Only 22 riders signed on for the 110k, the second round of the long running winter series. The wind and the rain made more than a few ignore the alarm but those that did make the effort certainly earned their tea and cake, the conditions making the day out a bit of a monument! The Cowgrove was rideable but the rain seemed relentless, flooding the road as we passed. Blandford was quiet, the long drag up New Road, the first climb of the ‘Hilly Hundred’. Dunbury Hill out of Stickland was like a river at the bottom and a cloud at the top, no views today. Punctures and mechanicals would ask questions of reliability as the diminishing group headed towards Briantspuddle, East Creech and the Purbecks. It was grippy now, Corfe Castle may have been there if anyone noticed, Across Middlebeare Heath, the rain easing but now the miles were relentless. Through Wareham, Morden Road is always a slog but mercifully no headwind and the twisty lanes around the village annoying due to fatigue. Lychett and Pardy’s soften the legs further but we are casting shadows as we enter Wimborne and morale is good on Rowlands Hill with the finish in sight.
Kev Ridge, Bruce Cameron, Maggie Kirk and Mark Hitchcott welcomed us with tea, coffee, cake and baccon sarnies as smiles returned to muddy faces. Andy Cooper and Jonathan Charman also there for the debrief even if they had not been able to make it to the start!
Of the 22 starters, 2 cut the ride short the other 20 completed the full distance in trying conditions, well done to all. Thank you to those that supported the ride both from within BJW and the other clubs. We still have 15 riders who can complete the full set.
