Category: Nacelle Reports

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

What a busy month June has been.  It seems like it’s been one event after another and with fine weather it’s meant good riding conditions.

A small group of branch members ventured to the Ace Café for Triumph day and we never touched a motorway all the way there.  An event, now a shadow of its former self due to ULEZ.  There must be about 30 years of bikes missing due to the fact that they’re not exempt or compliant and the rider rightly refuses to pay the unjust fee.  I’m a firm believer that all motorcycles should be excluded from ULEZ restrictions.

Then a ride-out to The Classic Motor Hub in the Cotswolds, with it’s fantastic range of cars and equivalent fantastic range of prices. The third weekend saw our branch stand at the Thruxton Retro Festival, thanks to all who came to support the event.

The month topped out with our annual show, The Old Bike Gathering.  It was much appreciated by all who attended and congratulations go to those well deserved winners of one of our unique triangular plaques.  

Swiftly followed by ride-outs to Crofton pumping station on the Kennet & Avon canal.  “In steam” on the day of the visit, where it was possible to see a beam engine over 200 years old in action.  And finally, Cassington Bike night, and to all who attended, well done, because it was a particularly hot and sweaty one!

Looking forward, the branch will be at Thruxton for the BSB on 8-10 August and we’re looking for bikes specifically registered before the year 2000 to be exhibited on the stand.  If you’re interested in attending please contact a member of the committee regarding your intentions, so as to arrange ticketing.

Ride fast and safe

Bibendum

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

As the dry weather continued into May, our first outdoor event of the season, The Spring Meet, saw well over 100 bikes in attendance.  As is with all our meets and show we had a charitable collection and on this occasion it was for Blood Bikes.  There were 2 riders from Blood Bikes, with their machines on display, to answer questions about the organisation and a total of £188.68 was raised.  With the BCSA bar and Natalie’s Catering purveying sustenance and the fine weather, a great time was had by all who came.

A couple of weekends later was the DGR and several distinguished members of the branch joined up with Bulldog Triumph, who had organised a ride-out to White Waltham, home of the West London Aero Club.  Over £1200 was raised here for this motorcycling charity which supports the Movember Foundation.  Well done to all who gave and participated.

The same weekend saw 4 branch members (El Zorro, Steelie, Ton-up Ted & Bibendum) depart on a weeks tour of Northern Ireland.  Much to their surprise waterproofs were unnecessary in the province and a grand time was had by all riding over 1500 miles during the week.

Looking forward to future branch events, we’ll be holding our annual Barbecue on Thursday 3rd July.  So come along for some great food, superb raffle prizes and sparkling conversations.  If you come by bike you may well be surprised and be the recipient of the “Steve Butcher Award”, for best branch member’s bike, which will be presented on the evening.

Two weeks later a new event will be held at the BCSA on the 17th July; an evening Autojumble.  So come along to club night and bring along those items you wish to move on.

Evening events officially start at 8pm, but the BCSA bar opens at 7pm for those with a thirst…

Ride fast and safe.

Bibendum

Below is the report published in the June 2025 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in April 2025

With spring now in full bloom, the weather having been mostly dry and recently glorious, many branch members have been really busy out on the roads.  With ride-outs on every Sunday, apart from Easter when the branch had a representation of members at the MAG show held at the BCSA, why not join the regulars in future, the camaraderie is good for the soul. There have also been further ride-outs mid-week by those lucky SOB’s who don’t have to work!

So the fun started on the first Saturday of April with our stand at the local Triumph dealer, Bulldog, open day.  The new bike show stands were proudly on display (these state specification and history of the owners bike), so look out for these at future events, a great conversation starter. 

The following week both Collin (Treasurer) and Nick (Chair & Webmaster) rode to Rotherham for the National AGM.  Well done lads, but no you can’t claim the petrol money off the branch!

Good Friday was the Berkshire Egg Run, which was well attended by the branch.  A worthy charitable event.

Looking forward we’re holding the Old Motorcycle Gathering on Saturday 28th June at the BCSA starting at 11am.  The chosen charity for this event will be the TV Air Ambulance.  Please make every effort to attend the branch’s main event of the year, all makes welcome and most importantly it’s FREE to enter.  Refreshments will be available, as ever, in the BCSA clubhouse.

Ride fast and safe

Bibendum

Below is the report published in the May 2025 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in March 2025

While Digger and I have been touring over 4,000kms of southern India it’s been a busy March back at the branch. John Bottomley’s talk on Ducati development and GP racing was well received and well attended early in the month.

The lack of an official Runs Co-ordinator seems to have focused the faithful and a run has taken place every Sunday, with bonus rides mid-week as well.  Special mention for Graham Steele and his leadership on several occasions.  There’s been new destinations too, so why not join a run one Sunday and give it a go, who knows, you might even enjoy it!

Meanwhile… Graham King, Mick Bennett and Terry West have been touring Spain and happened to bump into Triumph factory representatives who were out there testing new machines.

Looking forward, the first Saturday of May (3rd) sees our first outdoor event of the season, the Spring Meet.  Held at the BCSA from 11am, open to all and most importantly FREE!  Refreshments will of course be available in the clubhouse.

For full details of all our events check out the branch website.

Ride fast and safe.

Bibendum

Below is the report published in the April 2025 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in February 2025

Spring is sprung, the grass is riz,… etc.  At last we’ve left winter behind and can look forwards to better days for riding Triumphs.

Our AGM had only one change to committee membership and that was the resignation of El Zorro as Runs Co-ordinator; and with no takers it remains a vacant position.  However, the runs continue every Sunday with members stepping up to the plate to lead a ride.  So if you fancy a ride to somewhere and would like to lead, you’ll be welcomed with open arms.  Talking of which, on Good Friday (18th April) there will be an organised ride for the Easter Egg run; see our website for up-to-date details of the ride.

Looking forward and slightly later than we would normally hold it, is our Spring Meet which will be held on Saturday 3rd May.  For this meet, which is free to all, we will be holding a collection for a new (for us) charity, namely Blood Bikes.  Our Regalia officer, Chris, is a Blood Biker and put on a presentation at the recent AGM about the organisation.

Finally, I managed to catch our Chairman in his alter ego, a Rock star, a musical maestro, Axe-man and Keyboard Warrior for that little known band Cheap-day return, only kidding Nick, the band is called Off-Peak Return and playing at a venue near you soon…

I’m off to Southern India for a bike tour, but will catch up with you next month, ride safe and fast.

Bibendum

Below is the report published in the March 2025 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in January 2025

With a few bright days at the end of January and the first appearance of snowdrops in the hedgerows, spring is finally in the air.  By the time you read this I hope winter is a dim distant memory.  But we’ve been making the best of the dark evenings and held our annual Bring & Buy sale in mid-January. If you were there I hope you grabbed a bargain.  I know an absolute bounder who snaffled a rare Smiths instrument, less said, the better. A good evening with a presence of over 40 members.

A fortnight later saw Richard Wheadon present a talk on his role within the TOMCC; that of Machine Registrar.  Richard described the necessary forms to be completed in the pursuit of obtaining a registration, either repatriated machines requiring age related plates or a “home” barn-find with an old-style log-book to retain an original registration.  He touched on dubious stampings and emphasised the importance of doing your homework on the machine before parting with your hard earned cash.  He further explained how matching numbers had become so desirable, that the temptation to doctor numbers to match one another, now appeared to be on the rise.  So, branch members, hope for another presentation by Richard on fakes; perhaps next year.

March’s presentation will be by John Bottomley, VMCC, on “The development of Ducati Racing machines” and will held on 6th March.

Meanwhile, weekly ride-outs continue, albeit it’s been a little nippy…

Bibendum

Below is the report published in the February 2025 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in December 2024

Happy New Year!  I guess I should have started last month’s report with this, but I’m sure you’d have read the report before Christmas had even taken place, so that would have been a little previous.

December started with the Reading Toy Run which many branch members either attended or marshalled.  The weather could have been kinder, but it’s winter, what do you expect?

Mid-month and the Christmas buffet at the BCSA saw nearly 70 members and plus-ones enjoying a great evening together.  The raffle had some tremendous prizes and if you were lucky enough to win, then I’m sure you were well pleased.

By the time you read this the Table-top Bring & Buy sale would have taken place, did you snaffle a bargain there? 

However, more importantly, on 13th February the branch AGM will take place and it has to be said that we need more committee members.  So why not put your name forward?  The role that really needs filling is Runs Co-ordinator, so if you’d like to lead any runs, why not have a go?   This could be a role filled by more than 1 person.  I know it would be difficult to outshine Zorro, who has done a fabulous job, but he’s also the Treasurer and needs a little slack cut.  Help and assistance would of course be given in any role, so please consider serving on the committee.  Do I sound like I’m begging?  You betcha!

Bibendum

Below is the report published in the January 2025 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in November 2024

The first evening event of the off-season took place in November at the BCSA with Bob’s annual quiz.  With about 40 participants the quiz was hotly contested, however, the winning team of only 3, Bod, King Graham and Chairman Nick, took top honours. 

Now I don’t know who shouted “Fix”, just because the team contained two committee members.  I can assure all that Bob would not have any truck with shenanigans such as bribery (I’ve tried in the past!). 

I’m sure a very enjoyable evening was had by all attendees. If you missed it, don’t worry as there will be further events over the winter months.

The next event will be the Table-top Bring & Buy sale at the BCSA on 16th January.  Our branch AGM will take place in February followed by a presentation on “The development of Ducati Racing Machines” by John Bottomley on 6th March.  Finally, it is hoped that Richard Wheadon, Club Machine Registrar will put on a presentation on “Fakes”.  A fascinating and interesting topic, especially if you’re thinking about purchasing a Meriden classic; a date has yet to be set, but let’s hope Richard manages to fit it in.

Even though the weather has taken a turn for the worst, Sunday ride-outs still persist and some mid-week ones too (for those not affected by that filthy four-letter word, work).  This being for members who just can’t get enough of riding their Triumphs, well what else are they for, really…?

Bibendum