Me, the heather and the ponies

With apologies to Clare for blatant plagarism in the heading! But today was the return to the New Forest. What was most encouraging was that, after a few weeks concentrating on the Purbeck hills, this ride didn't seem too difficult.

The route was out via Burley, tackling the steepest hill from Ringwood. Then on to Brockenhurst, across Rhinefield, over the A35 and up Ornamental Drive to Bolderwood. This was the hardest section, into the wind and up the hill. The first part is about medium on the steepness scale for about 1.5 miles.




Then it is a gentle uphill, but that goes on for another 3 miles until the descent into Ringwood, past the Alice Lisle pub. 55 miles altogether by the time I got home. Only little worry is that the knee started to protest after I got off the bike. Hope its OK by the morning.



5 days to go!

7 days to go!


And the weather looks to have just turned a corner, at least for an hour or two. A bit restricted so far this week - 25 miles on Monday, 27 on Tuesday and then nearly had to row home in a boat last night. My shoes were still wet this morning. The weekend looks more promising so I'm hoping to get a good 50 mile ride in on Saturday morning. Maybe the New Forest again as I've not bene in that direction for some time.


It's beginning to sink in that a week tomorrow, at 7:30am, around 65 people, including yours truly, will start to prove themselves all mad. And, Yes, I'm still looking forward to it.

We all need a rest sometimes

Had a stomach upset this week, so I've done virtually nothing. On top of that, the bike was in for it's last check up at Primera. Needed brake blocks, cables, tyres etc. So that made me feel much better, of course. But at least I know it's ready for the off.

I think the rest has probably been a good things as well. Just need to get back to riding as soon as possible, maybe this afternoon, or maybe on Monday.

Still can't believe I'm actually going to be there at the start in 13 days time.

Only 13 days to go!

Did I do the plan?

Well, it depends how you measure it. Time constraints yesterday meant that I missed the target of 60 miles for that day - only did 47. But because I was ahead of schedule the other days, I made the overall target with 3 miles to spare. So a record breaking week of 240 miles.

Friday was 55 miles all within the Bournemouth/Poole boundaries. It included some of the chines that I hadn't done before (e.g. Alum Chine), twice round Sandbanks and Hengistbury head.



Saturday was similar but with a different route through Poole. Hampered by roadworks and traffic in general because it was the afternoon rather than the morning which was one reason for not getting quite the distance I wanted. Then there was a heavy shower for about 15 minutes. Not that anyone here is complaining about that as it was the first heavy rain we have had since Easter. The view is from the top of Constitution Hill looking over towards the Purbeck hills




The plan for the next two weeks is to take it a bit easier, put in long rides on the remaining Saturdays and keep the current level for the main event.

Only 18 days to go!

The wind is back

21 today - not just wishful thinking! 21 days to go. And the stiff westerly has become a stiff north-westerly. Yesterday was easier, but today half the miles were into the breeze. It always feels stronger on the coast. But two good days and ahead of plan - 35 miles yesterday and 46 miles today. If the next two days work out as planned, it will be over 250 miles in the week.


Today was just along the coast making use of the natural hills at the chines. So Sandbanks first and back to Hengistbury head. The Hungry Hiker cafe is a bit tempting but I managed to resist and settled for a Mars bar and about a litre of water instead of going in.

Then back to Sandbanks and back home with a couple of detours in Queen's Park. I think it included all the best hills this side of the chain ferry.

The baggage labels have arrived from Classic Tours with the final instructions. Seems it's not just a dream after all!

This is getting a bit scary

I can't really believe its this close! Only three more weekends before the off. Then we find out whether we are really ready! This has been a low week, about 110 miles, because of circumstances, but I'm hoping to make up for it this week. Got three days off and the plan is to do 30, 40, 50 and 60 miles on consecutive days. (That's the plan, we'll see how it works out!)

Langton Matravers TWICE

OK, I'm tired. But I think that is justified. Just missed the 8:40 ferry and, as a result, didn't get across the harbour until about 9:10. The Contentin again got in the way of the ferry. If I hadn't spent 5 minute looking for my keys (not my fault), I would have been there half an hour earlier.


Light rain until Swanage. The picture is Old Harry rocks, just at the end of the bay, taken on a day when it wasn't drizzling.

A moderate Westerly wind so the first 23 miles was straight into it. Across to Swange as usual, up through Langton Matravers and Corfe Castle. Then the big question - 'Shall I do it that loop again?' With the encouragement of the wind behind me, I arrived back in Swanage in good time and decided to give it a go. Kept telling myself I could always turn round if it got too much. But there was a family struggling up the first steep bit on heavily laden tourers, even the smallest (aged about 7, I would guess). I think they were heading to the camp site at the top of the village. So it made me feel ashamed to even think about not getting the top the second time. By 11:00, I was enjoying the sights of Corfe again and looking forward to getting back home.

53 of the toughest miles I've done up to now. I think (hope) that the route in September will not be that tough!