium.

'So having just completed the work and wanting to give it an initial shakedown, what better way than to take the chance to participate in the Norton Challenge on a cold but mainly dry day? I rode over to Kings Norton in Leicestershire. This small village is known for its rather fabulous but relatively young 18th century gothic revival church', and Angus sent us a photo of that, too, just so we could admire it.

The Interceptor is 'number 77 of about 130, built in 1971 but not sold until '75 from Elite, whose original bill of sale I have. If only similar classics cost the same these days!'

Wonderfully, the next Norton out of the file also admirably demonstrates that you DO NOT NEED A NORTON to take part in the Norton Challenge. (Is the message getting across? Do we need to say this louder?).

Young Karl from Kent took his baby blue MZ to a suitably Nortonian location. What a handsome saddle that bike has. What splendid front suspension. And what an ideal Norton sign, which as Karl explains 'was a mere five minutes from home. It's amazing what you can find when you use Google maps!' Hmm. Most of the time we follow googlemaps we end up in the middle of nowhere without a sniff of a Norton in sight (if it is possible to see something that smells - yes, you're quite right, we should stop now for tea).

And finally, then, we are indebted to Robert Morris for his wonderful Notron photo. 'Last year I went on a club run to the National Cycle Museum in Llandrindod Wells. The museum is housed in the former motor showroom of Tom Norton Limited, which is a Grade II listed building dating from the early 20th century and also known as the Automobile Palace. The exterior is preserved in its original art-deco style, with signage in relief on large tiles. However, in the process of restoration a little bit of dyslexia has evidently crept in, for on the side of the building the tiles have been misapplied to spell NOTRON, as seen here!'