Not today, or yesterday, but on Wednesday, I met up with Mr.Red at Godstone, which is roughly in my neck of the woods. After gassing up with Shells finest, we set off on a 40 minute cross country ride, from Surrey to Sussex to meet up with Flooky.
The plan was to ride to The Haven cafe, just north of Salisbury, taking in the best bits of the A272. Wednesday is the usual bike night at this venue, but was very poorly attended when I went two weeks ago, but the ride is what this jaunt is all about.
The 272 wasn't as bad traffic wise at this time of day as I expected, despite an accident that had blocked the road to 4 wheeled traffic, within the first few miles. It was a big ask to keep 3 bikes together in the volume of traffic, but once we'd skirted Winchester hardly anyone was going our way, which suited us just fine. A six mile whizz down the B3049 Stockbridge Road, got us to, remarkably, Stockbridge. We stopped briefly to check out the trout holding station in the river Test, waiting for any passing morcels. All that was left now was a hoon down the A30 to the cafe.
A few bikes were already there as we arrived, which was a good sign, with many more piling in as our helmets and gloves were dispensed with. Our stay would only be about an hour and a half, as the plan was to enjoy the 272 back home, in daylight. This had been my first opportunity this year to take a Fazer groupshot, and this done, I spotted another thou which had been seriously "messed about with". The wheels certainly made it look different. I couldn't locate the owner, as would have loved a chat. Maybe he's on here. Mr.Red and I voted an immaculate Norvin as our favourite bike. It should have been immaculate as it was brand new in every way, having been hand built to the owners specification. Electric start, 5 speed box,Carillo rods, 4 leading shoe Robinson (copy) front brake, and the bill for that lot, £40k ish. At the other end of the biking scale, an Abarth Yam was a rare modern beast.
At 7 ish it was time to leave, heading back down the hill past Porton Down, to rejoin the A30 at Lopscombe Corner, to enjoy a traffic free whizz back to Stockbridge and on to Winchester. By-passing Winchester involves navigating a couple of involving roundabout systems. The second one didn't much resemble my earlier look on google earth, which resulted in a further lap of this massive roundabout as I'd missed the left lane exit. I had just caught sight of Mr Red to my left, in the correct lane, which was a surprise as I thought he'd taken a totally different route home to us. If I'd have known, I could have followed him
.
Now on the 272 in perfect conditions it was hammer down until the gas station next to Loomies, for a splash'n'dash. Out of the garage and back on the pipe eastbound, the road gloriously empty, the bends and curves perfect. At Billingshurst Flooky and I normally part company, him right, to the seaside, and me left towards South London. However after a brief chat we felt a pint would round off an excellent ride home. After a bit of searching to find one open, we came across the Selsey Arms at Coolham. This had loads of WW2 RAF memorabilia, including a lifesized Spitfire model in the garden. The pub had loads of WW2 history as Coolham airfield had been right next door. The governor was well into his bikes, having about 5 or 6 including an early Z1. An hour of chatting soon flew by and it was home time for me. Back to average speed cameras, 20 limits, burst watermain diversions, coned off dual carriageways. If the weather stays fine I'll be back next week for another go at the 272TT.