Well, we are almost at the end of 2025 and so it seems right to look back on what
a busy year it has been. Far busier than what I thought it would be or what I could
do. Possibly due to Sunshine and the determination to get out, your continued support
has also helped a lot along with pain killers.
While I have had to use the car for events further from home and for safety, (it
also makes a great seat to take photos from) I’ve managed over 2500 miles on the
scooter. It’s been good and even a couple of incidents haven’t stopped my enthusiasm,
even though I have also had to cancel and adapt plans too. For those that ask I am
as fixed as I can be but still need the walking stick and lots of rest.
I’m lucky that in the South East is so busy and there is as ever a great mix of events,
from Bikes, Scooters, Hot-rods and anything else which sounds cool, so managed around
100 events. I also must thank all those I bumped into who have taken time to chat
as encouraged me a lot.
After the wettest start the year and spring, the glorious summer was packed and although
I may not have attended as many week night meetings as hoped, as didn’t have enough
energy after attending so many events on each weekend sometimes, I just wasn’t able
too, I still have a full-time job as well as family and hospital trips. I’ve also
had to plan my visits to ensure plenty of rest stops. So staying local I also seemed
to visit Ardingly a lot for various events and made good use of my Brooklands pass.
Some of the local bike nights and breakfast clubs have grown and grown and the number
of venues providing meets also. These have included local NCC meets, local bike clubs,
Spur hot rod night, Selsey Scooter meet, Mancave cars and coffee, Mono Motorcycles,
West Beach Cafe and Ockham Bites Bike Night all which have become very popular, and
the Saddlers Arms at Send is steadily becoming a place to be.
There is already a long list of events for next year on website and several seperated
albums of fliers on Facebook. Please remember when creating fliers for events, the
important details: Address of venue (please don’t just say “red lion” without a town)
Date and time should also be visible, as really helps to get the word out.
I look forward to seeing you out and about next year.
Highlights this year have included in no particular order:
Having more articles published in magazines, which has encouraged me a lot and made
me feel worthwhile when recovering.
New Years Day Tractors, the rain was biblical but still a good turnout, the illuminated
Christmas tractor run in December was also good.
Silent rumble, a blustery afternoon for a great cause and a great little show.
Cool Flo nights at Brooklands, just are wonderfully chilled evenings with a great
vibe.
Kickback at 3 Counties ground in April, what a great show, despite me getting a speeding
ticket when visiting (34 in a 30) on way to nearby Hotel and a nice speed awareness
course. 5 halls of Hot-rods and Custom bikes a great mix, had a great atmosphere,
and next year more halls are promised.
Early Hook up, a gloriously sunny day in Oxford with cool choppers and smiles and
sunshine a fab venue too especially as an emergency change of site.
Summer search was an interesting distraction found on Instagram and made me get out
and be motivated finding various photo opportunities.
Bulldog run/ Petersfield scooter mega meet both scooter meets were incredible, with
huge turnouts, I will be back to Petersfield again and keeping an ear out for the
date.
I managed 3 Easter Egg runs including a scooter one to a local hospice.
Musos on Bikes as ever a relaxed and chilled afternoon and Taigan’s band was Fab.
Meeting Yoda, for the first time in ages, even though the weather so bad we didn’t
get to planned show, our impromptu to the National Motorcycle Museum a good day hopefully
next year we will make a show.
Mancave cars and classics. This monthly breakfast meet has a great mix of vehicles
and is steadily growing.
It was nice to get to Kent for the Rejects Brotherhood one day show
Sadly the Test Valley show was so very wet but had a great atmosphere.
Spur gear nights also have a fab vibe and interesting mix of vehicles in a lovely
setting.
Some ride outs with local scooter clubs, and the Saturday meets at my local pub.
We hope to do some again next year, and I’ve still avoided adding some aerials on
my scooter.
Union 24 is a promising new show with modern classics and customs, had a good vibe,
and plenty of stalls etc, but needs better advertising (just a shareable poster would
be good) for more footfall, next year is October 11.
Ardingly Classic shows always something new to see, and interesting stuff on stalls
Big 7 rally my first scooter rally was an eye opener after years of bike rallies,
so much cleaner and more emphasis on the look and sounds, some cool customs.
Motorcycle Live I was so glad by breaking journey up by finding a hotel and renting
a scooter at the show I had a chance to go. Shame they don’t have many customs but
still good to see the new models and nice to see not all based around race style
bikes. Many 300-400cc models which seem to be popular. And cropping up at many events
now.
Pioneer run and pioneer run plus; with the addition of the slightly younger machines,
it certainly has increased the entries and the feel-good day this is. Leonard’s lee
Gardens is a great place halfway and close to home. I just wish we could bring the
smells to you of the hot oil etc as these wonderful old bikes pass. Next year its
back to its spiritual calendar date of March 22.
Mono Motorcycles Breakfast are always good a happy visit with an ace breakfast van.
Selsey scooter meets have been nice and an excuse then to ride along the coast after.
The Rykas Sunset rallies have been busy, and at times busier than I can handle, sadly
never got to Alton or Pineridge this year. But with my work location moving they
will be back on the cards as easier.
Chopper club evenings are always relaxed, and the Sussex and Surrey shows were both
fabulous, especially as found a seat at both shows.
Redhill cruise was crazily busy, with some unique vehicles and once again the sun
shone.
It's been nice to meet up with the Kings Lynn scooter boys on our many trips to see
family.
Brooklands events: so glad of disabled parking on site, Bike Day was ace, the American
day was superb with a great mix. Shame the veteran day wasn’t quite so big, but still
good.
Brighton Mod weekender was blessed with sunshine and smiles, so good I went two days
over the weekend. It’s as much for people to be seen as the scene.
2026 plans?
Looking forward to 2026 I will keep digging around and finding a mix of events for
you all, for all styles of vehicles, as you all seem to love the listing, please
keep sending me interesting events.
I have decided to keep my Brooklands membership as that is great for days when I
cannot go too far.
I still haven’t managed the Trip out or the 101 Run so I must try and sort that out
for at least one of them. I must venture to Kent more, and some other events north
of the Thames. And then there are the regulars I couldn’t make this year due to clashes
which I will do best to be at next year.
Please do keep sending the ideas, they are greatly appreciated
Whatever you have planned for 2026 have a great time
4 Albums of favourite photos, Jan-Mar, April to June, July to September, October
to December
