September 18th meant only one thing to QQMCC members - a trip to Llangollen and the memorable weekend that was spent exploring the beautiful fast, twisting, scenic roads of North Wales. The Bryn Howel hotel in Llangollen provided a beautiful and scenic setting for the meeting, as well as very good food and an excellent supply of Kilkenny bitter. Doc Jane and Steve had arranged the weekend for us and what a treat it turned out to be. Doc Squid even came in her four-wheeled bike (a.k.a. Vauxhall Corsa), thanks to the continuing presence of meccano around the broken leg, but determined not to miss out on the fun.
Quick Quacks Motorcycle club arrive in Llangollen ready for their Wales ride-out. Lee looks anxiously at the oil emanating from his beloved Triumph....or is it chain lube?
We might be medics, but that didn't stop us enjoying a traditional breakfast feast before setting out to explore North Wales, frighten a few sheep, and burn a bit of oil.
Quick Quacks make their way to the mountains
The route took in some of the best roads in Wales, from Llangollen to Betws-y-Coed, and coffee at Del's Diner, then on via Portmeirion to Barmouth Quayside for lunch. Unfortunately this was slightly damp, owing to the low cloud over the mountains, so the opportunity was taken to dry out gloves and kit in preparation for the afternoon ride. Doc Squid drove down to meet folks for lunch, and found out what the 'S' button on her automatic gearbox was for!
Quick Quacks arrive at Barmouth Quayside, and Gary tells us about his encounter with a fearsome sheep....
In the afternoon, the weather improved, the roads dried out, and the group headed south towards Machynlleth. Pete the Free managed to raise the ire of a chap in a horsebox, and Steve's throaty pipes added to the flavour of a Mediaeval parade in the town. Then followed a speedy run to Bala for coffee, and back to the hotel. The hotel had won awards for its cuisine, and we weren't surprised - the food was excellent, despite Pete the Free ordering ham when he meant pork and getting lamb.....
QQMCC return from their ride to a deserved pint
The following morning we held a business meeting over breakfast and then got ready to depart, complete with the obligatory audience of elderly folk reminiscing about bikes of yore....Lee's bike was definitely burning oil, so he headed off in search of a garage selling bike oil, and one or two members headed into Llangollen town for a tasteful Portmeirion peace offering to take home. We all enjoyed the weekend immensely, and are looking forward to the next national get-together in Essex, complete with furry dice. Many thanks to Jane and Steve for organising such a great weekend, and to QQMCC for allowing a Vauxhall Corsa into the bike park (!).
The business meeting was short and sweet, chaired by Doc Squid (Secretary) in the absence of a) Nick Broughton (Chairman) and b) her breakfast, which left her free to talk while the rest were stoking up on fuel....
Club Officers
Doc Jane agreed to be Treasurer and set up a bank account for the club. Doc Squid stays as Secretary. Gary the Gasman has become official cartoonist and t-shirt designer, and Pete the Free is organising the April 1999 meeting in Essex.
Publicity
We decided we needed more publicity. We all know of doctors who ride bikes, but we need to persuade them to come to meetings. We decided to contact the bike press again, since we had recently had an article in the medical press (Pulse magazine), and try to get something printed about the group. We also agreed to let Doc Squid take over the responsibility for mailing to members not on e-mail. We also agreed that people who are regulars at meetings will get in touch with those who aren't who live locally, to try and encourage them to participate, and get over that initial barrier of making contact.
We agreed to try and meet up with people going to the bike show at the NEC in November, and to look into the possibility of a track day or half-day just for Quick Quacks in the new year.
Next meeting
We decided furry dice would be compulsory, as would a sun-strip on the windscreen with 'Wayne and Tracy' as we were heading to Essex-land and needed to blend in with the natives......
