I've said many times Furness has produced champions in all branches of motorcycle sport in the past and still does especially in motocross, or scrambles as it used to be known.

In the late fifties and sixties, Furness was a hotbed of scrambles activity with meetings taking place most weekends on the many tracks in the area.

Older members will remember racing at Lindal, where both spectators and riders return home looking like red Indians from the dust.

The Barrow Motor Club organised one at their annual gala day at Mill Brow too.

The St Helens track behind the Brown Cow in Dalton always produced some great racing - it had an awesome one in four drop down a steep hill.

I made my scrambles debut there as an eager 16-year-old on a 1938 girder fork 350cc Triumph I'd been given.

The established local stars gave me good ribbing for even thinking of riding a girder fork machine.

They were soon laughing on the other side of their faces when I led the pack to the top of the hill in the first race.

Unfortunately, being a complete novice, I hit the front brake halfway down the hill instead of the rear, which no-one told me was the correct procedure, which fired me over the bars into the air like Superman down the banking, completely wrecking the bike and myself, and dislocating a shoulder... End of Scrambles career! Meanwhile, Norman Barrow, Eddie Crooks, Bob Dickinson, Broughton brothers Bob and Tony Sharp and many others were thrilling the crowds on the Bootle Scramble Club's track, other Furness venues and at Helsington near Kendal.

In 1974, the Cumbria Youth Scrambles Club formed and ran events firstly at Yarleside Common then near Marton and Thwaite Flat, which is now buried underneath the Barrow tip.

They used courses at Lindal Cote and at Elliscales near Dalton too. Sadly, the only remaining track in Furness now is Haverigg where the Cumbria MX Club carry on the tradition by promoting several events a year.

* The latest casualty of the coronavirus outbreak is the hugely popular International Llangollen Bike Festival in North Wales on August 1 and 2.

The organisers left their decision until the last minute, but the latest restrictions laid down by the Welsh government have left them with no option but to cancel.

The annual festival, held in the picturesque village of Llangollen with it`s riverside pubs and steam railway, is within easy reach of the M53, attracts thousands of visitors each year and has a good following from Furness enthusiasts too. It’s an event I’ve always supported.

Previous guests of honour have included such big names as Giacomo Agostini, John McGuinness, Ian Hutchinson and many more.

This year’s guests of honour were to have been TV presenter Henry Cole and multiple TT winner Charlie Williams.

Coniston`s Vic Dunkley is a regular exhibitor there, with his unique trike pictured here.

* With the Covid restrictions being eased, several motorcycle-friendly businesses are reopening.

Starting tomorrow, the Herdwick Café in Coniston will be welcoming visiting motorcyclists and others on forthcoming Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am until 4pm.

They`re operating a takeaway service only for the time being, and customers are requested to maintain the two-metre distance ruling whilst queueing.

The Herdwick, near the John Ruskin Museum, is always a popular meeting place for motorcycling enthusiasts and a firm favourite with the Furness branch of the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club, who terminate some of their popular ‘tiddler runs’ for smaller capacity machines there.

* Great news for local motocross riders, as following easing of the Covid-19 restrictions, the Cumbria MX Club, who operate the Route 44 Track at Haverigg, have been given permission from their governing body the MCF to open for training days.

The track will be restricted to 50 riders per day and I`m afraid no spectators are permitted, while no overnight camping is allowed either.

Social distancing will obviously have to be adhered to and visiting riders are requested to stay within their own family groups.

Bookings will be online only and you must hold a full MCF licence. Day licences won`t be permitted.

This Saturday caters for Auto 65`s Small & Big wheel rookies from 10am to 4pm.

Sunday caters for all adults plus rookies age 15.

Get in touch with Leanne on 07522 964565 or Sam on 07907 431202 to reserve your place.