At the start of September members of the Quarrymen set out on a very wet day to perform our annual trip around Dorset to visit all of the lodge buildings in memory of those that we have lost over the last 12 months.
The poor weather translated into only a few hardy souls ready to make the journey but our Charity Officer assured those that came, the weather would not be an issue, he was wrong. Starting early at Kinson the ride began with a very mild start to the day. Travelling through our local roads we made our way to the buildings and then to the chain ferry to start the longer part of the day, making our way through to Lyme Regis.
At this point we could all see clear blue all around and the moral was high. Working our way through the Purbecks to Swanage and back out to Dorchester, the clouds were appearing. Light rain started at Portland but was fine and eventually subsided by Bridport.
Lyme Regis was busy and looked like a great last weekend to the holiday period with the area busting at the seams with visitors. Feeling a little weary from being around 4 hours in to the ride, we were all looking forwards to meeting our friends at Beaminster Manor who very kindly opened up to provide refreshments and food. All met with some nice conversations and great support.
All charged back up, the riders in it for the long haul headed over to Sherborne where we were also met with a wonderful donation by the Lodge of Benevolance. Stopping for a chat we noticed we were also managing to keep on our schedule (a first for us). We headed to Gillingham, skirting Yeovil to keep on time. This is where the fun really started.
Rain like we have never ridden in before, mixed with lightning flashes every 30 seconds or so, the claps of thunder and roads that were now rivers. Our waterproofs reaching their hydrostatic head were giving out at a pace when we reached Gillingham and met up with Ritchie, joining us for the last leg of the ride. We took shelter for a while and comments about this making it a real challenge this year were muttered from soaken helmets. The funds raised for Lifelites were keeping us going and determined to complete the ordeal.
For those who do not know, riding at speed starts to drop the air temperature so, being soaked through, the winds at speed felt close to zero with wet gear on. This was sapping the groups stamina but on we trundled.
Making our way through Shaftsbury, all the way to Blandford and then Wimborne we continued. All pushing forward and determined to see the ride out. Thankfully the rain started to clear and spirits were still surprisngly high at the end of the ride.
With the goal reached we headed back home. Phil was a little disgruntled when he got there and his wife told him it had been sunny all day in Verwood.
This year the ride was more challenging that before but this is now part of our annual events list and each year we will continue to raise funds for worthwhile charitable causes, whilst paying respects to absent brethren in Dorset along the way.
We are pleased to say that we raised £750 plus a decent amount of giftaid for Lifelites this year and a grateful thanks to the Lodge of Benevolance and Canford Lodge for their generous donations & Beaminster Manor for their support and providing respite every year we have operated this event. We appreciate anything we get for our fundraising and lodges all do so much for charity themselves each year, making it a difficult decision making the choice where to direct their donations. This makes it really special when alodge chooses to support our endeavour alongside all the good they already do. Thanks also goes out to all the donations from Masons located all over Dorset from all the lodge buildings.
Next year the ride name may change but you can guarantee we are all looking forward to it once again. No matter what the weather brings.
