Having spent quite a while researching and plotting a 120 Mile route around West Dorset the chance arose on the 4th or April to give it a go. Being a Tuesday only a couple others were free to ride meaning we had a easy day with just the three of us. I tried to add in a few dead end Lanes as well of some quite a distance from others that sometimes might get missed out. This meant for a bit more roadwork than normal but with the stunning countryside we didnt mind!
Leaving West from our Bridport Start our first stop was the stunning Hell Lane. i have not ridden it for 11 years and its still as spectacular as ever! we then did the long dead end lane half way along here before retracing our steps and turning right along to the west end of Hell Lane. From here we did the loop of lanes near to Seatown passing the Golden cap car park then left at the end to another near to morecombe lake.
One Lane after this was a fabulous lane running along the bottom side of Beningfield wood before entering a great deeply sunken section. As we rounded a corner i Noticed a flashing light in the bank of a camera recordin before seeing a chap with a full Easel set up with a vast array of paints. Something i have never come accross before on a lane!! We gave a cheery hello but was met with a dissaproving look!
More after this before a Great lane from Marsh Farm which heads along the side of Eggadon Hill. Some Great views from here and we even spotted a White Fallow Deer grazing with herd.
So next lanes were Two gates and West Compton after this before heading to a Dead end UCR Near to Toller Porcorum i was keen to check out. It heads down through some woodland battling through Gorse Bushes and bogs before heading out accross 2 fields where its dead ends at a House Driveway. the driveway to the road on the through route is now a bridleway. Probably a result of the Nerc act? A worthwhile lane to do nonetheless.
After this we Did the rocky lane at lower Kingcombe. There was a boggy part that caught chris out halfway up. Causing him to come to an abrupt halt and almost have an unsheduled departure over the bars ! I was waiting at the top for a while wondering what had happened!
Down to Maiden Newton after this and we did a marked UCR From Cruxton to Notton Farm, This appears to now be a Cycle Route with a very groomed gravel Surface. we felt a bit out of place riding it but it is still shown as a UCR on the Dorset Council Map so must still be a legal route even though it gives the impresssion it is not.
Fuel stop after this and the Fuel station in maiden newton has a vast selection of hot food (Large Steak Pasty for me) and has a large Sign Advertising the TET too.
Serveral More lanes after this on our way to the famous Chetnole Ford. Not too deep on this attempt but i have heard it can be unpredictable. All through with no dramas and with Long Bridge Drove still under a TTRO we headed to Dyers Farm. A total of 5 gates in this short section. Up beside a field hedge the Ponds to the left and the rushes ahead should of been a sign of the impending ground conditions.... With a bit of throttle i was through no problem but Keith decideing to follow my wheel marks sunk very quickly. a bit of pulling a pushing we were all though. I can see why this lane looks little used as it must be a nightmare in mid winter and i think we would avoid it in future unless riding in midsummer. Left at the end joining west Hill lane.
The short Drive lane after this before heading accross the stunning Wancombe Hill lane crossing the Wessex Ridge way. snack stop here before dropping down to upcerne.
The lane after this has a Great view over Minterne house we took the Left hand fork taking us down to Dogbury Gate, an awkward exit onto a main road here on a blind bend. We headed right and a short while later right again into Cosmore Drove. WHAT A SLOG! A very difficult lane with super slick mud and super deep puddles. The chicken route beside the ruts is litered with 45 degree angled tree roots so made for a tricky lane but great fun!! A few mundane gravel lanes after this before heading to the ford at charminster. The UCR seems to indicate riding down the river at the last bit but there is no way out apart from through a churchyard gate! we didnt want to do this so found another exit onto the road through a small road through the houses.
We did the double Fords on the otherside of charminster after this which were very DEEP!! the first not too bad but the second one you defineitey wouldnt want to get wrong!!
Into Winterbourne Abbas after this for more fuel and a snack that we then ate up at Hardys Monuments. Amazing views again from here!
Park lane dairy after that before heading to the great Burton Road. After getting my Africa Twin stuck here last year and having an absolute nightmare digging it out of the never ending gravel i knew what to expect but we were all out the end with no dramas. amazing the difference 100kg less makes!!
Berwick Farm lane after this which is another good lane the onto the super Muddy Milvers lane. The lane appears to double as the farmers slurry store. This leads on to Burbitts lanes which is a bit easier!
Final Lanes of the Day after this all around Loders Hill and back to bridport to the Vans!
Left at 9 back a 5:10 and 120.6 miles covered!
Great day and we will be back to dorset again!
-- Edited by wackyracer on Monday 1st of May 2023 06:11:45 AM
Hi jack don't suppose you have a gpx route for Devon into Dorset few of us were thinking of doing a cross border trip maybe next Monday? And this route looks like it will do the job
Jack might disagree with me , but I would say the 2 lanes that might be difficult on the 500s would be Cosmor Drove either way and Hell Lane up Hill ok Down though , hope this helps a bit
Jack might disagree with me , but I would say the 2 lanes that might be difficult on the 500s would be Cosmor Drove either way and Hell Lane up Hill ok Down though , hope this helps a bit
