Sunday, May 08, 2005
British Heart Foundation Bike Ride, Dorset
We were up early today to get ready to take part in the British Heart Foundation Dorset bike ride. We left the house on our bikes at 9:10, and were up at the school where the event started by 9:30.
9:30am: Riders gather at QE School in Wimborne
The route took us away from QE in a northerly direction and across country. There was only one small spot of gravel track before, which was lucky for all the professional looking blokes in their slim-wheeled racing machines.
10:15am: Rushing down country lanes.
The ride continued mainly through countryside down to a small village called Witchampton. This was around the 8 mile mark. Here the local church hall had provided the rest stop, where you could buy chocolate, and drinks. Squash was provided gratis. We scoffed a 4-bar kitkat, and set off again.
11:15am: The rest stop at Witchampton
It was a beautiful morning cycling through the countryside, although the wind was getting up, making some sections quite difficult. The 50-milers rejoined the 25 mile track at Witchampton so we were often getting overtaken by streaks of bright colours.
11:42am: Travelling towards Tarrent Rushton, there was many bright yellow fields full of rape.
There's a very steep hill near Tarrant Rushton that heads into the Tarrant valley. This is known locally as "The Cliff", which gives you an idea of its steepness. We flew down here (me taking photos), but the fast guys were almost airborn. My Dad and I cycled down here on the tandem once and the speedometer we had was marked to 40mph, but had a bit extra past that mark, and we easily hit the top-speed stopper, so we reckon we were doing nigh on 50mph. We didn't go quite so fast today, although I'm sure some did.
12:08pm: Screaming down 'The Cliff'
A short cycle through the Tarrant valley along the tiny River Tarrant, and we arrived at our second rest stop at Tarrant Keyneston village hall. We couldn't resist another kit-kat but headed on our way again soon before we stiffened up.
12:35pm: The rest stop at Tarrant Keyneston
12:35pm: Leaving the second rest stop
A short sharp hill greeted us poor cyclists at the exit of Tarrant Keyneston, and another as we approached Shapwick, alongside the River Stour. Some riders stopped at the pub there and had lunch, but we continued on. I'm very glad we did to as it began to rain as we reached the end, and was certainly colder than it had been all day.
1:40pm: The End...
We then cycled home and had a big lunch, and stiff legs. In total, including the ride to and from our house, we did an impressive 30.3miles - the furthest I've ridden in a long time, maybe ever.
9:30am: Riders gather at QE School in Wimborne
The route took us away from QE in a northerly direction and across country. There was only one small spot of gravel track before, which was lucky for all the professional looking blokes in their slim-wheeled racing machines.
10:15am: Rushing down country lanes.
The ride continued mainly through countryside down to a small village called Witchampton. This was around the 8 mile mark. Here the local church hall had provided the rest stop, where you could buy chocolate, and drinks. Squash was provided gratis. We scoffed a 4-bar kitkat, and set off again.
11:15am: The rest stop at Witchampton
It was a beautiful morning cycling through the countryside, although the wind was getting up, making some sections quite difficult. The 50-milers rejoined the 25 mile track at Witchampton so we were often getting overtaken by streaks of bright colours.
11:42am: Travelling towards Tarrent Rushton, there was many bright yellow fields full of rape.
There's a very steep hill near Tarrant Rushton that heads into the Tarrant valley. This is known locally as "The Cliff", which gives you an idea of its steepness. We flew down here (me taking photos), but the fast guys were almost airborn. My Dad and I cycled down here on the tandem once and the speedometer we had was marked to 40mph, but had a bit extra past that mark, and we easily hit the top-speed stopper, so we reckon we were doing nigh on 50mph. We didn't go quite so fast today, although I'm sure some did.
12:08pm: Screaming down 'The Cliff'
A short cycle through the Tarrant valley along the tiny River Tarrant, and we arrived at our second rest stop at Tarrant Keyneston village hall. We couldn't resist another kit-kat but headed on our way again soon before we stiffened up.
12:35pm: The rest stop at Tarrant Keyneston
12:35pm: Leaving the second rest stop
A short sharp hill greeted us poor cyclists at the exit of Tarrant Keyneston, and another as we approached Shapwick, alongside the River Stour. Some riders stopped at the pub there and had lunch, but we continued on. I'm very glad we did to as it began to rain as we reached the end, and was certainly colder than it had been all day.
1:40pm: The End...
We then cycled home and had a big lunch, and stiff legs. In total, including the ride to and from our house, we did an impressive 30.3miles - the furthest I've ridden in a long time, maybe ever.
