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For the 3rd year we can report that the Isle of Wight break was a huge success !
It was primarily based again out of the YMCA in Lake (between Sandown and Shanklin), facilities are not sophisticated, but it is clean, the evening meals very wholesome, the staff very friendly and the camaraderie exceptional.
The 22 riders split into 4 groups, 4 braving the off-road riding the rest following a number of road or cycling routes around the East of the Island.
Timing of the trains to Portsmouth, Fast Cat to and from Ryde and giving each group subtly different ride routes seemed to work well. Groups occasionally running into each other as they circled the bridleways, byways, quiet roads and cycle tracks which abound around the island. This makes for fabulous cycling opportunities for all types of rides.
We have combined reports from each of the 4 ride leaders here to give the reader a hint to their escapades and to encourage even more members perhaps to join us next time!
The Elusive Red Squirrel courtesy of group 1 - at Alverstone Mead Hide
Day 1
Day 1
The forecast was not good 🌧️😢 The weather however was much better ☁️😊.
To accommodate all the bikes on trains (and the Fast-Cat) we split the groups across 4 trains and 2 Ferries. The first boat was full of bikes with another party of cyclists also on it. Wightlink cannot seem to get their act together with ticketing to agree if bikes should or should not be booked on, maybe by next year! No similar reports for the 2nd boat for groups 3 & 4.
Two members already on the island met up with them on the long Ryde Pier, two groups heading eastbound along the coast, the others to the west including the off-road group in search of tracks and potential mud.
Two routes had been prepared in case of excessively wet conditions for off road rides but it was decided to keep to the original plan and were very pleasantly surprised to find conditions to generally be excellent. One of our off-road members got to enjoy his first high speed downhill a few miles in, after our first coffee and cake stop at Briddlesford farm.
Food is always a major feature of all of the rides and we seem to find good stops all over the island, others stopping on their first day at Quarr Abbey, Puckpool, the infamous Peddaler's Cafe (visited by all groups at some point) and Lake seafront en-route to accommodation at the YMCA in Lake.
Puckpool is the site of one of the 'Palmerston Follies' a stop here allowed our leader with a penchant for history to regale his group on some of the past events that took place here (see more details). A later encounter with some drivers over lunch put a dampener on the proceedings as they felt compelled to complain about disrespectful cyclists, something our groups are certainly not !
The off roaders started their first climbs on road, past Newport Golf club and by the end of day 3 had ascended nearly 1800 metres (5900 feet). Most of us could only achieve this because of our e-bike assistance making the climbs possible and overall adding a huge amount of enjoyment to the trip, seeing the island from vantage point of the top of the downs is a real privilege and pleasure.
The Red Squirrel trail is the (almost) perfect cycling route for those not wishing to climb the generally hilly terrain of the Island with old railway line routes put to good purpose from Sandown to Cowes via Newport and Shanklin to Wroxall, we also used shorter, old branch lines at Wooton Bridge and Brading Marshes. Sadly the route to Ventnor (in a tunnel from Wroxall) is no more, for one group it did mean some significant hill climbing was required too. I say 'almost' as there were some complaints about the very bumpy conditions on one section of the route.
One section of the Red Squirrel trail is off-road and takes the rider from Merstone station via Godshill to Wroxall passing through the Freemantle Gate standing proud in the middle of nowhere it is the gate to the ruins of Appuldurcombe house. Two groups visited here on their rides.
Some challenges were found in the urban metropolis [sic] of Newport following that groups meander up the Medina and Bembridge with the one way systems and pedestrianisation confusing the sat-nav.
Group 3 started their rides with one clear objective, 'spot the squirrel' and their holiday was punctuated with 'almost' or partial sightings, more on this later.
All groups arrived around the same time into Lake, some meeting up along the revetment (local name for the promenade) and the YMCA. The rain didn't hit until around 5pm.
A short walk along the coastal path is the lovely 'Hideaway' Bar and quite a few met up for pre-dinner refreshments and giggles on both evenings.
Dinner at the YMCA was Fajitas and Chocolate pudding accompanied by an IOW trivia quiz Malcolm had concocted. Scores were not very high but it was fun and as as usual some disputes over the correct answers will always occur. As an example, the final question was name 2 of the 7 'wonders' of the IOW (see this link for answers).
Day 2
Day 2
The forecast was not good 🌧️😢 with a Yellow Rain warning covering the island and much of the south of England but the sun was shining as the first groups left the YMCA.
The off-roaders again decided to go for the original planned route with a very big climb out of Shanklin on to the Ventnor Downs. It was tough but with encouragement they all managed it with only a little engagement of walk mode. The views back to Sandown bay are fabulous and were able to stand at the highest point on the island to view the rain squalls enveloping boats out at sea as well as one of many end to end rainbows seen throughout the day. At the point of descending one of these squalls decided to hit land, stinging rain quickly soaking them. One member hid under a tree then noticed another crawl into an old air raid shelter perfectly placed for our use, no sooner inside, the squall passed over.
For all the groups the memory of the day will be the showers, they were sudden and quite violent especially when in exposed areas with the wind getting stronger. Group 2 had a puncture just at the wrong time and can be seen in the pictures huddled together like penguins as the team worked on its repair in the driving rain. They curtailed their ride plan to Cowes as they were so wet, enjoying a hearty lunch at the Bargeman's rest in Newport.
Group 4 timed their first shower well as they entered Appuldurcombe house and sheltered in its one room which still has a roof. They can also be seen making the pose to match the ancestral family portraits rather than as Penguins. On return to their bikes however realising their helmets had been left upside down!
Group 3 used their wet weather gear to good effect, dodging the showers and made especially opportune stop at Godshill church where they could watch a particularly heavy burst from the sanctity of the church doorway prior to coffee at a local café.
The off-road group noted they had already used a fair amount of available battery power and dynamically changed the route planned so as not to run out later. The change bringing with it the added advantage of a warm, dry coffee stop at the Ventnor botanic gardens. It was a good plan to conserve charge as the eventual range left for one riders was only 7 miles (he plans to bring his range extender next year). Sheltered from squall number 2 in the cafe. The diversion missed a climb onto Stenbury down and they continued to Niton to ascent onto St Catherines Down. On the way up, following a tractor for some distance, flailing the hedgerow on the tiny lane and depositing much debris and thorns to avoid. By this time the wind was blowing HARD looked down onto the Military road toward Tenyson down and then rain came in again forcing them to shelter behind the Hoy monument before a very muddy descent. Yet another squall, pinned to a hedgebank, another in a bus shelter in Chillerton and a further one for which a tumbledown barn enabled them to whether the weather. Turning East, the sun began to shine and with wind behind, sailed along the cycle route ending up at Peddlers Cafe at the same time as 2 other groups, where escapades of shower dodging and puncture repairing were exchanged.
Group 3 also used the Undercliffe road, in the opposite direction, it is a fabulous alternative to the designated randonee route between Niton and Ventnor, this A class road has a short section missing after a landslip in 2014 so has a perfect road surface and almost no traffic. For group 3 it lead to the steepest hill on the Island (25%) dropping down onto Ventnor seafront where they sheltered at the cafe at the base of the inevitable ascent which must follow.
One member of the group reviewed the Strava times for this climb and decided he was going to attack it, taking the number one spot! The remainder of the group looked on and enjoyed their leisurely lunch.
Brief encounters or of squirrels along the trails occurred but were gone in a flash of brown fur but a real highlight for four members of Group 1 was a visit to the hide at Alverstone Mead where we were entertained by a Woodpecker and a very cute Red Squirrel. Further hopeful visits to the hide on the following morning sadly proved unfulfilled, clearly the Squirrel got his fill of posing for the camera.
Day 3
Day 3
After all the previous day and overnight rain we were not surprised of a report from one member who had left for an early ferry of paths with very deep flooding. Luckily our planned routes skirted this area but the conditions did mean the off-road group would miss out some of their planned route to avoid impassable mud. It was a lot colder this morning with the wind turning to the North.
The off-road ride visited the Sandown airfield with it Black rock Rocket, today on it side so no launch imminent. then through some tracks, not too bad considering how much evidence there was of the previous rain with runoff. The route passed through Alverstone, close to the flooded track but then quickly climbs up onto Brading down to see the excellent views across to Portsmouth and into Sandown bay. Here was found another fast off-road track to descend toward Brading which our resident 'hooligan' rider thoroughly exploited.
From here it is flat country but not without interest, at the Brading Marshes old railway line we discovered a new community reserve complete with its impressive Eagle. Lilly's cafe never disappoints and with lots of time to sit and chat over a light lunch (still quite full from the hearty breakfast) before heading for the Fast Cat.
Two road groups were routed past the squirrel hide which avoided the flooding, no squirrels, but a Marsh Harrier was spotted (a rare sighting). From here the route passes the Garlic farm allowing some smelly souvenir purchases and a pause before the steepest climb for Groups 2 & 4 up Lyme Kiln Chute (Note always beware of roads named chute on IOW). Everyone made the top successfully allowing the swift descent to Havenstreet and on to Quarr Abbey for Lunch and to admire the Pigs.
Group 3's return route was along the coast, with the conditions the seafront was deserted but the roads were busy past Bembridge airfield, more challenges with 1 way streets, then lanes almost blocked by concrete mixer but Seaview was reached and they settled into the warmth of the Old Fort Café
To everyone who attended we really want to thank you as it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience no matter the conditions.
It is only through the significant effort from the Ride leaders and back markers that things can run smoothly and for this we thank them heartily.
Next Time
Next Time
watch this space
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