Other Halves Run Report
Sunday 1st February 2004

Which reminds me, it was indeed he who had warned us for several weeks
that he was bringing someone special with him. We hardly believed him.....
It was bikes galore as more than 13 or was it 16, apologies to those I missed in my maths,
mustered at the now famous West Meon hut at 9.30am that Sunday.
We had the pick of BMWs bikes, R1100S', R1200RS,' R1150GS', K1200RS, R1150RT, 
oh and the Honda thingy. I think it was a Flat 6 Custom, very nice bloke though and, 
of course for class, a lone R1200C Cruiser which had a certain special appeal. 
The proof being just in case I need to remind you all, is was the one that "got the girl" in the end! 

We've also received reports that a certain bunny was scared witless as a large
multi-cylinder beast bore down on it on the wrong side of the road on one of
Candovers' famous corners. I believe a bit of heart massage got the bunny
going again, as for the Bike and the rider, a good recovery it has to be said.
If that was not enough, a little bird also told me that a certain well famous rider
earlier in the ride had "false start", too. Must have been the excitement of a special passenger.....

So back to the story, we had a marvellous start - with a glimpse of sun on and off throughout.
Leaving the West Meon Hut, we travelled on the A272 to Petersfield. There was plenty of evidence of Panos'
"marking brief" in excellent effect throughout. It really does works you know!
Then we turned on to the B2146 and we made brisk progress towards
Chichester through the twisties and after a short burst on the A286,
on to the wonderful B2141 to South Harting. Wow, it's times like these that you
realise how beautiful our country is. Unmarked roads through Elsted brought us to join the
A272 for another short burst before we turned north just before Midhurst.
Again travelling on unmarked roads we kept up a healthy (and safe) pace through Woolbeding to Liphook. 

After carefully negotiating the famous 20 mph roads there, we took the B2070 to Hill Brow.
This was good and testing riding. At this point we stopped for the inevitable call of nature
at the Murco Garage there. The Garage Manager couldn't believe his luck
(and probably thought all his Sundays had come at once) when all of us arrived....
but you can imagine his disappointment when most of us left without buying a thing!
Still he was a decent sort of chap, and he was no doubt mildly amused and interested
in the sight of the aforementioned fair Rachel rubbing her posterior parts and complaining of
soreness. Of course it was also inevitable that she decided to change machines for a
more comfy last half of the ride! Anyway, with an extra passenger on the R1200C,
and a certain crestfallen buddy on his own, we set off again turning right onto the B3006. 

Following the B3006 through Liss, Selborne and on to Alton,
we then took the A339 to Basingstoke, some very good fast bends there.
We then turned west into the challenging &technical B3046 through the Candovers,
enjoying the beautiful winding roads, on through Arlesford and Cheriton to finally join the
A272 again for West Meon. It was a happy band of bikers, with some fairs cargo,
that finally turned north on the A32 to arrive at SPC in Farringdon, and our real destination, the Royal Oak.

Here the merry band descended on a welcoming Landlord and his staff to meet the other,
much better halves. Of course that is except for the fair Rachael who was joined by
her husband and brother  and made us all feel as old as we looked.
After an excellent selection of well-cooked food,  with plenty of laughter and chat,
we finally parted our ways mid afternoon, promising each other that this
had to be a regular occasion during the coming year.

What a day, as far as I was concerned I left with a smile on
my face. But then again, I did get the girl, did I not?

Simon Robertson aka "The Saint"
(on the R1200C)