CTC Kimmeridge

Meeting at Merley Bridge

Kathy setting the pace .....

We meet again at Merley Bridge but today the sun is out and the shorts are on. The first part of the ride takes us on our usual route out to Wareham where we stop at Bobs house for coffee and toasted tea cakes. It's great to be able to take the chairs into the garden and enjoy the sunshine but we can't escape the sound of the smoke alarm going off as the tea cakes are toasted. After refreshments we set off for our planned lunch stop at East Creech heading through Wareham and Stoborough under an expanse of blue skies and by now even the arm warmers have gone - it's proper summer cycling at last!

We head on past the Blue Pool which started life early in the 17th century as a chalk pit. Purbeck Ball Clay was dug from the pit from the mid 17th century to the early 20th century. The Ball Clay was used to make fine ceramic products, such as smoking pipes, plates, cups and tea pots. The pit became disused before the first world war, but Purbeck Ball Clay is still extracted from other pits in the area.

Kev catches up after
stopping for photos

Testing hills

Rape seed adds a splash of colour

Air Ambulance arrives

 We arrive at East Creech ahead of time so decide to cycle on to Kimmeridge and have lunch there. The cycle to Kimmeridge takes in a couple of decent climbs that reward us with wonderful views across the Dorset countryside and coastline. After a wrong turn (Bob we thought you knew where you were going.................!) we arrive at Kimmeridge which is a haven for divers, surfers, walkers and today it appears cyclists. We are stopped from going down to the old coastguard hut at the slipway as there has been a serious accident on the rocks and the coastguard are clearing the area. So we head for the cliff top to have lunch and enjoy the views across the bay and out to Portland. We soon discover why we were not allowed down to the slipway as the air ambulance arrives and lands right where we would have been sitting for lunch.

Derek in the lead

After lunch we leave Kimmeridge and start the inevitable climb out and head back to Wareham via Church Knowle and Corfe Castle. We take the back road to Wareham via Ridge to avoid the bank holiday traffic on the main route, there's no point in dodging cars and breathing exhaust fumes if you don't have to. We regroup at Wareham Quay and then head to Bobs for the second time for a cup of tea before going our separate ways and heading for home. We ride back to Bournemouth in company with Dave, Doreen and Graham having enjoyed a fantastic days cycling, great company and all under blue skies and the accompanying sunshine. Kathy even has the first sunburn of the year and on a bank holiday weekend!!

Corfe Castle

Wareham Quay