The hills will not be alive with the Sound of Music (motorcycles) after all.

Having delayed decisions for as long as possible, the organisers of the Leighton Hall Speed Hill Climb scheduled for September 20 have had to cancel this year's event.

Restrictions laid down by the ACU, who issue the course certificate, and other issues linked to the covid outbreak have made it impractical to run this year, but plans are already in place for 2021.

The North West Marshalls group, who were hoping to run the two postponed Hoghton Tower Hill Climb meetings later in September, have come to the same decision.

The Westmorland Motor Club, who revived the Barbon Speed Hill Climb, have befallen the same fate.

It's a big disappointment for both competitors and fans alike, but as all three organisations stated in their press releases, the safety and health of spectators, competitors and officials had to come first.

However, there is a glimmer of hope for road racing fans, as promoters of the Olivers Mount Circuit in Scarborough are confident of running two of their postponed events in late August and early September.

Plans are to hold the Barry Sheene Classic meeting over three days on August 14, 15 and16.

Four weeks later, on September 11, 12 and 13, they are hoping to run the Gold Cup event which attracts thousands of spectators every year.

They`ve extended both meetings to three days to give teams more time to set up machines and give riders more track time to get up to speed again after the long lay-off.

To comply with social distancing regulations, only a limited amount of pre-booked tickets will be available.

Restrictions on paddock movement and occupancy will be strictly enforced too. Passes purchased for the postponed meetings earlier this year can be used for both weekends. Full details from www.oliversmount.com.

The organisers are quick to point out if for any reason the racing is cancelled, a full refund will be given.

The Aberdare Park circuit in South Wales is planning to open its gates too in September.

They operate under Welsh government guidelines, which differ slightly from ours.

If you've never been to Aberdare, it`s well worth a visit. The unique one-mile circuit consists of the public park pathways and attracts crowds of 20,000-plus every year.

Wayward competitors (myself included) are regularly pulled out of the trackside shrubbery and the lake, but it always provides some spectacular racing.

I recall being beaten in one race there years ago by an 18-year-old Carl Fogarty sporting a novice bib... didn't he do well after that!

* The covid outbreak and last week’s weather would have played havoc with the 2020 TT schedule had it actually gone ahead.

Last week’s rain and fog on the mountain would have postponed many of the races.

However, TT fans can still catch up with some of the past action, as I learned after we’d gone to press last week that ITV4 started screening a series of ‘The Greatest TT Races of the Decade’ on Tuesday evening and you can still catch up with the remaining programmes.

Tonight`s is titled ‘The Ultimate Challenge’ and starts at 9pm, tracing the history of the races and how the famous TT course has developed over the past 100 years or so.

Tomorrow night is ‘The Best of the Senior Races,’ again at 9pm. I’m really looking forward to that one, as it’s bound to show the epic Hailwood/Agostini duels and Fogarty/Hislop battles.

* The Motorcycle Action Group, who constantly lobby MPs for better conditions for motorcyclists, had their efforts rewarded recently in a House of Commons Covid-19 debate.

Replying to a question from a Norfolk MP, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps recommended motorcycles as an alternative method of transport, adding: "Motorcycles are an enormously important way of getting around - 2.7 billion miles were covered by motorcyclists in 2018, the last year for which we have data.

"We are now working on a number of projects sorting out potholes etc which are a huge problem for them."

He encouraged anyone to consider adapting to motorcycling and for older members to maybe think about getting an electric model.

It's a pity it has taken the covid outbreak to get the pothole situation finally moving... I sincerely hope they start on Bridge Road and Ferry Road first!

* You'll all agree that we are fortunate to live here in Furness, close to some breathtaking lakeland scenery.

A few weeks ago I mentioned Gary Chelton, a stalwart of the Furness branch of the Motorcycle Action Group, was one of the first locals to take the opportunity of giving his immaculate 50-year-old 1970 650cc BSA twin cylinder Lightning a run out once Boris had relaxed the Covid-19 restrictions.

I make no apologies for posting this stunning picture of his BSA on his latest run out last weekend. The bike is pictured here near Wastwater.

* I'm pleased to report Barrow's Andy Craig, who injured his back and wrist in a heavy fall at the Cumbria Motocross practice weekend a couple of weeks ago, was discharged from FGH on Monday.

He`s going to be sporting a back brace and a plastered wrist for a while, but he is otherwise ok..