Black Country MAG

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since 04.04.2000

Welcome to Black Country MAG

...to all friends, old and new. Finally got round to wishing you all a Happy New Year! Last year was very mixed for rally weather - did not know whether to take suncream or wellies, and on some occasions could have used both! What will 2010 bring?

If you are a biker (new, old, or in-between) or have had a bike in the past and are thinking of becoming a 'born again', do come along and join us on a Monday night. You will find details of our meeting place toward the bottom of this page.

Last year's Black Country MAG AGM, was held at 12 noon on Saturday 21st March at the Park Inn, followed by the West Midlands MAG AGM. The minutes can be read here,2009 Minutes Our Black Country MAG AGM will be held on Saturday 20th March this year, again at the Park Inn at 12 noon and followed by the West Midlands AGM. There is a lot to discuss - locally, regionally and nationally, so do make the meeting if at all possible.

The Fred Hill Runtook place last Sunday,February 7th. Only 2 set off from the Park Inn this year - Nigel and one other. We were at Meriden to watch the riders come in - a good turnout from clubs like BOF and Unwanted but far fewer numbers, altogether, than usual. Nice to see Vic there with his bike (and his camera). The second group to ride in - from Bewell Head - seemed much smaller than in the past

The Easter Egg run will take place on Saturday March 27th 2010, to the Acorns Hospice - further details are on the website West Mids MAG.

The former 'Duk Dik Rally' (Gloucester MAG) is now renamed the 'Slippit Inn Rally' and takes place Easter Weekend. Another popular MAG event - Heart of England and the Brum Run was held the first weekend in July. JJ and I did not attend either of these last year and as I did not receive a report or pictures from anyone who did, I was unable to post details. This year's Heart of England Rally is to be held 2/3/4 July at a new location - Kings Norton Rugby Club, Hopwood Park, Ash Lane, B48 7BB. No arrangements yet confirmed for the Brum Demo Run.

Our 'Back from the Dead Again' Rally took place the first weekend in June; thanks due to everyone who helped. We had to change site when the Park Gate was sold to become a restaurant, and we also changed the date - for last year at least. Nigel is planning to hold it at the Dodford Inn this year, but is having trouble settling on a date. Details will be posted here, when available.

Looking forward to this year's rallies, though a number of clubs seem to be having problems with their traditional sites. Putting up site fees, over-inflated beer prices, banning food outlets and stalls (which provide some income to the organising bike club) - surely site owners/managers realise that a recession is not the time to get greedy? They have always made good money out of bike rallies, which provide their own marshals and clean-up crews. Do clubs on the continent have the same problem? Perhaps we should set up a register of suitable sites, where the owners/managers recognise a good business opportunity; if you can recommend any, please e-mail us @blackcountrymag.org.

The fundraising rideout for 'Afghan Heroes'took place on Sunday 14th March. There were a number of groups there from the Midlands area, and three bikes travelled down from the Black Country MAG. A report has been posted on the Rallies page (pictures to follow).

STOP PRESS:Those of you who attend our gatherings will know already that Bod was a 'smidsy' victim last Autumn and has been in a lot of pain, but is now continuing his recovery back home (following operations on his hip and pelvis, and skin grafts to his left knee). He is beginning to get about on sticks, but it will be some time yet before he is properly mobile and as he will be unable to ride any of his Jap or European bikes, he is trying to work out how to kickstart his old British bikes without putting any weight on his left leg! I think Heath Robinson will be needed! He has received no help from the Authorities since he returned home and has had to rely on help from friends, especially with fitting the splint and shoe to his left foot.

I am beginning to gather info on coming events (thanks to Dave Silburn for his input) and will post dates as I get them. List, to start, is as follows: (comments are webmaster's own!)

13th March : Unwanted St Patrick's day party - hear this is a blast

14th March : Afghan Heroes run (see link above) - should be momentous/unmissable

21st March : Stoke egg run

27th March : West Mids MAG egg run

28th March : RAF Cosford egg run.Follow 'events' link at top of Home page.

2-4th April: Gloucester MAG 'Slippit Inn' Rally - good ride-out on the Saturday

17th April : Unwanted Ride-in Day

22-24 April: Stafford Classic Show

7-9th May : NABD 19 Rally, Cheshire (pre-booking essential) - we love this one

14-16 May : Creatures 4th 'Any Spare Change' Rally (NABD fundraiser)- not tried this yet

21-23 May : 'Double Trouble' Rally, Weston (pre-book essential) - loved this, last year

20-22 August: 3rd Hop and Barley Rally (NABD fundraiser) - a definite 'must do'

10-12 August: Autumn NABD'ness - new site as last year; Dave says it is a good one (no more mud baths!)

Lisa and Gary Eveleigh have contacted us again to ask if a link could be posted here for their website. They run a b and b in south west france and welcome bikers (they are bikers themselves). Useful if you are heading down through France, toward Spain. Le Pech.

What is BCMAG?

Black Country MAG is a local branch of the Motorcycle Action Group, covering Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley and Walsall. We meet on Monday nights at the Park Inn Public House in Dudley. You are welcome to turn up at any time during the evening, but most of us don't make it before 9pm.!

While our main mission as a group is to enjoy ourselves as much as possible, we also find time to get involved with regional MAG events such as the Heart Of England Rally, and the Fred Hill Memorial Run. Since 2006 the Brum Demo Run has returned to the Heart of England Rally weekend.

We hold a rally of our own (see above - 'Back from the Dead Again'), for a while in September, but in 2009 in June. In 2010 - who knows?

Stuff to get involved with...

Details of MAG's latest campaigns can be found on the MAG UK and West Midlands MAG websites.

The biggest threat now (the licence directive has been passed) is External Vehicle Speed Control (EVSC). Information can be found on the West Mids site, and Central's site.

Locally, the whole area is having a transport and infrastructure overhaul, with special lanes and congestion charging being just a few things on the cards. Details can be found on the West Midlands MAG site.

To find out about NABD events and campaigns, contact Vic the West Midlands Rep.

Stuff we're doing next

A run-down of all Regional events can be found on the West Midlands MAG site.