Stories

Some of the things that we get up to as a branch:

OXFORD RALLY 2022………………………………………………………………………………………..

On a bright sunny, warm, Friday in July the Oxford crew arrived at The Duke Campsite in Clifton to erect the marquee and prepare everything for the happy campers who were arriving.

A total of 20 tents, 5 campers vans and 39 people then began to arrive, renewing old friendships and catching up on all the news.

The Duke Pub had prepared a delicious evening meal of lasagne or shepherd’s pie with salad and garlic bread which was much enjoyed and seconds were quickly accepted! Ted then organised a brain teasing quiz which resulted in lots of laughter and even more guessing. A closely fought contest with the winning team receiving a free round of drinks and then all off to our various beds.

After a chilly night, Saturday dawned with sunshine and quickly became warm. After a tasty breakfast in the pub, the happy campers prepared for the ride out and Jim, who was the leader, gave a briefing. 19 bikes left the Duke and headed for the first stop – the lovely albeit busy ‘Old Prison’ cafe, off again and onto the lovely Toddington Steam Railway for more refreshments – lots of ice cream in particular as the day was now becoming even warmer. After a leisurely stop everyone mounted up again and headed back to the camp site where lovely cool showers awaited.

A selection of food from the pub menu was enjoyed by all and then it was off to the gardens for the fun Motorcycle Drag Racing contest organised by Mary-Anne and Pete. Aching arms and allegations of cheating where all good naturedly accepted as the evening dissolved into lots of laughter. Another close fought contest and the winning team went onto celebrate!

An excellent evening with friends followed by a warmer night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast on Sunday morning before heading home.

It was agreed that lots of fun had been enjoyed by all and it would be repeated at the same venue in 14th/15th/16th July 2023!!

HOC VISIT TO MOTOR MUSEUM

21/11/21

The day started bright and sunny, despite the chill in the wind, but 11 hardy members joined up at Frilford service station for a ride to the Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum at Calne.

Starting off towards Wantage on the A338 and onto Hungerford to meet up with Erica and Colin, plus newbies Jambo and Charlotte.

Off onto the A4 to Calne via Marlborough, we got to our destination around 12:30. In time for Coffee and Cake!!!

After scoffing Erica’s delicious cakes and slurping the tea and coffee that the museum laid on for us (thank you both), it was time to have a look around the collection of cars and motorbikes.

There was an eclectic mix of classic and vintage machinery. Some cars the older members remember buying when they were young, and some of us that are not so old remember as buying as our first cars and bikes! I’m not saying that some of our members are classic or vintage 😊.

When it was time to leave the museum, some went off for lunch at Marlborough, and those that were left with me decided to go a pretty route homewards.

Pretty isn’t the word they would describe the ride home, more rural and rustic – to more honest, we would have been better off on mountain bikes!

The plan was to head towards Devizes and Pewsey, then head to Hungerford and home on the A338.

That was the plan! Firstly we go down this lane (although it was called Hampsley Road – and a road normally leads somewhere) and we come to a dead end in a farm yard.

Doubling back I lost all my sense of direction and ended up on a road that was getting narrower and narrower, with the tarmac breaking up and eventually disappearing altogether. Time to check out where the hell we where. Out came the sat navs and, according to Garmin/TomTom, we were on a road! After a chat with some dog-walkers we were assured we were going in the right direction, just get to the end and either go right to Devizes, or left for Calne.

The dirt track gave way to some firmer gravel lanes, and Jim and I came to a crossroads where we waited for Dave and Kevin on their adventure bikes. Several minutes later, with the thought that they may have turned around and gone back the way they had come, they appeared – not looking very happy with me. I enquired what took them so long, as they were riding off-road bikes, and Dave informed me that he had road tyres on his. So what? Jim and I had knobblies on our road bikes???

Anyhow, back on terra-firma we find ourselves back in Calne and turning onto the A4. So much for a different way home!

Mark Clargo

Runs Leader for the day