On Tuesday 17th May, four from West London joined Oxford branch at their club night at The Jolly Boatman.
Mike Evans founder member of the HOC was their guest speaker and it was an opportunity for us to donate funds raised by Dan Walton from the sale of some of Mike’s old biking gear, to the local SERV blood runners coordinated by Erica.
We were given a warm welcome by the Oxford Branch who enjoyed Mike’s recollections of how the HOC started.
A few days later on Sunday 22nd May, we met up with Oxford again as Tony Surridge lead eight from West London, including Dave Lamont on his Africa Twin, on a scenic route to Turville in The Chilterns – location for The Vicar of Dibley.
There, we met up with five from Oxford to enjoy the quaint village and even quainter Windmill up on the hill – as featured in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and many other films.
Thanks to Mark Clargo for leading us on to The Cheese Shed at nearby Nettlebed – it’s always great to find a new cafe. On the way back we followed the Thames via Henley and Wargrave, Windsor and Runnymede.
All in all, both were good days out with the opportunity for the branches to talk bikes and get to know each other better.
Jon Stone
