Journal Report January 2022
Thursday 20thJanuary – Meet Up Ride Triumph 1902 Cafe
It all started well, the temperature outside was -1 so a delayed start allowed the temperature to rise significantly to +3 degrees, getting my heated jacket on this morning…
We were meeting at the Starbucks attached to the Esso station in Bicester, I arrived quite early after an lovely ride from home near Thame, through Long Crendon and along the B4011, a very popular biking road, but not this morning, I was definitely “billy no mates”……
This was a popular meet with over 14 people wanting to come along, however only 7 actually made it.. wonder if it was mention of mud and HS2 blockages…
A great route ensured, around 2 hours duration and a variety of surfaces, from fast A & B roads to trail riding (sorry chaps) and along most of the Fosse Way, an amazing Roman road, which was traffic free for us to enjoy. All too soon we reached the outskirts of Hinckley and suddenly were confronted by lots of cars and HGV’s, a very different road to the one we had enjoyed only moments ago…
The company was excellent as always, the banter keeping us amused as we munched lunch, a special thank you to Steve Moxey for “volunteering” to be tail end charlie, a excellent job too… and a warm welcome to Sean Logan who joined us for the first time and hopefully enjoyed his “off road” experience.
We managed to raise £22 for our TVAA and green biking charities, an excellent effort, well done chaps..
Wednesday 12thJanuary – Along the Icknield Way to Dunstable Downs: James O’Shea
The weather was no surprise. It was January, a bit on the cool side (6C) heavy mist likely but no trace of it in South Bucks. Quick check of the Meetup app on my phone – despite the ease of posting ‘not attending’ we still had a full set of 8 members for the ride! Clearly BMW Club members are made of sterner stuff. My route along the M40 to our meeting point at Benson Riverside was promising – gentle sunshine and blue skies but emerging through the Stokenchurch gap – a pea souper was much in evidence. Not to worry, the RT was wearing a set of handlebar muffs – apparently very popular on Panther 600cc sidecar outfits in the 50’s and I had the customary 6 layers including a toasty heated Keis jacket and boot insoles. A warm welcome at Benson and a timely warning from Markus about the ice patch in the car park alongside Father Thames. Fortunately, the only ice we would encounter that day.
Suitably refreshed by coffee and tales of bravery on how we survived Christmas and New Year we ventured out, an hour later than usual. Our route took us north-east towards the Chilterns along one of the Four Royal Routes, which medieval history claims to be from pre-historic times. Drivers in Buckinghamshire would claim the condition of the road is returning us to those times! We traverse Wallingford, Christmas Common and Chinnor. After a misty start the bright low elevation sun becomes a bit of a hazard. A slow chomp up past Princes Risborough, Wendover and Tring. The tree fellers are out in abundance and each team set up their own set of temporary traffic lights. Despite a few blood-shot ambers our progress is SLOW! Arriving at Dunstable Downs NT lookout for a leg stretch much disappointment is expressed on the absence of recreational drug paraphernalia (as per a previous rideout).
Time to admire the splendid Chiltern Hills and point out in a friendly way the many shortcomings of our fellow road users particularly motorhome owners . . . . .
Part 2, apart from the road closure at Whipsnade Zoo (only a 5 mile diversion) we enjoyed more of a brisker ride down the eastern side of the Downs. Roads remained a little slippery passing through Dagnall, Ringshall and the Ashridge Estate towards Albury (whoops very minor mis-route here). A final gentle cruise through Bucks lanes to the Flying Pig in the Pantry just outside Chesham. About 60 miles and 2 hours riding it was good to blow away winter cobwebs. Another enjoyable day out in good company and lively conversation. Fond farewells as we headed home after a pleasant lunch and the joyful prospect of 4 hours separating filthy Chiltern roads from our pride and joys.
By the way, if anyone wants any of the routes featured, just drop me a line dave.tomlinson@bmwoxford.comand I would be happy to share or even welcome you on the next ride out..
Safe riding
Dave Tomlinson
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