Forum

[norwichbullet]

Hi Marsie, you have my sympathy! For some reason we Norfolk RE owners seem a lethargic lot compared with our colleagues elsewhere around the country. I went along to a Norfolk REOC meeting sometime in the mid-2000s and it was not fun. In fact a less welcoming outing I've never experienced. (Please note: this is NOT intended to reflect badly on REOC which seems to have many active and friendly branches elsewhere.) Only one chap had an Enfield which he talked about with complete contempt and which he hadn't brought along anyway. None of the others owned Enfields and none of them had the least interest - sports bikes and BMWs being the order of the day. I have other bikes too, but when I go to a meeting of Enfield enthusiasts I expect to see at least a couple of REs and for the general attitude to be friendly towards the machines!

Whatever happens, and however few or many members I can attract to the RERCN, it will never be anything other than friendly to newcomers and their Royal Enfields.

Following suggestions from other forum members I've contacted REOC describing what I'm doing and why, and with a view to possibly reinstating a Norfolk branch but I've yet to receive a reply.

Bear: many thanks for that and for all your enthusiasm - much appreciated.

[marsie]

Hi norwichbullet I always thought the problem with the old Norfolk branch was it's location. Horsham St Faith and later near Dereham. Fine for the three guys that lived there, but who was going to ride from Yarmouth, Kings Lynn, Diss, etc on a winters night? Better coverage would be say 3or4 associated local sub branches with the occasional Norfolk get togeather. Also day time at the weekend would suit most for a ride out etc. Or perhaps central Norwich for all of Norfolk.

[norwichbullet]

You're absolutely right. The local VMCC has several meeting places on a rolling basis so that everyone gets a chance to enjoy a (relatively) local meet-up. The ride-outs start from a variety of locations too. Three or four blokes controlling a club from (it's fair to say) a pretty obscure location and not welcoming newcomers is hardly the way to do it!

[marsie]

norwichbullet---So are you going to do this then?

[norwichbullet]

Yes, I'm going to control the club with an iron fist from a small, secret location out in the sticks...

Oh, I see what you mean, varying meeting points etc? (Apologies, small joke.) Yes, Norfolk's a big place. It would seem to make sense to vary setting-off points for rides-out. Depending upon where others are located your suggestion of Norwich could be the best central location for meetings. The great thing about setting up a club is it can be made into whatever, wherever and however its members want.

[marsie]

Right, we are getting somewhere. Norwich it is. Next thing, exactly where in Norwich and when. If they give out free coffee, the Harley Davidson dealership on Saturday afternoon. Perhaps not. You decide. Best regards and looking forward to it. PJH

[bear]

Hi all ref meeting places,so all can meet up.
Why dont the club do like a lot of other bikers do and meet up at a mcdonalds for a coffee and chat.then can talk about what the club could do going forward.

[norwichbullet]

Good choice. Haven't been in there since they came back from Newmarket or wherever they went to but they certainly used to have free drinks upstairs at the rear. Might not take kindly to Royal Enfields arriving en masse (well, two of us) though! Alternatively I'm just south of Norwich, have free tea/coffee and choc biscuits and it's probably easier to have a chat in the quiet of my workshop than pretending we're interested customers at the Harley dealership. Either way, I'm looking forward to it too!

[norwichbullet]

Apologies bear, posted the above just after you posted yours so it doesn't make much sense!

[marsie]

Enough of this procrastination! Norwichbullet you don't want the world to know where your workshop is, so a neutral venue is what I propose. bear wants to go to McDonalds, that's OK by me. The one on Barrett rd. / A146 next to the petrol station. This Sat/Sun, morning/afternoon, time?