Martyn(cb750) first posted this on the RealClassic message board a couple of weeks ago, but we thought it was worthy of saving. Five Nortons, one BMW, and a perfect motorcycling day...

What a great day for a spot of ‘Nortoning’; blue sky, sunshine, quiet rural roads. I came over all organised this time and planned an approximate route. South West by Fosse Way, then South East into the lanes before Halford Bridge to reach Over Norton, near Chipping Norton. Sadly the most scenic road into the village has no sign but I took the pic anyway. The view was a bit ‘wide angle’ for my humble camera but I did my best.

The compulsory shot with the road sign was a challenge of lighting – my BMW is lurking in the shadows under the trees. It was too narrow to park on the road.

Chipping Norton itself was also tricky – the traffic went by quite rapidly so I took a quick shot then left promptly.

It was lunchtime so I repaired to the nearby ‘Ma Larkin’s’ – a more upmarket establishment than the name suggests and popular with motorcyclists at weekends. You can draw your machine up alongside your table and listen to the exhaust ticking happily to itself as it cools down while you tuck into a bacon buttie or whatever.

Next on my list was Hook Norton, of brewery fame. The scenery was stunning today – I took this pic half way between Chipping N and Hook N. Once again, the camera doesn’t fully capture the expanse of the horizon.

Hook Norton – another quick snap in a dodgy spot hoping I wouldn’t get cleaned up by the traffic.

The church in Hook Norton was flying the flag for Her Majesty on her birthday – as were many others I saw.

Nortons hiding on eBay.co.uk

Further down the street my luck was in – this horse drawn dray wagon was about to pull off the pub car park. Further up the street it caused some congestion (!) and took to the pavement.

I didn’t visit the brewery – it was time to Bimble On (as Robert Plant very nearly sang) as my next two Nortons were some miles away. The sensible route would have been via Banbury and Towcester but I deemed such busy places and major roads to be outside the spirit of a true bimble. I worked my way across country, striking Banbury just a glancing blow at Drayton School (familiar to Banbury Run supporters) then via Cropredy and Canons Ashby to the vicinity of Towcester. I’m glad I took this approach. The villages were lovely. I didn’t have time to take many pics but how about this? Like a picture off a box of chocolates.

Greens Norton, near Towcester was a pleasant village – unfortunately the pic with the sign doesn’t do it justice at all.

Just one Norton left now, near Daventry. The next pic is North of Weedon, not far from Daventry and yet it looks miles from anywhere. It also looks like a summer’s day – it certainly was a cracker.

The sign at Norton was half obscured by a newly erected fence. Work was still in progress yet the workmen didn’t bat an eyelid when I stopped next to them and whipped out me camera – obviously they have such a steady stream of RC riders stopping at this point that it no longer creates any interest.

Over 120 miles under my wheels and 5 Nortons bagged but I didn’t want the day – or the riding – to end. Do you ever have days like that? Days when everything is just perfect. To prolong the treat, I turned off the A5 and followed the lanes to Stanford (the venue for VMCC’s Founder’s Day). I took this pic of Stanford Church – the sheep presumably have the contract to keep the grass trimmed in the church yard.

Finally home after about 150 happy miles and over 5 hours riding.

Thanks Frank.

If you hadn’t dreamt this up, I wouldn’t have followed this route today and would have missed out on some great motorcycling.

Today was one of those rides I’ll remember.

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Send your Norton snaps to RCHQ @ RealClassic.net and they may appear on this site or in the magazine. Don't forget to tell us who you are and which Norton you discovered (and any extra info about the place or your bike would be interesting too). Special prizes will be awarded for obscure Nortons, distant Nortons and just plain strange Nortons (people have already found Shenstone, Featherbed Lane and a garden gate!).