Category: News

Announcements, news items, Nacelle reports, articles

Berks on Nacelle Front Cover

The front cover of the October 2025 issue of Nacelle

For the second time this year, the TOMCC magazine Nacelle has featured one or more of our members on the front cover. This time it was Branch Chairman Nick Swain on his 1969 Triumph Bonneville together with Regalia Officer Chris Williams on his Triumph America with Branch member Derick Nobbs as a spectator in the background. The photo was taken during the Branch’s appearance at the Swallowfield show in August when around a dozen members rode a parade lap around the arena and then talked about their bikes and the TOMCC. The photo illustrates a key part of what the TOMCC is all about: Club members having fun together on their bikes. We get to do a lot of that with Club nights every week, ride-outs often twice a week and around a dozen other events a year.

Nacelle Report – Oct 25

Below is the report published in the October 2025 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in August 2025

Hello all, well summer fizzled out with a few damp days, but what a fantastic riding season we’ve had this year and August saw the branch very busy, yet again.  With what’s become the norm of having two ride-outs a week, we’ve had rammed weekends, too.

The first Sunday of August saw 13 riders thread their way to Sammy Miller’s museum in New Milton for Triumph day.  An excellent event and an establishment that seems to have grown new buildings every time I go there.  It was good to chat to Tracey, Dave and Simon from the South Hants branch and we hope to see you again soon.

Rendezvous for the ride to Sammy Miller’s museum for Triumph day
Pre2000 Classic bikes at Thruxton BSB. Whoops! what’s that Rocket doing there?

The following weekend was a long one for some, commencing on the Thursday, erecting the branch stand at Thruxton for the BSB.  We were restricted to pre-2000 bikes for our display in the classic bike arena.  So it’s a big thank you to those members who ventured out on their “classic” pre-2000 bikes to the event.  It’s your involvement that makes these displays and we try to make ours outstanding.

On parade at the Swallowfield Show with Andrew taking control of the MC’s mic.

For the bank holiday weekend the branch displayed bikes at the Swallowfield show.  Again, blessed with fine weather, we were on parade and interviewed by the MC both days in the show ring.  Now, not a lot of people know this, but this country show has been in existence since Gottlieb Daimler was granted a patent for the world’s first ICE motorcycle: 1885.

Looking forward to Saturday 27th September, when we will be holding our Autumn Bike meet at the BCSA, James Lane, Burghfield.  All are welcome and all the usual amenities will be available; we hope to see you and your friends there.

Finally, a warm welcome to Lee, Ian and Scotty who all joined TOMCC’s premier branch in August.

Ride fast & safe

Bibendum

Riding Route 66 – 9 Oct 25

Mick Bennett will be giving an illustrated talk on his epic ride on his Bonneville along the legendary Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. Mick and a group of friends had their bikes shipped out to Chicago in advance and then rode them on an adventure across the USA. Mick will be talking and showing photos from his trip to Branch members and their invited guests at the BCSA on 9 October 2025 from 8pm.

Mick on the Triumph Bonneville that he rode on the trip
Mick’s Bonneville parked outside the Dixie Truck stop with his friends bikes
Their bikes at another stop on route

Quiz Night – 2025

We’ll be holding our annual quiz night at our Thursday Club Night on 6 November 2025 at the BCSA.

Once again, quiz master, Bob Cromwell will be testing our knowledge with questions on motorcycle related topics and general knowledge. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the evening for the winning team.

You don’t have to form a team in advance, just come along. Teams often get formed on the night, typically around three or four people each. You can also participate as an individual if you want. It’s a great way to get to know other people and have a fun evening.

See here for some photos of last year’s quiz.

Proceedings will kick off around 8.30pm so get there before that so you can get your team together and get yourself a drink from the bar.

Christmas Club Night 2025

The Christmas Club Night in 2024

We’re planning to make the last Thursday before Christmas on the 18 December a really special club night starting at 8pm at the BCSA. It’s open to all Branch members and their partners and there will be a complimentary buffet of festive food and Christmas music. The bar will be open as usual. We will be holding a raffle with some great prizes. So come along and enjoy a yuletide evening with fellow Branch members.

We’ll be emailing all Branch members about this nearer the time and updating this page to give further details.

In the meantime, make a note in your diary to make sure you’re able to come, and click here to see some photos of last years event.

Swallowfield Show – 2025

Our stand and a display of bikes at the 2024 Swallowfield Show

We will have our Branch stand at the Swallowfield Show on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 August 2025 with a display of Triumph bikes. So if you are going to the show, come along to our stand and say hello. We will be in the “Classic Car” area.

If you are a Branch member and want to display your bike on our stand, remember you need to inform us before hand, so please get in touch.

Click here to see photos from last year’s Swallowfield show.

Nacelle Report – Sept 25

Below is the report published in the September 2025 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in July 2025

Greetings readers, with the mid-summer upon us, mostly fine weather has seen branch ride-outs happening twice weekly.  So if you fancy joining a ride-out, with like minded Triumph owners, but not necessarily riding a Triumph, check out the “Runs WhatsApp” group for details.  If you’re not a member of the group contact Collin Fox to be added.  There’s also a Social Group for non-runs related messages.

The month started off with the annual barbecue on the first Thursday at the BCSA.  As “chef” I was glad that everyone seemed to enjoy the food, but overjoyed that I didn’t actually poison anyone!  Bruce Lee and his superb TR6C took the honours for the Steve Butcher Trophy, well done Bruce.

Now I know why there’s a cue [sic] added to Barbie…
Bruce Lee receives the Steve Butcher trophy from Chairman Nick for Best Branch Members Bike (TR6C)

A MAG protest ride took place 2 days later, in Reading, regarding bus-lane usage and parking restrictions in the town.  Unfortunately, regrettably and embarrassingly my trusty ‘79 export Bonnie broke down when it ran out of sparks mid-route; a dodgy battery proved to be the culprit.

A fortnight after the barbecue saw a new event for the branch in the form of a Summer Bring & Buy.  We were blessed with a fine, dry evening and it was just a case of throwing a sheet on the lawn outside the BCSA and displaying your motorcycle related wares.  Much haggling took place with the buying and selling; I know, I did both.

With the final Saturday of July it was a ride-out to the massive Calne bike meet for many branch members.  Many went from the branch and surely had a great time.

A late call now for the Swallowfield Show taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend.  If you wish to join the Branch Stand and display your bike at the event you’ll need to have registered it through Collin Fox.  If you haven’t registered, please contact him directly with your details.

Saturday 27th September (pray for good weather) we’ll be holding our Autumn bike meet at the BCSA.  Any bike, any make, any age, anyone, all are welcome, the more the merrier.  This is not restricted to members only, so tell as many friends as possible to make this a huge event.  The BCSA bar will be open as usual for refreshments, starts at 11am.

Ride fast and safe

Bibendum

Lunchtime Bike Meet – 27 Sept 2025

We are having a Lunchtime Bike Meet on Saturday 27 September 2025 from 11am to 4pm at the BCSA. It’s a great opportunity to meet other riders, see their bikes and have lunch and a drink . All motorcycles and riders are welcome. 

Hot food and drink will be on sale in the club house and the bar will be open.

A collection will be taken for the NABD (the National Association for Bikers with a Disability), which is a charity which assists disabled people to ride motorcycles, particularly helping to make necessary adaptations to bikes to make this possible. See here for more information about the NABD.

See here for details of the venue.

See here for pictures from last year’s September Lunchtime Bike Meet.

Here is a flyer for the event. Feel free to pass this on to other bikers in the area who might be interested.

British Superbikes – 8 -10 Aug 2025

We will have our Branch stand at the British Superbike Championship at Thruxton race circuit from 8 to 1o August 2025. We will be there for the whole weekend from Friday to Sunday. So if you are planning on going to the Thruxton BSB meeting, why not drop in and visit us at our stand.

Our Branch Stand at British Superbikes in 2024

See here for more pictures and a video of us at BSB in 2024.

See here for details of the BSB event from the organisers.

Riding Portugal’s N2

Steve and his Rocket in Chaves at the start of the N2

The N2 is regarded as Portugal’s “Route 66”.  Starting in the north at Chaves, it finishes in the southern city of Faro. Bibendum, who has been writing the monthly Berkshire Branch reports in the TOMCC magazine Nacelle since early 2024, rode the N2 on his 10 year old Triumph Rocket Roadster as part of a longer ride from southern England to Morocco. In this article, which was published in Nacelle in 2025, he tells the story of that epic ride.

The N2 “passport” showing both start and end stamps

There is a “passport” issued which is stamped at the beginning and end of the ride and various checkpoint in between and gives official recognition of the achievement.

To read the article in full, click the button below.

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