PUB TALK

The VMCC Banbury Run has long been one of the club’s flagship events, but cancelled for two Covid years, and with much reorganisation going on at HQ it was not certain that it would be back for 2022 – but it was. PUB has not always attended, for in the days of her youth it clashed with something else, whilst none of her bikes passed the 1930 or earlier VMCC requirement, which the Banbury Run enforces to this day. Eventually, however, she did manage an entry on an HRD, as Howard Davies’ bikes ran from 1924-27, although survivors are rare. Not as rare as eligible Vincents, of which only two or three 1930 or earlier models survive and at least one of those is domiciled in Australia.

The event, however, proved to be more interesting and challenging when PUB acquired her Pioneer era single-speed Triumph. Years ago she could ride this to and from Banbury, and chose the intermediate course featuring Sunrising Hill. She even rode up the hill once or twice, though more usually it required a jump off and run alongside, or an