Clan BC Retford

In keeping with tradition Clan members again attended the Shipley rally last Sunday for the annual charity toy run to Harewood House. Although bereft of our intrepid leader, who was on duty at the HDRCGB International Rally, Craig, Rachel, Shoddy, Kiwi and Michelle showed the club colours in the Malt and then joined the few hundred other bikes on the ride out of Baildon. The street in the village was, as usual, lined with people and it is a strange feeling riding through cheering crowds like that. Along the whole route, down through Otley and out towards Pool, every pub, old folks home and village corner had small groups outside waving, cheering and clapping the procession of predominantly Harleys as they thundered past. The street marshals did an admiral job racing ahead to block off all the side roads and intersections to ensure a safe ride for all involved. The procession duly arrived at Harewood House, where their annual steam rally was in full swing, and parked up near the centre ring to await the chance to deliver the varied assortment of stuffed animals and toys for the children's charity. We all took the time to have a nosey around the fair, top up on coffee and doughnuts and to check out the huge variety of old machinery on show. With the weather closing in, toys delivered and a number of riders already heading back we fired up the bikes and had a steady ride back to Michelle’s for coffee and cake. Great to see Billy from Aire Valley HOG again (who still can't forget us) and we’re all looking forward to next years rally and ride out.