Eleven enthusiastic riders and a passenger plus non riding members and our President turned up at the Udder Farm Shop and Café for the first run of the 2024 season, our “Winter Run”. The weather was fine if a bit on the chilly side, just a little damp sheen on some of the roads, but no rain. Personally I prefer a dry winter run to a wet summer run. Not so keen if there is ice or snow. Other VMCC sections should organise more winter runs! If New Year’s Day is OK what about the rest of December and January!
Anyway, we all set off OK then about 8 miles out it all went wrong. Although route sheets were issued, the leading group proceeded on “follow the leader” and the leader missed a right turn. A few of us turned back to find the turning, but the leading pack went their own way and short cut the journey. There were 2 guys Nick Lowe and his buddy from the Stonehenge section, who went back to the start and did the run again following the route sheet. So instead of a 30 mile run, they had a 50 mile run, but thoroughly enjoyed it.
We had a good mixture of roads, short sections of A roads, some B roads but lots of single track lanes, many with mud or debris down the centre, but showing some tarmac! We met horse riders twice, but no aggravation. Two of the ladies were riding heavy horses, which you don’t see so often, they didn’t bat an eyelid to our presence. Many of the lanes I had not travelled before, I was most impressed with the magnificent view from Wheathill Lane on the approach to Milborne Port, looking west.
Most of the party on the return to the Udder Shop, took advantage of a lunch, which I found good value for money, certainly a popular lunch venue.
Bernard Jones.