I have been talking hills for sometime now. I’ve tackled a few but thought I needed something more challenging.
A nine mile warm up to Okeford Fitzpaine, was slightly longer than I anticipated but a necessity to avoid the extensive floods at Hammoon.
Today I attempted Okeford Hill, a Nemesis I have wanted to face for weeks.
The hill confronts you on a sharp bend and after a steep climb, so you’re already digging deep. At that point you can’t see the incline or the summit, but it’s there waiting to squeeze out every last drop of energy and to set your muscles screaming.
It was somewhat hazy but the 360 panorama of the Blackmore Vale was waiting. The view from the top is stunning. Keeping a steady hand to take a photograph was tricky, but eventually my heart rate steadied to within normal limits.
A nine mile warm up to Okeford Fitzpaine, was slightly longer than I anticipated but a necessity to avoid the extensive floods at Hammoon.
Today I attempted Okeford Hill, a Nemesis I have wanted to face for weeks.
The hill confronts you on a sharp bend and after a steep climb, so you’re already digging deep. At that point you can’t see the incline or the summit, but it’s there waiting to squeeze out every last drop of energy and to set your muscles screaming.
It was somewhat hazy but the 360 panorama of the Blackmore Vale was waiting. The view from the top is stunning. Keeping a steady hand to take a photograph was tricky, but eventually my heart rate steadied to within normal limits.
I then spotted the warning triangle, installed on the verge at a jaunty angle. I calculated that if it’s 20% going down it must be the same going up!
The ride down the other side was exhilarating and made up for the effort of the climb.
It was at that point I discovered that I had forgotten to bring the map. Hey ho, vaguely familiar with the route I took a chance, fancying I could probably find my way back using the sign posts.
The ride down the other side was exhilarating and made up for the effort of the climb.
It was at that point I discovered that I had forgotten to bring the map. Hey ho, vaguely familiar with the route I took a chance, fancying I could probably find my way back using the sign posts.
Sign posts! Apparently they had either not been replaced after WW II or they had been relieved of their posts by trophy hunters. Nothing for it but to use my homing instincts! A wrong turn at the top of a long, long climb took me to Ansty, past the Fox, public house, and down to Wonston, and Hazelbury Bryan, where I spotted a little promise of spring.
At home I consulted the map. It never looks very far or very difficult when looking at the route on paper. It’s just a good job I hadn't returned home for it, I had gone ‘off grid’; my ride had taken me off the map so it wouldn't have been of any help anyway.
Amanda
Amanda