Royal Enfield Open Weekend is hot stuff

Now firmly established in the motorcycling calendar, Royal Enfield’s open weekend attracted 2000 visitors to the Watsonian Squire factory in the Cotswolds over 25th-26th June. With bright sunshine and temperatures reaching 29 degrees C (80 fahrenheit) people took full advantage of the fleet of demonstrator machines available and more than 250 test rides were taken, expertly guided around local roads by the Cheltenham and Cotswold Advanced Motorcyclists.  Rides in the Royal Enfield/GP Manx sidecar combination, featured recently in BBC Springwatch, were in constant demand, with 150 passengers enjoying their first experience of a trip in a chair.

There was considerable interest in the new Bullet 500, set to sell at £3995 on the road, which unveiled to British customers for the first time at the event.  Other attractions included motorcycle adventurer, author and Royal Enfield expert Gordon May, who is prepaing to ride his 1953 Bullet from the North Cape in Norway to the South Cape of Africa next year.  MAG promoting Get a Grip.  Trials ace and ISDT gold medallist Johnny Brittain (pictured) dropped by on the Saturday and talked to master of ceremonies Jim Reynolds about his successful years riding Royal Enfields.

Shipston-on-Stour Sea Scouts were kept busy in the refreshment tent, serving 350 portions of their now famous curry, not to mention countless bacon baps and sausage butties. 

Prizes were awarded for the best motorcycles ridden to the factory on both days, (judged by Frank and Rowena from  Real Classic magazine); on Saturday a rare 1953 Royal Enfield Meteor twin won the prize and on Sunday the laurels went to a Triumph Tiger 650 and Watsonian GP Classic DL outfit. Perhaps the most unusual vehicle in the car park, which was packed with interesting bikes, was a yellow Messerschmitt bubble car.

Dates for next year's Open Weekend will be announced soon.  Call 01386 700907 or visit www.royal-enfield.com for details.  View pictures of the weekend on the FLICKR website - your pictures are welcome too.  Send them by email to royalenfielduk@fab-biker.co.uk.

Best in Show - Saturday 25th June 2011

Congratulations to Mark Mumford whose 1953 Royal Enfield Meteor was chosen as Best Bike Ridden to the 2011 Royal Enfield Open Weekend on Saturday.

Mark had ridden his bike from Northamptonshire to the annual event, held at the Watsonian Squire factory in the Cotswolds, home to Royal Enfield in the UK since 1999.

Selected from hundreds of machines by Frank and Rowena from Real Classic magazine, Mark's twin cylinder Meteor is largely original, apart from the chocolate brown paint scheme, applied by the previous owner. 

Royal Enfield Open Weekend 25th and 26th June 2011

Royal Enfield UK will be throwing open their doors to welcome enthusiasts to their sixth annual open weekend on Saturday/Sunday 25th/26th June.

Held at the  historic Watsonian-Squire sidecar factory, located between the scenic Cotswold towns of Moreton-in-Marsh and Chipping Campden, the event has a reputation for a friendly 'village fête' atmosphere and attracts around two thousand people over the weekend.

The complete 2011 range of Royal Enfield motorcycles will be on display and test rides, accompanied by IAM riders, are available on all models over both days.  Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis, so visitors should arrive early to book a seat. Don't forget to bring a helmet, appropriate riding gear and driving licence.

Other attractions include an opportunity to browse the sidecar workshops, spare parts counter and a display of Royal Enfield branded casual clothing and accessories.  Freshly prepared food is available on site.

Motorcycle journalist and world traveller Gordon May returns to the event, as does 'master of ceremonies' Jim Reynolds, who will provide a running commentary along with technical talks and celebrity interviews.

Entry is free and everyone is welcome, whether they ride a Royal Enfield or not.  Prizes will be awarded on both days for the best machine, of any make, ridden to the event.

Details from Watsonian-Squire on 01386 700907 or at www.royal-enfield.com.

Watsonian Squire cocktail

This is incredible.  But true.  Well, it appears on a blog in the USA.  In San Francisco there is a new Thermidor restaurant (in the Mint Plaza area), which serves a specialt drink called the Watsonian Squire (cost $9).  Made with Spanish brandy, oloroso sherry, honey, lemon, and orange bitters, the drink is served up in a sugar-rimmed martini glass.  Well, that's a new take on the sidecar cocktail!  Read all about it at http://singleguychef.blogspot.com/2010/08/thermidor-at-san-franciscos-mint-plaza.html