boing! This is still going on. Bit early for a roll call, but rough numbers would be nice. Sunday 27th September

Odd hillock? There's a few odd pillocks too. One of those deer photos is a little intrusive, i think i can see what he had for breakfast.

Having pre-ridden next weeks route with CG on Saturday, my suggestion would be 'bring your climbing legs' as first 7 miles were uphill. p.s. it's not Test Valley as far as i'm concerned (Test is miles away), Bourne Valley would be a bit more like it (or home as i call it).

Hope to see you then.

125 race was a belter. Bradley needs to be a bit more aggressive if he's going to win rather than place. Can run a hot pace, but never seems to overtake.

The last 4 or 5 times i went, i cheated and kipped on friends floors in town. Nothing like a fry up, shower and fresh clothes before strolling down to the site just in time for the first band.

Done by missus (communications/marketing/PR type, and veggie grower).

Last Thursday, in Purbecks with Mulletus Maximus off here. Windy as you like, but sunny. Binned it into a gorse bush and now have a very green bruised knee.

About £500, I'd have it if i wasn't moving house soon and need the money.

Done

Bogey

Sorry i couldn't come. I wanted to come with the missus and kiddie on Saturday for a look around, but spectator tickets were only available if accompanying a full ticket, and we couldn't afford £50 for an afternoon.

Looked good fun, will try to do the weekend next year (if it's on).

Well done for organising this type of event, we could do with more of them.

This thread has the potential to turn into a stw builders ride. This would lead to a carpark full of white vans, plenty of head (and bum) scratching, cups of tea a plenty, then ride like mad until dinner time before going down the pub for the rest of the day.

Purbecks have been known to bite. Little sand dwelling types fed mostly on scones and cream.

Not too worried about the route at this stage, there's enough riding for a couple of routes, i'll just see what condition it's in nearer the time, and see which way the wind is blowing.
Wouldn't worry too much about the fitness Rich, mine's shocking. Anyway, the last ferry home's not until 11 o'clck, so there's no hurry.

Yep, at LEAST 215mm wide, and definetely on a concrete foundation. Couldn't be more precise without seeing it, but with retaining walls, go on the side of caution. Alternatively, pay me loads and i'll do it. (p.s. surely blocks are 4" not 3"?)

Preview of some of the route on Thursday afternoon unless the dentist hurts me too much in the morning. Anyone down here on holiday?

My organisational skills are best described as loose. Haven't really thought about route yet, it will be a bit 'fluid' depending on weather conditions, numbers, mechanicals etc.
Scenery, chatting, riding, laughing and cakes (and hopefully not horizontal rain) in the Purbecks 27th Sept.

Controversially, the next Purbecks ride may be stopping at a different pub. This is only a rumour and has yet to be confirmed. Other rumours include lashings of cream and jam and possible awards given for best dressed, shinyest bike and most amusing crash.

When's the next one? Purbecks, 27th Sept.

Can't make it to this now, family commitments elsewhere. May well be near Swinley Sunday morning though, so may sneak a ride in there instead.

Gonna go with the Sunday as that may encourage a few locals to tag along (help with guiding/route). Sunday morning traffic in late September should be fine, and afternoon/evening traffic will be a lot better than this month.

Route will be 'flexible' depending on weather/wind direction. Hope to catch the 10am ferry from Sandbanks, so anyone coming from the west could meet us on Studland side if that's easier. Not sure if car park prices are back to winter rates by then, i'll check next time i'm down there, if not there is some free on-road parking amongst the posh houses.

Route will be plenty of ups, plenty of downs, wonderful views and probably gusty winds. Can be ss suitable if you're fit enough and the pace will be typical stw (steady with plenty of chatting). Can include scenic pub stop and/or Corfe cream tea stop and/or picnic.

Any suggestions / opinions warmly received, and can someone book some nice weather because it's grim over there when it's wet and windy.

Purbecks ride weekend of 26th/27th Sept, if you're looking not to clash.
Hope not, then i can do both.

Snap decision then, lets make it the weekend of 26th/27th September. Still up for debate over Saturday or Sunday. Holidays are over by then, so Saturday morning /Sunday afternoon traffic should be back to somewhere near sensible (in-laws took over 4 hours to get here from London on Saturday!)

Sods law says this is the weekend we'll be moving house, not sure how i'll square that one with the missus.

Potential dates – 12th/13th Sept or 26th/27th Sept.

I can do Saturdays or Sundays, so will go with what ever suits the majority.

Do any of these dates clash with other rides / events?

I'll decide on a date for the Purbecks ride this week. May well be up for IOW as well.

From the north of Hampshire. Live at the sunny Dorset seaside, ice cream anyone?

Usually riding Purbecks, today riding the hillier parts of Wiltshire with some stw'ers.

Everyone get home ok? Cheers for the guiding Gilles, apart from that slog up the road near the end.

cheesy wotsits, tea and QI

Also eating my bars for an hour earlier trying to hang onto the back of some roadies from LBS. Failed miserably everytime the road went up.

Foiled again, RATS!

Bring it down early, stash it here, then wednesday afternoon casually ask if she wants to see my missus, then drop the bombshell. What could go wrong?

Tis indeed a demo bike, must try not to bin it. The guys from the shop buried me tonight on a road ride as payment i think.

@oldgit, we'll definitely be up on the ridgeway, which way we are going is dependent on wind conditions. Its even better up there at night (winter evenings here we come), lovely views over Poole harbour, IOW and Swanage and Corfe Castle. If anyone is coming down before this ride, post on here, as there's always rides going on, over 50 riders out on a group ride Wednesday night this week.

@rocketdog, anything goes bike wise. The fit boys down here can singlespeed it. We'll be dragging 20 year old bits of steel around here in a few weeks time.

@c_g, bring your armbands in case it's too choppy and we have to bale out.

Mulletus, are you bringing your bike down week after next?

Hooray! I've just been leant something shiny and bouncy to ride on Sunday. Never ridden a full-susser before, so look out, it could all end in tears.

Even with light wheels (second hand crossmax) and Dual air pikes, mine still weighs over 30lbs – the rest of the build is a bit rugged (e13 drs EA50 XT/deore kit). Could bling it with carbon bits and light everything, but that would kind of take away from the point of it being cheap.

The cost is already up to about a grand, if i spend more i might as well get something new and lighter.

Don't know if this is a good review or not, because even though it weighs a bit, its crackin' to ride. Ti one would be good.

Lightweight, got another arm haven't you. When it's better, i may be arranging a Purbecks ride for September if interest is there.

@podman. Andover sort of, but living in Dorset. Missus is from B'stoke. Done loads of building work around your way and in Newbury/Thatcham.

If you've got transport, there's a Singletrack group ride in Pewsey on Sunday. Less than an hour from you.

Numpty map question, grid reference doesn't mean a lot to me, what road's the car park on?

Knapp Hill looks to be out Marlborough direction, passed Alton Barnes, is that the right place?

Sorry, haven't been over this way for ages.

Kingsclere?

@podman, for Blazingsmoke trail info, contact cinnamon girl, the fountain of all knowledge. Where are you based?

The route we rode last week started in Cliddesdon and looped around the Candovers towards Dummer (i think).

No, they were the soaking wet, impassable, stinging nettle infested but still good fun trails.