North London Honda Owners Club
Ride your bike and socialise with a friendly and welcoming club.
On January 28th Phil led a great ride involving 11 members, We had morning coffee at Bewl Water and lunch on the seafront near Hastings. A stop at Ashford on the way home completed a good day out.
On 11th February 9 riders went to Finchingfield for lunch. Unfortunately the Carvery was not on and new management have raised the prices somewhat excessively at Boswells, one of our usual haunts. The weather turned colder and wetter than expected so we headed fairly directly home, stopping for tea/cakes in one of the Rodings.
On 11th March some of us were itching to get out after some late harsh winter weather. Eight of us took a nice run across country to St Neots for lunch at the Ambience Café. The steak pie is nice there. Grant was on his new bike and we all enjoyed the run.
On 25th March 14 of us were involved in a run to Krazy Horse Bikers Café, one of our regular haunts. The weather stayed dry and we used some great local roads to get there and back, with a final stop at Braintree ... OK It was McDonalds! We had arranged to meet some of Norfolk branch there but were a bit late, caught them just as they were finishing lunch at Krazy Horse.
15th April a creditable 16 persons involved in ride to Bury Lane farm shop for lunch. We then went up to Ramsey and round to Kimbolton on the great B660. Afternoon tea was taken at Grafham water. a bit of late rain was unwelcome and Gary had trouble starting his Blackbird at the Farm Shop. Great day otherwise!
On 22nd April a fine turnout of 14 bikes and 16 people had a nice run down to the south coast. The weather was good and the roads, in general, avoided a lot of the traffic. Worth doing again is the B2026 coming home which nicely skirted Tunbridge Wells and took us up to the M25. We had a nice lunch at the Custom Café outside Bexhill, an American old style route 66 diner that we had not been to before. A nice stop and drive past Beachy Head finished the day before we headed home.
May 4th to 7th twelve involved in great trip to Belgium with stunning weather and some great roads and locations. We stayed near La Roche en Ardennes and would go again. Many of the roads used were from ride magazine and nice places passed through were Trois Ponts, Francorchamps, Rochefort, Dinant and Spa. The picture is of Givet, a coffee stop in France.
On 6th May Roland, Nick, Lance and Graham had an excellent spring ride to Thaxted for coffee, going via Brentwood, Ongar and Dunmow. Lunch was taken at one of our favourite venues, the Ambience Café at St Neots via Saffron Walden and Royston. The final part was along good 'B' roads to Baldock services and A507 to Buntingford. Lots of nice twisties for Roland to put his new Goldwing through its paces!
On 13th May Paul led his first run which proved very successful and enjoyable. The spring weather and countryside was glorious and they went into the Cotswolds with lunch taken at Broadway. Good show Paul Lewis!
On 20th May the plan was to join in with the Air Ambulance Charity ride to North Weald Airfield. In fact, only John, Marina and myself (Steve) did the run which took about 2 hours and was fairly pleasant. At the Airfield we met Simon and Phillip, a prospective member, before riding to a very nice lunch at the Corner Café in Sible Heddingham. Another good day out,
On 25-28th we had a great long weekend based in Welshpool in Wales. The scenery and roads were stunning and the weather was not always wet! Most of us stayed at the friendly Severn Farm again and enjoyed the food and drink in Town. Places visited of note were Snowdonia, Elan Valley and Llyn-Brianne. Thanks to Dave T for organising and we look forward to another visit in the future.
A few riders who missed Wales had a nice run to the very good Ambience Café in St Neots. Going via South Mimms and Welwyn and returning via Potton, and Buntingford.
Phil led a nice ride to Aldeburgh for fish and chips on 3rd June. Afterwards a very pleasant run back took us through Sudbury, Braintree and Dunmow.
On the evening of Wednesday 20th June seven members had a pleasant ride to the popular and well attended Show at Meldreth near Royston. The weather was great and it is an event we regularly attend.
On 23rd June four of us went to Lings in Norfolk for a great open day hosted by Lings and Norfolk Branch. The weather was great and some of us took test rides and we all enjoyed the BBQ put on for us. Later Norfolk hosted a pleasant run to Southwold on the coast for ice cream.
On 24th six branch members made their way to David Silvers at Leiston for the HOC Classic Show. Time was spent looking at the various bikes on display in the Concours competition (unfortunately no winners from our branch) and touring the impressive museum. The glorious sunny weather made it a perfect day out.
On 1st July we had a good attendance at the Honda Day at the Ace Café in London. Lots to see there, particularly Blackbirds being prominent. Graham was manning the HOC stand. A good day out. I didn't see many other Ducati's there!
Nine of us went on our Branch Trip to the Dolomites in Italy, courtesy of Global Motorcycle Tours who arranged the fantastic routes, hotels and itinerary. We had great weather and had three nights based at the beautiful Moena in the Italian Dolomites. We travelled via Belgium, Germany and Aiustria and tackled many great mountain passes, including Stelvio and Timmelsoch. some photos below..
On 22nd July Steve J led a very nice run to the Lilley Arms in Befordshire for a Sunday lunch. The route and food were great and we had eleven members on the ride. A great turnout! The route back was equally pleasant with a final stop taken at a nice tea room in Hatfield Heath.
Sunday 12th Mark Collings led two others for a good day at the Brackley Festival of Motorcycling. Many regulars away that day. Thanks Mark!
Sunday 19th we had a nice run up to Tapps tea room in Baldock, followed by a run through the famous Bends. We then had a great BBQ hosted by Steve and Gloria in Waltham Abbey, Thank you! A good day all round.
Monday 27th August nine of us had a nice run to visit the Tiptree café and Jam shop in Tiptree where we had a leisurely break. Naturally we had to try a scone and some jam. Oh! And cream. A bendy and roundabout route then took us to Burnham where we had some lunch. It was buzzing there! Some more bends took us towards home. Good weather and a nice day out..
Sunday 2nd September, we had a thoroughly pleasant ride through great countryside to Brown's café in Thetford Forest. Superb roads, good weather and good company. Nice to be making the most of the remaining summer. Our return home took us through Lavenham where we had a pub stop. Thirteen involved!
Sunday 9th Sept we had a great ride to the Brighton Burn Up. There we met Graham on the HOC Stand. The route was great and avoided much of the traffic south of the River. We stopped at the 1066 café on the A21 for a nice Brunch and stopped at Edenbridge on the way home. Good weather and good company as well!
13th-17th Our Branch had a great long weekend in central France, enjoying fine weather, roads, hospitality and vino. After an overnight on a ferry we had three nights at the lovely Hotel Diamant in Mauprevoir. We also enjoyed rides and hospitality from Keith and Mary who live over there. It was a great little trip and thanks also to Richard who did much of the organising.
On 30th September Steve J lead a nice ride to Leighton Buzzard where we visited a motorcycle show being held at the miniature railway station. After an hour there we went to the Lilley Arms in Lilley for a nice Sunday lunch before a good ride home. Nice day all round, thanks Steve!
7th September seven of us met at Springfield Services and then went to the well attended Copdock Bike show. It was very good this year and the weather was pleasant. From there we cut across country and went to Finchingfield for afternoon tea before heading home through Dunmow. A warm welcome to Robin and Richard who joined us.
On 4th November 7 of us took a nice autumn days ride through to Krazy Horse near Bury St Edmunds where we had some nice lunch and a look at the bikes and gear there. We then took some windy country roads through to Thaxted for afternoon tea before splitting up near Bishops Stortford. A nice day out.
On 11th November some of the Branch went to Duxford to meet other Members and join in with Remembrance Day. It was a breezy day! Afterwards lunch was taken at Bury Lane Farm Shop near Royston. A good day apart from a minor bike drop at a petrol station!
On 18th twelve of us had a great day out on a fine sunny day. We went along the A414 to Malden and then up country roads to the Blackwater Pearl on Mersea Island. Afternoon tea was taken at Blake Hall Craft centre near Braintree, a new place for us and very pleasant it was.
On 2nd December the day turned out mild but a bit damp and six of us had a great day out riding some of the finest bendy roads in Essex and Suffolk. We all had delicious steak pie for lunch at Wally's Shed near Sudbury and afternoon refreshments in picturesque Thaxted. A nice day indeed.
On 9th the day was fresh and damp. Richard led five of us eastbound out of the 'smoke' and to the fresh air of Saafend. We had nice fish and chips for lunch and then country roads took us northbound to Malden where afternoon tea was taken on a café barge on the seafront. In the late sun and with high tides the views were an artists delight. Thanks Richard!
On Friday 14th December we had a pleasant Branch Christmas party at the Volunteer Pub. Food, drink, dancing and a raffle featured. Some of us may have had a hangover the next day!
On the Sunday six of us took a ride up to Brown's Café near Thetford. A pub we had gone to was full and we had to sit outside in the fresh sun at Brown's. It was a nice occasion, despite the food not being very generous, with a later stop west of Haverhill.
6th January 2019 we joined Essex and Kent for a pleasant run to Clacton for fish and chips. It was a bit fresh and drizzly but a nice day out, thanks to Roland for organising and leading.. 17 went!
On 13th January we decided on a run at late notice due to the unexpectedly good weather forecast. Most of the route was on fine and dry country roads and we went from High Beech to the Silver Ball café on the A10 for tea. There our group was dynamically boosted to six in number by Simon and Mick B. Lunch was taken at the fine Ambience café at St Neots and afternoon refreshments at a pub in Puckridge, From there we headed off home. A luvely day of fine biking.
20th January a late plan was formed to visit the Super Sausage near Milton Keynes for a low calorie lunch. Despite the cold three of us went and met Paul there. Unfortunately salad was not on the menu! We had a very nice run with a later stop at Tapps tearoom before doing the Baldock bends.. A nice brisk day out.
On 10th February the day was cold and grey but Richard led a great ride into Kent for lunch at Folkystone. Some great roads were used and we did about 200 miles in all. Five of our stoutest members did the ride and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was fish and chips for lunch! Thanks Richard!
On 17th eight of us took a lovely country route to Burnham for lunch followed by tea on the Barge at Malden. It was a fine day and warm for February but I, Steve, came off my bike! Double dratt! Some very slippery road salt on a slow corner did it. Only minor damage and a bruise or two resulted. I would have cornered faster if it was full on wet!
On 24th February on a fine day, Richard and Dave P led a great run to Half Penny Pier in Harwich for lunch with afternoon tea taken at Walton. Some of the finest local roads were used and five people took part.
After a wet and windy start to the month we finally managed a ride on March 17th! A newish route was used to get to Bury Lane Farm shop for lunch. Its near Royston. Nice as always. We then used a favourite route through the Hadhams to get to Harlow where we took afternoon tea at another farm shop, Mayfields, also nice. Some unexpected rain and hail did not spoil a good day out.
On 24th March five of the Team had a nice long day out going to Loomies Bikers café to the South West of London. Good roads and good weather made for an enjoyable day and the Ride was led by Tim..
On 31st ten were involved in a cracking run to Krazy Horse at Bury-S-Eds. Good food there and classy but expensice bikes and clothing on sale. My type of place! The day was bright and a bit chilly and the roads were great. I took us a new way via Saffron Walden and Newmarket. Afternoon tea was taken at nice farm shop near Dunmow. A great day out...
On 7th April John C led a well attended run to the Lilley Arms for an excellent lunch. Great roads were taken which ran via Wormley Forest, Bayford and Codicote. Next stop was the Sportsbike Shop at Milton Keynes where the friendly staff helped the Team unload their wallets! Everyone went home with a full stomach, some good gear and a smile. Thanks John!
By gosh 14th was a good day! Seven of us had some great food at the aptly named Ambience cafe at St Neots. Great roads got us there and even better ones were to follow. The B660 which we took through Kimbolton and on to Ramsey is stupendous! It was a chilly day and afternoon sustenance was needed and taken at a nice farm shop on the A1198, think it was Arrington, or something like that. A great lead by Steve (me) the spiritual leader of the gang... No! Really....
On Easter Friday Richard did a marvellous lead to Hunstanton for lunch at the Lighthouse cafe. Weather, roads and company were top notch, with a howling banshee of eight bikes involved. There was no Easter Egg Hunt unfortunately and no one took up my offer of 'Chase me, chase me instead !' A great day out..
On 28th April we were kindly invited to join Kent and Essex Branches for a run down to Rye in Sussex. It was a great day with nice roads and very well attended. 16 bikes and 20 persons involved.
On the early May bank holiday seven us had a weekend in Scarborough where we met up with Mark and Mick from the West Yorks Branch for a ride out on the Sunday. Simon kindly led it and we went through Dalby Forest, the North York Moors and lunch at the famous Seaways Bikers cafe. After that we visited Flamborough Head before back to base at the Clifton Hotel. It was a great weekend, if a bit chilly and we enjoyed meeting Folk oop Norf.
Sunday 20th Steve was proud to lead a Ride on an Honda, at last, his new old CBF500 proving a great little runner. Morning break at Thaxford with lunch at Sible Hedingham. We were meant to cross the Strood to Mersea next, but the tide was still covering it so we went to Maldon sea front instead. We went into our favourite barge cafe and sat in the nice little area shown. Should we form a book club?
Over late May bank holiday the branch were involved in two Rides. Ten went to Welshpool for our annual trip staying at the lovely Severn Farm. The weather was pretty good and the roads and scenery as stunning as always. We were away for four days and had a great time and ate at some nice places in the evening. Thanks for organising again Dave!
On the Monday a group of some remaining Members had a lovely run to Margate, but it being so busy there, Margate Meltdown being very popular, they then went on to Deal for a nice fish and chip lunch. An excellent way to spend the day.
1st-8th June ten of us were involved in a Biking trip to near Limoges in S.France. We stayed for five nights with BbsBiking with the other two getting down and back in Chartres. We had some fantastic riding on quiet roads and the weather was generally good, though with a little rain at times. The food was as good as one would expect and the trip was a great sucess with few problems. Thanks to Steve J for organising.
On 9th June Graham led a nice ride out with nine people involved. From Birchanger services we went through Newport and up the A11 for coffee at Barton Mills before going on for lunch at Dents Farm cafe, Hilgay. We thern returned to our morning stop via Swafham and Mundford before heading home. A very pleasant day out.
