Another hot weekend and so we arrived at Denham or 9am. Sue, Roger, Bill, Ray and Peter who decided to join us after seeing Vinnie’s message on our website. This was his first ride-out with us. Welcome on aboard Peter and we hope you joins future club rides. It looked as if no one else was going to turn up so we all set off to Brooklands.
We had a very good run with not much traffic on the road arriving just after 10 am.
Sue, Roger, Brian and myself were directed to the triumph stand when Colin turned up just behind us.
The weather was getting hotter and after a chat with Colin, Brian and l decided to go to the tea room for a drink and to cool down.
By the time we came out to look for the rest of the gang the whole place was buzzing with people and bikes. We went to the 59 club stand for a chat and then to Ace stalls when we saw Bill, Ray and Peter having a burger and drinks in the shade so we decided to join them. This was an ideal location where we were enjoying the atmosphere and chatting to each other as well as a great view of the hill with bike racing up.
Sue found a nice spot to sit in the shade while the boys went off to see more of the exhibits. I decided to stay with Sue and Roger enjoying the great view of the hill.
The weather by now was getting hotter than ever, Vinnie had come by car with his family. Luckily we saw them passing by and got their attention. He introduced his son and daughter who we had not met before. They carried on to see the rest of the museum as it was their first time. It is a lot to take in if this is your first visit.
Brian arrived back for lunch with our picnic. We found a lovely shady spot on the grass and enjoyed the meal. Unfortunately the sun got the better of us and so we decided to go home.
On the way back to the bike we met up with Roger and Sue who also decided to do the same.
Not such a great journey home though, quite a bit of traffic on the motorway. But had a lovely late afternoon in the garden to round off a very nice day. Although we had not done too much it was still a lovely lazy day. Pat and Brian Beasely
Arrived at the Ace at approximately 9am. The 59 club had put up part of their stand but unfortunately none of the Ace staff had the keys to the store room which had their gazebo inside.
Brian and I started to put up Busy Bee gazebo when Steve and Richard rode in on their bikes. Steve had come on his new triumph T120 which he had purchased not long ago.
With four of us there our gazebo was up in no time at all and with that we were ready for bikers to arrive.
The morning started slow maybe because of the world cup. Soon the place was getting packed and quite a few of the Busy Bee gang turned out.
The weather was brilliant and many club members were glad to sit in the shade.
Also some very nice bikes were on display especially on the Busy Bee stand. Thanks to the generosity of the Ace we were given complementary drinks vouchers which we gave out to some of the members.
We had a very lazy day catching up with all the news and seeing lots of friends we haven’t seen for a while. It was one of the hottest day of the year.
Johnny, Max and Chris helped us to take the gazebo down. Brian, Johnny and myself decided to have something to eat before going home. It was such a lovely evening and also it was the VW camper van and car night so we got glimpse at these restored vehicles.
A lovely finish to a very pleasant day and late evening at the Ace. Pat and Brian
Got to Otterspool Way just after 10.30 Roger, Sue. Dave Scott, Derek, Bill, Ron and George were waiting. Brian was nominated to take the lead and to our surprise nobody got lost. We missed our turning and as we had to turn around this is when Ron took advantage of refuelling his bike.
Arrived at Marsworth around 11.30. Laurie and Peter Mayne were already there. Our first stop was to head for teas and coffees and some of the gang could not resist at those delicious home-made cakes which were laid out on the tables so inviting. As it was overcast and there was a bit of drizzle in the air hence the day started off a bit slow. Soon the weather started to improve and it is then more and more classic cars, bikes and scooters started rolling in. Within half an hour so the whole place filled up quite quickly and was buzzing.
Brian and I decided to take a stroll around the ground looking at classic vehicles and steam engines. There were all sorts of tractors, trucks, military and farm vehicles as well as steam water engines. There were the usual stalls selling everything from house plants and garden stuff to home-made jams and cakes.
Here is a little history about how it all started. In 1999 few volunteers wanted to create a village event to do a bit of fun-raising and support the millennium project. It started small and as the event was a great success. It was decided from then on to make it an annual event. The rally has grown significantly over the years and the visitors keep coming each year. They get a chance to see, feel and experience all those steam powered engines and period custom. All the funds raised go to well-deserved local charities. The owners are very proud to exhibits their machinery which they have loving cherished and restored.
The entry to the event was £5 which we feel is well worth it and for such a worthy cause. It was good to see so many people still supporting this event by turning up each year. May it go on forever and benefit those local charities. Jeff, Dee and Harry turned up during the afternoon. As this event is local to many of the members we do get a good numbers turning up. It gives us a great opportunity to catch up.
The weather was a bit on the cool side and so made my way to the meeting point at Denham. Arrived a bit early as I had to fuel-up. It was getting close to 9am and no one had turned up. I started to think if the club run had been cancelled without my knowledge.
Couple of minutes before nine Roger arrived followed by Laurie, Ian, Steve, Johnny and Brian. We left shortly after. Pat was away so Brian was riding solo. Arrived in good time with no breakdowns or exhaust flying off like in previous years.
Payed the entry fee and got the registration out of the way before bee lining for some hot drinks and biscuits. As the car park was filling up rapidly we did our walk admiring so many classic machines assembled in one place. One could see and smell the oil dripping on the tarmac together with all the outfits such as jacket, coats and goggles that went with these lovely classics.
As the time was approaching to start the run Johnny and I left just before the crowds. The reason being I prefer to be ahead of slower moving classics machines so that I can enjoy the twisty turns. And the second reason is to arrive at the pub before others for your food and drinks order. Brian usually leaves last so that he can fly by everyone and arrive before the rest.
The weather was getting quit hot and so we had our pub lunch outside. Even though the pub owners were expecting us today they could not cope with the demand.
After an hour or so everybody started to make their way back to the starting point. Each year they announce winners of the classic bike show and well as the raffle draw. As Johnny I do not own classic bikes we decided ride on home.
This was a great day out being able to ride through twisty turns with approximately 42 miles of country lanes.
The bike was waiting fully fuelled up and checked. As I had done all of this the week earlier for the Paws and Claws run from the Ace to Mayhew Animal Home which sadly through bad weather was cancelled. Thank you to all the members for their generous donations received and as a result we managed to send off a cheque to the Mayhew Animal Home.
Well here we go again the 21st annual Toy Run still headed up by big “only one more year” Ron. He will be there forever. He is like me desperate to do one more ride hoping this is not the last time. I am still managing to cope with the traffic and have not lost my hooligan feeling whilst riding so here is to the future.
It was a dreary cold day with a threat of rain when I left Luton but enjoyable as always. Quite a good crowed of father Christmas figures who formed a choir and sang a carol. We left with the support riders who did a wonderful job of shepherding us through London. We went straight to St Mary’s hospital in Paddington for the first call of the day. A detour was made through the road works at hospital as we entered at the opposite end from our normal entrance. The giving of the presents was carried out and everybody was smiling.
We left the hospital and this year turned down the Bayswater Road into the Hyde park for a change. Straight down the park to the abbey and Victoria memorial then down past the museum onto Kensington Road. Got to Royal Brompton and Harefield hospital which is always a nice ride with the Ace. Christmas riders got a lot of waving from the pedestrians and there was a lot of horn blowing in response. Around visit was made and we set off back to the Ace for a cup of tea.
As we did not go to St Thomas’s hospital this year and so Whittington hospital in Highgate was substituted instead. This would take us past Ace Café and therefore a stop was planned. As the weather really got bad with heavy rain, cold and slippery conditions on our return to the Ace. There was a hands up vote and it was decided by the majority not to take a risk with a ride out to the Whittington hospital.
Best bike and costume prizes were given to Ron who was elected to go with the van on Monday morning to the Whittington hospital to hand out the presents. Well done Ron! We all said our goodbyes and set off home which was not a pleasant ride with rain and cold. Had to wash the bike before I could have garaged it just to get rid of salt.
Although I was pleased to get home I was happy knowing that today we had lifted the lives of some of the children and people we had met.
