Dorset Miles, Bear Cross Sunday Ride: In Celebration of Beer!

Only half a dozen at Bear Cross this morning (bring a note next week), on a murky day that was more winter than autumn. Obviously “The Bear Cross” then the “Rising Sun” and “The Green Man” the hanging baskets just a memory. Onto the Cowgrove, “The Vine” really is a public house. The ice is gone now but the water is still there, throwing up plenty of muck. Overtaking the CTC group could be the potterers, maybe the dawdlers? anyone on a tandem trike desreves respect. Right to “The true Lovers Knot” and the “Langton Arms”. Across the A354, “The Bugle Horn” is sadly no more. A long drag up through Stubhampton, across the top road and a fast, if slightly bumpy descent to “The Talbot” right, then quickly left brings us to “The Bakers Arms” and on to “The Royal Oak”. Belchawell lacks a pub but offers a road that goes up Bulbarrow hill, at 274 metres it’s the highest point in the county and of course its everyman for himself. A truce at the top before dropping fast down to “The Fox” at Ansty and then a bit of a grovel up past Milton abbey and the “Hambro Arms”. The descent is a joy, the road is slick but the extravagant curves cry out for speed. “The Milton Arms” and “The Greyhound” bring us to Red Post and “The Botany Bay” Its 12 noon, across Dorset bolts are being drawn back on oaken doors, pints of ale will slake thirsts and tales will get taller. A car waves across the busy A31, War? What War? The lanes are very muddy, West Morden really is little Belgium today and “The Worlds End” could be just that. A front wheel puncture climbing Lytchett deflates us all but still, the six smiling, muddy faces bore testament to the bike as therapy for the modern malaise! “The Chequers” gave its name to a road race now long gone, arms aloft straight into the bar. The six were now four and soon two; “The Willet Arms” and we are back where we started, left for a change and “The Kings Arms” and “The White Hart”. The “Horns” and “The Owls Nest” vie for the same custom and “The Curlew” also. Closer to home “The Catherine Wheel” is now a block of flats and The "Iford Bridge” is close but I am seldom tempted. “Time gentlemen please” 4hrs 13

Dorset Miles, Bear Cross "Hardriders" Sunday Ride,

Fourteen riders left the bus stop at Bear Cross and just for a change, headed east. Parley Cross, Hurn Airport (the wind sock confirming the tailwind) across the Avon Causeway, then thankfully into the lanes. Through Sopley, Crow & Hightown, the bright sun and lack of wind kept morale high. On past Mockbeggar, South& North Gorley, a loop around Bickton then briefly on the A338 to Fordingbridge. The lanes were dry and the pace was good as we quickly crossed Whitsbury down to Rockbourne. The fun of the fast descent to Coombe Bisset has to be earned and the long drag up to the A354 always catches a few out. The valley road is very familiar and Stratford Tony, Bishopstone, Stoke Farthing, and Broadchalke are soon behind us. Turning left at Fifield Bavant the steep climb that takes us across to Bowerchalke is less familiar. The hill out of the village is always hard and the poor surface on the descent broke a wheel, the unlucky rider was left in 6D Handley to await a lift home. Lots of stones across the road to Wimborne St Giles frustrated us with two punctures, but the enforced stops do allow for nutrition. On to Gussage St Michael and most legs were still lively on the climb up to the top road and the drop to Moor Crichel. Past Colehill and the group starts to thin, as people go their separate ways. The benign weather certainly helped but the speed of the Gruppetto asked some questions, all of which were answered. 3hrs 48

Dorset Miles, Bear Cross "Hardriders" Sunday Ride,

Thirteen riders at Bear Cross this morning, rain threatened but the depart was dry. A tailwind blew the group to Longham along Ham Lane and up to Colehill. The mucky lanes took us to Pig Oak, Holt FC & across to Witchampton. On to Manswood, Long Crichel and, briefly, on the A354, before turning to Chettle. The long steady drag up through New Town & Tollard Farnham took us into the Cranborne Chase. It was, of course, the easy way up and we were soon at the highest point, Win Green. The descent is fast and we were at Ludwell in no time. Turning right onto the satisfyingly muddy lane, we headed through Berwick St John, Alvediston and West End. A selection was made on the long climb up Woodminton Down, there were some young legs in the gruppetto today and the healthy lack of respect shown to the more senior members of the group is how it should be! Better to look to the future than dwell on the past. Regrouping on the descent to 6d Handley and the clouds were getting darker. Wimborne St Giles, Gussage All Saints, Moor Crichel and the rain was starting to fall. Two punctures wiped the smiles from muddy faces, the ride home would be grim. Past the old airfield at Tarrant Rushton, up to Hogstock and down the Cliff to Tarrant Rawston, Tarrant Keynston & Tarrant Crawford. There are four more Tarrant’s but who’s counting. The familiar lane to Shapwick, White Mill and the Cowgrove is like an old friend, a wet old friend today. Wimborne Minster was busy; perhaps we should have been shopping? But there is always the internet. Gravel Hill, Kinson then heavy traffic all the way home as the rain got heavier. 3hrs 59

photo, R Haskell

Dorset Miles, Bear Cross "Hardriders" Sunday Ride.

More than 20 of us at Bear Cross, bright sunshine but a strong south westerly wind made it hard at times. Down to Longham and along Ham Lane & out to Broom Hill, Higher Row & Horton Heath. On to Haythorne past Woodlands and down to Cranborne. Its a regular route for the Bear Cross group but usually tackled the other way round. Left in Cranborne, a good climb this one, before droppping down to Tidpit and across the A354 to start the long climb up to the Ox Drove above Broadchalke. A pothole broke a spoke, releasing the rear brake was a good running repair. Some brief respite through the valley to Bowerchalke and then gear selection is critical as the left hander ramps up to Cow Down Hill. Regrouping on the descent to Sixpenny Handley and it was back across the A354. The large group took casualties as the pace livened on the mucky lane through Monkton Up Wimborne and it was "noses on the brakeblocks" as we sped on to Gussage All Saints, Moor Crichel and over to Gaunts Common. Back into Wimborne and the traffic gets heavier and slower. Its a good route this one, with some good climbs, 3HRS 26 and the AVS is very respectable!

Dorset Miles, Bear Cross "Hardriders" Sunday Ride.

Only seven of us at a very foggy Bear Cross, most of the regulars had opted for the monthly off-road option. Canford onto Wimborne and out onto the Cowgrove. Runners with pre-race nerves, ahead of the Wimborne “10” congested the lane, there are worse things to meet on the narrow corners and we were soon past the excitement. A slight tail wind took us through, Shapwick, Tarrant Crawford & Langton Long through the underpass and into Blandford. Christmas trees were being erected but we did not tarry, up Bryanstone and down to Winterborne Stickland. , Turning right to Hedge End we started the long but steady climb up Bulbarrow thick fog at the top meant the viewpoint was not. Descending to Ansty Cross then left to Hilton, Milton Abbey School was shrouded in fog but the tough climb up through the village was now on our minds. Conversation dwindled as breathing became more important the long descent down to Winterborne Whitechurch & Winterborne Kingston saw us recover. Through the lane to Anderson and Red Post, West and East Morden and up to Lytchett Matravers, always a tough climb, skirting Corfe Mullen and up Pardys Hill, we were on the way home. The fog was finally lifting and the roads were busy now as we went our separate ways. 3 HOURS 25MINS

Dorset Miles, Bear Cross "Hardriders" Sunday Ride, 70% of FTP

Twelve riders at Bear Cross this morning for the start of another winter’s riding, despite the constant drizzle spirits are always high on this first training ride of the pre-season. Looking to put miles in the legs and create a solid foundation on which to build next season’s campaign and of course, the crack.Riding in pairs, the pace is good but this is no chain gang nor is it a club run! Out past Canford School to Wimborne, the main road to Cranborne was busy but we stuck with it till Wimborne St Giles. Ignoring the village, taking the rolling road across to Sixpenny Handley and turning right to climb Garston Down, before left and the fast descent to Ebbesborne Wake. The familiar names of Alvediston, Berwick St John and Ludwell were soon behind us on this enjoyably muddy road. Easily resisting the temptation to climb up to Win Green we cut through Charlton and briefly on the A30 before dropping down to Cann Common and East Melbury. All attempts at “Cock Measuring” on Zig-Zag hill were frowned upon, as we rode up “en bloc”. Emerging from the trees we singled out to let the impatient pass. On, up to Win Green, the easier way, the usual panoramic views across Charlton Down to Shaftesbury were denied us as the heavy mist & drizzle began to close in. Descending through Newtown, Farnham, across the A354 the weather worsened and two simultaneous punctures delayed us. Moor Crichel, Witchampton and Holt came and went as the conversation turned to cups of tea and hot baths. Pig Oak, Furzehill and Wimborne and the dozen began to separate, the lure of the kettle had won, as it always does. Returning to Bear Cross and the manic depression that is Castle Lane on a Sunday; lots of people going nowhere in the rain. 4 hours 20, as always, it is a work in progress!