Category: Rides

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.

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.

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.

We had a Sunday ride to Thruxton with a difference. We had a new start point, meeting at Thatcham Football Club. It was also our first ride-out to the Jackeroo Cafe in its new incarnation, which is as an Airstream trailer inside the circuit serving food together with tables inside a tent next to it. We were led on scenic ride from Thatcham to Thruxton circuit, pausing briefly to pose for a photo by the Thruxton sign and then heading to the cafe. Some of our members stopped off for beer and lunch at the Flower Pots brewery while others made their way home. Here are some photos of the ride.