Southampton Virtual MAG newsletter no 17

23rd May 1999 Southampton MAG Logo

This is the seventeenth edition of Southampton Virtual MAG - A way of keeping in touch with members and friends.

Our regular meeting is at:
Home Tavern, Eastleigh (opposite Eastleigh Train Station). Every Wednesday, 8:30 for 9pm.
You are all welcome. You even come in your car if it is cold and or wet. We won't mind,
you know......

Southampton MAG Webpage: www.miesta.demon.co.uk/sotmag.html.
Southampton MAG Events Page: www.miesta.demon.co.uk/magevent.h tm.
Southern Region Webpage: http://home.freeuk.net/mag-south /home.htm
The regional webpage now has a free small ads and personals page.
MAG Bike insurance is on 0870 444 2 555. Give it a try!

Please feel free to forward this to anyone else you might think interested, even better mail me (andy@miesta.demon.co.uk) their email address and I will send them their own copy. Conversely if you don't want to keep receiving this, mail me and I'll take you off the list.

If any members are not receiving their copy of StreetBiker, please contact MAG central and they will sort it out for you! Alternatively mail me! and I will look into it for you.

Latest News

Virago Owners Club Run.

The Virago Owners club are organising a run, leaving from The Spinnaker pub on the 31st of May at 9.30am. They will be heading down to the Brighton Sea life centre. For more information contact Rose on (01703) 397050.

Bands at the Home Tavern.

The Home Tavern will be putting on a series of bands over the next few weeks, for free. Please contact the Home Tavern for a list of bands.

Another pet-food run.

Ronin BC are organising a petfood run on the 29th August. Meet at the Lapstone Pub in Horton Heath at 12 for a 1pm departure. The run is in aid of the Hound Cottage Animal Sanctuary. For any further information contact Shas on (01703) 907838.

Bike Thefts.

By all accounts there is an organized bike gang stealing mainly Kawasakis, possibly to order. Please be extra vigilant about bike security and if you see anything suspicious please do no not hesitate to tell the police. MAG operate a reward scheme for those helping to nick bike thieves!

Hot Otter Tickets.

Tickets for the Hot Otter rally will be available for sale from next Wednesday. Tickets are a mere £6!

Improve your riding.

Eastleigh Police are operating a Better Biking course later on in the Year. This scheme is run purely by volunteers and costs you not a penny. Several people from MAG have already been on this scheme and found it hugely rewarding. If you want to take part (it will take about four consecutive Sundays, involving a mixture of theoretical and practical advice and tuition given by class 1 police riders) please give me an email and I will forward the relative details. Don't be shy!

Ice-House Run.

The Annual Ice-House run is on the 30th May, leaving from the Ice-house, Shirley at 12 midday.

Road Calming in Bursledon.

Eastleigh Council intend to install speed-humps in Bursledon. We need a biker from that area to contact us, so that we can raise an effective complaint against them – the principle being that the approach ramps to them may be too steep to be safe for motorcyclists. Please get in contact if you fit the bill.

SHAG in the Forest?

Surrey, Hants, Aldershot and Guildford (AKA SHAG to their friends) will be having a camp-out in the New Forest over the Beaulieu Bike Show weekend. Anyone interested in joining them, please mail me and I will get in touch with them for you.

Events and On-going issues.

If anyone knows of a suitable event (i.e. from a MAG group, a MAG affiliated club or a charitable event) please mail me and I will add it to the list.

Club Contacts.

We are trying to get into contact with as many clubs in the local area as possible. If you are a member of a club, or know someone who is the president \ chairmen \ secretary of a club, please let me know and I will pass the details on to our clubs officer. MAG is currently updating and expanding its clubs scheme and the benefits that affiliation can bring.

Get thee to a polling both!

The European Parliamentary Elections are coming up in June. Please make sure you use your vote.

Secure Parking.

Secure Motorcycling Parking is starting to appear in Andover, Romsey and throughout the Test Valley Area. If you park somewhere, please use it!

We will also be chasing up Eastleigh council about the on-street parking that has been promised, but not yet delivered.

Biker Sunday.

The Lapstone in Horton Heath are having a Biker Sunday on the 30th of May, in aid of the Kosovo Relief Appeal. It starts at 10.30 am with an 11 am rideout and there will be a barbecue and live music. Further information on 01703 601659

Run to the Lord Derby.

We will be going up to Lord Derby in Odiham on the first Wednesday of June to flyer for the Hot Otter and MAG in general. A start time has yet to be fixed, but I will keep you posted.

Traffic Reduction Meeting.

There will be a traffic reduction meeting at the Civic Centre in Southampton at 7.30 p.m. on the 25th of May. If anyone is interested in attending, please contact me and I will get further details for you.

Lion Rally Marshals Wanted.

Reading MAG's Lion Rally require Marshals. You get to go to the event for free, and the Marshals only party is worth it! The downside is... you have to work hard. Mail me and I will pass you details on to Reading MAG.

Motorcycle World, Beaulieu 26, 27 June

MAG Stand at Motorcycle World Beaulieu, National Motor Museum.
We always require assistants for the MAG stand at Motorcycle World. If you would like to assist (its a case of plugging MAG to an unknowing majority) please give me a mail and I will pass your details on.

Bike Awareness Day.

Following the success of the last one, a second is planned for the fourth of September.

Pet-food Run 2 - the kit-e-kat strikes back.

We will be planning a second pet-food run for the fifth of September. This will involve at longer marshalled ride that last time - we are looking at least a 25-30 mile run. More details will arrive as and when.

Hot Otter Rally.

Southern Region MAG rally event. 9-11 July. Rally poster
Details are now on the Website. If you want a copy of the flyer, please mail me and I will arrange for one to be sent to you.

Eastleigh Carnival

We will be on the float - we want your support!

Home Tavern Bike Show 22nd August 1999

Not much information on this yet, but I will keep you informed.

Southampton MAG T-shirts...

..are *still* going fast. Very fast. Another print-run is planned soon. £7.50 for the black ones and we have some blue ones for £7.

Membership

Not a member? And why not? I have some membership forms! Please mail me and I will get one too you. You can also join online via the MAG UK website - follow the link from the Southampton MAG website. Alternatively, phone MAG central on 0121 605 3555 with your credit \ switch card details. Membership is £16 single, £24 joint. You can also join on-line at http://www.mag-uk.org/elec_mem_form.html

Contacting Southampton MAG

Also, any comments will be gladly received and acted on. If you have anything you feel that should be raised by MAG, please mail me and I will raise it on your behalf.

You can either mail me - just reply to this message, come along to the meeting, or contact one of our reps.

If you would prefer to use the telephone you can try either of our very helpful reps- Mark Young 01703-694890 or John Franklin 01703-738322. (Officers list link)