Donhou Owners Ride

So that’s it! The inaugural Donhou Owners Ride took place over the weekend and we couldn’t have asked for better conditions. The weather was excellent and the roads were empty – we set out with 22 riders, the furthest coming all the way from France to take part.

Over the next 60 miles we climbed around 2,500ft, cruised past WW2 airfields and even splashed through a couple of fords – there’s nothing like getting your feet wet to drive home that feeling of a deep connection with the land you’re riding through. As we approached the steepest climb of the day we were greeted with the inspirational sight of century-old power, as the North Norfolk Railway steam train puffed by under the bridge we were crossing.

We made a cake stop at Wiveton Hall Café, surrounded by strawberry fields and raspberry canes, with beautiful views out over the marshes to the sea. A fine chance to enjoy some scenery and chat more about each others’ bikes.
As well as swapping stories, there was lots of interest in who had which frame number – we had the first-ever DON001 along, as well as the latest frame to be collected from our workshop just last week. People were riding tourers, single-speeds and road bikes – every one a handcrafted Donhou original.

Big thanks go out to the people who helped make this ride happen: Mule Bar, who fuelled us with great UK-made, organic, Fairtrade energy bars; Tristan Conor Holden , for snapping some amazing photos; and August Wheelworks, for being on hand to chat to people about their wheels and servicing requirements. Special mention must go to the Parson Woodforde where we started and finished our loop, a great pub that served us coffees in the morning and cold beers and food on our return.

The vast open skies, pheasants, flint walls and gorgeous fields of bright yellow rapeseed will live long in our memories, and we hope they’ll do the same in the minds of everyone else who came along to be a part of it. Thank you all for making this ride a possibility.