This event was originally conceived by the Newbury and District Motor Club in 1929 as a reliability test for motorcycles and their equipment, and was run each year through the 1930s until the beginning of the Second World War. Many machines would have had only acetylene lighting as it was said, “those with electric lights were prone to break down”. (So what is new?) Mike Hallam recalls that he took part in the run in 1998 on a 1925 Matchless L5, 500cc, flat-tanker using acetylene lighting. “The acetylene lighting was excellent if there was no light pollution around” he said.
In the very early days the route was marked with coloured dye, and followed minor country lanes where possible. Road surfaces were not all they could be in those days, and neither was the equipment fitted to the bikes. Just give a thought about the condition of the roads, the type and style of the motorcycle tyres and treads. Imagine the machines suspension systems, Webb girder forks and a sprung Lycett saddle. There is also the little matter of the ability of the front and rear brakes to slow down and in some cases stop the machine. However, regardless of the considerable improvements in the construction of today’s suspension, tyres, saddles and brakes, the average speeds are much the same today as they were all those years ago. Unfortunately the construction of our roads seems to be little improved over the intervening years.
Post war the event was re-instated, once fuel rationing ceased, and ran up until the 1950s. The event was held in late March, or early April each year, starting from the Andover area at midnight and following a different route of 170 miles or so westward through the night.
Following a break of a few years, the Newbury Section of AJSMOC had the idea of reviving the event, and the first of the “New Series” took place in 1993. In its new format riders set off after midnight at 2 minute intervals, and had to follow written route instructions passing through 18 or so check points on route at precisely timed intervals. Marks were awarded for missing a check point, or being off time at check points, and the person with the lowest score won the event. After some years the event organisation was transferred to the AJSMOC Sussex Section, and recently the baton has been handed on once more to a fresh group within AJSMOC. (The names of the guilty parties have been excluded to protect the innocent victims!)
Latterly the event has become much less formal, discarding the use of check points and precise timing, and is now more of a very enjoyable social event. However the run is still a very significant challenge for Rider, Machine, Lights and Navigation. The route always follows very minor roads, often single track, steep gradients and hairpin bends for the fun of it, and will usually involve a ford at some point!
These days the route is defined by a series of “Tulip Diagrams”, one for each change of direction. These indicate the direction required at each intersection along the way, with a running total of the mileage at each turn. “What is a Tulip Diagram”, my Mum asked. Having explained the principle she quipped that I would “probably end up in Amsterdam”! The route is issued a few days prior to the run, enabling riders to prepare their own “Navigation Kit” to see them through the night. Riders will need to ensure their machines are up to the required standard for the run, and to banish the dreaded “Prince of Darkness” from their electrical system.
Most riders have a means of displaying the “Tulip Diagrams” fitted to their bikes, with some form of illumination so that they can ride without having to stop to review the next intersection. Pillion riders can of course be promoted to navigators. A set of diagrams, a small hand torch and good inter-rider communication works very well. Team work as usual pays off.
In the very early days the route was marked with coloured dye, and followed minor country lanes where possible. Road surfaces were not all they could be in those days, and neither was the equipment fitted to the bikes. Just give a thought about the condition of the roads, the type and style of the motorcycle tyres and treads. Imagine the machines suspension systems, Webb girder forks and a sprung Lycett saddle. There is also the little matter of the ability of the front and rear brakes to slow down and in some cases stop the machine. However, regardless of the considerable improvements in the construction of today’s suspension, tyres, saddles and brakes, the average speeds are much the same today as they were all those years ago. Unfortunately the construction of our roads seems to be little improved over the intervening years.
Post war the event was re-instated, once fuel rationing ceased, and ran up until the 1950s. The event was held in late March, or early April each year, starting from the Andover area at midnight and following a different route of 170 miles or so westward through the night.
Following a break of a few years, the Newbury Section of AJSMOC had the idea of reviving the event, and the first of the “New Series” took place in 1993. In its new format riders set off after midnight at 2 minute intervals, and had to follow written route instructions passing through 18 or so check points on route at precisely timed intervals. Marks were awarded for missing a check point, or being off time at check points, and the person with the lowest score won the event. After some years the event organisation was transferred to the AJSMOC Sussex Section, and recently the baton has been handed on once more to a fresh group within AJSMOC. (The names of the guilty parties have been excluded to protect the innocent victims!)
Latterly the event has become much less formal, discarding the use of check points and precise timing, and is now more of a very enjoyable social event. However the run is still a very significant challenge for Rider, Machine, Lights and Navigation. The route always follows very minor roads, often single track, steep gradients and hairpin bends for the fun of it, and will usually involve a ford at some point!
These days the route is defined by a series of “Tulip Diagrams”, one for each change of direction. These indicate the direction required at each intersection along the way, with a running total of the mileage at each turn. “What is a Tulip Diagram”, my Mum asked. Having explained the principle she quipped that I would “probably end up in Amsterdam”! The route is issued a few days prior to the run, enabling riders to prepare their own “Navigation Kit” to see them through the night. Riders will need to ensure their machines are up to the required standard for the run, and to banish the dreaded “Prince of Darkness” from their electrical system.
Most riders have a means of displaying the “Tulip Diagrams” fitted to their bikes, with some form of illumination so that they can ride without having to stop to review the next intersection. Pillion riders can of course be promoted to navigators. A set of diagrams, a small hand torch and good inter-rider communication works very well. Team work as usual pays off.