Retro Rides award night

Another year rolls round so it must be time for the Retro Rides award night at the Ace Cafe. With a weeks job postponed I was faced with office based work which meant it was far easier to bring the Beetle into work and get a head start on the rush hour. 90 minutes later I coasted into the carpark, a scattering of classics already parked up. And pulled along side a Caterham 21, a modern classic and rarely seen on the roads.



Inside I sat and nattered whilst munching on a full English, slowly the place filled up with more RRers. Talk of Christmas, beards and Guiding filled the air beofre I donned my coat for the arctic walk round. The carpark was now loaded with a curious mix of regular classics and RR fodder.











The road outside was full of modern dailys, through the dark came a pair of weak headlights on a Buckler Trials car, the owner had left the mud from his latest exploits on it along with a pair of spare wheels on the back.



Along the front more classics were lined up including a stunning Damiler SP250.



Wafty, comfy ride with a luxurious interior. And its parked next to a Rolls Royce.





The last stragglers came in as the awards were due to start, this minty fresh TVR Vixen the pick of the bunch for me. With a bit of drizzle falling I headed inside for a drink and the warmth.





A megaphoned Hotwire called out the winners and announced the new dates and venue for this years Gathering. I shall be adding a new hillclimb track to my list of places with Shelsley Walsh the choice.





With everyone happy and some more chatting it was time to head home, a quick photoshoot with a friends 80s 911 first and then the very wet cruise back.



Steve.

New Years Day washout

Once again the first day of a new year means a trip to the A30 for the classic car meet. Sadly after a few bright by chilly days over Christmas, January first dawned damp and dreary. This then turned to wet and windy. But we set off and sailed down the lanes to the pub. As we approached it was clear the turn out was down a lot on previous years. instead of the hundreds of amazing classics and sportscars there were under fifty. I left Kim and Lily in the dry and headed out, bumping into VW chum Alan and RR chum Nick on route.









The front carpark was only just full up and that included some modern cars. Round the back was empty save for a handful of 70s saloons including this barn find 1978 Datsun with under 1000 miles from new. The tale was of a man buying it brand new and not passing his test so leaving it in the garage.











Back to the main road again we wandered towards the traffic lights, but there was nothing to see there at all. Everyone who did turn up made a huge effort, none more than the bikers and this Riley owner who braved the weather in flying hat and goggles.







Alan and I headed back to the Camper and nattered to Kim while Lily played inside before we risked a short walk down to Alans van. Its a slightly sorry start to the year, but things can hopefully only get better!



Steve.

Krispy Kreme Khristmas

Somehow we've managed to go almost a whole year without a doughnut run. But with the decorations up and home and our friend Steve at a loose end we decided to make a festive go of it once more. Heading up in sunshine, it soon turned to gloom, but the American car owners had made the effort and the carpark was full up.







The old RM van was interesting, I never did find out the full story, but it had a thumping pair of pipes out the back and the engine certainly wasn't stock! We crossed over and headed into the main carpark at the back. Despite some familiar cars on show, there was several new ones as well.











With a spit of rain in the air we headed indoors and ordered drinks and a dozen of the sugary treats including a mincepie and festive truffle version. Mmmm



Lily picked one with sprinkles on and demolished it along with her lunch.



I spied Retro Cars very own Dbizzle loitering outside so popped out for a chat and wander round. He also hadn't visited for a few months either.







With everything seen and eaten, we headed for the car and home. Via a stop off at Mercedes World to play in the cars and KFC for a cheeky lunch! Thats it for our show season, thirty assorted shows, meets, camps and races is a good and varied haul. Roll on 2014

Steve.

Dr B's Toy Run

Its now a well established Christmas tradition that we try and get to watch the Toy Run some where along its route. In the past we've gone to the start and the finish. This year with other things on during the day we started early and headed for the Foster Wheeler carparks just after 11am as the bikers started to arrive. Around 2000 bikes, trikes, quads and a tuctuc amassed over a couple of hours, we sipped coffee and wandered amongst them.









The hundred or so marshalls that ensure a smooth convoy we getting in the spirit too.













With the time ticking away to the road closures, we decided to bail out. Kim and Lily off to a crafty afternoon. Our friend Steve and me, back to ours to park up and walk back to the main route. As the clocks hit 2pm, the signs came out and the roads onto Lower Earley Way were shut down and the convoy began. For 35 minutes non stop and constant stream of decorated bikes and riders came past to a huge crowd and cheers, sweets were thrown out, horns blasted and the winter sun shone on it all.





























The stream began to thin out and the marshalls at our roundabout mounted up and join the end of the line. Another year over as they headed for Wokingham with thousands of toys for local kids. Its a heart warming sight to behold.

Steve.