Watch this space
for reports on all the things we did in 2024
Updated regularly
Thursday 5th Breakfast Run
12 brave souls ventured out on this dull windy morning to gather at the old "Bird in hand" public house (which has been closed for a few years now), It is located on the A3400 near Henley in Arden.
Steve Lambert led the pack on this run and we headed off towards Stratford via Billesley then onto Long Marston, the going was good at this point with the pack keeping tight together. We progressed through some more beautiful villages including Mickleton, Weston Sub-Edge & Willersey , until we eventually rode into Broadway, at this point the weather was dry but a little windy, That's when everything went a bit pear shaped! I lost my navigation aid communication at this point and made my first mistake by taking a wrong turn up to and beyond Snows Hill, the weather gods turned on us and the rain came down, compounded by high winds, and at this point I had to admit I was well and truly LOST, we stopped briefly at a tee junction to get my thoughts together, looking back I could see everyone was getting soaked so the pressure was on!
Geoff Ansell in his usual cheerful spirit noticed a "Lady" passing by walking her dog, and commented "It’s a lovely day for walking your dog isn't it” to which she replied "It was until you lot turned up pumping filth into the atmosphere !!!!!!" ha ha well Geoff was lost for words for once haha.
We got back onto the route (or so I thought) and proceeded to our destination which was "The Gloucestershire & Warwickshire steam Railway" we were only 4 miles from this destination when I made my second mistake, by leading the pack into a GWR railway station to which I was informed by Steve Malins that "This is not Toddington Station" S---T. We quickly performed a U turn and headed off down the road to our correct final destination and cafe, at GWR Toddington Station.
Ahhh at last we're here and still in the rain and wind, but the cafe was a very welcome sight and I feel the pack forgave my errors,
Thanks everyone,
Sunday 8th Sept Jim Fellows Ride Out
There’s an adage that there is ‘No Fule like an old Fule’ as was witnessed today when two turned up for today’s run.
One and half actually as Geoff was wise enough to come in his Zephyr.
The weather could best be described as damp and challenging, so much so that my rev counter steamed up.
Still there’s always next year.
Breakfast Run Thursday 22nd August
Apparently it’s the height of the summer! But the BBC and the Met Office were both advertising a rather wet and windy morning…so only hardy types today then!
Gathering in Meriden as usual, it was actually completely dry and pretty mild. Our run leader was conspicuously absent, presumably looking for his oilskins, but then here is Steve on his 250 Suzuki and not the AJS as planned…apparently the AJS had also seen the weather forecast and had decided it was staying put today.
Tony turned up on his Vincent, but needed petrol so off he went again. A few more hardy folk trickled in. A passing car driver spotted my Guzzi and came in to see if anyone was interested in buying in his J reg 750T Guzzi (details available). Tony’s back now so we are 11 and decide to use the 2 Tail End Charlie system - me (Nigel - Guzzi) & Jenny (Panther) as back up. I’m keen to test the Tail End Charlie process so really need someone to breakdown or have a minor incident so ask around but no one is keen…
We have a great and dry ride though all manner of roads, many of which are new to us and also to our fearless leader it seems. Through a slow ‘section’ white van man stops me to ask where we are going as he thinks the 250 Suzuki at the front might have been his many years ago. It wasn’t as Steve’s had it from new. And then all too soon we arrive at The Olde Pounde Cafe where they really know how to provide good value for money food. Thanks to all those who turned out today and Steve for leading.
Sunday 28th July Evesham Run
With Wings & Wheels at Bidford being postponed at short notice, John Surman stepped into the breach and arranged a
trip to Raphael’s at Evesham.
Quite fortuitous as our annual spring trip to the Café was postponed as the Distinguished Gentleman’s event took it over and we couldn’t get in!
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Breakfast Run Thursday 8th August.
The day dawned sunny and optimistic, but the weather gods had prognosticated a more ‘mixed’ experience for the day. We assembled at The Bulls Head in Meriden, now becoming a regular starting point for many of our runs, and always providing a few interested passing folk who want to have a chat about these old bikes.
16 assorted bikes now assembled, and the hands of the clock dictated it was time to go. Jenny, our fearless leader, led us on a highly circuitous tour for an hour or so to our mystery destination - The Old Mill at Baginton. Drinks were purchased and they kindly provided us with some free cakes and cookies.
There were a couple of spots of rain on the way there and we had lost 1 of our intrepid riders to the warmth and dryness of their own home. However, we had a great mixture of bikes spanning 78 years from 1946 to 2024. Thanks to everyone for making it an enjoyable ride out, and to Jenny for all the planning and for leading the run.
Wednesday 7th Aug Annual Fish & Chip Run
Great turnout with over 20 in attendance for our annual Summer Fish and Chip run.
Starting from Meriden Cross with a nice quiet bendy run to the Atlantic Fish and Chip in nearby Kingsbury. Fare was superb with huge portions. Everybody seemed to have a good time and we left in time to get home while it was still light.
Sunday 18th August Wythall Transport Musuem.
A great turn out again at the Bulls Head, Meriden with 16 bikes….hold on make that 17 bikes, as another arrives just as we are leaving. A lovely relaxing ride led by John on his Suzuki in the warming August sunshine, we all arrive safely (bar 1 minor incident…) at the bustling Wythall Transport Museum. In addition to the museum there was the bonus of a Classic Car event for pre-1980 cars for us to enjoy too. And another surprise was that 2 riders who had planned to come on the run but would have been late getting to the starting point had arrived ahead of us and organised a proper parking pitch for us amongst the classic cars, and we also got free admission to the museum! 2 more riders joined us at Museum making 21 in total. A great run with our usual great mixture of old and new, from Britain, Japan, Italy and East Germany this time.
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Club Night Wednesday 21st August
Tonight we had a coffee biscuits and chin wag night and it was good.
Steve Lamberts 2023 Midlands Section Video was running in a loop in the background and elicited some really positive comments.
Thursday 11th July Breakfast Run
Steve did an absolutely first-class job in leading the run from Ye Olde Pounde Café, where we had coffees, teas, etc., through some roads and lanes we didn’t know existed, some quite “challenging”! One comment was that Richard Anderton had an unfair advantage down one lane, as his bike had knobblies fitted. That gives you some idea. There were also some nice roads where we could enjoy a bit of bend swinging as well, so a really good variety. We even got to play with the traffic in Stratford-upon-Avon which was fun ☹
Our final destination was Wellesbourne Airfield Café, where the folks there did us proud with a variety of food from sandwiches to full English (Large)!!, all served with a smile al fresco whilst we watched the planes. It was especially pleasing to see two lady riders join us on the run.
Overall, another very enjoyable and successful morning out, thanks to Steve and Zach.
Club Night Weds 17th June Gymkhana.
As always our thanks go out to Chairman Geoff Ansell for bringing two of his BSA Bantams and for setting out a challenging course.
16 riders had at least one lap of the course and several had two.
Winners were Tony Ash, Zac and Dave Skett.
A special mention to Graham Handley, who was the only rider to come correctly attired and cut a dash in his sports jacket, flannels and tie