Tour de Dorset
An Ian Landless promotion
Reporter Richard Thomas (DOWNLOADABLE VERSION WITH PICS)
For the third year in a row Ian has provided a cracking good week on the bike. To say the routes he had chosen were challenging is perhaps an understatement!
We did realise what was ahead of us, but put it to the back of our minds as we set out from various points in Sussex on Monday 13th May to rendezvous at the M27 services near Southampton
For the third year in a row Ian has provided a cracking good week on the bike. To say the routes he had chosen were challenging is perhaps an understatement!
We did realise what was ahead of us, but put it to the back of our minds as we set out from various points in Sussex on Monday 13th May to rendezvous at the M27 services near Southampton
So there we were, all 10 of us, with the Lewes Wanderers in the majority, so much so that the
Eastbourne Rovers had to recruit two guest riders to match the Lewes in number.
Ian had chosen his squad wisely, with a mix of age and experience. Grimpeur specialists Graham Jeffs and Tony Gale were joined by sprinter extraordinaire Adrian Hills and super domestique John Gallsworthy, riding sans mudguards for greater speed and lightness.
The Rovers relied on powerhouse Kevin Burton and marginally adequate grimpeur Richard Thomas, with back up from Alan Symonds
Ian had chosen his squad wisely, with a mix of age and experience. Grimpeur specialists Graham Jeffs and Tony Gale were joined by sprinter extraordinaire Adrian Hills and super domestique John Gallsworthy, riding sans mudguards for greater speed and lightness.
The Rovers relied on powerhouse Kevin Burton and marginally adequate grimpeur Richard Thomas, with back up from Alan Symonds
13th May
Prologue.
marshalling the team in times of disarray. Guests
riders were Chris Colyer, brought in as a super
domestique to bring the remains of the peleton up to
the leaders (usually the Wanderers) once a gap
appeared and the rapidly improving Paul Burges,
CTC, whose climbing speed and ability improved
considerably as the week progressed.
We all arrived at the Royal Hotel, Weymouth in time for lunch in a local cafe before an afternoon ride to Moreton.
Weymouth-Moreton- Weymouth 46.29km
We all arrived at the Royal Hotel, Weymouth in time for lunch in a local cafe before an afternoon ride to Moreton.
Weymouth-Moreton- Weymouth 46.29km
Leaving the seafront and heading east, we were soon on the first climb of the day, which came as a
bit of a surprise to some
The sun shone but the wind had an edge as we swooped through the undulations of the Wessex countryside. Arriving in Moreton, we first visited the grave of TE Lawrence (of Arabia). He was killed in a motor bike accident nearby.
The sun shone but the wind had an edge as we swooped through the undulations of the Wessex countryside. Arriving in Moreton, we first visited the grave of TE Lawrence (of Arabia). He was killed in a motor bike accident nearby.
We then visited the local church, being unusual in having
etched glass windows rather than stained glass. The unusual
format was a result of a second world war bomb taking out
the side of the church, windows and all. Hence when it came
to rebuilding the result is
what you see today.
Thence to the cafe for sustenance before a trip down to the local river for a brief reflection on the day so far, before heading back to our Weymouth Hotel for the evening.
Thence to the cafe for sustenance before a trip down to the local river for a brief reflection on the day so far, before heading back to our Weymouth Hotel for the evening.
14 May
Stage 1
Weymouth- Abbotsbury-West Bay-Beaminster-near Dorchester- Weymouth
86.92km
The weather forecast was for rain, but we didn't expect quite so much as was delivered! We left our
hotel at the appointed time of 9:30am and rode out of town along Granby Way (B3157) and stayed
on this road through Chickerell. Soon after, a left turn had us heading to Langton Herring and
Rodden on minor roads with occasional views towards Chesil Beach, and thence onto New Barn
Road. This took us to Abbotsbury, past the Swannery on our left and into the village. By now the
rain had become a
significant factor as we
regrouped in Market
Street. Adrian had
decided to turn back just
before Abbotsbury as he
was "pedalling squares".
Rejoining the B3157, ahead of us was the daunting climb of Abbotsbury Hill, engage low gear and grovel! The climb has a max gradient of 17% and an average of 8.7%. I was down to 5.2 kph at one point. As
Rejoining the B3157, ahead of us was the daunting climb of Abbotsbury Hill, engage low gear and grovel! The climb has a max gradient of 17% and an average of 8.7%. I was down to 5.2 kph at one point. As
the sign indicates in the above photo in
Abbotsbury, before the climb, we were
heading for Swyre and Burton Bradstock
before a welcome cafe stop in West Bay.
We stayed nearly an hour, most of us stoking up on something cooked. Tony Gale got a bit confused over which garment zipped to which and needed the help of the proprietress. She even took a photo of us all as we were leaving, 9 souls damp in body but not yet in spirits! (see later in the afternoon!).
We stayed nearly an hour, most of us stoking up on something cooked. Tony Gale got a bit confused over which garment zipped to which and needed the help of the proprietress. She even took a photo of us all as we were leaving, 9 souls damp in body but not yet in spirits! (see later in the afternoon!).
Suitably refreshed we passed through Bridport on our way to Beaminster, via Bothenhampton,
West Allington, and Symondsbury (Alan's hometown maybe?) Broadoak and Stoke Abbot,
where the next significant climb was tackled before the downhill run to Beaminster.
The cafe could not take nine of us so whilst Alan and John went into various shops to buy bonk rations for the return we all shivered in the market square, eyeing up a couple of pubs opposite. After much deliberation, and no let up in the rain (12mm that day) we three (Kevin, Graham and Richard) decided to press on. We had covered some 49km. It was seriously uphill for the next 2 km on the B3163 Whitcombe Road, at an average gradient of 7%, to a right turn just south of Toller Wholme. This road took us on the old Roman Road, variously named as Barrowland Lane, past Shatcombe Lane junction (see also Thursday's ride) where Kevin nearly lost his map in the wind and rain, difficult to fold in those conditions! and on to the A35 at Winterbourne Abbas for a short sprint to turn left onto the B3139 through Winterbourne Steepleton and Martinstown then up and over Goulds Hill (140mAOD), climbing at 10-12 km/h, to Upway. We then joined the old Dorchester Road (which is west of the A354) where the signpost read "Weymouth 10 miles". At least we now knew how much further we had to go/endure timewise, passing through Nottington and then the environs of the conurbation that is Weymouth to our hotel.
On arriving back at the hotel cold and wet I put the kettle on, Kevin was first in the shower so I warmed up in front of the hairdryer! Very effective. Having both returned to "normal" we then went out for something to eat, having missed lunch and dinner was not until 7:15pm. In the bar before dinner we caught up with the others and their tales of woe and intrepidity. Adrian made Graham a cup of tea on his return, Alan stood in the shower drinking his and everyone was pleased to have got back without a visit from the p**ct**e fairy, as with cold hands getting the tyre back on the rim would have been a challenge.
Ride stats; Ride time 4:33:59; Ave 19.0km/hr; Max 65.6km/hr, climbing 1977m Min temp 4oC, wind SSW 16km/hr; Distance 86.92km
15 May Stage 2 The "Queen" stage
Weymouth-Bere Regis-Corfe Castle- Lulworth Cove - Weymouth 108.02km
The overnight rain had ceased and the sun was shining and all was right with the world as Ian led us out through Weymouth on the neutralised section, in a north easterley direction on the "main" road (B3155) on a slight drag to Preston. Soon after that the hills appeared and the splits opened up as the peleton, with tired legs, tried to hang on to the mountain goats on the way to Osmington, before descending to Poxwell (don't drink the water!).
Crossing the Wareham Road we proceeded to Warmwell, Crossways and over Pallington Heath (more climbing!) before descending to Affpuddle, to cross the A35 to Milbourne St Andrew where we overshot a right turn so a bit of a retrace thence to Bere Regis and elevenses, sought out by John G. It was in a very pleasant pub "The Drax Arms" with an extremely obliging landlady, who plied us with coffee and cooked fare. It was difficult to tear ourselves away, we were there for over an hour, but our leader was chomping at the bit ,so....Here we are just about to leave, has anyone seen Alan? Alan subsequently appeared so we were on our way to Corfe Castle for lunch.
The cafe could not take nine of us so whilst Alan and John went into various shops to buy bonk rations for the return we all shivered in the market square, eyeing up a couple of pubs opposite. After much deliberation, and no let up in the rain (12mm that day) we three (Kevin, Graham and Richard) decided to press on. We had covered some 49km. It was seriously uphill for the next 2 km on the B3163 Whitcombe Road, at an average gradient of 7%, to a right turn just south of Toller Wholme. This road took us on the old Roman Road, variously named as Barrowland Lane, past Shatcombe Lane junction (see also Thursday's ride) where Kevin nearly lost his map in the wind and rain, difficult to fold in those conditions! and on to the A35 at Winterbourne Abbas for a short sprint to turn left onto the B3139 through Winterbourne Steepleton and Martinstown then up and over Goulds Hill (140mAOD), climbing at 10-12 km/h, to Upway. We then joined the old Dorchester Road (which is west of the A354) where the signpost read "Weymouth 10 miles". At least we now knew how much further we had to go/endure timewise, passing through Nottington and then the environs of the conurbation that is Weymouth to our hotel.
On arriving back at the hotel cold and wet I put the kettle on, Kevin was first in the shower so I warmed up in front of the hairdryer! Very effective. Having both returned to "normal" we then went out for something to eat, having missed lunch and dinner was not until 7:15pm. In the bar before dinner we caught up with the others and their tales of woe and intrepidity. Adrian made Graham a cup of tea on his return, Alan stood in the shower drinking his and everyone was pleased to have got back without a visit from the p**ct**e fairy, as with cold hands getting the tyre back on the rim would have been a challenge.
Ride stats; Ride time 4:33:59; Ave 19.0km/hr; Max 65.6km/hr, climbing 1977m Min temp 4oC, wind SSW 16km/hr; Distance 86.92km
15 May Stage 2 The "Queen" stage
Weymouth-Bere Regis-Corfe Castle- Lulworth Cove - Weymouth 108.02km
The overnight rain had ceased and the sun was shining and all was right with the world as Ian led us out through Weymouth on the neutralised section, in a north easterley direction on the "main" road (B3155) on a slight drag to Preston. Soon after that the hills appeared and the splits opened up as the peleton, with tired legs, tried to hang on to the mountain goats on the way to Osmington, before descending to Poxwell (don't drink the water!).
Crossing the Wareham Road we proceeded to Warmwell, Crossways and over Pallington Heath (more climbing!) before descending to Affpuddle, to cross the A35 to Milbourne St Andrew where we overshot a right turn so a bit of a retrace thence to Bere Regis and elevenses, sought out by John G. It was in a very pleasant pub "The Drax Arms" with an extremely obliging landlady, who plied us with coffee and cooked fare. It was difficult to tear ourselves away, we were there for over an hour, but our leader was chomping at the bit ,so....Here we are just about to leave, has anyone seen Alan? Alan subsequently appeared so we were on our way to Corfe Castle for lunch.
Minor roads took us up Rye Hill to Lane End and Lower Woodbury onto Sugar Hill which was
downhill for us fortuitously, to Trigon and Coldharbour thence to Wareham. We were heading
to Ridge via Nutcrack Lane yet our leader's usually impeccable navigational skills deserted him at
this point, as we went round the bypass (A351) then left into West Lane and back towards
Wareham, past Nutcrack Lane! We got to the bridge over the River Frome when realisation
dawned, we turned round and finally got to the Lane. So we did over 4km whereas if we had
ridden through Wareham on North Street it would have been 3km shorter! We passed through
Ridge and Arne Road took us to Corfe Castle and lunch.
Here we are at lunch, so what is Ian wearing as a safety helmet?
Here we are at lunch, so what is Ian wearing as a safety helmet?
On leaving I stopped to take a photo and
lost sight of the rest so stopped at the cross roads
and tried to work out how to get to Lulworth
Cove. Fortunately I was missed and Tony and
Ian came back to find me. They had taken the
left turn onto the Tyneham Road before realising
I was missing. So we proceeded through Church
Knowle up through Steeple (or should that read
"Steep Hill!), climbing from 18m elevation at the
cross roads to 165 m elevation at the top of the
climb.
Our chosen route to Lulworth Cove was closed, due to Army target practice with live amunition and we only found out after negotiating the significant climb that was not to everyone's taste. This meant that we had a detour of over 13km (8 miles) instead of the direct route of 5km (3 miles).
Our chosen route to Lulworth Cove was closed, due to Army target practice with live amunition and we only found out after negotiating the significant climb that was not to everyone's taste. This meant that we had a detour of over 13km (8 miles) instead of the direct route of 5km (3 miles).
for an ice cream
Not a day for the sprinters and lead out men as the photos show!
Not a day for the sprinters and lead out men as the photos show!
So we then went down the other side and on an 8 mile detour to Lulworth Cove.
It was worth it as when we arrived we stopped
The chap on the right did an interesting line in painted shells, and after I had taken a photo of him,
he got his camera out and took one of me, how bizarre!
Alan seems to have the same idea, above!
We stayed some time there and spoke to some
people who came from Eastbourne!
Quite a "touristy" place, with no motorised vehicles allowed down the narrow road to the Cove.
The climb out from the Cove was another challenge for tired legs, and we ended up "en ligne", gaining 75m in elevation.
Quite a "touristy" place, with no motorised vehicles allowed down the narrow road to the Cove.
The climb out from the Cove was another challenge for tired legs, and we ended up "en ligne", gaining 75m in elevation.
We then came across a "Closed
Road" sign. In typical optimistic
fashion, we ignored it and went
on, to be confronted by several
electricity company operatives
replacing a cable across the road,
with this "currently" at ground
level. Some diplomacy ensued
which resulted in us being
allowed through "as long as you
don't touch the cable"
We eventually returned to the B3155 and retraced our outward route back to Weymouth, lining it out and "treading the pedal to the metal". Chris showed commendable enthusiasm which broke the elastic so a bit of "pianissimo" ensued so that we could regroup and reach our hotel all together (some may have felt more "in bits" than together after a hard day with the aggregate amount of climbing being more than 2300m).
Ride stats; Ride time 4:58:51; Ave 21.7km/hr; Max 52.0km/hr, climbing 2382m Ave temp 16.3oC; Distance 108.02km; Overall time 7:54:54; Cals burnt 3520.
That evening your scribe, having inspected his brake blocks, went to Halfords as the shop was near to the hotel, and bought 2 new pairs for the princely sum of £9.98. The conversation with the Bike Hut mechanic went something like this;
We eventually returned to the B3155 and retraced our outward route back to Weymouth, lining it out and "treading the pedal to the metal". Chris showed commendable enthusiasm which broke the elastic so a bit of "pianissimo" ensued so that we could regroup and reach our hotel all together (some may have felt more "in bits" than together after a hard day with the aggregate amount of climbing being more than 2300m).
Ride stats; Ride time 4:58:51; Ave 21.7km/hr; Max 52.0km/hr, climbing 2382m Ave temp 16.3oC; Distance 108.02km; Overall time 7:54:54; Cals burnt 3520.
That evening your scribe, having inspected his brake blocks, went to Halfords as the shop was near to the hotel, and bought 2 new pairs for the princely sum of £9.98. The conversation with the Bike Hut mechanic went something like this;
Me
Mechanic
Me
Mechanic
"I would like some brake blocks please, Shimano 600,Ultregra, 105"
"No mate, don't know what you're talking about"
"Blocks for road bikes!"
"Oh right, here they are" (produces two Clarke Bros products, one in metal shoe (a
la Ian's bike) and one in a rubber block, 105 pattern, these being the one's I bought)
"Blocks for road bikes!"
"Oh right, here they are" (produces two Clarke Bros products, one in metal shoe (a
la Ian's bike) and one in a rubber block, 105 pattern, these being the one's I bought)
So that's the level of knowledge of Halford's employees who may be more at home with mountain
bikes, hybrids etc.
Our leader declined to accompany me even though it was he who pointed out the shop's location. Regrets, he's had a few since then, read on!
Our leader declined to accompany me even though it was he who pointed out the shop's location. Regrets, he's had a few since then, read on!
Thursday 16th May Stage 3
Weymouth -Cerne Abbas-Litton Cheyney-Portesham-Weymouth 81.54 km
The peleton, now with very tired legs from yesterday's climbing, took some time to get into it's stride as it headed east out of Weymouth, following the same climb as Monday afternoon (Coombe Valley Road), not good for cold legs! At the top we turned left onto Chalky Road (on Monday we went straight on at the cross roads, see past Came Down Golf Course, then through Winterborne erringstone and Winterborne Came. In Puddletown we overshot a left turn to Piddlehinton and had to retrace
to the correct road and then onward to Piddletrenthide then a steep climb just before Cerne Abbas to
our cafe stop for a late "elevenses" at Abbots Cafe.
Weymouth -Cerne Abbas-Litton Cheyney-Portesham-Weymouth 81.54 km
The peleton, now with very tired legs from yesterday's climbing, took some time to get into it's stride as it headed east out of Weymouth, following the same climb as Monday afternoon (Coombe Valley Road), not good for cold legs! At the top we turned left onto Chalky Road (on Monday we went straight on at the cross roads, see past Came Down Golf Course, then through Winterborne erringstone and Winterborne Came. In Puddletown we overshot a left turn to Piddlehinton and had to retrace
to the correct road and then onward to Piddletrenthide then a steep climb just before Cerne Abbas to
our cafe stop for a late "elevenses" at Abbots Cafe.
Ian explains to Graham that the rest of the day is
just a series of ups and downs, such that soon
after we left the cafe, at the crossroads with the
Dorchester Road (A352) Adrian and Alan
decided to head back to Weymouth. The remains
of the group crossed the main road and into
minor roads, tackling three significant climbs (15%) in the next 15km. At the top of the second climb we crossed Long Ash Lane (A37) having ridden the road that runs south of Up Sydling and north of Sydling St Nicholas. We then headed
SW descending to Maiden Newton, doing a bit on A356 before turning left into lanes once more and the third climb via Wynford Eagle to West Compton. It was at this junction on Tuesday afternoon that Kevin had difficulty folding his map in the wind and rain when we were on our way back from Beaminster. So it was that we turned left to follow our Tuesday route for a short while, in much better conditions before turning right. Having crossed the A35 into White Way we descended a very steep hill that included a 25% segment down to the T junction in Litton Cheney.
minor roads, tackling three significant climbs (15%) in the next 15km. At the top of the second climb we crossed Long Ash Lane (A37) having ridden the road that runs south of Up Sydling and north of Sydling St Nicholas. We then headed
SW descending to Maiden Newton, doing a bit on A356 before turning left into lanes once more and the third climb via Wynford Eagle to West Compton. It was at this junction on Tuesday afternoon that Kevin had difficulty folding his map in the wind and rain when we were on our way back from Beaminster. So it was that we turned left to follow our Tuesday route for a short while, in much better conditions before turning right. Having crossed the A35 into White Way we descended a very steep hill that included a 25% segment down to the T junction in Litton Cheney.
Our venerable leader became our vulnerable leader as, with no back brake (the metal shoe dug into
the metal rim, not a good omen!), he was relying on the front brake to arrest his progress on the
25% section. The front brake did it's job, but not in the conventional way, choosing to grab at the
front wheel, upend the rear and dump said rider unceremoniously onto the tarmac. Arising, fortunately unscathed, he wondered why the handlebars exhibited a droop on the left hand side, and on closer inspection discovered that they had broken! Fortunately the bar broke at the bend so there was enough straight bit to hang onto, although climbing hills was not easy, Ian did not walk any climb, well done.
Ian walked the rest of the descent to meet Graham and the rest of us, and to regale his tale of woe.
We then turned left (eastwards) to Long Bredy and Littlebredy before a climb up to Coombe Road and a descent into Portesham. We stopped here to try for a very late lunch but the pub had stopped serving food. Undaunted we went to the local service station and stocked up on bonk rations.
front wheel, upend the rear and dump said rider unceremoniously onto the tarmac. Arising, fortunately unscathed, he wondered why the handlebars exhibited a droop on the left hand side, and on closer inspection discovered that they had broken! Fortunately the bar broke at the bend so there was enough straight bit to hang onto, although climbing hills was not easy, Ian did not walk any climb, well done.
Ian walked the rest of the descent to meet Graham and the rest of us, and to regale his tale of woe.
We then turned left (eastwards) to Long Bredy and Littlebredy before a climb up to Coombe Road and a descent into Portesham. We stopped here to try for a very late lunch but the pub had stopped serving food. Undaunted we went to the local service station and stocked up on bonk rations.
As it was not too far back to
Weymouth we declined a short
detour west into Abbotsbury for tea
and decided to head back to
Weymouth.
Whilst stopped in Portesham we came upon three riders on electric bikes, the proprietor of the firm was one of them. He gave me a leaflet for "Electric bike adventures" Guided tours on said bikes to "wonderful West Dorset destinations" see www.marshwoodtrails.co.uk He said that at least you get an easy ride up hills and can look at the scenery! The bikes have a range of about 40 miles per charge, more if you recharge them whilst having lunch.
Whilst stopped in Portesham we came upon three riders on electric bikes, the proprietor of the firm was one of them. He gave me a leaflet for "Electric bike adventures" Guided tours on said bikes to "wonderful West Dorset destinations" see www.marshwoodtrails.co.uk He said that at least you get an easy ride up hills and can look at the scenery! The bikes have a range of about 40 miles per charge, more if you recharge them whilst having lunch.
Anyway we returned to Weymouth via Brandon Lane through Tatton and Nottington, where we
joined the road into Weymouth, just south of our Tuesday joining point. No more hills!
Towards the end of the ride a young lad, riding with bravado, came by us so we had a bit of a "ding dong" with him, all good fun.
Towards the end of the ride a young lad, riding with bravado, came by us so we had a bit of a "ding dong" with him, all good fun.
So we all got back, then Ian and Tony found a bike shop and after a bit of to-ing and fro-ing got a
set of bars, which super mechanic Adrian fitted that evening. The old bars had a reduced section
on the top at the break, which may have been caused by corrosion from sweaty hands. A lesson for
us all.
Footnote; On returning home, Ian took his bike into Adam at Kontour and was advised to replace the wheels immediately, so quite an expensive set of brake blocks were those!
Ride stats; Ride time 4:18:36; Ave 18.9km/hr; Max 57.5km/hr, climbing 1368m Ave temp 18.0oC, wind km/hr; Distance 81.54km; Overall time 7:54:54; Cals burnt 2775.
Friday 17th Finale Weymouth-Portland Bill-Weymouth 30km
Breakfast at the Royal, les Rouleurs relax in "civvies"
Footnote; On returning home, Ian took his bike into Adam at Kontour and was advised to replace the wheels immediately, so quite an expensive set of brake blocks were those!
Ride stats; Ride time 4:18:36; Ave 18.9km/hr; Max 57.5km/hr, climbing 1368m Ave temp 18.0oC, wind km/hr; Distance 81.54km; Overall time 7:54:54; Cals burnt 2775.
Friday 17th Finale Weymouth-Portland Bill-Weymouth 30km
Breakfast at the Royal, les Rouleurs relax in "civvies"
A morning ride out to the headland, past Chesil Beach before the climb over the top of Portland
Bill, past the stone quarry (now disused) to the Lobster Pot cafe for scones and a hot drink.
Although sunny the air was still cold, will we ever get a summer?
Here are the intrepid nine (the long and the short and the tall) as Alan decided that he would decline the climb and returned to spend time in the Chesil Beach Visitor Centre.
Here are the intrepid nine (the long and the short and the tall) as Alan decided that he would decline the climb and returned to spend time in the Chesil Beach Visitor Centre.
We came back across the Bill on the alternative road and once into the outskirts of Weymouth took
the cycle path along the route of the former rail track, bringing us out in the harbour area.
Ride stats;
Ave 18.9km/hr;
Max 41.8km/hr, Climbing 449m Wind E 8km/hr; Distance 30.48km Cals burnt 979
And so with one last au revoir to Weymouth's sandy beaches we were loaded up and on our way home. We had a thoroughly enjoyable week with many challenges offered by the terrain and the weather. Many thanks to Ian for organising the trip, so where to next year?
Overall distance 353.25km (220.78 miles)
Climbing excl Mon; 6176m (20,278ft)
Ride stats;
Ave 18.9km/hr;
Max 41.8km/hr, Climbing 449m Wind E 8km/hr; Distance 30.48km Cals burnt 979
And so with one last au revoir to Weymouth's sandy beaches we were loaded up and on our way home. We had a thoroughly enjoyable week with many challenges offered by the terrain and the weather. Many thanks to Ian for organising the trip, so where to next year?
Overall distance 353.25km (220.78 miles)
Climbing excl Mon; 6176m (20,278ft)
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