UK & Ireland exclusive: Chapter News (December 2018)

All the latest H.O.G. Chapter news from the UK & Ireland

Chelsea and Fulham Remembrance Ride 2018
This is the last formal ride-out of the Chelsea & Fulham riding season, and what a great one it was. This ride (like the first of the year) is always at the mercy of the weather; this year the day itself was quite nice with no more than a bit of drizzle and a chilly wind, but the night before had seen London visited by ‘Storm Dierdre’, which did cause us problems, as we discovered.

The choice of Chatham as our destination arose out of a sense of fairness; in 2014 we had visited Ypres in Belgium, clearly an army-centric location. In the intervening years we have also been to the RAF section of Brookwood cemetery in Surrey. So, it seemed fair to seek out the Royal Navy for 2018.

Regrettably by the nature of their trade most sailors killed in action are either buried or lost at sea so, they are commemorated on memorials. The nearest to Warr’s is at Chatham in Kent, overlooking the river Medway. Early reconnaissance indicated that parking for the bikes would be practical, and there was an excellent lunch stop about 10 minutes away in the Chatham Historical Dockyard, itself a venue well worthy of a future visit.

The recce on the Monday prior to the ride revealed no obvious problems so we were just hoping for a dry day. I had purchased an official wreath from the Royal British legion to lay at the memorial, and poppies and medals were to be worn as appropriate. We even had some flags on the bikes.

Experience from earlier years indicated that it was safer and more convenient to hold the two-minute silence at Warr’s Kings Road prior to setting off. Regrettably no-one thought to inform the children’s party at the other end of Michael Road what day it was and, the caterwauling continued throughout. The briefing immediately preceded the silence and departure followed soon after.

Since the ride was only about 40 miles, I had not included a petrol stop. The outline plan was to arrive at the memorial at about 1pm and get to the lunch stop by about 2pm so we had plenty of time for a meal before the kitchens closed at 3.30pm.

On the evening of November 10, South London was deluged with heavy rain; unfortunately, this left several roads still flooded and impassable. Keeping an eye on the SatNav – which as usual was helping and hindering in equal parts – showed that we were falling well behind schedule fighting through the traffic and avoiding the road closures. I opted for a quick regroup where I briefed the Road Captains that we were now heading straight for Chatham by the most direct route, which meant longer on the A2 than was ideal, but put us quickly back on schedule.

As it transpired, we arrived at the memorial in good time and had the opportunity for a few words and laying the wreath. Steve Graham even fitted in a group photo. We indeed got to the dockyard at 2pm where we were welcomed by the catering staff. The fish and chips started appearing soon after.

It was good to see so many faces from previous trips, indeed only two people volunteered that it was their first ride with C&F. We even had a trike. Many thanks to Steve Graham and Ray Campbell being RCs on the day, Gavin Caddick for laying the wreath and special mention to Nigel Gaskin and Andrew Eborn for helping with the research and checking out the facilities. Dom Mulvaney opened the shop and helped Ray out with a bike issue before we even set off, as well as taking some nice shots from the roundabout by The Rose as we left. Final thanks are to a Chatham resident and non-riding buddy of mine, Richard Thorburn, who did the initial feasibility test for me after we dreamed up the idea in a pub after the original Albert trip idea fell through.

And the Chatham memorial story? You had to be there...

Michael Howers
Chelsea & Fulham Chapter

Chelsea & Fulham and Meridian Road Captains Dinner
Europe's oldest Harley-Davidson dealership, Warr's of London, established in 1924 proudly sponsor two H.O.G Chapters, namely Chelsea & Fulham and Meridian, associated with the SE London dealership on Mottingham Road.

Every December the Director of both Chapters, John Warr, (and uniquely also owner of both dealerships) hosts his 'Road Captains Dinner' at London's oldest restaurant 'Rules' in Covent Garden.

Rules restaurant was established by Thomas Rule in 1798 and has only ever had three owners in its long and colourful history. The famous and infamous have graced it's cosy parlours. King Edward VII had his own private entrance built so he could slip in and out relatively unnoticed to entertain his mistress Lilly Langtry and, Winston Churchill was a frequent diner. Rules’ present owner John Mayhew is a Harley-Davidson rider, Chelsea & Fulham H.O.G. member and long-time friend and customer of John’s.

John said: “Every year our brilliant Road Captains organise and run fantastic events and rides for our Chapter members. My annual dinner is just a small token of thanks to them from me for all their endeavours and hard work during the year. They really do an amazing and thoroughly professional job and our membership is always growing as a result.”

John Warr
Chelsea & Fulham and Meridian Chapters

Corrie actors pitch in with Mancunium Chapter fundraising

Each year the Mancunium Chapter from Manchester raise funds for a North West-based charity. For 2018 the charity chosen is the North West Air Ambulance Service.

Many of you may remember a couple of articles featured in HOG Insider this year where Mancunium Chapter member, Steve Spenner, got to meet members from the North West Air Ambulance who saved his life from a serious road accident three years ago.

So far this year the Chapter has raised an amazing £5,000 for the Air Ambulance Service, and received a little help along the way from Coronation Street actors past and present.

Well done Steve, everyone at Manchester H-D and the Mancunium Chapter!