Sunday’s run was organised by our second new run leader of the year, Mike Stovold, who did an excellent job in providing a good day out. We enjoyed new start and end venues and a route comprising of many roads we had not used before. I hope Mike enjoyed running the event and will repeat it again next year. So you see that’s two new run organisers this year, how about having a go yourself next year?
Many thanks to Mike, his report below. As an ex- military man he is precise and to the point!
Shaston Circle – Run Synopsis
Organiser: Mike Stovold
Date: Sunday 5th July 2026 11.00am
Start: Writer’s Block Cafe at Clayesmore School, Iwerne Minster
Finish: The Talbot Pub, Iwerne Minster
Riders: 18 incl. organiser
Pillions: 2 + sidecar pax
Profit: £46.50
Machines: 15 VMCC compliant solo machines. Oldest 1927 Newest 1999
2 Modern solos
1 Modern sidecar (if you can ever call a Ural modern 😉
Incidents: None reported
Weather: Warm, Sunny and dry
Distance: 39 miles on tarmac roads
Run route:
Essentially anti-clockwise around Shaftesbury (Hardy’s Shaston):
Start
Donheads
Fonthill
Hindon
East Knoyle
Gillingham (past old Brewery Cafe)
Stours
Finish
Feedback
Mostly positive, quite a few made the point they really enjoyed the run. A couple did feel the very small road through Hatch was a bit too challenging, especially with pillions. I have made a note to alter that section if it runs again next year.
Other changes could be: A bit longer but with a definite mid-stop other than Old Brewery which is perhaps too familiar a haunt.
Our next run is next Saturday – the Dorset Dakar, 10.30 at Compton Abbas Airfield. Your yearly opportunity to do a bit of riding on the rough stuff. There will again be a road route as an alternative, both routes start and end at the same places and call at our ‘Pop Up’ cafe in the middle.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.