Touring on tiddlers
The first Three Moors Run took place in 2020, organised by Russell Benney, best as the Phase One Endurance team owner but also a Moto Giro enthusiast. He wanted to establish what he called a ‘tiddlers tour’ for classic machines in the UK and there were 20 entries for the first TMR.
His vision was this: “Twenty 175 tiddlers, full throttle, all line astern, bobbing up and down the Dartmoor hills.” Well, the aim was for no bikes above 175cc, in keeping with the Giro, but a few ‘oversize’ bikes were allowed to creep in, as long as they were ‘in the spirit of the event’.
Once word spread about this charming, back-roads tour on small capacity bikes, interest snowballed and now, not only is Russell inundated with entries for the TMR, he’s introduced several other hugely-popular ‘tiddler tours’ both here and aboard.
Here’s his latest communication to all tiddler enthusiasts: details not only two of the events that have happened so far this year, but also a schedule of planned events into 2025.
He said: “With the tiddler season well underway, I thought it time to update you on what’s done and what’s to come!
SO FAR THIS YEAR…..
The Trans Iberian Challenge (TIC) Barcelona – Porto, 6 days, 1800 kms
The 4th Trans Iberian Challenge ( May 24 ) went really well with a 90% finishing rate and no disasters. Star of the show was Paul Arber on his three-speed Bantam. He battled across both the Pyrenees and Cantabrian mountains with a bungie holding it in gear and was still smiling in the restaurant each night. Clive Chapman retired with a grumbling main bearing on his hardy Terrier. Of all the trips, this one attracted the worst rain, but luckily only one day of it. A couple of route variations worked well with a new Parador (Corias) and some additional fantastic Galician sections to add to future trips. We plan the 5th TIC in late September 2025.
2024 June Jaunt, 3 days, 326 miles.
With 38 starters, it was the biggest yet. We see it as the ‘friendly event’, one which is small enough for everyone to get to know each other, without being lost in numbers. The entry was fantastic; we had everything, from Stuart Scott’s BMW R25, through Velocette and Puch to Morini, Moto Guzzi and Gilera. We really did have the lot. The sun shone as we travelled the Somerset, Devon and Cornish coasts and the challenges of Porlock Hill and Crackington steep were tackled without incident. Plus, the new North Molton to Winsford route was deemed a success and one to be repeated. We all had a thoroughly good time. The 2025 the June Jaunt will be expanded to 50 participants.
THE ROADS AHEAD…..
Eligibility changes on the Three Moors Run (TMR) for 2025
The TMR cut-off date is tightening from Dec 31, 1973 to Dec 31, 1969 for new entrants. All existing participants with bikes up to 1973 will continue to be accepted – as will any interesting machine up to 1973, after all, who would want to exclude the little MV 125 jewels of 1970 or 71, or the Bridgestones of the early 70s. But, new participants will need to be on eligible bikes. The intention is to try to encourage even more of the 1950s and 1960s bikes out of the garages and onto the moors, to give greater interest and variety to the runs. The change also indicates the direction of travel for the future – ‘Giro’ is in the name and also in the nature. Let’s keep the fun of running the 1950s and 60s kit, from all over the world, alive and well. Please see a file attached, giving a summary on the change.
2025 Paris-Madrid 1903 race route re-enactment. (PA-MA 2025)
We will set off, just as they did in May 1903, from the gates of Versailles Park. For us, it will be a late June morning, in the hope of more reliable weather. The trip will be of six days covering some 1400kms, striking first, SW to Bordeaux and Pau, before crossing the Pyrenees vectoring south in Basque land. Then, on to Vittoria and the Rioja before ending at the Jarama race circuit in northern Madrid. The exact dates will be out in the Autumn. We have 28 interested tiddler owners so far, but please let me know if you want to be added to the list. More info in the file attached.
2024 Three Moors Run, 4 days, 500 miles (THE Giro South West) Sept 7 – 10
With 63 starters planned, this will be fun. ! This year seems to be the year of the two-strokes. With Montesa’s and Ossa’s, Bridgestones, Yamahas and Bantams, it feels like the MVs and Gileras are under threat…… Last year we prided ourselves in having more MVs than the Giro d’Italia – with the first 10 starters on that make, this time it is not the same… more Gileras than ever before and similarly more Bianchis. And, our manufacturer variety is up – now at 19 makes, up from 17 last year. The Morinis are coming, I promise you! The route will be issued in early August and we shall be returning to our old favourite hotels, The Imperial in Barnstaple and The Falmouth Hotel.
2024 The 6th Portugal 4-day, late Sept 2024, 600 miles
The 6th running of the Northern Borderlands tour will push due north, further from Porto, well into Galicia this time. Thus, making the following day almost a completely Spanish one. The route then goes south to the Douro Valley, including the N222 (the finest riding road in Portugal with 93 bends in 17 miles) before overnighting in the Estrela Hills. The final day wends back to Porto for the last night feast.
Keep on tiddling – and stay safe. Russell”
*To discover more go to ‘Giro South West’ on Facebook
