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Saturday 24th August 2013

It was overcast with light rain as many of us met up at Bush Hill Park station at 9:00 am to catch a train to Liverpool Street. Then we rode across to Waterloo to catch trains to Winchester. Because of the limited number of bikes allowed on each train, we had to split up, and caught various trains to Winchester. A number of others made the journey independently. We all met up at the Old Gaol House pub in Winchester, some of us with bargains bought in Winchester market! The weather was dull but dry, while we heard reports that London was suffering a huge downpour. We set off about 2:00 pm for Burley, through Chandlers Ford where we stopped to fix a couple of mechanical problems, and through Southampton to a tea stop at Totton. Afterwards we left the main roads and rode through New Forest lanes past ponies and a fairy festival(!) to Burley. Here we met John C, Mary and Sue who were staying in local B and Bs. On to the YHA, were after settling in we went for a less than impressive meal at the White Buck pub next door.

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Sunday 25th August 2013

A dull start with drizzle, but the forecast was for brighter weather to come and in this case it proved correct. We had hired a couple of tandems for the day, and our leader, Pat as stoker briefed us on the route. Off we went through Burley and on to forest tracks, quite rough in places. After ascending what seemed like a mountain one of the tandems developed a flat in the rear tyre, so we stopped to replace the tube. Then on past the Canadian War Memorial to Bolderwood Arboretum, where we stopped to view the deer and heather. The whole area was thronging with walkers and cyclists! On again, across the A35 to Brockenhurst where we stopped at Ye Buttery Café for lunch. Later we crossed the level crossing in the centre of the village and made for the disused Brockenhurst to Ringwood rail line. Here there was a period of farce as a couple (not in our group) took separate paths at a fork in the way, then both crossed over to look for the other! Karl and Sibel on Tandem 2 made good use of the rough ground! Back to base around 4:00 pm, where some adjourned to the Queens Head pub in the village. Dinner at the hostel, followed by Scrabble (apparently there is such a word as 'zo') and Trivial Pursuits until bedtime.

Thanks to John R for working out the route

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Monday 25th August 2013

A bright sunny start to the day. Paul was out at 7:00 am for a tyre check and found a flat on Cathy’s bike. This was later fixed by Les, as were numerous other mechanical glitches. The original plan had been to ride back to Winchester, but we decided in the end to ride to the coast, and then pick up the train back from Christchurch. After a photo call and the obligatory 'faffing' we were ready to leave. John R and Peter set off first, as they were travelling separately first to Southampton and then on to their own destinations. Sibel left with her car for home, and the main ride went through Burley, Branksgore, Winkton towards Christchurch, stopping there to buy top up train tickets. Some went into the town, others to the beach and café in what was by now a hot day. The more daring ones ventured for a paddle or a swim before riding to the station for the 3:30 train to London.

A lovely trip, good weather, many thanks to Maz, Les and Sibel for organising it. Particpants were Les, Maz, Jayne, Karl, Paul, Peter, Gary, Phil, Trevor, John R, Bridget, Cathy, Rosa, Pat, Jane, Maria, Jill, Sibel, John C, Mary, Sue.