Burton Parade 2023

Thanks to David Giles, Dave Prescott and Trevor Shakespeare for sending me the photographs below. Also many thanks for the route (I think that maybe Richard Ballard and Brian Slack provided that but I may wrong) and Ann Davy and her helpers for providing a super day.

David Giles sent me a nice email telling me about his day riding the Burton Parade. It makes a nice read and before you read it I would like to explain the first line mentioning my absence from the event and admitting to an act of extreme stupidity on my behalf.

I have two Honda CBR1000F's and had intended to ride the parade on my 1987 Honda CBR1000F. I had it M-o-T'd earlier in the week but only remembered to tax it online on Saturday afternoon. When I tried to tax it the computer told me the vehicle need an M-o-T certificate! What I had done was take an old M-o-T to the test station so the tester had the information to easily enter into his computer. What I had done was I had taken an old M-o-T for my other CBR1000F. The moral of the story is if you have more than one bike, check your paperwork carefully. Eddy.

"Hello John & Eddy,
Your pleasant company was missed yesterday: although as we signed in we were immediately reminded by a very nice photo of John and Guzzi on the cover of the programme.
Prepared by the weather forecast to get wet, I made a special effort to re-proof my over trousers, consequently the day remained dry and sunny with a very comfortable temperature.
We headed South West towards Cannock and coffee at the Clifford Arms in Great Haywood, 21 miles out. Riding mid-field (Number 39) I mixed in with a number of other riders and overtook the early bikes like Keith Wakelin on his Sunbeam, Dave Richmond (London) on a ’31 Fanny B and a very commendable Dave Prescott pressing on well with a 125cc Bantam. I seemed to be first away after coffee and navigated myself around Cannock Chase, the outskirts of Rugeley, over the Blithefield Reservoir to Abbots Bromley and home with nobody in front of me. Fifty one miles in total with 75 riders on the programme and the usual excellent buffet.
I thought you might like to hear of the day and know that you were missed. Hope things are going as well as can be expected.
Regards, Dave Giles."

Trevor Shakespeare also sent me this note and a photograph of his Honda Express with the trophy proudly displayed on the seat:

"To follow on from David, the Parade was a grand day out with a few good hills, some of which were a challenge to my machine but it managed the 70 mile long route. We ended with receiving the "Oily Rag" award, not sure if it was for me or the bike. Trevor Shakespeare.

Graham Inger sent me a nice email too. Eddy.

"I have been a member of the VMCC since 2001 this year is the first time I have entered the Burton Parade. I was impressed with how professionally the event was organized by the committee. The day was made even better upon receiving the trophy for the best overall bike for my BSA Road Rocket. A big thank you to all involved. Graham Inger."