Willingham woods.

[blinkey501]

It turns out the police decided pull to every bike going in and out of the popular meet in Lincolnshire this weekend just gone.
They checked for worn tyres. Loud cans. Undersize number plates. And issued on the spot fines who fell foul.
They checked MOT, tax, insurance and driving licences. And even breath tested.
A bit keen I think? Maybe Lincolnshire is a bit short this month so decided to try and top up the bank
There is also a rumour that the same will happen next week.
I might have a ride up there. Well after I have put my standard can back on

[D-Rider]

Well, another triumph for building bridges between the public and a police force in which fewer and fewer have any confidence.

Had they just attended the meet and given friendly advice where there were issues so that those that needed to sort things out could do so, then public relations would have been improved and a contribution made to road safety.

It beats me how the police continually fail to comprehend the negative and counter-productive effects of their approach in so many areas.

[HowardQ]

We went down there last Wednesday afternoon and left at about 17:45, just as the Police Video and speed camera van was setting up just in a bit of a pull in a few hundred metres back up the road towards Market Rasen.

Excess speed, you're nicked.
Wheelie at lower speed, you're on video - dangerous driving proved.

As we got back to Market Rasen there was another video van coming around the bend outside the school. (I assume that one was going to cover the road out east as well!).
There was a bike cop just behind it and the copper riding gave us a wave, but didn't seem that happy, (it was a bit half hearted), I wonder why.

The bike cops you see out there are usually good blokes and always tend to wave or wave back. They always chat to bikers at Willingham and talk bikes.

Looks like it might be a "good" summer!
Last twice I have been there has been lots of activity, most are sensible, like speed cameras on the edge of many village 30 limits, (fair enough).
More worrying was the one that got our old friend Dave, (OKAMOTO), doing low 3 figures last summer, which was almost certainly one of the long range devices, that are nowhere near the road, so you cannot suss them.

[flatlander]

ACAB???

[Dalemac]

This s why I go out for a blast at night time instead. Cops have finished their fund raising exercises and the roads are abandoned. Also, it's more fun at night time :D

[Willopotomas]

Personally, I like early weekend mornings in the summer. Around 5-6am is best as it's still fairly cool and the roads are devoid of idiots.

[fatboy]

They know full well if they cast the net on popular bike runs, they are guaranteed a catch....
Try out think em !

[HisNibbs]

Yep. Avoid large gatherings and bike nights or ride to them legal.

[HowardQ]

I agree with all that, but there are two issues here -

1) having a good "fun" ride, without hassle .......................
2) and the social side, such as meeting and chatting with other bikers.

The main priority for me is the former but the latter is also nice.
Many bikers only have so much time per week to indulge themselves, and often choose to have a good ride out to a bike meet and kill two birds with .........

Let's face it, we are looking to do the same thing the weekend after next, with a ride out from Laneham to Willingham!
Do we still go ahead with this, or have a steady 30mph run to Morrison's at Retford and have a coffee/tea in their café?

[HowardQ]

Yep. Avoid large gatherings and bike nights or ride to them legal.

It's not just the ride, it is possible to be pretty sensible, (ride through every village at 30mph and as quietly as possible, not going too mad outside the villages etc..), it is still not much fun if you get there and there is an army of plod stopping and checking every single bike at length.

[nicketynoo]

BUGGER! Was thinking of having a ride out there tomorrow evening , via Moortown depending on weather tho'. only just got my bike cleaned after last wednesdays outing.
Just haven't got the time now for another strip down and clean

[HowardQ]

I'm giving Willingham a miss tomorrow, will have to be South Leverton next Wednesday in stead, (but always go there when I can).
The plod only have so much to spend on big hits on bike meets, so the bike checking hopefully will not be every week, but the cash generators will always be in the frame sadly.

[fatboy]

HQ, I fully understand your sentiments, but if they are determined to find fault, they will find fault and issue fixed penalties.
Dont forget the object of the excersize is to obtain a good crime report ratio, the local Inspector will have breifed expecting results,demanding results, thus acheiving performance targets.
Multiple changes of venue, break the pattern, have fun,
INVITE ONLY rozza's

[nicketynoo]

Just got back from Willingham woods. Never seen so many bikes in one place. It was awesome. No sign of pc plod (thank god my bank account has had enough of a bashing this week) or any other Falco's for that matter of fact.

[Nooj]

Get on the chunnel to France, much more civilised over there if you're a biker.

Not every weekend obviously, unless you're properly loaded, but a couple of long weekends if you can stretch to them make a BIG difference to your riding year.