2025 ABC Mileage Challenge

Hi ABCers

Here we go again with the mileage challenge for 2025!

If you have an ABC of any type be it a car, a Skootamota, a 400 3hp or even a fore-aft machine and it goes then take it for a drive or a ride, record the mileage and post it here or let me know. Most importantly take a picture of your ABC out there in the big wide world and share it with the rest of us.

The first month of 2025 was a cold damp month and I for one preferred to stay indoors as much as possible. However, there were ABCs out and about braving the elements resulting in a 92.5 miles being covered! (yes really)!

The first miles in 2025 were claimed by Mr Paul Button. Below is a picture of Paul with his well earned prize.
 

The second picture this month was actually taken over the Christmas period and perfectly sums up how many ABC pilots feel about the recent weather. I guess we are all looking forward to those brighter warmer days to come.
 

Lastly, don't forget about the Veteran & Vintage Day at Brooklands on the 6th April and the VMCC Founders Day on the 20th July. A chance to show off your machines and meet up with other ABCers.
 

Hi ABCers

February seemed to start by carrying on where January left off, however despite this a total of 44 miles travelled by ABC. If any of you out there have any miles to add to this total please do let me know because 44 seems quite a low total.

The first picture this month is of me leaving a wet breakfast meet hosted by Vintage Tyres at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. Like last time when I attended this event, it rained, and provided a wonderful opportunity to get EK dirty! The picture below was provided by John Turner a local photographer as it is difficult to take ones own picture whilst on the move.

 

The second picture is of some of the mud that I collected. Leg shields really are wonderfull things to have.

 

Hi ABCers

My copy of the VMCC monthly wrag arrived yesterday and to my surprise one of our number was in it!
 

And then even more to my surprise the following pictures were posted on the VMCC FaceBook page! The following images were taken on a vintage motorcycle run in Maryborough, which I think is in Queensland, Australia. There are other images and video clips on the VMCC FaceBook page showing some of the other machines that took part and some lovely looking roads all under a bright sun and clear skies.
 
 
 
  

Hi
Yes that was me at the Maryborough rally but it was Victoria not Queensland, there are two cities with the same name but about 2000 kms apart.
My ABC went faultlessly all weekend covering about 400 kms again.
The 7 inch front brake is a real advantage as now I actually have a brake that works and works well.
The electric starter is also working very well, after some trials and redesign, it is now very reliable. I made this because as we all get older one of the problems is jump starting and so I thought better sort it now whilst I can. It makes riding a lot less stressful,  especially in traffic and intersection.
So how does my 400 kms fit in the mileage challenge?
All the best to all Andrew Cox 

Hi Andrew

Congratulations on completing the Maryborough Rally. Your 400kms (250 miles) puts you in first place with the greatest number of miles travelled by ABC so far in 2025, at the moment.  However, before you rest on your laurels I am not too far behind you and there is a another challenger in the southern hemisphere who after this weekend may well snatch first place!

It is great to hear that your machine ran well during the rally and look forward to hearing more of your ABC adventures.

Regards

Phil 
 

Hi ABCers

Its time to sum up March and report back on ABC activity and to be honest what a surprise March turned out to be! The total mileage by ABC for the month was..........wait fot it........653!

So just to recap, thats 92 miles in Janaury, 44 in February and SIX HUNDRED and FIFTY THREE in March. Wow! The lion's share of these miles were clocked up by Andrew Cox in OZ (250 miles or 400kms) in the Maryborough rally and Peter Gillespie in South Africa (280 miles or 450kms) in the Durban to Johannesburg rally. A very well done to the both of you (sorry Andrew you are second for the year so far)

Unfortunately, I don't have any new unpublished photos of Andrew, so below are a couple of Peter. The first one is Peter and his brother-in-law Detlev Bjorner with his 1930 AJS taken at, well you can see where for yourselves. This picture was taken on one of Peter's preparation runs for the DJ rally.  A mere 65miles or 105kms.
   

This next shot is of Peter at the start of the DJ rally. Peter covered 161 miles on day 1 of the rally in fairly bad weather conditions but had to retire due to magneto issues. Peter's brother in law, Detlev, went on to take and award for his AJS.
 

Lastly, a picture of me on the move courtesy of Antony Garland. This was taken on the way to one of the regular vehicle meets in my area.