'No matter who you are or what you ride, everyone is welcome': New Banbury social biker group launches

The group meets every fortnight at the Barley Mow in Banbury before heading out on organised rides to pubs and venues across the region.

Its next ride will take place on Tuesday, August 11, when members will meet at 6pm before setting off on a 30-mile journey to The Piston Club near Stratford-upon-Avon.

The outing follows the group's inaugural ride, which saw around 40 motorcyclists travel to The Flight Deck Café at Turweston Aerodrome.

Organiser Adam Hopton said he launched the initiative to bring together bikers of all genders, ages, experience levels and backgrounds, giving them a place to share their passion for motorcycling.

He said: “The bike community can become quite fractured. Some people only want to ride with certain groups, but I wanted a group that includes everybody.

“We make sure everyone stays together and rides safely. If someone falls behind, we'll slow down or pull over so that nobody gets left behind.

“It's all about making sure everyone enjoys the ride.”

Adam believes group riding not only creates a more enjoyable experience but also helps improve safety on the road.

He said: “Drivers notice a large group of bikes and naturally slow down. I call it ‘safety in numbers’.”

The rides have already attracted motorcyclists from a wide range of backgrounds, with everything from 125cc bikes and three-wheelers to powerful sports motorcycles taking part.

Adam added: “No matter who you are or what you ride, everyone is welcome. We're not an exclusive club – we're just bike enthusiasts who want to get together and enjoy riding.”

Anyone interested in the group but aprehensive about taking part on the ride can come along in their car to meet Adam and the group first.

Adam said: “If anybody is nervous about riding, I’d tell them to come along and meet us, and get a feel for the group.

“Once you have experienced the atmosphere, they will understand why we love it so much.”

The riding group has grown out of the Banbury Motorcycle Ride Outs Facebook group, which has around 1,300 members.

The online community was founded in 2020 by local riders John Tibbetts and James Perry and has since become a hub for local motorcyclists to arrange ride-outs, share advice and support one another.

Explaining the group's ethos, John and James said: “We want to unite riders of all experience levels, from learner-legal riders to experienced motorcyclists, and to create a welcoming community for people of all genders.

“The group gives members a place to arrange meet-ups, organise ride-outs, share news and support one another whenever it's needed.

“Since launching, we've organised a number of ride-outs and have also supported the community by providing motorcycle escorts for school proms, weddings and, sadly, funerals.”

Following the August 11 ride, the group is due to head to The Blue Lias near Southam on Wednesday, August 26.

Further details of future ride-outs are available through the Banbury Motorcycle Ride Outs Facebook group.