Father’s Day, for some it means breakfast in bed, then spending it with your offspring. Me! I got up at 04.30, drove 100 mls then rode an 83yr. old motorcycle for another 64mls., then drove back home.

But then, my daughter lives 7000 mls away, so I get to cook my own breakfast & spend the day with Steve Capp, to ride in the Banbury Run, the world’s largest gathering of pre-1930 motorcycles

The previous week has been spent oiling cables, checking the rest all over, & servicing the trailer, I have a basic theory," if it aint broke, leave it ", especially as this will be our 12^th Banbury together, the "we" is myself & my 1928 New Hudson 350cc Super Side Valve, & it got the same treatment every past year, & last year we broke down for the first time, until I cleaned the oil from the points.(remember them).

Saturday afternoon was spent loading the trailer & my gear into my motorhome, ready for the early start, with the forecast predicting 20c, cloudy, with sunny period’s, then writing the "to take" check list as the memory ( remember them) fails me at times.

We arrived at the venue, The Gaydon Motor Heritage Centre, about 8.00 after meeting my mate Geoff at South Mimms, in his van, with his1923 BSA 350 on its maiden voyage. I put the kettle on, as it was drizzling, but luckily only briefly, unload both bikes, sign-on, then I cooked breakfast, followed by a walk round the multitude of machines, singles, twins, & even some fours, solos, sidecars & 3-wheelers, with the earliest machine over 100 yrs old.

I’m no,165 due off @ 10.32, one of 600 machines setting off in 4’s at 1min. intervals, my mate is due @ 10.50 on a shorter run, all setting off on one of 3 different routes ( so don’t follow the guy in front), some timed(to get the big trophies), just hoping I don’t get lost, as in all the previous years.

All lined up @ 10.30 with dead engine, 10.31 start engines, 2^nd kick away it fires, then were off, riding a hand gear-change bike, no suspension, virtually no brakes, remembering to press the oil pump regularly, & trying to read a route sheet, telling myself that I am supposed to be enjoying it..

My recent fitting of a pedal-bike speedo/computer tells me I’m about flat-out at 50mph, but the need to conserve fuel & oil slows me down to about 40, as these side valves will be lucky to return 40mpg , so a 2 gall tank should be plenty, providing I don’t get lost, & the oil is a "total loss" system & to keep the engine cool I burn about 1 pt of oil to 30mls, with a 2-1/2 pt. tank!!!.

Half way point in 70 mins, that’s OK, bike running like a dream, enjoy the stunning Oxfordshire countryside, which is more than can be said for the by-roads, rear end (mine) now suffering. Nearly 40 miles covered, I stopped & check fuel & oil with engine running(don’t tempt fate) both tanks are fine.

Now with approx. 10mls to go, & the infamous (google it!) Sun Rising Hill is in sight 1:6 at the start with a double bend, & 1:4 near the summit, & the major viewing spot away from the start/finish. If I get a clear run at this, I can make it in 2^nd gear(of 3) but some poor guy is pushing his sidecar outfit(with passenger) up the hill with his engine running & clutch driving, I have to slow then into 1st but a few spectators help him out & we reach the top to large cheers.

Crossed the line at 1.05, 64 miles covered, that’s about 25 mph average, I’m happy with that, the bike behaved, I never got lost( those varifocal specs do work), & I did enjoy it, now that’s what I call a father’s day.

Geoff finished at 2.15 after being rescued with a supply of fuel with 5mls left.

Gordon Hallett