Bridport to Exeter via Axminster and Sidmouth

The fourth day of a south coast cycle trip with Ian Lyne and Steve Mitchell.

Route: From Bridport along rolling roads before a long steep ascent and descent to Axminster for coffee (running late: 15 miles in 2 hrs 15 mins), then a hasty route change to cycle to Colyton and a long but less steep ascent before dropping steeply down to Sidmouth for lunch. Then a fiendish ascent and descent to Buddleigh Salterton. Finally a smooth ex-railway line cycle path followed by the brand new Exe Estuary cycle path to Exeter.

Conditions: Heavy rain over breakfast followed by a few showers and sunny spells.

Pubs: The Swan Inn, Sidmouth, for Bath Ales Summer’s Hare and arriving at the Great Western for Dartmoor Jail Ale, RCH PG Steam Bitter and Dartmoor Summer Gold.

Ringwood to Bridport via Blandford Forum and Piddletrenthide

The third day of a south coast cycle trip with Ian Lyne and Steve Mitchell.

Route: From Ringwood along winding roads to Blandford Forum for coffee and then Piddletrenthide for lunch. Then over three steep but short hills passing Cerne Abbas (and the Giant’s viewpoint) to Maiden Newton for tea (delicious fruitcake in a teashop in the back of the newsagent) and then a single steep climb up Eggardon Hill and long descent to West Bay for a quick beer, stroll onto Chesil Beach and then back to Bridport.

Conditions: A sunny morning becoming cloudier as the day proceeded.

Pubs: The Piddle Inn, Piddletrenthide, for Dorset Piddle Piddle and the Bridport Hotel, West Bay, for Palmers IPA and Golden Best before staying at the (GBG) Tiger Inn, Bridport.

Newport to Ringwood via the Needles and Yarmouth

The second day of a south coast cycle trip with Ian Lyne and Steve Mitchell.

Route: From Newport west, via the Apple Farm, Afton Park, for coffee, to the Needles (and the National Trust Old Battery) and then to Yarmouth for lunch. Taking the ferry to Lymington and then cycling through the New Forest and past the Red Shoot, Linwood, to reach Ringwood.

Conditions: A dull start followed by a heavy shower and then drizzle followed by a grey but dry afternoon.

Pubs: The Wheatsheaf, Yarmouth, for Goddards Fuggle Dee Dum and then the Red Shoot, Linwood, for their own Red, White and Brew, Muddy Boot and New Forest Gold.

Portsmouth to Newport via Godshill and Niton

The first day of a south coast cycle trip with Ian Lyne and Steve Mitchell.

Route: From Southsea (Portsmouth) to Ryde (Isle of Wight) via passenger ferry and then to Bembridge on the east coast for coffee (the Baywatch on the Beach Café at the Duver), then via Brading to Godshill for lunch. Then heading south for a view of the sea to the south at the Buddle Inn, Niton before heading north to Carisbrooke Castle (for a cream tea) and then Newport.

Conditions: A largely sunny day.

Pubs: The Taverners, Godshill, for Taverners Best followed by the Buddle Inn, Niton, for epicyclic halves of Island Brewery Yachtsman's, Goddards Ale of Wight and Yates Golden Ale.

Things to take on a cycle trip

Cycle clothing
cycle shoes
cycle socks x 2
cycle shorts x 2
cycle shirts x 2
sleeved top
water proof
wind proof
gloves x2
helmet
over trousers
over shoes

Evening clothing
trousers
?shorts for evening
shirt
t-shirt x 2
sleeping t shirt
socks and underwear
lightweight fleece
lightweight shoes
?trunks + pack towel
earrings / makeup

General kit
guides
maps
water bottle
money (inc cheque book)
?sun specs
cycle specs
phone / ipad
charger / battery / battery charger
Stanli / Alan / Sophie
penknife
bars
?sandwich box
washbag including nurofen, ibuleve, blistered, sunblock, contact lens stuff, eye drops

Cycle kit
waterproof panniers
under saddle bag
lights
multi tool
pump
tyre levers
inner tubes
lube
lock
spanner for Brompton

Dent cycle loop

An afternoon cycle ride over to Dent and back along Barbondale.

Route: From home to Old Hutton and then C-roads to Killington to join, briefly, the B6257 and A683 the taking a C-road round the shoulder of Holme Knott across from Sedbergh and then along the southern gated road (pictured) to Dent for a beer at the Sun Inn and the George and Dragon (Dent Brewery tap). Backtracking to Gawthrop and then steeply (double chevron followed by two singles) to cycle along Barbondale to Barbon and then north to cross the river, south to Kearstwick and then the B6254 home.

Conditions: Cloudy with some sun and one brief shower.

Pub: The Sun Inn for Mauldons Pickwick and Hambleton Ales Best Bitter and the George and Dragon for Dent Brewery Kamikaze and Rambrau halfway round.