Category: Nacelle Reports

Below is the report published in the October 2024 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in August 2024

August was a hectic month for the branch, commencing with the Popham Megameet held on the first weekend. It was a cold night there, but it soon warmed up on Sunday morning, with plenty of members visiting our stand and, as always, promoting the benefits of membership. It’s a great event with a large autojumble and always the opportunity to bump into old friends.

The following weekend, we attended the three-day BSB races at Thruxton.  Although dogged by rain when we set up, the races were never affected, and the sun was cracking the flags for the superbike races. The support races had Triumph ST765RS’s and Daytona 660’s in the SuperSport and Sportbike classes respectively, with excellent results in both.  It was a great weekend, which we hope to attend again next year.

For the Bank Holiday, our stand was at the Swallowfield Country Show.  This has a large contingent of classic vehicles on display.  For some obscure reason, our stand is always near the traction engines and I swear I can still smell the smoke from those coal fires that drifted constantly across our stand.  However, with arena processions for the bikes, our members were proud to “show what we brung”.

With ride outs on the Sundays in between the weekend events it was a full on month of Triumph.  Finally, a reminder that we have our Autumn Bike meet at the Burghfield CSA on Saturday September 28^th.

Bibendum

Below is the report published in the September 2024 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in July 2024

“In the summertime when the weather is high, …”, well we won’t be doing a ton or a ton twenty-five, but the Sunday branch ride-outs have been speeding along many a lane.  So if you’d like to ride with other enthusiasts get in touch with Collin, the Runs Coordinator.

Our summer barbecue took place in mid-July and thankfully we were blessed with a fine evening.  I hope everyone enjoyed the food, they seemed to as everything was consumed, I promise there’ll be more “long dogs” next year.  With great raffle prizes for a lucky few, the evening concluded with the Steve Butcher Trophy for Best Branch Member’s Bike.  Awarded to Brice Haines and his impressive 1938/39 5T Speed Twin, chosen by the current holder of the trophy, Jim Biggs. 

The last Saturday of July saw a few branch members cruising off to Calne, Wiltshire, for the “Largest free-to-attend motorcycle event in Europe”.  I had been to this event many years ago, but it’s huge and takes over the whole town (the last time I had seen a town taken over by bikes was the Guzzi centenary celebrations in Mandello Del Lario).  With bands performing, food vendors, trade and club stands dotted around the town it’s a fantastic event.  If you’ve never been put it on your bucket list for next year.

Finally, we’re having a bike-meet at the BCSA on Saturday 28^th September.  As usual, all marques and models will be most welcome.

Bibendum

Below is the report published in the August 2024 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in June 2024

By mid-June the sun was appearing more often, which bode well for our Old Motorcycle Gathering.  On the day rain clouds burst over us as we set up, but by late morning the sun broke through and the bikes arrived in droves. 

I was judging “Best Foreign”, but by far and away the most difficult category to judge was “Best Triumph”.  Poor Bob C had a tough time deciding, but I think he made the right choice and Bruce Lee’s 1972 TR6C took the honours.   Digger was on “Best British” and although there was a mint HRD 1000, he picked Peter Broom’s 1972 Export BSA Rocket 3, 5-speed.   I plumped for a 1975 Kawasaki 900 ZIB, Steve Emery’s pride and joy.  So, it came down to the wire with arguments over B-I-S between us three judges.  But showing no prejudice or favouritism, it went 2 to 1, the HRD just missing out again and Roy Keegan’s 1975 Suzuki RE5 stole top honours.  I don’t think I’d ever seen one running in all my time and this one ran real sweet.  Well done to all who entered and helped make a great show.

A Monday evening branch ride-out to Cassington saw us lost in a sea of all makes of motorcycles; a huge event and a “must-go-to” if you’ve never been before.  The last day of June saw the branch at Dr. B’s (Barnardo’s) show in Wokingham which was well attended by our members, despite the rain, we even won Best Club Stand.

Bibendum

Below is the report published in the July2024 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in May 2024

Well, the riding/polishing/showing season is well underway.  In May six branch members toured the north of England, stopping at Tan Hill Inn, Yorkshire Dales and moving onto Hexham and Penrith.  An unfortunate incident occurred overnight at Tan Hill where our leader’s Tiger was knocked over in the car park where the front brake lever, hand guard and mirror were broken off.  However, with some ingenious repairs Collin was able to continue riding.  The culprit has not been identified yet, but I hope they are hanging their head in shame.  On a positive note, the group spent a fascinating couple of hours at Mike Barry’s motorcycle museum, Scaleby Hill.  If you’re up in Cumbria, check it out.  

While three riders returned home directly, three diverted to the 75^th Anniversary celebrations at Shelsey Walsh.  If you weren’t there, you missed a great event and two branch members walked away with prizes.  ‘Best in Show’ went to Greg Wheadon and his fabulous 1965 Thruxton Bonneville; first of its kind off the production line.  ‘Best eighties’ bike went to Jim Biggs with a rare 1983 650 Thunderbird, which he’d ridden there and back.  Congratulations lads, lovely examples. 

Meanwhile, another group of branch members were in their finest attire for the DGR, visiting White Waltham airfield for tea; well done Graham, Paul, Chris, Tim and his better half for putting on the style. 

Why not check out our website for future events or come along to Club Night where you can view our new regalia range.

Bibendum

Below is the report published in the June 2024 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in April 2024

With unsettled weather disturbing our normal Sunday ride-outs we somehow managed to dodge the showers for our Spring Bike Meet at Burghfield CSA.  I don’t think I’d be over-egging the pudding if I said we had around a hundred bikes present of all marques and vintages.  Bulldog Triumph exhibited the new 400 Speed, a new triple and a “classic” 955 Daytona; a low mileage example from their “previously loved” range. 

The clubhouse bar was open by 11.00 am along with the new “play café” serving hot food.  If you were there, I hope you enjoyed the chance to meet other like-minded bikers, but if you didn’t, you missed out on a great gathering. 

Talking of which our Old Motorcycle Gathering will be held on Saturday 22^nd June.  There will be prizes for various categories of bikes entered in the show.  The show is however for tax-exempt bikes of all makes, and the other stipulation is that they must be ridden into the show.  It would be great to see as many bikes as possible of all ages at the event. 

Have you noticed the new branch logo?  Apart from the odd negative remark, the Stag and Oak within the TOMCC shield has been well received by the branch members.

Of course, by the time this is published the Shelsley Walsh event will have taken place.  I hope everyone who attended had a great time and the club and its members will go to celebrate our next anniversary.

Bibendum

Below is the report published in the May 2024 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in March 2024

A joint effort this month.

Ton-Up Ted writes:

We had a good turnout for our Thursday night bring and buy sale. We had half a dozen tables laid out with various motorcycling goodies, from books to clothing to exhaust pipes and everything in between. The room was crowded with people browsing, chatting, eating and drinking.

We started the month with seven of us riding to Waitrose’s Longstock Farm, where we had scones, clotted cream and jam instead of our usual bacon butties. We then had a mid-week ride to Choppers Café, a Sunday ride to the Iron Bull Roadhouse and then, with the sun shining, 15 joined on a ride to the Honey Street Mill Café. Our Branch stand had its first outing this year at the local MAG show on Easter Sunday.

Bibendum writes:

Meanwhile, here I am in Goa, India, impersonating a beach bum. Having hired an ageing Bullet 500 for transport, I took a slow ride north to the Triumph, Goa, dealer: B.U. Bhandari, in Alto Povorim. Interested to see what the cost of the 400’s would be compared to the UK. OTR prices are a little over half what you’d pay in Blighty.

The Indian 400cc market is very competitive with Royal Enfield’s Himalayan models and now Harley-Davidson’s 440X at a very similar price to the Triumph’s.

I look forward to a 6 man Berkshire branch tour of the north of England in May, concluding at the Shelsley Walsh 75th celebrations. Maybe see you there…

Bibendum 

Below is the report published in the April 2024 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in February 2024

The times they are a changing!!  At our AGM this month, Branch members elected a new: Chairman, Treasurer, Scribe and Regalia Officer, while three existing members Bob Cromwell, Derick Nobbs and Mick Billing stood down from the committee. Many thanks to all three for all they have done for the Branch over the years.  Check out our website for who’s who on the new committee.  As well as that, the Branch’s got a brand new badge!! This combines the TOMCC shield with the “stag and oak” from the Berkshire county flag in the Branch colours of bottle green and silver.

We had a good turnout one Thursday to hear World Record holder, Eric Patterson, give a talk and answer questions on his record breaking runs at Bonneville Salt Flats on a Brough Superior, which featured on Henry Cole’s TV show.

Despite wet and cold conditions, we had four rides this month. One was held jointly with our local RAT group and went to Popham Airfield. We also had a ride to Thruxton Circuit, to the Court Hill Centre and finally back to Popham.

We’re looking forward to better biking weather and to kick of the season, we’re having a Lunchtime Bike Meet on Sunday 14 April at the BCSA. What better way to spend a Sunday!!!

Finally, after nine years of writing the Branch reports, I will be resting my paws, so it’s goodbye from me. Watch this space next month for our new Scribe.

Keep on rolling!

Ton-Up Ted

Below is the report published in the March 2024 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in January 2024

Here we go, rocking all over the world!! The room was buzzing at our Thursday Branch meeting when “Glorious Adventurer”, Pete Rowe, gave a presentation about motorcycle tours in India. His fascinating talk fired our imaginations and several members chatted to Pete later in the evening.

Our first ride of the year was on the 7^th January, when eight of us rode to Thruxton in freezing conditions following a week of torrential rain. All was fine until we came to a heavily flooded road. Three riders bravely rode through it, while the others, put off by the large bow waves created by the first riders, turned back and found another route. Happily, all were soon reunited at the Jackeroo Café for breakfast.  

The following week we rode to TJ’s Café, and the week after that, rode to the Army Flying Museum. The last Sunday of the month the weather was dry and mild, so we set off for Loomies MotoCafe.

We had several new members joining our rides this month. A warm welcome to you all.  

We’re having an indoor bring and buy sale for motorcycle related paraphernalia at our Branch night on the 7 March. If you have any motorcycle clothing, parts, tools, accessories or books that you no longer want, bring them along, lay them out on a table and see if anyone wants to buy them. Or just come along and browse through what is on offer. You might grab a bargain!!!

Keep on rolling!

Ton-Up Ted

Below is the report published in the February 2024 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in December 2023

It was a very good year for the Berkshire Branch. We’ve seen lots of new faces at both our ride-outs and club nights. We’ve met every Thursday with turnouts of 20 plus in the winter months, around 40 on soft summer nights and more than 50 turned out to hear Norman Hyde speak in March. Collin, our runs leader has excelled again, with 44 rides organised this year. We’ve also had two lunchtime bike meets, our own Old Motorcycle Gathering and we’ve taken our Branch stand to several other shows including the Swallowfield Show and Dr B’s. We started December by joining over a thousand other bikers for the annual Reading Toy Run in aid of Dr Barnado’s, riding with toys, acting as marshals and Derek using his van to provide extra transport.

We had a good turnout for our Special Christmas Club night, with music, a raffle and free hot Christmas buffet for members and partners.

We managed to fit in a couple of rides as well. Dire forecasts meant only four people turned up for a ride to Savage’s garden centre. They set off optimistically in the dry, but a deluge of rain meant they all got completely soaked. However, the following Sunday, with fine weather forecast, we had a good turnout for a dry run to the H Café and browsing in the motorcycle accessories shop next door.

We’re looking forward to another very good year, with lots of activities being planned.

Keep on rolling!

Ton-Up Ted

Below is the report published in the January 2024 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in November 2023

So here it is, Merry Christmas, everybody’s having fun!!

We kicked off November with a ride to Triumph Oxford to look at the new Triumph 400s they had for the day.  We looked at them, sat on them and talked to their staff about them. The consensus view was they were good looking bikes that were comfortable to sit on and reasonably priced. The real test will be when someone gets to ride one. Afterwards, a few of us rode on to the Court Hill café near Wantage for refreshments.

The highlight of this month was our Thursday night annual quiz when teams competed to answer a tough set of questions set by our chairman Bob. We had an excellent turn-out and everyone enjoyed the evening. Congratulations to the winning team.

Despite a lot of wet weather, we managed to fit in some more rides. We had a mid-week ride to Thruxton. We also had a Sunday ride to Chopper’s Café, but arrived to find it closed. Undeterred we set of for a repeat ride to Thruxton and a late breakfast at the café there. Remember, we continue to have rides throughout the winter.

Thursday evenings continue to be well attended, although almost everyone is coming by car now the evenings are cold and often wet. We have got some interesting Thursday evening events lined up for the winter months including some visiting speakers and an autojumble. Keep your eye on the website for details.

Keep on rolling!

Ton-Up Ted