315 vintage motorbikes heading out for annual Banbury Run on Sunday
05/06/2026
The oldest one dates back to 1897
Hundreds of vintage motorcycle enthusiasts will be riding around the Banbury area this Sunday for the annual Banbury Run.
Organised by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club, the event is regarded as the world’s premier riding event for veteran and vintage motorcycles, with machines built before 1931 taking part.
Riders will set off from the British Motor Museum at Gaydon before tackling a route through Warwickshire and North Oxfordshire, including the challenge of a ride up Sunrising Hill and a visit around Banbury.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the formation of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club with the Banbury Run itself in its 76th year.
Its not a race, as Annie Durrant from the Vintage Motor Cycle Club explained: “It’s called a reliability test. Because the Coventry and Birmingham area was very famous for the factories that made these bikes this was used as an area to test them.
“One of the main places will be Sunrising Hill (you can always watch from there). Its great fun watching the bikes – and pushers trying to push them up the hill as well!
“They have checkpoints along the way and have times to meet, but you can do it as a social run and not take part in the timed event.”
This year’s event has attracted 315 riders and showcases some of the oldest motorcycles still being ridden on public roads.
Annie said: “The oldest bike is from 1897. We have some very interesting bikes and have recently been donated a 1913 Rudge Multi 500 which is being ridden round. This bike was found behind a false wall in a garage by a son when his father died…. its not been ridden for about 30 years.”
Three routes have been revealed by the organisers, catering for the different classes and ages of motorcycles taking part. These offer plenty of opportunities for people to watch as the bikes pass in places locally such as Sunrising Hill, Upper Tysoe, Northend, Wroxton, Claydon, Chipping Warden and Banbury town centre at the Cross.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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