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Here you can scroll down through all our events from April - June
HOWL REVISIT BLETCHLEY PARK
4th April
13 HOWLERS enjoyed a fascinating return visit to the enigmatic home of the code breakers. (see what what I did there)
Five of us had free entry on last year’s ticket- while the remaining eight enjoyed a subsidy like last year. It’s rare for us to do a repeat visit to a venue - but so absorbing is Bletchley, that Charles and Mike were back for a third trip!
It was great to have Stuart and Sue joining us as we took a guided tour to learn even more in-depth background. Could their same level of secrecy be maintained nowadays?
We didn’t manage to break the codes of The Enigma Machine, but Peter did manage to break the rack on his BM - potholes probably the culprit
Using Enigma, a single encoded message could have a total of 158,962,555,217,826,360,000 possible settings.
Alan Turing and other researchers exploited a few weaknesses in the implementation of the Enigma code and gained access to German codebooks, and this allowed them to design a machine called a Bombe machine, which helped to crack the most challenging versions of Enigma.
Ian and Jon tried to break the Code - unsuccessfully!
Despatch riders continuously brought in intercepted messages
75% of those involved in the codebreaking were women.
Some historians believe that the cracking of Enigma was the single most important victory by the Allied powers during WWII. Using information that they decoded from the Germans, the Allies were able to prevent many attacks. However, to avoid Nazi suspicion that they had insight to German communications, the Allies had to allow some attacks to be carried out despite the fact that they had the knowledge to stop them.
The invaluable work of Bletchley park staff saved thousands of lives and is reckoned to have shortened the war by 2-4 years. After the war the Bletchley Park became GCHQ and moved first to Eastcote in London, then to its present home in Cheltenham
The HOWL Codebreakers
KICKBACK SHOW 2025
3 Counties Showground Malvern
12th/13th April
‘KICKBACK IS AN EXPRESSION OF NONCONFORMITY
AND IN A WORLD SATURATED WITH SECOND-RATE COPIES, A DISPLAY OF REBELLION AND INDIVIDUALITY ROCKS..
I think that’s what appeals to me about the Kickback Show-it’s different and if we can combine something like the HOC with a little bit of individuality we get a good mix. I was gobsmacked by the growth in the size of the show—last year 2 halls-this year 5 halls. The show attracts diverse groups of visitors.
HOC Branch members attended from Northampton, Gloucester, Bristol, Oxford and both London branches
Impressive bike stunt shows and several halls including Classic Cars, Hot Rods, bike gear and accessories were added to the vast array of classic and custom bikes of all marques. The clientele was varied - from the grey-haired classic bike enthusiasts to back patch club members. All wandered through our pitch. Very often visitors comprised two generations of bike enthusiasts within the same group, inspecting the stands—giving the club an opportunity to reach out to younger people.
A lovely selection of bikes was brought along by our regulars - Steve Cribbin’s SS50 5 speed 1977 and CBX550F2 1984
And Andy Smith’s CA72 250Twin 1962
Dave Thomas brought along his CB500T 1977 & CB50V Dream. We were lucky to have 2 local bikes on the stand—a XL250S owned by Chris Hearn from Gloucester
This lovely Rothmans NSR250R (as featured in Golden Wing magazine) was restored by Nick Taylor.
Erica’s stunning 500 Café Racer
Simon Butler’s VF750SC - one of only 12 on the road - received a lot of attention
On Sunday we had a visitor who recognised his bike on the photo on club’s pull up banner – a blue 1975 CB500/4 owned by Steve Fox…. He had previously won best in show at Sammy's the other year and was overwhelmed to win our amazing HOC award for best Classic Honda. In fact, he was so busy polishing his bike he hadn't spotted the winner’s rosette we had placed on his bike. The look of disbelief when he got around to the front with his duster was so funny. He was genuinely touched.
We then got him to ‘mock polish’ the picture of his bike on our club stand banner. His wife Anne and their two sons were delighted. And of course he signed up to join the HOC!
Steve Fox also won the Kickback Trophy for best Classic Bike in the whole of the Kickback Show - presented here by our Steve Cribbin. What a day he had - he was in shock!
The Classic Team and HOC members were kept going with unlimited tea and biscuits from the HOC Café.
Soon it was time to go …. deconstruct the stand—get the bikes on the trailers and in vans. Thanks to all the Kickback Crew who worked so hard to make the show such a success.
Next up, Honda Day at The Ace – Sunday 22nd June – celebrating 50 years of the 400/4 and Gold Wing and then our HOC Classic show at The Sammy Miller Museum – Sunday 20th July
Why do we do it? - Because we love doing it and taking the HOC to the people. Do come along and join us! - Jude & Steve
Berkshire Egg Run
Good Friday - 18th April
11¼ HOWLERS (Anne’s 8-year-old granddaughter came as pillion) – joined over 400 other bikes on the Berkshire Easter Egg Run.
After breakfast at The Pinewood Café near Wokingham we joined a ride-in of about 50 bikes assembling for the en masse start in Reading.
Gary and Cindy, dressed as Easter Bunny and Easter Egg, provided lots of smiles to the crowds lining the route.
Anne came ready to strut her feathers
The two chicks Mike had fixed to his helmet clung on for the whole of the route.
Nearly 1800 chocolate eggs were donated to local good causes. Well done to all
Billy’s on the Beach Cafe
Bracklesham Bay
27th April
So many turned up at our Rykas meeting place, that we had to increase the booking at Billy's.
15 Howlers + Titus the Boxer Dog enjoyed a ride out to the Billy’s on the Beach Cafe at Bracklesham Bay.
Generous portions of fish ‘n’ chips and friendly staff welcomed us.
Wet weather gear was confidently left at home as afterwards we lapped up the April sunshine on the beach.
Another excellent day out
Pinewood
Custom Bike Show
11th May
Nine HOWLERS met up at The Pinewood Bike Show near Wokingham to admire the gleaming array of cherished motorcycles - ranging from art forms, modified machines, adventure and sports bikes, and trusty steeds used every day.
Some of the old British bikes were well polished and others were much loved reliable rat bikes.
Jude was clearly enraptured by the raptors in the excellent falconry display.
A favourite meeting place with bikers.
Midweek run to
Lasham Airfield
Thursday 15th May
A brace of BMWs…
Pictured at Lasham Gliding centre yesterday - A raft of R12s as Nicole gets a few miles under her throttle hand on her new bike before setting off with Peter on their European tour to Italia
Different versions of the same R12 model
An excellent choice of Cornish Pasties makes this a great lunch run!
14 Go Mad in Chideock Dorset
... a report on on HOWL branch holiday
16/23rd May
Chideock, near Bridport was the destination for fourteen HOWLERS and partners to enjoy a glorious week of sunshine on our branch holiday.
Jude masterminded the whole holiday logistics.
Branch flag courtesy of Steve C
Dan had sourced some brilliant accommodation which included our own heated pool, huge garden - and complimentary welcoming cream teas.
Plenty of interesting run outs locally including Tyneham Village, Corfe Castle, Portland Bill and Poole Quay Bike Night where we admired the machines after fish ‘n’ chips.
The Haynes Motor and Fleet Air Arm museums are close by, and on our doorstep, Palmers Brewery was a source of great local ale
Tom joined us at Tyneham
Back to school at Tyneham
Portland Bill - and it's time for a cuppa
Lyme Regis - courtesy of Chief Snapper Karen
Chefs de Cuisine, Charles and Karen were ably assisted by Sous Chef, Simon preparing their secret recipes.
Dan and Steve C served up the barbecue
We enjoyed a visit from Joy Penberthy, now living in Exmouth, who long-term members may remember started the West London Branch with Jude and I back in 1980.
The number should have been sixteen, but unfortunately a few days before, JC had a collision with some deer leaving him with ten broken ribs and two ankle breaks. He is on the road to recovery but it’s a long process.
But with a bit of retouching Gary, has managed to include Suzie and JC in the group pic 😏
Plans are already afoot for next year.
Spot the difference - how 14 HOWLERS...
became 16 HOWLERS
...and to top it all Palace won the FA Cup - leaving us feeling - 'Glad All Over!'
Jon Stone.
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