Sammy Miller Museum run Following last summer’s outing to New Milton, it was decided to go for a repeat performance for 2011.

This time it was a midweek run, starting from the Hog’s Back layby at 10.00 Wednesday with Bernard in the lead. Among those present for the occasion were Diana on pillion, Alec and Graham on almost matching new Bonnevilles, Graham Ford on the BMW and Barry on the Ariel, looking great in its new Cyclone livery. If Bernard had brought the Triumph (or one of them) rather than the Bandit, I would have been the only Japanese mounted participant! A pleasant run down the A31 and M3 and through to Lyndhurst, where as usual traffic was heavy, brought us, still all together, to Bashley Cross before 11.30. Coffee was kindly stood by Graham F, after which we spent an enjoyable couple of hours browsing around the Museum. As a first time visitor I was taken aback not only by the sheer scale of the operation – the museum website claims over 400 machines on display – but by the quality of the restorations and the range of bikes, including some extremely rare and unusual gems. It’s hard to single out any in particular, but some photos reproduced opposite will give you an idea. If you haven’t been there, don’t leave it as long as I have – I will definitely be going back for more soon!