Overall the Marshals and Officials took to their usual duties and the day ran smoothly. It is a great pleasure that all of these kind people lend their time and efforts to put on the event - and thanks also to all those who have dusted down these fine machines so that they can be seen and heard once again. One or two riders asked for their thanks to be passed to the spectators for a much-needed push up Sunrising hill.

The timed competition had 238 riders; 32 Golds were awarded and a record number of 52 Silver awards. Des James was pleased to equal a couple of past winners of the oldest bike/rider trophy by winning it for the eighth successive year - and you have to complete the full course each time. His total this year was almost 183 years -- not bad for an 86 year old!

The judges were very impressed with both rider and machine standards, and many riders dressed for the occasion. It is also worth noting that a 1902 machine can still complete 30 miles in today's traffic conditions. And we had slightly fewer breakdowns that needed recovery this year. The awards were presented by Harry Wiles - the 2007 VMCC President - and full results can be found at www.banbury-run.co.uk

Dodging The Downpours at Rye

This year the Rye Classic Bike Show and Bikejumble was again held at its now familiar venue opposite Mountain Farm at Hamstreet. After a fine and sunny Saturday, Sunday dawned with building storm clouds that realised a deluge of near biblical proportions right on cue at 7am. The arriving stallholders held on to their hats and everything else with true British determination and were rewarded with bright sunshine and a drying breeze by 10 o'clock

1937 Ariel Red Hunter

Unfortunately the early hostile weather kept a fair number of the 165 bikes booked into the show at home. The organisers and show-goers think that the 50 who risked the possibility of a lot of extra cleaning deserve extra credit. A good turn out from the BSA Owners Club (Kent), Cinque Ports Classic Motor Cycle Club and Medway Triumph Owners Club certainly proved that these old machines will run in the wet! The band struck up at 11am and the sun kept shining, making for a very pleasant time searching the stalls, supping a beer and chatting the chat.

RC Clubman Karl Bentley had his camera to hand, and took these snaps of the prize-winning 1937 Ariel Red Hunter belonging to Gary Piggott; the winner of the Best Club Stand, John Michael on the BSAOC (Kent branch) stand; and a handsome 1956 BSA Golden Flash fitted with Wessex Sports Sidecar.

1956 BSA Golden Flash fitted with Wessex Sports Sidecar

We're looking forward to a long Indian summer to ensure fine weather for the next Bikejumble at Hamstreet on Sunday 16th September. Call 01797 344277 for details or visit www.elk-promotions.co.uk

Honda GB500

The VJMC Classic Motorcycle Show and Autojumble

Starting a show from scratch is a daunting task, and to celebrate their club's 25th anniversary the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club took the plunge with their two-day event at Uttoxeter Racecourse in July 2007.

Club members poured hours of effort into the pre-event organisation which certainly paid off on the day; teething troubles were kept under control and the general impression was of a smoothly-run and well planned event.

1960's 350cc Yamaha YR3

Although the focus was inevitably on Japanese machines, the VJMC went to considerable lengths to ensure that all classic motorcycles were well represented. In the end there were over 60 major motorcycle clubs representing Japanese, European, British and American marques and among them were tiny bikes - the Bantam Owners' Club - and huge ones; the CBX1000 Riders' Club.

Random Bantams Stuff on eBay.co.uk

In total more than 600 classic bikes were on display, from Vincents to Tritons and including all types of Japanese classics, alongside autojumble and trade stands and other entertainments, which kept the 10,000 visitors very happy. Even the weather was obligingly good, although a maze of halls and marquees meant that rain would not have stopped play in any case.

The VJMC will be building on the success of this inaugural event with a similar show in 2008, on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July, back at Uttoxeter Racecourse again. See www.vjmc.com