CTC Inters ride to Mere

Before I started to write this blog on our latest ride I decided to have a swift count up of the miles completed since we started recording our weekend rides. Well without revealing an exact number I shall just say that the bubbly is on ice to celebrate a significant milestone which we should reach on our next ride.

Moving on to this ride, previously I have only ever driven to Mere, and my thought then was that this is a long way to come for a day's paintballing - now we are choosing to cycle there!

Airfield and cafe

We meet up with the group on a gorgeous sunny morning at Wimborne Square and it looks like the day is going to be hot and sunny so the sun screen is out. We head off for Witchampton and on to Long Crichel following our normal route to Compton Abbas and the Cafe at the airfield our first planned stop. Our route takes us through the pretty villages of Chettle and Tollard Farnham before we turn off for Ashmore and onto the airfield. It's funny how your brain works; now bear in mind that the airfield at Compton Abbas is on one of the highest points in Dorset, so why would you forget that the ride to it is mostly uphill? The human brain has a wonderful capacity to only recall the good stuff, hence all those childhood memories of long hot summers. Talking of which, we are cycling on just one of those days as the temperature starts to rise into the 20's. The airfield is really busy today as there appears to be a large flying event on judging by the amount of planes we see arrive.

View over Dorset

Kathy takes a break....

......along with the rest of us!

Church at Mere

At lunch!

After coffee we head off towards Mere down one of my favorite descents down Donhead Hollow you can really get some speed up if you hold your nerve. A  reminder from John our ride leader to take it steady probably slowed us all a little today. Our ride then takes us through a collection of small villages known as the Donheads, as they all share this prefix, before heading to East Knoyle. East Knoyle is famous for being the birthplace for one of England's greatest architects  Sir Christopher Wren who was famously responsible for the design of Saint Pauls Cathedral and also for the Royal Naval College at Greenwich. He was also responsible for the design and rebuilding of 52 other churches after the great fire of London in 1666. Leaving East Knoyle behind we climb steadily further into Wiltshire and on to Mere where we stop for lunch taking our sandwiches in the churchyard under the shade of the yew trees before heading to the pub for refreshments prior to the ride towards home.

Our next planned port of call is Cafe 65 at Blandford and this is reached via Gillingham, Child Okeford and Stourpaine. Gillingham (pronounced with a hard G as in goat) is Dorsets most northerly town and has seen settlement since the stone age through the Romans and is mentioned in the Domesday book. Stourpaine is now renowned for the staging of one of the UK's biggest steam and historic vehicle events in the Great Dorset Steam Fair which is held over the August Bank Holiday every year.

Blandford

Cafe 65

Milkshakes for some and ice creams for others at Cafe 65 and then on to home. Another long but enjoyable day in the saddle and it looks like the after sun lotion is going to be needed - I hope I haven't got 'panda' eyes! 

CTC Inters ride to Beaulieu

CTC Inters ride to Beaulieu

We leave home to once again meet up with the inters at Hurn Stores, this time for a ride out into the New Forest. Fresh in our minds is the experience of our last ride with the inters which was pretty tough but chanting the mantra of 'ride harder to get better' we join up with the group. The plan according to the programme is to head out to Eling tide mill but due to the strong winds it is decided to head for Beaulieu instead and then make the cycle back against the head wind a lesser distance. So to make the ride a similar length as the one planned we head off for a big loop round the top of Ringwood taking in the villages and hamlets of Ripley, Sandford, Somerley, Harbridge, Ibsley and Poulner before stopping for coffee and breakfast at Crow Farm. A welcome break at the farm shop cafe and shelter from what appears to be an increasingly strong breeze, perhaps the change of destination will turn out to be a good idea.

Beaulieu River

Lunch stop at Beaulieu

After the short break we set off into the New Forest National Park en route to Beaulieu passing our Saturday ride coffee stop in Burley before riding on to Brockenhurst. From Brockenhurst it is a fast ride with the wind at our backs to Beaulieu where we stop for lunch by the rive in the shadow of the Abbey. Lunch by the river is enjoyable and the sun is out but the stiff breeze makes it a little chilly so we decamp to the cafe for a coffee before starting the ride home into the headwind.

The route for home takes us initially south towards the coast at Sowley where we turn to head west into the teeth of what is now approaching a gale. 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger' we wonder if philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche is right but it's still a decent mantra to keep you going! Onwards to Lymington where the usual Sunday sailing crowd are out frequenting the bars so we have to be careful dodging the crowds as we take some interesting short cuts around the backstreet's of the town. There has been a settlement at Lymington since the Iron Age and evidence of the hill fort can still be seen at Buckland Rings. Lymington over its history has been famous for a number of things including the production of salt, in the Napoleonic period it was a major military centre and in more recent times a centre for ship building and yachting. 

White horses at Barton on Sea

Beach Comber Cafe Barton on Sea

From historic Lymington we follow the coast to Barton on Sea where we stop for a drink at the cafe and to catch our breath. The cafe is perched on the cliff top and from here you can see the white horses out to sea and unusually no boats which tell us something about the strength of the wind!

From here we briefly cycle again as a group to New Milton before splitting up to head or separate ways to home, we join a small group heading back to Hurn and from there head for home. We arrive home a lot more tired than when we started but having enjoyed another great ride in good company.

CTC Ride to Blandford and Hinton St Mary

CTC ride to Blandford and Hinton St Mary

Bob

Today we joined up again with our old friends in the 'Potterer's' for an easier paced ride out to Blandford for coffee and then onto Hinton St Mary for lunch. We meet at Wimborne recreation Ground under grey forbidding skies but with the promise of sunshine to come.Ann and Alan arrive on the tandem trike with a front wheel puncture and by the time it is fixed and the offending piece of glass removed from the tyre the sun is out. We take our usual route out to Blandford following the river valley along quiet country lanes..............hang on a minute did I say quiet? What are all these people doing running along our lanes? We have unwittingly shared our route today with a half marathon so as we ride alongside and past the runners we pass on words of encouragement and support. Once we clear Shapwick we have the roads to ourselves again and enjoy the peace and quiet. That is until we catch up with Bob and others who are on there way to join us at coffee having set off from other directions. 

Ann, Alan & Trike

Shillingstone Station

Our now slightly larger band rolls into Blandford and a coffee stop at Cafe 65 where Kathy and I sit with Ann and Alan and listen to stories of cycling in the 1950's, tandem touring clubs and rides in america. As much as i could have listened to Ann and Alan's stories for much longer it is time to set off again in the general direction of lunch and Hinton St Mary. Our route takes us along the North Dorset Trailway by-passing Durweston and back onto the roads through the pretty village of Stourpaine before once again rejoining the trailway. The trailway here is not a tarmac surface and needs a little ore care, especially on the downhill sections, as one of our number discovered when his front wheel hit the loose stuff and so did he! Fortunately no serious injury and we carry on to Shillingstone where the trailway goes along the platform of the old Shillingstone Railway Station. If you want to you can stop here for refreshments but we had a lunch date to meet.

We leave the trailway again and cross the River Stour and cycle through Child Okeford a quintessential English country village that appears in the Domesday Book.  It's history dates back to 1561 when its then vicar William Kethe wrote the hymm "The Old Hundredth" now better known by its first line "All people who on earth do dwell". Hambledon Hill which lies outside the village was the site of an English civil war battle where Cromwell's Parliamentarians took on 2000 Dorset Royalists. Leaving the history of Child Okeford behind we roll through beautiful undulating countryside to Hinton St Mary another village with its fair share of history. It is famous for the discovery of a virtually complete Roman mosaic in the early 1960's. 

Millennium Garden

This early christian mosaic now resides in the British museum. We enjoy lunch in Hinton St Mary's millennium garden which was created by the villages and celebrity gardener Charlie Dimmock.

Mosaic

We leave the garden behind after a leisurely lunch and head back towards the trailway via Sturminster Newton,   which in September hosts one of the UK's largest cheese festivals. Back at the trailway and we now complete the run home on one of those rare out and back routes unlike the loops we normally favour. At Sturminster Marshall we part company with the rest of the group who are heading for another tea stop in favour of a fast hard ride home. This we successfully complete after dodging the revellers and drunk Morris Men at Wimborne folk festival. Another great day out cycling the back lanes and trailways of Dorset and all in glorious sunshine - what could be better?

Hinton St Mary Church

The White Horse

Kathy enjoys a break in the sun

CTC Inters ride to West Tytherley

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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.

CTC Kimmeridge

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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

CTC North Dorset Trailway Opening

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.

CTC Thursday ride to West Holme

CTC ride to West Holme

East Morden 

A rare occasion when we are not working and can join the Thursday ride and we meet up with everyone at Merley Bridge. Once again a largish group made up of those now permanently on holiday so the usual questions about why we are not at work paying taxes to support the others! So with the jokes and leg pulling put to one side at least until coffee we head off for Orchard Tea Rooms at West Holme. West Holme is to the west of Wareham on the back roads to Wool so in the time honoured tradition of avoiding the main roads we set of on the back roads via Corfe Mullen and Lytchett Matravers.

After crossing the A35 we cycle towards Wareham on a road I love to cycle, probably because I am slightly masochistic, but in places the road it is arrow straight and gently undulates so if you like to add a very small personal time trial into your rides this is perfect. The road in question is the B3705, at the beginning known as Chitten Hill and overall as the Morden Road and runs between the A35 and the A351 Sandborne Road.

On the road to Corfe Castle

Kathy at the ferry

At the end of this stretch we wait and regroup and cycle on through Wareham and Stoborough and on to coffee at West Holme. Another garden centre cafe (as most seem to be cycle friendly) where we enjoy a chat and the usual banter as we have coffee and take on fuel in the form of homemade cake! As Kathy and I have things to do we decide to head for home after coffee in the company of John and we leave the others to head further into the wilds of Dorset.

View across to Sandbanks

We decide to head home via Corfe and onto the chain ferry at Sandbanks. With just the three of us we now set a good pace to Corfe and here John shows us a new flat route to the ferry that follows the trails and bridleways  alongside the heath thus avoiding the climb past the Golf Course. It's OK on road bikes but personally I like the climb and the reward of the view over Poole Harbour.

Chain Ferry

We wait for the ferry in beautiful sunshine and grab some lunch while I investigate an alarming rattle from my rear wheel. It is as I feared, the wheel bearings are shot and my wheel is wobbling horribly. It's going to be new bearings or a new wheel but not so bad that I can't cycle home.

Across on the ferry and on to home accompanied by Kathy, John and my increasingly noisy rear wheel! Another lovely ride, great company and for a
change sunshine too.

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