CLUB CHRISTMAS DINNER

The club Christmas Dinner has been booked for 10 December 2010 at “The Hare & Hounds”  Sway. Names, Numbers and Deposits of £5 per head to Ted Fleat asap. Total cost expected to be in the region of £18 per head

                                    Gathering of The Walking Wounded

Richard is a little bit more mobile now that the scaffolding has been removed from his leg and he  is more than eager to get behind the wheel of his car, if he cant get back astride his bike. Unfortunately following todays visit to Southampton General 20/8/2020, I have been informed that I will have to remain in a cast for three months, this to be followed by a series of physio sessions. I am not expected to be able to ride or drive until Christmas at the earliest. Enjoy the rest of the seasons rideouts.

Please note; Members are encouraged to ride Classic bikes to The Popham Megameet on August 22 entry free to classics all others £5 and also Goodwood Classics on Sunday 29th August

Thursday 19 Aug; Berkshire Run; Eight riders turned out for the mainly dry with sunny intervals Berkshire Run. A coffee stop at Thruxton was followed by a ride across the Downs near Wexcombe then on through the lanes via Great Bedwin and Chilton Foliat heading out toward Lambourn. On to Great Shefford and Welford stopping for lunch by the Avon and Kennet canal. Unfortunately the lunch stop, The Dundas Arms, does not do sandwiches, a point worth remembering for future rides. The post lunch return journey went around Hungerford then through the showers over the Downs to terminate at Ower. Enjoyable incident free day.

Sun 15 Aug; The Marlborough Run: Only six riders turned out on this cool cloudy morning which fortunately brightened up into an afternoon of warm sunny spells. The ride left Ower and travelling via Whiteparish. Bulford, Upavon, Marlborough then taking the A4 to Hungerford and Aldbourne. It then travelled across the Downs to Ogbourne St George and Mildenhall, stopping at Pewsey Wharf for coffee and “The Horseshoe” at Mildenhall for an excellent lunch. The post lunch journey brought the ride via Marlborough along the A338 to Dulcis and Ludgershall, then down to Stockbridge.  A good days riding enjoyed by all.

Sun 8 Aug Jurassic Coast Run; A warm cloudy day, ideal in fact for what was the longest run we have had so far this season. Fifteen riders and one pillion turned out, this included six classic bikes. The riders enjoyed a long scenic route across the Dorset Downs, through Cerne Abbas (Dennis missed the giant again). The ride came a little unstuck at Maiden Newton, as a result of a wrong left turn by the ride leader which led the ride down a narrow lane, to the bewilderment of the congregation leaving the church, before joining the A35 and then unintentionally joining the queues of traffic in Bridport, eventually arriving  late for lunch at West Bexington above Chesil Beach. After lunch a smoother run through Abbottsbury, across to Dorchester and main roads to Blandford before taking to the lanes across country to Cranbourne where the ride dispersed, some stopping for coffee, the others heading for home.

Thurs 5 Aug Midweek run;  Ten riders turned out including two classics and enjoyed an incident free ride. A cloudy day with sunny intervals, the ride went over the Hampshire Downs with a brief coffee stop at Popham Airfield before continuing across the North Downs toward Odiham and then on to Alton.It then joined the A32 for a lunch stop at “The George and Falcon” at Warnford. The return journey took the ride through Twyford and Romsey with a return visit to Carlito’s at West Wellow for ice creams.

Sun Aug 1st White Horses Run;  Only eight riders turned out for this enjoyable Wiltshire run viewing four of the seven Wiltshire White Horses. Those seen were at Pewsey, Alton Barnes, Cherhill and Hackpen. The ride included a coffee stop at Pewsey Wharf and lunch at “The White Horse PH” at Winterbourne Bassett. Approximately 100miles covered on traffic free roads with out incident apart from a little confusion in Marlborough when fast Mike missed a turn and riders became displaced ending up passing each other in opposite directions, all was sorted after a few minutes and the ride continued to its satisfactory end.

Midweek Run Thurs 29th  Somerset / Wiltshire run;  Twelve riders left Ower and enjoyed an incedent free rideout. The ride included three classic machines which we like to see on these runs. The pleasant summer ride of approximately 120 miles included a coffee stop at Old Sarum, then across the plain toward Warminster, through Sutton Veny,Longbridge Deveril and Maiden Braidley. Then an interesting excursion through the lanes toof Stourhead Estate to Leigh Common for lunch at “The Hunters Lodge”. The post lunch return journey was via Gillingam, East Stour and Fontwell Magna finishing for a 3.30 coffee at Cranbourne

Sunday 25th July; Uffington Run:  With one group of riders taking part in the Dartmoor Run and a second group displaying classics at Netley Marsh show the turn out for this run was quite good. With only one classic bike among them eight riders left Ower Services and enjoyed a great days ride travelling to Upper Lambourn and the Vale of the White Horse in Oxfordshire. As forecast the weather started out cloudy but but brightened up into a warm summers afternoon. The ride made three stops with coffee at Andover Garden Centre, Lunch at “The Fox & Hounds” at Uffington and an afternoon stop at Verham Dean before a 4.15 finish at Ower.

Sunday 18th July Glastonbury Tor;  Despite the dismal forcast for Sunday, fourteen riders turned out on a what turned out to be a cloudy morning that developed into blue skys and sunshine. The riders covered approximately 145 miles stopping at Fonthill Bishop then on in to Somerset through Bruton, stopping at West Pennard for lunch in sight of Glastonbury Tor. The afternoon brought the ride back through Somerton, wincanton and Gillingham with a final stop at Compton Abbas, with all riders again returning safely.

Thurs 15 July; Mid Week Run: Where did everybody go?; With only Steven and Mick Collins turning out and braving the light isolated showers and blustery winds. With a stop at Thruxton the valiant duo travelled over the military ranges to Chitterne, they stopped at The Dove Inn only to find that it is now a gastro pub, so it was a drinks only stop. Then on across Wylie Down. Alas the BSA suffered a broken throttle cable near Bishopstone but, after some due consideration and Mick’s ingenuity a temporary repair/ conversion was made with the aid of some cable ties and it was back on the road and home with a thumb operated throttle

Sunday 11th July; Blackmoor Vale Run Aglorious summers day saw seven riders, two with pillions set out and complete the incident free run. After collecting the second group of riders at Fordingbridge the ride continued out through Dorset villages and countryside prior to a coffee stop at Compton Abbas. After coffee it wended its way through mid Dorset touching parts of Wiltshire and Somerset, travelling through the swinging bends of the A 3030 before a lunch stop at “The Three Elms” at North Wooton ( a superb scenic location) . After lunch saw the riders return vis the A352 Sherborne Causeway down to Shaftesbury and then through picturesques country lanes to a Cranbourne coffee stop finish.

Thurs July 1st Midweek  Berkshire Run , Seven riders left Ower  Services on this warm day with light white cloud and enjoyed the scenic route throughboth the Test and Lambourne valleys, travelling up and over Walbury Hill with its picturesque views stopping briefly for coffee at “The Dundas Arms” by the Avon and Kenet canal. The ride continued onward toward Wantage, then across the Downs for lunch at “The Crown and Horns at East Ilsley (one of the better stop offs). After lunch the return journey took us around Newbury then across Watership Down to Kingsclere. Travelling on through Whitchurch following the river test to Stockbridge where the horses were finally watered and the riders returned home.

 Downs Disaster Run ; Left Ower with fourteen riders travelling in warm sunshine through Stockbridge and Sutton Scotney with a quick coffee stop at Popham Airfield, continuing on with only twelve until the Ferryman Stuart went AWOL after mentioning something about the germans.  This was followed by Super Ted, riding the worlds most expensive Guzzi V50, came to a stop. Toolless Ted, with the aid of our Engineer, Arthur, returned, noisily firing on one, to Pophams where tools were requisitioned, but alas to no avail. The ride continued through Arlesford then Alton before taking the superb B road to Odiham, through Upton Grey and lunch at The Fur and feathers where Arthur rejoined the ride. Following Lunch the ride endured blistering heat whilst taking the countryside route back to Stockbridge where a stop was made and all horses watered before riders made off on their own route home. But where did the Ferryman go?

Sunday 20 June; Bincombe Down Run;  12 riders assembled at Fordingbridge after Arthurs Classic Triumph broke down shortly after leaving Ower and had to pull out of the ride. The rest of the ride set out via Cranbourne for the compulsory coffee, travelling to ward Weymouth, it travelled over Bincombe Down were we found the roaad had been closed at the A354. This gave a breath taking view over the Down, Weymouth Bay and Portland. Then on for a lunch stop at “The New Inn” at West Knighton which proved to be a success despite it being “Father’s Day” and the place being fully booked for Sunday Lunches. After lunch the ride continued through pleasant countryside, roads new to some riders and terminated at “The Barn” at  Three legged Cross. Another incident free day apart from our first breakdown of the season.