The plan again was to ride from the place I was staying, in Bournemouth for New Year, and hit some recommended riding with some other twists. The aim was the Isle of Purbeck which promised to deliver drained trails, big ridges and some awesome views.
It lived up to all of that. With the riding on the “island” made up of a wooded start on wide trails to ease in and then a sharp left at the dramatic Corfe Castle ruins then the sort of climb I secretly dream of as the track eases steadily up onto a fabulous ridge. Climbing hard with the world opening up around me was the kind of big-day out riding I dream of, even if it was in a neatly packaged area. The climb led to a hang-on-tight downhill on skipping stones and then a brutal and slippery climb to set you up for a cruise out to stunning rocks and marine views. Pretty much everything you could ever ask for. In addition there was extra satisfaction in the shape of a ride in and out of the main part of the day along the stormy seafront and, even more fun, a return trip on the chain ferry. How often do you get a boat ride on your bike ride?
Oh, obviously, I got heavily hailed on. In case you thought it all went my way. Or perhaps just to add a common theme to my seasonal riding. I wasn't happy about that. Overall it was a brilliant start to a day that would then include significant drinking to bring in 2014 and the riding I hope that will bring.
In other news I had an opportunity to read a copy of Rouleur, the sister magazine to the now-closed Privateer, and sent out in an attempt to get subscribers to swap to the road-focussed magazine. It's an excellent read, giving you engaging stories from behind the scenes of the road sport and insight into the characters involved. While I'm not as into the road as mountain biking I thoroughly recommend it to those who are.
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