Sunday 8th March 2026
A misty and potentially miserable March morning greeted the 19 riders and 2 passengers as they rose from their slumbers on Sunday morning.
On arrival at the Three Compasses’ carpark, Charminster, the miserable part departed with the warm greeting we gave each other. Smiles were in abundance. We looked forward to the route Carol had prepared for us. Sadly the mist remained but did not dampen our spirits.
We rode 15 miles to Round Chimneys Farm cafe, Sherborne. (https://www.roundchimneysfarm.co.uk/)
Apart from the usual country lane hazards of mud, & shale laid across the road we encountered what I think was a sack of carrots!
The route progressed through Piddlehinton and Piddletrenthide in the River Piddle valley. Piddle is Old English for marsh or fen. The River Piddle flows to Wareham; marsh/fen can be seen along much of its length.
Piddletrenthide is described in the Doomsday Book as an estate on the River Piddle assessed as thirty hides. ‘Trente’ comes from the French for thirty, and ‘hide’ from Old English meaning a hide of land.
We skirted round Buckland Newton.
Hot beverages were consumed; cold fingers warmed by clutching hot mugs and cups.
Small talk was made – much of it involved reminiscing about our teenage (mis)adventures – a continuation of discussions last Thursday evening at the Open Mic night.
We progressed to our lunch stop at The View Coffee Shop, Milton Abbas via the outskirts of Sturminster Newton and Ansty. Ansty was the original site of the Hall & Woodhouse brewery from 1777. The founder, Charles Hall, observed how thirsty farm workers were!
The staff coped amazingly well with the influx of riders at The View Coffee Shop https://www.theviewcoffeeshopma.com/). Those riders that arrived first were accommodated in the outside dining area. Usually they would be rewarded with fabulous views across Dorset. Remember the mist mentioned above? Well it persisted and thickened 🙁 See the attached photographs. A disappointing monochromatic view
The return to the Three Compasses was brisk via Winterborne Whitechurch, Milborne St. Andrew, and, skirting around Puddletown and Dorchester. It was wonderful to be able to open up the bike along mostly A-roads, and, not worry about mud, shale, approaching tractors or sacks of carrots on the narrower roads.
Thank you Carol for organising the route.
A little request: could you organise the weather too, please?
Mike Davis
