Thames Valley Motorcycle Lodge No.9885

Sunday October 2nd to the West Bay, Dorset, for Fish & Chips

Hmm, Seems the coordinator Marcus Hilsdon is being a bit lazy with his report or any photos.....

4th September - 1st 9am at Sindlesham then a ride to the 2nd meeting point, Hungerford high street by the town hall, in the cafe.

A4 from Hungerford to Marlborough, A4 to Avebury roundabout, A361 to Devises, Trowbridge, and then Shepton Mallet.
North on the A37 towards Midsomer Norton.
Turn left onto the B3135, this is the scenic road that will take us all the way through the Chedder Gorge along the Cliff Road.

This is not the most direct route, but it does avoid the busy town of Chippenham and the very very busy Bath, Trowbridge is the only real traffic we should hit.

A stop then at one of the many cafes at Chedder for some lunch.

The route back depends on who wants to get back at what time, you could jump onto the M5 then M4 (quickest). Or drop down the A37 to the A303 then blatt back to Basingstoke via Andover. ( nice quickish run) Or go back the way we come... Im sure all the way routes will be used by someone.

On the 7th of August, we held our (now) annual BIKER BBQ BASH in Barkham ....... in the sun....again!

	Sunday 7th August guaranteed glorious sunshine for the (newly) annual Thames Valley Motorcycle Lodge barbecue. Organised by Neil Harvey and taking place in his huge garden, the masonic bikers and partners gathered from 1pm arriving on an array of motorcycles from Harley Davidsons to Marcus Hilsdon on his Triumph Rocket and a wonderful Harley trike ridden in by Kathy Aris.
All of the bikes made quite a picture parked on the lawn. A fabulous afternoon ensued. Lots of drink, Pimms for the ladies, and a sizzling BBQ with delicious choices for all. Entertainment came in the form of a tug of war. A competition that nobody wanted to lose.
	Great conversation, new friend’s made, old friends relaxed. Hot sunshine throughout the afternoon. WM Andy White thanked everyone for attending and Neil and his partner Jayne for catering and cooking.
A definite date for the diaries, same Sunday next Summer. Many thanks to all those who turned up in support. Report by Martin Sando

The TVMCL (Thames Valley Motorcycle Lodge) took advantage of the glorious June weather with a jaunt to the South coast on the first Sunday of the month.

The bikers met in Hungerford at 9am for coffee and chat before setting off on the proposed ride to Poole harbour. This was to include a stop to take in the Fovant Badges on the way.

Or that was the intention!...

 There were 11 keen motorcyclists, when they started. Heading off on the A338, winding across the beautiful Berkshire/ Wiltshire countryside. Fabulous clear roads and the sun shining overhead they took single file on the country lanes on a variety of bikes from the Kawasaki Ninja, to the Triumph Rocket and Harley Davidson Street glide as they headed towards Salisbury.

 They said their first cheerio to one rider (Dean) at Salisbury, heading to Southampton, another 10 mins later and then took the A30 towards the Fovant Badges. Arriving to enjoy a brief break, a photo call and look at the famous military badges carved into the hillside (above, L-R: Martin, Sarah, Marcus, Andy (“the Stig”), Andy, Dave, Clive, Roger, Colin). Here they were joined by another friend to boost numbers and a decision made to head for Compton Abbas airfield to look at the vintage planes and have a lunch in the sunshine.

 Compton Abbas proved an excellent idea and an enjoyable hour was spent chatting, eating and watching the flying displays in the hot sunshine.

From here our riders split into three groups. Marcus Hilsdon and Andy White heading back towards Marlborough and home with several others to enjoy the twisty roads.

Martin and Sarah Sando carried on to Shaftsbury (to the pub) with his friend who had met them at Fovant Badges and had a relaxed afternoon enjoying the sunshine.

Stalwarts Clive and Roger stuck to the original plan and headed on to Poole and had a thoroughly good catch up by the harbour.

A most enjoyable day was had by all.

A great ride, with wonderful weather. Thanks all of those who came along for the ride-out.

Report by Martin Sando

Our Lodge has taken part in almost every Masonic Centre Open Day in 2016. Attending the Wokingham event in April, we even made it into the local paper!

At least seven members from TVMCL joined the annual Toy Run from Shinfield to Wokingham this year, and five of them marshalling.

A number of our members have ridden this event for more than a few years, and one or two are regular marshals. But this year was different, becasue those who took on the role of marshal, outnumbered those doing the regular ride. And for at least for of them, for the very first time! 

It was not a bad day for riding as it happened, though as a few of us found out, not quite as comfortable for standing around as a marshal. But that is not to say that it detracted at all from the day - it didn't! Riders and marshals alike, enjoyed the whole day as we have done for years. Looking forward to the next one already. I wonder if we can get into double figures next year? Consider the gauntlet laid!

Top Left photo – Marshals' bike park (L-R Richard, Ian, Marcus, Mike, Colin, Neil)

Report by Neil H