With a month to go we took a day off work to stretch our legs and do a 100 mile ride. Riding the century is a landmark for any cyclist and as none of us had done it yet it was time to go past 100 miles especially as we have to do it for 5 days in a row in July.
The plan was to cycle down to Swanage for a fish and chip lunch and then head back to Salisbury.
We met at 6.30 with the first part of the trip into the New Forest.
The New Forest is a fantastic place to ride quiet roads with lovely scenery. To get into the forest you need to head out of Downton on a testing climb but once in the forest its a joy to ride and take in the views.
Jason is very insistent on proper breaks and regular stops for food. As we were cycling all day these breaks were very important and welcome.
Even the locals came to see what we were up to...
The roads in the forest are quiet and this allowed Anne-Marie the opportunity for a selfie.
The New Forest is vast and you really appreciate it as you pass through it on a bike. At 40 miles we left the forest and headed to the coast arriving at the sea at Hengistbury Head.
We cycled for 6.5 miles on the promenade alongside a continous sandy beach to Sandbanks and the houses of the rich and famous to catch the ferry across to Studland.
It was then only a steep climb until we were rolling into Swanage. 60 miles in and it was time for lunch. Swanage is a a traditional seaside town and Fish and Chip shops were in plentiful supply so we parked up and got lunch.
Apart from the seagulls taking a liking to Jason's fish, lunch was uneventful but a great break. Someone saw us in our Dementia UK shirts and asked why we were out. Jason explained and the lady said her friend had just been diagnosed wirg dementia and kindly offred to sponsor us.
Over too quickly we were soon off again.
We knew the rough route for the day. Through the forest, hit the sea, head right and then North to go home but for more details we relied on Google Maps on the mobile and early on it didn't let us down but it had a brain fade getting us out of Poole and at the same time it started to rain! Just as our humour was being tested to the limit a cycle route all the way to Wimborne Minster appeared as if by magic.
Back off and running we got back just after 6pm a little sore but with 100 miles under our belt (108.7 miles to be exact). Another milestone done as we get nearer to July 11th and the start of the Abicare500 ride for Dementia UK.
Postscript - We rode again on Saturday and Sunday clocking up another 50 miles
