Please Read if you are interested.

OK Folks. It's early days yet but I have started to work on a rough draft of the itinerary.

The trip will be for between 12 & 14 nights and will take place in June 2008.

It is intended to catch either the Portsmouth to Caen or Le Havre ferry depending which suits our purpose best. These routes are run by Brittany Ferries and they tell me that their timetable for 2008 will not be published until the end of September.

Why this Ferry route? Well it will take us a good way down the coast without spending too long on a boat. 5 1/2 as opposed to 8 1/2 hours to St Malo. Once the timetables are out I will compare the difference in costs to see if a night sailing to St Malo with a Cabin for a good night’s sleep is viable. 

Assuming it will be Caen and arriving early morning we will travel:

Day 1 to somewhere near Poitiers (279 miles) or La Rochelle (286 miles) where we will stop at a hotel for the night.

Day 2 we will travel to the vicinity of the Millau Viaduct, the famous Bridge in the Sky (from Poitiers 268 miles, La Rochelle 332 miles) The Millau Viaduct is a must if you are in that part of France

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millau_Viaduct

Day 3 we will travel to an area of Southern France in the region of Cannes / St Tropez but probably inland a bit (Cannes 275 miles)

Here we will spend 4 nights in a good class hotel with ride outs each day (not obligatory) to the resorts and other places of interest.                              

Day 7 we will travel in to The Alps, probably looking to stay in the region around Briancon (subject to change) where again we will spend 4 nights in a good quality hotel with optional ride outs through the Mountain Passes in the area.

Day 11 we will start to head home on a route yet to be determined which could include 1 or 2 overnight stops.

A tour we did this year for 12 nights worked out at £650 per person based on rider and pillion and that included Ferry travel for 3 nights and 8 nights half board at a very good quality hotel.

Obviously solo riders are likely to have a slightly higher ferry fare pro rata and persons wishing single occupancy at the hotels will be charged a supplement. However, I will be endeavouring to keep the costs to the above figure as much as I can. Having said that, this will be a main holiday and is not a budget jaunt to the continent.

This is only a rough guide at this time and if you have any suggestions as to alterations please let me know.

I anticipate that those going will be required to pay their Ferry Fare in advance at the time of booking, probably in October when we will get the best rates. I will also require a couple of nights Hotel accommodation charges to protect me for people failing to arrive as Hotel reservations will be made on my credit card. It will be the responsibility of the individual to settle their Hotel Bills during their stay or on departure from each hotel.

So basically, the majority of the cost of going on this Tour will not need to be made until you are actually there, giving ample time to start saving. If you haven't toured in Europe you don't know what you are missing out on.

You need to be able to travel at 80 - 90 mph on Motorways fully loaded. All mileage on travelling days is easily achievable and you will not be put under pressure. There will be Refreshment stops on route. Even on Ride Out Days you will not be required to ride beyond your ability as there are frequent stops to regroup, take pictures etc... If you have not been before, don't worry as several of us have experience in this and we will look after you although you will be responsible for your actions and will be required to sign a disclaimer absolving anyone engaged in the organisation of responsibility or blame for those actions (sounds dramatic but is essential in the current law suit climate).

Now in order for me to negotiate the best rates I can with the Hotels I need to know who is interested in going. I have details of 6 bikes that are almost certainly going already. Can I ask that if you are seriously giving some thought to taking part in this Tour then you let me know ASAP including how many bikes, rider / rider + pillion and type of accommodation you require. Double / Twin / Prepared to share / Single Occupancy. As stated, no commitment will be required until October.

July Newsletter

Well July has started only slightly better than June was. Those that came out on the Ride Out to the Queens Hotel at Newbury enjoyed some of the best weather we have had for some time and we beat the rain home which was a bonus.

Ann & Lebby have a cracking Pub and if you are up that way you will be made welcome. They also do accommodation. It is in Market Square at Newbury.

On most of these Ride Outs (i.e. when I remember to turn the camera on) you are being captured on video so that your riding skills are preserved for posterity. Don’t panic, the camera is mounted so that the Speedo is not in view and I can be bribed to remove any evidence of transgressions. It is our intention while enjoying ourselves on bikes to try and raise a little money for local charities while we are at it. When I get the time to Edit the videos for each run and prepare a show including any stills I have I will announce their availability. They will go on sale at £1.50 each plus any additional donations you care to make. All but 20p (to cover the cost of the discs and tapes) will go to the charity fund. So if you have been on that ride out and want a memory of it, then get your wallets out.

This month we have The BSB Ride Out to Poole Quay on Tuesday 10^th, The BKING Road Show at Rob Willsher’s on Wednesday 11^th, Ride Out to Brighton on Sunday 15^th and The Bikers Day at The Sammy Miller Museum on Sunday 22^nd. All details can be found here; www.theclubatrobwillsher.spaces.live.com .

So far for August we have the Brands Hatch Round of WSB’s on Sunday 5^th, please Email me if you are thinking about coming, and a Ride Out to Cheddar Gorge on a date TBA.

Another date for your diary is Saturday 8^th September when there will be a Charity Treasure Hunt, starting and finishing at rob Willsher’s. This will involve a tricky but solvable route, questions and clues, with a facility to get you back on track if you go astray without giving the answers away. This is not a race and the emphasis will be on accuracy including bonus points depending how close to the actual mileage you are. There will be a small entry fee but all monies raised will go to charity. I am hoping that I can twist the arm of those jolly nice people at Crescents for some attractive prizes. There will also be a raffle so if you have any suitable items kicking about, like the unwanted birthday present from Aunty Jean, then please offer them up. If you can approach any other businesses and persuade them to cough something up it will be greatly appreciated. This will take a lot of effort to organise and is being opened up to anyone on a motorcycle. Please do your best to support it. I anticipate the actual advert for it will be out by the end of the week.

Have a look at the “Useful Club Links” that are on the web space. There are companies there offering discounts to Club members. If you know of any companies that will offer such a discount, please provide me with details.

Have a good read through the web space and don’t forget to read the details regarding the proposed Tour to the French Alps in 2008. I will circulate specific details of the trip including costs as soon as I can.

Finally, I still need your input as to what you want The Club to take part in. Don’t be shy and have a go at organising something. I am always prepared to do the route sheets and maps, advertising etc so just Email me. Jeff Cooper is first off the mark and has sorted the Run to Brighton on the 15^th of July. Give him your support. Don’t be shy about coming along. The routes are always clearly mapped out and you ride at a speed that you are comfortable with. There are always plenty of stops to regroup.

Fingers crossed that the weather has broken and we can get out there and have fun.

I hope we will see you all soon. If you want to contact me regarding anything Club related either Email me at theclubatrobwillsher@tiscali.co.uk , and request a phone number if necessary (I have no objections giving it out, i just wont be putting it on the web space) or you can normally find me at Rob Willsher’s on a Saturday.

Ride safe.

Ali

Ride Out

Sunday 22nd July 2007

To Bikers day at The Sammy

Miller Museum.

Meet at Rob Willsher’s from 0945 for Tea &

Coffee, leaving at 1030 prompt.

Ride Out

Sunday 1^st July 2007

To Brighton.

Meet at Rob Willsher’s from 0945 for Tea &

Coffee, leaving at 1030 prompt.

The route will be via A, B Roads and others

Including the A272.

Route Maps will be available

Touring French / Italian Alps 2008.

Have you taken your bike to Europe? If not, you don’t know what you are missing. The Roads have to be ridden to be appreciated, traffic is non existent in places, the scenery is stunning and extremely comfortable accommodation and excellent food can be found at a very reasonable cost. Combine that with the company of good friends and you have a recipe for a superb holiday.

I have toured with an organised Tour Company and it was well run and thoroughly enjoyable. However it isn’t cheap and last year a few friends, who we had met touring, my better half and I decided we could do better. Hence Clueless Touring was born. We organised everything ourselves and had a brilliant time in the Pyrenees focused around excellent accommodation in Andorra for a fraction of the price a Tour company wanted for a similar trip.

We intend to Tour again next year and are aiming for the first couple of weeks in June 2008, avoiding the half term holidays. I am mildly confident that we can arrange this on a larger scale and am inviting any and all members of The Club to come along.

A very rough plan is to get the Portsmouth to St Malo Ferry to France and travel down to a location in the South East of France or North West of Italy that gives us easy access to the Alps. We would take a route to include the Millau Bridge (The Bridge in the Sky) which is a must for anyone in that neck of the woods and have at least one overnight stay en route there and back.

Experience has shown that the last thing you want to be doing is unpacking and re packing every day so the bulk of the trip would be at a fixed location. Experience has also shown that after long days in the saddle the last thing you want is to return to basic accommodation. Therefore I would be looking to book accommodation of a very good standard and probably on a half board basis so that we don’t have to go out looking for Restaurants at the end of each day. This accommodation will ideally have a swimming pool and solarium facilities. Now some of us will have our better halves with us who only ride pillion and although they thoroughly enjoy being on the bike, they do like to do their shopping, sun bathe and relax around the pool or a beach. I would be looking to book the main accommodation possibly within reasonable driving distance of a beach and those that wanted to could get together, hire a car or MPV and go off to the beach. Just look at the places there are on the French Mediterranean coast alone in that area. Now if I sound sexist here I am sorry and yes I know there are lady riders who will give the boys more than a run for their money but the following is just a turn of phrase and should not be interpreted in any other way. The girls do appreciate that the boys do like a day or two on their own to play on their bikes properly and if you have travelled that far then it is too good an opportunity to miss. Therefore I will be endeavouring to ensure that enjoyable facilities that do not involve bikes are on hand for those that just want a day to relax.

June 2008 is a long way off you may ask and yes you are right but these things take a lot of organisation. Firstly, getting an idea of numbers is the main objective. The more the merrier as we will get better rates. Secondly, the earlier we book the ferry the cheaper it is. Thirdly, it gives me time to consider requests people coming may make in respect of where they would specifically like to go and what they would like to get out of the Tour. Finally it gives us all time to save for the Trip.

I would be looking to book the ferry by October at the latest and would require a firm commitment from those wishing to go by then. I would require full payment for the ferry crossings at that time as it has to be paid at the time of booking. As and when the Hotels are decided on and booked I will require one night’s accommodation fee per person per hotel in order for me to make the bookings. Your money will be safe and returnable up until I actually have to make the payments.

Those wishing to come would be advised to take out travel insurance as soon as details are confirmed and a payment has been made in the event that the individual is not able to travel for reasons covered by such Insurance. In small groups, hotels have only required credit card details to be provided at the time of booking and no payment is taken until check out time. However, if a person fails to show at the Hotel and the appropriate cancellation notice (more often than not 24 – 48 hrs) has not been given they will swipe the card for one night’s accommodation only. Hence the need to provide the cost of one nights accommodation at each hotel.

At this time I have no idea of cost and in any case this would vary depending on your circumstances. Rest assured it will be considerably cheaper than a comparative tour with a Tour Company.

Rider and Pillion in same room. (One Ferry fee)

Two Solo Riders sharing a room. (Two Ferry fees)

Solo Rider requiring single occupancy. (Single Occupancy Supplement).

I would be aiming to book the Tour for between 10 – 14 days. You will be required to complete a disclaimer absolving me or any other organiser of any responsibility for any misfortune that may befall you while on the tour and are strongly advised to ensure that you have arranged adequate Holiday insurance and Break Down cover.

I will arrange get togethers during the following year to discuss finer points. The main thing to remember is that the intention is to enjoy ourselves.

If you are interested in joining this Tour please complete the attached pro forma and return it to The Club’s Email address.

Regards

Ali

Clueless Touring is a Spoof organisation, the title chosen was because that was exactly the position we were in when arranging the 2007 Tour, CLUELESS.

May News letter

Hi all.

Unfortunately the weather has conspired against us somewhat this month spoiling the two Sunday Ride outs that were in arranged. The Tuesday night Bike Maintenance Demonstration appeared to go well and Sean is keen to hold another in the near future.

Let’s all cross our fingers for better weather in the coming months and hopefully enjoy a full program of biking activities.

As some of you may be aware I have recently completed a Tour in the Pyrenees which I have to say was very successful. I intend to arrange a tour for next year and throw it open to Club Members. Details will follow in a further Email.

June is going to be a difficult month for me to arrange take part in activities due to impending surgery on my knees so I am desperately looking for volunteers to suggest and lead ride outs. So far for June we have the Edge 44 / Bike safe talk at Rob Willsher’s on Tuesday 5^th June 2007 at 7pm and a Ride Out to The Ace Café organised by Paul Mathews on Sunday 17^th June 2007 meeting at Rob Willsher’s at 0930 am.

It would be a bonus to have as many activities as possible for the forthcoming months and so if you have any suggestions, especially for the next month, please let me have them. I will arrange them for you, prepare the route sheets if required and endeavour to open up Willsher’s for coffee before setting off where I can. If anyone requires my contact telephone numbers please Email me at The Club’s Email address and request them. Obviously I don’t want to post them in the public domain.

A date for your diaries in July is Tuesday 10^th when we will ride out from Willsher’s to Crescent at Verwood and join the ride out from there going down to Poole Quay in the company of the Rizla BSB riders.

I am still working on a Treasure Hunt which will take place towards the end of the summer and hopefully be combined with a Barbeque.

I intend to send details of each individual activity in separate Emails so I make no apologies if you get bombarded with Emails. In addition, some members do not have full web Email access and cannot read attachments so often the attachment will be repeated in the body of the Email.

Finally, again can I remind you about the Bike Safe / Edge 44 presentation at Rob Willsher’s on Tuesday 5^th June 2007 at 7pm. Both The Hampshire County Council Road safety Officer and one or more representatives from Hampshire Police Traffic Division who do the Edge 44 scheme voluntarily in their spare time will be present. This is an ideal opportunity for you to find out from the horse’s mouth what the current strategies towards motorcycling are in the county rather than rely on misinformed rumours. You will be able to find out why those strategies are in place and question the motives behind them. In addition, the Edge 44 guys will be able to explain to you in full what you can expect from attending an Edge 44 course and what you will get from it. If you do nothing else to improve your riding skills, attend this presentation. Who knows, you might pick up a few tips which save your licence and more importantly, your life.

Ride Safe.

Ali  

Ride Out

Tuesday 10^th July 2007

Meet at the Rob Willsher’s 1800 AM

(Setting off at 1815 AM prompt)

Riding out to Poole Quay via Crescent Motorcycles at Verwood where we will meet up with the current Rizla Suzuki BSB riders and accompany them to the Quay.

Ride Out

Sunday 17^th June 2007

Riding out to The Ace Café.

Meet at the Rob Willsher’s 0930 AM

(Setting off at 1000 AM prompt)

April News Letter.

Hi All

Already we are half way through April and thanks to Global Warming the biking season is well under way. We have enjoyed some cracking ride outs over the last few weeks, Bury Hill, Brands Hatch and Thruxton and there is more to follow.

Dates for the diary:

1^st May – Poole Quay, meeting at Rownhams Services West. Leaving at 7pm prompt.

13^th May - Burton Bradstock on the coast. Meeting at Rob Willsher’s at 9am, leaving at 9:30 prompt.

15^th May – Bike Maintenance talk at Rob Willshers 7pm, Pub afterwards.

28^th May – Sparkford Haynes Motor Museum for the Mini Madness Day. Meeting at Rob Willsher’s at 10 am leaving 10:30 prompt.

5^th June – Talk by HCC Bike Safe / Edge 44 and the Hampshire Police Motorcycle Dept who run the courses ( This is a must for anyone who seriously wants to improve their riding skills) Meeting at Rob Willsher’s at 7pm, Pub afterwards.

Also in June, Paul Mathews is arranging a Ride Out to the GSXR day at the Ace Café and Jeff Cooper a mystery ride out. These will be on Sundays, dates TBA. There will also be a ride out on Tuesday June 19^th.

If you have any suggestions for Club activities, let me know, but keep them clean. If you are prepared to organise something, even better.

We will be trying to raise some money for charity throughout the year and this years charity will be the Wessex Cancer Appeal because it has some significance for a member who I will not name at this time but I’m sure if anyone wants to talk about it, he won’t be shy.

You will have noticed the photo albums appearing on the web site. I have also circulated links to Nero where an On Line presentation can be viewed. There are links to these presentations under the Photo Album section. If you would like a copy of the presentation or any of the photographs please do not order them from Nero. Besides being bl**dy expensive, I intend to provide copies to those that want them for a small donation to our chosen charity (a minimum of £1.50 per presentation or as much above that as you like). In addition, any one who has taken any unusual or amusing pictures at any of our activities please let me have them. I intend to do a longer presentation of The Clubs Biking Year at the end of the year and sell these for charity.

On that vein, if anyone has any ideas as to how we can raise money for charity please let me have them, whether it be a good old raffle (please take any opportunity to blag raffle prizes when a chance presents itself) to something more creative.

Provided I can find the time I plan to organise a Road trial / Treasure Hunt followed by some sort of Bar-B-Q with a small charge for participants, monies going to the charity. Again, anyone who can source a Trophy and charcoal fodder for the barbeque at a reasonable rate or even buck –shee, let me know.

Finding the time is the problem. Sorting the admin out and trying to make as many meets as possible is very time consuming and I am still after two or three mugs, I mean volunteers, who can assist with this. Don’t be shy, step forward before you get press ganged.

Now I am going to mention that word, “Christmas”. Don’t all groan, I know it’s a long way off but it’s surprising how quickly it comes around? It would be a good idea if we can organise our own Toy Run at Christmas with a view to making it an annual event. But in order to have a Toy Run, unless we are keeping the toys for ourselves, we need to have a worth cause to benefit from it. So I am looking for suggestions as to who we should choose and I would appreciate everyone’s input on this. The most popular choices will be put to a Pole amongst the members.

Finally Club T-Shirts. They are selling well and I am putting in regular orders. If you want one Email me with your size and I will reserve it for you. If it has to be ordered there is about a two week turn around. I would appreciate money up front for orders as it comes out of my pocket at the moment, although in fairness they are nearly self sufficient.

They are available in

Ladies T’s -  Sizes 10 – 20                    £16.00

Mens T’s – Sizes Small – XXXL         £16.00

Childrens;

Medium 5 – 6 yrs

Large 7 – 8 yrs

XLarge 9 – 10 yrs

XXLarge 11 – 12 years                         £12.50

(sizes as quoted by the manufacturer)

I can vouch for the quality of these T’s as can those that have already bought them. I have had some for 2 years, they do not shrink or twist and keep their colour well. I order them in black but other colours are available but will need to be ordered.

Safe Riding, get the suggestions rolling in and don’t be afraid to offer your services! They will be much appreciated by all.

Ali

PS

I will be away on holiday from May 11^th to May 23^rd inclusive (did I mention I was taking the bike to the Pyrenees LOL) but activities have been arranged during that period. Please give those that have volunteered your full support by turning out for these dates. It’s what The Club should be all about.  

Hi All  

Today (18/03/07) was the ride out to The Pioneer Run. There were about 8 bikes and we started off very well. I know we were all present at the West Meon Hut but by Petersfield we had lost one.

 We waited for some time but it had not turned up so someone went to look for him with no luck. By this time it was raining with sleet and Helen told me that she was turning back due to the elements.

 We set off but in the space of 300 yards only one rider was with me. By the time we had turned around and returned there was no sign of anyone. I could only assume that everyone either decided to turn back or followed a bike in error. (The SOC Rider on the Corona GSXR at Petersfield Services denied seeing anyone.)

 As there were now only two of us we decided to knock the ride on the head and I headed back along the A272 towards Winchester where I passed Phil Daruvalla going back towards Petersfield.

I have since discovered that the remainder of the group followed an interloper by mistake (thanks for that Brian LOL) and did infact make it to Cowfold. Oh if only I had known I could have avoided having to take the mother in law out to lunch.

 Tony Saunders was the missing rider and he rang me at home as soon as he got in. It transpires that shortly after turning on to the A272 from the West Meon Hut and just after the Police Motor Cyclist had passed us going in the opposite direction, Tony was side swiped by a car travelling towards Winchester which strayed on to his side of the road. This car failed to stop.

Tony managed to keep control of his bike and stop. His foot had taken one hell of a knock (thank goodness he had decent boots on) and the rear brake assembly and foot peg of his bike had been torn off. He is OK but bruised. We all wish him a speedy recovery and hope the bike gets sorted soon.

  The Moral here is be aware of riders around you and if one disappears unexpectedly, stop and go back. The ride will become aware and come and look for you.

 Unfortunately on this occasion Tony waited for 10 minutes but was in pain and quite rightly decided to go home so our searching rider just missed him.

 If any members have bike to bike Radio's, Please bring them along. I have that facility and it would be useful if one rider with a radio remained at the rear of the ride. Unless otherwise notified we will operate on channel 7 sub channel 3.

 We have to look after each other so it is most important that we remain aware of who is where in the ride in relation to yourself.

 Another Lesson learned and hopefully we won’t make that mistake again.

The next Tuesday Night meeting is This Tuesday, 20th March 2007, at The Windhover Manor PH, Bursledon at 7pm. This meeting is purely a social get together and as the motorcycling season is just kicking off, an ideal opportunity to discuss what we want to do in the coming months. Please try and make the effort to attend as it's your input that will make this club successful.

There is a Ride Out planned for next Saturday, 24th March 2007. Meet at Rob Willsher's at 1130 am (earlier if you wish) for coffee etc and set off for Wickham square at 1200. A Marshalled ride out is occurring from Wickham Square, leaving at 1245 hrs, and is in the form of the annual Easter Egg Run in aid of The Mary Rose School (www.maryroseschool.info/pages/home/index.php) and it would be appreciated if participants in the run brought along an Easter Egg or make a suitable donation at the school. Free Refreshments are laid on at the school. Please make the effort to support this worthy cause and show a good presence of The Club. I will not be able to take part as I will be working at Willsher's that day but I will be on hand to dish out the free Tea and Coffee when you arrive. I have some one pencilled in to take charge of the ride but his bike is in for some investigative work this week and if it's bad news won’t be able to do it. If there is anyone who would like to put themselves forward, please let me know.

Unless any bolts from the blue hit me, or anyone comes up with another suggestion, the next planned ride out is on Monday April 9th to the first round of the BSB at Brands Hatch followed by Round 2 on Sunday April 15th at Thruxton. Don't forget to get your tickets Online to save money at http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/ for Brands Hatch & http://www.barc.net/ for Thruxton. Information about BSB can be found on the official BSB site at http://www.britishsuperbikes.com/. If you haven't been before, it is an experience to savour.

If you have any ideas for Ride Outs etc let me know and we'll arrange them. Don't be shy, get involved.

Hope to see you on Tuesday Night.

Ali