CTC Inters ride to West Tytherley

Coffee this way

Today we decided to test ourselves and go out with the 'Inters' who are a faster group than the 'Potterers' and who also cycle further. I am not sure we were expecting the 87 miles we finished with but more of that later!

We met up with the group at Hurn Stores and were made to feel very welcome. It appeared a number of the group had also previously been in the same position as us in making the transition from first group riding with the 'Potterers' to stepping up to more challenging rides.

a quick breather

We set off along the Avon Causeway and on to Burley, no stop here for coffee today, instead straight on to our first big climb of the day up the ornamental drive to Bolderwood. Kathy had a bit of a tough time on this one and took it easy coming up with Bob. Everyone had waited at the top and gave Kathy a quick break before setting off again. We head for Forest Road at Janemoor Pond on a road we have always done coming from the other direction. 'Murphy's Law' kicks in at this point as the wind is against us just as it was in the winter coming the other way! A quick two minute break at the end to get our breath and onward to coffee at Golden Acres Garden Centre, Landford. Much to some of the groups dismay we arrived fifteen minutes too late for breakfast but the sun was out so we could sit outside and enjoy our coffees. At 31 miles it had been a longish ride to the first stop so we were definitely ready for the refreshments and a rest.

Mottisfont Abbey

lunch on the green

After an enjoyable stop it is time to push on towards our next scheduled stop at West Tytherley, Kathy is feeling refreshed and persuaded to carry on as Colin promises no more big hills before lunch. He lies, as we skirt Sherfield English the road once again gets lumpy as we climb Doctors Hill. Then comes the next shock - we are at Mottisfont Abbey, somewhere we have only ever driven to before, so it feels like we are a long way from home. In fact a glance at the computer confirms we have cycled 40 miles and are not yet at lunch - this is going to be a long one!

Having got over the shock of being at Mottisfont we are next confronted with a stiff little climb at Bossington before following the route of the old roman road before eventually turning south again for West Tytherley and psychologically heading for home!

we wonder if they will give us a tow....

The Black Horse, Tytherley

At West Tytherley we stop for lunch and have our sandwiches on the green opposite the Black Horse Pub where a couple of miniature steam engines are in operation. We pop into the pub for a drink, to use their facilities and for a lengthy debate on the best route back to home. Route decided we head off with the warning that there is a 'bit' of a climb.

View across across two counties -
Wiltshire & Hampshire

At 50 miles out we bowl down Rectory Hill and then turn left onto Ashmore Lane this is the 'bit of a hill', in fact a 12% gradient of a hill for the next half mile, to the top of what on the map is named The Hanging. If we had the energy there might have been one - a bit of a hill indeed!! A well deserved break at the top for the view and photos before heading off in the general direction of home via Whiteparish, Redlynch, Downton and  Breamore. After a gentle climb into Redlynch the road home is fairly flat and easy cycling as we follow the Avon Valley through Fordingbridge and onto a swift tea stop at Ringwood where the cafe owner seems none too pleased to be invaded by cyclists half an hour before closing. There follows much hilarity after Colin is served a bigger portion of cake than Jackie and this after no breakfast as well!!

Kathy makes it to the top!

The group now splits up as we all head in different directions for home we join Bob and cycle back to Hurn Stores via the Christchurch Road and the Avon Causeway. We bid Bob farewell at Hurn and head for home a little wearier than when we set out 87 miles and 7 hours ago. It's our longest ride so far and at an average of 12.5 mph on of our quickest. Will we be joining the 'Inters' again? Most definitely, we have had a great day, it has been hard work but great fun. However, we may cycle with the 'Potterers' again next week to catch up with old friends before joining our new ones again in a couple of weeks.