Minstead Motorcyclists Social Night

Last Wednesday we thought we would have a run out to the Motorcyclists Social Night at Minstead Social club, in the New forest. Got home from work and after a cuppa and giving Phoebe a quick check over and pumping up tyres and such we set off for the wilds of the forest. Although its quicker to head down the motorway from ours we chose to go out through the villages along the A and B roads as this is what phoebe (and us) is happiest doing. Once through Romsey and over the A36 island we were in uncharted  territory. We found signs to Minstead eventually and follow them nearly to almost to Lyndhurst and them tuned off and crossed one of the gated and cattle gridded entrances to the Forest proper. The road wound through the forest for a few miles  passing the usual New forest Pony's and a few random cows, who seemed to take the sight and sound of a strange pink camo beastie rumbling and rattling  though their domain in their stride. Unlike Dogs apparently two of which Were straining at their leash and barking madly at use as we rounded a corner. Perhaps the took the low rumbling growl of Phoebes exhausts as a challenge, or it could just have been because they were Jack Russell's. After a bit more lovely New Forest scenery we arrived at Minstead. We could see the pub and village stores and other prominent village amenities.but no social club. I attempted to cheat and look it up on my phone sat-nav...and failed of course( so I'm a technophobe, the fact I ride a Ural should be a clue,so live with it.) Lou on the other had sorted it immediately  and efficiently and we were soon on our way down the narrow road out of the Village. After the first hundred yards or so we encountered a group of slightly surly pony's grazing on the hedgerow who eyed us suspiciously, but grudgingly moved over to allow us to pass. Fifty yards further on we saw another Big chestnut Pony/horse giving a car a hard time. the car eventually got by and it was our turn. This fella  meant business,not just surly but downright bloody nasty. We manoeuvred to go round him. he moved across to block us again, we moved again, so did he. We were now nose to nose with him, all rolling eyes and flattened back ears, him not us. Having grown up with horses I decided to call his bluff inching forward and using ancient horse whispering phrases like "Get out of the way you daft bugger!" this seemed to work and he stomped of to the side of the road and let us through. Arrived at the social club with no further incident, pulled in and got a few surprised looks from the crowd gathered outside a few people came over and chatted, a nice friendly bunch We ordered an excellent burger from the barbecue and strolled round looking at the bikes. some nice old Brits, some beautifully restored Japanese stuff and a good smattering of other makes as well. It did strike us that most of the people there were 50 plus old farts like us, a dying breed perhaps. Walked into the bar and ordered some tea. (wow aren't  we the wild ones.lol.) wandered round for a bit more then decided to leave. Oops, found we were blocked in the car park, but a quick word  with one of the organisers and we were soon on our way thanks to a couple of blokes kindly moving their bikes to let us out. Instead of heading back the way we had come I thought I'd go the other way and join back onto the A31, which we did......But heading the wrong way towards down a duel carriageway to Ringwood so after a mile or two I saw a turning back into the forest and took that as that seemed to be our best option. We came out onto a long road across one of the more open heathy bits of the forest. Phoebe's off road biased suspension came into its own on the undulating poor road surface and the lights were more than adequate to bowl along  at a fair clip.suddenly every thing lit up and I was convinced we were about to be beamed up by aliens! as it turned out Lou had switched the sidecars swivel mounted spotlight on, which was aimed just in front of the bike. With a bit of adjustment Lou got it aimed down the left side of the road well ahead of us, ideal for picking out errant wandering cattle and horses. I kind of came to the realisation that this was probably just what our Pink beastie  was designed to do i.e bang roads similar to, or worse this for miles across the wilds of Russia. we soon got back to civilisation and passed through a couple of small villages  the last of which was Minstead! fortunately, we didn't go past the social club as that would have been embarrassing. we returned back the way we come and did a raid on our local garage to get beer and food. A good little expedition as I've not really ridden Phoebe at night much and as a lot of sidecar steering and control relies on reading the road and anticipating the cambers. At night this becomes more difficult so some good practise was had.