UK sv650.org RIDE-OUT 2001 INFORMATION

2001 ride-out images

If you took any that day feel free to send them in....

Last years ride-out was successful, the sun shone and I hope everyone enjoyed the experience. With that in mind were going to do it again this year. To see last years information go here and to see last years pictures from the day go here.

PLEASE READ: As you'd expect the disclaimers from me are that I am not responsible in any way for any accidents, incidents, thefts, damage or injuries to either person or machine (always looking on the bright side of life!) and that this is not an event organised under any club, association or such like. It's just a public gathering of SV lovers and no more. Of course, if you have a good time it is my fault and you can thank me :- )      I needed to say all that......sorry to bore you.

So now you know. If you're still interested keep Sunday 13th May free and come and meet other SVites.

For directions and other information see below...

Harly's diner (next to M&P) (also known as Fox's Diner) will be the best place to meet up - it's a major meeting place for bikers. The food is excellent and the portions 
immense. The cafe and M&P has enough parking for all the weekend bikers in the area so that should not be a problem. The only caution is that the police do gatso from the bridge immediately before the cafe -

If you're coming up from reading you'll go through Benson then through a 30 limit village and then the road opens up into what should be 2 lanes either way but is in fact a single lane. Watch the bridge....  you have been warned...

The start/finish is at an M&P outlet and bikers cafe. PLEASE consider locals when sounding off your latest race cans and be watchful of the local plod and Gatso's etc. If you can please visit the M&P shop and cafe if open (might upset them less when they see 20-30 SV's turn up on their door-step!).

I suggest the following route based on feedback I've received...

Start at M&P/cafe (see Location above)
South on A4074 towards Reading
Turn Right onto A329 - through Wallingford to Pangbourne
Turn Right onto A340 to Theale
Turn Right onto A4 towards Newbury
Through Newbury to Hungerford

Either of the routes depending on how you feel, weather etc....

Route 1:

At Hungerford Turn Right (North) onto A338 to Wantage 
Through Wantage to junction with A415
Turn Right (East) through Abingdon
M&P/cafe at junction of A415 and A4074

or Route 2:

At Hungerford Turn Right then Left onto B4192 towards Swindon
Turn Right (North) onto A419 (bypass Swindon)
Turn Right (East) onto A420 past Faringdon
Turn Right onto A415 through Abingdon
M&P/cafe at junction of A415 and A4074

You'll need to look at a map and not just follow my rough directions. 
I have not included milage and some of the junction instructions maybe
incorrect - I do not know these roads and have just looked at a map
for guidance.

If you can provide more detailed directions please email me and I'll post them. Ta.

Looking forward to a rideout, lets hope the sun shines. The M & P is at Berinsfield and I think the cafe is called Harley's Diner (or that's what it looks like as I ride past!). Be warned: there are a few Gatso's around that area (as there are in much of Oxfordshire)

04/04/01 Start / End place

I've been informed that there is a M&P outlet and a bikers cafe on the A4074 between Oxford and Reading. This sounds like a good place to meet up and start/end. Does anyone know the name or telephone number of the Bikers Cafe there? If you do please let me know.

I received this email from Chris and it takes us in the area I wanted it to go. *I will publish the definitive route and map later but this is for starters*.....

27/03/01 - A suggestion or two from chris Chris.Dooley@btinternet.com 

I live in Reading so could advise on where the good roads are and 'biker friendly' pubs. Unfortunately I'll be off on a Mountain Biking trip from the 4th to the 15th May (Down the Atlas mountains in Morocco!) but my SV and me will send our regards.  poor you ;- )

A good route would be to meet up in Reading as it's easy to get to. 
From there head down the A4 to Newbury which is a open road (2 lanes but 3 car widths side to side). 
Follow the A4 into and out of Newbury to Hungerford. This stretch is wide open and very very fast, wind her up into top gear and watch that license go!
Before you get to Hungerford you take the A338 to Wantage. This is a much slower country road - still 2 lane but standard width. Twisty and technical V nice. 
Once in Wantage you go onto the A417 which is again a nice twisty road. 
At the end of this road you can take the A329 back into Reading town centre. - This can be extended out to include further roads if you so wish

e.g.
A4 through Malborough to Avebury where a Stone circle is - Good pub but Don't have the bangers and Mash :-( Choice of roads there get back to me if you want some more info.

Thanks Chris! Do you (OR ANYONE ELSE!) know know of a good start / end point where 30-40 bikes could park up without getting hassled?

Also....more info from Chris...

I found a good routes site on this address

http://www.bytefactory.com/mcycle/index.shtml 

and here are a couple of routes around the reading area

B4494 From : Wantage to : Newbury

An interesting road in Oxfordshire? Well, it's mostly Berkshire. A great mixture of tight twisty bits, long straights and fast curves, rolling uphill and down. Mostly dry, clean and good visibility. Very few side-roads to worry about. Watch out though - some bends tighten up unexpectedly, and there's the usual risk of mud and c*** from the farms en route. Gravel on the first few bends in the woods. Only one Gatso to date (as you re-enter Oxon from Berks), and I've never seen a police car. Never really busy, but if you avoid rush hour you'll have it all to yourself. In summer I'll drive miles out of my usual way home to re-visit this old favourite ... and I just come back the same way, it's that good!

A4 From : Theale to : Christened Kneesliders
Head North East from Theale on the A4 and just before you get to Junction 12 of the M4 you'll come across a great, on-camber roundabout with a clear view of traffic 
from all directions. Warm up here but this one can be quite busy so take the right exit off and you'll find yourself at an Industrial Estate with two linked roundabouts which are perfect for first-time sliders. On a Sunday there is almost no traffic there; we saw three cars there in half an hour, one of which was a security patrol who seemed more than willing to turn a blind eye... 

A4& B4192 From : Newbury to : Swindon
Starting from Newbury take the A4 to Hungerford. The road can be busy but there are many wonderful overtaking opportunities, wide and with good vision. Leave Hungerford on the A4 towards Marlborough but quickly turn right onto the B4192. I did this on a Saturday at 11am and there was very little traffic, just some great straights, a couple of very pretty villages and enough bends to satisfy those much braver than me. The only trouble is you end up in Swindon but you can then go up to Faringdon on the A420, to Wantage on the A417 and then back to Newbury via the B4494, a great road. The whole journey is about 45 miles with lots of stopping off places.