Well you could ride it I suppose, perhaps to the shops or the local park, or even down to the shining sea? You joined the BSAOC for the benefits that gives, so why not look in the Star, here you’ll find a wealth of events going on. Perhaps your BSA might take you to one, having a look through the events bit you’ll find a lot of branches having camping weekends. Now camping doesn’t suit everyone, BUT most branches have runs out around their area, so you could ride your BSA to a camp and introduce yourself. Join the run and meet some like minded people. Who knows you might even join them in a tent? All to daunting you might think, well let me tell you about a BSAOC camping weekend…

Loaded up the 58 A10 for the long ride to the South Derbyshire branch camping weekend, which was held at Longford near Ashbourne, a nice location at a fine country pub on the edge of the Peak District. I’d left home at 05.30 due to the long ride ahead; I had chosen to ride up the M11 motorway cruising at between 55-65mph, after 200 miles I’d reached my destination. A warm welcome wasn’t far away, and just in time for breakfast at 09.00. Up with the tent and before long it was time for the run out.

Now the best thing about going to a branch camping weekend is the fact that there are local people here, they know the area and the best places to visit. The plan was to do the drop off system of riding, at a junction the leader points to the kerb, where the following person stays put pointing the way. Until the last rider who is a local waves you on, this means that no one gets lost and if you want you can ride as fast or slow as you like. Which was very handy for the Sloper outfit, loaded up complete with dog! Halfway round we stopped at a very nice beauty spot, complete with river and Ducks. Then it was on to a very nice 300yr old pub, the Yew Tree which did us proud with his Pork Pies and cheap beer, even had one of them piano’s that you pump with your feet to get a tune out of.

All too soon the ride was over; we had ridden through some fantastic countryside, and visited places of interest. I’d meet up with complete strangers who had the same interest as me, and saw some great BSA’s, it’s that simple just get out and try it for yourself. If anything happens to your BSA at these camps there are people who know how to fix it, it’s a very good way of learning. And you’ll meet some very nice like minded people.