Round the Island once more

May has arrived, and with it two unmissable local outdoor events, the first being the Randonnee: the annual 100k bike ride around the Island. I’ve spent the last couple weeks talking up my plans, so when I woke to heavy rain this morning I was way too proud to bail. Any day is off to great start with a ride on the chain ferry, which was pleasingly closed to cars for the day. (It doesn’t bode well that I’m pointing in the wrong direction in this pic.)

It was a wet and windy ride to Bembridge, with the inevitable hoards of club cyclists zooming past amidst talk of gear ratio and carb-loading. The crammed football club was a welcome first pit stop and I wolfed down a brownie (but later regretted not filling up on proper calories. Maybe those lycra guys speak sense…)

A little let-up in the rain on Brading quiet road (and a few altercations with a 4×4 who hadn’t got the memo) and a tea and cookies stop at Whitwell, where we set some guys off in the right direction after they found themselves on the 100k route, having only signed up for 55. The bikes were two-deep on every fence, but with so few girls on the ride there was no queue for the loos. Result.

There’s no denying this is a hilly ride, and the coastal stretch along the Military Road slows down all but the most hardcore. By Rolls Hill I was weaving in fatigue and those guys on my tail weren’t behind me for long. But by the time we’d reached Cowes sea front I’d found some last reserves of energy for a victory lap through the town, with all the other muddy and knackered two-wheelers.

Another year, another Randonnee. No doubt next year we’ll be at it again. Meanwhile, there’s the second big outdoor event of May to look forward to next weekend…

Where road bikes fear to tread

I’m a big fan of skinny tyres. I love the easy momentum and smooth sweeping curve of a well-paved road. Tom’s more of an all-terrain tourer, with his tough Dawes touring bike and plenitude of gears. He’s always suggesting detours down bridleways or old byways and there is only so many times I can put him off with mumbles of punctures and bent spokes.

So, this is how I found myself taking my precious Pinarello way beyond it’s comfort zone, up over the Downs above Freshwater Bay. Turns out, heading up steep hills over grass and rocks is hard work on a racer, and not a little precarious. But the views at the top were worth it, and Tom and his bike were in their element. My skinny tyres faired pretty well; no punctures today. Who says road bikes are only for the road, eh?!

Goodbye sunshine

The clocks have fallen back. Undoubtedly, the extra hour has been greatly appreciated; the day has seemed elongated and full (baking and reading to accompany homework.) This weekend always seems to herald the beginning of life without sunshine however. Dark in the morning on the way to work. Dark coming home as well. Fluorescent gear will come out of the cupboard. Will hope not to get run down on quiet and gloomy country roads…

Thankfully, it’s been half term with some pretty fantastic autumnal weather (bright, blustery and beautiful) with the chance to get out on the bike and on foot. Although weekends will provide some respite, and outdoor activities will be planned into the school week, there won’t be so much sunshine for me for the next few months.

Goodbye sunshine, you’re great.

Pedalling the Island

We found this quote on an apron at a little shop on our Sunday morning bike ride. And while this Island may not be the only one, it is certainly our favourite. We spent the weekend exploring both ends of it by bicycle, stopping for local food and plenty of coffee, and sometimes, just stopping to enjoy the view.

Vincent Cox holds the Guinness world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the world by bicycle. At the recent intelligence squared cycling festival he celebrated the power of the bicycle to transport us at the perfect speed; to notice every small detail, and yet cover enough ground to see plenty of it.

This is surely the best way to travel.