Happy memories of Jacks Hill Cafe

Back in around 2013 my son

Chris used to talk of visiting Jacks Hill Cafe on a Sunday morning and that I should join him for a ride there together. He mentioned how crowded it could get, especially on a Ton Up day or a Rockers Reunion. So, as I am not keen on crowds, I declined.

Then in 2015 Chris was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and he had to go through a three-weekly chemotherapy treatment.

One weekend out of three he found he had the energy for a motorbike ride, the best therapy available as we all know, and so that is when I first visited Jacks Hill. We met some great people over the years, and it was my favourite place to visit. I would buy us bacon sandwiches, the staff were very nice and when your order was ready they shouted out your number to collect from the serving hatch. When you got your tea or coffee, there was the giant bowl of sugar and large plastic container of milk, the same went for sauce – all transport cafe style. We last visited during the first Covid lockdown; they did their best and you ordered from outside through a window.

We had some great rides, it is exactly 80 miles’ round trip from our house. These days if anyone would like a trip, there is the Triumph Visitor Centre at the Hinckley factory site – great coffee and a warm welcome and the factory tour from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4.30pm, which you can book online.