This is yet another one of the club rides I had never taken part in since joining the Bee’s. As explained in my editorial this year was rather a stressful time but somehow I managed to make my excuses and made to this meet.
On this club run everyone makes their own way to the museum and as it was my first time Steve V. kindly offered to meet me not too far from the museum. I followed him through very narrow and bendy country lanes avoiding oncoming traffic, pot holes and ducking the over grown hedges along the way. I was told that this was the back road as I cannot imagine larger vehicles such as the buses would be able to negotiate the bends. As my bike was still at Danny’s for the duration of the summer I drove by car and parked www.busybeemcc.com Spring 2016 pg. 19
in the car park and then jumped in Steve’s combo through the main gates and right into the museum where they directed us to our reserved spot on the grounds.
Steve started unpacking his table/bench setup and other such items as Busy Bee banner hence he was on the combo.
Not long before Brian, Pat and others started arriving. I got the feeling that same members arrive here each year from their body language and the talk. The sun was out and we started venturing into various Barns, Cottages, Sheds and Shelters. Each of these storages facilities housed so many interesting exhibits dating back to 18th and 20th centuries. There was even an Iron Age house.
As everything is in the open as the name suggest there was no danger of overcrowding and every one can enjoy walking around at their own pace. This was one of the most amazing and very informative place that I had been to in a very long time. Here one could see a snap shot of how people used to live through the ages. There is quite a lot of exhibits of life during the war and to see how little people had during those very difficult times. They also invited various motorcycle and car clubs to come and display their prized vehicles on the grounds for the visiting public to view. They even sold old fashioned Victorian Lemonade at one of the food and snacks barns. There was also an opportunity to try your hands at making bread the old fashion way. Also for small fee you could have ago at making colourful candles.
So if you have not been here before I urge you to join us this year and I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
Another awesome day in a beautiful settings and the sun shining what else could you ask for?
A lovely sunny day we had a very smooth ride down to Jacks Hill. Steve had left earlier in the morning to help with organising bikes in the car park. There were already lots of classic bikes in the car park on show when we arrived at Jacks Hill Ton up day. This has always been such a success every year and it was no different as Chester always over sees the pre organising of this day.
After a great breakfast and a coffee we had a walk round the car park to look at all the bikes on show. Chester was busy signing his books and selling to the public. George and Bob turned up as the whole place was now buzzing with bikes and people. Richard Steve’s son turned up just after George when the judging of the bikes had begun. Shaun was doing a great job as D J and Sue presented the trophies which are sponsored by the Busy Bee every year. Trophies were awarded in three categories and the winners walked away happy. It always nice to see great smiles on their faces. The sun kept shining all day and it was soon time to home. Another great day at this yearly event.
Brian and I made our way to meet up at Denham for 9am. On arrival Vinnie, Sam and Danny were waiting for us and Roger arrived soon after. As we were not expecting anyone else this morning we jumped onto M25 towards Chertsey and then onto Brooklands. Brian took the lead and nobody got lost apart from Brian going full circle around the roundabout not far from Brooklands.
On arrival the marshals were a little bit confused and sent us to park at different locations depending on the age of our motorcycles. After parking up our first stop was the tea rooms. Whilst enjoying our hot drinks we met Laurie, Max and Gordon. That is when Gordon revealed that he was waiting for us at the lay-by near the garden Centre at Denham. This is the meeting point on very odd occasions when we ride towards Aylesbury. So please check before each ride-out with a member.
As we walked around the museum we saw Terry and Alison. Terry was not happy as his bike was playing up and he had misplaced his beloved small spanner which he had owned for nearly fourty years. Convinced someone had picked it up. He assured me that it was not in his tool kit because he had already looked inside. I proceeded to take everything out one by one and guess what? Yes, I had found one small beloved spanner right at the bottom of the bag. He was now one happy bunny once again and with that he let me take a photo of him for our website.
Even though we come here every year Brooklands feels different on every visit and still enjoy the experience. It is a very special and unique place as it was the first purpose built motor circuit constructed by Hugh Locke King in 1907. It was the birthplace of British motor sport and aviation. With many engineering and technological achievements through eight decades of the 20th century. The museum houses and maintains a wide range of motoring and aviation exhibits. These ranges from giant racing cars such as the 24 litre Napier Railton to a unique collection of Vickers / BAC built aircraft including Wellington , Viking , Varsity, Viscount, Vanguard VC10 One-Eleven and Concorde. The BAC factory at Brooklands had a major input into the design and manufacture of Concord.
Every year we come to this Ton-up- Day event at Brooklands. Brian and I never get tired of visiting this place as there are so many interesting things to do and see as well as meeting up friends and ride with mates to this event.
As the Ace is not too far from me and the fact that I do not own a classic it was hardly worth taking my bike out of the garage and just to stop before even she got warm up.
So I jumped in my car and arrived shortly after 11:15 and noticed Pat, Brian and Steve had put up our Busy Bee club gazebo. As usual they have done a grand job setting up tables, chairs and merchandise. The car park was filling up very quickly with bikes as the weather was perfect. As usual the 59 club stand was next door to us and could not help noticing at least one more club stand was missing. As the day passed many of the club members dropped in to say hello.
It all started off so well and then the heavens opened up and poured. To begin with most of the biker stayed thinking the clouds would blow over but it was not to be and as a result a lot of bikers left as quickly as they came. Soon the car park was empty apart from few brave souls.
We were all trying to stay dry and cosied up under our small gazebo. Steve and Brian started putting up sides to the gazebo to keep the wind and rain out. After couple of hours the sun decided to come out once again but by this time most of the classic bike owner had left.
There was best classic bike competition and as usual first, second and third prizes went to member of the 59 club. Even though there were other worthy bikes in the car park. However Pat did win two pairs of tickets in the raffle. One was for the Brooklands Museum and the other for Beaulieu bike event. All in all not a bad day despite the rain. Also it was good to see Gordon and Ian all the way from Luton and I had heard Laurie had to turn back from A40 as the road was closed. Safe riding and catch you on the next one!
Bank holiday Monday, weather not too bad but cloudy and dry, Brian had decided that we would go to Knebworth so we set off around 10:30.
Unfortunately Brian had a (senior) moment and we were heading down M1 to Luton instead of A1. As I was riding pillion blame could not be put on me. However had we been travelling by car then almost certainly I would have been blamed for distracting him by way of talking.
Therefore we had to double back from the first junction possible to where we had started. By the time we arrived at Knebworth we were very cold. Colin had arrived earlier so we had a quick chat before going to the café for hot drinks and a warm up. Not so many vintage bikes on show this year, but loads of different cars, trucks and caravans some were very unusual.
Met Jane whose stand was called “Vintage Pin striping”. Whilst we were there she was working on a car, she also pin stripes bikes as well as cars and Hand bags amongst others. This is one talented lady and so if you need any kind of pin striping done then do look her up at (vintage pinstripe.com).
After mulling around all the stalls, vintage cars and bikes we had a long sit down and one last cupper of the day before it was time to head home.
Another enjoyable Bank Holiday weekend.
