CTC North Dorset Trailway Opening

Wimborne Minster

We meet at Wimborne Recreation Ground expecting to be cycling to Cranbourne and Tollard Royal. However, it appears we are now going to the opening of the new section of the North Dorset Trailway at Blandford. As you can imagine this garners a mixed response as some had turned up because it was the advertised run.
However, we set off for Blandford under the cover of grey sky's and a forecast of rain. It's bound to rain as in my experience it always does at 'Civic Grand Openings'!

Charles Bennett

As always we take to back roads and lanes following the River Stour valley through its pretty villages along the way to Blandford. There is Olympic history en route at Shapwick,  which was the birthplace of Charles Bennett who won Gold at the 1900 Paris summer Olympics in the 1500m.

Start of the trailway

By the time we arrive at Blandford the sun is trying to come out and the pre-opening festivities are in full swing with some impressive looking chains of office on display on the local mayors. There are some stalls giving away free water, always handy and a mobile cycle workshop - thankfully not needed today!

The trailway like many in the UK follows the route of an old railway line. It now stretches from Stalbridge to Spetisbury following the route of the old Somerset and Dorset railway taking in some of the picturesque villages of the Blackmore Vale.

The mobile repair shop

Cafe 65

We decide to go to Cafe 65 for a coffee until the actual grand opening and take over the long table at the back of the cafe having filled the side alley with our bikes. There is much discussion about the trailway but the main topic is that many who rode it recently picked up numerous punctures due to the grit it has been surfaced with. Obviously built with walkers and mountain bikes in mind not our skinny tyred road bikes.

Where's the repair shop
 when you need it!

John, Mike Kathy and I decide that, one - we do not need puncture repair practice (later to come back to haunt us) and two - we have seen enough civic openings before, so decide to avoid the trailway and head for home. On the ride to Blandford we had been chatting about rides past and local landmarks that need to be seen/cycled. One of these is at Tarrant Rawston and on the Ordnance Survey map is clearly marked as 'The Cliff'. How do I let myself get talked into these things but John and Mike say its on the way home! Thankfully I don't think Kathy was party to this conversation as it would have spoiled the surprise!!

John at the summit of 'The Cliff'

Once out of Blandford the quiet country lanes are a pleasure to cycle and we bowl along enjoying what is to be the last of the sunshine stopping briefly to fix a puncture on Mikes rear wheel. A new tube is put in as the old one is clearly more patch than original tube.  I think it was at this point that Kathy and I appear to have signed up for Mike's annual cycle pilgrimage to Paris, you see once again we are easily talked into things. However, it gives us another adventure to plan for and has also set us down the route of planning some cycle touring, so any advice re panniers, etc. gratefully received.

.......  Mike closely follows on.

Off to 'The Cliff' which does not disappoint. It is a classic short sharp climb with an average gradient of about 6% that rewards with great views at the top. Shortly after the climb another enforced stop as the promised rain arrives and its time to put on our rain capes. It's now a gentle ride home along quiet roads taking extra care on the now greasy roads on the descents.

... and Kathy takes
 a rest at the top!

Once home it's time to wash off the bikes before a hot shower and hot soup for lunch. Once again a great ride, we can now say we have done 'The Cliff' and it looks like we will be cycling to Paris in 2014.