Category: News

Below is the report published in the January 2023 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in November 2022

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

We had a good turn-out for our annual Branch Quiz evening. Around 35 people competed in teams of four or so to win prizes, wracking our brains to answer a mix of motorcycle and popular culture questions set by Bob, our quiz master. Congratulations to the winners!!

Despite the wet weather, we still managed three ride-outs in November.

Our first ride-out was on a Thursday to the Court Hill Centre near Wantage.

We had a good turnout for our ride on Remembrance Sunday to the Army Flying Museum near Middle Wallop. We left early so that we would arrive at the destination in time for us to observe the minutes silence at 11am.

Our last ride of the month was a Sunday run to Savages garden centre. Despite the name, the café there was a little more genteel than we are used to, with tea in fine china cups and saucers and delicate forks for the cake. But we rose to the occasion. Our ride home was interrupted by the untimely death of a pheasant who clearly hadn’t been following the green cross code.  

We’ll be having a bring and buy sale at our Branch night on the 19 January. So if you have some motorcycle related paraphernalia that you no longer need, why not bring it along to sell? Or just come along and browse through what’s on offer? You might just grab a bargain!!  

Keep on rolling! 

Ton-Up Ted

Below is the report published in the December 2022 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in October 2022

Great Balls of Fire!!!! We had a cracking turnout for our curry night for members and partners, held at our usual Thursday meeting venue. Around forty people came and we had an enjoyable evening eating curry together.

Despite the wet weather, we managed five rides in October. Our first was a Saturday ride to an open day at a classic car restorer. It was interesting to go around their workshops and see cars in various stages of restoration. The following day, we had a ride out to the Departure Lounge Café near Alton.

Our third ride was an amazing chase, though Hamble bound, it turned out not to be; as some got lost, but then were found, and some rode to the sea!! Rain stopped play again the next weekend, but we fitted in a mid-week ride to Goodwood Motor Circuit, had lunch in the café there and amused ourselves watching some drivers on a track-day. We were fed up with cancelling rides because of bad weather, so for the last Sunday of the month, we just ignored the dodgy weather forecasts and went for a ride anyway. Eight riders set out for Thruxton.  We did have some good riding on dry roads, but we also had some very heavy rain and got completely soaked!! Just think positive and remember the good bits!!

We’ll be having a Special Christmas Evening for members and partners on Thursday 15^th December, so save the date and come along!!

Keep on rolling! 

Ton-Up Ted

Below is the report published in the November 2022 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in September 2022.

Hello sunshine, goodbye rain!! Saturday, what a day!!  Our lunchtime bike meet was a happy day. Around 70 bikes came rolling in to park on the lawn while their owners ate, drank and chatted to other riders. Everyone had a good time and a couple of new members joined on the day. We’ve also had some new members come on Thursday nights, join our Whatsapp group and come on rides. A very warm welcome to you all!

We’ve had some great Sunday ride-outs this month. Our first was to Loomies Moto Cafe, where we sat drinking on leather sofas around a coffee table made from a Snap-on tool chest.

Next was a ride to the rural charms of the Court Hill Centre with a stop at the H Café and a browse around the adjacent motorcycle clothing shop on the way home. Our Saturday bike meet still left some of the Branch members with enough energy for a ride-out the following day to the Turville Heath Barn. Last ride of the month was all the way to the classic vehicle themed Gilk’s Garage Café, an 80 mile ride with a hearty breakfast at the end (but no black pudding!!).

We’re having a quiz night on Thursday 10 November, with a mixture of general knowledge and specialist motorcycle questions with prizes to be won. So come along and join the fun. And remember, we have regular ride-outs and weekly Thursday meetings throughout the year. Happy Days!!

Keep on rolling! 

Ton-Up Ted

Below is the report published in the October 2022 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in August 2022.

We get around!!! For the first time, we had our Branch stand at the British Superbikes race meeting at Thruxton from Friday through to Sunday. We got to see some fantastic racing while we flew the flag for the TOMCC to a lot of the race day visitors, many of who were not familiar with the Club. Our stand also made a handy base for all our members attending the BSB. We had another stand on the same Sunday at the Popham Motorcycle Megameet, a large classic bike show, autojumble and trader market.

It was very hot at both events, but we survived the heat with real cool heads by keeping in the shade, wearing shorts and drinking lots of water.

We had our stand out again at the Swallowfield Show on Sunday and Monday over the bank holiday weekend. This was a massive country show incorporating performing dogs, show jumping, horticulture, baking, craft, Scottish bagpipers, BMX stunt riders, classic vehicles and many other exhibits. It was a fun change from our normal motorcycle events, with something for everyone and more family members joining in.

Getting around to all these shows still didn’t stop us having a couple of ride-outs to TJ’s Café in South Marsden and to Compton Abbas Airfield near Salisbury.

Thursday club nights have been buzzing during the summer. As autumn comes, we plan to have some special Thursday evenings including a curry night and a quiz night. Check out the website.

Keep on rolling! 

Ton-Up Ted