Pictures taken on Branch ride-outs
A group of us went on the annual Egg Run organised by Thames Valley Vultures to collect Easter Eggs to donate to children. Here are some photos of us at the start point in Reading.
Here is a video of the ride using an onboard camera.
We had some fine weather for a change, so 8 of us set off on a ride to Honey Street Mill Cafe, near Pewsey, about half way between Swindon and Stonehenge on the North Wessex Downs. We chose a new meet point for the ride behind a bus stop in Thatcham. We had an interesting route from there through some twisting roads. There are some photos of us at the start point and at Honey Street.
The riding season has really begun in earnest. After weeks of cold and rain, suddenly the sun was out and the temperature was up to to 20c, just as the Flying Scotsman was temporarily stationed at Ropley , a mere 30 miles away. So we had to ride to it. Fourteen members turned out for the ride to Ropley, saw the Flying Scotsman, had some refreshments at station and then rode onto a country pub for another break before splitting for home. Everyone enjoyed the afternoon. Here are some photos of the event.
The weather forecast was better, but still not good, so five Branch members set off on a short ride to Popham. It didn’t rain and the temperature was mild although the roads were still wet and there were a lot of puddles. After refreshments in the cafe we set off for home and even had some dry roads on the ride back. We all arrived home in the dry. Here are some photos.
On a cold, but dry February morning, six members rode out to the Departure Lounge Cafe near Alton, the only cafe we know with an aircraft fuselage attached. Here are some photos of the ride.
A cold, foggy morning saw 6 members set off for the Army Flying Museum in Middle Wallop again.
We have often ridden there and just gone to the cafe. This time Graham went round the museum as well and found some bikes amongst the flying machines as you can see from the photos below.
Here is a video of the ride shot with multiple on board cameras. Take a look.
Very cold weather meant that we did not have a Branch ride on New Year’s Day this year. A ride was organised for the first Sunday, the 4th of January, but the day before, the forecast was showing as low as -8C in the night and -2C mid Sunday morning, so most members were reluctant to venture out on their bikes. In the end, two hardy members did meet up for a ride down to Lasham Gliding Club Cafe, and ended up enjoying themselves.
The following week it was cold, but at least it was above zero, and five members went for a ride to the Spitfire Cafe at Popham Airfield and a sixth went by car and met them there.
At least we’ve started the 2026 riding season and we hope for some milder weather in the coming weeks.
We had a really good year’s riding in 2025 with a record 79 organised Branch rides made up of 43 weekend ride-outs, normally Sunday mornings, and 36 midweek ride-outs. We also had more people leading rides, We ride all the year round whenever the weather is reasonable. All members are welcome to come on any Branch ride which are arranged through a Whatsapp Group.
See the video below for some highlights of our rides in 2025.
Our last ride of the 2025 was on Sunday 28th December. It was cold, but not freezing, overcast so there was no blinding sun, and the roads were dry and the leaf sludge on much of the roads earlier in the month had been washed away and the roads were dry. Ideal winter riding conditions in fact. Collin led the ride and he had picked some great twisty roads with very little traffic through beautiful countryside. We ended up at the Court Hill Centre Cafe on the Ridgeway new Wantage for hot drinks and food before another enjoyable ride back home. Here are some photos. What a way to end a great year of riding.
Dry weather, mild temperatures brought seven Branch members out on a fun ride to the cafe at the Army Flying museum. Here are some photos of the ride.
