2023 Happenings
Latest first.........
We love the Spice Girls! possibly... Tuesday 5th December
Tenterhooks were on as we awaited Nigel; our El Presidento for the Workbridge Wheels Christmas Quiz night. Telegram had been received that his new automobile had failed to start! Lawrence was voted in as Reserve Captain; three votes for, Lawrence against… Fortunately Nigel appeared and saved the day.
Bob set us off well with his ‘Safeway’ answer, revealing a depth of retail knowledge hitherto kept hidden. Gary identified most of the new motorcycle models to the bafflement of us lesser folk. Mark confidently answered ‘Pacific Ocean’ to a question which puzzled us, so we equally confidently wrote it in. Lawrence was allowed to write the answers in. Much fun and laughter had and it finished too quickly.
Surprisingly, despite our lack of Spice Girls knowledge we won and all came out £5 richer! What a grand evening. Spice Up Your Life and Never Give Up on The Good Times!
Bob set us off well with his ‘Safeway’ answer, revealing a depth of retail knowledge hitherto kept hidden. Gary identified most of the new motorcycle models to the bafflement of us lesser folk. Mark confidently answered ‘Pacific Ocean’ to a question which puzzled us, so we equally confidently wrote it in. Lawrence was allowed to write the answers in. Much fun and laughter had and it finished too quickly.
Surprisingly, despite our lack of Spice Girls knowledge we won and all came out £5 richer! What a grand evening. Spice Up Your Life and Never Give Up on The Good Times!
BREWPOINT - Thursday, 21 September 2023
Torrential rain and gusts of 46mph caused Alan to postpone our 20/9 midweek run by one day. Alan’s foresight rewarded us with glorious sunshine making it one of the finest rides this year.
The Famous Five set out from the Super sausage: Alan, Nigel, Hugh, Lawrence and Tim but we became The Secret Seven by the end of the run as Bob and Brian joined us. Great roads, gentle pace so we could enjoy the fabulously scenic riding, and fine company. It was the epitome of what a section run should be.
Alan led and Tim diligently back-marked. To add interest Alan even threw in a water-splash which we all sailed through with great aplomb. Lunch at the Charles Wells’ family-owned Brewpoint accompanied by a grand selection of ales including TASTY alcohol-free.
Taking us home, Alan could not resist immersing us in the water splash again. He should be running a theme park! Nigel’s Honda mysteriously died but we quickly explained to our much-loved absent-minded professor how kill-switches work and we were on our way again. What a glorious day!
The Famous Five set out from the Super sausage: Alan, Nigel, Hugh, Lawrence and Tim but we became The Secret Seven by the end of the run as Bob and Brian joined us. Great roads, gentle pace so we could enjoy the fabulously scenic riding, and fine company. It was the epitome of what a section run should be.
Alan led and Tim diligently back-marked. To add interest Alan even threw in a water-splash which we all sailed through with great aplomb. Lunch at the Charles Wells’ family-owned Brewpoint accompanied by a grand selection of ales including TASTY alcohol-free.
Taking us home, Alan could not resist immersing us in the water splash again. He should be running a theme park! Nigel’s Honda mysteriously died but we quickly explained to our much-loved absent-minded professor how kill-switches work and we were on our way again. What a glorious day!
BIKESAFE - Sunday, 30 July 2023
Torrential rain covered us all the way en-route to Wootton Hall Park for Bikesafe; a riding appraisal and instruction by Northamptonshire Police. We were warmly greeted with tea, coffee, and biscuits, prior to engaging in the learning experience.
The instructors really knew how to impart their knowledge in a fun way. Gary and Lawrence, both very, er, experienced (I could not possibly use the term old…) took a lot from it. And the sun beamed and danced gloriously through the classroom windows. Then we donned our kit…
Naturally the rain started as we pulled out. Lawrence led off, Gary at the rear sandwiching Sean; our two-pip appraiser. Ten miles then Gary swapped positions with Lawrence and took us to The Super Sausage, ably guided by watching Sean’s indicators behind him. Bacon rolls, then we were off again. Another twenty miles, Gary and Lawrence swapping places midway again, and we were back at Wootton Hall.
The Police had very generously provided cars which pulled out in front of us, dodgy cyclists, road works, potholes, diesel on the road, and traffic jams. All manner of hazards laid on just for us, to test our abilities. A triumph of organisation by them!
Glad to say that Lawrence and Gary both passed with flying colours. Goodie bags received and off home we toddled. Spiffing fun and highly recommended!
#bikesafe
#norpolbikecops
The instructors really knew how to impart their knowledge in a fun way. Gary and Lawrence, both very, er, experienced (I could not possibly use the term old…) took a lot from it. And the sun beamed and danced gloriously through the classroom windows. Then we donned our kit…
Naturally the rain started as we pulled out. Lawrence led off, Gary at the rear sandwiching Sean; our two-pip appraiser. Ten miles then Gary swapped positions with Lawrence and took us to The Super Sausage, ably guided by watching Sean’s indicators behind him. Bacon rolls, then we were off again. Another twenty miles, Gary and Lawrence swapping places midway again, and we were back at Wootton Hall.
The Police had very generously provided cars which pulled out in front of us, dodgy cyclists, road works, potholes, diesel on the road, and traffic jams. All manner of hazards laid on just for us, to test our abilities. A triumph of organisation by them!
Glad to say that Lawrence and Gary both passed with flying colours. Goodie bags received and off home we toddled. Spiffing fun and highly recommended!
#bikesafe
#norpolbikecops
Thursday 20th July - Steve at Perry
Didn’t we have a luverly time the day
we went to Perry.
There were six of us there
As we met at the square
All of us looking for a jolly old time
then Barry arrived, afore the clock chime
And off we went to Perry
Singing a few of our favourite songs as the wheels went around
(Ed: that’s enough of the terribly rhyming and send apologies to Fiddlers Dram too!)
Olney market day and we’d arranged to meet there! The place was heaving but we tucked into a hatched line space and pretended we were unloading. Much admiration from the populace who assumed we were a display. Paul made a lady with a walker’s day: she came to us as a doddery eighty-year-old and skipped away as a teenager. We all blushed at the sight!
Barry found us eventually, making us seven in all, before Alan led us admirably to Perry; his second time leading. Very skillful navigation through gorgeous rural roads with grass in the middle. Henceforth he will be forever known as ‘HoE’s Lawnmower King’. Brian tagged on en-route and as usual we lost no-one. Steve was awaiting us at The Wheatsheaf so within minutes we were imbibing and scoffing. Roast beef sarnies all round apart from Paul chomping possibly the world’s largest cod.
Bob N regaled us with his Hollywood exploits then we wended our ways home. Who knew he was a film star? We should have been told! Grand fun at the opry. Weird scenes in the gold mine. Happy days!
we went to Perry.
There were six of us there
As we met at the square
All of us looking for a jolly old time
then Barry arrived, afore the clock chime
And off we went to Perry
Singing a few of our favourite songs as the wheels went around
(Ed: that’s enough of the terribly rhyming and send apologies to Fiddlers Dram too!)
Olney market day and we’d arranged to meet there! The place was heaving but we tucked into a hatched line space and pretended we were unloading. Much admiration from the populace who assumed we were a display. Paul made a lady with a walker’s day: she came to us as a doddery eighty-year-old and skipped away as a teenager. We all blushed at the sight!
Barry found us eventually, making us seven in all, before Alan led us admirably to Perry; his second time leading. Very skillful navigation through gorgeous rural roads with grass in the middle. Henceforth he will be forever known as ‘HoE’s Lawnmower King’. Brian tagged on en-route and as usual we lost no-one. Steve was awaiting us at The Wheatsheaf so within minutes we were imbibing and scoffing. Roast beef sarnies all round apart from Paul chomping possibly the world’s largest cod.
Bob N regaled us with his Hollywood exploits then we wended our ways home. Who knew he was a film star? We should have been told! Grand fun at the opry. Weird scenes in the gold mine. Happy days!
Tuesday 11th July - New members; Ladies? What is the world coming to!
Tuesday 11th July - Workbridge Wheels Biker Meet
Despite the terrifying weather forecast a few brave souls risked all in their pursuit of something hot and steamy. We were rewarded with a calm dry evening and a glorious time at Workbridge Wheels Biker night. The tea and coffee was excellent too. Naturally people were drawn to our beautiful machines; mainly amazed that we were still riding them. Whether that was due to the bikes’ ages or ours I did not ask…
Just as in days of yore, the best-looking girls were unable to resist an AJS or a Matchless. We may have some new members soon!
Bob’s Matchless proved conclusively that it is less leaky than any AJS. The shame of the 31CSR owners was palpable. At least we knew they must still have had oil in them!
Every Tuesday evening from 17:00 hrs (5:00pm) until 23:00 hrs (9:00pm) with barbecue and all sorts of drinks, including alcohol-free booze. Very friendly volunteer staff and it all supports a charity too.
Workbridge Wheels Motorcycle Meets, at Workbridge cafe, The Old Laundry, Bedford Road, NN4 7AD.
W3W is: ///nearly.cloak.shows
Despite the terrifying weather forecast a few brave souls risked all in their pursuit of something hot and steamy. We were rewarded with a calm dry evening and a glorious time at Workbridge Wheels Biker night. The tea and coffee was excellent too. Naturally people were drawn to our beautiful machines; mainly amazed that we were still riding them. Whether that was due to the bikes’ ages or ours I did not ask…
Just as in days of yore, the best-looking girls were unable to resist an AJS or a Matchless. We may have some new members soon!
Bob’s Matchless proved conclusively that it is less leaky than any AJS. The shame of the 31CSR owners was palpable. At least we knew they must still have had oil in them!
Every Tuesday evening from 17:00 hrs (5:00pm) until 23:00 hrs (9:00pm) with barbecue and all sorts of drinks, including alcohol-free booze. Very friendly volunteer staff and it all supports a charity too.
Workbridge Wheels Motorcycle Meets, at Workbridge cafe, The Old Laundry, Bedford Road, NN4 7AD.
W3W is: ///nearly.cloak.shows
Wednesday 5th July - Infamy, Infamy, We're joining the Enfield Owners!
Wednesday 5th July - Breakfast meet
Hurrah for Enfields? A gloriously sunny day greeted us for the Heart of England breakfast with roads washed clean from yesterday’s downpours. Nine of us were at the table. Chat was excellent and we were admirably amused by Jo, our hostess. She didn’t quite dance on the tables…
Main topic of conversation was how we were all planning on immediately selling our classic AMC etc and buying new Enfields. Sense has been seen at last though it took thirty years. Expect to see Heart of England section of the RE Owners soon…
Then we all got on our classics and decided we could never part with them. Old boys, eh?
Hurrah for Enfields? A gloriously sunny day greeted us for the Heart of England breakfast with roads washed clean from yesterday’s downpours. Nine of us were at the table. Chat was excellent and we were admirably amused by Jo, our hostess. She didn’t quite dance on the tables…
Main topic of conversation was how we were all planning on immediately selling our classic AMC etc and buying new Enfields. Sense has been seen at last though it took thirty years. Expect to see Heart of England section of the RE Owners soon…
Then we all got on our classics and decided we could never part with them. Old boys, eh?
Thursday 22nd June - The P'n'B rears its head again!
The full history of the Piston'Broke can be found here
Thursday 23rd March - Tally Ho boys and into the wild blue yonder!
Bandits at 7o’clock Leader, Tally Ho! Chocks away for Barry’s quiz on 23rd March. We were a group of WW2 navigators and had to match reconnaissance photos with maps; excellent fun!
Group Captain Nigel led Tim, Bob D and Lawrence. They got all the right answers but Lawrence didn’t necessarily put them in the right order. GC John led Jon, Mark and Bob N. they also got all the right answers but by the time they had them we’d forgotten it was a quiz night!
Team JJMB triumphed by deciphering an applicable anagram from a huge morass of letters. STEEP was not the answer Barry was looking for…
A grand night out, many thanks to Barry for amusing us so well!
Group Captain Nigel led Tim, Bob D and Lawrence. They got all the right answers but Lawrence didn’t necessarily put them in the right order. GC John led Jon, Mark and Bob N. they also got all the right answers but by the time they had them we’d forgotten it was a quiz night!
Team JJMB triumphed by deciphering an applicable anagram from a huge morass of letters. STEEP was not the answer Barry was looking for…
A grand night out, many thanks to Barry for amusing us so well!
Wednesday 1st March - Wot, no eggs??? Again!!!
Excellent turnout today for our monthly breakfast meet. Thirteen of us arrived in dribs and drabs to find our table ready and waiting. Banter was exchanged in jolly mood as we waited for all to arrive. At 10:30am we eagerly went to the counter to be told ‘there are no eggs’. Brian eggs-claimed ‘that’s no yolk! The subsequent egg puns are his fault…
Those with a good memory will know this is eggs-actly what happened at Rushden Jampot in 2018. It seems rather eggs-treme to suggest but are we cursed? I don’t want to eggs-agerate but the mood was eggs-plosive! Thanks to an eggs-traordinary effort, calm was restored.
Despite the omission from our plates a great time was had. We had some grand craic and look forward to the next one. And as we left, the eggs arrived...
Those with a good memory will know this is eggs-actly what happened at Rushden Jampot in 2018. It seems rather eggs-treme to suggest but are we cursed? I don’t want to eggs-agerate but the mood was eggs-plosive! Thanks to an eggs-traordinary effort, calm was restored.
Despite the omission from our plates a great time was had. We had some grand craic and look forward to the next one. And as we left, the eggs arrived...
23rd February - Tim's Celebrated Quiz
Tim's Celebrated Mystery Quiz!
Our much beloved young HoE Hipster; Tim, continued his mission to improve the world one step at a time. This week he launched his long-awaited quiz upon us and what a joy it was.
Our room at The Lamb was packed to hear Tim lead us through our memories. Three rounds, all with a roads and motorcycles theme. We battled in teams to make it even more fun and what a lovely time we had, especially as the top six got a Cadbury's Creme egg. Bonanza!
He's booked for next winter now...
Our much beloved young HoE Hipster; Tim, continued his mission to improve the world one step at a time. This week he launched his long-awaited quiz upon us and what a joy it was.
Our room at The Lamb was packed to hear Tim lead us through our memories. Three rounds, all with a roads and motorcycles theme. We battled in teams to make it even more fun and what a lovely time we had, especially as the top six got a Cadbury's Creme egg. Bonanza!
He's booked for next winter now...
26th January - Conway's Astonishing TT game Shock!
What a cracker it was!
Conway’s TT Board game resurfaced for another outing last night. Everyone only just managed to cram into the room at The Lamb and fit round the board. Whether it was the board which had swelled or our tums I couldn’t say. Twelve of us took our places on the grid.
Jon had the foresight to bring his own token; Alf Hagon in his finest days, thus avoiding the Christmas cracker ones that Conway foists on us. Really, AJS and Matchless riders deserve the finest Garrard silver charms though I suppose it is true that some of us ride Triumphs…
Conway thought it hilarious when Mark got a cumulative DOUBLE dice penalty resulting in negative throws. Then he got it too! Bob D has been consistent in this game; last every year so far yet this year he leapt off the grid and maintained third place to the end. Surprise star was Louise who dominated the grid, powering to first place. She very generously donated the first prize of a Matchless book to Lawrence who sneaked in at second.
A fun night which showcased the joys of belonging to our select number. Why not come along and see what we’re like?
Conway’s TT Board game resurfaced for another outing last night. Everyone only just managed to cram into the room at The Lamb and fit round the board. Whether it was the board which had swelled or our tums I couldn’t say. Twelve of us took our places on the grid.
Jon had the foresight to bring his own token; Alf Hagon in his finest days, thus avoiding the Christmas cracker ones that Conway foists on us. Really, AJS and Matchless riders deserve the finest Garrard silver charms though I suppose it is true that some of us ride Triumphs…
Conway thought it hilarious when Mark got a cumulative DOUBLE dice penalty resulting in negative throws. Then he got it too! Bob D has been consistent in this game; last every year so far yet this year he leapt off the grid and maintained third place to the end. Surprise star was Louise who dominated the grid, powering to first place. She very generously donated the first prize of a Matchless book to Lawrence who sneaked in at second.
A fun night which showcased the joys of belonging to our select number. Why not come along and see what we’re like?
19th January - Breakfast get-together
Great HoE breakfast meet this morning at Giffard Park, Milton Keynes.
Good food at a very reasonable price and served with a smile. Lively and stimulating conversation with unlimited coffee. What's not to love! Our next is 1st March - come and meet us...
Good food at a very reasonable price and served with a smile. Lively and stimulating conversation with unlimited coffee. What's not to love! Our next is 1st March - come and meet us...