There’s a healthy contingent of RC readers in the south-west of England and, as NVNL reports, they have plenty to do at this time of year...

Although I missed it, RC member and fellow Meridenist, Mike Curtis the Section Marshal, sent me some pictures of the 2008 VMCC Scrumpy Run. Another RCer from the West Country, Dave Barkshire, was also on the run and appears in the photos.

Dave says; ‘If your idea of a good day out is a ride along one of the most spectacular coastlines in Britain, riding an old motorcycle in perfect weather, then the 2008 VMCC Scrumpy Run was about as good as you’ll get.

‘The previous Scrumpy Run was a soaking experience as the lanes turned into boulder-strewn rivers with the handful of starters all looking like drowned rats. So it was with great relief that the great British summer decided to make its grand entrance in the nick of time.

‘The Scrumpy Run takes in some very small Exmoor lanes with steep gradients and hairpins which makes it suitable for easily manageable machines with good brakes, but there were a few exotics with close ratio gearboxes which had to work very hard to get around.

‘The motorcycles were mostly a mix of post-vintage and classic British machinery as well as a civilianized WW2 Harley and a two-speed “biscuit
barrel” Scott and a 1930 BSA.’

The Scrumpy Run started and finished by the seafront in Ilfracombe, Devon. Mike Curtis reckons ‘We are so lucky to live in the West Country. Last week I went on the Devon Section VMCC Scrumpy Run from Ilfracombe, and then the following weekend I rode with Cornish Section on the VMCC Dartmoor Run from Bodmin, through Tavistock Princetown, lunch at Grimspound, then on to Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmeet for ice cream, Tavistock again and home, 150 miles in total.’

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The Devon section of the VMCC meet every third Thursday of the month at the Half Moon Inn at Tiverton, from 8pm. The Cornwall section meet at the Truro Cricket Club on Malpas Road at 8pm on the last Friday of each month. More details about the sections and VMCC can be found at www.vmcc.net, and if you’d like to ride in either the Scrumpy or Dartmoor Runs next year then the sections will be able to give you the details.

However, the fun isn’t over for West Country riders just yet. Don’t forget the RC Rideabout from Broadwoodwidger on the longest day, 21/6/08. Details here - http://workwonders.org/classic-motorcycling and all are welcome.

Plus the Holsworthy Vintage Rally takes place on the last weekend of June 2008 -- a wide variety of classic entertainment featuring old cars, tractors, stationary engines, steam engines, military machines and a goodly selection of classic bikes (many of them belonging to RC readers). Plus shire horses, birds of prey, country crafts and so on, with evening entertainment on Saturday and good refreshments. It’s now at the New Show Field with more room for camping, situated one mile west on the Holsworthy to Bude road next to the golf club. There’s (free; donations appreciated) camping on Friday and Saturday nights with refreshments; vintage auction and boot sale on the Saturday with the big rally itself on Sunday 29th June. Contact Section Marshall Mike for more info: 07967 900403.