Past Ride
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Sat Sep 8th 2012
| Round the Isle of Wight | 3* |
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Leader:John Talbot |
Start Time:8:00 am |
Start Location:Lymington Pier |
Description:We will be following the Round the Island Cycle Route anticlockwise from Yarmouth Harbour. Distance is 105 km (65 miles).We will catch the 08:45 ferry from Lymington Pier. We will travel as day return foot passengers (£12.90, tickets bought before sailing), bikes are carried free of charge. The crossing takes 30 minutes. There is a pay and display car park at the ferry terminal (£5.90 for 2-16hrs). Bring enough change for the machines. You must arrive at least 30mins before the ferry to allow time for parking, buying tickets and boarding. We will car share as much as possible. Please note that it is the weekend of the Bestival on the island. This didn't effect us unduly last year but the car park could be busier than usual and the overflow car park might be in use (£6.00 for 24hrs parking). We can have refreshments on the ferry. There is limited food on the ferry but there is a café at the ferry terminal if you want to arrive early enough to grab some breakfast! Lunch stop will be at the CTC Affiliated Toll Gate Café near Bembridge. We'll aim to stop for afternoon tea/ice cream at Cowes. But if we are delayed we will take refreshments on the return ferry (probably the 17:15 or 17:55). The route is undulating with few flat sections and a couple of stiff climbs but is very scenic. Last year we did the route clockwise. We will cycle at touring pace averaging around 18-20kph (11-12.5mph). Expect around 5.5 to 6hrs of actual cycling time and bring/wear clothing appropriate for the weather forecast. BBC Weather for Ventnor Please let me know beforehand if you are coming on the ride so I can tick you off at Lymington. |
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Riders:Adrian WestAndy Cowan Andy Newell Camen Lei Chris Walters Claire Newell David Bridge Frank Schroer John Talbot Louis Hall Mila Yearley Paul Jarvis Phil Stubbings Richard Pethybridge Riders = 14 Weather: Report:A classic ride with classic weather.Everyone arrived at Lymington Pier in good time for the ferry and it was good to see a decent turnout for the ride. The weather was fantastic and arm warmers and gilets were removed pretty quickly as we hit the first two climbs out of Freshwater. A brief comfort stop and to admire the view at Compton Bay and then onto quiet country roads. The big climb up to Blackgang was achieved pretty easily and then the fab descent into Niton. One of the best cycling roads in Britain along the clifftop towards Ventnor followed with the blue sea far below and the road shaded by trees. One of the main up and downy sections of the route took us to Adgestone where unfortunately David suffered a catastrophic derailleur failure. There was nothing that could be done to even patch up the damage so he was forced to freewheel down into Sandown and use public transport to return to Yarmouth and the ferry. The rest of us continued to Bembridge and the Tollgate Café for a much needed and unhurried lunchbreak by the harbour. My least favourite section of the route followed soon after lunch past Ryde and up the hill from Smallbrook. This is the busiest section with the impatient traffic enhanced by Bestival. I always find leading a group through here stressful with cars everywhere and the group splitting up as they tackle the climbs at their own pace. We gathered together again after negotiating Wootton Bridge and its crazy traffic light junction. Thankfully on the anticlockwise route the approach to Cowes is quiet and we could relax again and enjoy the chain ferry across the River Medina. For the first time ever I managed to follow the correct route through Cowes which took us through the quaint town centre and along the promenade. We took our traditional ice cream stop here and watched the yachts and ships vying for space in the solent. The short sharp climb out of Gurnard was tackled and then it was the rolling route back to Yarmouth via small villages and farmland. We made it just in time to board the 17:15 ferry where we could enjoy refreshments and talk about the day's adventures. Thanks to everyone for coming along and making it such a great ride. One of my favourite British rides and I hope it's yours too now. Same again next year (clockwise)? | ||
Distance:105.70 km (65.68 mi) | Ride Details:http://ridewithgps.com/trips/906136 | |
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| Proposed Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1651770" | ||
Comment on this ride | ||
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Written by : Richard Pethybridge Posted on : September 9, 2012 at 8:13 PM |
Awesome ride, brilliantly led and with some great company. A true English classic. |
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