Dignity the challenge mascot. Dignity, has been part of the Dignity in Dementia fundraising appeal from the beginning. Donated to the appeal three years ago, he spent time on Lulworth ward during it’s transformation into the bright, light, and colourful ward it is now. See ‘Why raise money’. Dignity made his inaugural appearance on the ride today and will be joining our adventures in Costa Rica. Look out for him.
Penny and I chose the Mitlon Abbas/Bulbarrow route today, mainly for the hills and because at the top of hills there’s a view. The weather was clear, bright and sunny perfect for seeing and capturing the beauty of the Dorset countryside.
We met in Morrison’s car park, where Penny handed me a large bag of kale, picked fresh from her allotment. I carried it in my backpack all the way round, and strangely at no time on the ride did I feel the urge to nibble on a leaf, although we met a few animals which might have appreciated it.
On leaving the car park immediately you start a four mile climb up and over the Bryanston Hills, to Winterborne Stickland. Turn right, then left and it’s up again and a long drag to the view point at Woolland Hill where Dignity needed to stop.
We met in Morrison’s car park, where Penny handed me a large bag of kale, picked fresh from her allotment. I carried it in my backpack all the way round, and strangely at no time on the ride did I feel the urge to nibble on a leaf, although we met a few animals which might have appreciated it.
On leaving the car park immediately you start a four mile climb up and over the Bryanston Hills, to Winterborne Stickland. Turn right, then left and it’s up again and a long drag to the view point at Woolland Hill where Dignity needed to stop.
The incentive for climbing hills (oh yes there is a one), is once you reach the summit you know there's going to be a descent. We raced down the other side, with Penny snaking her way backwards and forwards across the (clear) road.
At the bottom the exhilaration was short lived.
A puncture and guess who?
At the bottom the exhilaration was short lived.
A puncture and guess who?
No problemo. Learning fast from previous experience, I carry all the kit. It’s as easy as one, two, three. Even better we were on Y junction with a view point, daffodils and seat! Perfect.
High fives and a banana, puncture sorted, and all watched in disbelief by some dustmen taking a nicotine break.
Off we set for a loop around Dewlish, Cheselborne, Melcombe Bingham, up the hill to Higher Ansty and onward to Milton Abbas, the famous 'chocolate box' village nestled in the pretty Bulbarrow hillside.
Yes it is true, you really can go off road in Dorset while on the road, there are pot holes learning how to be sinkholes. It was also on this section of our ride that Penny picked up ‘four faults’ for a refusal at the water splash – she went round it.
As Dignity needed another stop, so we took the opportunity to have lunch in a handy little picnic area warmed by the sun.
Some folk will got to any lengths to take a picture of sheep, especially if the lamb is already shrink wrapped and ready for the supermarket!
Some folk will got to any lengths to take a picture of sheep, especially if the lamb is already shrink wrapped and ready for the supermarket!
Winterborne Kingston to Red Post, East and West Morden, where a farmer was ploughing his field followed by a flock of very noisy seagulls, Bloxworth, Sturminster Marshall and it’s pretty White Mill to Spetisbury, where we said goodbyes and made our journey’s home alone.
Along the trailway at Blandford my route was blocked by tree cutting!!! Arrrrgh more puncture producing products spread along the path.
No matter I got through unscathed.
…and the statistics:
No matter I got through unscathed.
…and the statistics:
Miles - Amanda = 65
Penny = 67 she always has to go one better, or two in this case!
Time - 7.5 hours plus puncture repair and taking time to celebrate how clever were.
Max speed - 30.8 MPH (OK so it was down hill)
Calories - 3,454 wow!
There are some really steady hills along this route but nothing in comparison to Jenkin Road, Sheffield. A “brutal” hill says the Amateur Sport Organisation.
It’s the last of ten climbs on Stage Two of Tour De France when it comes to the north of England in July. A maximum gradient of 33% and less than 5 km from the finish. So steep is the climb there are hand rails for pedestrians.
Watch it if you dare, but the video comes with a health warning, it is filmed by a rider while climbing the hill, travel sickness pills maybe required……..and the descent is even more scary.
Amanda
Penny = 67 she always has to go one better, or two in this case!
Time - 7.5 hours plus puncture repair and taking time to celebrate how clever were.
Max speed - 30.8 MPH (OK so it was down hill)
Calories - 3,454 wow!
There are some really steady hills along this route but nothing in comparison to Jenkin Road, Sheffield. A “brutal” hill says the Amateur Sport Organisation.
It’s the last of ten climbs on Stage Two of Tour De France when it comes to the north of England in July. A maximum gradient of 33% and less than 5 km from the finish. So steep is the climb there are hand rails for pedestrians.
Watch it if you dare, but the video comes with a health warning, it is filmed by a rider while climbing the hill, travel sickness pills maybe required……..and the descent is even more scary.
Amanda