The Posh Lunch Run
Sunday 1st June 2008
Zig Zag Hill & the Wicked Breakfast (denied)
Bright and early on Sunday June 1st (well, early at least) a dozen or so of the ‘Usual Suspects’ met at Loomies on the A32/A272 in West Meon. After a couple of months of misses due to clashing family commitments, this ‘unusual suspect’ re-joined the group. After a round of introductions and re-introductions for myself and another returnee (Aprilia Girl), for my sins I was ‘volunteered’ to do the write up.
The proposed route was to take us broadly west across Salisbury and via Zig Zag Hill to Dorchester for the famous Wicked Breakfast. Just as we were getting dressed to leave, a lady (who was well old enough to know better) delighted in telling us that she had espied a speed trap a little way down the road and had noticed us gathered so popped in to let us know - who said that Bikers are a scary mob? Many thanks to that Bike-spirited lady, the speed-trap turned out to be a group of accident investigators, but the thought was there and appreciated.
Finally, mixed bag of bikes left Loomies, Chris’s brand new F800GS – he finally putting more miles on it than his brother, an Aprilia a couple of Bandits, a Pan, a few big GS’s 1100, 1150 & 1200, an ex-police bike and others.
Taking the A32 south to Corehampton and Morestead Road (Doctor’s orders, of course) across through to Winchester we made our way through Salisbury (there has to be a better way, I’m determined to find it); Zigged an Zagged down the Hill of the B3081 to our re-fuel at Shaftsbury. Taking in the sights included the cavalcade of some 50 or more Gold Wing outfits, trikes and sundry other hangers-on, including a Police escort and St John Ambulance – I guess if one of them things falls on your leg, it’ll be broken bones more likely. At least a number of them waved to us.
South on the glorious A350, west on the A357, south on the A352 and into Dorchester to disappointment (almost disaster). The world famous Wicked Breakfast café marooned in a sea of excavated carpark (did no-one see the planning applications?). Undeterred we soldiered on. Slim’s food radar (and some blind good luck) bought us to an excellent alternative stop – Posh Grub Pub – The European Where we were welcomed by staff and locals alike – although for some strange reason a bloke at the bar did threaten to bring his scooter along, maybe he needed to take more water with his.
The eminently suitable outside deck area was fully occupied by the remaining group (others having peeled off at various points to return early for other commitments). As food was ordered and some liquids taken on to replenish those transpired during the heat of the day, a slight hissing from Adrian’s rear end (his BMW that is) was noted. The offending rusty nail was removed and a thanks to a couple of the group carrying repair kits, a temporary plug was soon glued into place, a few minutes later the tyre was back up to full pressure and appeared to hold over the lunch break. Adrian left the ride after lunch to head back home at a slower pace in deference to the repair – we hope you made it safe & sound.
After Lunch, the group headed back up the B3143 & B3091 to Shaftsbury. The roads in this area are just sublime, although, after the recent heavy rains there was a fair amount of loose gravel which the 4-wheeled users had managed to carefully accumulate right in the preferred riding line. Good forward observation, careful balancing of safety, stability and vision in choosing a line and smooth progress enabled all to enjoy without danger or disaster. Occasionally the pace drew the group out a distance, but if ever we lost sight of leader Slim, on the Yellow Peril, following the sweet perfume of Castrol two-stroke burning in the Aprilia kept us on-track, all bikes should smell like that stroker – gorgeous.
We Zigged and Zagged up the hill of the B3081 before heading homeward along the A30 past/through Salisbury and Winchester. At this point I had to forgo the second dose of the Morestead Road (strictly by Doctors orders, I understand) and I headed off along the A31 to home in Aldershot.
Overall around 265 miles travelled, nearly 5 hours in the saddle and enough grins to last the month ‘till next time – it was great to be back in the pack. Thanks, to you all.
Steve (unusual suspect) – 1100GS