Rideout Reports

Aug-Sept

Tangmere Military Aviation Museum

Sunday 29th September

On a cool Sunday 29th September 2024, a group of HOWLers met at Rykas for a brief catchup and then it was time to take flight. Machines were mounted, fired up and gauges checked then moved into formation ready for take-off. With a signal from the leader, it was chocks away.

Navigating the sea of green scenery the HOWLers formation moved across the Surrey countryside and into Sussex territory with views changing a plenty from countryside to urban and small villages. Fantastic rolling hills, winding roads ending in parking up on the apron to the hangars at the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum where refuelling was had by all at their Cockpit Café and a few members had a scout around the museum. Once done the HOWLers made their own ways back to their bases. HOWLers in attendance: Leader Dan Walton (Branch sec), Michael Keeler, Mike Gooding, Gary Clarke, Cindy Pang, Peter Le Monnier, Nicole Le Monnier, Rob Beeken, Sean Gilpin, Vaughan Crequer (tail gunner).

HOWL Squadron reporting for duty

Spitfire replica

Vaughan takes the controls under Gary's watchful eye

400/4 50th Anniversary Day

at Dave Silver's

Saturday 28th September

Great fun at the David Silver Spares 400/4 day. It was a fantastic day meeting old friends and making new ones and listening to a great band and looking at all the 400/4’s. Norfolk branch had a great stand there together with people from Darlington, Cambs & Lincs, North London, Kent.

And of course the stars of the day werethe 400/4s

I counted 47 by midday - 25 of which went on a short runout

A design Classic - unsurpassed in 50 years

The bikes were the stars

This was my favourite

Members attended from Wales Suffolk Kent Darlington N London ... and HOWL

Phil Baker with his Read Titan 400/4

Ian and Victoria brought this 400/4 from Wales

Local visitor Dan brought his 92 year old mum - Dan has since joined the HOC

Dave Silver kindly supplied this huge chocolate cake - my slice had the downpipes!

All the 400/4 owners received this memento

HOC National Rally

Porthcawl Wales

Fri 20-Sun 20th Sept

Porthcawl - Fri 20/23rd Sept - Nine Howlers splashed down in Porthcawl for this year’s National Rally. The Saturday evening went very well with a great band, we were tuk tuk'd up in our own dedicated space. Good to meet up with so many members from other branches, although a few rally regulars were missing. On the Sunday we took advantage of a photo opportunity with local celeb ‘ Lizzy the Logness Monster’

The band was great!

Disco Divas

We met Lizzy the Lizard

Some flotsam and Jetsam

In the torrential rain you'd have had a drier ride down in this

The Tuk Tuk provided some entertainment

Graham (courtesy of Charles) and our club mascot bear joined us

One weekend - two events!

Solent Rally - Fri-Sun 6-8th Sept...

plus

Ace Cafe Brighton Burn Up -

Sun 8th Sept

Fri-Sun 6-8th September

HOWL make the most of summer: Nine members including some who were long- standing West London branch members, spent a few nights under canvas at a traditional style Rally with the Solent MCC.

**************

Sun 8th September

While these campers were drying out on Sunday morning another hardy group were a bit further East down the coast also dodging the showers but also enjoying some late summer sun at The Ace Cafe’s Brighton Burn Up where Cindy met an unusual biker!

Just checkout those prices!

So at those prices ... we should be able to buy ........

Cindy took a shine to Steel McQueen

Michael didn't actually arrive on this!

Off for a walk along the prom - Tiddely -om-pom-pom!

Smiling faces after refuelling!

Pizzas at Ryka's

Thursday 15th August

Eleven Howlers ensured they would make the most of the diminishing warm August evenings before they became a distant summer memory.

So, at an impromptu meet at Rykas we tucked into some excellent Pizzas - a change from the usual burgers and fries.

A lovely chilled evening...

or as seen through Gary's retouching,,,

The Ryka's chef was intrigued by the origins of their wall print which was taken from the Honda International Calendar of 1984 featuring the then new VF750 with West London members as ‘extras’ in the background.

Note the original Ryka's hut!

You may recognise some familiar faces - from the last Century

And it was a chance for us to see Rob's new CB5ooX - very nice too!

Howl visit Jack and Jill

Sunday 11th August

A brilliant ride -

following the Bluebell Line, stopping off for a photo opportunity with Jack and Jill then on to The Devil's Dyke

Michael organised this hugely enjoyable run via Horsted Keynes on the Bluebell Line, passing under 11 bridges (we stayed on the roads!) before a stop to indulge in the delights of Offham Farm Cafe.

Earlswood Common was the start point for 12 people on 11 bikes

A brief stop at Horsted Keynes station on The Bluebell Line

What was Gary's award for at Offham Farm Cafe??

Well deserved!!

Then on for a photo opportunity at The Jack and Jill Windmills followed by cooling ice creams at The Devil’s Dyke on the South Downs.

A great day out - blisteringly hot – with an enthusiastic turnout - 11 bikes/12 people plus 2 more meeting us at the café.

This is Jill

The International West Kent Run - IWKR

The Priory Aylesford Kent

2nd - 4th August

IWKR 2-4th August - Nine Howlers plus friends joined hundreds of other bikes at the International West Kent Run organised by the VMCC. The setting was the very picturesque Aylesford Priory.

From classic Brit bikes through to the 60s and onwards when the Japanese started to dominate there was something for everyone.

You can camp or stay at one of the rooms in the Priory

This captures the spirit of the weekend

On Saturday six of us joined with 260 bikes in on the 100 mile run through the narrow lanes of Kent with stops for first coffee then lunch provided free for all entrants.

In the courtyard of the lunch stop, Hole Park, we were personally welcomed by the owner.

Charles took rather a shine to the resident Rolls runabout

Charles had earlier supplied 3 bikes kindly lending me his 250N Super Dream - while he rode his 500/4, Tom was on the 400 dream.

Charles' friends Lyn and Chris joined us on a BSA Bantam and Royal Enfield 350 Bullet.

And of course Jude’s ’OTO’ 400/4 cruised attracting many admiring comments.

Refreshments were taken on site and in the evening at 'The Little Gem' pub - £3.50 per pint!

Goacher's Gold Star @£3.50/pint !!

And on the Sunday John Flynn's VFR 750 had an emotional reunion with its previous owners wife (slightly hidden in the pic by her daughter)

Meanwhile Keith Roberts looked very at home on an early Gold Wing in the VJMC stand.

Lyn came on her wonderful Bantam

How's this for Patina!