Fat Bert said:
Bournemouth - is it worth visiting or just full of Beemer-riding IAM-wannabee's?
Poole Quay of a Tuesday night is probably one of the biggest bike meets in the country. (Poole is right next to Bournemouth by the way.) Was there last night, very nice. There's plenty going on in Bournemouth and Poole. My kids always found plenty to do. You're probably a bit too old for that sort of thing though. Born October 11, 1929, I see.
I've lived in the Poole and Bournemouth area for around 14 years and I like it a lot. Sandbanks, Poole is one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in the world. Not an inch of motorway in Dorset and, if you have a bike (not sure you do from some of the posts I've seen), some really nice B roads to ride. Try zig zag hill near Shaftsbury or the Purbecks. Keep an open mind and you might surprise yourself and enjoy a visit.
By the way, I am in the IAM and I did ride an old '85 K100RT for a few years. I recommend it for winter riding. It went through a lot less back tyres than my Bird.