I don't know how many bikes and riders turned up for our day out on the Isle
of Wight but it must have been 15 or so. These were made up of S&DMCC members
together with our friends from the New Forest Wheelers and some trusty old
friends from up north (that's the other side of the M4!)
Leaving the clubhouse at 8.15am we ride to the town quay where we board the
ferry for Cowes after a photo call as you can see. Another group of bikers
from the Lymington club were also off to the island for the day to meet up
with the Isle of Wight club which meant more bikes than cars on this trip
across the Solent.
First highlight of the day is the breakfast on board the ferry. A good fry
up, not the usual plastic stuff.
Next out on deck to admire the scenery. Have you ever noticed how when a
group of bikers get together surrounded by beautiful scenery, we seem to
ignore that and admire the bikes which we spend most of the rest of our time
admiring anyway! Well, we wouldn't be bikers if we were any other way now
would we!?
Off the ferry in Cowes and we are careful that none of our group get
separated. As we ride on to Carisbrooke Castle about 7 miles into our journey
one of our tail enders is asked by another biker if we are the group from the
Isle of Wight club. 'Not us mate, we're from S&DMCC, your lot are back in
Cowes'. Poor chap, I wonder if he ever found them again! We arrive at
Carisbrooke Castle and are allowed to park our bikes in the grounds as long
as we don't mow over the other visitors! This place is definitely worth a
visit with excellent views from the top of the walls and many original
features still intact and working.
Time for a photo call with us all standing by our bikes.
Now this day out was organised by our dear friend and club chairman Mike
Eaton. Those of you that know him will know that Mike is constantly harping
on about how it never rains on any of his days out. HMMMM.
Well just as we gather for our photo call the heavens open and we all have to
take cover.
Sea mist, Mike tells us!
Is that the same sea mist that we got caught in two weeks ago at the road
race in Keevil after which I had to wring out my underpants and nearly got
zapped by lightning into the bargain Mike!?
Wet weather gear on and we're off to The White Mouse Inn just outside Chale
for our lunch.
Our own room and a fantastic buffet made this one of the highlights of the
day and as we finished the skies cleared and we were off to our kite flying
site on the coast.
There is a really brilliant road along this part of the coast that just begs
you to nail it and nail it we did. Just watch out for the bumpy bits that get
the bars shaking; but that just adds to the fun and our adrenaline fix was
had!
Kites and cornets on the coast then off to West Cowes via Yarmouth and some
beautiful coastal and country roads.
When we reach West Cowes we visit a local pub for beers and coffee whilst
awaiting the chain ferry to east Cowes and who should walk in but our friend
Mike Lewis, a freelance journalist from MCN.
Leaving Cowes on the 7pm ferry and we all reflect on a somewhat wet but
enjoyable day. We will all have good memories of another day on our bikes. It
doesn't really matter where we are or what the weather is like because
there's nothing quite like a day out on your bike with a big crowd of
friends.
Thanks to the New Forest Wheelers and the loonies from up north. And thanks
to Mike; just don't give us any more weather forecasts!
Isle of Wight 2000
By : Nick Davies
