Photos from The Big Road Run 2024

This run was very much in ‘indian country’ for me as it started in the far east extremity of our patch. But it was on very scenic on roads I am not familiar with, and the ride there was also very enjoyable. I’m sure the New Forest donkey’s spend all day crossing and re-crossing the roads just to annoy motorists.

I thought I may get the furthest travelled award with my 47 miles to the start but this was eclipsed by Pete Fletcher with 61 miles!

Loads of bikes at Loomies, but not many classics. There was however a brand new ’24 plate Norton Commando from the resurrected, again, Norton factory. We were also surprised and pleased to see a lot of women riders out on their own bikes – maybe we’ll see more female riders in the VMCC in the future.

I covered just under 200 miles on the day and only got a bit damp on the A303 returning home. An excellent day out many thanks to Bernard for organising it and to Barry for his hospitality.

Bernard’s report below.

8 keen riders turned up at Cranborne Garden Centre, plus 2 passengers and myself. There may have been more, but there was an atrocious weather forecast that predicted thunder storms, not only did none occur, but we had fine weather all day. Although we were in the west of Dorset, much credit must be given to Pete Fletcher who travelled all the way from Bridgwater. We also had a new rider Nick Daniel, who we hope to bring into the VMCC flock.

We all set of OK across the New Forest, bit of a hold up where a group of ponies decided to have a rest completely blocking one of carriageways. We stopped at Dobbies Garden Centre in Cadnam for an early coffee break, boy the café was hot, but with no vacant outside seating, so we sweated it out. Proceeded on to Loomies Bikers Café via Romsey, and this time I got it right, previously I turned into the town by mistake, on south of Winchester via back roads on the A272 and finally to West Meon.

As usual for a summer Sunday, the café was crowded, well at least the car park or perhaps I should call it a bike park was. I and a few other found it too hot to sit in the sun so retired to the air conditioned café for a pleasant and reasonably price lunch snack. After a good rest and natter we set off. Will Collard talked me into taking a more direct route back East, I obviously didn’t tell everybody about this, but all seemed to follow until we reached the A36 when we took to the M27 instead of going to Cadnam, we came off the motorway. I am confused what happened then, but Will disappeared, I decided and the main group followed Barry Wilson who obviously know where we were going as it was his home we were making for. We arrive at Barry’s in Verwood, but no Will or Jim Thornton, I later learned the Will had no intension of going to Barry’s, but was making for home and poor old Jim followed quite a way before realising something was wrong. He didn’t know the way to Barry’s so he also had to head home.

Barry did us proud, with tea and more cake than we could possibly eat, so a very big thank you Barry.

So ended a very present day

AT CRANBORNE GARDEN CENTRE