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