Weymouth to Bournemouth

Yes, oh you followers of our schedule, we have made another change.  The team by-passed Swanage in favour of Bournemouth.  Philip's mum is in Royal Bournemouth Hospital so it was decided to add the mileage in order to be able to spend some time with Irene in the evening and early the following day.

It was a lovely sunny day although incredibly windy again.  Jake's stitches and ankle were looking good and the ride was not going to be hilly.

Great  view back to Weymouth &
Portland at the top of the biggest
climb of the day heading to Dorchester

Thomas Hardy country...

The obligatory handing out of mints along a
tranquil Dorset road (flat & straight hooray!)

We were on a cycle route pretty much all day and we had great off-road sections and idyllic quiet country lanes - just what the team needed to ease us back into the routine.

A coffee stop at The Old Granary, Wareham (recommended) and then passing Corfe Castle in the distance as we tracked across the Heath to Studland and the ferry.

Heathland with Corfe Castle in the distance.
Team morale considerably higher than when last
pedalling this bit of road 2 years ago, we were even
greeted by a deer crossing the road just in front of Jake.

The serene surroundings of the first part of
the off-road NCR2

The less serene, more deep sand NCR2 further down
the line.  Not great for bikes, speed or keeping Jake's
cut clean.  

To Studland the ferry, a chance meeting with an enthusiastic triathlete, and along the sea front to Christchurch and the hospital.  Sounds easy doesn't it?  Would have been fabulously easy

but, it was July 1st.  On June 30th, it would have been easy, on July 1st it wasn't.  No Cycling alonbg the NCR2 along the length of the sea-front Poole to Hengistbury Head, July - August, 10am to 6pm.  It must be said that there were people to reiterate this message along the whole route - so we walked.  It is a safety issue but then provision of a safe diversion avoiding the main A35 should also be a safety issue?

Anyway, the hospital was located as was the ward and we were able to spend some time with Philip's mum which was completely unexpected and great for all.  

Just under 50 miles for Jake's first full day of cycling since the accident seemed to have done no harm and Jake was able to have a shower - phew!