Sunday the 11th September saw the fundraising ride take place. We were starting out in Wimborne to visit every masonic lodge building in Dorset. Grahams widow Patty, met us on a 7am start to wave us off.
The start saw Phil and Darren, along with another rider who was along for the day set off from Wimborne square after taking the opportunity for a photo
With cold and misty roads, we were not sure if the Met Office had the weather forecast accurate but we were determined to crack on.
The first lodge we headed for was Blandford.
The roads were misty and at one point Darren saw Phil vanish into the mists ahead, only to resurface a little while later.
It is here that we met up with Ritchie who was along for the day.
All a little nervous as we had not actually been to all the buildings in the county so were reliant on TOMTOM
Our little crew was starting to grow and would only keep getting bigger as the day went on.
Making our way through the wilds and into deepest and darkest Dorset, we proceeded to Sturminster Newton.
Anybody that has had to challenge the winners of the masonic quiz might well know this building.
Darrens first time out here. It looked like the ride was going to prove a great way to know where all the buildings were.
Our next destination was to meet up with secretary of the Wiltshire based Stonecutters, Robin.
We met up at Shaftsbury and proceed to the next pose for the camera.
We were all starting to really enjoy what the day had in store for us.
The next destination was Gillingham where we were well met and invited into the temple for our photo shoot.
We were also given a quick tour of the building and, we all agreed it was a very nice temple.
Our host at Gillingham came along for part of the ride and led the group to our next destination.
That destination was Sherbourne.
Our guide took us a specific route so we could see the cathedral in all its glory.
Sherbourne is a lovely looking place and the buildings are all quite impressive.
Our companion left us and we headed to the next stop. That being Beaminster.
Phil managed to drive right past it but Ritchie was on the ball and saw the greeting party waiting to receive us.
Providing refreshments and the oportunity for a loo break, we chatted and promised we would return to visit a meeting one day soon.
The next leg would take us to the most distant point from the start.
Lyme Regis is an awesome place to visit and we knew there was no way we get get the bikes close.
After parking up down the bottom of the hill we wandered upwards to take the next photo.
We also used the chance to stop and have a full english each.
Well rested we continued out but also found that the rest of the county had woken up and filled the roads with cars.
Undetered we moved onwards to reach our next target location or Bridport.
We were really looking forward to this leg as it would brings us the the awesome Jurassic road overlooking all of the fleet.
Seeing Portland in the distance was a great motivator and we were then met by two more riders to join us on our adventure.
Grabbing the chance to take a photo of Robin, a cornerstone in the Widows Sons (non master mason), right next to an actual lodge building cornerstone.
I should add that the main temple here was awesome but, as no one that was a member was present, we decided not to take a photo inside. You should all visit as it is spectacular.
A short ride later and we visited the historic lodge building in Weymouth.
With our numbers growning and spirits high, the atmosphere amongst the riders was fantastic.
Each taking time to remember Graham along the way. With plenty of comments about how much he would have loved the day out.
We were led from Weymouth to Dorchester.
This building all painted in the craft light blue colours we are all so used to seeing.
This was round about the time that Phil realised a cafe racer is not meant for touring as the aches were creeping in.
Led along the next stage by our esteemed grand officer. Brian took us through Wool and to Wareham.
We were happy to be welcomed once again. Especially as we were quite behind schedule at this stage but people had waiting to see us.
Once again being invited to take a photo inside the temple.
Fighting through the traffic we took in the awesome vista of Corfe castle as we traversed the Purbeck countyside.
The Purbecks really are Britain in minature. It has everything.
Arriving at Swanage we collected Mark and started the home leg or the days journey.
A quick ride down the the chain ferry we soon picked up Diddy and Tony who were waiting for us on the other side.
Cutting through the lovely Poole park we arrived at Phil and Marks mother building in Poole
Making our way through much heavier traffic and already at the originally planned end time, we continued on.
At this stage there was still much laughter but mainly aimed at the groans and moans Phil was making every time he got off and back on his steed.
Branksome building acheived and not long now until we reach the end of the ride.
Next came Kinson where we all stopped for a chat about the ride so far and to update the new joiners on the exploits of the day so far.
All keen to crack on, we left Darren and Diddy to lead us to the final destination.
All of us that had been in it from the early stages were starting to feel sore as we headed to Wimborne.
The lovely weather and company kept us going strong and we knew two special people were waiting for us.
As we arrived we were met by Patty and Grahams son, Chris. They then proceeded to treat us all to welcome refreshment at the pub next door before we all crawled home for a well earned rest.
The ride proceeds are being donated to Festival 25 in the name of Graham and Broadstone Lodge, as this was Grahams lodge. The page will remain up for a short while so you can still dontate at this link