I should love the Ace Cafe. It combines two of my biggest pleasures in life – motorcycles and food. A place that combines the two should be tick all my boxes. So why do I hate it?
I’ll admit to having had one experience there that left a bad taste in my mouth, but even before that I found the Ace’s place in the motorcycling hall of fame a hard thing to swallow. For one thing it’s hard to find a more unfriendly road to motorcycles than the North Circular. The stretch from Chiswick to the junction with the M1 is probably one of the busiest stretches of road within the M25. Then there’s the combination of varying speed limits, speed cameras, and the Hanger Lane gyratory; a complete free-for-all of a junction. You get to enjoy all of these experiences en route to the Ace.
Originally a transport cafe it opened in 1938 and had to be rebuilt after it was destroyed in a World War 2 bombing raid which was aiming for the nearby Willesden railway marshaling yard. Despite being popular with Rockers in the ’50s and ’60s due to the fact it was open 24 hours, it closed in 1969, eventually becoming a tyre depot for many years, until it was reopened by former Met Police officer Mark Wilsmore in 1997.
Since then it’s gone from strength to strength. Maybe I’m just a cynical misery who is apparently the only human not to enjoy Disneyland. But what is the Ace really? Beyond a greasy spoon sharing the smell of fried onions across the A406 with a well-stocked gift shop like a light for the Ace Cafe moths? I’ve been to several of the many shows and gatherings by the clubs which choose to meet there and always ended up paying good money for a mediocre cuppa served without a smile.
The disappointment聽 is summed up by my own experience. Attending a pleasant gathering with friends over an Ace breakfast and a cuppa, my registration number was bellowed out by a chap in a high viz jacket, as he wanted the owner to make themselves known. Being able to see my bike, it was clear is wasn’t on fire or causing an obstruction, so I finished my food before announcing my presence. It turns out the problem was my bike wasn’t parked straight!
I’m no rebellious Rocker, but I didn’t realise parallel parking was a required element of the rebel legend the Ace keeps aflame? I did offer the chap my keys to move my bike, but he refused so it waited until I’d finished my tea. The reason for moving it was to cram more bikes in on a busy day, but I couldn’t help thinking it was as important to shift some more breakfasts and teas?
I’ve been back a few days since then, and although I save my appetite for Starvin Marvins about 2 miles up the A40, I do always use the loo. With some kind of anniversary coming up, no doubt they’ll be having a knees up – although a hip op night might be better considering the age of the original Rockers. And don’t forget the search for a location for an Ace Cafe USA – who knew the North Circular stretched so far?
I do admire the business savvy of the Ace, and the spell it holds over people who flock there. If only they could package it – oh, they do – don’t forget your Ace sausages!
Never been, somehow my life doesn’t feel lacking for that fact. We have a few local cafes where bikes gather and for a fiver or there about’s you get a breakfast and a cuppa. The only hi viz usually in evidence belongs to the designated ‘road marshal’ that seems to be the requirement whenever more than 3 Harleys are seen in a group.
I’m a ex-pat Brit now living in the U.S. but was raised on the Brit iron by my old man and pretty much grew up wearing a pudding basin helmet. Besides that though we never ventured far enough south to visit the Ace, but did stop at many a greasy spoon caf ‘ on our rides around the midlands and further up north. The legacy of the Ace lives on perhaps because of it’s history and stories remembered and let’s be honest we all have them.
Would I like to go visit the Ace on one of my visits back home one year.?? Yes, probably only to say I ‘ve been there though, and of course to buy into some of their memorabilia that they sell.. I do still ride and like to try to dress the part. My fellow Brits that are still lucky enough to enjoy riding on the country lanes and stopping for a cuppa tea shouldn’t grumble too much, only wish I could order up a bacon sausage fried egg and tomato splash sometime. Prices have risen and will continue to do so, that’s another thing we’ll never be able to escape from.
So wherever you all ride just enjoy yourselves and let think ourselves lucky we motorcyclists haven’t been banished from the roads for good.
I go to the Ace once a month to meet some other Bimota owners. I quite like it but then I just look at it as a place to meet. The food is good and reasonably priced for a London venue, the journey there isn’t the easiest but then again its London.
Yes they sell memorabilia but then again why not if you attract tourists you might as well sell them the T-shirt … and everything else too.
Stop being so synical
Hi Scott , I find my experience pretty similar to yours, it’s a poxy journey to the Ace coming from East London/Essex & I don’t share my brother’s gung-ho attitude to speed cameras ( 3 points is quite enough thank you :)).On the few occasions I have gone I have been shouted at by someone managing the car park who could barely speak English , probably of East European descent.
(If you think I am a rascist or against East Europeans please check my surname 馃檪 I also experienced pretty surly service once inside.And yet…..I recently purchased a second-hand Ace Cafe hoodie from Ebay. Why? Because it IS a cool brand, like it or not!
I would suggest some improvements:
1) Employ staff who speak/understand English but more importantly are CHEERFUL.
2) Maybe drop some of the prices for memorabilia/clothing …I mean 拢60 for a hoodie, come on !!
3) Warn motorists about the lunatic behaviour on Friday/Saturday nights,I would NOT be impressed if someone mis-judging a wheelie/stoppie went straight into my car.
Having said all the above I have had some great days there, partic the 2 stroke & 70s days.
Anyone remember the Friday nights at Chelsea Bridge (I think it was there)< LCs wheelying up and down the street, burger van and good natured bikers watching the lunacy 馃檪 Until the fun police put a stop to it.
I remember when it re-opened… it was literally ‘The Ace Corner’ part… where you came in & made your own cuppa with the kettle/PG Tips… then leave 50p on the side… lol… then sit down & chat or watch a old biker film… very non-profit making !! 8-]
Now it’s the whole building… I’m guessing the overheads are quite high… & so the prices are in line with the keeping if it… but yes… staff could be chirpier… souvenirs could be cheaper… but go to Harley Davidson Cafe in Las Vegas… the food prices are similar… & the Breakfast price ain’t to bad… I personally stop off at the garage opposite in summer & buy a small bottle of coke before parking up at the Ace !! 馃槈