George Brown Memorial Classic Run

As a Club, we run the annual George Brown Memorial Classic Run.

The 2024 Memorial Run was on Sunday 14th July, at the Plume of Feathers in Little Wymondley SG4 7HY.

You can read the history and some details of the event below but, although it used to be a “Vintage” Run, it now includes modern classics (2005 and earlier). Whatever you ride, we encourage any motorcyclists, particularly Club members to come along and enjoy the day on whatever bike you have. If you can come along on a classic, all the better.

For details of the Memorial Run Regulations and an entry form, please click on the following links or contact the Club Secretary, Mick Taylor, on 01438 354130, stevenageanddmcc@gmail.com or at 17 North Road Stevenage SG1 4BD.

Link to Regulations

Link to Entry Form

The bikes will start gathering in the car park from about 10:00am and the Run will leave at 11:00am.

The morning route, which remains a mystery until the day, is normally about 40 miles and will end at a carefully selected pub where the entrants will be fed a ploughman’s or similar.

Anyone joining the run on a modern bike, just for the day out, will be welcome at the pub, where food will be available to purchase.

After a long lunch break, usually involving lots of admiring pointing at the array of machines on display and discussions on which bits are about to fall off on the way back, the Run returns to the Plume of Feathers in Little Wymondley SG4 7HY via a slightly shorter route.

The Club lays on a recovery vehicle so no-one will be left behind and once everyone is safely back at the Hotel, trophies are awarded for a variety of categories and the day tends to end around 4:00 pm.

Scroll down to have a look at the Cairman‘s annual report on the event.

History of the Run

The run started in 1979 in memory of our late President George Brown.

George was a motor cycle racer extraordinaire. He started racing in 1937 riding a Vincent at Brooklands clocking a speed of 113mph on the outer circuit.

After the war he carried on racing the Vincents all around the Britain, with great success.

He also competed in the Isle of Man TT where in the Junior class in 1952, he finished 6th. The following year while riding in the Senior TT, he was just behind the MV Augusta of Les Graham going down Bray Hill, when the MV got into an horrendous tank slapper, and landed in the middle of the track in a heap of black smoke. George arrived at the scene very quickly but, not able to do anything, rode through the smoke, only to find a burning MV. Luckily he was able to walk away, but unfortunately Les Graham lost his life.

After that he decided to concentrate on sprinting and hill climbs on his now famous Vincent “Nero” and later on “Super Nero”, achieving 24 world records.

The Memorial run is open to all makes of machine registered before December 31st 2002, with seven different classes:

Vintage Solo 01/01/1915 – 31/12/1930
Post Vintage Solo 01/01/1931 – 31/12/1944
Post War Solo 01/01/1945 – 31/12/1954
Classic Solo 01/01/1955 – 31/12/1973
Nearly There Classic Solo 01/01/1986 – 31/12/2002

Motor Cycle and Sidecar

Awards are presented for all the above classes but there are also other awards presented on the day:

Road Safety Award
Most Desirable Machine Award
The Ladies Rose Bowl Trophy – for the best performance by a lady on the run
The Joe Evanson Trophy – for the best performance by a non club member
The Terry Ives Trophy – for the oldest combined age of rider and machine
The Don Davies Trophy – for the best Stevenage club member riding his own bike
The Dave Green Trophy – for the best performance by a club member
The Ian Ashwell Trophy – for the best entry by a club member
The George Brown Memorial Trophy – for the best Vincent or HRD

So if you fancy a great day out in the beautiful surroundings of the countryside of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, come along and join us.

George Brown Memorial Run Chairman’s Reports

2024 George Brown Memorial Run

A glorious sunny Sunday morning welcomed us at the Plume of Feathers in Little Wymondley on the 14th July 2024 for the start of our 55th Annual George Brown Memorial Run. Tea and coffee were on hand to wake us up in readiness for our morning ride.

At 11.00 am, our road safety Marshall (Cider Bob) set off to his vantage point ahead of twenty eight entries and a dozen or so members on their bikes following the prescribed route, It was a very impressive sight.

Criss-crossing the Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire countryside, they made their way to the lunchtime stop at the Hoops in Bassingbourn, where, as usual, the Landlord, Russell, had the car park coned off for us and served up a very tasty ploughman’s lunch.

During the break, Cider Bob took up his second role of the day, along with his accomplice Mick, judging the bikes for the best in each relevant class. It’s not an easy job, particularly with so many really impressive machines.

Fed and watered it was time to set off on the afternoon route back to the Plume for the awards presentation and more liquid refreshment (be it coffee or beer!).

The run was uneventful, apart from a silencer falling from a so called well prepared MV Augusta -no names mentioned, other than Gordon.

We would just like to say a few votes of thanks; to our breakdown recovery drivers Ray and Martin, Cider Bob for the Road Safety and judging, Russell from the Hoops and Michelle, the landlady of the Plume, for letting us use the facilities there, and to Tony and Mick for organising another successful George Brown Memorial Run. We hope to see you and many more next year.

Results of the run:

Best Vintage/Post Vintage – Mike English on his Ariel

Best Post War Solo – Melvyn Stinson on his Norton

Best Modern Classic Solo – Martin Groveson on his Kawasaki GPZ600

Best Nearly There Classic – Beverly Calaby on his Triumph

Best Classic Solo – Paul Collins on his Kawasaki KH500

Best Motorcycle & Sidecar – Pat Barrett on his Yamaha XJ900

Road Safety Award – Paul Landridge on his Vincent Comet

Ladies Rose Bowl Best Performance by a Lady – Beverly Calaby on her Triumph

Joe Evanson Trophy Best Performance by a non-club member- Andrew Morris on his BSA A10

Terry Ives Trophy Oldest Combine Age of Rider and Bike – Dave Ricketts on his BSA Road Rocket

Gary JonesTrophy Most Desirable Machine – Mike English on his Ariel

Dave Green Trophy Best Performance by a club member – Steve White on his, erm, Honda C70

Ian Ashwell Trophy Best Entry by a club member – Darren Neilson on his Honda CB550

Maurice Hallett trophy Best 2-Stroke – Paul Collins on his Kawaski KH500

George Brown Memorial Trophy best Vincent – Paul Landridge on his Vincent Comet

2023 George Brown Memorial Run

Our annual George Brown Memorial Run was held on Sunday, July 16th 2023, starting from the Herts Scouts HQ behind Sainsbury’s at the Poplars.
With heavy rain and strong winds the day before the weather was favourable to us, although some riders (Gordon in particular ) were hampered by the strong winds,while the majority of us copped very well.
The morning route comprised of a 32 mile ride round herts and beds to our lunchtime stop at the Cock at Broom, where we were made very welcome by the landlord, who roped off the car park for us to park up, with a tasty ploughman’s served up for lunch.
Fed and watered we made our way back to Stevenage by way of a shorter route of approximately 20miles.
During the lunch break our Vice President Les “sticks” Ward his other half Irene and our committee member “Raceways” Carol, did the judging for the day’s trophy winners presentation back at the Scout HQ.
Many thanks to Martin and Trevor our breakdown duo, who thankfully there services were not required ,thanks also to Gordon and his Tea girls for the tea, coffee and biscuits.
Looking at the comments on our clubs What’s App, all those who attended had a very enjoyable day, but the organisers were a little bit disappointed as more of the clubs members did not turn up and support our blue ribbon event of the year.
(Perhaps they don’t like ride outs)
The lucky winners of an excellent array of trophies are as follows.
Best postwar solo. Pete Webb Triumph
Best classic solo. Darren Neilson Honda CB 550
Best modern classic solo. Keith Covell Suzuki
Best nearly their classic solo. Steve Whyte Honda 400
Gary Jones trophy. Most desirable machine. Bryan Marsh Triumph
Ladies Rosebowl. Best performance by a lady. Bev Callaby
Joe Evanson Trophy. Best performance by a non club member.Stuart Sharman
Terry IvesTrophy. Oldest combined age of rider and bike. Dave Ricketts.
Dave Green Trophy. Best performance by a club member. Gordon Hallett.
Don Davies Trophy. Best performance by a Stevenage club member riding his own bike.
Peter Webb
Ian Ashwell Trophy. Best entry by a club member. Darren Neilson.
Maurice Hallett Trophy. Best 2stroke. Keith Covell

2022 George Brown Memorial Run

Glorious weather welcomed us on Sunday 10th July 2022 for our annual George Brown Memorial Run.

The starting venue had changed this year to the Novotel but this did not deter many riders as we had over thirty entries taking part in the event.

Setting off from the Novotel at 11.00 am, the ride headed out to Baldock and then on to Newham, Ashwell, Steeple Morden, Littlington and Abington Piggots before continuing on through Bassingbourn, Meldrith and Sheprith to Flint Cross.

It was then the B1368 all the way to our lunch time stop at the Bee Hive at Hare Street.

After a lovely ploughman’s in the sunshine and some assessing by the discerning judges, with everyone fed and watered, it was a short route back to the Novotel via Buntingford, Cromer and Walkern.

Everyone arrived back safely with no incidents or breakdowns and it was then time for the and awards presentations:

Best vintage solo – Chris Sawyer
Best post vintage solo – Brian Young
Best post war solo – Ken Stratton
Best classic solo – Terry Cooper
Best modern classic solo – Jason Holmes
Best nearly there classic solo – Steve Hutchins
Best sidecar – Pat Barrett
Road safety award – Brian Young
Ladies rose bowl, the best performance by a lady – Amanda Paine
Joe Evanson trophy, best performance by a non club member – Darren Nelson
Terry Ives trophy, oldest combined age of rider and bike – Brian Young
Dave Green trophy, best performance by a club member – Steve Vaughan
Don Davies trophy, best club member riding his own bike – Chris Sawyer
Ian Aswell trophy, best entry by a club member – Peter Webb
Maurice Hallett trophy, best entry by a 2 stroke machine – Jason Holmes
Gary Jones trophy, most desirable machine award – Dave Rickett

Many thanks to our dynamic duo the organisers, Chairman Tony Brown and Secretary Mick Taylor, for an excellent day. Also to our Judges, Cider Bob (also Road Safety Marshall) and Dave Chapman, and to our breakdown men, Martin and Trevor.

We hope to see you all again next year

2021 George Brown Memorial Run

A cloudy and overcast day with a hint of drizzle welcomed us at the Cromwell Hotel for our George Brown Memorial Run.
Entrants started to arrive slowly, the organisers were a bit worried that there would not be many turn up due to the weather conditions, but by 11.45 am there had been 26 entries signed on and quite a few onlookers had also arrived to view the vast array of wonderful machines on display.

It being the first run since 2019 it was nice to see so any old friends and new ones turning up for the event, least of all our Vice President Brain Young who travelled all the way down from Geordie Land.

By 11.00 am everybody was ready for the off heading out of Stevenage to Walkern, through to Cottered on to Ashwell, Hinxworth, Eyeworth and Wrestlingworth. From here down the B1042 to Potton and Sandy then down Vinegar Hill to Upper Caldecote a total of 34 miles and the Playing Fields Club for hot and cold beverages and an excellent ploughman’s lunch.

Fed and watered we set off for the afternoon run back to the Cromwell Hotel a slightly short route of 20 miles, down the B658 to Stanford and Shefford, on to Clifton and Henlow Camp turning left on to the Bedford Road through Ickleford and Hitchin down the A602 turning left at Ashbrook through Little Wymondley, Redcoates and Todds Green and finally through the Old Town back to the Cromwell for the judging.

Just a few thank yous:

Lyn and Rob Smith, for there excellent hospitality at the Playing Fields club and an excellent Ploughman’s Lunch.
Breakdown recovery team of Ray Thompson and Trevor
Road safety Marshall Pete Star
Judges Pat Barrett and Pete Star
Biscuit man Gary Jones
Organiser`s Tony Brown and Mick Taylor

Judges Results:

Best Vintage Solo Chris Sawyer
Best Pre War Solo Brian Young
Best Post War Solo Dave Hubbard
Best Classic Solo A.Morris
Best Modern Classic Solo Tony Brown
Best Nearly There Classic Solo Andrew Hale
Road Safety Award Chris Sawyer
Gary Jones Award Most Desirable Machine Steve Hubbard
Joe Evanson Trophy; Best Performance by a non Club Member Peter Jennings
Maurice Hallett Trophy, Best Two Stroke Melvin Stimson
Terry Ives Trophy Oldest Combined Age of Rider and Machine Brian Young
Dave Green Trophy Best Performance by a club member Chris Sawyer
Don Davies Trophy Best club member Riding his own bike Gordon Hallett
Ian Ashwell Trophy Best entry by a Club member Tony Brown

2019 George Brown Memorial Run

By 9.00 am the early morning rain had been and gone, just leaving a few damp patches on the road.

The officials of the meeting, Chairman Tony Brown, Secretary Mick Taylor and member Gary Jones
were busy at the Cromwell Hotel preparing the entries and route cards etc. Tea and Coffee was on hand
for one and all and a selection of biscuits were available, kindly donated by Mr Gary Jones.

10.00 am and the riders start to arrive, and by 10.30 it was very hectic at start control.

The officials were a bit concerned, as by the start of the run the Road Safety Marshall, Pete Starr
had not arrived. It turned out he had forgot about the run and was out shopping, but he just
made his marshalling point by the time the first wave of riders passed through.

The route was split into two parts – the morning and afternoon. The morning route comprised of a 30 mile ride taking in Benington, Puckeridge, Little Hadham, Much Hadham and on to the Angel Public House in Ware for the lunchtime stop.

The afternoon ride was slightly shorter 22 miles taking in Wadesmill, Bengo, Hertford, Datchworth and finally back to the Cromwell Hotel.

One slight problem which could have caused a slight headache for the organisers… Tony Brown and Bob Voss went round on the route the previous morning (Saturday) to make sure all the roads were clear, but on reaching Much Hadham they were greeted by large “Road Closed” signs. Big problems they thought as it would have been virtually to late to then do a new route and print up new route cards. However they proceeded on through the Road Closed sign and to their relief there was no sign of any road works and the road was accessible.

By 10.50 am 31 entries had signed up ready for the off at 11.00. Just over one hour later the riders started to arrive at the Angel pub for a welcomed drink and a very enjoyable ploughman’s lunch. After being fed and watered, off again on the afternoon route.

With everyone arriving safely back at The Cromwell, it was then down to the judges Jim Carmichael and Pete Starr to do the daunting task of sorting out all the class winners. This done, the prize giving ceremony then proceeded, with the trophies being presented by our Chairman.

Many thanks to Ray Thompson for providing the breakdown truck recovery service, thankfully there were no incidents or breakdowns reported, and also thanks to Nigel and his wife of the Angel for their excellent hospitality.

RESULTS

Best Post Vintage Solo – Bryan Marsh – Triumph
Best Post War Solo – Melvyn Stimpson – Matchless
Best Classic Solo – Stuart Sherman – MV Augusta
Best Modern Classic Solo – Steve Pykerman – Yamaha
Best Nearly There Classic Solo – Howard Spencer – Triumph
Best Motorcycle & sidecar – Peter Johnson – BSA
Road Safety Award – Geoff James
Gay Jones Most Desirable Machine Award – Dave Hubbard – Greeves
Ladies Rose Bowl – Andea Orfeur
Joe Evanson Trophy Best Performance by a non-Club Member – Peter Johnson
Terry Ives Trophy Oldest combined age of rider and machine – Dave Ricketts 150years
Dave Green Trophy Best performance by a club member – Steve Pykerman
Don Davies Trophy Best club member riding his own bike – Gordon Hallett
Ian Ashwell Trophy Best entry by a club member – Jason Holmes
George Brown Memorial Trophy Best Vincent or HRD – Dave Dockgrill 1951 Rapide

2018 George Brown Memorial Run

Glorious weather once more welcomed us to our 39th Annual George Brown Memorial Vintage Run on Sunday 15th July 2018.

Prior to the day our chairman Tony Brown and club member extraordinaire Bob Voss had been out compiling another wonderful route for us to attack, comprising of twisty narrow lanes and open roads with some very nice straight bits.

On the day back at the Cromwell Hotel, Tony and our secretary Mick Taylor were busy taking entries for the event, with the excellent weather it bought out lots of entries, 35 to be exact.

Come 11 o`clock, the mass exodus of bikes started to leave the Cromwell on their merry way to their morning route.
Last to leave was the breakdown truck kindly driven and loaned by Ray Thompson.

By 11.10a.m. all was quite at the Cromwell apart from Mick and Gary “The Voice” Jones clearing up ready to leave for the lunchtime stop.

Just after 12 midday, the riders started to arrive at the lunchtime stop, The Hoops at Bassingbourn for a well deserved drink.

The landlord had laid on a truly scrumptious Ploughman’s Lunch for one and all.

1.30p.m and they were all off again on the afternoon route back to the Cromwell Hotel for the judging and prize presentation.

The list of the winners is:

Post vintage solo: Brian Young Norton.
Post war solo: Andy Morris BSA
Classic solo: Chris Fry Yamaha
Modern classic solo: Melvyn Stimson Honda
Nearly there classic solo: Ron Harvey Kawasaki
Sidecars: Peter Johnson BSA
Road Safety: Geoff James
Most desirable machine: Bob Voss Norton
Joe Evanson Trophy: J Barringer
Terry Ives Trophy: Brian Young
Dave Green Trophy: Steve Vaughn
Don Davies Trophy: Bob Voss
Ian Ashwell Trophy: Dave Hubbard

2017 George Brown Memorial Run

Glorious weather welcomed us on Sunday 9th July 2017 for our 38th annual George Brown Memorial Run.

Riders started arriving at the Cromwell Hotel Stevenage old town from about 10.00 am ready for the off at 11.00 am.

Our secretary Mick Taylor and Chairman Tony Brown were busy inside taking entries, while the majority of riders and spectators were outside, viewing the wonderful array of machines on display, while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee.

A record total of 41 entries were received plus about 10 others on modern day bikes doing the run as a Sunday Ride Out.

The route covered a total of 53 miles around the roads of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, with a lunch time stop at the Vicars Inn Arlesey, where an excellent ploughman lunch and liquid refreshments we much welcomed by our warm and hungry riders. A total of 53 bikes were on display in the car park. Many thanks to the hardworking bar staff at the Vicars Inn.

After lunch it was time to do the afternoon route back to the Cromwell Hotel for the judging of the best bikes in each class and the prize presentation.

Everyone made it round the route safely, including Andy Davenport’s four legged friend, poppy, tucked in the tank bag of his Vincent. No breakdowns were reported but many thanks to Ray Thompson and the breakdown crew for following up at the rear, just in case.

Our President’s wife Hazel was on hand to hand out the trophies which were as follows

Class Results
Best Vintage Solo: Brian Young Norton
Best Post Vintage Solo: Chris Sawyer Cotton
Best Post War Solo: Dave Ricketts BSA Rocket
Best Classic Solo: Dave Hubbard Greeves
Best Modern Classic solo: Cliff Morris Honda CBX
Best Nearly There Classic Solo: Howard Spencer Honda
Best Sidecar: Pat Barrett Yamaha

Club Trophies
Dave Green Trophy Best performance by a club member: Tony Brown Aermacchi
Don Davies Trophy Best member riding his own bike: Gordon Hallett Benelli
Ian Ashwell Trophy Best entry by a club member: Pete Webb Triumph Trident.

Other Annual Awards.
Road Safety Award: K. Desborough AJS
Most Desirable Machine Award: Dave Hubbard Greeves
Ladies Rosebowl Best Performance by a Lady: Nicole Gale Yamaha
Joe Evanson Award Best Performance By a Non Club Member: Andy Davenport & his dog Poppy Vincent
Terry Ives Trophy Oldest Combine age of bike and rider: Brian Young
George Brown Memorial Trophy Best Vincent or HRD on the run: Clive Smith

Many thanks to all those members who helped out today, Gary Jones, Cider Bob, Uncle Albert, Ray Thompson, Jim Carmichael, Bob Voss, Mick Taylor and myself. Sorry if I’ve left any one out.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those riders who took part in the run today, it makes all the organising worth while when so many of you turn up to what was a truly excellent day and hope to see you all once again next year.

George Brown Memorial Vintage Run 2016

A damp and dismal Sunday morning greeted us for our annual George Brown Memorial Vintage Run on Sunday 10th July.

Competitors started arriving just after 10:00 at the Cromwell Hotel, Old Town Stevenage where tea and coffee were freely available (as were the digestive biscuits supplied by Mr Gary Jones).

Being a damp start to the day, it was not envisaged that many competitors would turn up with there prized machines, but a total of 32 riders entered.

At approx 11:00, riders started departing on there 35 mile morning route.

One rider, our Chairman Tony Brown, who had borrowed Gordon Hallet`s Gilera Saturno, only made it four miles to Walkern when the rear suspension unit collapsed and promptly threw the rider down the road. Substantial damage was sustained by the bike, however, Tony carried on the run on another one of Gordon`s bikes – a 250c.c Benelli.

One other competitor decided he would wash his Kawasaki and himself in the ford at Barwick; both rider and bike were ok.

No other incidents were reported and everybody made it safely to the lunchtime stop at the Beehive, Hare Street, where an excellent Ploughmans Meal waited us.

The afternoon route went off without a hitch, with every one arriving safely back to the glorious sunshine at the Cromwell Hotel for the judging and prize presentation, which were handed out by our Presidents wife Hazel.

An excellent day was had by all.

Award winners were as follows:

Best Vintage Solo Chris Sawyer Cotton
Best Post Vintage Solo Chris Garner Triumph
Best Post War Solo Bob Voss Triumph
Best Classic Solo A.Morris BSA
Best Modern Classic Solo K.Covell Suzuki
Nearly There Classic Solo J.Greig Yamaha
Motor Cycle &Sidecar Pete Johnson BSA
Road Safety Award Steve Vaughan
Most Desirable Machine Gordon Hallett Benelli
Joe Evanson Trophy for the best performance by a non club member Peter Lawson Puch
Terry Ives Trophy for the oldest combine age of rider and bike Chris Sawyer 154 years
Don Davis Trophy for the best club member riding his own bike Paul Hawkes Yamaha
Dave Green Trophy for the best performance by a club member Tony Brown Gilers/Benelli
Ian Ashwell Trophy for the best entry by a club member Dave Hubbard Greeves
George Brown Memorial Trophy for the best Vincent Neil Darrell Comet Sidecar .

George Brown Memorial Vintage Run 2015

A warm and overcast day welcomed us to the Cromwell Hotel in Stevenage Old Town in July for our 36th annual George Brown Memorial Vintage Run.

Riders started arriving just after 10.00 am, for an 11.00 am start,

It was nice to see our vice president Brian Young there, Brian had travelled all the way from Newcastle to be with us today. First job of the day was a welcome cup of tea or coffee, chairman Tony and secretary Mick were busy collecting in entries and handing out the relevant route cards and meal tickets.

11.00 am arrives and off we go, they should be going off at minute intervals but the pack all swarm off together, playing follow the leader hoping the one in front knows where the route goes.

The morning route comprises of a 40 mile ride round main roads and country lanes, arriving with a band playing at The Chequers public house at Wrestlingworth for the lunchtime stop, where we were made very welcome by the landlord. After some liquid and solid refreshment off again on a 20 mile ride back to the Cromwell for the judging of awards.

The following were the lucky recipients of the awards.

Best Vintage Solo – Chris Sawyer / Cotton
Best Post Vintage Solo – Chris Garner / Triumph
Best Post War Solo – Melvin Stimson / Matchless
Best Classic Solo – Peter Webb / Triumph
Best Modern Classic Solo – Paul Hawkes / Yamaha
Nearly There Classic Solo – Steve Pykerman / Honda
Best Motor Cycle and Side Car – Neil Dorrell / Vincent Comet
Most Desirable Machine – Jeff Banks / Velocette
Joe Evanson Trophy for best performance by a non club member – Jeff Banks / Velocette
Terry Ives Trophy for oldest combined age of rider and machine – Brian Young / Norton
Don Davies Trophy for best Stevenage club member riding his own bike – Gordon Hallett / Adler
Dave Green Trophy for best performance by a Stevenage club member – Paul Hawkes / Yamaha
Ian Ashwell Trophy for best entry by a Stevenage club member – Dave Hubbard / Greeves
George Brown Memorial Trophy for best Vincent or HRD – Tony Brown 1952 Vincent Series C Rapide