Scrambled fried and frozen on a hard-boiled ride WORDS & PICTURES PETER TREVIS
Peter Trevis, frustrated by lockdown, took the chance of a 300km Wessex series ride over the hills and plains with gusto. He expected some gusts, but not the biting sleet and icy gales. This is his tale of tough return to Audax action…
I SHOULD NOT BE LEFT ALONE with an Ordnance Survey map – it results in all sorts of DIY loops, involving varying degrees of “off-roadiness”. But this was how my wife Kate and I kept our Audax dreams alive during the early 2020 restrictions. As soon as I learned that
validation would recommence in April, I set my sights on doing one of the “hardboiled” Wessex series rides. I’ve been pedalling round the area for much of my life, but it wasn’t until 2013 that I first rode the Dorset Coast – my first Audax. I had the feeling that I’d found a family of like-minded souls. I’m well aware that there are bigger concerns involving 2020 than my bikeriding, but having committed to a plan to tackle a Wessex rides route in preparation for LEL, I was gutted when the world came to a grinding halt. So as soon as restrictions eased I decided I should just get on and do it alone. Though it meant missing the legendary atmosphere, I’d get the spirit of the route. The result? – finding myself at 2am on a service station forecourt on a distinctly wintery April morning. I know every inch of the Wimborne – Cranborne – Rockbourne stretch, and familiarity made me sluggish. There was a biting northerly headwind, and I crawled
The ancient Somerset Ridge
along, trying to conserve as much energy as possible. The Woodfords offered a little respite in the valley, the clouds lifting and letting the moon through, which made the going easier. I rolled into Amesbury and headed up to the 24-hour services at Solstice Park. Receipt gained and coffee drunk I rolled on over the A303 to the plain proper. Over Larkhill, I watched a barn owl hunting – always a treat. As dawn broke the wind increased and it started to sleet. I’m fairly convinced that I don’t need any more character, but Salisbury Plain said otherwise. I’m very glad I lugged my extra clothing, including winter boots around. The section off the plain and back into the lanes brought some respite from the wind, but meant some climbing. I was glad to be warm. I nearly missed a turn while staring up at Alfred’s Tower. Batcombe was very pretty for the info control and the lanes before and after were new, fun and flowing. The sleet unfortunately kept flurrying, making for some slippery road surfaces and no hope of hanging out and snacking with any comfort. The weather finally perked up on the way across Somerset. Slowly my technical fabrics were stripped off and stashed in the saddle bag. I was starting to feel a bit feeble on the climb up to Ashcott, but then the Albion Pub swung into view. I thought about ordering something sensible, but caved in pretty promptly to a bacon, sausage and egg baguette, with additional black pudding. It went down well, but made me want to snooze on the grass rather than roll on across the Levels. These were a classic combination of reasonably easy going, but at the same time challenging riding due to road surface and navigation. I had to take a short detour after Burrowbridge due to a railway crossing being out of action. It was
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