CTC ride back To Compton Abbas

Waiting at the start

Well we are back to Compton Abbas on this ride but unlike last time the sun is out the temperature in double figures and shorts and short sleeved jerseys are 'de rigueur'.  OK that will be just for me, not everyone is so easily fooled into believing it is summer!

We put the bikes on the car and meet Dave, Doreen and Jill at Wimborne and then cycled to the meeting point of High Lea Farm at Witchampton Crossroads. There amasses a reasonable size group of around 15 of us and the main topic of conversation is the difference in weather from our last outing to Compton Abbas. After waiting for the 'fashionably late' we set off down what are now becoming familiar Dorset lanes through Witchampton, Moor Crichel, Long Crichel, a short spurt on the A354 and then to Chettle. A quick stop here to regroup and take a drink before heading off over the undulations of Cranborne Chase mirroring the route of the old Roman road. If you look at the ordnance survey map you can see lots of evidence of Roman occupation as well as the barrows and hill forts that pre-date the Roman occupation. Of course other more recent notable residents include Madonna and Guy Ritchie. We pass Larmer Tree Gardens which each year hosts a variety of outdoor events including the Larmer Tree music festival which now appears to provide a 'residency' for Jools Holland.

Waiting for stragglers

Tiger Moth

At the turn off for Ashmore we wait for the slower riders to catch us up before the final sprint to the airfield at Compton Abbas and the promise of coffee and cakes at its cafe.  The sun is still out - hoorah! So we can sit out side and soak up its rays while watching vintage Tiger Moths take people up for flights. The airfield is situated on one of the highest points in Dorset so the views even without going up in an aircraft are superb and make the steady climb we have undertaken since the start of the ride worthwhile. After too brief a stop, I could have lazed in the sunshine watching the aircraft for much longer we set off in the general direction of Alvediston and lunch.

Compton Abbas Airfield

Alvediston

From the airfield we swoop down hill now most certainly on the arrow straight Roman road before turning off for Berwick St John and finally Alvediston home of and final resting place of Anthony Eden,  Prime Minister 1955 -57. In fact we have our lunch at the church yard where he is buried and share is glorious view across the valley. A word of caution the rough track up to the church has some very sharp flints in it as I found out when I punctured!!

From Alvediston we set off for our return to Wimborne once again heading south towards Sixpenny Handley but first we must negotiate the climb over Barrow Hill and Wood House before briefly cycling along the ridge and the old Ox Drove before heading downhill to

Kathy Barrow Hill

Dave and Dennis

Sixpenny Handley. From here we head back to Horton Crossroads via Monkton Up Wimborne, Wimborne St Giles and Amen Corner. Some of our number stop for tea at the village hall but we in the company of Dave, Doreen, Jill and Robert strike out for Wimborne.

On one of the climbs we loose Robert and I shout to let everyone know and look back to check on Robert. I turn round and realise everyone has stopped! I do an emergency stop and at this point prove Albert Einstein correct in his famous comment on cycling 'Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving'. At least I landed in the verge so a fairly soft landing apart from the thorn in my knee. Kathy has teased me relentlessly about this mishap, I feel it is one I shall not be allowed to forget!

Bikes loaded

We manage to get back to Wimborne without further mishap, load the bikes onto the car, say goodbye to our cycling companions and head home for something cold and alcoholic.

Sorry no map or Strava info this time as some Muppet, who shall remain nameless, left his mobile in the car!!

CTC Sticky Bun Run

CTC Sticky Bun Run

Sticky Bun Tea Rooms

Off on another Sunday morning club run starting from home to meet at Wimborne and then on to the 'Sticky Bun' the tea rooms at Wolvercroft World of Plants at Alderholt.

From Wimborne we head out on an undulating ride towards Broom Hill and out via the Holt Road to Three Legged Cross. From here we climb steadily to Cripplestyle and then a gentle descent into Alderholt were we roll along to the Sticky Bun for - you guessed it a sticky bun and coffee. 

Cranborne Chase

Rockbourne

After a break chatting we are back on the bikes and heading north towards Rockbourne followed by the steady climb to Whitsbury turning south and heading back in the general direction of home. We cycle back following a fairly lumpy route that takes us through Cranborne, Edmondsham, Woodlands, Horton and Gaunts Common. Back at Broom Hill the group splits with some heading back to Wimborne and the rest of us back towards Bournemouth. 

We finish the ride at a leisurely pace coming home via Uddens, Stapehill and Longham. Quite a hilly route for the Sunday group but no tandems today so we soloists made the most of the opportunity! 

Clean Bikes!!

A nice ride in what felt like tropical conditions after the recent cold so the 55 miles didn't feel as bad as previous weeks. A real pleasure to be out on the velo. There was also the added bonus that cycling on cleanish and dry roads made the bike cleaning job afterwards a lot less arduous!!

First challenge - Dorset Coastlet

First Challenge - The Dorset Coastlet

So off to Wareham in time for a 0900 start for the first of our cycling challenges the 100k Dorset Coastlet. Officially sanctioned as a 'Brevet Populaire' and described as a small Purbeck tour tackling a sometimes hilly route. More on those hills shortly.

Advance warning at Creech

We started at Wareham Quay where we meet with some cyclists from the local club at Christchurch and one of our friends from Wessex CTC and enjoy a coffee and a chat before setting off. We're not long out of Wareham before we hit our first challenge the 20% climb up Creech Hill which tested our not yet warm legs and had many walking their bikes to the summit. We were rewarded with great views out to sea across Kimmeridge Bay and of course a really fast descent  reaching 37 miles per hour and the first check point at 17km at Lulworth Cove.

Solar Farm

After a quick snack and toilet break we start the  tough climb up Daggers Gate and then roll our way on undulating roads through Winfrith Newburgh north into rural Dorset enjoying a chat and the scenery en route. Our next check point is at a new solar farm at 30km. We continue on exploring the Dorset lanes   passing yet another solar farm under construction. After a couple more climbs and a sweeping descent we cycle along the sea front in Weymouth to the next checkpoint at 48km at the Criterion restaurant .

Lunch stop

Here we get a free drink and join the other cyclists taking over the basement room and take a well earned rest. Back outside we load up with fuel in the form of Jam butties and bananas and get ourselves ready for the ride out to Abbotsbury. A couple of minor hills but a fairly gentle ride  to allow lunch to digest before we tackle our nightmares the other side of Abbotsbury.

View from hell

We cycle past the Swannery and into Abbotsbury which is a really beautiful village. However, what lies in wait cannot in all honesty be described as beautiful certainly not after 70km! The hill out of the village up to Hardy's monument steep, long and strength sapping. Not many riders around us rode to the top, there is a really steep ramp at about three quarters of the way up that defeated many of us. It was difficult

Abbotsbury

enough to walk let alone ride. You had to get off your bike before lack of speed and gravity did their stuff and dumped  you unceremoniously on the tarmac. It has to be said at this point that all this pain is rewarded with the most stunning of views back down the coast towards  Chesil Bank. After a slight downhill respite its onward ever onward to Hardy's monument still climbing. We take a breather at the monument but not for long as it is too cold and there is no shelter from a biting easterly wind.

We sweep downhill and ride towards Dorchester and  stop for drinks and the final checkpoint at 81km. Not many are that keen to hang around at the 'Top of the Town Cafe' as tired legs and cold bodies are wanting to get back to Wareham and the finish. So on with the final push, we leave Dorchester, pass Clouds Cottage home of Lawrence of Arabia and then pass Bovington Tank Museum on our way back to our starting point at Wareham Quay.  Finally 102km later, a lot colder and certainly very tired its time for another hot coffee, a final chat with our fellow adventurers before heading home for a well earned hot bath.

Our trusty steeds

So on reflection did it meet its billing as a challenge? It's not the longest ride we have completed but almost. It had us climbing over twice the height of previous hilly rides two of which were classified at 20% and 17%. We had checkpoints and time limits to meet and it was very cold with an easterly wind that took your breath away. It left us with bodies that knew they had worked hard and bikes that will probably need new brake blocks after the fast and sometimes hairy descents. So yes, it was a challenge and at times it hurt. However, we were rewarded with great views, a fantastic day out in beautiful Dorset countryside and we did it all under our own steam. 

Very satisfying and right now we are feeling more than a little smug.

Long Cold Good Friday

Long Cold Good Friday

When will this bitterly cold weather end? It's almost April and officially spring, so why does it still feel like winter. I was gazing longingly at my shorts, short sleeved jerseys and track mitts the other day but today is certainly not a day to wear them. So its back on with the winter tights, thermals, wind-stopper tops, over shoes, skull cap and gloves before we head for the hills of North Dorset.

Our route takes us from home out past hurn to ringwood and on to Fordingbridge. From here we head out to Cranborne and on to Sixpenny Handley. It sounds really easy when you type it but a couple of good climbs along the way including the Cat 4 climb on the B3801 out of Sixpenny Handley  a 1.7 mile drag that averages around 4%. However, a wrong turn and our life is about to get harder we should have known what was coming as we enjoyed a tricky and exhilarating descent.

Yes you guessed it we were face with a monster climb out of the valley this time a 7.5% average and 40 miles into the ride. It hurt all the more for knowing we had planned to turn off for the Airfield at Compton Abbas which was a flattish ride along the ridge, who would have thought that one turn too early could hurt so much! Any way a good point for much needed refreshment before heading onto Blandford and a comfort break and then onto home via Wimborne.

Once again an enjoyable ride even though our feet were frozen and it was our longest ride to date.

Hopefully or next blog will see us riding in slightly less arctic conditions. It's the Coastlet on 7 April the first of our Challenges a 100k ride from Wareham to Weymouth and back it comes complete with some quite lumpy bits (hills)!

CTC Wessex to Brokenhurst and back

CTC Wessex To Brockenhurst and back

Another cold  March Sunday morning but keen to get cycling as the weather has played havoc with our planned rides recently. We meet up with Dave and Doreen and set off for the coffee stop at Bashley were we will meet up with the rest of the group who will all cycle there independently.

Our route out takes us out to Hurn and past the airport and on to Avon were we miss the quieter back lanes in preference for the 'B' roads. There has been a lot of rain recently so we know the back lanes will be a trifle damp! We drop down to Sopley and across to Bransgore before arriving at our first destination coffee at the Potting Shed. Some of the other riders are already ensconced in the corner by the radiator enjoying hot drinks and cake. We get our refreshments and join them and chat as the group slowly grows.

We discuss the next part of the ride and some choose to head straight home while we head off for Brockenhurst and lunch. At Brockenhurst we are thinking that those who headed straight home after coffee were wise, so we quickly have a drink and a bite to eat before we do the same.

We head back virtually the way we came through Sway, Hinton and Bransgore and on to home braving the snow flurries as we go.

We say goodbye to Dave and Doreen thanking them for their company and an enjoyable ride and head for the warmth of home and a hot bath.

Cambridge and Essex Lanes

Cambridge and Essex Lanes

At Jackie's for the weekend so on Friday while everyone is at work or school Kathy and I set off in the morning mists for Cambridge. Compared to recent rides it feels quite warm if not a bit damp but no rain.

Great views!

We have carefully planned the route, have a route plan written out and have the Ordnance Survey map with us, however, we still miss the first major turn but fortunately realise after about a 100 yards. Someone told us, Steve I think, that Essex was flat. Well, at this point I would like to disagree because unless we were both hallucinating this windmill was definitely on top of a hill!!
We rode through some beautiful villages and decided that there probably were some great views to be enjoyed. Unfortunately the mist prevented any such enjoyment.

Dirty bikes

We cycled on to Grantchester were we stopped at the Rupert Brooke Pub for lunch, once again a great bowl of soup but this time roasted red pepper.

New saddlebags

By now the mist had turned to rain so we decided to press on and pick up the pace while heading back to Jackie's and being thankful that we had packed our rain jackets.

By the time we got back we were cold and wet, the bikes were filthy but we had still enjoyed a fantastic ride.
It was the first time out with the new larger saddle bags and it was nice not to have to ride with a rucksack.

We have decided that cycling  is all the better for doing the winter rides, as come the summer it's going to be great to ride in shorts and jerseys, looking back at the hard, cold, wet and uncomfortable winter rides.

CTC Wesex - Moreton via Wareham

Out again with CTC Wessex this time out to Wareham then on to Bere Regis is the plan.

St Nicholas Church

First stop is Bob's at Wareham for coffee which requires negotiating the busy Wareham Road so Kathy and John blaze a trail to get off it as quickly as possible! Coffee and teacakes in Bob's conservatory and no chance to sleep as the smoke alarm keeps us awake as someone burns the teacakes!! A great opportunity to chat and introduce ourselves to new people. We chat with Dave and Doreen who live just down the road from us.

T.E.Lawrence

Church window

We leave Bob's planning to go to Tollpuddle instead of Bere Regis but the closure of the level crossing due to maintenance at Wool requires another change of plan so we pedal on to Moreton. Moreton is where Lawrence of Arabia is buried and has a beautiful church with etched windows by Sir Laurence Whistler it was also home to James Frampton who was responsible for trying the Tolpuddle Martyrs. We stop at Moreton for lunch in the Church yard and the above history lesson!


After lunch the group splits some heading off north deeper into Dorset while Kathy and I join up with Dave and Doreen and Robert and Russell to head South and home. A great cycle home chatting and getting to know the 2D's better. By the time we get home we have completed 52 miles and our longest ride to date.

Saturday Group

Back on the Christchurch to Burley ride and at least this time we know the drill and Terry has some other new recruits to shepherd this week. So we set out with a slightly faster group and get ourselves a good work out on the route to Burley. It was good to ride with a faster group but not the social interaction we have experienced on previous cycles but we are new to this and don't know many other cyclists yet.
However, we get to the cafe which, is heaving and find a seat at a table with three other cyclists. We are a little intimidated as they look really fit and are obviously good club cyclists. We ask if we can join them and then to our surprise we are included in their conversation. Thanks Ben and friends we really appreciated your company and your tips for training and cycling. If we were not sure before that cycling is a truly inclusive activity, then we are now. Good luck in the Alps guys but if you don't mind we need to master the Dorset and Hampshire hills first!
A pleasant ride home with John, Terry and his new charges and then home to clean bikes ready for a CTC ride tomorrow.