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