Cycling on the Isle of Wight

Its not often we drop a rooms average age by 10-20 years but this morning we succeeded when  queuing (largely because everything had run out ) for breakfast in our pretty dated and geriatric friendly hotel.

After B/F it was time for a "Redspokes" reunion. Henley with his 4 adventures, self with 8, Christine with her fair share and Aidan our well travelled Redspokes China trip tour guide who'd made his way over to the Isle of Wight to catch up with friends and share our days ride.

Henley (once bitten) double checked that our planned ride was something shorter than the "felt like" 500 kms / 3000 metres ascent we'd done with Ian a week or so back in Liverpool / Wales.

The sun was beginning to appear after overnight rain as we headed off on a lovely circuitous route that took in all that this beautiful island has to offer. Meandering country lanes, steep pinches with fabulous countryside views, stunning coastlines with wild windswept surf, towering chalk cliffs and most importantly the sun !

Kev displayed customary Aussie hospitality when as 2nd last wheel he turned off into a beach side car park allowing Aidan who'd waited for Kev at numerous turns prior, to sail past heading up a big hill thinking we'd continued at speed cycling onwards.

A phone call later and we soon established that Aidan was at the next town along the coast. We soon regrouped and cycled to the towns outskirts for some well earned lunch.

The 2nd half of our ride was spent travelling back to Sandown along forest trails and quiet roads through small historic villages and past lovely lakes and rivers to finally make our beach front destination for a well earned beer or two.

What a fabulous days ride and to do it with Chris our fabulous host and Aidan our super friendly UK mate made it an absolute delight.