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Showing posts with label mountain biking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mountain biking. Show all posts

Sunday, 5 October 2014

Dorset cycling- Hardy Monument-Upwey loop

I've cycled this route many, many times in all weathers and I never tire of it.
Beginning at a lay-by below Hardys monument you fairly whizz along the first part, a chalk ridge lined with the barrows of our Iron Age forebears who picked a pretty neat spot with far views over the whole of Weymouth Bay.
This where I usually partake of coffee and cake perched atop one of their barrows, the occupants never complain.
Reaching the road a right turn carries you on an exhilarating ride downhill to the outskirts of Upwey and its wishing well. Should more cake be required a tearoom is a little further on in the actual village; otherwise a gentle lane carries you past the premises of the renowned Baking Birds, two friends who have established an award winning bakery here...so should you require even more cake...

Eventually a bridleway leads you through open fields past a lonely abandoned farmhouse with the the Hardy monument once again on the horizon. Then a gentle but (to me) exhausting uphill cycle brings you back once again to the lay-by...more cake, anyone? 

Distance 8 miles (but seems more!) 

Friday, 15 August 2014

Dorset Cycling- Flying along the Purbecks by mountain bike

FOR YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DORSET ENTER YOUR EMAIL IN THE BOX ON THE RIGHT!


This cycle begins and ends in the free National Trust car park above Ringstead rather than the lower seaside car park.
Mysterious carvings

The views are exhilarating; with Portland silhouetted in the distance one way and the swooping and dipping chalk coastline of the Purbecks in the other.
View from bridleway Portland on the Horizon
The route is easy to follow and the gradients mostly gentle. There are a few short on-road stretches Take care especially on the short busy stretch of the A353.


If you are feeling energetic bring your kayak and see some of the best of the Purbecks from another angle. (see here)
Distance approx. 15 miles
Time around 3-4hrs
Ordnance Survey Explorer OL15 Purbeck and South Dorset
Distance 15 miles 
Time around 4hrs
Distance 15 miles 
Time around 4hrDistance 15 miles 
Time around 4hrs