Dorset Miles, Bear Cross Sunday Ride

Ten riders, just visible in thick mist, at Bear Cross for the start of another year. A familiar route saw us head to Merley across to Corfe Mullen and on to Lytchett Matravers and Bulbury. Briefly on the A35 before turning left through Wareham forest and into the town itself. Over the river and left to Ridge and Norden, Corfe Castle was emerging from its shroud as we turned left to Woolgarston. Worthy of any northern European spring classic, this narrow, muddy, gravel-strewn back lane is just bloody good fun. Always rising but always big-ringable, those on the front are in the box seat, they dictate the pace as they sense the following are fighting for traction and the best line. Just short of Swanage, a right turn takes us across the railway line at Herston Halt, another right and we are heading for Langton Matravers, we rode this way a couple of weeks ago and I can confirm the climb was just as hard today as it was then. Kingston, Corfe, Church Knowle and up Cocknowle, the climb over Stoneham Down to East Creech is deceptively hard and there is nowhere to hide. The hills are behind us now and the pace quickens heading towards Wool but a front wheel puncture brings us to a halt. A co-operative approach is always best, soon mended and morale still high. The three essentials for fixing a winter flat, Spare Tube, pump and your mates! Up past Monkey World and right at Gallows Hill, Hyde, Lane End & Bloxworth, West Morden and back up to Lytchett(Some quicker than others). The mist is still hanging around at Corfe Mullen as the group splits, the new race season that was “Next Year” is now just six weeks away, winter miles guarantee nothing but are better in the legs than in the head! 4hrs 25