Minutes of AGM held on 22 January 2017

Usual cautions re: misrepresentation/ fabrication/misunderstandings/authors amnesia/defamation/caustic remarks and any offence thereby caused.

Introduction: The Peking Court all-you-can-eat buffet ‘restaurant’, Princess Street, Manchester was the venue for the third successive year. There had been a significant increase in price from £9.99 last year to £10.99 this, representing an uplift of some 10%. (At the present time CPI is running at less than 2%). Nevertheless the buffet still offers excellent value for money and the staff seem happy to accommodate us.

Weather conditions were cold and damp but, in contrast to last year, no snow had been encountered to disrupt travel arrangements.

Attendees: Roger, Phil D, Dave, Ken, Peter K, Martin, Peter L, and Swinn. No one had ridden to the meeting due to the cold. Phil D had driven up from Fishguard the previous day and stayed with his daughter in Widnes overnight. However, it was questionable whether he was furthest travelled this year as Dave had made the journey from Plymouth by train (senior railcard) and stayed with Ken overnight and Peter K had travelled from Brazil (Saga Holidays). Roger had promised to travel from Silsden by bus using his free pass but he claimed that, at the last minute, he’d been promised a session at the Manchester Velodrome and had driven in order to transport his bicycle.

Apologies from Eldon, Chris B, Steve and Mark There had been no news from Mike M or Terry. Martin mentioned that Rob had broken his leg in a car-related incident. The meeting asked that its good wishes be conveyed to him for a speedy recovery.

Minutes of previous meeting: Nobody could remember reading them.

Matters arising: Ken promised to restart work on the Club Badge if artwork could be re-provided (a badge to commemorate the trip to France might be more appropriate). No news on Swinn’s flywheels.

Ailments and medication, annual update: Roger was still upbeat, though probably in denial, about his health. There had been no progress on his knee replacement as it had not affected his cycling. Swinn reported irreparable tendon damage to his right arm which had occurred when pulling his Commando onto its stand. Peter L had undergone a shoulder joint replacement and proudly showed off his scar. No one was particularly impressed and thought it was too small for the surgery described. Peter’s latest medication included both a statin and an expensive self-regulating, anti-clotting agent. Martin had resisted the offer of a statin as he did not want his GP to meet the NHS target for prescribing them (for which his GP would earn a bonus). Peter K was non-committal. Ken also taking a statin - but this time in order to help his GP reach the NHS target . They had come to an arrangement whereby the bonus would be shared. Phil D said he was in good health but on further interrogation admitted that he had a multitude of ailments, any of which would entitle him to ill-health retirement through the Civil Service’s generous arrangements to cover such eventualities. Dave was also taking anticoagulants but his were the cheap-as-chips variety which required constant monitoring.

Employment status and benefits, annual update: Dave was still working at his windmill firm with Ken as consultant for 2 days a week. Doubtless he had charged the trip to see Ken as some sort of business expense. The firm was now under the umbrella of a larger organisation and whilst this improved the level of funding available it brought with it an inevitable level of bureaucracy. Phil D working 3 days. However all were seeking to reduce their hours further. (Dave claimed he didn’t want to stop working altogether as it kept his brain active). Pete K was evasive as usual, the remainder being fully retired. Despite applying for several jobs, Roger’s aspiration to become a dumper truck driver had yet to be realised. Everyone had their free bus passes. Ken’s entitled him to use the trams and he could now travel all the way to Bury Market. Dave, Swinn (and Chris B) were still the only ones receiving their state pensions.

Motorcycles owned and/or in use (exception report): Ken no change, Phil D no change and his ‘works’ F800ST BMW had not come up to expectations as he was too big for it. Pete K non committal, Martin no change and he was still riding his CB500 albeit less and less due to his habit of rambling. He had met Swinn during the year at a Velocette owners meet where onlookers had described his bike as ‘sprayed with rust’. Martin was quick to correct them as in VMCC parlance its condition should have been described as ‘with nice patina’. After promising to buy Swinn’s R1100rs Roger had reneged on the deal following a ribbing by his pals that it was an old mans bike (it was). Still in denial about his age and fitness Roger had bought the more sporty R1100s which he thought was one of the best bikes he’d ever owned (see previous minutes for details of Roger’s other best bikes he’d ever owned). During the year Swinn had sold a Commando for a good price and his R1100rs for peanuts. He had since bought a BMW G650gs which was definitely not the best bike he’d ever owned. Although probably too heavy for him, he had made an offer on another K75s. This had no mot and 90,000 on the clock but was a late model and a runner and in very good condition for its age, The best bike he’d ever owned, also a K75S, which Swinn had sold to Dave some 14! years previously (where did that time go?) was still owned but had not run for several years and was ‘not quite as clean’ as when sold. However, to ‘keep it in the family’ Swinn agreed to talk to Dave about its repossession. No change for Peter L but he had spent the year refurbishing his C15 – the first bike he had ever owned. This had cost him a small fortune, not least for the new pair of trousers it needed.

Distance travelled by motorcycle during the year: Phil D, who rode virtually every day, was easily the winner. Others had travelled less than 2000 miles. He was therefore awarded the Bike71 Most Miles 2016-2017 cup, tastefully decorated with old engine oil and red hermatite. The cup incorporated a scratch and sniff hermatite feature but attendees either had nails too short or heavy colds and were unable to experience it.

AOB: Although originally a substantive item for discussion, the ‘2017 Bike 71 Rally Raid Francaise’ to meet with Mark at his ranch near Toulouse was somewhat diluted - there being a dilemma between the Spring and Autumn dates offered – which prevented any detailed planning. The general consensus was that September would be preferable (see Mark’s latest response to Roger).

Swinn was proud to announce he had passed a City and Guilds Tig welding course. He had come to the conclusion that Tig was too slow for him and his hands too shakey for it to be worth buying the necessary rig for home use.

Ken had taken to shopping for sensible jumpers at a well known chain of pensioner’s outdoor clothing suppliers.

Pete K offered to provide a contact should anyone need accommodation for the Classic TT.

Roger had entered the Tour de Yorkshire cycle race.

Phil D gave a comprehensive talk about the complexities of the current testing regime for aspiring young motorcycle riders. This was both fascinating and disturbing. The prospect of being re-tested to meet current requirements would be daunting for most of us. He would not be drawn on whether the new rules had resulted in a drop in motorcycle-related casualties. Phil also reminded the meeting of the need to self-declare fitness to drive in the year preceding 70^th birthdays. Dave to take on the ‘pathfinder’ role.

Having time on their hands the previous day, Ken and Dave decided to visit a local BMW dealer where they drank coffee, kicked tyres and harassed salesmen. After being asked to leave they had visited one of Ken’s former girlfriends - with whom he had enjoyed a ménage a trois with another attendee in their student days. It was clear that she still had fond memories of her old flame(s)  but showed little interest in rekindling the arrangement (viaTinder, of course).

With advancing years and increasing frailty the conversation inevitably turned to mortality, the need to get miles in, holidays too. Also to sort out ISAs and review wills. Peter’s solution for sorting his chattels had been to provide his children with sticky dots to claim various items for which they had a particular affection. The remainder would be bundled off to the auctioneers upon his demise. Regrettably, a sticker had yet to appear on his beloved C15.

Following a thankyou to Roger, for organising the meet up, the meeting closed around 4.30pm

As with previous years there was some confusion when the time came to pay the bill. Each attendee was asked to contribute £13 for the meal which would also provide for a reasonable tip. The collected sum amounted to £13 less than anticipated whereupon Pete K declared that he had no intention of paying as he had not eaten anything; the nuts consumed on his travels had been sufficient to sustain him. He also pointed to the unused cutlery and napkin as if to reinforce his case. Martin was suspected of being party to this subterfuge as he had been feeding Peter with spring rolls from his own plate. Again the sum collected covered the cost of 8 meals but with a much smaller tip of only £3. However this went someway to redress the balance between the increased price of the meal and the actual inflationary uplift which should have been applied.

Picture courtesy of Martin.