The Tipple Run

Route Planning

2012-01-27T12:56:00.001Z

Plans are forming. nothing in stone yet except the date. heres a rough idea though - nicely just over 400 miles.

Tipple Run 2012 dates confirmed

2012-01-12T11:01:00.002Z

29th august to 1st september

be there or be somewhere else

Tipple Run 2011 pics

2011-09-19T10:52:00.002+01:00

got some pics through from people of the run - apparently me/julian bolting a gearbox back in was a highlight judging by the pics... i normally take riding pics but missed out on a lot of the run, so there seems to be a lack of riding shots - anyone has some and ill get them uploaded

TIPPLE 2012

2011-09-15T10:59:00.002+01:00

its on - dont know where when or anything else but there will be something going on around the same ort of time next year.

thanks again everyone - send your pics and ill get onto that album

thanks all

2011-09-12T14:46:00.003+01:00

big thanks to all that came out to play this year

if you took any pics please send them over to me and i'll get a photo dump of everyones pics put together like i have in the past - vintagechop @ gmail . com

thanks to julian for sorting everything out with the route and sites this year - top class job. sorry i missed a good chunk of the run but thems the breaks

and yes - there is something in the pipeline for next year, little bit different but same general deal - ride bikes and enjoy life

mmm sparkly

2011-09-06T12:39:00.001+01:00

pack your rain gear

2011-09-05T09:58:00.003+01:00

the weather doesnt stop us, but be prepared for yet another wet tipple run

this is why we camp at pub sites - makes for at least a dry evening to get your spirits back up and warm your bones for the next day of rain riding, that and the odd pint of local booze of an evening is always a joy to behold

this is england [well wales a lot of the run] riding in the rain is part of the game - if you dont want tog et wet you have about a 2 week riding "season" and thats just nonsense

get out and ride - dont let the rain gods stop you having fun, riding some beautiful roads with some like minded people on old [and some not so old] iron

see you there hopefully

slight camping change

2011-09-01T12:08:00.003+01:00

the site on thursday has had to be changed

we are now at Drenewydd Farm, SA46 0JR

HERE'S THE UPDATED MAP

View Larger Map

tipple stickers ordered

2011-08-31T12:21:00.003+01:00

they are ordered up - bit last minute but they should be back with me in time hopefully

as ever gheyed it up a little with a glittery stock to print on - fingers crossed they get here in time

tipple run 2011 itinerary

2011-08-22T13:42:00.006+01:00

day 1 is the big ride - looking at about 7 or 8 hours hence the early kick off. but everyone will still be fresh and full of gusto at that point so should be lovely

Wednesday night - camp at Daneway, Sapperton, GL7 6LN. for a pre tipple tipple.

Thursday - breakfast at Dobbies, GL7 6EU. meet stragglers and late comers depart 9.30am sharp

camp at Brynarian caravan park, Cross Inn, Llanon, SY23 5NA

Friday - camp at Bryn Tyrch Campsite, Capel Curig, LL24 0EL

Saturday - camp at The Baron at Bucknell, SY7 0AH

Sunday - get yourself home

View Larger Map

pre-tipple tipple

2011-08-22T13:33:00.007+01:00

as ever, the night before the run we are meeting up for a little beverage and camp

http://thedaneway.com/

lovely little proper boozer, out in the sticks some but really easy to find, no fires. not the cheapest camping ever at £10 a tent but he keeps good beer. the complete site is booked for us whoever turns up. no need to book in advance we got that covered, you just need to pay the landlord.

thats on the 7th sept. and we are making our way out from there for breakfast in the morning at a local garden centre - posh it is too - we need to be rolling out of the garden centre at 9.30am so if you are meeting us there be on time or have your map - we wont be waiting, you'll catch us at a petrol stop.

dobbies garden world

siddington

cirencester

GL7 6EU

who's welcome?

2011-07-25T09:50:00.003+01:00

ive got a couple of emails off people asking if they are welcome on modern bikes

well - yes.... theres no style police on the run. but old bikes are absolutely PREFERRED...

if you come on a modern bike you wont catch any crap off me [well only light heartedly] - i had to do it on my modern sporty last year after i broke down on the way to the pre-night shindig.

be aware you are on a run with old bikes & we roll SLOW and stop for fuel OFTEN, if you want to go fast, well thats fine, print off and read your map and go as fast as you like, we'll see you at the bar and you can have a pint waiting for us. we have ridden mainly as a single group in previous years which is a pretty nice way to travel, but its no worries if you want to break off - there are no rules / regulations

Tipple Route '11

2011-06-16T11:58:00.002+01:00

route for the run this year - pubs / campsites confirmed everythings a GO

pre-run

2011-06-08T09:18:00.003+01:00

from the mouth of this yours route planner extraordinaire...

"Here's a flavour of what some of this year's run will look like. We had to use modern bikes for the pre-run because of lack of time this weekend, but all the roads will be cool on crappy old rigids too."

as far as im concerned it looks a damn fine route with some lovely roads to explore - im looking forwards to it whoever turns up

moving along

2011-05-20T13:03:00.002+01:00

things are moving along quietly in the background

routes been partially run and 2 sites found so far

its looking like it will be the same start as last year in Devises - nice campsite, good beer, decent facilities - all adds up to a win

Tipple Run 2011 Map??

2011-03-18T11:24:00.002Z

got this onto the computer from julian and it works out at about 400 miles so that sounds about right. looks to be some cracking roads in there - i look forwards to the pre-run and getting things nailed down a bit more

best get drinking lads

2011-03-16T14:42:00.000Z

just got the tipple run pre-map off julian - good old paper map it is - ill get it onto the computer and see what it looks like - thanks mate - youre a star

Welsh oddessy

2011-02-22T15:03:00.002Z

Mate julian is helping out on the route - hes done all 3 of the previous tipple runs so far so knows what its about. will be catching up soon to get things planned out a little - watch this space for a map of sorts in the not too distant future - get those dates booked off work while theres still time

Spread the good word

2011-02-22T13:28:00.003Z

if you have a blog or whatever do me a favor and get this out there, copy and paste the image off and link to here would be magical

ITS ON

2011-01-07T10:47:00.004Z

Dates confirmed - get your holiday time booked off work

Sept 8th - 10th 2011

Details will follow as they come

unicorn beer

2010-09-20T14:25:00.001+01:00

made from unicorn bone marrow i believe... made for a good last night or the run anyhows

shovs alive

2010-09-20T13:37:00.003+01:00

well - i fixed the shovel this weekend.

i filled with fuel about 40 miles from home on the way to the tipple run pre-night shindig. pulled out onto the road, round the roundabout and the bike crapped itself. running awful, wouldnt idle, nigh on impossible to kick [enter stage left the magic of extra compression when breaking down]. fuel issue or what? how? damnit!

well - it turns out it was entirely my fault... so all the swearing/sweet talking i did at the bike was aimed in the wrong direction.

the weekend before the run i did the final re-torquing of the head/base bolts after its engine rebuild this year. well i thought id do a good job to make sure all's dandy for the run. pulled the carb and pushrods to do the job and obviously had my mind elsewhere coz on re-assemble i didnt tighten the lock nuts on either exhaust pushrod... they both had loosened off so the valves werent opening hardly at all - a little time at home and not on a road side thinking it through and it was a quick easy fix [and free which is nice]

so my stropy mood on the run was my fault, riding all the roads on the sporty wishing i was on the shov. at least its sorted and back on the road again

2010 pics

2010-09-17T17:37:00.003+01:00

the link is up for pics now

most are in there - it was a good time - thanks all

2011?

2010-09-17T13:18:00.004+01:00

As the not so observant amongst you will see - there will be a Tipple Run 2011.

I'm getting help on the planning side this time round and the plan is welsh bound. More news as it develops.

2010 pics

2010-09-13T11:39:00.003+01:00

tom actually used the camera he took with him - unlike me...

he's sending me a disk so ill get them uploaded when i get it

we salute you

2010-09-13T10:01:00.002+01:00

thanks to all who came and rode - it was a good time

if you took pics which i didnt...] please email them me and i will sort a photo-dump like i have in previous years - send to vintagechop@gmail.com

drizzle run

2010-09-06T11:44:00.002+01:00

looks like we might be doing some storm dodging but if the forecast is right [which they never are] we might be in line for a pretty good run weather wise. bits of drizzle but nothing like year 1 hopefully. looks like we are following some bad weather, and theres some behind us, fingers crossed we keep in the middle of em and it will be glorious [although i havent completely ruled out putting a screen on the shovel just yet]

TIPPLE RUN 2010 ITINERARY

2010-09-02T14:20:00.004+01:00

all is solved - heres the full itinerary

8th Sept

Pre-run nightcaps all round, early to bed early to rise... they serve a lovely pint - catch me for a free patch and stickers.

Campsite: THE THREE MAGPIES

9th Sept - 170 miles

Roll out at 9.30am - if you arent camping and are late, know the route and catch us up. breakfast stop about 20 miles down the road in Marlborough. Bikes will be easy to spot on the main drag through

Melksham - Sudbury

Campsite: THE WHITE HORSE

10th Sept - 220 miles

Sudbury - Skegness

this is booked for everyone already so no need to call. we will just sort out paying on the day when they see how far se spread out/how many tents. they have helped out at the last minute and i was specifically asked if we are "well behaved" to which the answer was obviously a yes... as you would expect form a group of vintage motorcyclists. this is the only non-pub campsite but there is the Kings Arms about 200yards down the road

Campsite: COTTAGE FARM

11th Sept - 200 miles

Skegness - Buxton

Im guaranteed to get lost around the bottom of Sheffield because i always do - anyone... feel free to take the pole position

Campsite: THE BULL I' TH' THORN

12th Sept - home

depending on weather a little jaunt in the Peak District before lunch then homeward bound for all

MAP

Google map link - you know the drill - be self sufficient print and take a map so if you get lost you can find your way to the sites.

joy of joys

2010-09-01T15:01:00.003+01:00

i managed to get hold of the friday site - they have decided since i visited that they dont want a group of bikes rolling in and camping / drinking

i am franticly looking for a replacement site in the area - waiting on a few return calls etc but i wont get chance to see the site - pot luck time...

long range forecast

2010-09-01T13:03:00.002+01:00

get your wet weather gear together - long range forecast looks like it might be a wet one... happy days

nearly all in the details

2010-08-27T17:21:00.006+01:00

links below for camping arrangements - cost vary but are between £5 and £10

get them rung up and booked then they know where they are at [you never know they might even put extra bar staff on if they have a full campsite - we can live in hope]

the site on the 10th seems to have changed their number or something so i cant get in touch with them but will update as soon as possible

pre-night shindig 8th - the Three Magpies

9th sept - the White Horse

10th sept -

11th sept - the Bull i th Thorn

pre-run pre-ran

2010-08-23T13:12:00.002+01:00

so i got back yesterday, the pre-run is now all pre-ran. to be perfectly honest it was all a bit farcical.

i set off on friday night and i got about 8 miles and the sat-nav took a dump. now i dont generally like relying on these things but when you have 500 miles of unknown roads to navigate they save a TON of time. i had paper maps in the bags too but not ideal at all.... i rode something that loosely resembles the days 2 and 3 route based on memory, instinct and stopping every now and then to look at the iphone to see exactly where i was... made for a fun trip.

to top it all off when i got home last night i plugged in the "waterproof" camera and it had got wet and wont turn on - inbuilt flash drive so no picys for you to see either.

digging through my bag on the last night i pulled out my go-pro camera that has been lost since the last trip [yup - i put it somewhere "safe" in a side pocket...] so i took a couple of little vids i will see if they are any good later on tonight.

when i got home i noticed the sporty sounded louder than normal - to top it off i now have a blowing exhaust

ill get map updated and campsites listed later in the week - see you all there

stickerific

2010-07-16T12:49:00.000+01:00

just got the stickers in today, arent they beautiful...

its hard to show just how offensive they are in a pic, but its that stuff that you get on little kid barbie stickers

Day 1

2010-07-13T10:22:00.004+01:00

Remapped and reworked route for day 1 HERE

Riding the crap so you don't have to

2010-07-12T09:08:00.007+01:00

a big thanks to adam and shaun for coming along on the first stretch of the pre-running. as ever for pre-running, modern bikes were order of the day. fazer, thundercat and pan-euro

we got the first day mapped out and messed with - i will sort a map later on when i get a chance but in the mean time....

got to the THREE MAGPIES on saturday night

its a proper old little country boozer with a lovely atmosphere and they keep a really nice selection of beers/ ciders to match your choice tipple. a few beers were partaken in and then camping inthe site round the back. it is primarily a caravan site but they take tents at £8 per tent. they also do food in the pub. there are small but sound shower toilet facilities on the site

got on the road for 8am on sunday and killed some miles. about 40 minutes in we found a lovely cafe that we'll be using on the run. full english fry set us up for the day. then back on the road.

then everything stops for tea. a nice pot of tea and cakes all round - oh we are badass bikers indeed

the first 130 or so miles were great. after that things started going a bit astray with the route hitting too many little villages etc so after battling with it for a couple of hours we abandoned the route and backtracked and sorted a much more pleasing section out. but thats why we pre-run this stuff - so you dont have to [we really are too good to you sometimes]

day 1 is a pretty long days ride - we were on modern bikes with only 1 fuel stop, 1 food stop, and 1 cake stop and were still on the move for 7 hours. with the new route this will drop a little but still - its a good leg stretch.

fun time had and now onto the rest of the pre-run.

MAP UPDATE

2010-07-07T15:44:00.011+01:00

things are settling down again here at tipple run central, and pre-run is due on again [yea - 60 days to go is cutting it finer than i like for sorting the route out]

been doing some map doodlings and heres the plan until we find its junk/crap roads/too far/not far enough

heres the idea of order of proceedings

8th september

night camping in devises - nice pub site we stumbled across on last years pre-run

day 1

rolling out 9.30am sharp for anyone not making the pre-night drinky meet n greet. miss that time and twist your throttle to catch us up - we wont be waiting

devizes - sudbury: aprox 180 miles [roughly 6 or 7 hours all told]

day 2

sudbury - skegness: aprox 210 miles [roughly 7 hours]

day 3

skegness - buxton: aprox 200 miles [roughly 6 hours]

so its looking like a 600 mile run plus get yourself to devises and home from buxton. so yes - its a good leg stretch but its doable - previous years have been between 4 and 600 miles and havent been crippling.

A Lame Excuse

2010-05-27T12:46:00.003+01:00

The pre-run was booked in again for this weekend coming - well... i knocked a set of forks off a shelf and they landed square on my foot and looks like ive broken it [the foot that is - the forks came out of the ordeal just fine]. riding is painful to say the least so pre-run is postponed again. i'll keep you posted

Still rumbling on

2010-02-19T16:54:00.005Z

It's not gone away. We are quietly working away on this thing - no new info yet. We are nailing down sites at the minute and sorting the pre-run. Then we'll have some nice pics [probably raining or snowing if the last 2 months have been anything to go on] and finalised sites.

Keep the faith and spread the good word.

Tipple Run Flyer

2010-01-14T11:11:00.005Z

Propaganda wheels in motion

Print it out, hand em out, stick it on your notice board.
Spread the good word.

Tipple Run Patches

2010-01-13T14:38:00.001Z

Tyler over at lowbrow customs is hooking me up with the patches for the tipple run this year. he just sent me over a scan of the sample. looking pretty good in my book. now i just need to finish oranising the run itself...

It's ON

2010-01-07T20:39:00.003Z

DATE CONFIRMED

Sharpen your pencil and get it in your diary out.

9th - 12th Sept 2010

There will be a pre-night camping on the 8th somewhere, and last days riding on Saturday 11th with camp at the end. Same format as last year, it worked for me.

We will be doing a pre-run in probably March at a guess, the route below is a rough plan, more of a core route for us to pre-run and expand out on. looking at about 5/600 miles so not crazy miles but enough on old clunkers

Patches this year

2010-01-07T16:54:00.005Z

So I don't have to deal with sizes of shirts this year we are going with patches. Its me being lazy to be fair but it means i can concentrate more on the map/run side of things. keep your eyes peeled for further info on the pretty soon

Rough Idea

2009-11-02T11:14:00.001Z

Its a plan forming - no exact plans yet but from the maps / photos it looks like some nice riding.

Similar milage to last year

2010? hell yea

2009-10-21T16:22:00.000+01:00

As you may have noticed from the new header - there will be a Tipple Run 2010. Banner bike is Beds very nice pan, which would have won best bike if we had such fripperies. The banner pic is as good as it gets im afraid and even then its got a run logo splattered over it.

Next year we go east. dont know where yet, dont know when, dont really know why... but east it is.

Keep your eyes on here or www.vintagechop.com for breaking details when they happen

Slideshow 09

2009-09-23T11:59:00.000+01:00

same as slideshow on right just smaller and 1 click away...

Tinker and Tipple

2009-09-18T09:27:00.001+01:00

just got this pic sent over from ray - pretty much sums up the run for me - tinkering with bikes and deciding which scrumpy to start the afternoon off with... happy days

Great Trip

2009-09-13T14:47:00.000+01:00

Thanks again everybody that turned up

I'm putting together an album of pics - if you were there and took some pics send them over to me (vintagechop @ gmail . com) and I'll add them to the set [link to the right]

perfect riding and great weather. what more can you ask for

Weather

2009-09-07T09:43:00.000+01:00

Forecasting no rain in any of the places we are which i just dont believe

As and what i am bringing rain gear but this is the forecast for the places we are going on the right days. If this is right it will RULE

Long Range Weather

2009-09-02T12:27:00.000+01:00

Looking like being about 19°C for the run, and SO FAR a little cloudy but not raining.

We all know how good the forecast normally is so no promises but whatever - it cant be worse than last years floods

Yes Camping

2009-08-07T15:50:00.000+01:00

had a few emails about accom. for the run - yes we are camping all the way but you feel free to do what you like - no hand holding going on here so go for your life

Tipple Run Shirts

2009-08-07T15:24:00.001+01:00

shirts are available for a measly £10 in the Vintage Chop Shop [link top right]

Plan of Attack 2009

2009-08-07T15:21:00.000+01:00

Thursday 10th - Sunday 13th September 2009

After a successful pre-run places and route is now confirmed. Camp-sites sorted all the way round and it runs to about £6 per night. The run averages out to roughly 6 hours riding a day plus whatever petrol / tea stops you make. There are some spectacular roads, and in certain sections plenty of wildlife on the road so keep your eyes open.

Wednesday 9th Sept.
Pre-run night camping in Cirencester after work, Gloucestershire.
Just a few beers before the run starts. Not the easiest to find but a great little pub out in the sticks some. No need to book here - just roll in. The Tunnel House
http://www.tunnelhouse.com/

Thursday 10th Sept.
Cheltenham to Porlock, Exmoor. Leaving 10am Destination Sparkhayes Campsite. http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=1731

Friday 11th Sept.
Porlock to Princetown, Dartmoor. Destination The Ploom of Feathers
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/details.asp?Package=1106

Saturday 12th Sept.
Princetown to Billingshurst, West Sussex. Destination The Bat & Ball Inn
http://www.historicbatandball.co.uk/

WHAT?

2009-08-07T15:16:00.001+01:00

Thursday 10th - Sunday 13th September 2009

Same deal as last year - This is a chill out and party kind of deal, no attitudes, no fees, no promises. If you don’t expect much then you'll come away happy

If you think your bike has a fighting chance of making the run then you are welcome. If you like building and fixing cool stuff its probably your kind of thing, be it on a supercharged trike, an old brit restoration or anything in between. If you are more of the weekend power-ranger brigade then its most likely not for you.

THIS IS NOT A RALLY... as the name suggests its a RUN - its about the riding then party when we get to destination. There are no bands put on or entertainment of any sort. Ride your bike make your own fun.

You need to look after yourself and your own bike - there wont be anyone behind you to pick you up if you break down.

Tipple Pre-Run

2009-06-21T15:27:00.000+01:00

just got home an hour or so back, we met up after work on friday night and camped pretty close to london - htere was no point us both riding an hour north to go home only to head south again in the morning

ok - so i went off this weekend with tiny to recky the tipple run. we put 20 hours on the bikes over the weekend and im knackered now. but i did find my new favourite road anywhere. 1 in 4 hill climb with cutback corners and stupid fucked up cambers, keeps climbing for about 15 minutes, then after about 40 minutes of incredibly beautiful roads theres the 1 in 4 down hill with awsome sea views into a great little bay.

there are some fantastic roads, and modern bikes really do serve a good purpose... perfect for pre-running this sort of thing, not a single glitch on either and we could cruise at whatever speed we wanted, concentrate on getting roads sorted and deal with map planning shit not bike issues

we rode out of the campsites at 8 am both days, got drunk for 3 nights, met random locals and had a blast

i WAAAY over estimated how many coast road single lane road miles we could cover in a day on vintage stuff so have cut off about 80 miles on day 2

first site was cool, its a case of leave your money in a coffee jar if you leave before they open up - cool place, not much there except a pub really but thats all we needed

then we got the whiff of castrol-r on the sea breeze and ended up finding these guys, way cool old cars and good old guys, we just stopped for half an hour coz we had to cover the miles but it was cool to see this stuff getting driven, it was in the middle of nowhere so they had all come a decent way.

views are kind of bleak but great...

then at the last campsite we ran into a cool dieselbike conversion which lookd really well done

bloody good weekend, great to ride just the 2 of us again, its been too long, and really good just get out on some new roads and discover some jems.

singing off, one tired but content chap...