2022 – The New Forest

Organiser – Dick & Deb
Location – The New Forest, Hampshire
Accommodation – The Forest Park Lodge, Brockenhurst
Who was there – Gary & Janet, Dick & Deb, Jo & Brian, Liz & Paul, Colin & Trish, Jan & Ed, Ian & Veronica
Date – 2nd to 4th September 2021

Unfortunately, Pete & Terri had to pull out at the last minute (insert your own jokes here!) as Pete was very ill with Shingles. Rod & Tina also had had to cancel their booking at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances. So, we were down to 14 attendees (see above).

Friday afternoon saw us split into two groups. The MTB’ers Gary, Liz, Ed and Ian went off to the southeast of Brockenhurst and ended up on the beach at Nash Point where Liz went for a paddle and Ian went for a full-on swim in the Solent. On the return we did find a nice piece of rooty single track to make a change from the quiet country lanes and the forest fire roads. Don’t know where the roadies went, but there was lots of chatter at the pub about whether they were actually following a route or just making it up as they went along. Janet spent the warm afternoon creating a watercolour of the hotel before joining us all at the Foresters Arms for a pint or two.

Jo & Brian had arrived by the time we returned to the hotel, and it was clearly Pimm’s O’clock as they both had drinks in hand sitting in the sunny hotel garden. A wash and a change of clothes for the rest of us before we returned to the bar for (more!) pre-dinner drinks and then an excellent meal in our own private dining room. The highlight of the evening was the “draw” over three rounds to decide who would be organising next year’s event. Unfortunately (sic!) only those attending could take part. The final three were Jo, Liz and me. As can be seen from the photo below Jo’s relief at getting a “its not you” ticket is obvious, as was Liz’s disappointment at not getting the “it’s you” ticket. Having picked the short straw “it’s you” ticket I was a bit “meh”, done it before (just a few times!) and perhaps we can find some proper MTB terrain in 2023″.

Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny, breakfast was good and hearty, and following the usual bike fettling we were ready for the days riding. The MTB’ers (Gary, Ed, Liz and Ian) went off to the northwest of the forest, crossing the A31 via tunnels before going to Burley to meet the rest of gang at the Queens Head for lunch. The roadies (Jan, Dick & Deb, Colin & Trish, Paul) headed off I don’t know where and given the conversations later plus pictures of folk pouring over maps I am not sure that they knew where either! Jo & Brian set off on a 7 mile cross country hike to Burley and Janet settled down in the pub garden to finish her painting of the hotel before joining us in Burley. Veronica went off to Lymington as she had arranged to meet an old friend who lived there.

The MTB ride was on gravel tracks and quiet roads and we bimbled along enjoying the warm weather and forest surroundings. That was until Ian’s chain gave out and we spent a pleasant 20 minutes (see pics below) sunbathing until he eventually sorted the problem. We then made our way south to Burley to meet everyone for lunch and a deserved beer or two. While nice inside as well as in the large garden and having some very nice ales, the food left something to be desired. Very small expensive portions were mentioned a few times. Post lunch we meandered our way back to Brockenhurst, the MTB’ers via the now dismantled Ringwood to Brockenhurst railway line and the roadies by road, what else! We met up again at the Foresters Arms for a couple of beers, a lot more for Brian and Taf who decided to stay for a while longer and watch the end of the football match on TV.

Sometime later we met up again the bar before adjourning to the dining room for another excellent meal. Colin & Trish had left at this point as they had to get to Wales the following day to start a five-day bike ride from north to south. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you what went on for most of the evening as Janet had an extremely painful hip and we retired from proceedings before the meal was completed.

The prizes were won by ………………………..

Golden Pedal: Trish ~ Golden Helmet: Ian ~ The Shoe: Paul ~ Gordon’s Goblet: Jo

Following another very good breakfast on Sunday morning we said our goodbyes and we went our separate ways. Jo & Brian, Dick & Deb and Liz & Paul went to Bucklers Hard for a scenic boat trip down the Beulieu River, Ed & Jan back home to prep for their 7-week trip down to Spain and Portugal, Ian & Veronica had to head off home to take over their menagerie of pets and lastly myself & Janet headed back to Dorset with Janet nursing her very sore hip.

And so ended the 2022 biking weekend.