Got to the start a bit late but no problem as this is a
brevet populiare event with a 10kph low limit. After tea and
a ginger biscuit we trundled off from Lymington in a general
north-westerly direction taking it in turns to lead as there
was a headwind especially noticeable on the open sections.
Through Burley and then back lanes to cross the A31 near
Ringwood via a flyover. Pleasant run through forest edge
villages on the east side of the Avon valley. A brief
technical hitch that when stopping for a banana break Helen
(my sister) could not detach herself from the left pedal.
After some hilarity and hopping Helen got her shoe of and we
tightened the cleats on both shoes - she only got them last
week and one had worked loose.
Arrived at the control at Fordingbridge to discover a nice
man with a puncture and the Principia audax bike featured in
this months Cycling +. Now Helen has ordered one of these so
a deep and meaningful conversation ensued; so interesting
that Helen the forgot this nice man's name. Sufficient to
say a very fit chap, he had done the Taste of the Test on
Saturday the 200 on Sunday and is doing a 400 next week.
Next section took us out through the lanes at the back of
Breamore and then back across the A338 into the forest at
Woodgreen, emerging from the forest at Woodfalls cross we
met a family in search of a toilet. I only live a little way
away so a short diversion meant they could continue in
comfort while we stopped a bit longer for baked beans on
toast. The next section I know well, through the lanes to
Nomansland where the only real hill on the route ( I walked
the last 10 metres) takes you back up to the highest point
of the forest.The next section back to Brockenhurst was a
blast; across the old airfield, under the A£! and then down
the Ornamental Drive - 3.5k of downhill. Helen took
exception to following fat blokes on mountain bikes throwing
up clods of mud so shot past - I of course had to follow so
an impromptu race took place - not that we would have caught
the chap on the recumbent as he was long gone!
We met up again with Helen's Principia man at Brockenhurst
and cycled together till the 2 routes split again near
Beaulieu. Through the lanes again with views of the sea and
the only hazard fields of oilseed rape starting my hayfever
and the conundrum of how to cycle fasterwithoutbreathing.
Into Lymington and up the High St to finish with pasta and
loads of tea. Time taken 6.45, fords forded 2, foals counted
15, oh and the sun came out a few times!. All in all a great
day out, well organised, a great route - I would recommend
it to anyone doing their first 100k.
We're planning on doing the 200k in September....
Julia