IOW 2022

Day 2 the Main Event

Today we cycled from Shanklin to Wroxall, Bonchurch, Ventnor, St Lawrence, Niton, Godshill, Newchurch, Sandown and return to Shanklin but not without incidents as follows. For today’s ride we had divided into 2 groups. The first group all electric plus Mark. The second group non electric comprising 7 male riders. After a short ride, in slight drizzle, on the Red Squirrel (old railway line) trail a rider in the second group had a rear wheel puncture. The 7 male riders (identities to be withheld as what happens on a PBB ride stays on the ride) took 40 minutes to install a new inner tube and refit the rear wheel. Not our finest moment bike maintenance wise. No sooner had the second group got back in the saddle we then received a message that a rider in the first all electric group had sustained a puncture as well. We feared a rear wheel puncture electric bike puncture but subsequently found out it was Mark who fixed his puncture in no time, it gave time for others to look in the old St Boniface church (rebuilt in 1070) and also to visit the Pottery on the Bonchurch revetment.

Departing Ventnor one rider had a nasty fall off their bike on a extremely steep hill and was very shaken by the incident but soon recovered and was back on their bike. Full marks for their resilience!

Hoping that was our quota of mishaps we made it to the Buddle Inn where the sun came out and we had a lovely relaxed lunch. A small detour off the intentionally reduced route plan took us to an amazing display of land slips on the old Blackgang chine road (see photo).

Next stop on the route was to capture the IOW iconic picture at Godshill, sadly we missed the answer to the Quiz question set here so if anyone is passing the Chapel please let us know when it was built ?

After a rather bumpy stretch of track more tea, cake and convivial chat was enjoyed at a new venue called Harvey Browns.

We had been warned by other passing cyclists of a flood but we did not know where or how big it was, finally encountering a waterlogged stretch of the Red squirrel trail near Alverstone. For some of us it was the deepest we had ever cycled through and from a positive viewpoint cleaned the bike from the mud and dirt from the days ride however soaked our socks and shoes being ankle deep (on the peddles). Fortunately we were only 20 mins or so from base.

With paper stuffed shoes drying out and after the evening meal Paula organised and compered a IOW themed quiz. We divided into 3 groups of 4 and a jovial and enjoyable time was had by all but inevitably with a competitive edge so I am very pleased to report that the winning group comprised Lynda C, Linda P, Paul and Martin who are now the proud owners of an IOW key ring featuring the island flower an orchid. The quiz revealed some interesting facts. The island E/W is 22.5 miles long and N/S 13.5 miles long. 150 square miles and a population of 142,000. Alexander Graham Bell gave the first public demonstration of his telephone on the IOW. Queen Victoria spent most summers in residence on the IOW and died there. I wonder what the impact would have been for the IOW if that tradition had been carried on by future monarchs. Blackgang Chine was the first and therefore the oldest theme park in Britain having opened in 1843.

Day 3 The Return

The ride plan for Friday 14 October had to be revised as the ride leaders considered it wise to avoid the waterlogged trail and to ensure the 15:45 ferry was boarded. So we departed Shanklin at 10:30 and cycled a rather more hilly route to Newchurch, The Garlic Farm, Wooton Bridge, Fishbourne, Quarr Abbey and Ryde. A coffee stop at The Garlic Farm. An apology here for inaccurate information given to some riders about the origins of the Farm. Whilst my account was rather romantic the real story is as follows. During the Second World War, a squadron of French torpedo boats was stationed in Cowes. They often complained to the landlord of The Painters Arms, how much they missed French garlic. He spoke to his RAF pilot friends who were carrying out night missions to Central France and on one of their sorties, they brought back a sack of Auvergne garlic. The landlord passed the garlic onto the French service personnel but also began growing it and gave some to his neighbour who planted and grew garlic in her kitchen garden at Mersley Farm which now the site of the 40-acre Garlic Farm.

Lunch was taken at Quarr Abbey. The Abbey was originally built in 1132.It was dissolved by Henry VIII and closed in 1536.The buildings were demolished and stones used for constructing nearby grand houses and Yarmouth Castle a bit like what happened to parts of Hadrians Wall. The current Abbey was built around 1907 when the land was acquired by a sect of Monks from France.

The catamaran was successfully boarded as was the 16:15 train with all 14 bikes on a 10 carriage train

For overnight accommodation 10 of us stayed at the YMCA Hostel in Shanklin with the others staying in self booked accommodation. For many of us it was a first experience of a YMCA Hostel. Whilst we all had sole occupancy of a room with a basin the toilet and showers were communal. Evening meals were a pre ordered choice of either a meat or vegetarian meal. Breakfasts the usual choices of cooked with cereals and fruit. The charge was considered good value. The accommodation was clean and comfortable. The staff efficient and friendly. All of this was conducive for a good atmosphere at our evening meals where the conversation flowed easily, was interesting and lively.

Next Time

Plans are at an early stage for a return visit in October 2023 this time with road and off road options. watch this space