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Summer BBQ – July 26 – photos

Steve and Bob handling the cooking and serving at the summer BBQ

We had a good time at our Branch BBQ on a Thursday evening on 2 July. The weather was dry and warm, we had plenty of excellent food and a good turnout of Branch members with their guests. We had a raffle with and gave out some cracking prizes at the end of the evening.

There were some excellent bikes brought along and we awarded the Steve Butcher Memorial Trophy to the Best Branch Member’s bike there. This year the the prize went to Keith’s Triumph Bonneville and side-car combination. It brings a smile to everyone’s face whenever it comes to one of our events, especially with Keith’s dog sitting in the side car with goggles on, but it has never one a prize at the Old Bike Gathering because it is too modern.

The winning bike – Keith’s Bonneville and side car combination.

There are some photos of the event below.

There is a video showing highlights of the event below.

Old Bike Gathering – 2026 – photos

After a week of roasting hot temperatures and forecasts of rain for Saturday, we actually had perfect weather for our Old Bike Gathering; dry and sunny, but notably cooler than it had been earlier in the week. The bar was open, we had picnic tables outside and Tasty Bun caterers were serving the food. As usual, 40 year old and above bikes were on the lawn and eligible for the show, with modern bikes in the car park.

We awarded prizes for the: Best Triumph bike, Best British bike that wasn’t a Triumph, Best Foreign bike and Best Bike in the Show. Pictures of the winners and their bikes are below.

Prize winners left to right: Best in Show, Best Triumph, Best Foreign and Best British

Below are photos of the winners being presented with their prizes.

Best Triumph
Best British
Best Foreign
Best in Show

Here are photos of the four winning bikes

Best Triumph
Best in Show
Best Foreign
Best British

We took a collection for the Blood Bikes charity at the show and they had a representative on site with a one of their bikes.

A blood biker with one of their bikes, who was collecting money for the charity

There are more photos of the event below.

See a video of the event below.

Nacelle Report – July 26

Below is the report published in the July 2026 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in May 2026

Summer is now here and that itch to get out on a bike every day is now tickling and I so want to scratch it.  I know there are other branch members with the same cravings because the twice-weekly ride-outs are being supplemented with members seeking others to join them for “ad-hoc” rides during the week.  You’ve only got to follow the WhatsApp Berkshire TOMCC Runs Group to witness it and possibly join in.  So get out on your pride and joy and, well, enjoy!

If you’re reading this before the end of June you may not have missed our annual show, The Old Bike Gathering, which takes place at the BCSA on SUNDAY 28 June.  Full details are available on our website.  Needless to say, the usual facilities shall be present at the BCSA.

On Thursday 2 July you must come to the BCSA for the annual barbecue.  The finest burgers and long-dogs will be served from 7:30pm.  With a raffle for fantastic prizes at only £1/ticket, it’s an absolute steal when you could be walking away with champagne or Swiss chocolates.

Another date for your diary on Saturday, 11th July is Wings & Wheels at the Army Flying Museum, Middle Wallop.  I’m sure that there will be an organised run to the event, more details nearer the date.

Ride fast and safe

Bibendum 

Old Basing Carnival – 2026

TOMCC Berkshire stand at the Old Basing Carnival

This year we had a new event, the Old Basing Carnival and Show. We had our Branch stand and a display of bikes at the showground. There were lots of different organisations there with stands and a classic bike section. We set up our stand with 8 motorbikes next to the classic cars. Someone with a Royal Enfield Bullet and a side car asked if he could display his outfit with our bikes and of course we said he could. One of our members also displayed a classic Mercedes in the car section . We had enjoyable day.

Branch members manning our stand

We had a team manning the stand, giving plenty of time for them to browse the rest of the displays and enjoy the day while always having a couple of people on hand to talk to any visitors. There were a lot of different activities that people could take part including archery and rockwall climbing as well as coconut shies and other traditional attractions.

Marching band at the head of the Carnival Procession as it enters the show ground

Here are some more pictures of our stand at the Old Basing Carnival

Ace Cafe Triumph Bike Day – 2026

Berkshire Branch Members Bikes at the Ace Cafe for Triumph Bike Day

Every year in June the legendary Ace Cafe has a Sunday dedicated to Triumph Motorcycles. which they call Triumph Bike Day. This year it was on the 14th June and a group of Berkshire Branch members met up to ride together to the event. It was sunny weather and there was a great turn-out of bikes at the event. There were lots of Triumph’s of all ages to browse around at the car park and Triumph West London had a stand there selling Triumph clothing and merchandise. There was also a live band, The Smash, a five piece band playing the New Wave sounds of 70-80’s Britain.

Some of our members with their bikes outside the cafe
Triumph West London at the Ace selling their merchandise
The Smash providing the sound track for the day

See a selection of photos from the day below as a slide show.

The Ace is a great destination and has a special place in the history of British motorcycling and the Rocker culture in particular. But ride there is an urban ride through built up areas. But that too, perhaps, has its own nostalgic charm, because its location on the North Circular Road was largely what attracted the bikers of the 60’s to the cafe as they and rode their Cafe Racers along it.

Now the Ace Cafe is in the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emissions Zone), which means there is a £12.50 charge for bikes for bikes to go there that don’t meet the emissions standard. That may have put some people off, but most bikes manufactured after 2013 comply, and so don’t have to pay. Also, any bike classed by the DVLA as historic, which means any manufactured before 1986, is exempt. So that allows a lot of Triumph’s to go there without paying.

Our members took the direct route there along the M4 and M25, but chose a scenic route through the leafier suburbs on the way home. It was a great day.

Ride to Honey Street – June 26

Getting together to set off on the ride

Eleven members met up for a ride to the Cafe at Honey Street Mill. This cafe is one of favourites. It does the normal breakfast fare and biker staple of bacon rolls, but also has the most amazing range of cracking cakes. See some photos of the ride below, including the display of cakes.

Unfortunately, a 53 year old Triumph Tiger ridden by one member broke down as he arrived at the cafe. At least he made it that far. It had to be recovered by the AA. See photo below of the stricken machine being recovered. But what better place to wait for a recovery vehicle to rescue than a cafe with such delicious cakes.

Broken down bike being loaded onto the recovery vehicle

Nacelle Report – June 26

Below is the report published in the June 2026 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in April 2026

The glorious spring weather towards the end of April was well received as our first outdoor event of the season took place; the Spring Meet.  An excellent turnout made for a great day to all who brought a fine selection of all makes and models of machines.

A fine selection of machines sparkle in glorious spring sunshine 

Thanks to all who gave their time to make this event happen and to BCSA for supporting the meeting by providing refreshments.

Earlier in the month saw branch members on the Reading Egg Run.  One member even experimented with running his Rocket on diesel.  But the less said about this committee members actions the better!

A couple of weeks later and the Branch stand was at Bulldog Triumph supporting their open day.  As ever, the Sunday/mid-week ride outs remain popular and well attended.

Now looking forward, our annual show, The Old Bike Gathering, will take place on SUNDAY 28th June. All age/makes of bikes are welcome to attend, but to enter a bike in the show, with a chance to win a much desired unique prize, the bike needs to be of an age that makes it tax exempt and RIDDEN in.

June will certainly be a busy month, I’m sure many Branch members will be interested in going to The Ace Cafe for Triumph Day.  Last year saw a great ride there and back without touching a motorway.  Also there’s the Wokingham Lions Classic Motor Show and Old Basing Carnival, both being held on 20th June.

Then there’s the bun fight of the year, our annual barbecue, but I’m getting ahead of myself, that’s for next month…

Ride fast and safe

Bibendum

Ride to Yattendon – May 26

Meeting at Cobbs Farm before leaving to Yattendon

Ten Branch members met up on a Sunday morning for a ride to the Renegade Brewery in Yattendon for a late breakfast in the cafe. Some then went on to the Bell Inn at Aldworth. Here are some photos of the ride.