Date: 18th February 2021
Weather: 9 °C Hail and Sunshine
Destination: Circular route
Templecombe, Milborne Port, Stourton Caundle, Stalbridge
Duration: 4 hours very leisurely ride with lots of stops
Distance : 17 miles approx
(measured using a piece of thread and a map)
I thought I had allowed plenty of time to get ready for our trip today, however I was about five to 10 minutes late meeting JC for the start of our ride due a lack of forward planning on my part. With temperatures 10°C warmer than the previous week I wasn't wearing a hat, so had to adjust my helmet straps; there was a quick last minute dash back upstairs to change my socks as one of the pairs I'd chosen to wear were so thick I couldn't put my boots on; I had remembered to pre-charge the action camera batteries, but I hadn't actually fitted the camera to my bike; I had downloaded Map My Ride onto my new phone but hadn't thought about needing to log in and although my bike was ready by the backdoor already loaded with bike pump, tyre repair kit, tangerines and a bottle of water, where was I going to store my waterproof trousers for the forecasted hail showers?
Apologising for being late, we started cycling out of Templecombe towards Bowden. Infuriatingly and not surprisingly the combination of an uphill climb and changing down from front 2 to 1 gears, resulted in my chain coming off. (This is becoming such a common occurrence that I really must get it sorted!) Not much further along Bowden Road it started to hail. With my waterproof trousers stored in my saddle bag I stopped to retrieve them and put them on, teetering around as I endeavoured to quickly get them on over my walking boots. I was wearing cotton tracksuit bottoms and the prospect of cycling for the next few hours in wet trousers was not very appealing. JC was more suitably attired in Gore-tex trousers, which are waterproof and breathable.
We cycled on through Bowden and down Wheathill Lane, not dawdling at the top of the lane to take in the views over Milborne Port, but instead stopping in the middle of the village to admire a fast flowing River Gascoigne rushing under Rosemary Street, on its way to join the River Yeo, just before Sherborne Lake. The Yeo eventually feeds into the River Parrett, which ultimately empties into Bridgwater Bay and the Bristol Channel.
We crossed over the A30 into Goathill Road, this time cycling over the River Yeo. At the end of the following clip you can just see the river on the left.
A little further up the hill we came across some unusual cattle sporting a white stripe along their backs, our second stop. Comparing my photos with online images led me to deduce that they are Riggit Galloways, a Scottish breed of cattle able to live outside all year round and renowned as beef cattle.
At the top of the hill and along the ridge we found a gap in the trees with a north facing aspect across to Purse Caundle in the distance, another stop.
Normally at the crossroads north of Stourton Caundle we turn left into Stalbridge Road, however my plan this time was to turn right for a quick cycle through the village. We only got as far as St Peter's Church where we stopped for our first refreshment break, sitting in the sun on a wall at the back of the church, before turning back and heading northwards towards Stalbridge.
For our next refreshment break we sat on a bench located in a recess in Stalbridge Park's surrounding wall, with views towards Bulbarrow on the Dorset Downs.
We then cycled down Barrow Hill through Stalbridge crossing over the A357 into Station Road and on towards Gibbs Marsh industrial Estate.
Normally we cut through Henstridge Airfield from Landshire Lane to avoid industrial traffic, but much to our consternation our route was blocked by a recently erected fence, forcing us to rejoin Landshire Lane. As we crossed the A30 into Park Lane we lamented the departure of "The Girls." I tried to find a collective noun for group of alpacas and somebody online brilliantly suggested a spittoon of alpacas!
Further along Park Lane we negotiated a long large puddle, disturbing reflections of roadside hedges and a solitary tree.
Approaching Whitchurch Lane a tall man a little way ahead of us, reached down to hold onto one of his dogs, or so I thought. Imagine my surprise and concern when he turned around with a large stick held aloft in his right hand ready to throw in my direction! Fortunately he spotted me and quickly lowered his arm before I took evasive action.
Our final section involved cycling along the A357 from Yenston to Templecombe, timing the traffic lights correctly so that I could get some downhill speed to propel me someway up the following steep incline. I couldn't risk my chain coming off along a busy road so had to continue in front 2nd gear, knowing it would be difficult to get to the top. I made it three quarters of the way up and nipped into a small drive where I jumped off my bike and manually changed the front gears down to 1 whilst stationary, then continued on my way.
Numerous stops added to our journey time this week, but we would not have it another way. We always like to take in and enjoy our surroundings rather than charging on by.
What a pleasant trip. Nice animal pcs.
ReplyDelete