BSA Owner Clubs. National, Local International.

[LJ.]

Of course as owners of the A7 or A10 seris models or any model type of BSA. Do you think it is important to be a member?

I am a member of our local and the National Uk BSA Owners club and I enjoy the participation. I think it is important to form that membership 'bond' as we all share the common interest in owning a BSA motorcycle.

Over the last year I have attended a number of the UK camps and rallies and proudly boast of having won second place in the long distance and attendance at rallies trophy, think the trophy is called the 'Dennis Parkinson Trophy' I have met so many people and have met so many new friends across the UK. There is a real camaradie amongst not just Motorcyclist but classic Motorcyclist too.

Do you support your club? I think it is important to, it is so easy now days to go online and read and take in advice etc but actually meeting is by far better especially with a good local brew in hand! 

Last weekend was the UK BSAOC Dinner and Dance, we had a really great time at Great Yarmouth on the East Coast, very well attended it was too. The Hotel was good, food good and price of £150 for two people for the whole weekend just can't be beaten.

I'm already looking forward to the New Year of activities! See you out there eh? 

[fido]

Lawrence, as you will have gathered I was a member of the East Midlands branch before I moved to Scotland. There are no BSAOC branches in Scotland. I still attend the WEEKLY E. Mids meetings when I'm down south on visits. I'm no longer a paid up member of the BSAOC. I dropped out in protest over the membership issue. Club policy now appears to be that of turning a blind eye to members who don't own BSA bikes. I think this is stupid, it would be easy enough to change the rules but they are too pig headed to do so. Ideally, I would like to see the club renamed as the BSA Enthusiasts Club but the main thing is to encourage anyone who has an interest in these machines to join up and contribute their knowledge, amusing anecdotes etc. This would include ex factory employees, competition riders and elderly ex BSA owners now unable to ride these bikes.
The BSAOC is a good club but could be made a lot better.

[Beezageezauk]

Like Lawrence, I too am a member of the British BSAOC and enjoy using my bikes to the full.  In fact Lawrence and I first met at a camp in Belgium that would not exist if it wasn't for the Belgian BSAOC.
As a result of attending BSAOC camps and rallies all over Europe my wife and I have made so many friends that it is a full time job writing out Christmas cards.  We have friends in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France....sheesh this is getting boring, yes and Aus, New Zealand and the USA.  Not forgetting the 200 or so in Britain. 
The point I am trying to make is to enjoy the club for what it is.  Forget the politics (they are not a legal requirement for riding your bike), attend a couple of camps and meet like minded folk.  But you have to go to them...they won't come to you...and you will find that the camaraderie amongst the regular riders is second to none.
Unfortunately my camping equipment is now packed away for the winter but the bikes are still in regular use, albeit with reduced mileages.  Roll on Spring.

Beezageezauk   

[fido]

Hope I didn't sound too negative, I am saving up for the New Zealand International 

[Beezageezauk]

Nice to hear that Fido.  The NZ trip will take a bit of planning and this is where the club really will come in useful.  You will get assistance with the planning, opportunity to share crates for bike shipment (cost cutting), a load of information from those who have done the trip before, plus companionship before, during and after the event.  I must admit, I haven't attended a BSAOC International Rally outside Europe but I quite fancy the New Zealand one in 2010.
If you do manage to get there will you be taking your own bike and will you be travelling with others?  Finally, in which part of Scotland do you live?  I'm in NE England.

Beezageezauk

[LJ.]

You've been about then Beezageeza! I'm hoping to do the NZ international, Just got our club newsleter this evening and now I'm planning the Belgium Inter for next year.

Fido... Are you anywhere near Triton Thrasher up your way?

[fido]

I have not planned any details yet but have dreamed of visiting NZ for years so this seems too good an opportunity to miss. As it happens, I do have a mate down there so there's a chance he might be able to help me hire/buy/borrow/steal a bike for the duration. In such case I would not be able to insist it be a BSA but I dare say the NZ organisers are fairly layed back about such matters
I'm about half way between Aberdeen and Inverness, about 150 miles from Triton Thrashers stomping ground. I did go on one of the runs he organises though, on the XBR500. It was 140 miles to get to the start of the run, a further 90 miles doing the run itself then the 140 miles home, with a suitably numb bum 

[Beezageezauk]

Hi Fido,

Yes, it is too early to make plans for the NZ Rally but it's worthwhile testing the water so to speak.  At least you will have plenty of time to save up for it.
You are out on a limb up there but you have some lovely biking roads.  I lived in Aberdeen for 2 years and attended the 1998 BSAOC International Rally at Inverness so I know a bit of the area and have some happy memories of it.
I also know quite a few members of the East Midlands Branch but I won't mention any names.  At least one of them attended the last NZ Rally and now goes over there to visit friends on a regular basis so he will be a good source of information.  You will probably know him.

Lawrence.....I'll probably be travelling a different route to you for the Belgian "Inter".  I checked the P&O website for a Hull to Zeebrugge crossing and couldn't believe how expensive the quote was......£460 return  for 1 bike and 2 adults in the cheapest cabin and not including meals.  They have either made a mistake or I'll be riding via Newcastle/Amsterdam, Dover/Calais or the Chunnel.

Beezageezauk. 

[LJ.]

Strewth £460 quid!    thats dear! I only paid £36 for bike me and my lad earlier in the year when we went to the John Bull rally. Think it was with Norfolkline, but I had booked way in advance which reminds me I must do the same again.