Day 249 - A Night of Hills

Another evening ride with the AVP tonight saw 14 hardy souls head out of Seaton in the direction of Lyme Regis .. oh yes, this was going to be a night of hills!

Taking Chapter Street out of Axmouth we took the relatively gentle climb up to Dowlands, avoiding on this occasion Stepps Hill, a notoriously steep climb which Andy and I had taken when previously out this way and one which I was in no rush to repeat this early in the ride. Maybe we'll return and use it in our training for next year's Dartmoor Classic but that's a little way off yet.

Taking a breather - glad we'd not taken the Stepps

From Dowlands we proceeded to Rousdon and into Lyme along a side route I'd never taken before. This was Roman Road, a steep decent and apparently a favourite rat run for many before the town planners put a stop to this with strategically placed giant concrete blocks, similar to dragon teeth installed generations before to halt invading tanks. While these provided the decent with challenging chicanes, it was a hidden curb which halted my forward momentum, forcing me to make an unceremonious and hasty exit from the saddle! Luckily, while Handbag was on hand with his first aid kit, this was this week not required. All that was hurt was my pride and a minor battle scar for the bike.

Chris stikes a pose!

We climbed out of Lyme Regis up the 3052 and unconventionally crossed the A35 roundabout for a pleasant roll down through Charmouth and on to Wooton Fitzpaine. It was from here that we started to climb again, ending with a thigh busting 12% assent along the Fitzpaine to Crewkerne Road Strava Section .. which don't tell Andy, but along which I somehow beat him by 20 seconds!

Handbag was on hand with his first aid kit

After a quick dogleg crossing of the A35 we were on the home run along Trinity Hill Road back to Rousdon, Axmouth and into Seaton for 9:30 pm. A late finish and no apres beer and chips for me, I think the hills got the better of us today but would love to do this again come summer, as I am sure in daylight the views would be spectacular!

Stats: 24.7 mi, 2hr 19m, Avg 10.6 mph, Max 30.3 mph, 1417 kcal