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It was a beautiful sunny day when the VMCC South Dorset Section gathered at the pub — the Three Compasses — for another day out on our bikes. This run was led by Nigel & Helen. With all the riders signed on, dues paid and ready to go, there was plenty of anticipation for what promised to be an enjoyable ride through some of the finest countryside Dorset and East Devon have to offer.

Once everyone was ready, we climbed aboard our motorcycles and set off, playing a spirited game of “follow my leader” as we worked our way through the Dorset countryside. The route took us along a mixture of familiar roads and some that were new to many of us, with plenty of beautiful scenery along the way.

Of course, no group ride would be complete without getting slightly lost, and we managed that just once! Eventually, however, everyone made it safely to Seaton, where we regrouped and headed into the ‘Quayside Café for a well-earned coffee. Some members took the opportunity to have something to eat as well, and we enjoyed a leisurely break of around an hour before getting back on the road.

Our next leg took us through the lovely East Devon countryside, heading towards Dunkeswell Aerodrome. The route provided a great variety of riding, with winding country lanes mixed with B-roads and the occasional stretch of A-road. It was exactly the sort of varied riding that makes a group motorcycle outing so enjoyable.

Eventually we arrived at Dunkeswell Airfield, parked up and settled down for lunch. There was, however, an unexpected bonus waiting for us beside the café. Parked nearby was a beautiful Tiger Moth, which naturally attracted plenty of attention from the group.

After a while, a couple of chaps climbed aboard the aircraft, started the engine and taxied away. It was a fantastic sight and sound, and certainly added something special to the day. At this point Bob and I found that everybody had departed.

With good weather, excellent roads, beautiful countryside, good company and an unexpected aviation display thrown in for good measure, it was another thoroughly enjoyable outing for the VMCC South Dorset Section. A great day out on two wheels — and one that will hopefully be repeated before too long. Thanks go to Nigel & Helen, and Peter & Kevin whoes photos you can see below.

Mark

“This is an article writen by Mike Davis for the club magazine that unfortunately didn’t make it to print”.

During Weymouth Week the SDVMCC seeks to celebrate all that is good about Dorset

Sunday 10th May

The week began with a parade of 40 or so bikes at the Jubilee Clock Tower, Weymouth seafront.

There is great satisfaction in watching those promenading, smile as they catch a glimpse of a machine that brings back a memory. For me it is a time of inspiration as in a 1934 Velocette MOV 250cc machine – not inspiring? Well, when it comes with its 92-yr old rider, that is inspirational!

The first ride of the week took us to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens for refreshments along the B3157 coast road. A great and well loved biking road which offers wonderful views along the coast for passengers but riders need to keep their eyes on the road. Then on to Lyme Regis entering the town from the west descending a steep incline. A test of brakes and gears. We parked near the Mermaid Theatre. Some took the opportunity to visit Mary Anning’s statue, a pioneer of palaeontology in the 19th century.

The return journey was back along the B3157 provided spectacular views of Chesil Beach, the Fleet Lagoon, and Portland. All have been inspiration for works of fiction such as On Chesil Beach by Ian McKewan, and Moonfleet by J. M. Falkner.

69 miles

Monday 11th May

35 bikes headed north east to the aptly named View Cafe at Milton Abbas. Magnificent views across the Dorset hills while consuming hot beverages. A further ride of about 40 mins brought us to our lunch stop, Compton Abbas Airfield, a grass, hilltop, airstrip with views across to Shaftesbury.

Many Dorset place names include the word Abbas – it refers to land previously owned by the Abbess, the head of the abbey nunnery.

A 40 minute ride took us to Glanville Wootton Village Hall where the local residents supplied us with an abundance of tea and cakes. I do believe most motor cycles were at least 10mph slower leaving the village hall! A slow return to Chickerell.

92 miles

Tuesday 12th May

We set off on a circular route to The Caddy Shack Cafe, Weymouth, via Langton Herring, Abbotsbury, and Winterbourne Saint Martin.

We then took abot an hour to ride to Forde Abbey up and over the Dorset Ridgeway, and through glorious Dorset countryside.

Forde Abbey is a former Cistercian Abbey dating from the 12th century.

A half hour ride brought us to Mapperton House. The highlight was Rod Hann being interviewed

for Mapperton Live, the house’s promotional station on You Tube, to the delight of an audience…. us.

83 miles

Wednesday 13th May

The weather was beginning to turn, but this did not prevent riders setting off for The Pig Shed Cafe, Dewflock Farm, near Dorchester. The Cafe is the weekly Wednesday meeting place of the SDVMCC from 10am for a chat over coffee and nibbles.

We dragged ourselves away from The Pig Shed to ride 40 or so minutes for lunch at The Cake House Cafe, Creech. This was not our daily tea and cake stop, but our lunch stop. The cake refers to the animal feed that was previously stored in the shed – sheep cake.

From Creech we rode west through Bovington to Athelhampton House where tea and cake was served in abundance in the Long Gallery. The Doomsday Book records a residence owned by the Bishop of Salisbury here. The current hall was built on the site in the 15th century.

Again, I am sure the bikes were slower after this stop.

78 miles

Thursday 14th May

The rain did not prevent us from riding out to Warden Hill via Hardy’s Monument – not Thomas Hardy the author, but Sir Thomas Hardy, who served with Vice Admiral Lord Nelson in the Napoleonic Wars. Yes, he of the “kiss me Hardy” fame.

Our lunch stop was Henstridge Airfield via Cerne Abbas, where it was just possible to discern the Cerne Abbot Giant – No Mow May did not assist him in displaying all of his appendages!

The final stop of the day was Toller Percorum where volunteers in the village hall plied us with tea and cakes. A slow return to Weymouth!

91 miles

Friday 15th May

The final run of the week was relatively short with a 40-minute ride to The Crafty Barn Cafe, Milton Abbas. This was followed by a run to Leigh for a sumptuous lunch provided by Rod and Carol Hann.

70 miles

I have come to the conclusion that VMCC members are powered by tea and cake judging by the consumption of said items!

Thank you everybody who assisted in organising the week of runs. We covered 483 Miles in total

Pictures of the week’s events can be viewed at https://southdorsetvmcc.uk/wp/posts/

Mike Davis

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