Day 266 - The Three Musketeers

Having just returned from a wonderful week away without the bike, I was very keen this weekend to get out on a ride. Saturday afternoon, I managed a 10 mile solo re-run of the Ships in the Night ride that I did with Andy back in October. I had promised the Peco hill a revisit and was so pleased to complete it in one go after my dismal performance last time. Overall, it was a good circuit and I felt well prepared for Sunday's AVP 40 miler.

Sunday, 08:00 am, I rode out to meet up with Clive, Hovis, Kevin, Tim, Ed and Andy; far more than we normally have on this ride. Clive commented that it was turning into a proper club run - it has previously been Clive's regular ride out with whom ever happens to be around and can keep up. Today, I regret, the good feeling that I had the previous day was crushed as we headed out of Seaton up Boshill. There was no way my legs were going to propel me forward with the same velocity as the other guys and it was not long before they had disappeared over the brow of the hill and I was left thinking it was time to go home. For some reason, I just did not have the bhp in this ageing engine of mine and need to keep working on these hills ahead of next year's sportifs!

The Three Musketeers

Once over the brow, I teamed up with Andy and Ed and, like the good pals that they are, they stuck with me as we rode on towards Lyme Regis. Somehow, and thinking back I can't work out how, but we Three Musketeers lost sight of the four ahead, such that when we came to the down hill, high speed junction with Pound Road, it was not clear which way they had gone. We continued on and regrouped at the sea front but the Famous Four were no where to be seen. Climbing back up the hill to seek them out was not an option as, based on past performance, we knew they would be long gone!

  

So, the question was, what to do and more importantly where to go next. We decided, having come this far, we'd continue out of Lyme Regis, on a gentle tour: through Charmouth and on to Whitchurch Canonicorum and a circular route following the NCR2 to Bridport for coffee and festive mince pies.

After 30 minute warming up, headed on our return journey back along the NCR2 through Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine, across the A35 to Rousden and then at speed back down Boshill (a much more pleasurable approach) and into Seaton.

After a painful start and in spite of the lack forecasted sun, the freezing wins, a couple of tumbles (I was having a bad day),  this actually turned out to be one of the most enjoyable and social rides I've had in ages. It reminded me of the Taunton Stop Line ride I did with Mike back in August when we just set out to explore and have a good ride. I can see the Three Musketeers may have hit on a new weekend ride format, so watch this space!