Cheddar Weekend and Trial (April 2023)

Organiser’s commentary

Saturdays Social Run, of 72 miles, took place on a perfect motor cycling day. After the traffic light drag through Bridgwater, the Quantock Hills were looking their best, with many different wild flowers and the new greens of spring, all under a blue sky and with little traffic. Return trip to Cheddar was on some faster bend swinging roads with a less stressful route through Bridgwater, followed by more riding on the levels.

The lunch, of baked potatoes, at Nether Stowey Church Centre, with it’s background of `vintage’ music, was provided by Section members.

Sunday’s Trial of 25 `friendly’ miles for the older machines, mostly on the levels with a dip (climb) into Mendips was enjoyed by an exclusive group on machines up to 1915. (See Reg Eyre’s comments below – ed.)

The longer route of 47 miles took riders straight up, via the gorge, onto The Mendip Hills, then, with long views into Dorset and Quantocks and Exmoor, down into Wells. Back over the Mendips to Chewton Mendip for riding tests. Again over the Mendips to Cheddar Football Club for a quiz, Feely Bags and ploughman’s lunch.

MANY THANKS:- To section member’s for support in running the weekend. Particular thanks to Ruth and her team for Saturday’s Lunch. To Jill for her Piano Playing and marshalling the en-route Highway Code check on Sunday. To James for the back up Van, used once!

THANKS to you ALL for joining us in Somerset and making it worth the effort!

DAVE BOON

Cheddar Road Trial 2023 – A View from a Veteran

The ‘Cheddar’ is usually the second event of the year in the Western Region Road Trials Championship and this year’s event was two weeks after the Cotswold Road Trial.

I have ridden in this event for many years, usually on a veteran machine, and in the company of some well known riders of ancient machinery, such as Terry Scotchmer, Dave Joyce and John Underhill. Sadly, John and has left us to join the company of ex-TT BSA riders in a grander place, but it was with great pleasure that I was able to chat with Terry, even though he had chosen not to ride.

I was informed that Colin Bentham had planned a special route for veteran machines across the Somerset levels and that there may be some slightly steep gradients, both up and down. Another bonus was that Colin would be leading the group of veteran machine riders and Phil would be riding rear gunner to keep modern vehicles from getting too close to our rear wheels. Our select band of 2.5 veteran machines set off at 10.30 with Colin leading on his 1914 Triumph Model C, pedalling to get started, Richard Gray on his 1915 Douglas 4hp model, hence the 0.5 since 1915 is one year off the veteran cut-off date of 1914, and I started my 1913 Sunbeam by using the civilised kick starter. We soon turned off the manic A371 and headed into the Flatlands of Somerset, where the roads were narrow but mainly populated by cyclists and the oncoming vehicles appeared to be most courteous by pulling over to the left and giving us space to pass by.

I can still remember travelling these roads when peat extraction was allowed, and now this is not allowed, the area is like water meadows with plenty of natural distractions such as wild life and interesting fauna. We did have to slow down near a farm where the tractor user had spread mud over the road surface, and he had not considered that motorcyclists using beaded edge tyres inflated to 40psi would have to be careful to not lose traction. Considering these roads are narrow and not heavily used, they were ideal for us with only a few potholes, although the route card did warn of an uneven road surface at one point.

I was really pleased with the Sunbeam’s performance considering the lack of performance a fortnight before. Some gradients were taken in top gear, there only are two gears, and only rarely having to drop into low gear for a couple of steeper climbs. It is a real pleasure to ride in a small group of veteran machines where we all know how to give the rider ahead room to manoeuvre and space to make their own decisions. On looking ahead of this small group, we could see which way the roads were bending and where the riders ahead were turning at crossroads. On returning to the start/finish, we were challenged to answer questions on the ‘new’ Highway Code and guess what was contained in various ‘feely bags’. How many riders of post war machines would recognise a cylindrical rear number plate light with its small lens? What about a valve-carrying packet with protection for the valve seat?

As has been usual for Somerset section events, lunch was provided before riders left for home. All the riders I spoke with had had a good event and seem pleased to see the earlier machines being ridden, even though there were only 8 machines listed as pre-1945.

My gratitude goes to Colin Bentham for devising a veteran friendly route and ‘mothering us around a wonderful part of Somerset. I would also like to thanks the many helpers who had turned out to marshal the two routes so that so many of us could have a splendid day out.

Reg Eyre
17th April 2023

Saturday Gallery

Sunday Gallery