September 25, 2020

New Forest, Isle of Wight, Weymouth and Aust. Sep 13-20, 2020

Russ was scheduled to compete in the Ironman Italy for this week, but as with most things it eventually got cancelled with a few weeks to go. Denise and I had planned to take Bertie over and meet up with my brother and Dixey and form a big support crew to cheer him on (Cervia, Italy). Oh well, maybe another time – instead Russ kept his holiday dates the same and I kept him occupied on a mini cycling tour in the south of the UK with Bertie. Yes, Russ took most of the photos whilst waiting for me – usually at the top of all of the climbs 🙂 I had suffered again a bit with my asthma until now, so I was glad to find that my lungs had now recovered OK – but my legs had been left a bit behind! We were blessed with bright and warm (but windy!) weather – so we were very lucky in that respect. We were 3 nights in ‘Lytton Lawns’ site (Lymington) from where we could explore the New Forest and easily catch the ferry to the IOW (lucky – I pre-booked it!), then 2 nights at Weymouth, then 2 nights at a small CL site in Aust – very close to Rich and Nic. Since I now have the tow bar and external bike rack, we took two bikes each – road bikes and ‘pub bikes’! In summary, some really decent rides – told in pictures with links to the bigger rides on Strava at the end …

On the Sunday we arrive, Russ enjoying the sunshine at Lytton Lawns site (Lymington)
On the Monday, the 08.45 ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth. Fully booked, not taking any new passengers – phew glad I pre-booked!
At Cowes, the chain ferry is not running – so they laid on this small passenger only ferry – with bikes it cost £1.00 each.
View over Cowes harbour whilst on the foot ferry.
At Yarmouth, we catch the 16.00 ferry back to Lymington on the mainland – perfect time to celebrate the ride with a local beer! That was a 105km, very hilly ride!
Arriving at Yarmouth
On the Tuesday morning, we head down to the beach at about 9am to do a spot of fishing.
Not so lucky, we won’t be having fresh fish on the BBQ tonight 🙁
Later on Tuesday, we cycle a loop of the New Forest. Fantastic scenery, I didn’t stop to take many photos though.
This is at Beauleui
Bertie pitched up at Weymouth (Pebble Bank site). Overlooking the sea at Chesil Beach.
Didn’t bother with the big awning, the weather is so nice we can just use the sun awning.
Weymouth beach
Lots of cruise ships anchored out at sea with no customers and nowhere to go (8 of them).
Promenade at Weymouth beach. This weekend there should have been a half Ironman event from here, also cancelled.
We start to cycle to Lulworth Cove (Russ on his cross bike and me on the hybrid), but the road from Weymouth is a bit busy with traffic. So we stop here at the famous ‘White Horse’ carved in the chalk hills and go back to Weymouth and Portland.
Back at Weymouth beach, we take a coffee and watch the kite surfers.
Looking back to Weymouth from the end of the harbour.
We cycle the other way to Portland.
This is the national sailing school, where the 2012 olympics were held.
Looking back across the inlet of Chesil beach towards our site.
Back at the bar/restaurant (the ‘Fat Badger’) – excellent views and lucky for us Thursdays they have Thai food – we book a table for tonight.
Friday and we arrive at the little CL site about 1km away from Rich and Nic. Wonderful views across the countryside from the pitch – it has water and waste facilities so we needed the van for showers and stuff. Excellent site – just £12.00 per night!
Again we just put the sun awning up – with some straps due to the wind. You can see we’ve got two bikes inside the garage and two bike on the bike rack at the back.
On the Saturday morning, we make a trip to USK and back – mostly following the Sustrans route 42. Jeez, there is a big hill on the way back – just after stopping at this pub for lunch.
Nic stops by with Freddie and Leggie to see how we are camping. They have friends staying over, so we had to stay here anyway because of the ‘rule of six’. I think Nic secretly likes it here, so I offer her a Gin and Tonic to make it even better 🙂
Freddie knows his way around the van, so he helps himself to an ice cream from the fridge.
Elapsed Time Moving Time Distance Average Speed Max Speed Elevation Gain
08:10:57
hours
04:53:04
hours
64.11
mi.
13.13
mph
35.34
mph
4,091.21
ft.
Anticlockwise IOW from Yarmouth ferry with Russ
Elapsed Time Moving Time Distance Average Speed Max Speed Elevation Gain
02:27:27
hours
01:58:18
hours
29.83
mi.
15.13
mph
33.33
mph
803.81
ft.
Elapsed Time Moving Time Distance Average Speed Max Speed Elevation Gain
04:28:51
hours
02:53:05
hours
37.23
mi.
12.90
mph
39.37
mph
2,916.67
ft.
Aka Windy and Hilly Welsh excursion, mostly Sustrans route 42 with a lunch stop at the Greyhound

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