So unfortunately we are still in lockdown, but you know what, I’m starting to feel better. On my daily exercise walks I see snowdrops on the roadside and there are spring lambs springing in the fields. The days are getting longer, the R number is just below one, all of the old folks have had their Covid jab and I am going for mine this afternoon. It certainly feels like we’re going in the right direction. My bike has had it’s now customary lockdown fettle and I can’t wait to get back out on it with all my fellow HAB riders. Boris will soon be making his announcement as to how we can come out of lockdown and your committee members will be closely watching this, together with the guidance of IAM Road smart, to get us back on the road as soon as possible. Bob Hill, our Chief Observer, tells me he and the Observers are poised to restart the training with their Associates who have been waiting patiently. A few new Associate members have joined since lockdown and they will be quickly introduced to their Observer. Barry Ring, our ride-out coordinator, is also just waiting for the word to commence our usual ride-out schedule, though possibly modified if necessary, so that we can meet up together and enjoy our bikes and company. Some ideas are already being mooted for longer trips of, say, 2/3 days should there be a demand.
In anticipation of possible 2021 winter evening meetings we are putting out feelers for speakers and would ask any members with ideas for this to let us know.
The club AGM has been put back this year to May initially thinking we might have been able to meet in person indoors, but this looks highly unlikely now. Accordingly the meeting will have to be a virtual ZOOM affair and it is hopeful that as many of you as possible will take part.
As always we are looking for new members to join the committee and I would ask everyone to consider this. It is beneficial for the Club to have fresh thinking and ideas on how it is run. Could I ask at this point that any member who has not yet paid their subs to do so as soon as possible. We need to do our best to keep numbers up and to keep the club viable.
Fingers crossed then that we can all be back out riding soon in the spring/summer sunshine.
I look forward to seeing you all then.
John Blanchfield Chairman Harrogate advanced bikes
