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The newsletter of the Essex Crusaders, Centre 19, Virago Star Owners Club. July 2013 Issue 210 contents:

1. C19 Meeting Dates 2 .Rep’s Rambling,

3. Ride out to Hertfordshire, 4 Ride out to Layer Marney Towers

5. For sale, 6. Xmas meal, ride out issues,

7. Ride out list, 8. Second manning, from the Editor.

Centre 19 meeting’s dates:Centre 19 meeting’s dates:Centre 19 meeting’s dates:Centre 19 meeting’s dates: July North meeting. 8pm Monday 1st July 2013. The Anchor, Upper Street, Stratford St. Mary, CO7 6LW. South meeting. 8pm Monday 15th July 2013. The Rettendon Bell, Rettendon Common, Main Road, CM38DY August North meeting. 8pm Monday 5th August 2013. The Anchor, Upper Street, Stratford St. Mary, CO7 6LW. South meeting. 8pm Monday 19th August 2013. The Rettendon Bell, Rettendon Common, Main Road, CM38DY

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Reps ramblingsReps ramblingsReps ramblingsReps ramblings

Hello there everybody.

I hope all is well out there; it’s nice to see different people joining in and

sending their write ups from ride outs, it does make a change from the

same person/s and it adds a bit extra.

A big thank you goes to Alan and Dawn for their hospitality and the

lovely food that was waiting for us for the village fete. Shame about the

rain though.

With C8 rally upon us, means it’s nearly BBQ time, so let’s see you all at

Mersea on the 14th July, bring the family and enjoy a relaxing day and

don’t forget the sun block. Also if anybody has anything for the bring and

buy stall, you never know you might sell those old leathers that are just

sitting there doing nothing.

With 2 rallies left in the UK, Wirral and Kent send off for your tickets and

help make it easier for the centre that’s putting on a rally for you.

Don’t forget there are things going on in other centre’s so have a look on

the VSOC site, there may be something for you.

CHRISTMAS MEAL. Yes I know, but please help Peter out by letting

him know if you’re going or even if you’re not. And secure your room at

the hotel ref number 0871 9429 020; OPTION 1; CODE X05 or on line

www.hicolchesterhotel.co.uk same code - X05.

Tc ride safe Bruce

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Ride out to Ride out to Ride out to Ride out to HertfordshireHertfordshireHertfordshireHertfordshire 02.06.2013 02.06.2013 02.06.2013 02.06.2013

We set off, several bikes and a car following. Trevor led the group through easy country roads. We finished up at a canal near Hemel Hempstead where we all sat and enjoyed a lovely lunch at the Three Horse Shoes by the lock. Every time a barge went past, the road would move and the cars and people on foot would have to wait until the road was moved back again. I even got to play on Dennis’s bike! After sitting on a Harley I think I want a plastic rocket….only kidding! On the way back to the bikes, Bruce asked one of the members to do the write up for this ride and they were not willing so he said ‘pay Lucinda’ jokingly and he did! Result! That then paid for the ice creams at Hertford which was our next stop. We got to have a run around the play area in the park after eating our ice cream, while everyone sat and enjoyed some sunshine. Although we were having lots of fun, it was getting late and we needed to get home. Lucinda age 11

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Ride out to Layer Marney Towers and Tiptree Ride out to Layer Marney Towers and Tiptree Ride out to Layer Marney Towers and Tiptree Ride out to Layer Marney Towers and Tiptree Jam factory 9.6.2013Jam factory 9.6.2013Jam factory 9.6.2013Jam factory 9.6.2013 On a chilly & overcast Sunday morning, seven bikes with nine members met at Boreham Services. After a safety chat by Bruce and the route explained by Trevor we all set off through Boreham to the Paper Mill Lock at Baddow for refreshments as Layer Marney did not open until midday. We rode through the scenic countryside, wonderful views and reached the lock about 10.45. We all headed to the tea rooms and had a warming cuppa and something to eat. We found it interesting looking at all the types of boats and watched a barge going through the locks. Saddling up, we then made our way to Layer Marney. |On reaching the Towers, a guide escorted us and a large group around, explaining the history which we all found very interesting. The Tower has 99 steps, Bruce, Paula, Trevor, Cougar and Stewart tackled this, Chris & Sue, Del & I stayed in the grounds, Sue had pulled a ligament and my knee gives out, so that's our excuses! After looking at the house and grounds, Del and I had a cup of tea and cake in the Stables that had been converted into a tea room. We then met up with the others and made our way to Tiptree, through the leafy countryside again. We were all going to have a Cream Tea but the queue was so long we did not bother but went into the shop for a few purchases of jam etc. We then saddled up and made our way home. A wonderful day and brilliant ride out.! Jan.

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At Layer Marney Towers.

For SaleFor SaleFor SaleFor Sale 2002 Yamaha Dragstar 1100 Classic. 18,250 miles. Excellent condition. Lots of extras. 11 months MOT and 4 months tax. Full service last year and only done 500 miles since. Colour grey (I would call it green!) £4000.00 ovno. Contact Cheryl 07715838169 C19 Colchester

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Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas MMMMealealealeal January 18th 2014

I am slowly compiling a list of those wishing to come to our annual Christmas bash but do need to firm up arrangements with the venue before long so please let me know if you intend coming or even if you don’t intend coming. Details are in a previous Seax .

Ride out issuesRide out issuesRide out issuesRide out issues

It has come to our attention that there are some members of C19 that apparently no longer go on Sunday ride-outs because they are unhappy with the way they are conducted, that is the use or non use of the second manning discipline. If this is the case please contact me [Trevor] or Bruce and make your feelings known. It would be a shame if there was someone not doing something in the club that they would normally like to do. Don't sit and suffer, let us know, It's your club and unless we know we can't put things right. Thank you Trevor

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Ride out arrangements forRide out arrangements forRide out arrangements forRide out arrangements for July July July July

7th Greenwich and Woolwich Ferry Meet Marks Tey 9-30 for Thurrock 10-30 14th Bar-B-Cruise Cudmore Grove, East Mersea Meet Boreham 10-00am for Peldon Rose Pub 11-00am 19th-21st Centre 3 [Wirral] Rally, CH66 1NJ Meet Takeley Rest Area A120 at 10-00am 28th Flixton Air Museum Bungay NR35 1NZ Meet Boreham 10-00am for Langham 10-45am

Ride out list 201Ride out list 201Ride out list 201Ride out list 2013333 August 4

th Museum of Power Bike Show, Langford

11th Jousting at Hever Castle, Kent (Admission £15-00, 15 + £12-00)

18th Barton Mills, Mildenhall and Aldeburgh, Suffolk

23rd – 26

th Centre 15 (Kent) Rally

September 1st Stratford upon Avon

6th – 8

th Centre 5 (Yorkies) party,

8th Air Ambulance, Dunton to Harwich

13th – 15

th Dutch National Rally

15th Ace Café & Greenford Motorcycle Museum, London

22nd Old Felixstowe & Landguard Fort

28th Centre 10 Charity Party, Meldreth

29th Comfort Café Little Abington and Finchingfield

October6

th Copdock Motorcycle Show, Suffolk

13th Brightona Bike Show, Brighton

November, Southend Firework Display

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Second ManningSecond ManningSecond ManningSecond Manning Purpose The purpose of the 2nd manning procedure is to maintain the integrity of the column and avoid riders taking the wrong route. By providing route markers it reduces the pressure on riders to speed and try and catch up. It can also add an interesting dimension for the participating riders. Basic procedure The column is led by the “lead” rider who takes the safest position for the conditions. Subsequent / following riders generally maintain a “staggered” position. i.e. One rider occupies the offside section of the road lane and the rider following next in the column is offset to the nearside of the same lane. Or vice versa. This is to maximise safety by keeping a safe distance from the rider immediately in front. It also helps to reduce the column length and therefore minimise the inconvenience to other road users. It also presents a uniform orderly image to the public. It is certainly not always necessary to follow the 2nd man procedure, for example; If each rider can see at least one other rider in front and also one other behind. Then there is no need to 2nd man. If the column becomes extended and line of sight is lost then it may be necessary to deploy a 2nd man marker.

The general principle is if a 2nd man cannot be seen at a junction, crossroads or roundabout, then the route is straight ahead, or keep on the main road. Whichever is the most obvious. If in doubt then deploy the 2nd man. There are also exceptions to riding in the staggered formation, which are listed later in this document. Deployment The second man is generally the rider immediately following the leader. There may be an exception to this when one or more less experienced riders are in the column immediately behind the lead. In which case the first experienced rider will become the second man. The lead rider will point in an obvious manner to the location he wants the 2nd man to halt. Should the rider either miss or ignore the signal the next experienced rider should take up the position. It is the 2nd mans responsibility to ensure that he does so in a safe and legal fashion. The 2nd man will wait there until he sees the last man approaching. This may mean a long wait when involving a large column or particularly adverse traffic conditions. The temptation to leave the post and resume the ride should be resisted. In normal conditions, having made a positive identification of the last man, they may then re-join the column in front of the last man. Preferably this will be done in a safe and timely fashion so as not to impede traffic flow. Beware of pulling out in front of the wrong rider ! The Column Each rider in the column is responsible for their own safety and should be fully aware of what is happening around them. As a matter of principle and good riding etiquette they should also do their best to keep up with the other riders. The lead will take into account any slower or less experienced riders. In the event of a 2nd man being deployed, the column maintains it’s integrity by each rider staying in the same staggered position relative to other riders.

Page 9 Under normal circumstances there is no need to either undertake or cross the lane to a new position. This is most dangerous. Instead it is better to break the “stagger” and double the distance between riders. So in the event two consecutive riders are in either the same nearside or offside position, the distance between them should be doubled to ensure safety. Of course what was the 3rd person in the formation eventually becomes the 2nd man. This does not mean they need to change position, except when they are deployed. However it does mean that if they are on the offside of the lane they will have to cross the full width to reach the kerbside. So the rider following must be aware of the eventuality of this happening and leave a sufficient gap for their and every ones safety. Exceptions There are instances where riding in a staggered formation is not to be recommended. For example, narrow single track roads where the offside rider would be in the path of oncoming traffic, where potholes or other road irregularities force the rider off the correct line, overtaking other vehicles etc. Distances between riders should be increased to maintain a safe braking distance. However the staggered formation should be resumed as soon as it is safe to do so. The Last Man Should be designated at the beginning of a run and be easily recognised and known to all riders. Incident In the event of an incident the unaffected riders may continue the journey or stop as necessary if it is safe. The last man will always stop and remain with the affected party. (On motorways only the last man should stop with the affected rider. All others should proceed with the leader.) In time the lead will notice the absence of some of the group and stop the main group in a safe place and wait a reasonable time for the rest of the column to catch up. (On motorways this will be either a service area or an exit slip road.) If necessary the leader will either return to the scene of the incident or delegate someone else to investigate. They will then decide upon any further action and notify all members of the column accordingly. Above all You are responsible for your own safety and of those around you. Stay alert; you cannot afford to be unaware of what is going on around you. Remember you are riding to enjoy yourself! If you do not understand these guidelines then ask a club official for clarification

From the EditorFrom the EditorFrom the EditorFrom the Editor

The annual BBQ at Cudmore grove, East Mersea is on the 14th July,

let’s hope the weather is kind to us. Please bring your own meat and the club will provide the rest. You may also want to bring a chair or blanket or both and sun cream if appropriate. Any raffle prizes gratefully accepted, thank you.