Newsletter February 2010

A note from your Editor

Hi All

As the Season begins we sit in hope that after such a long cold winter, spring will soon warm up the atmosphere. Lets hope we have a long hot summer, I’m sure we are due one? The first ride out was on new years day, the second being Valentines Day with the first Rally (the Chalet Rally in Southport)at the end of this month. An early start for us this year as usually the first rally is the Cider Rally. There’s lots of us going so should be fun. Wouldn’t it be nice if it warmed up so we could use our bikes? Not much hope of that eh? I dare say there may be some brave souls turn up on their bike. Not me though its way too cold. Yes I agree I’m a wimp J.

The AGM brought no surprises with nearly all the Committee continuing with their roles. Here are the changes:- Middi (Chris Middleton)stood down as rally coordinator but moved to be a Road Captain. Middi will however be overseeing our own Howling 10 Rally and will need help from us all to ensure it runs as smooth as it can. Please contact Middi with your offer of help. Any help is much appreciated after all it’s our rally and we should all muck in to ensure it is the best yet! Goode (Mark Goode) has taken up the position of Rally Coordinator; he will be assisted by Dave Williams (Treasurer) and Rowle John (Rowley ) the new (Crap 5^th) Club Secretary who has also taken on memberships from Pete Tyson. Pete has also moved to be a Road Captain. Karl Smith has taken over as Club Photographer, and taking up a new position on the Committee is (Lady) Lesley Marvin as Merchandising Officer.

Signing off for now

Ride Safe

Sue x

Website

For all new members please note the address for the club website is http://www.spiritofchapelash.com. Here you will find a host of entertainment which will keep you coming back for more. From photo’s of members and their rides, to rally and ride out photos, to the club forum where you can chat and find out the times and places for meetings / ride outs and rallies etc.(for a log in please contact Wimpy). Items for sale, topics of interest and the events calendar are also included. Check out Radio SOCA whilst you surf, you’ll keep coming back for more.

All this is thanks to Wimpy and his assistant Rowle.

SOCA Committee

Chairman
Bob Osbourne..... bob.osbourne@btinternet.com....Tel: 07836 790016
Treasurer
David Williams..... scampy74p@yahoo.co.uk....Tel: 07552 394009
Secretary (incl. Memberships )
John Rowley..... johnnjoe@blueyonder.co.uk....Tel: 07802 918088
Entertainments
Roger Sterenberg..... skybhx@alpha-group.com....Tel: 07966 197129
Assistants.....Ali Ruth Gill
Safety Officer
John Perfect.....harley_eagle6@yahoo.co.uk.....Tel: 01922 417725
Road Captains
Gerry Motherwell.....gerrymotherwell@yahoo.co.uk.....Tel: 07974 986802
Pete Dodd..... k4pwd@blueyonder.co.uk.....Tel: 07710 270901
Chris Middleton.....middimiddleton@aol.com.....Tel: 07950 304105
Garry Green.....alicat190868@aol.com.....Tel: 01902-844423
John Perfect.....harley_eagle6@yahoo.co.uk.....Tel: 01922 417725
Gary Hawkins..... g.hawkins@impulsebathrooms.co.uk....Tel: 07764 971131
Pete Tyson..... oscar1@blueyonder.co.uk....Tel: 07798 857183
Webmaster
John Green.....bilcat1@gmail.com.....Tel: 07710 354547
Rally Co-ordinator
Mark Goode.....markgoode123@yahoo.com.....Tel: 07977 222363
Editors
Sue Hughes .. mickschopper@msn.com..Tel: 07812 572253
Pat Sterenberg..... skybhx@alpha-group.com.....Tel: 07976 ---
Photographer
Karl Smith.....karllps@aol.com.....Tel: 07885 588399
Merchandising Officer
Lesley Marvin.....lesleymarvin@msn.com.....Tel: 07500 750108

Notices

	For Sale 1998 Heritage Springer Bobtail 1340 Black & Blue coachwork Fishtail pipes chrome front end. VGC 10500 miles Call Kim on 01902 441375 Or 07880 775512

Rally News

Below for your Calendars are most Rally dates for 2010.

Also noted some other events you might enjoy

Name Club organising it Website

26-28^th February 2010 - Chalet Rally

30th April to 3rd May -Cider - Bridgewater http://www.bridgwaterhog.co.uk/

14 to 17 May -SOCA Borth Holiday speak to gerrymotherwell@yahoo.co.uk

14 to 17 May -Iron horse rally St Ledger http://www.stlegerhog.org.uk/

28 to 30 May -The Gathering Clyde valley http://www.clydevalleyhog.net/

4th to 6th June -Hog on the Humber ?? www.hullbikers.com

4th to 6th June -Big Brum bash B’ham chapter http://www.birminghamhog.co.uk/newsite/

11 to 13 June -Peak district rally Peak Riders http://www.peakriders.co.uk/frames.htm

18th to 20th June -Circus Maximus 3 Deva Legion http://www.devalegionhog.co.uk/

2 to 4 July -Horseshoe rally Rutland (sycamore) http://www.sycamorehd.co.uk/

2nd to 4th July -Howling 10 SOCA http://spiritofchapelash.com/index.asp

9th to 11th July -Hogs in the Hayfields Great western HOG http://www.greatwesternhog.co.uk/gwc1/

16th to 18th July -Rainy Daze Rainy City http://www.rainycityhdc.com/

22nd to 25th July -Fenlanders Fenlanders http://www.fenlandershog.com/

6th to 8th Aug -South of England Rally Mixed clubs http://www.sofer.uk.com/

13^t to 15^th Aug -Ridings Rally Ayre Valley

30th Jully to 1st Aug -Knot Rally Bridgewater http://www.bridgwaterhog.co.uk/

6 to 8 Aug -Hog n Bog (Ireland) Province wide http://www.provincewidehog.com/

20th to 22nd Aug -Back to basics Nene Valley http://www.nenevalleyhog.co.uk/nene/

27 to 30 Aug -Thunder in the glens Dunedin http://www.dunedinhog.com/

27th to 29th August -SOCA weekend SOCA http://www.spiritofchapelash.com/

2nd to 5th Sept -Sherwood Rally Sherwood Notts chapter http://www.sherwoodchapter.co.uk/

2nd Oct -RTTW 3 All http://www.rttw.org/

16 to 17 Oct -Hoggin the Bridge

Please check the forum and events calendar on the website for further information and additional dates etc.

To book please see your Rally coordinator’s Goode, Rowle or Dave the Cash.

LAS VEGAS (Did you know we went to Las Vegas??)

Gill, Middi, Yance, and Lesley’s trip to Vegas (Oh and Malc and Ruth went too!)

PART TWO NEXT MONTH

2 STROKE SPLUTTERING ON:-

King of SOCA Riders (2 Strokes Top 5)

The purpose of this spluttering is praise and recognition for good riding and all 5 are excellent in their own individual way.

My Bronze Award:-

 Three people all share this in no particular order -

Dave the Cash - Fantastic anchor man. Totally dependable. Rides with total ease, silky smooth, often found with feet out on forward boards 90% of the time. Gives a lot to the club.

Mr Tyson - Text book rider with total confidence in what he does, leads a good ride out which passes confidence through to others on the ride.

Gaz Arnold - This guy can mix it. Very quick when he wants to be and when he is in a group ride out, smooth and dependable and looks after others. Very good to follow or be followed by, usually by me. If I did a long way down or around type of ride then he would be the one for me.

My Silver Award with a Gilt finish:-

This character needs no explanation but I'll try. 100% on the money, does more for us on ride outs sometimes than the road captain or the sweeper. Reads the road both in front and behind for himself and others.  He is MR SOCA I think, It's our very own Malc.   

When I joined the club and started ride outs I would say to myself "what the f*** is he doing?" "Why is he stopping over to the left or the right lane?" Then the penny dropped. He, as always, was looking after others, protecting us from undertaking or overtaking motorists. The more I watch him the more I learn and that's just on 2 wheels, add a trailer to the equation and he is even better. He has passed me (bike and trailer) going to Rainy Daze doing 90+ but is that KMPH or MPH, I will let you decide! 

Now I have got your attention, because Malc didn't get gold I will reveal Numero Uno.

My Gold Award:-

Roy (Yetman)

Very rare sight in SOCA world, generally comes out when it's warmer (biking weather) also if Nogg or Pockets are playing out. 

My first ride with Roy was returning from Heart and Soul Rally via Norway, I think, as Blue Leader was leading and was on the look out for planes as usual. The only words I could use to describe how Roy rides with such ease and a kind of un hurried slow motion is imagine BUDDHA on a magical carpet ride. He rides so smooth and looks after others, like Malc does. He holds back but is always on the right of you in your mirror when you go for the move. Super slick, very modest but highly polished. Excellent rider that rides a proper bike (Evo softail). 

Hope to see a lot of him this year, look out for Roy! (Wears a lot of leather with loads of badges, I think I am in the shit!!!) 

Right now you are all thinking - not many of these are road captains, but what's in a badge hey?

Most of them have been there and got the T Shirt and Mr 'T' has returned to the team, I am glad to say. 

This is a one off, NO more ass kissing for me. 5 is enough for anyone.

Yours forever thoughtful

2 STROKE.  

NEXT MONTH - Thoughts for safer riding.

Spot the Dummy?????

From the Joker

Women Drivers ?????????

This morning on the motorway, I looked over to my right and there was a Woman 
In a brand new BMW Doing  75Mph 
With her face up next to her rear view mirror 
Putting on her eyeliner. 
I looked away For a couple seconds! 
And when I looked back she was halfway over in my lane, 
Still working on that makeup. 
As a man, I don't scare easily.
But she scared me so much; I dropped

My electric shaver, 
Which knocked the meat pie out of my other hand. 
In all the confusion of trying to straighten out the car 
Using my knees against

The steering wheel,
It knocked 

My Mobile phone 
Away from my ear Which fell 
Into the coffee 
Between my legs, 
Splashed, And burned 
Big Jim and the Twins,
Ruined the phone, 
Soaked my trousers, 
And disconnected an Important call. 

  BL00DY women drivers!!

Granddad reminiscing about the Good Old Days

"When I were a lad, my  mum would send me down to da corner store wiv' a Pound, and I'd come back wiv' five pounds o' potatoes, two loaves o' bread, three pints o' milk, a pound o' cheese, a packet o' tea, an' 'alf  a dozen eggs.
Yer can't do that now...too many fucken security cameras."

Toxic Clown (Part Three)

Welcome to an addition to your newsletter. This will fall into the “marmite” section, you’re gonna love it or hate it?? This will cover items of interest or boring or observations on life, as stated “marmite”………………………………………………………………………

The Burial. How not to buy a flag and how to tell which sectarian area is which, without stopping to ask.

Now that the layout of the Hotel had been established, we went for a tour of the Castle, the Town and had the traditional Ulster fry. If you’ve never had one of these then it’s another to put on your list before you die. Last visit of the day was to see our Grandmother who still reigns supreme. Sitting on her throne and dishing out the customary bollickings, reminding you of when and where you should have been and who’s done and not done what! “You can call again tomorrow!” was the last ear-full as we beat a retreat. No wonder the Irish men drink at 10.00 in the morning. After dinner we decided to forego the night clubs and Disco’s and have an early night. Going to pick the keys up we were met at reception by a dozen girls with pleated mini-shirts and the longest legs I’d seen since visiting the Giraffe enclosure. Alas not for me, this was a visiting Hockey team just back from their latest battle – ho hum off to bed then.

BURIAL DAY. After a light breakfast we escorted the Ashes to the car and set off towards Belfast. Straight through Belfast onto Ballynahinch to the family plot at Edengrove Cemetery. The weather had started out sunny but now we got the grey clouds and light drizzle. Why is it always like this in cemeteries? The view was pleasant and the area peaceful so good resting place. We were met by one of our cousins who had done all the groundwork (not literally), the plot had been opened and a space dug for Mother. Sis and I were then left alone to do the deed. Funny as you stand there looking at a pot in a hole – are you supposed to chuck earth in? – do you say a prayer (if you know one)? Or sing a song?? This is weird, is it the stress of the occasion or not knowing what to do that starts a reaction that becomes infectious. Yep, you got it, the giggles start, slow at first, stop it, deep breathes control, then you look at each other and it starts worse than before. This then leads to side effects, your knees go weak and you have to hang onto headstones to keep upright, then your stomach hurts so you’re holding that as well!! All of this is helped by the tears running down your face. You need to breathe so resting on a headstone you put your head in your arms to try to, firstly stop looking at each other and secondly get air into your lungs. Now if the other person starts off again so do you. From a distance this must have looked very moving, a brother and sister, heads in arms propped against headstones with their shoulders shaking and tears streaming down their faces. It must have been the Irish air or nerves but we managed to walk back to the car without looking at each other and were cordially invited to go for a cup of tea and a scone to recover from our ordeal at the Graveside. Please don’t look at me Sis!!

After tea break Sis and I left and decided to stop in the Town centre for lunch. Sis takes wrong turn, as women are entitled to do, “exploring the area” she says. “Fine do you know what area your in?” says I. “ County Down” she says. “I didn’t mean that have you noticed the flags” I reply. “Yes pretty aren’t they” says Sis. “ For ****s sake! What sort of flags are they?” I ask. “Well its not a British one is it ?” replied Sis dead chuffed she got a general knowledge question right ha. “Well done, now carefully turn the car round and head back the way we came” I sighed. Sis complied and 5mins later she asked “Why are those kerb stones painted red, white and blue?” “ So you know where you are Sis , so you know where you are!” bigger sigh from me.

THE FLAG. Finally got to the Town centre and got some lunch. I had “Champ” and Sis had horse. Suitably refreshed we went looking for a shop that sold Flags cos I wanted to take one home. Just down the road spotted a shop that looked like it sold everything for the tourist, so in we went. The layout was easy to follow “NOT” everything there but no order, so asked the young girl assistant “Do you sell flags love?” “ Yes we do, I’ll show you what we’ve got” replied the young lass and took us on a half mile journey through the shop to find a basket full of Flags. “Would it be this one your looking for ?” showing me green and other colour Flags. “No pet I want the Ulster Flag!” I said. “Oh there won’t be one in there then!” she said evenly. She then took a step into the gangway and shouted at the top of her voice “BRENDAN! WOULD YOU BE HAVING AN ULSTER FLAG??” Firstly the name rang alarm bells (“Sis “ I hissed “we’re in the wrong shop”) and secondly the silence that descended on the whole shop was more than deafening. Even the tills stopped working, slowly people started to breathe again and music started to play (Hells Bells I think). From the back of the shop a guy came up with a brown paper bag and said, “Here you are, now for fek’s sake don’t open it up in here!!” Well nod nod, wink wink, Sis and I in car and out of town before posse could be summoned. In no time at all back in Carrickfergus with FLAG HA.. Well the remainder of the day was taken up with signing off from Grandmother, few bits of shopping and the evening spent in a pleasant fore-shore restaurant. Back to Hotel and one last night before setting off home alone (Sis was staying to do some serious shopping in Belfast). Having dropped Sis off in Belfast (another story) I deposited the car back at the Hire Park at the Airport and went to catch my flight.

Now you know I was fore-armed so to speak of all the wrangles to get on the flight coming out, right! No wrong! Went to Ticket office to get boarding pass that would scan, no, you get that from the check in desk!! Oh ok get new pass as I check in. Precede and join queue for flight, thro security and still got hold of boarding pass for scanning when girl comes along and takes all the tickets “ It hasn’t been scanned love” I state “ None of the others have either, get on the plane!” she says. WHAT!! As the plane took off I looked down at Belfast and smiled to myself that regardless of all the troubles, the people here share the same hereditary trait of all Irish, THEY’RE ALL ******* MAD!

Next issue Shopping Wars.TC

Celebrations - Happy Birthday

A Very Happy Birthday to those of you celebrating your Birthday in March.

Bob Cadawalader - 3^rd March

Ride Safe

Sue J x