Nine riders at a cold and misty Bear Cross this morning, the choice of an off-road ride had appealed to a few regulars. The usual route out of Wimborne, the Cowgrove and Langton Long, we could do it with our eyes closed. Climbing through a residential area of Blandford was different as was the lane across to Stourpaine. The A 350 is busy but it was not long before the turn to Child Okeford and on to Shillingstone and Okeford Fitzpaine. We were in the shadow of Bulbarrow Hill, not that there were any shadows today, nor was the summit visible. One of the highest hills in Dorset, there must be 8 or 9 ways up Bulbarrow, which one would we take? Belchalwell, Ibberton and thankfully Wooland were not on todays “parcours”. The road through Hazelbury Bryan and Wonston led us to Stoke Wake; it’s a beast of a climb and the damp, frigid air made it harder. The descent was cold. Winterborne Houghton, Winterborne Stickland, Winterborne Clenston, Winterborne Whitechurch, Winterborne Kingston, Winterborne Muston & Winterborne Tomson took us to Red Post. The road was grippy but a different name was a blessed relief! The usual lanes through West & East Morden promised Lytchett Hill but we turned left at Dullar Lane for a change. A large CTC group were labouring on the long drag up to the A31, we said good morning as we sailed by, they probably thought we were showing off, we probably were. Across the main road to Sturminster Marshall and we were back on the Cowgrove. Wimborne Minster was busy as was the final few miles home. 4 hours 4mins and it was still cold!
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