Desert Rose at The Ace Cafe

Desert Rose attended the Ace Cafe’s Overland and Adventure Bike Day, a chance to catch up with old friends, chat about bikes, share stories about adventures and plan the next trip, course or ride out. It was great to see such a range of bikes in attendance. We were delighted to share the car park with big adventure bikes, GSs, Africa Twins, Harleys, Trikes, sports bikes, R1s, GSXRs, Triumphs old and new, a couple of side car outfits, supermotos and of course a couple of C90s. Everyone we spoke to was interested in the Desert Rose Riding Academy and the idea of learning to ride off road, or improving existing off road skills.

THE ACE CAFE, A POTTED HISTORY The Ace Cafe was established in 1938 on the then brand new North Circular Road surrounding London. It was a simple roadside Cafe catering to travelers, particularly truckers. With its proximity to Britain’s fast arterial road network and being open 24 hours, the Ace Cafe soon attracted motorcyclists too. In world war two, the building was badly damaged during an air raid on the adjacent railway marshalling yards. The post-war increase in road traffic and advent of the “teenage” phenomena saw the Ace booming, and with it, the arrival of the “Ton-Up-Boys”. The British motorcycle industry was at its peak, and along came Rock ´n´ Roll. Not played on radio stations, initially the only place it could be heard was at fairgrounds or on jukeboxes at transport cafes. The Ace Cafe is a biking landmark.

Paul King
20th March, 2022

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11/10/2026

MotoGirl 10th Anniversary

October 2026, The Desert Rose eBike Xperience are invited to bring our off road experience to North Devon. Yessssss. We are coming. MotoGirl turn 10 years old. 80-90 invited guests/friends of MotoGirl arrive in North Devon, not really knowing what to expect. Some experienced riders, some new to riding and off road in particular; no problem; we’ve got you………… What a weekend…… The best yet………

4 Minute Read

01/09/2026

BeRightBack @ Desert Rose 2026

Now in its 3rd year, the annual BeRightBack day at Desert Rose never fails to deliver. Be Right Back is a growing community for women in and around the automotive world, where passion for bikes and cars, connection and experience-making collide. It was created out of the real need for women who felt like they didn’t quite fit into the typical automotive scene and wanted a supportive, fun and empowered space to meet like-minded people, build friendships and enjoy the culture together. BRB hosts a wide range of events from casual social meet-ups like breakfast gatherings and drive-outs to special celebrations like International Women’s Day collaborations and women-centred track days and off road riding experiences. All designed to bring women together around bikes and cars in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. At its heart, BRB is about connection over horsepower, linking women who love bikes and cars not just for the machines, but for the people, experiences and shared stories that make automotive culture richer and more inclusive. If you want to know more about BeRighBack jump onto their website here.

4 minute read

31/08/2026

BSMC Members @ Desert Rose

At Desert Rose we have a long partnership with London’s BikeShed. For the last 5 or 6 years we have welcomed groups of BSMC members to our training facilities. They have joined us on our trips in Portugal, the Pyrenees, Morocco and taken part in rallies through Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and north Africa. We have been to their epic show at London’s Tobacco Dock and hosted group chats at their Shoreditch HQ.

4 minute read

10/08/2026

Desert Rose to attend Moto-Union Celebration

Desert Rose have been invited to attend the Moto-Union event on the 20th September 2026. Moto-Union 2026 returns to the South of England Showground in Ardingly, bringing together enthusiasts and iconic machines — from classic bikes to off-road and racing legends. Moto-Union brings together a collection of Japanese and Italian motorbikes, alongside race bikes, off-road machines, rare classics, modern performance motorbikes, and stunning custom builds. Whether you’re a seasoned rider, collector, or simply appreciate great engineering, there will be something to inspire you. Check out the event site and get your tickets here .