The World of Autojumbles at your FIngertips

out & about - Fun in the sun

The Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s Banbury Run is an institution, of that there can be no doubt.

The 2010 event was the 62nd and it ‘went off’ well, continuing the fine tradition the event has established over the years.

Held on Sunday 20 June and based around the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, in Warwickshire, there were 600 riders scheduled to take part in the event, though there were a few gaps in the ‘paddock’ suggesting that a few were unable to get their machines ready in time. Among the disappointed was Stuart Morgan, a relatively local enthusiast to Banbury who bought his AJS G6 last summer from the late Pete Sole. Sadly, Stuart had suffered clutch problem and was unable to get the overhead valve Ajay to the line, though he vowed that, come next year, he’ll be there.

It was problems of another sort for young enthusiast Matthew Tyldesley, the teenager being unable to secure insurance cover for the Sunbeam he was hoping to ride. He was still there, disappointed but supporting dad Andrew and uncle Adrian, who were both on Scotts, a 1923 two-speed outfit and 1930 Sports Squirrel respectively. Disappointed to miss out too was Stephen Whitaker, though Stephen only missed out because he gave up his ride so son Simon could take it over. Basically, father and son were to ride on sequential numbered Scotts, Stephen on the ex-John Underhill 1930 Flying Squirrel (incidentally, featured in Titch Allen’s First Vintage Road Test Journal) with Simon on the 1927 TT racer, ridden that year by Harry Langham. However, last minute problems with the Langman ruled it out so Stephen generously let Simon take over the 1930 Flyer, so the younger man had his ride. Good old dad!

There was happier news concerning a group of Australian enthusiasts, who had come over on mass and were taking in the Banbury as part of an epic UK tour. So far, they’d ridden many miles on the UK mainland, as well as taking in the Isle of Man TT. They’d come over from Australia with the 1920s machinery as their only source of transport and had, thus far, averaged 120 miles a day on the trip. One of their 16 strong number, Gary Leigh, commented; “We’d just like to make special mention of everyone’s attitude to us on this trip. So many people have been ever so helpful and we’d like to say a big thank you to all.” Gary was riding his 1929 Royal Enfield 182, a 100cc V-twin, while others in the group were John Wightman (1929 DKW E300), Rex Edmondson (1929 BSA Sloper), William J Cowlin (1929 BSA Sloper), Carl Montgomery (1925 AJS Big Port), Kevin Badby (1923 Henderson four), Greg Boothey (1930 Norton ES2), Graham Hammond (1918 Indian Powerplus), Malcolm Cox (1929 Norton Model 19), Keith Barnard (1930 Rudge Ulster), Geoff Coole (1930 Royal Enfield J30), Phil Skinner (1926 Indian Scout), Dave Weeks (1928 BSA S28), Chris Whisson (1929 Norton Model 18), David Balderson (1928 AJS K7) and, riding the only Australian-made motorcycle of the group, David Jennings. David’s rather fabulous authentic and unrestored Invincible was one of a reputed 600 made in Melbourne, Victoria 1923-28. Obviously Harley-Davidson inspired, it is powered by a 8hp JAP side valve V-twin engine.

David’s Invincible is one of only two surviving in original condition, though it’s reckoned 12 are still alive in total. David bought it eight years ago and has rebuilt it mechanically, though the paintwork is that applied in 1925, when the machine was built. Apparently, the firm was unable to undercut imported machines and so the venture was a short-lived affair – basically, Invincible had to import so many parts (engines, gearboxes etc) that the price ended up more than an imported ‘whole’ machine. David reported few problems – apart from he’d had to rebuild the gearbox... All the Australian contingent made it round the Banbury course safely and were shipping their bikes home on 27 June.

Come the end of the event, organiser James Hewing commented; “It’s all gone well! Special thanks to everyone who helped with the organisation, but especially to Helen Bensley, who’s the financial director of the VMCC but who acted as chief marshal today, which is no small job, and clerk of the course Harry Wiles. We’ve had loads of praise for the route so it proves a job well done.” James’ comments were accompanied by a big grin, so it seemed that everything was genuinely in its right and proper place. He did report there was quite a lot of breakdowns and the VMCC six-van-strong recovery team had its work cut out, fetching motorcycles from far and wide. On the route, spectators stood out to wave as riders passed, with Sunrising Hill, as ever, proving the most popular vantage point for the large number who’d turned out.

Words & Pics James Robinson