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View Full Version : Skins Cafe Brackley & Halvarssons Clothing...


benson
16-03-2009, 12:22 PM
Dear Reader( I like a posh intro....:rolleyes:)

I'm writing because I have found a spelnded little place to go to where the coffee is wonderful and most of all where they sell THE world's most amaing kit - Halvarssons...
The place is Skins Cafe in Brackley - on the A43 and the kit is sublime...

As a few of you might know I'm commuting a ridiculous number of miles at the moment - somewhere in the region of about 800 a week (I know - think of the service costs - well don't actually) which means I have had to go through some interesting weather conditions and tyres this winter....

I went in search of the ultimate winter kit and found it - after a conversation with a guy in Woodford Motorcycles, I learnt about the Swedish manufacturer - who I saw at the NEC - and just how good the kit is. So off I went the other weekend (the weekend of meeting up with the folks at Fox's when we had our pwn personal jet washers or so it seemed) to Skins and bought me a jacket. I wore it all last week through every conceivable weather system you can imagine and throghout I was warm and dry. I went back on Friday for the gloves and yes - you guessed it - warm and dry depiste the glloves being lovely and light and immediately comfortable and pre shaped....

Now I'm off again this week to get the matching pants which are made with the same outlast material and have the same climate control fabric and are again CE approved at every point, as are the boots, etc etc. I do believe I could make a fortune as a saleswoman right now because I think this is the best kit I've ever had in nearly 20 years of riding...

Tony the guy who runs skins is a lovely guy - incredibly helpful and knowledgable and he makes great coffee - he'd happily do us a bar b q and a monster meet up - so I'm just posting this to see if there's anyone interested in joining me for a meet and a ride?

We could make this a monthly meet perhaps IF folks wanted to - wottevvah - but I think it would be a great place to frequent - it's mid country, the coffee is fab and the kit is just as good...So - my suggestion is that we try to plan a meet here in May/June sometime - after the weekender so we can catch up again and maybe find that elusive nirvana of good kit, good coffee and good company.....

I'll post this up across the regions along with suggestions for dates- happy riding,

Benson :cool:

Julie
16-03-2009, 01:00 PM
it's only 60 miles from is midlanders - i'm sure we would be up for it

SazzaG
16-03-2009, 01:25 PM
Bit of a trek for us, but could be good for a long day out on the bikes!

Keep us posted, Mrs Pres.

benson
16-03-2009, 01:38 PM
Hurrah!!! Someone to play with! I am planing on this being May/June sometime - when hopefully we're guaranteed (yeah right...) some sunshine and a day on the bikes. The weekender is the 2nd May - shall we look at a choice of the following dates -
23rd May
30th May
6th June
13th June

SazzaG
16-03-2009, 01:55 PM
I vote for June!

singletrack
16-03-2009, 01:59 PM
I'll come in June too.

Mand
16-03-2009, 01:59 PM
it's only 60 miles from is midlanders - i'm sure we would be up for it

Yeah tish and pish to 60 miles! I'm game. :)

I'm liking the sound of the 13th June.

Pedro
16-03-2009, 02:08 PM
Oi Benson, how about adding a Steetmap reference or similar?

We'll be there no doubt!

benson
16-03-2009, 02:11 PM
http://www.skinscafe.co.uk/

Here's the links thing - all the info you could wish for - shall we say 13th June then?:woot:

http://www.multimap.com/maps/?zoom=16&countryCode=GB&qs=NN137BW#map=52.03201,-1.14402|16|4&bd=useful_information&loc=GB:52.03172:-1.14415:16|NN137BW|NN13%207BW

Julie
16-03-2009, 04:02 PM
I vote for June - May is all booked up for me

desmo
16-03-2009, 04:22 PM
Whoo hooo, quite a nice ride for me & I am not working that day.
Make it the 13th June please.

I will put it on the calendar.

NewMon
16-03-2009, 05:38 PM
I'm up for that. I wish I'd known about that clothing last year. I went for the Hein Gericke suit (and am mightily please with it) - would've been nice to compare. I'll pop down there soon and have a look anyway.

BTW, if you're in that area, check out the A413 Buckingham - Aylesbury road. Very nice and so cameras AFAIK.

benson
16-03-2009, 07:28 PM
Looking good folks - rang Tony to put the date in his diary and all is well!

The kit s really really good - knocks my Hein Gericke into the proverbial cocked hat and about half the price for top spec stuff - really pleased with it so far

Roll on June 13th I say - and the new range of kit!!!:cool::cool::cool:

Grumpy
16-03-2009, 09:41 PM
Add my name to the list.
Hopefully I won't end up looking like a drowned rat .........again!

Albie
16-03-2009, 09:48 PM
Not far from my sisters so could stay at hers night before or either way . Sounds like a plan

Diego
16-03-2009, 10:04 PM
this sounds good. count me in too!

benson
16-03-2009, 10:06 PM
Looks like we have ourselves a convoy - well, a few monsters and bikes of assorted nature anyway - hope the sun shines for us!!!:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

DavidEJM
16-03-2009, 11:03 PM
Sounds good. Plans for meet ups and ride ins?

singletrack
16-03-2009, 11:46 PM
Sounds good. Plans for meet ups and ride ins?

Wow David - it looks like you might get to travel more than 2 miles this time ( but still not too far!)

benson
17-03-2009, 07:08 AM
Hi David - we'll be expecting an escort you know - perhaps individually that way you could clock up some miles:thumbsup:

Be good to see you again - and it looks as if we might make a goodly number at this rate - Midsummer Monsters!

Benson
Julie
Singletrack
Mand
Newmon
Grumpy
Desmo
Sazza & Rog
Albie
Ped & Jules
Diego
DavidEJM
UKSURFER
Slob (name up on the London area)

fatbloke
17-03-2009, 08:04 AM
Hi David - we'll be expecting an escort you know - perhaps individually that way you could clock up some miles:thumbsup:

Be good to see you again - and it looks as if we might make a goodly number at this rate - Midsummer Monsters!

Benson
Julie
Singletrack
Mand
Newmon
Grumpy
Desmo
Sazza & Rog
Albie
Ped & Jules
Diego
DavidEJM
UKSURFER
Slob (name up on the London area)
Fatbloke (hopefully)

benson
18-03-2009, 08:55 PM
Hope so too - what will you be riding sir???:on::on::on:

Snips
18-03-2009, 08:58 PM
Wish I could join you, but I'll be at Le Mans that weekend.

Have fun y'all.

benson
19-03-2009, 07:10 AM
Brackley - Le Mans...


Hmmm - have fun your self mister!!!! :cool:

benson
10-04-2009, 09:09 AM
OK peeps - bit of a change of date needed as the 13th isn't possible for the cafe - so it's any of the ones after that really -

20th June
27th June
4th July

Whichever is easiest we'll go for!

benson
10-04-2009, 09:10 AM
Maybe secretly we just wanted to change it to see Mr Snips again!!! Assuming you'll be back from Le mans!:woot:

Kato
10-04-2009, 03:30 PM
Sounds like a nice ride out any of those dates are good count me in.....

singletrack
10-04-2009, 03:45 PM
I think I should still be ok for any of those dates.

Snips
10-04-2009, 05:32 PM
Maybe secretly we just wanted to change it to see Mr Snips again!!! Assuming you'll be back from Le mans!:woot:

Cool!

As it happens, I'm just revisiting this thread as the Le Mans jaunt just got canned [too many dropped out :( ], so it looks like I'll be there! ...quite possibly on some new wheels.

Looking forward to putting some faces to familiar names :)

Grumpy
10-04-2009, 10:40 PM
Can't do 20th otherwise ok.

NewMon
11-04-2009, 10:51 AM
I'm good for any of those dates (so far at least). Bring it on.

Mand
11-04-2009, 12:57 PM
Can't do 20th otherwise ok.


I can't either but the others are okay.

desmo
12-04-2009, 03:12 PM
Can't do 4th July, other dates ok.

benson
14-04-2009, 05:49 PM
Let's go for the 27th June then?

I'll get in touch with the cafe and hope for good weather or at least good waterproofs!

Snips
14-04-2009, 06:05 PM
Cool! I'll do my best to be there.

Good central location, so I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.

Cheers Benson!

Mand
14-04-2009, 07:50 PM
Yeah I can come. :)

DavidEJM
20-05-2009, 07:10 PM
Is this set for the 27th? trying to get diary sorted for other things and would like to book around this event.

benson
20-05-2009, 11:40 PM
Indeed it is - all being well!

Diego
21-05-2009, 12:49 AM
Indeed it is - all being well!

nice 1. let the good times roll

fatbloke
07-06-2009, 10:38 AM
Just though would bump this
is the 27th July the definite date?

DavidEJM
07-06-2009, 11:23 AM
Just though would bump this
is the 27th July the definite date?

I thought it was June, Terry.

benson
07-06-2009, 06:53 PM
Indeed it is June!!!

fatbloke
07-06-2009, 10:52 PM
I thought it was June, Terry.
OK I think I've got it

I've looked at the calendar.

It's saturday 27th June?

at what time ish?

Gutsy
07-06-2009, 11:17 PM
Hi all#
I'm new to this and haven't yet done a ride out. I'm keen to join in but don't know the who/when/where etc. Do I need to sign on for it?
Thanks
Gutsy

Funkatronic
07-06-2009, 11:28 PM
hi all

Im around and my g/f is away that saturday so will tag along too if thats doesnt make it too unwieldy a group

looks like there will be a few londoners in tow, has a meet point been discussed?

thanks

ali

slob
07-06-2009, 11:32 PM
Ace Cafe is on the right edge of London

Diego
08-06-2009, 09:44 AM
Ace Cafe is on the right edge of London

sounds like a plan. what time peeps?

fatbloke
08-06-2009, 10:10 AM
If your starting from the Ace can i join on the way up,
Its a nice ride from Aylesbury if thats on route

Bodybag
08-06-2009, 12:07 PM
Hi all#
I'm new to this and haven't yet done a ride out. I'm keen to join in but don't know the who/when/where etc. Do I need to sign on for it?
Thanks
Gutsy

You just signed up by stating your interest. :D No forms to fill in on this forum unless you book for the weekender or a trackday. AND, anybody can post up a new meet, rideout etc. Not just area reps (although its always nice to mention it to them as they can advertise it more widely for you).

Have fun you guys. I'm still bikeless at the moment. :( Maybe when I get my first lump of student loan in September, I'll buy a M900 to commute on. hehe (Actually, that was a joke until I thought about it, and it makes perfect sense. I am a GENIUS!!)

benson
08-06-2009, 12:24 PM
Hi All - 27th June it is - i'll call Skins and find out what time they'd like us ready for Bar B bu I'm hoping there will be a goodly number of us - 10 or so and perhaps even more if he sun shines!

singletrack
08-06-2009, 12:39 PM
I'm still hoping to come, but I will have to be home by 6 pm x

desmo
08-06-2009, 12:54 PM
Providing it's not raining, me & Roz will be there.
Really looking forward to it
Havn't done a proper route yet, but probably be going via Cirencester - Burford - Witney - Bicester - Buckingham - Brackley.
Just in case anyone wants to join us on route.

Julie
10-06-2009, 12:32 PM
I'll be there as well - looking forward to it

Julie
10-06-2009, 12:34 PM
Bit of a trek for us, but could be good for a long day out on the bikes!

Keep us posted, Mrs Pres.


Go on saz! it'll be nice to see you

rollo22
10-06-2009, 08:22 PM
Desmo,
Stafford (bath area) and Pedro (swindon) are planning on a run up to Brackley

desmo
10-06-2009, 08:48 PM
Desmo,
Stafford (bath area) and Pedro (swindon) are planning on a run up to Brackley

OK.
I'm meeting up with Stafford on Sun for the run to Sammy Millers.
I will check the route properly next week & see who else is going from the south west.

Grumpy
11-06-2009, 08:30 PM
I'm ( along with Rollo22) traveling from sunny East Anglia to Brackley, anyone else going? Fancy hooking up for the trip?

benson
11-06-2009, 11:12 PM
I'll get onto SKins this weekend and let them know that all being well we have a goodly number of folk turning up and to get the bar bq fired and ready to go!!!:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Snips
11-06-2009, 11:51 PM
Put me down for a burger.

Funkatronic
12-06-2009, 12:35 AM
btw

the skins cafe meet is showing the old date of 13th June in the calendar not the 27th June

might be an idea to move it to avoid confusion , right Diego? :chuckle:

can one of the mods sort this?

Diego
22-06-2009, 03:46 PM
What time shall we meet at the ace on Saturday morning peeps?

Albie
22-06-2009, 06:06 PM
I am not going to able to come now. I will be mostly selling the s4 to Uk surfer and he should be picking up saturday morn/dinnertime. Then that be it. 1 monster in my life. Have a good time guys and girls.:thumbsup:

kneedown
22-06-2009, 09:58 PM
hi what ison this weekend ?

benson
22-06-2009, 10:55 PM
Kneedown - suggest you check out the beginning of the thread!

There are a group meeting up at Skins Cafe in Brackley for a ride out, a chat, a coffee or ten and hopefully a bar bq and the chance to look at the the new range of Halvarssens kit - you ought to join us!

Funkatronic
23-06-2009, 02:30 PM
how about meeting 10am at Ace?

Diego
23-06-2009, 05:30 PM
how about meeting 10am at Ace?


good for me :yoparty:

slob
24-06-2009, 07:05 AM
Leaving the Ace at 10:30 sharp?

DavidEJM
24-06-2009, 10:01 AM
Bu**er. Working Saturday as usual!!!! Really must get myself a proper job! (or some staff). Finishing at 1 though so hopefully to shoot up there in the afternoon.

Is there a finishing time? Don't want to arrive as everyone else is leaving!

Seb_uk
25-06-2009, 12:59 PM
Was hoping to make this one, but alas I am completely skint until payday next week so will have to give it a miss. :cry:

Still, on the plus side I have some blingy purchase planned for my bike in the near future :biggrin:

NewMon
25-06-2009, 07:47 PM
Apologies if it is obvious - I have just trawled this thread and I can't find the time we're meeting at the cafe. Is it midday?

Funkatronic
25-06-2009, 07:58 PM
Hi newmon

you're right its not clear

there are a bunch of londoners leaving the Ace cafe at 10.30 sharp, there are others in Hampshire, wiltshire and surrounding areas meeting up to ride up to brackley.

someone please correct me if im wrong, i think we are aiming to reach skins cafe in brackley around 12.30-1ish depending on how long the pootle through the countryside takes.

as your only in rugby, i guess you will want to just head for skins cafe around 12.30ish if you want to find us. i guess we will prob all go for a ride around that neck of the woods before heading off in our various directions

hope this helps

ali

NewMon
25-06-2009, 08:11 PM
Thanks for that Funky! See you there.

benson
25-06-2009, 11:02 PM
Hi folks - no definite time but midday to one o'clock is what I told Tony the owner to expect today - he's expecting to feed about 30-40 people, so make that 12 of us then!!!

Really hoping the weather holds - and remember he has a gret range of kit on sale too - even if it is wet!

See everyone there - and safe and happy riding to get there.

I really think it'd worth coming on over in the afternoon - they're open until 5.30 too

uksurfer
26-06-2009, 05:59 PM
sorry, i'll be a no show, broken foot and no bike not helping matters at the moment, have fun and take care
________
HERBALAIRE VAPORIZER REVIEW (http://herbalairevaporizer.com/)

Grumpy
26-06-2009, 08:41 PM
Hi Folks, Rollo & I will be winging our way over from sunny East Anglia!( fitted new tyres today, so the first few miles will be interesting!!)
Looking forward to meeting some old faces and new, by the way Benson, is the elusive Triumph making an appearance!??

benson
27-06-2009, 05:07 PM
Really good to see everyone today and the weather held out well for the bar bq too - top burgers btw...

I had an interesting ride back and then encountered the tropical storm of chingford plain.. Hmmm - I can definitely vouch for the halvarssens kit being water proof!

lovely to see both old and new faces - and shall we perhaps make this a monthly meet ? The cafe is closed the first sunday of every month so what about the second Sunday?

Be good to make this a regular touch-base point, and even if you're on your own the coffee and the conversation and the shopping opportunities are good!!!

See you soon I hope,

benson

And the elusive Triumph - wherever it may be!!!

Liz
27-06-2009, 10:38 PM
Really enjoyed meeting some new people - rain somewhere on the way back but then came nice and dried out! Hope for many more meets!

Diego
27-06-2009, 11:12 PM
great meet, great location, great kit! thanks peeps!

benson
28-06-2009, 03:40 PM
Have to admit that I went and bought those cammo trousers with the zips at the bottom - I want the black ones next time!!!

Sorry FB - they fit really well!!!!

Pedro
28-06-2009, 07:10 PM
Good meeting place that!! And nice to see everyone.

Had a flipping ace run back to Swindonia via Banbury, Chipping Norton and Burford, no traffic and large amounts of throttle!!!

fatbloke
28-06-2009, 07:29 PM
Good meeting place that!! And nice to see everyone.

Had a flipping ace run back to Swindonia via Banbury, Chipping Norton and Burford, no traffic and large amounts of throttle!!!
go on Ped give us your view as the first person other than me and woody to ride the
Multi-Turbo

Grumpy
28-06-2009, 09:13 PM
had a fun day on sat, the run from Sudbury was highly enjoyable,Duncan and I took in some roads I havent used in a few yrs:D.
The Skins cafe strikes me as a good meet point for the south/midlands, good coffee, the burgers where yummee, and the owner very welcoming.
The trip back was....wet in places, although the rain lifted which enabled me to hustle home:spin:

Good to meet up with you guys, and put a face to some new names.

Pedro
28-06-2009, 10:00 PM
go on Ped give us your view as the first person other than me and woody to ride the
Multi-Turbo

ok....

One seriously deceptive, fookin fast weapon! Deceptive in that it's quiet and quite docile around town speeds but get in on song and fook me it's bleedin' rapid. Gave it a run up the dual carriage way, thought that I'd turn round in the gap and then realised I'd missed it and was well into three figure numbers. The roll on at around 4k revs is just nuts....

Top bike that FB and thanks for the spin!

Ped

Liz
28-06-2009, 11:37 PM
I'm glad I didn't ride up and back with you from Swindonia - def can't keep up after seeing you on the Sammy Miller ride - I think I need a bigger bike! (Please don't let the little monster hear me say that - it'll be upset!).

Grumpy
29-06-2009, 10:23 PM
Liz come to the darkside, go watercooled!

Liz
29-06-2009, 10:25 PM
Liz come to the darkside, go watercooled!

???????????? Nice to meet you on Saturday! Was I too slow?!!

Grumpy
29-06-2009, 10:33 PM
Good to meet you to Liz....Try a watercooled monster(i,ve got a S4 in the garage:mand:)
Plus Duncan has a S4RS, which is fun!!!

Pedro
29-06-2009, 10:39 PM
Liz come to the darkside, go watercooled!

Why? Too many valves, flaky rockers, cortina radiator.... need I say more!!

What you need is a 1000DS......


:chuckle:

Grumpy
29-06-2009, 10:41 PM
The rads not of a cortina, it's of a punto!:biggrin:

Pedro
29-06-2009, 10:47 PM
The rads not of a cortina, it's of a punto!:biggrin:


Nah, Punto is faster....:chuckle:

Grumpy
29-06-2009, 10:59 PM
Nah, Punto is faster....:chuckle:

Exactly!:didge:

Liz
29-06-2009, 11:09 PM
Ok, I give up already! Somebody bring me a bike to try and I'll give it a go!!!!!!!!!!! Do you trust me?

benson
30-06-2009, 07:28 AM
I think it's more a question of do you trust yourself !!!

Air cooled is of course far better.

I've got my coat...

Diego
30-06-2009, 01:36 PM
Air cooled is of course far better.



second this motion.

out the door already with no coat as its too warm ;-)

benson
30-06-2009, 01:45 PM
I agree with you;)

hope the new jeans are cool too! :DHave to say the ones I bought on Saturday have served me very well in the warm!!

Liz
30-06-2009, 08:12 PM
[QUOTE=benson;310186]I think it's more a question of do you trust yourself !!!

A good question which needs some thought! I haven't got a deathwish and know my limits on my own bike so I suppose this is a good start!!

uksurfer
30-06-2009, 08:34 PM
nothing beats experience liz :spin:
________
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Grumpy
30-06-2009, 09:18 PM
Theres nothing like the feel of 8valves and liquid cooling between your legs!:eyepopping:

Liz
30-06-2009, 09:52 PM
nothing beats experience liz :spin:

Yep! Passed my test in 1982 - kids by '88 - no regrets but have only been riding again for a few years on and off until I got the 'little monster' last year! Riding out as much as I can and definately getting my confidence back - it takes a while when you haven't been out there for a while! Have made some stupid mistakes and nearly wiped myself out the other week - frightened the life out of myself - not good!! So, lesson learnt and know my limits and also the bike's.

Liz
30-06-2009, 09:54 PM
Theres nothing like the feel of 8valves and liquid cooling between your legs!:eyepopping:

Oh James, what are you like?!