The Vintage Motor Cycle Club
VMCC Section
Essex
Listed is a provisional diary for 2025 rides. In 2024 we had probably the largest number of rides ever and our thanks go out to all the ride leaders and tailenders that made it so successful.
Please take a look and let a committee member know if you would like to lead a ride in 2025. The provisional dates are based on what was run in 2024, but please don't let that put you off, If you would prefer a different day of the week or date just let us know and I am sure that we can accommodate it.
It doesn't need to be a massive "Iron butt" type run either - we need a mix of longish and shortish rides, and don't forget that you can claim twenty quid towards petrol money for checking out and planning the route. All you need is a coffee stop, a lunch stop (with afternoon tea if its a full days ride) joined together by nice roads.
If you are a little nervous feel free to chat to any other committee member, or even a previous ride leader to understand exactly what is involved. It really can be a lot of fun and in need I am sure we can pair you up with an experienced ride leader to help out with your planning.
Sometimes events have to be unavoidably rearranged. Event pages will be updated if circumstances change.
Please check prior to attending any event.
PLEASE NOTE THAT FOR ALL FUTURE RIDES THE RIDE LEADER WILL NEED TO SEE YOUR CURRENT MEMBERSHIP CARD - IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO SHOW THIS THEN REGRETFULLY YOU WILL BE UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RIDE - THE ONLY EXCEPTION WILL BE FOR GUESTS WHO WILL BE PERMITTED TWO RIDES ONLY TO HELP DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO JOIN
THE VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE CLUB LTD ESSEX SECTION. THE BLUEBELL EVENT 2025
Venue: The Museum of Power. Hatfield Road,Langford, Maldon, Essex. CM9 6QA
Monday 28th April to Friday 2nd May 2025
Open to Current members of the VMCC. Please show your membership card when signing on. The 25 year old bike age rule does not apply to this event. Secretary of the meeting: Dave Bradley 07808 294139 email dc_bradley@talktalk.net.
PLEASE DOWNLOAD AND READ THE ENTRY FORM FOR FULL DETAILS AND MEAL CHOICES: Bluebell 2025 entry form v2
The following are edited highlights from the Entry Form:-
Access to the event & to the Camping Field is via John Thresh Way, this is a left turn 0.2 miles past the Mill House Hotel on the B1019 if travelling from the Maldon direction.B&B is available at The Mill House Hotel website. millhousemaldon.co.uk 01621 841518 The Mill House Hotel is situated directly opposite the Museum of Power.
First day of arrival for campers is from 11am on Monday 28th April. The last day of departure is by 11am on Saturday 3rd May.
Riders have to sign on each day from 9.00 to 9.45am. There is a £2.00 fee per rider per day paid when signing on each day. Your VMCC membership card also to be shown when signing on. Daily Tulip Route Sheet rides on Tuesday, Wednesday,Thursday & Friday. A Run Leader will also lead a Drop Off version if you do not want to follow a route sheet. The runs will start at 10.00am each day. The route sheet riders will leave a few minutes earlier. Overall run lengths each day will be in the region of 75 to 100 miles. There will be a Morning Coffee, Lunch and Afternoon Tea stops for each run.
CAMPING DETAILS: The cost for Camping is £15.00 per unit per night. There is a group meal on Thursday evening at The Mill House Hotel, total of 30 places. The meal time will 7.00pm for a sit down at 7.30pm. The cost is £25.00 and has to be pre booked along with a £10.00 deposit per person, the balance to be paid to the Mill House after the meal. See meal details lower down. Preference for places will initially be given to the on site campers up until the 7th April. After this date places for non campers will be allocated in the order of receipt. A take-a-way Fish & Chip Supper will be arranged on Friday. Orders and cash payment will be taken on Friday after the days run has finished. Meal time approx 6.30 -7.00pm.
There are male and female toilets and wash hand basins on the camping field and chemical toilet disposal point. There is no shower facility on site. The on site cafe is open 9.30am to 3.00pm but closed on Monday and Tuesday. Strictly no parking or camping near or adjacent to the Pavilion on the camping field. This is permanently rented to a third party who requires clear access at all times. With reference the Above form. All campers to complete the entry form. If you do not want a place at the Thursday evening meal then after filling in the necessary details you can take a screen shot of it and email it to me dc_bradley@talktalk.net Please no forms via WhatsApp, I can't print them out. If you want a place at the Thursday evening meal then you have to send them and your cheque payment by snail mail. Camping fees as stated on the entry form to be paid by cash only to me Dave Bradley on arrival at the MOP.
Now the routes.
As mentioned on Page 1 of the Bluebell 2025 entry form v2 there are route sheets for all four days runs. Each run will also have a run leader using the drop of system if you prefer to use that system. The run leader will indicate to the rider immediately behind him where to stop at a turn or junction and it is his job to direct the following riders where to go. Do not move off from this marker position until the back marker comes along and signals to you to move off. The back marker will not overtake you.At mini roundabouts if no marker has been dropped off then the route carries straight on.
Tuesday: Coffee at Norton Heath Cafe – Lunch at the Fox Inn, Matching Green for Afternoon Tea at The Blue Egg (long route) Total for day 89.4 miles. Afternoon Tea at Blakes Craft Centre (short route) Total for day 82.1 miles. The Fox Inn has asked for lunch to be pre ordered although no deposit is required. They also want us to give them two weeks prior notice of our meal requirements. If you want lunch on Tuesday at the Fox Inn, Matching Green, see the menu Bluebell Fox Inn lunch menu. Please let me know ASAP.
Send your meal choices to Dave Bradley by email: dc_bradley@talktalk.net or by text or whatsapp to 07808 294139 You can either circle your choice on this form and email it to me or just send a text stating your choice
Wednesday: Coffee at Rayne Station. Lunch at the Eight Bells, BuresAfternoon Tea at Abberton Reservoir Cafe Total for day 73 miles. At signing on Wednesday there will be a menu sheet for you to make your lunch choice for the Eight Bells Pub at Bures. We have to email it to them before the run leaves the MOP.
Thursday: The Wat Tyler History Run, Coffee at Ongar Sports Club – Lunch at Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea. Afternoon Tea at Westfield Nursery or White Elms Garden Centre, BicknacreTotal for day 74.3 miles
Friday: The Military Run – Breakfast at 10.30am at Colemans Fisheries, Little Braxted.10.4 miles to Breakfast then a ride of 18.5 miles for a 1 to 2 hour visit to the Combined Services Military Museum in Maldon. No lunch stop on this route. Afternoon Tea at Stow Maries Great World War Aerodrome Total for day 45.7 miles. The Combined Services Military Museum is a privately owned museum and does not receive any Public funding and relies almost entirely on the entrance fee paid by visitors. Our VMCC section has had two evening club night talks about how the museum was started and how it developed to what it is today. They have a very wide range of military equipment from the Army, Navy and Air Force from a couple of centuries ago up to recent times. They even have on display the only surviving canoe from the World War 2 Cockleshell Heroes Mission. The admission charge at the Museum is £9.00 per adult or £8.50 concession. During our evening talks it was mentioned about discounts for large groups so the entrance fee may be less for our visit to the Museum.
The bike is small and George is slowJohn Beckinsale will be leading a ride in for the annual "pride of ownership" event. Details to follow
Our Chairman has been busy slaving away in his dusty workshop, and created some more exceptional and quirky trophies. Even if you don't join the ride in, do bring your pride and joy along for us all to drawl over, lets see the efforts of your winter rebuilds.
Pride of ownership night.
Our Chairman has been busy slaving away in his dusty workshop, and created some more exceptional and quirky trophies. Even if you don't join the ride in, do bring your pride and joy along for us all to drawl over, lets see the efforts of your winter rebuilds.
Meet up with East Anglian VMCC section at Rayne Booking Office. Details to follow
Waiting for volunteer to lead this ride
Waiting for volunteer to lead this ride
June's club night will see a repeat of the very popular "European" bike night. It is your opportunity to bring out those rarely seen exotic machines from Italy, France, Germany, Czech republic etc. We have had our biggest turnouts in the past for this event - I wonder what will take pride of place this year? Bring along and show your European motorcycle. If you don't own a European bike you are welcome to arrive on any transport to drool over the exotic machines. Guests are welcome, come and see what we are all about. We are a broad church and cater for all motorcycles over 25 years of age.
Waiting for volunteer to lead this ride
Ride details to follow.
Waiting for a volunteer. If you would like to lead this ride let a committee member know and it will be added to future events page.
Waiting for volunteer to lead this ride
Waiting for volunteer to lead this ride
Essex VMCC will again exhibiting our machines. All members welcome.
Waiting for volunteer to lead this ride
John Beckinsale to lead this ride. Details to follow.
Waiting for volunteer to lead this ride
Waiting for volunteer to lead this ride
George Smith will be leading this ride on one of his lightweight Italian motorcycles and will be suitable for small or slow motorcycles, with speeds to suit the slowest bike on the ride. Any size or age motorcycle is welcome just don't expect any high speeds.
Details to follow.
Waiting for volunteer to lead this ride
Waiting for volunteer to lead this ride
Waiting for volunteer to lead this ride
Ann and John Beckinsale Quiz night
Christmas festivities