Saturday is looking like a lucky break in the wet weather and should be dry with some sun at around 7-9˚. The roads however are likely to still be wet with some standing water in places, so mudguards and water resistant clothes are recommended.
This week all routes head in a South Easterly direction. The Pink and Blue routes get most of their climbing out of the way early on, firstly with the climb up to Shaftesbury via Motcombe, then followed by the hairpins of Zig-Zag Hill. Pink and Blue both descend towards Sixpenny Handley, with the blue turning south before to head to Witchampton. The Pinks carry on to Cranborne and Horton before joining back up with the Blue. Both then return via the Tarrants and Hartgrove.
The White route takes a more gradual route up to Shaftesbury via Semley and the Donheads, before heading south to Child Okeford and then back to link with the other routes near Hartgrove for the ride home. All rides end at the Old Brewery Cafe for much needed coffee and sustenance!
Meet at 9.30 am at the Wheels car park, Station Road, Gillingham. Please ensure you download your chosen route to your GPS device, and remember to bring your ride essentials, particularly sufficient liquid refreshment.
There is nothing to stop a group splitting into a ‘light’ and a ‘dark’ group, and a slower group can take on a longer route or a faster group ride a shorter route. All rides are no drop rides but please select a group suited to your ability!
Pink Route: 55.6 miles 3143 ft elevation – est speed 28 kmh+ / 17.5 mph +
Blue Route: 46.3 miles 2607 ft elevation – est speed 24 kmh / 15 mph
White Route: 35.5 miles 1967 ft elevation – est speed 20 kmh / 12 mph
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.
