Dorset Miles: Bournemouth Jubilee 100km Reliability Trial

The Cowgrove is always the cyclist’s choice, a safe conduit between Wimborne Minster and Blandford Forum. A gateway to the hills and lanes of West & North Dorset. The pleasant, twisting route with the occasional rise and fall wins hands down, when the alternative is the B3082, Badbury Rings road. The downside of this well wheeled route is it floods; throw in sub- zero temperatures and it’s an ice rink. More than a few of the 89 starters in the 100km reliability trial came down. Some abandoned, some opted for the B3082, and some carried on with both feet unclipped. The gravel at the edges offered purchase but threatened punctures and two came in quick succession. By Shapwick though the drama was behind us and the remaining miles passed without incident. The climb up from Winterborne Stickland is a conversation stopper and goes on and on it seems. The reward though is the descent through Milton Abbas and with practically no wind it was turning into a perfect winter's day. Flooding at Milborne St Andrew, the spray was cold on the face, then on to Briantspudddle and Bovington camp. Over the level crossing at Wool, the road across to Coombe Keynes & East Lulworth always asks some questions and the climb up above Cocknowle is steep but short. Corfe Castle makes you look up but turning left it is soon behind us. A good tempo across Middlebeare Heath and then into Wareham, the constant up and down of the “100 k” always starts to tell and the forest road up to the A35 is a bit of a chore! East Morden, Lytchett Matravers, Corfe Mullen, Merley, tea and cake! Organiser Mike Walsh is as benevolent as always, signing us all back in with no more than a cursory look at the clock. The ride out and home gives me an 18 mile bonus. 4hrs 45 (50 finishers)