Among their number were a local GP, lawyers, police motorcyclists, business executives and members of the Royal British Legion Riders Branch.

However, the pride of displaying their skills is being tarnished by a small number of “lunatic” bikers speeding along the A32 – and the responsible bikers gathered at Loomies in a bid to reassure local residents that they are just as committed as the police in catching the inconsiderate bikers who race up and down the busy road, causing distress to residents living on the road’s edge.

The bikers’ ‘meet’ followed our story concerning one West Meon resident who said bikers were making her and other villagers’ lives “hell” and were using the road as a “playground”, by roaring past at excessive speeds and creating high noise levels.

Her comments have dismayed some motorcyclists – who turned out in force at Loomies to put their side of the case. There were around 20 riders from the Solent Advanced Motorcyclists organisation (SAM), who were eager to explain their role of improving riding skills.

There were also representatives from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the Institute of Advanced Motorists, all of whom are regulars at Loomies, with the sole aim of teaching bikers to be responsible riders.

Gerry Gooch, from SAM, stressed: “Responsible motorcyclists are just as against very loud bikes with noisy exhausts as are residents.

“These riders are spoiling the reputation of true bikers. The majority of bikers are not a bunch of hooligans – they are responsible people of all ages, who love to ride their machines.”

Panous Simou, motorcycle training officer for the Thames Valley Group of RoSPA, explained: “Our group uses Loomies as a base for some of our training activities.

“On average, our group will visit Loomies three or four times a day on Saturdays and Sundays. I am not suggesting that there are no bikers out there who do not exceed the speed limit along the A32, or indeed, that all bikers ride with courtesy towards their fellow road users.

“What I am suggesting is that branding all bikers as a menace on the back of some petty and narrow-minded views from a number of local residents does nothing to promote road safety in general.”

He added: “Many of our members have had accidents during the winter months as a result of spilt diesel and mud on the A32 and other local roads, not to mention the dangerous road surfaces and potholes.”

Leon Torbett, co-proprietor of Loomies, was also unsympathetic towards the minority of “lunatic” riders, who are spoiling the reputation of the majority.

He said: “The last thing we want is for bikers to upset residents.