Page 10 - PBCOctober2013

Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine. Volume 10 No.3 October 2013

The Benson Veteran Bicycle Rally

Samuel Pickwick, Mr.Brooks, Baillie Mac Something and Serjeant Buzfuz, together with their
guests, were the small group from our club attending the Rally. Every year the Benson Veteran
Cycle Club extends an invitation to the Pickwick Bicycle Club to take part in the Rally.

Often suitably dressed, participants are mounted on
elderly machines, none of which are built later than
1928.

Each year the PBC is honoured to take part and
frequently gains an award. But, our entries are small,
and this year, smaller than ever, although our
members guests did help to swell the numbers a little.

Baillie Mac Something reports that there was a good
overall turnout on a sunny day this year. Participants
displayed numbers on their machines and each was
called forward by the announcer who described the age and type of machine ridden. There were
some extremely old and valuable mounts including several boneshakers and various Old
th
Ordinaries (‘Pennies’) as well as several types of trikes – all dated from the 19 .Century.
The usual route, taking in the RAF Benson complex, headed out towards Chalgrove with a
mid-morning break at “The Farm”, where the host “Jeff”, provided food, beers, wine and water,
all free of charge to the cyclists!

Lunch was taken at “The Lamb” in Chalgrove as usual. On this occasion Mrs.Baillie Mac
Something had prepared a super Pickwick hamper and a couple of beers.

After a suitable rest, the cyclists resumed their journey, returning
through the quiet lanes to the Benson Playing Fields where all
finishers received a medal and a welcome ‘cuppa’ at the Village
Hall.

Mr.Brooks had provided some veteran machines to meet the
pre-1928 requirements for fellow Pickwickians and these he loaded
into his vehicle for use again next year.

Baillie Mac Something commented that it had been a good day, as
usual but, more Pickwickians are needed to enjoy this unusual but
most enjoyable Pickwickian day out. Mr.Brooks works hard in
providing advice, bikes and enthusiasm for this unique Benson
Veteran Bicycle Rally, so, make a note in your diary for next year.