An overcast and damp 12° June day saw six Wilts HOC members meet for a pre-ride, cooked breakfast at Oscar’s café, Tidworth. A further four riders arrived from the North (Swindon) side of Wiltshire and met up with the ‘well stuffed six’, across the road in the Ram, Pub car park.
After a quick brief to confirm the destination, the route and the drop off system from Jimmy and with Jimmy leading and Andrew and his wife Katie as pillion acting as rear marker; shortly after 0900, nine bikes set off on Wilts’ ‘Jurassic Coast ride’.
Heading South West from Tidworth and skirting round Salisbury and Blandford along a mixture of slowish and faster roads, the common theme was unfortunately, a persistent drizzling rain.🌨😩
Arriving at Lulworth Cove, the riders were met with a fairly steep descent down a now treacherous, sandy, wet and slippery road to an area of sand allocated for bike parking – and an even steeper parking charge…!😳 (Unlike the somewhat over zealous parking wardens, at least Dick Turpin wore a mask)!😩
A short walk led the damp riders to a nearby café where hot beverages were drunk and cakes and huge scones were warmly received. After this, it was another short walk for the members and a photo opportunity of the scenic coastline.
Following this, Jimmy led the 40 minute or so ride West to Bridport along a mixture of drying, scenic roads and the faster paced A35.
Morale lifted considerably as the drizzle finally dissipated and the sun ‘got his hat on’ at last – or so Claire told me as she was singing the song down the intercom!!!🌞
Suitably warmed and further fortified at Bridport by tasty fish and chips and then ice cream; the only downside was that the well known shop ‘Helmet City’ was closed….on a Sunday!!! 😳 🥴
So, whilst there was no opportunity for any retail therapy, Wilts did seize the moment for posterity with another photo opportunity…. of themselves… wistfully queuing up to get in at the locked front door!😆
Right, Wilts had had enough fun for one day and it was a straight run home after lunch to catch the start of the England V Slovakia football match in the Euros…
Having covered around 160 (200 for the Swindon Crew) initially cool and wet 🌨 miles, then some warmer and dryer ones; riders reached Tidworth then broke off for home after a damp start but an overall, enjoyable and safe day’s riding.🏍🙂
Rider list:
Ride leader, Jimmy Y.
Dave J.
Claire J.
Sean E.
Sean M.
‘Goldwing’ Alan.
‘Goldwing’ Neil.
‘Rebel’ Vicky.
‘Tail end’ Andrew Y (& Katy as pillion).
Cheers
Dave Jolly
