Ian Marcer Autumn Mists Run 2023

Ian Marcer Autumn Mists Run - Sunday October 1st 2023

Thanks to Mick Dughan for sending this report:-

Regular attendees to this run will know that it is one of the regular winter events organised by the late Ian Marcer to to fill the dark winter months, you may recall that they were sometimes almost endless and it would be almost dark when we got home.
We have always kept the runs in our calendar and named this one in remembrance of Ian.
This year’s run was organised by Eddy Grew and started and finished at the Honey Pot tea rooms in Rosliston.
The weather forecast was reasonable, cloudy with a chance of rain later, so things looked promising, on the way to the start I was stuck behind a Land Rover towing a horse box and a couple of cars so I was concerned that I might miss the start.
No worries since when I arrived several members were just tucking into bacon sandwiches and even chocolate cakes.
Eventually there were 21 machines of various manufacturers and ages ready for the off, at which stage Eddy gave a briefing on the drop-off system and away we went.
The route took us through Coton-in-Elms, Lullington, Acresford and into Netherseal, where we all parked opposite the church in front of the vicarage.
Here Eddy pointed out the Blue Plaque on the wall referring to the late Sir Nigel Gresley who was responsible for designing many steam locomotives, including the famous “Mallard “, and whose father was the local vicar.
Eddy took us on a short walk to a nearby graveyard where we saw the grave of Sir Nigel.
After our educational excursion, (Bob Higgs came out with a master pun at the finish saying that he had been "Eddyfied". Eddy) we resumed our ride on to Clifton Campville. It was here that it was my turn to stop at a junction and things went a bit astray. I was there for over ten minutes and it was obvious that someone had broken down behind and last man Ian Baxter was with them, Chris Chant came back to me from the next junction and offered to go back to find out what the problem was, while I carried on forwards informing others at junctions of the problem.
I progressed through Haunton, Harlaston and on to the A513, which I followed to Catton Park. At this point we were joined by the rest of our delayed riders and continued into Walton, where there seemed to be a bit of confusion as to which road to take so I followed the two riders in front towards the old power station site and presumably back to Rosliston, although I saw no one at any of the junctions that I knew would take us there.
Still following the two bikes in front I realised that we were heading the wrong way by the time I reached Stapenhill I was nearly home, so that is where I ended up.
After a phone conversation with Vic at the finish it appeared that everyone had got back ok and despite the hiccup the run had been a success.
Thanks to Eddy for his time and effort and looking forward to the next one. Mick Dughan.

A few thoughts of my own. Eddy.

Those of you who have organised a run will know that the weather on the day is important so when Sunday, October 1st dawned grey and overcast I wondered how many riders would turn up at the start. I arrived early at the Honey Pot Café in Rosliston, bought a coffee and sat and waited. After a while, I heard the distinctive thump of a Velocette exhaust and thought to myself that at least I’d have at least one person to ride around with. It was Richard (can't remember his surname, maybe Wootton) and we sat and chatted while he waited for his breakfast order to arrive. I shouldn't have worried as gradually more people arrived. There were a few late arrivals including Vic on his BSA C11G that had broken down on the way to the start but managed to fix it.
I gave a briefing and explained that we would be using the drop-off system and explained how it worked. It is important to get everyone to listen carefully especially some of the riders haven't used it before. As you can see from Mick's report unfortunately maybe someone didn't listen carefully enough and some riders didn't manage to complete all the route but fortunately most found their way back to the Honey Pot Café. Vic had further bike problems so headed for home while it was still running. He returned to the finish in his car where he treated Denise to a doorstep butty lunch. He knows how to show a girl a good time.😉
A pity about that hiccough with the drop-off but never the less at the finish as I looked around I saw riders that having had the morning ride on their bikes all sitting socially, talking, joking, having drinks and refreshments and enjoying the company of their friends. That takes some beating.
Thanks to everyone that took part. Eddy.

Owen Dyke's son Sam sitting on the right hand end of the table. Good to see some "young blood" joining in the rides.

Bob Higgs helps Dave hold up his Doorstep Bacon Butty.

Below is the route.