The 3 Counties Ride - sponsored by Zumo 
The 3 Counties Ride - sponsored by Zumo
Some 11 intrepid riders met at the now legendary meeting place of Tesco's Winnall in what was nearly arctic conditions for the highlight of this year's ride-outs. I know we have only had one other ride this year so far, but I reckon we have peaked early. Our leader Chris Walliker had spent numerous hours, tank-full's of fuel, endured punctures and hostility from the locals planned and reckied the route to ensure a fun packed trouble free event. So off we went...
We departed through the cetre of Winchester and headed off in the direction of Twyford. Unfortunately shortly thereafter we headed into roads so small and remote that even the locals didn't know where they went, so I cannot really describe the route! Needless to say the views were spectacular, the villages beautiful and the riding very demanding, unless you had just completed the Paris Dakar! We stopped at Petersfield pond for a well earned fag break but unfortunately the tea wagon & dancing dirls hadn't turned up as promised. Undeterred, we carried on and covered many more miles of uncharted territory occasionally crossing a main road which looked familiar only to head off into even narrower and remote lanes.
Eventually we found ourselves at the Cafe on the Hill at Portsdown Hill.. Yes! the famous dogging location, but it was far too cold and we had some serious riding to to anyway. Warmed up with burgers and coffee we wiggled and slid our way across the countryside even to a point where Chris lead us all up a track with a "not suitable for motors" sign posted at the end. Needless to say that we all had to do a three point turn in the entrance to a field, bringing our slow manouvres practice levels to new highs.
We continued in a general direction through Alresford and the Candovers towards Basingstoke. "Civilisation" came the cry over the radio, some people in need of fuel and others who had given up hope of seeing their loved ones again. But it wasn't to be! Just as we were so close, Chris headed off into the countryside again. We eventually found fuel at Odiham and stopped at the Jolly Miller just down the road for an excellent selection of "build-a-burger" and "heart attack" toasted sandwitches. After this it was deemed a suitable time to split and go our separate ways. Time was dragging on and we were all going to have to wash off the huge amounts of salt, manure, mud and rocks which now decorated our bikles.
A big thank you to Chris, Jo and their little mate Zumo, for planning the ride, Chris for leading it and Panos who kept the rear end up together. Until the next time then....