23rd International West Kent Run
January Update (1 January 2007)
(Archive of past Updates)
Happy New Year !
Picture pages are popular. I want to show photographs of riders and their bikes again this year. If you have a photo of your bike (especially if you are also in the picture) please send it with your entry. I shall add it to the website.
Coffee and lunch venues confirmed.
We shall take coffee at the Kent & East Sussex Railway at Tenterden again this year. We were very well served there previously and there is always a lot to see. The lunch stop is a new venue at Bewl Water. This reservoir, near Lamberhurst, supplies water to the Maidstone area. We shall have our lunch at the visitor centre. The West Kent Run is a big event and has been running for many years. It is difficult to find new places capable of serving 500 people so we look forward to our visit.
A buffet meal will be served on Saturday evening. We shall not be using the burger van this year. The buffet will be prepared by the catering staff at the Friars and will be served in the marquee. As in past years, the meal will be available by ticket and you can order your ticket(s) on the entry form at £6 each.
I announced that the entry forms were available in the last news update and I have received many entries. Please remember that we welcome all types and ages of motorcycle, autocycle, moped, scooter and three-wheeler. We would like to see an increase in the number of veteran (pre 1915) and vintage (pre 1931) machines as well as lightweights (under 250cc) from the 50s and 60s. If you have an early or unusual machine please consider riding it this year.
In the last couple of years the number of overseas riders has begun to increase again. John Bouwhuis does a lot of work to promote the West Kent Run and it is vital to the success of this event that we attract lots of riders from the continent so that we can call it a true 'international.' We welcomed more than 85 overseas riders in 2006 and we wish to top the 100 mark again for 2007. (Our best total was 119 at Hadlow College) If you have friends overseas or links with continental Clubs please encourage them to join us. You know that they will be assured of a warm welcome. The lack of Belgian riders over the last few years has been a disappointment and I know many of you have friends in Belgium - please do what you can.
Interest from new riders (repeated from last month because its good news !)
I was pleased to receive an email from Piet Trompenaars of the Maico club of the Netherlands. Piet is organising a tour of the South-East of England next year and wants to come to the West Kent Run. He hopes to bring as many as ten bikes. Piet is the rider in the foreground on the 1962 Bundeswehr model and his brother-in-law is riding the 1956 Blizzard. Both are 250cc two-strokes - so they get my vote !
Now is the time to tell your friends about the West Kent Run. Most of our riders are old friends who come every year, but we always welcome new faces. Print off an entry form and send it to them.
Best Wishes from Alan Abrahams and the West Kent Run Committee.
westkentrun@hotmail.com