We remember the passing of Michael Woolf, a year ago today. He was a leading light with Moulton enthusiasts and many of us will remember the help he gave us in keeping our Moultons on the road.
He learnt to cycle on a Moulton Deluxe in the mid 60s and managed to acquire a rather second-hand one with wobbly steering bearings in the mid 70s. His quest for replacement bearings led him to Alex Moulton and new bearings were forthcoming.
His invitation to The Hall to show his ‘preserved’ F-frame led to his creation of Moulton Preservation, when he was told that there was no (then) existing preservation group.
A chance meeting with Mark Ottaway, Sunday Times Travel Writer and a Moulton rider himself, led to an article in that paper in 1980.
Many letters poured in from Moulton owners who wanted help for their much-loved machines off-the-road for want of unavailable Moulton-unique parts. Michael sent a list of “problem spares” to The Hall and remaining stocks were made available to him.
One of those letters came from Tony Hadland. This led to Tony’s writing of ‘The Moulton Bicycle’, a book about the original F-Frame design launched in November 1962 at the Cycle Show at Earls Court in London.
Alex Moulton requested Michael to re-shape the ailing Moulton Bicycle Club and with Tony Hadland as magazine editor, the Club began its resurgence.
Michael was the guiding heartbeat of the Moulton Bicycle Club for many years. We miss his enthusiasm and dedication to the world of Moultoneering.
Venue: The Hall/ Moulton Bicycle Company, Holt Road, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1AH
I wish to draw your attention to a few changes from our 2021 event –
The club has increased its donation to the Alex Moulton Charitable Trust (AMCT) from £500 to £750 for our weekend activity.
The Trust's new insurers have insisted we take out separate insurance to cover members for camping activities.
The old Anthony Best building now belongs to the Moulton group (once again). We have a little more flexibility for our arrival time on Friday afternoon / evening.
The cycling aspect of the weekend is covered under our affiliation to Cycling UK / CTC and has been for many years. Despite our increasing costs we have held the event cost to you at the same level as last year. All adults through the gate need to pay either £10 for the Saturday or £25 for weekend camping, those who are 16 & under it’s all free (when accompanied by an adult).
As ever it’s Members (& immediate family) only, if you are not a member then you can join the club for the weekend at the gate for £5 plus entrance fee either £10 or £25 (it’s because of our members only status with HMRC).
Friday – from 4pm (once the Moulton workforce have departed from both the upper & lower facilities) campers/motorhomes can arrive to set up their units.
We then usually head down to the Swan Hotel in the centre of Bradford on Avon to meet up and have something to eat.
As an alternative there is the The Dandy Lion across the road from the Swan and numerous other pubs and restaurants in Bradford on Avon for good food & drink.
10am to 12 noonBring & Buy Sale of all things Moulton, everything from a rideable bike to a set of frame transfers, those special replacement parts for F frame refurbishments from Moulton Preservation, interesting components & spares from the Moulton factory. NO fees for selling your stuff whether thats a van full of bikes or a few tyres, its all free.
Tea & coffee will be available to purchase. (No rolls this year!)
Saturday afternoon – We are planning to create a time line of Moultons through the decades. Based on their launch years………….
Prototypes from the 50’s,
Mk 1, 2 & Mini “F” frames from the 60’s
Mk 3 from the 70’s,
AM’s & ATB’s from the 80’s,
APB’s & NS from the 90’s,
Bridgestones & TSR’s from the 00’s
FLYTE from the 10’s
And bikes from 20’s
These are the main models produced by the company, limited edition bicycles should be in their respective decade.
We will be having a guided tour of the Moulton bicycle's development over the years along the line up of our bikes. We will be reliant on you, where possible, to bring some original & interesting bikes.
(We can do this in the courtyard; I hope the weather is kind !)
The clubs open forum and news from the Moulton Bicycle Company & the raffle. Your club needs both donations to the raffle AND people to purchase tickets on the day.
Test ride the latest models from the Moulton Bicycle Company.
Saturday evening – Bring your own food & drink to the BBQ in the Hall grounds we will have a meat BBQ & separate vegetarian/vegan BBQ, alternatively eat out in Bradford on Avon or further afield.
Sunday morning– All rides set off from the upper car park by the entrance gate.
3 rides; long ride about 35 miles, middle ride around 25 miles, short 10mile family ride.
Ride departure times will be displayed during the event & on Facebook.
Sunday Afternoon - Clear up all debris, your tents packed away etc. and we all leave before 5pm on Sunday.
Everything may change due to the weather or events outside our control.
As in previous years, we will have security on the gate from Friday evening through to Sunday morning.
Keep checking our web page and Facebook for the latest event news & updates.
I hope you can join us at BoA, it will be good to see you in September, catch up with old friends, make new friends AND ride in a group of Moultons.
Where: Richmond Park, London: Roehampton Gate Car Park (map)
Description: The ride is at a very leisurely pace of about 12 miles in length, mainly off road, following the park’s Tamsin Trail. It is ideal for those who prefer a gentle amble on their F frames. There is one optional hill! There are plenty of refreshment stops and places of interest, with a picnic close to Pembroke Lodge. Bring food or buy snacks at the Pembroke Lodge Kiosk nearby. The event ends at the Roehampton Gate Tea Room and disperses by about 4pm.
