South Dorset section of the Vintage Motorcycle Club
During February the section had a very successful breakfast meeting at the Three Compasses where over 20 members enjoyed Rob & Tina’s full English breakfast.
Thursday 22nd was a “special” club-night dedicated to reviewing the future direction of the South Dorset Section.“ Where the members discussed ideas for improving the engagement with members in the area and encouraging new members to join.
This meeting was very well attended and various options were discussed.
Report from Rod Hann
Sunday 17th December 2023, saw the running of the South Dorset Sections ‘Mince Pie Run’. A dry but chilly day (well it is December) saw 19 entries meet at The Three Compasses at Charminster. We set off at 10-30am on a leisurely 30-mile route which stuck to mainly bigger roads in an attempt to keep relatively clean.
One minor road broke that rule and was a bit messy. Nice views of the beautiful Dorset countryside took everyone in a northerly loop and ended at Leigh. Several members also arrived in cars, making the total attendees around 25.
Carol had made copious amounts of mince pies, sausage rolls, etc. which with hot drinks were consumed at leisure. Once refuelled everyone made their own way home.
A good turnout for this time of year with at least four different Sections represented. One entrant, unfortunately, broke down on his way home but was soon collected and recovered to his home, so all’s well that ends well. That completes another year so look forward to some more good riding in 2024.
Twas the season to be jolly at the Three Compasses, where Rob and Tina whipped up a Christmas supper that even Santa would envy! The food was so plentiful that it’s rumored some of Santa’s Elves had been co-opted into helping in the Three Compasses kitchen.
Section members gathered around, plates piled high, and Rob’s culinary magic left everyone wondering if he was secretly a wizard in the kitchen. The Three Compasses turned into a gastronomic wonderland, and the only thing missing was a Michelin star for Rob and Tina.
But wait, there’s more festive fun on the horizon! Brace yourselves for this year’s grand finale – the Mince Pie run on Sunday the 17th of December. We’ll be starting with a 10 am meetup at the Three Compasses. Rumor has it, that Rod and Carol are the proud owners of the world’s most coveted Mince Pies, so be there at their home in Leigh either by bike or car by about midday or be pie-less!
For our club night on the 23rd of November Rodney Hann gave a well-attended talk on his wheel building history.
Rod learned and took up the discipline as a retirement activity, he covered the history of his involvement and also covered the technical aspects of what makes up a traditional wired wheel.
The difference between beaded and wired edge rims was discussed with examples of each type provided for attendees to examine.
Finally, a demonstration of the lacing of a full-width Norton hub to a traditional steel rim was provided. There were plenty of questions from those present and we’re sure all came away more informed on the technicalities and all were encouraged to have a go at lacing their own wheels at least once!
Following the AGM the online calendar has been updated to reflect the draft entries agreed at the meeting. Select the “Events” menu item above to navigate the calendar.
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Please report any errors or omissions to the site admin at admin@southdorsetvmcc.uk.
Club night 25th May 2023
Cormack delivered a very interesting talk about his 6-month trip around the coastlines of Australia to club members.
Cormack’s adventure was certainly very eventful, even before he’d made his final bike purchase for his trip. What was evident was the camaraderie of travelers he met during the trip and how important it was to have good contacts when traveling solo in what could only be described as a wilderness full of potential danger at every turn.
Report from Rod Hann
The Weymouth Week organised by the South Dorset Section of the VMCC took place from the 14th to 19th May. All week the weather was very kind to us with no rain at all which allowed full enjoyment of our beautiful Dorset countryside.
On Sunday we used some of the original route used in 1968. A short ride took us to Moreton for our coffee break. Some also visited the grave of Lawrence of Arabia. We continued on across Lulworth Ranges but here thick fog prevented seeing the splendid views. Back inland we went to the Bovington Tank Museum for our lunch break. A shortish ride took us to Osmington for the tea break before returning back into Weymouth. A nice gentle day to start things off.
Monday saw us heading northwest with magnificent views before stopping at Hamish’s Farm Shop at Ryme Intrinseca for coffee. A gentle route took us to Spire Hill at Stalbridge where lunch was taken and another 20 miles saw us taking tea at The Cabin Cafe at Warden Hill. Here everyone was also occupied looking around the Emporium second-hand shop. 18 miles further returned everyone back to Bagwell Farm.
On Tuesday we headed west. We passed the famous Abbotsbury Swannery before following the coast road to Bridport and then to Morcomblake where coffee was taken. A few twisty lanes next as we went down to Colyton where lunch was taken at the Tram Station. Members took advantage of a ride to Seaton and back on the tram. Returning eastwards we went to Freshwater Holiday Park for our tea before again following the coast road back to Bagwell Farm.
Wednesday we agin went east before taking coffee at The Rainbow Garage Cafe. Further east we went to Studland where we had glorious views over Poole Harbour whilst many members enjoyed an ice cream. We travelled into Swanage next and on to Putlake Adventure Farm where lunch was taken. Returning west again we went to Lulworth Cove where tea was taken and members walked down to admire the views of the Cove. A route back through Weymouth returned us to Bagwell Farm.
Thursday was the longest ride of the week as we went northeastwards across country to Milton Abbas for our coffee stop. Further on we went through Ashmore which is the highest village in Dorset before descending the famous Zig Zag Hill.
Into Shaftesbury town, we stopped at Abbey Walk where members walked into the town centre for lunch. 20 miles later we arrived at Round Chimneys Farm Cafe where tea was taken and many animals were seen on this working farm. Another 23 miles returned us to Bagwell Farm.
Friday being the last day was a little easier. A return trip along the coast road to Bridport and then to Broadwindsor where coffee was taken and people looked around the various craft shops on site. Next, we enjoyed more nice views as we headed to Leigh where Carol had laid on a lunch for everyone. They also looked at a few motorcycles. A direct route returned everyone back to Bagwell Farm where we said our farewells with the promise that we will do the same again next year.
A number of weeks ago I stumbled across a number of grainy prints taken at the Dorset Section Weymouth run on May 19th, 1986.
It’s probably hard to identify anyone however, you may recognise some of the machines. Dusty’s “The JP” is there as well as Rod’s Model H with a wicker sidecar and Ken & Shirley Blake’s NUT.
If any members want any additional “From the Archives” posts included on the website please forward details to me at the following email address.
admin@southdorsetvmcc.uk
30th April 2023
Rod and Carol Hann spent the day staffing the South Dorset Sections founders relay rally checkpoint at the Rainbow Garage Café at East Knighton.
Dreary weather across the county did limit the number of visitors.
Welcome to the new South Dorset section website.
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admin@southdorsetvmcc.uk