A number of members were planning to attend the Tour of Wessex 3-day sportive this weekend along with some good friends from Horsham Cycling Club, however due to low entries the event has been pared right back at the last minute, with no feed stops or signage etc, so we have decided to get refunds and organise our own similar event instead rather than pay £185 for 3 GPX files! You are all invited to join us on any of the days, or all of them if you fancy – you can always cut the routes short if you don’t want quite so many miles.
The event will involve 3 rides across this bank holiday weekend, each of approximately 100 miles, and each exploring a different region of our fantastic Westcountry. Each day there will be a planned cafe/brunch stop mid morning (approx 1/3 into the ride), and a lunch stop (approx 2/3 into ride). There wont be a set speed, but I would estimate our main group will probably be somewhere between Blue and Pink pace – but will be whatever pace the group are happy with. We intend to stick together and be social. Though you are of course free to group up and ride at a pace to suit you on the routes if you prefer.
*Note* – there will also be club rides on Saturday as normal which will also be heading towards the coast – you will find these on a separate post.
Day 1 is down to the coast taking in Bulbarrow Hill, Milton Abbey, Lulworth Cove, Whiteway Hill, Corfe Castle, Swanage and Wareham. Day 2 is up North taking in Stour Head, the 2 tunnels cycle path, Bath, Bradford on Avon, the Westbury White Horse and Longleat. Day 3 is down to the New Forest, taking in Christchurch harbour, Lymington, Beaulieu, Lyndhurst and finishing with the gradual climb up to the views from Win Green and descent of Zig Zag Hill.
Our guests from Horsham are camping on Mark’s farm at Hinton St Mary, so rides will be starting from there – with the Saturday ride going up to Gillingham to meet up with the usual Saturday club ride at 9:00. Rides will be starting at approximately 8:30 each day. There will also be eating, drinking and socialising in the afternoon/evening if you wish to hang around afterwards.
Day 1 – The South Coast – 102.6 miles / 165 km
Day 2 – Bath & Bradford on Avon – 105.5 miles / 169.8 km
Day 3 – The New Forest – 105.6 miles / 169.9 km
For those who have issues downloading their routes, here’s the guide for a Garmin device and here’s the guide for a Wahoo device.
