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The 54th Coventry Parade
The 54th running of the Coventry Parade started from a warm and sunny Coombe
Abbey Park on Sunday 9th of August '09. Last year the start was hit by a
sudden squall of rain but conditions this year remained perfect as the
Lady Mayor flagged away the first competitor, Mike Wills on his 1911
Bradbury and sidecar. Second away was the irrepressible Dave McMahon
on a Coventry produced 1911 Rudge.
There were two more veteran machines, a fine 1914 Morgan driven by Colin Scott
and Colin Missen on his 1914 "Baby" Triumph. Colin Missen
has been
riding in all kinds of events for many many years. ( I still have fond
memories of riding overnight with Colin in a bitterly cold Land's End trial over
35 years ago. Colin was on a 175 Suzuki (?) trail bike and I was on a 500
Matchless single. We both arrived safely at the Newquay finish despite
Colin having a bit of a tumble as he was caught out by an icy bend as dawn broke
over Bodmin Moor.)
This event always has a good variety of machinery with most of the entrants coming
from the Midlands area. The Coventry Section of the Vincent Owners Club
was well represented, making up over 10% of the entry.
The route was the usual mix of mostly quiet "B" roads and pretty
villages. Gloria particularly liked the old stone and thatch cottages in
Ashby St. Ledgers. (I'm not so sure that she would like the prices if
she wanted to buy one!)
The lunch stop was "The Green Man" in Long
Itchington where Barry B, another Coventry Section VOC member, joined us on his
Cotton. The refreshments were very welcome after a warm morning
session. The last part of the route was an easy 15 mile run back to
Coombe Park including a section of the Fosse Way.
Coombe Abbey Park is an excellent venue for this event with plenty of room and
good facilities especially if you want a cup of tea, cakes or ice-cream. (Or all three in our case.)
I was fortunate to be able to ride the event
myself this year but it is always worth a visit just to look at the bikes,
enjoy good company and pleasant surroundings.
Thank you to the Warwickshire Section of the VMCC for their continued excellent
organization of the Coventry Parade. We look forward to the 55th Coventry
Parade.
Eddy
John and Judith prepare the BSA.
Don loads the route card.
1914 Morgan.
Dave Mac, always smiling.
More Coventry Parade Photographs
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