2022 Happenings
Latest first.........
10th November - Bits in a Bag night
Large fun on our Bits-in-a-Bag evening on the 10th. Several members turned up on motorcycles; usually we are all in cars at this time of year! A lovely night for a ride too; more like late spring.
Seventeen bags were strewn about us, each hiding a part or tool to be identified by feel. It always amazes how much entertainment and hilarity is enjoyed at this event as many of us had tears streaming down our faces. Gary, Bob and Jon led the field while others demonstrated that they knew lots about AMC parts, just not these AMC parts...
Our next groovy time is the 24th November with Glorious Mark's quiz. See ya there!
Seventeen bags were strewn about us, each hiding a part or tool to be identified by feel. It always amazes how much entertainment and hilarity is enjoyed at this event as many of us had tears streaming down our faces. Gary, Bob and Jon led the field while others demonstrated that they knew lots about AMC parts, just not these AMC parts...
Our next groovy time is the 24th November with Glorious Mark's quiz. See ya there!
Ladies first in HoE...
Proving that classic bikes can be for anyone, even ladies, Boo has recently taken delivery of a 1959 Matchless G3 350cc single. She is getting to grips with it well and intends to join Heart of England on some rides soon.
Mind, she has her father Peter for inspiration: Peter is 87 and still joins us on his 1954 G9. Peter whimsically says ‘at my age I should know better’. We all think he’s got the right idea!
Mind, she has her father Peter for inspiration: Peter is 87 and still joins us on his 1954 G9. Peter whimsically says ‘at my age I should know better’. We all think he’s got the right idea!
2nd November - Our Inaugural BREAKFAST MEETING
Today was our inaugural BREAKFAST MEETING! A dozen members turned out to enjoy some culinary delights at the Super Sausage; legendary bikers’ café on the A5.
Half were on motorcycles and there were more AJS and Matchless than other makes for a change. Good time had by all so we decided to make it a monthly meet, every first Wednesday. It will be a moveable feast until we find the perfect venue, so watch our calendar to see where the 15th December meeting will be.
Half were on motorcycles and there were more AJS and Matchless than other makes for a change. Good time had by all so we decided to make it a monthly meet, every first Wednesday. It will be a moveable feast until we find the perfect venue, so watch our calendar to see where the 15th December meeting will be.
7th September - Aldbury: prettiest village in England?
Lovely run to The Greyhound at Aldbury today, ably led by Barry. Time for a coffee and catch-up gossip at The Super Sausage before he took us on a winding route through some of England’s finest scenery. Barry guided us at a leisurely pace there so we could enjoy the picturesque villages and countryside. We crested Ivinghoe Beacon and were able to see for miles and miles.
Grit, gravel, muck and mud had been laid on the road especially for us, causing some excitement in places, but we were soon at the chocolate-box village. Barry’s ‘it is a 22-mile run’ turned out to be a misprint but we loved the extra ten miles. Great fun. Aldbury is said to be one of the prettiest villages in England and I can’t dispute that. How exciting to see Elaine and Dave waiting for us. We all partook of lunch and exchanged our news.
For the run back, Barry threw the ‘leisurely’ out the window and we hurtled home at a pace that belied the fact he was riding a 350cc! It certainly made the 650cc twins earn their keep…
A grand time had by all. Happy Days!
Grit, gravel, muck and mud had been laid on the road especially for us, causing some excitement in places, but we were soon at the chocolate-box village. Barry’s ‘it is a 22-mile run’ turned out to be a misprint but we loved the extra ten miles. Great fun. Aldbury is said to be one of the prettiest villages in England and I can’t dispute that. How exciting to see Elaine and Dave waiting for us. We all partook of lunch and exchanged our news.
For the run back, Barry threw the ‘leisurely’ out the window and we hurtled home at a pace that belied the fact he was riding a 350cc! It certainly made the 650cc twins earn their keep…
A grand time had by all. Happy Days!
Lawrence goes to the Dark Side...
Tuesday 6th September; we visited Wheelnuts at Sywell Aerodrome. Lawrence is now in the Chevy club. Yikes!
Help! Can you reunite an old chap with his bike?
Plea from Doug...
My dad turned 80 recently.
Dad loved his bikes & had AJS’s, Matchless’s, BSA’s & Triumph’s.
He even named me Douglas after the motor cycle!
I put this picture of him on one of his bikes from when he was young
on Facebook and I understand that this motor cycle is still registered and in use!
It’s a Matchless 350. Reg No: NTP 986
It would be fantastic if my dad could be reunited with his old motor bike.
If anyone has any information that would be brilliant!
If you know where this bike is please get in touch via the 'Contact Us' button (it may be under 'More' on small screens). We will put you in touch.
My dad turned 80 recently.
Dad loved his bikes & had AJS’s, Matchless’s, BSA’s & Triumph’s.
He even named me Douglas after the motor cycle!
I put this picture of him on one of his bikes from when he was young
on Facebook and I understand that this motor cycle is still registered and in use!
It’s a Matchless 350. Reg No: NTP 986
It would be fantastic if my dad could be reunited with his old motor bike.
If anyone has any information that would be brilliant!
If you know where this bike is please get in touch via the 'Contact Us' button (it may be under 'More' on small screens). We will put you in touch.
August - The Jampot Rally
2022 Jampot Rally. Wales. Llandovery.
It's Wales so despite the historic drought everywhere else in the UK it rained on HoE. Good time had by all who attended.
Sex, drugs and Rock'n'Roll! Well, one out of three ain't bad...
It's Wales so despite the historic drought everywhere else in the UK it rained on HoE. Good time had by all who attended.
Sex, drugs and Rock'n'Roll! Well, one out of three ain't bad...
Thursday 11th August - Run to The Boat at Stoke Bruerne
Thursday 11th August saw us meeting at The Lamb in SWELTERING heat; 33˚. Bob D flew the sole AMC flag, with his sparkling Matchless, in a sea of Enfields, Triumphs, Guzzi and BMW. Much discussion about the ‘interlude’ at our last meeting; scandal!
Bob N led us on a splendidly picturesque and winding rural route to The Boat in Stoke Bruerne where we were pleased to find Jon and Nigel waiting for us. They added another Matchless and…. an Ajay. Hurrah, we looked as if we might really be the AJS & Matchless Owners Club.
Much chat and laughter. Mr D. continues to inspire us all with his alcohol abstinence, several copying him. Mr N even drank halves in support; an unheard-of occurrence, though he did try to avoid any photographic evidence. We were chucked out of the pub at 10:00pm. Just to make a change, not for bad behaviour this time…
Bob N led us on a splendidly picturesque and winding rural route to The Boat in Stoke Bruerne where we were pleased to find Jon and Nigel waiting for us. They added another Matchless and…. an Ajay. Hurrah, we looked as if we might really be the AJS & Matchless Owners Club.
Much chat and laughter. Mr D. continues to inspire us all with his alcohol abstinence, several copying him. Mr N even drank halves in support; an unheard-of occurrence, though he did try to avoid any photographic evidence. We were chucked out of the pub at 10:00pm. Just to make a change, not for bad behaviour this time…
Midweek Run to The Blue Lias at Stockton - 20th July 2022
The AJS & Matchless OC met at McDonalds in Towcester today. We expected to be slightly depleted as some members were otherwise occupied but we must fly the AMC flag regardless! Erm, well Paul arrived on his BMW, Bob D arrived on his modern Triumph, Bob N who was leading arrived on his Enfield. Nil desperandum, Lawrence has a working AMC machine so the club will be represented. Then he turned up on his old Triumph…
Bob led us expertly via many rural treats to The Blue Lias at Stockton near Southam. You really appreciate how beautiful England is when you see it from roads with grass growing in them.
The Blue Lias is a canal-side inn of great repute. Good banter, food, drinks (they knew what Angostura Bitters were here, so L was happy) then we all wended our very separate ways home. What a splendid day. Thanks Bob!
Bob led us expertly via many rural treats to The Blue Lias at Stockton near Southam. You really appreciate how beautiful England is when you see it from roads with grass growing in them.
The Blue Lias is a canal-side inn of great repute. Good banter, food, drinks (they knew what Angostura Bitters were here, so L was happy) then we all wended our very separate ways home. What a splendid day. Thanks Bob!
Lovely Shefford! - 14th July 2022
We gathered at Marston Moretaine for our evening run to visit the VMCC for their Car Park Concours at Shefford. Barry manfully led us there via the fastest route, as the VMCC all like to get home before dark: With their lights, who could blame them?
Not so many classic and vintage bikes on show this year but what was on show was delightful and all ridden to the site: No trailer queens. It was an unexpected treat to meet Scottish Mick. Good chat, nice bikes, warm evening: What a perfect night!
Not so many classic and vintage bikes on show this year but what was on show was delightful and all ridden to the site: No trailer queens. It was an unexpected treat to meet Scottish Mick. Good chat, nice bikes, warm evening: What a perfect night!
We're in love... 5th July 2022
Golly Gee Fellas, July 5th saw us at the Super Sausage in Potterspury again, for another Midweeker. The usual suspects arrived, joined by Alan, who must have enjoyed his time with us previously: there is no accounting for taste…
Bob D was remorselessly teased by Lawrence for his G12CSR’s previous poor starting; poor Bob. Lawrence’s 31CSR then wouldn’t start, some might say poetic justice. Bob smiled discreetly, undoubtedly storing this away for future usage...
Lawrence led us to a Wheelnuts meeting at Sywell Aerodrome on roads more akin to scrambles-courses, Bob N expertly chivvying the rear. All arrived safely to be greeted by Brian who had beaten us there on his sweet DT250. We were amazed by the variety of vehicles on display at Wheelnuts. Barry disappeared immediately; seduced by a Thunderbolt (the flying variety, not a BSA), leaving us perusing the remarkable automobiles. There were vintage cars, classic cars, bikes, bubble cars, trikes: You name it, it was probably there!
After a jolly lunch at the Pilot's Mess , where we ate and drank them out of most items we returned to witness EVEN MORE classic and vintage vehicles; truly a feast for the eyes. Lawrence wanted to take one of the 50's Chevrolets home, but then he would, wouldn't he. Most voted for the curious Citroen 2CV conversions, probably because they are as basic as our bikes!
Nigel tested the thief-proofing of his CX500 by leaving the key in. It remained steadfast and true, there when he returned to it. Brian, determined to outdo this derring-do, entertained us by riding off without removing his lock. He did go further than we expected and impressed us by picking up the bike and carting it off the track!
A grand time, we intend to repeat the experience on 2nd August and possibly 6th September.
Bob D was remorselessly teased by Lawrence for his G12CSR’s previous poor starting; poor Bob. Lawrence’s 31CSR then wouldn’t start, some might say poetic justice. Bob smiled discreetly, undoubtedly storing this away for future usage...
Lawrence led us to a Wheelnuts meeting at Sywell Aerodrome on roads more akin to scrambles-courses, Bob N expertly chivvying the rear. All arrived safely to be greeted by Brian who had beaten us there on his sweet DT250. We were amazed by the variety of vehicles on display at Wheelnuts. Barry disappeared immediately; seduced by a Thunderbolt (the flying variety, not a BSA), leaving us perusing the remarkable automobiles. There were vintage cars, classic cars, bikes, bubble cars, trikes: You name it, it was probably there!
After a jolly lunch at the Pilot's Mess , where we ate and drank them out of most items we returned to witness EVEN MORE classic and vintage vehicles; truly a feast for the eyes. Lawrence wanted to take one of the 50's Chevrolets home, but then he would, wouldn't he. Most voted for the curious Citroen 2CV conversions, probably because they are as basic as our bikes!
Nigel tested the thief-proofing of his CX500 by leaving the key in. It remained steadfast and true, there when he returned to it. Brian, determined to outdo this derring-do, entertained us by riding off without removing his lock. He did go further than we expected and impressed us by picking up the bike and carting it off the track!
A grand time, we intend to repeat the experience on 2nd August and possibly 6th September.
Annual Dinner - 5th March 2022
The 5th March saw a slightly reduced Annual Dinner due to Covid.
Good fun had by all who made it there. The highlight of the evening was Mark relinquishing the Piston Broke trophy to Gary.
In Mark's words :
in recognition Of THE FOLLOWING:
• Dragging the section, via zoom, into the 21st century
• Enhancing the AJS / Matchless brand by buying a Royal Enfield
• Enhancing the AJS / Matchless brand by buying a Triumph
• Being the Section’s top scrambler
From now on we may rename Gary 'Scrambler' 😄
Good fun had by all who made it there. The highlight of the evening was Mark relinquishing the Piston Broke trophy to Gary.
In Mark's words :
in recognition Of THE FOLLOWING:
• Dragging the section, via zoom, into the 21st century
• Enhancing the AJS / Matchless brand by buying a Royal Enfield
• Enhancing the AJS / Matchless brand by buying a Triumph
• Being the Section’s top scrambler
From now on we may rename Gary 'Scrambler' 😄
2021 Happenings
Latest first.........
Stony Stratford Jaunt - 2nd May 2021
Our second impromptu ride this year. We kept it short and managed to avoid the rain.
Great to meet new member; Tim, who captured us all for posterity. Freedom looms!
Great to meet new member; Tim, who captured us all for posterity. Freedom looms!
Stony Stratford Jaunt - 25th April 2021; We're back!
Hurrah and Jolly Yahoo! Our first run of the year and arranged on the hoof. Socially distanced and distinctly missing any AJS. What is the world coming to. Still, three Matchies and two modern bikes set us back on the road to normality. Normal service will be resumed as soon as practicable. Watch our 'Coming Up' page or our Facebook page.