an Marcer Autumn Mist Run 2025

Ian Marcer Autumn Mist Run 2025

John Earp has sent this report of the above event. I told John that I would write a report too but (as usual) John has made such a good job with his report below that I will just add a footnote or two.

The weather had been terrible with one of the first storms, if not the first, called Storm Amy wreaking havoc up north especially.

I think we probably got away lightly in the Midlands but I was really surprised to see sunshine and blue sky when I looked out on the Sunday morning.

I’d been a little uncertain whether to go on the Ian Marcer run but my wife said ‘I presume you’re out with your mates then’ so that was it, off I went to the Flight Deck Cafe at Tatenhill Airfield our meeting point.

As I’m on a bit of a diet (no comments please) I skipped breakfast and met up with the others around 10.15am. I counted 18 bikes but I think at least another couple turned up after me, so it was a good turnout for Eddy’s run. At 10.30am Eddy gathered us all together to tell us we’d be using the drop off system and Dave Gould would be back man on his trusty Honda, this made Vic very happy!

Eddy also said if any of us got caught short, if you get my drift, Dave as back man would wait until the job was done and wouldn’t leave anyone behind!

So off we went, I was about third or fourth after Eddy and as I accelerated away from the cafe my bike completely cut out, it was my side stand switch and after giving it a good kick it worked perfectly for the rest of the run!

I use these roads all the time but Eddy surprised me by taking us out towards Uttoxeter and down roads I never knew existed, a few back roads but I’m pleased to say hardly any gravel or pot holes. We travelled a short distance on the main Uttoxeter - Stafford Road before once again turning off towards Stowe-by- Chartley and Hixon before once again joining the main Rugeley-Stone road then cut off down Bellamour Lane. This has significant bad memories from me as it’s where my trusty MZ251 met its end and I now have a deformed little finger after removing the offending cars wing mirror but that’s another story.

After riding via Colton towards Blithbury and Yoxall we finally made our way back down the A515 and turned right towards Burton and back to Tatenhill airfield.

I clocked up around 34 miles but decided not to stop at the cafe as I had a date with a can of WD40 on my side stand switch.

Thanks to Eddy for organising and leading the run and Dave for his patience as back man and once again it never rained! John Earp.

Footnote:- To those on the run that didn't know the late Ian Marcer I gave a short description before we started the run. Ian was a stalwart of the club for many years and organised many runs. He usually organised the Frost Bite Run and rather than a short ride arond the block Ian often took us up into the icy wilds of Derbyshire and on one occasion we were lucky to basck back before it was dark! I told the group that today's ride was a short run with the emphsis on a relaxed ride and social gathering. A thank you from me for everyone that attended because as John Earp mentioned earlier the weather for the previous two day before had dire so I thought that might put people off. I arrived at 9.00 and as soon as the cafe opened I ordered tea and toast. Shortly after Vic arrived. Vic, a noted fan of the English Breakfast showed great restraint and just orderd a small breakfast.😉 I was pleasantly surprised to see the excellent number of members that joined us. Thank you. Eddy

The photographs below were from John Earp and myself. Bill Shackleford sent me two short videos that I have spliced together and posted on Youtube. The link is below the photographs.

Youtube Video Link