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We arose at 7.30 in preparation for our first run with the London BMW club. We were heading to the Cotswolds…….. lovely.There was frost and ice on the hedges and lawn in our garden and it was 1 degree when we set off but the sun was shining on this clear, crisp autumn day so we were looking forward to a great ride.We were the first ones at the meeting point (to make sure we didn’t get lost) and slowly 9 other bikes arrived. They asked if we knew how the ‘drop off’ system worked for changing directions. In answer to my question the leader said he would point but not all do. No pre-ride briefing or discussion of which route we would be taking. We eventually left a half hour late but that didn’t matter. We travelled some very tiny lanes and quaintly named villages as we made our way towards Whittington. At times we were very spread out and once when we were the signal bike we had to wait 6 minutes for the tail end Charlie to arrive. En route we lost some people. Unlike the forward pass, which led to a try, which led to NZ’s demise, that was obvious to EVERYONE, the ‘dropped off’ rider, who was to signal the way, was not obvious to many and 6 of us went riding by the turn. Four of us realised and stopped and turned back but 2 sailed gaily on their way. One arrived at the pub because he knew the lunch place but the other we never saw again. The pub was olde worlde with doorways only about 5’ 6” high. It was very popular and therefore busy so we sat outside in the sunshine and ate a lovely roast beef and Yorkshire pudd meal. Yum. They were very friendly and welcoming. One named our bike the Star Ship Enterprise (not sure if that was complimentary or not).Three of us travelled home together. Us, because we had NO idea where we were and the other 2 because they lived in the same direction. We travelled some different roads and through places called Upper Swell and Lower Swell, Stow-on-the-Wold, Kingston Bagpuize. Some of the lanes and villages were so small there was only just room for one car and one bike to pass. Most of the journey was done at 120kph which made for some interesting moments. I was sucking in my breath often. The leader apologised to Ingel at lunch that he was riding too slowly! The London branch has about 400 members but only get about 5-10 bikes in winter and maybe a few more in the summer and very rarely do they have 2-ups or female riders. From comments made, it sounded as if things were going backwards in the club. All in all a good day and hopefully there will be more to follow. Lesley and Ingel
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