Well,
That was, compared to last year, rather straightforward. Though that wouldn't be difficult…Straightforward, yes. Dull? Never. Total absence of mechanicals-
@lazybloke was concerned about a flint in his front tyre, but it held up. Not one mechanical of any kind. Nor any Island weirdness. One slight navigational glitch was about it…Which just left a very scenic, rather challenging ride on (mostly) extremely quiet roads in almost perfect weather (bit of light rain at the start, otherwise dry, light westerly wind). Rather excellent, and definitely not dull…
As I had this week off, I'd picked last night for this ride to make things as simple for myself as possible. Unfortunately, this meant a clash with the latest official FNRttC, which
@AKA Bob led into the Chilterns. Ho hum, there will be another time for that one…Anyway, lack of an inconvenience called work meant a nice easy prep (well, even easier than previous editions of this ride). Everything ready to go in plenty of time, and a short ride to the ferry where three of my four cohorts (
@lazybloke @Low Gear Guy and Patrick, NOTP but has done a few FNRs before) for the evening were already waiting, and the fourth (
@Shadow) soon joined us. Ferry, unsurprisingly, quieter than usual due to the circumstances, but certainly busier than the Saturday night boat for the recce.
As usual, I waited until the fellow passengers were out of the terminal before doing the safety talk and we got on our way, into so far empty roads. Unlike on the recce, I remembered that despite the speedy descent, the sharp turn and sharp kick onto Firestone Copse Road needed the small ring (and I'd warned the others). Only the second climb of the night (yes, the road out of the terminal is pretty steep too). But the second of many, many. After a few miles of up, down, and up again in the first stretch of country roads, to the crossroads on the outskirts of Ryde where, in previous years, we've gone straight on to Tesco for supplies. That wasn't an option this time, natch, so just a turn left to continue to Seaview. At this point, there were a couple of obnoxious motons- a Transit with horn Tourette's who seemed to object to cyclists being on his private road, and a boy racer numbskull. Fortunately, those were the last of that kind of behaviour, the vast majority of the few other vehicles we saw overnight were much more considerate.
After the titular Solent vista, on to the longest flat road stretch of the entire ride, Bembridge Harbour. Obviously, then followed by a climb into Bembridge itself. What goes down on the Island always goes up again…after some further climbing, including the grindy corkscrew up to Yaverland, the drop into Sandown where we had a breather, onto Shanklin, and then the Sunshine Trail. Wildlife presence this night a solitary bunny, who acted as a pacemaker before dashing off into the undergrowth. Back on the road east of Ventnor, after a short steep grindy climb on a terrible surface, back onto smooth surfaces for the approach to the literal high point of the ride. Given the conditions, the steady grind up to Blackgang was pretty straightforward, and as I could actually see the car park at the summit, I didn't miss it this time…
Fed and watered, then the usual bombing down the Military Road and the usual ride leader trailing the pack. Always good fun though. Regroup at Compton Bay (a great viewpoint) before the steep and grindy and twisty climb towards Freshwater. Followed by the rather faster drop into Freshwater Bay, which is much easier when you don't have to contend with strong crosswinds, putting it mildly. From there, there was a route variation. With the chain ferry being out for the forseeable future (passenger launch would have been an option, but still £1.50 each, and awkward…) there was no point going that way north. Last year, we used the official round-island route, the off-road path between Freshwater and Yarmouth, but on the recce its condition was a bit ropey, and in the dark progress was rather slow and awkward (unlike the Sunshine Trail). So, even given the lighter conditions, I'd switched to a road alternative, dished out a GPX with that amendment. Unfortunately, I still managed to leave the original route on my Garmin. Dan's Garmin indicated a turn, mine didn't- and a look at forthcoming turns showed the problem. Hence, a quick check with Osmand on the phone, and north via the intended route on Wilmingham Lane. Which, despite my research of it consisting of a look on StreetView, proved an excellent choice- nice smooth tarmac, rolling terrain, certainly quicker than the path would have been. An east turn towards Wellow, and as last year, progress was easy in sheltered conditions on good roads. Newport was extremely quiet, the road towards Ryde also, and after the last grinds up Lushington Hill and Kite Hill, back to Fishbourne just after seven. Absolutely no-one had fancied taking on the delights of Quarr Hill to get to Ryde and the Wetherspoons breakfast (or less contentious breakfast options in the town), and any time savings made by the catamaran sailing would be wiped out by the time and effort to get there.
So, eight o'clock boat it was- another quiet sailing, and then a mile round to my chosen breakfast venue, the Spinnaker Cafe on Broad Street. I'd been there two or three times before and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and their standards haven't slipped. Quality nosh, efficient friendly service, everyone happy. Job done. Fuelled for the strains of the four-and-a-half mile ride home (
), back round with Peter to the Harbour station (the others already having made their ways round) and back just after ten. Thanks everyone. It shall return. Hoping for excellent weather and rider count, finally, in double figures!
Did the official route anti on the Randonnee a couple of times- Freshwater's relatively easy that way round, Blackgang is a total…swings and roundabouts!
