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, 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!