Remembrance Ride 2025

9th November 2025

Remembrance Sunday dawned Misty cold and calm as the Chelsea & Fulham HOG rumbled into Rykas Café, Box Hill - caffeine levels rising almost as quickly as the sun started to shine, it started to warm up as we relaxed into the usual ‘stand around chat’ positions. We had a VIP visitor turn up, ex Road Captain, photographer, membership secretary and old riding buddy of mine, Steve (gunner) Graham! Great to see you Steve.

At 11:00 am, the usual hum of motorcycles in the background gave way to a distant sound of the last post and two minutes of powerful silence. Not a single engine growled. (Miracles do happen.)

With respects paid, and the usual briefing done, it was time to roll - a scenic blast through the Surrey countryside, autumn leaves flying and exhausts echoing off the hedgerows. The ride took an unexpected turn when we came across a motorcycle accident that split the group for a while. True to form, our riders stopped to lend a hand make sure everything was in hand, then buggered off- because that’s what bikers do!.

Reunited and slightly more spread out than planned, we made it to St James’ Church, Abinger Common, where Rev. Kia Pakenham and the friendly locals welcomed us (well tolerated the rumble of 30ish Harleys... Saints the lot of them) with open arms. A wreath was laid at the war memorial, RC Ray Campbell doing the honours, I read the part of the poem “for the fallen”(its always a struggle for me to get the words out through my emotions) followed by a quiet moment of reflection before the essential group photo with Rev. Kia in front of the church.

Then it was engines on again for a short 20-minute hop to The Percy Arms, Chilworth, where we tucked into an outstanding Sunday roast - the perfect end to a day of remembrance, respect, and roast potatoes.

Huge thanks to Rev. Kia Pakenham and the Abinger Common locals for their hospitality, and to all you C&F members who joined the ride, without you guys... well I’d of been on my own looking rather sad! A day that reminded us what community - on and off the bike - is all about.

Big Thanks to RC’s Ray Campbell, John Moran, Manos Tsoukalas for their help throughout the ride, keeping everyone together. Andrew Eborn for his Stoic last man duties and Turabi Ay for his photographic prowess (sorry Steve!)

Fred Woolcott - C&F Road Captain

 

Photographs courtesy of Turabi Ay - C&F Photographer