"After a bit of work while I was in the Cotswolds yesterday and Friday, I think I have finally got it sorted.

It's a complete revamp. Decided to start at Burford, will get quite a few bikes in the car park, especially if we take it over early. Have tried to build in as many good roads as I could, but there are so many I couldn't get them all.

Decided to make Stow an official "break", will be a good point to refuel in a local filling station. I drove the A4095 from Faringdon, through Whitley, and up to Woodstock - quite a nice road. We did the B4030 last week (Middle Barton, Gagingwell, Enstone etc), and the A3400 up to Shipston was good too.

The only bits I'm not sure about is the bit around Chipping Campden, into Broadway, but I think it should be fine, and then out of Cirencester on the B4425 back up to Burford. I'm wondering whether to run along the A417 as it's a good road and may be a bit "safer".

Steve"

Daryl, Ed and I left my house at 8am. We took the scenic route as the motorway option was only slightly quicker and a lot more boring. We travelled down from Shrewsbury to Bridgenorth and then onto Kidderminster where Ed planned to meet Richard (creamery buttery). Richard was spotted and off we went again, this time to Worcester. The route we had planned took us on the M5 for one junction (6-7) where we could pick up the A44 to Evesham. This is where things started to go wrong.

As I got to the M5, there was an exit marked Evesham, and I thought about using that instead of the planned route. What to do, stick to the route in your head or wing it? I decided to stick to the planned route and avoid confusing the others. I pulled off the M5 at Junction 7 and thought I was very visible to the others as I slowed right up to turn off. We stopped a few yards down the A44 and re-grouped. No Ed.... We waited a few mins and decided that he must have missed the turnoff. It would have been pointless going back after him, as he would have been well down the motorway. I knew he had maps, so we pushed on hoping to meet up with him further on.

The rest of the route down was fine, good roads and very enjoyable. We got to Burford and drove through the main high street. Once past that and at the following roundabout I wondered where to go next. I couldn't see any neon signs for the Travelodge, which way to go? I then noticed the venue on the other side of the RAB, no neon signs but loads of yellow sandstone. All the buildings around here are designed to blend in with their older surroundings. Time of arrival was just a shade after 10am. I was relieved to arrive on time.

Time to shake some hands an say hello to a few old faces and some new ones. I think Viney had counted 57 SV's so far. A quick chat with 'Baldyman' confirmed that we needed to tank up before the off at 10:30. So back in the saddle and up the road for some juice. Back at the Travelodge I took some more photos, more talk. It was whilst taking to Jelster that I noticed that my headlights were still on...doh! Still no problem, I'd only been there a few minutes...... Baldyman then announced the plan to use the marker system to try and avoid people getting lost. It was then time to saddle up and move out.

I got garbed up, switched on the ignition and thumbed the button.....click....nothing.....heart drops....no....no, the lights were only on for a few mins and I've just ridden 90 odd miles, the battery should be full to the brim. The thought of bump starting the SV was not a good one. The first attempt confirmed that, lots of panting and a rear wheel lockup. At that point Martyn Daniels came over to help. I think Martyn has been to nearly every SV rideout even though his SV has long gone. A second attempt got the bike started, I gave it lots of revs, but it died on tickover. We had a few more goes with the same result. On the last attempt, I gave the engine half choke, even though it should have been warm enough, bingo... Martyn and I then collapsed in a pool of sweat. Why don't we have kick-starts anymore?

Martyn and I then noticed that the posse was leaving. Time to get dressed again and chase after them. I came out of the rear entrance and saw Ape doing his rear gunner bit. by the time I got around the RAB I had collected Martyn and we sped off after Ape. I drove for some miles without lights just to ensure that the battery got a good charging. The rest of the journey was fairly uneventful (in the good sense) although I was saddened to see the crashed Fazer on the side of the A44. The stop at Tesco's couldn't come quick enough, my backside was complaining loudly by this time. We seemed to have most of the posse in one piece although there was talk of the odd lost sheep. Talking of lost sheep, Daryl spotted Ed going the wrong way when we got to Tesco's. We didn't see him again until the end of the run at Burford.

After another top up of petrol, we set off again for the final leg of 40 miles to Burford. The numbers had depleted some more by the time we got there, although Ed was waiting for us, which was good. More chat and more drinks. People started to make their way home by this time and we of course did the same.

We started off at a gentle pace but even so we managed to get separated from Ed and Richard. Some time after that Daryl and I also lost touch. By the time I got to Worcester I was well past saddle sore and the need to get home quickly was driving me on. I finally got home at 6.20pm and headed straight for a shower and a warm meal.

So a great day out thanks to Jelster, Baldyman and Sid Squid. The marking system was a great success I think considering the large numbers of riders. God knows what the locals thought as we thundered through their villages, quite a site I guess. Nice to meet some familiar faces, including Rictus, and nice to meet some new ones. I'm off now to buy a new battery.

Photos from the day