The latest news from the oily end of motorcycling….
The VMCC Dorset Section’s GIANTS Run was held this weekend in blazing sunshine. It has become one of the standout events in the vintage motorcycle calendar – evidenced by the 100 entries that were capped and submitted within days of it being advertised.
Created specifically for girder-fork motorcycles, the run brings together riders from across Britain – and increasingly overseas – for a weekend celebrating some of motorcycling’s earliest and most characterful machinery. It is run by a couple of motorcycling connoisseurs a.k.a Pinky and Perky and their team from the Dorset VMCC section who do a fantastic job to get the event up and running. Held around the rolling lanes of Dorset, the event combines scenic routes, relaxed camaraderie and the unmistakable sight of pre-war motorcycles thudding through the countryside.
Here are a few snaps we took at the event.
The Sammy Miller Pit Stop
Sammy’s Pit Stop Café was named Coffee Shop of the Year
The Museum is delighted to announce that on Tuesday 24th March, Sammy’s Pit Stop Café was named Coffee Shop of the Year at the New Milton Advertiser & Times Food and Drink Awards 2026, held at the Beaulieu Inn Hotel. Nominated by the public from across the New Forest and Christchurch, and judged by industry experts, the accolade marks a significant achievement for the team.
Based at the heart of the Museum, Sammy’s Pit Stop has quickly earned a reputation for its welcoming atmosphere and inclusive, allergy-friendly menu. Judges praised the café’s outstanding standard of service, while customers highlighted its relaxed, friendly environment.
The team at Sammy’s Pit Stop extend their sincere thanks to their loyal customers for their continued support.
With the New Forest boasting a wealth of excellent eateries, competition was understandably fierce. That makes this recognition all the more impressive – particularly for a café that has been open little more than a year. It’s a clear sign that Sammy’s Pit Stop is already operating at the very top of its game.
Tuesday Morning Ride In
Our Tuesday morning ride-in is going from strength to strength, with an ever-growing number of riders joining us for a relaxed catch-up over excellent coffee and freshly baked cakes, all prepared on site by the team. It’s the perfect setting to soak up the welcoming atmosphere, admire an ever changing line up of machines, and swap stories from the road with fellow enthusiasts.
The café, now settled into its new location within the Museum complex, has quickly established itself as a real hub for bikers and visitors alike. With many groups returning regularly, it’s clear that the combination of friendly service, great food, and a vibrant, sociable atmosphere is proving a resounding success.
Velocette Marks a Century Since Landmark TT Victory
One hundred years on from Alec Bennett’s legendary 1926 Junior TT victory, the Velocette Owners’ Club is preparing to celebrate a defining moment in British motorcycling history with a special centenary event on the Isle of Man.
Taking place on Sunday 14 June 2026, the celebration will centre around a commemorative ride of the famous TT circuit – a fitting tribute to the machine and rider that helped cement Velocette’s reputation for engineering excellence.
The story has long passed into vintage motorcycling folklore. Following a test ride of the new 350cc bevel-drive overhead camshaft Velocette, Bennett reportedly declared that he would ride the machine in the Junior TT – and if he failed to win, he would not expect to be paid. His confidence proved well founded.
Mounted aboard the Velocette, and despite a collision with a bank on the last lap, he took the chequered flag with a 10 minute gap to second place and helped establish the marque as one of the great names of interwar competition motorcycling. The win also marked the beginning of a lasting TT legacy for the Birmingham firm.
Several events are planned across the centenary weekend, with the circuit ride reserved exclusively for Velocette machines, although owners of other marques are welcome at additional gatherings and celebrations.
Anyone interested in attending is asked to contact isleofman-centre@velocetteowners.com
The Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale
The Bonhams Stafford Sale at The International Classic MotorCycle Show on 25-26 April proved to be one of the most remarkable motorcycle auctions in recent years, with records tumbling across the board. The headline sale was the ex-works 1965 MV Agusta 500cc Grand Prix machine raced by Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini (formerly owned by John Surtees). Estimated at £160,000-220,000, fierce bidding drove the final price to an astonishing £967,000 including premium, setting a new world record for an Italian motorcycle at auction and becoming the second most expensive motorcycle ever sold.
Another star of the sale was the ex-Barry Sheene 1977 works Suzuki RG500 XR14 World Championship machine. One of only two factory bikes Sheene used during his title-winning 1977 season, it sold for £506,000 including premium against an estimate of £160,000-200,000, establishing a new world record for a Japanese motorcycle sold at auction.
At the other end of the scale, a circa-2005 replica of the legendary 1885 Daimler Reitwagen – the machine associated with the first ever motorcycle journey by Gottlieb Daimler’s son Paul – smashed its £5000-8000 estimate to achieve £48,300 including premium.
The veteran and vintage categories were also well alive and kicking.
The quirky c.1902 Holden was a bike that could flop or flourish, and it did well with a hammer fall of £41,400 incl. premium. A Model 11 Sunbeam Sprint also smashed the estimate with the final bid coming in at £62,100 incl. premium, a record price for a Sunbeam – the Gentleman’s Motorcycle after all – and this one was top drawer.
There were also some bargains to be had, such as a 1924 Wanderer that sold for 8,280 incl. premium, and a 1928 Norton CS1 that went for £13,800 incl. premium
Overall, the Stafford Sale achieved £4.208 million in motorcycle sales against a combined low estimate of £2.208 million, with 100% of lots sold on day one and 96% sold on day two.
Rose of the Shires
Rose of the Shires. A Sunbeam Motorcycle Club event around the roads of Northamptonshire.
This fantastic event starts in the rural setting of Great Brington in Northamptonshire, and the route passes the ancestral home of the Spencer family, Althorp House.
Eligibility: Open to any persons, whether club member or not, entering a Veteran, (pre 1915) Vintage (pre 1931) or Post Vintage (pre 1940 structurally unmodified) motorcycle, sidecar, tricycle or three-wheeler of any make.
See below for further details.
— 22/04/2026 —
Behind the Scenes with the Blood Bikers
Across the UK, Blood Bike charities – coordinated by organisations such as the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes – provide a vital, volunteer-run lifeline to the NHS, transporting blood, organs, samples, donor milk and urgent medical supplies between hospitals completely free of charge. Operating largely out of hours and in all conditions, these riders and controllers give their time to ensure that critical items reach patients quickly, saving both lives and significant public funds.
This brilliant film by Luther Clayton goes behind the scenes of that world, following a dedicated documentarian as he shadows a Blood Biker through a live shift – capturing the quiet urgency and the human stories behind each call-out. It’s an intimate look at a service most people never see, shining a light on the commitment, professionalism, and understated heroism that keeps this remarkable volunteer network moving.
— 26/03/2026 —
The 1000 Bikes Revival
This is one in the calendar that is worth a thought.
Organised by Live Promotions as part of the circuit’s anniversary celebrations, the event revives the spirit of the much-loved Festival of 1000 Bikes that for many years brought thousands of enthusiasts to Mallory Park. The Revival promises a full weekend dedicated to the machines, riders and culture that have shaped British motorcycle racing.
On track, spectators will see a packed programme of feature races and demonstrations, including the Classic Race of the Year, the Master of Mallory celebration race featuring notable riders and machines associated with the circuit, and a 50th anniversary tribute to Barry Sheene and the Suzuki RG500, commemorating their first 500cc World Championship title. Grand Prix and Formula two-stroke machinery will also feature prominently during the weekend.
Away from the circuit, the paddock and showground will host dirt track racing, trials demonstrations, a large classic and vintage race bike display, motorcycle club stands and trade exhibitors. Visitors can also enjoy meet-and-greet sessions with racing legends, alongside live music, street food, camping and evening entertainment.
Bringing together racing history, working machines and the community that surrounds them, the 1000 Bikes Revival promises to be a fitting celebration of seventy years of motorcycling at Mallory Park – and a highlight of the 2026 classic bike calendar.
Click here for more information.
— 14/03/2026 —
Entries Open for the Banbury Run
In 2026, the VMCC celebrates its 80th anniversary, and its premier road event – The Banbury Run – returns to the British Motor Museum at Gaydon on Sunday 7 June.
Rider entries are officially open – visit the website for details.
— 01/03/2026 —
Still Kicking – a NEW British Motorcycle Event
Still Kicking is exactly what it sounds like: old motorcycles, old friends, and no intention of slowing down.
Held over 10-12 July 2026 at Bottisham Airfield Museum, this new British gathering is about using veteran and vintage motorcycles – and cyclecars – as they were meant to be used. If it was built before 1936, it belongs here.
Inspired by the legendary Belgian run Where is Anna, Still Kicking leans hard into the social side of early motoring: relaxed sprints across grass, a proper Saturday road run, period dress encouraged, and plenty of time for conversation, mild misbehaviour, and mechanical fettling. Expect an international mix too, with riders already booked from across the UK and mainland Europe.
Friday is about arrival, camping, bar-room storytelling and optional sprinting. Saturday is the heart of the weekend – a thoughtfully planned 60-mile run by our mate David, split by machine age, with refreshment stops, pub lunch, and backup vans (always a bonus with the old bikes). Sunday offers an optional extra outing with the local Sunbeam Motorcycle Clubs Fen Tiger Run.
You don’t need any sort of club membership, just the right sort of machine and the right attitude. Bring one bike or several. Dress the part if you can. Ride it, sprint it, or simply prop up the bar and admire everyone else’s engineering decisions.
The event is hosted by The Timing Chest who are very clear on one thing: this is about community first, competition last. Numbers are limited, interest is high, and it’s shaping up to be one of those weekends people will quietly refer to in years to come as “the first one – when it all started.”
Click here for more details on this event which is quickly getting booked up.
— 18/02/2026 —
The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Celebrates the Life and Legacy of George Barber
Release from the Barber Museum:
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (February 17, 2026) – George W. Barber, Jr., founder of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum and Barber Motorsports Park, died peacefully on Sunday, February 15, following a brief illness. He was 85 years old.
Photo Credit: The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
Following graduation from Auburn University, Barber enlisted in the Alabama Air National Guard, serving six years with the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing. He took the helm of Barber Dairies at age 29, guiding it into a leading provider in the region.
His legendary competitive drive first manifested on the racetrack, where he dominated the Southeastern sports-car circuit. With 63 victories to his name, George was regarded as a leading talent of his era, trading paint with the likes of Dan Gurney and Peter Gregg.
Motorsports remained a driving force throughout his life. After the sale of Barber Dairies in 1998, Barber merged his various ventures to centralize the management of his diverse investments. In the 1980s, he envisioned a way to give back to Alabama through this lifelong interest.
Today, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum houses the world’s largest collection of motorcycles and Lotus race cars. When the collection reached 1,000 vehicles, Barber was asked if they should stop. “Heck, no,” he replied. “We’ll keep going.’”
Located in the southeast corner of the 880-acre campus—bigger than New York City’s Central Park—the museum is a 230,000-square-foot architectural marvel, a global hub for restoration, preservation, design, and education, inspiring more than 4,000 students annually.
Often described as the “Augusta National of Racing,” Barber Motorsports Park was born from Barber’s mandate to create “a botanical garden with a racetrack in it.” The museum and park are considered the largest single philanthropic project by an individual in Alabama history.
Barber’s impact on education and environmental conservation is profound. He funded more than 500 full-tuition college scholarships and built a culture of mutual care and loyalty, consistently stepping in to support his employees and friends during times of need.
“Everyone who visits the museum and park has their own relationship with Mr. Barber,” said Executive Director Brian Case. “What we now share is the impact he had on our lives and responsibility we carry to honor his vision, generosity, and belief in what this place could be.”
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum by clicking here.
— 18/02/2026 —
The Warwickshire Weekend
Three Days, Pre-War Machines, Proper Roads – The Warwickshire Weekend
The Warwickshire Weekend, organised by the Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club, is a relaxed touring event for motorcycles and three-wheelers built before 31 December 1939. The weekend features three days of riding on Warwickshire’s quieter roads, with riders free to choose which days – and how many – they take part in.
Hotel accommodation is available as part of the event, or participants are welcome to sort out their own if they prefer. It will be a fantastic few days of riding old bikes, and a bit of a laugh along the way.
Click here for more information on the event.
–17/02/2026–
Sunbeam Motorcycle Club Collaboration
We are pleased to announce the support of a new sponsor – The Sunbeam Motorcycle Club.
With a continuous history stretching back over a century, the SMCC is one of Britain’s true cornerstone motorcycle clubs. In its heyday it was a hard-riding, competitive outfit – running pre-war speed events at Gatwick, quarter-mile sprints at Ramsgate, and earning a formidable reputation in off-road trials.
Today, the club continues to keep veteran and vintage machines exactly where they belong: in use.
The SMCC calendar is being populated on their website with some great events up and down the UK. Lets keep this age-old club alive and support the runs that take much effort and patience to organise.
–16/02/2026–
The Raleigh Centenary Ride
On 5th July 1926 Mrs Marjorie Cottle, a prominent trials rider of the day, set out on a journey from London to Edinburgh following a convoluted route which when viewed from above spelt out the word Raleigh (see below photo). The publicity stunt was devised to promote their new model 17, a 174cc side valve machine.
To mark the centenary, Mike Tizard of the Raleigh Motorcycle and Early Reliant club will be re-enacting the epic journey. This time, the machine of choice will be a very rare 1928 Raleigh Model 26, 350cc OHV. Mike rescued this bike from a hedge, where it had been languishing for 70 years and restored it to its current state.
The ride will start 5th July 26 in London, and all being well, will finish on the 15th July 26 in Edinburgh. The route will, as near as possible, follow the original route but will be on A and B roads. The Model 26 enjoys a cruising speed of around 40mph and with regular stops the days are likely to be long.
The planned daily routes have been calculated on OS Maps and while the overnight stops will remain fixed, the route may change. The daily ride will look something like:
Day 1. London to Salisbury, via Southampton – 111 m
Day 2. Salisbury to Swindon, via Bath, Bristol, Gloucester and Cheltenham – 117 m
Day 3. Swindon to Birmingham, via Oxford, Buckingham, and Northampton – 122 m
Day 4. Birmingham to Buxton, Leamington Spa, Leicester and Nottingham – 122m
Day 5. Buxton to Derby, via Manchester, Chester, and Stoke-on Trent – 111m
Day 6. Derby to York, via Sheffield, Leeds and Bradford – 117m
Day 7. York to Appleby, Harrogate and Alston – 128m
Day 8. Appleby to Newcastle, via Durham, Stockton and Darlington – 119m
Day 9. Newcastle to Glasgow, via Hexham and Carlisle – 142m
Day 10. Glasgow to Edinburgh, via Paisley and Biggar – 88m
Total… 1177miles.
Mike will tie in some Charity Fund Raising for Parkinson’s UK, and regular updates will be posted on the club website www.rmerc.co.uk and on the club Facebook page. Feel free to show your support to this great challenge for a great cause!
–04/02/2026–
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