Photos from the Ex–Chairman’s Challenge 2025

Our Secretary, Andy Grew, is off sunning himself somewhere in Scotland, so it falls to me, the Ex-Secretary, to post this report written by the Ex-Chairman, Paul Miles. As it was made very clear to me at the start of the run that, under no circumstances, was an Ariel rider going to win any prizes, I decided not to take part 🙂 🙁 🙂

Fifteen riders and two pillions signed on for the ex-chairman’s challenge, plus several well-wishers at the start. I was delighted to see several of our members who don’t necessarily manage to attend that many of our events, which offset the almost total absence of senior club officers; perhaps something to discuss further when a ‘fun’ event appears to have more appeal to our newer members than the traditional runs

Anyway, the entrants were sent on a circular route of forty miles, riding through spectacular countryside and given the opportunity to take part in the steeplechase questions by identifying churches en route (steeplechase- church steeples, right?), before finishing up on Abbey walk Shaftesbury for a well-deserved ice cream or two (names withheld for discretion purposes!) . I think everyone who took part had fun.

Thank you to all those who attended.

Paul Miles

We have three more events coming up in quick succession:

• Next Sunday 6th is Young Ryan’s Express
• Then on Wednesday 9th in the evening, we have a Treasure Hunt & Picnic — follow the link to read the flyer. It’s not clear but I believe Ariel owners are welcome/tolerated at this event.
• And on Saturday 12th, it’s our world famous Dorset Dakar