Fifty-three Meridian (and some very welcome C&F) members duly swiped in for my Chocks Away sortie into the Kent countryside. A great turnout considering the unpredictable weather of the week before, but the sun was out, and Meridian were riding.
I had re-recce’d some of the ride a couple of days previous and knew that a route change was in order as the lanes leading to the airfield memorial were bogged down with mud, which was a shame as that would have made a fantastic backdrop for a chapter photograph proudly displaying our Meridian flag.
On leaving our sponsoring dealer Warr's, there was a temporary traffic light so that split the pack up straightaway. The British Superbikes were at Brands Hatch, so that meant a detour along the motorway and halfway into the Rideout there were diversion signs pointing left at a T junction, then to find a tarmac gang had closed the same road off! However, the roadworkers kindly let us through and after zig zadding our way past wet tarmac patches we rode on to the comfort stop for a well-earned coffee.
The second leg went smoothly, and we arrived at The Lookout Cafe, Biggin Hill about an hour later just as a Spitfire was taking off. Perfect timing. The sight and sound of the iconic merlin engine Spitfire certainly fills you with nostalgia.
The Lookout staff were amazed at the amount of bikers who had descended on them (although I had phoned ahead at the comfort stop) but they duly looked after us and commented “see you next week” so we are welcome back anytime.
Hope you all enjoyed the Rideout, I know I certainly did.
Thanks go to Enzo, for last man duties, and Baz our faithful last-last man and of course the rest of the road crew and Road Captains. Shaun, for opening the dealership early and getting the tea urn up and boiling and of course Caroline for the group photograph.
Thanks also to our sponsoring dealers Warr's SE for all their support and backing - be sure to give them yours!
Alan Wright, Meridian Road Captain.
