2012-05-06 - Isle of Wight Randonnee

I think the problem was the fact that the road had just been resurfaced too, which didn't help with me stacking it...

There will be another chance to do a lap of the island later in the summer. With friendly forum folks, starting and finishing in a pub, no accommodation necessary.

this

It's just one right hander
towards the south side of island before the open hills. Comes downhill and there's a roundabout to turn right on , its fast and greasy in wet.
Both ways are good my preference is anticlockwise but I don't mind as long as the cake is flowing.

Yes, just coming down off Blackgang. The road is wide and fast coming into the roundabout which I think is slightly off camber too.

I think the problem was the fact that the road had just been resurfaced too, which didn't help with me stacking it...

Was following you into that corner when you just slid out. Proper heart in mouth time hoping I wouldn't do the same.

There will be another chance to do a lap of the island later in the summer. With friendly forum folks, starting and finishing in a pub, no accommodation necessary.

TNRC Deluxe, get the whole island to yourself, no camping necessary, bring a light.

Yes, just coming down off Blackgang. The road is wide and fast coming into the roundabout which I think is slightly off camber too.

Was following you into that corner when you just slid out. Proper heart in mouth time hoping I wouldn't do the same.

This was the year Diapo on fixed nearly went straight through the fence too.are you rolling matt?

Unfortunately not, but not too disappointed as I'm missing it this year in favour of a bit of a tour round Holland. A couple of the days we've planned will be a similar distance but fewer hills I expect.

Enjoy the change then.
You can come back and tell us all how utterly wierd it is being yielded to at junctions.
Don't do anything naughty.
Like use the road when there's cycle paths of course what dya think I meant :/

Got this email:

Only a few days to go before the IoW Bicycle Randonnee next Sunday on the 6th May 2012.

We've been made aware that the IoW Council are dressing a number of roads at the moment, some of which are on the Randonnee route. The roads remain open, but cyclist really need to take care on the loose surface as it take a few days to settle down. The roads being worked on are well signposted with warning signs, so you can't miss them. Some of the roads are also downhill on the route.

Also, as this year's route is Clockwise, please take care when going down towards Blackgang - there is a round-a-bout mid-way, which is especially dangerous due to the adverse camber in wet weather.
Please take extra care on these sections

Weather is looking ok this weekend - ideal for cycling ;-)

Cold and windy on the island today. The chain ferry in Cowes is shut because of flooding. Or at least it was all morning.

Yup, just got the b&b and it's a little on the chilly side. Not as much wind as some years though!!

Northern ish winds should be alright for half the ride.
There's some optimisticalogic in there :/

Weather outside looks grim and drizzly... Still doesn't look like much of a wind though.

Seems to be gusting. Not too many sailboats on the Solent but that might be because of the rain.

Fair enough, I'm in shanklin on the south east of the island, I guess we might be sheltered if the wind is from the north / north west

Just finished.

First person to complete the 100km from Alverstone 4:40. Completely destroyed.

^ Well done. That was quite messy out there today. And now the sun comes out ....

Bloody wet start.did dry out enough to give us an enjoyable second half.
Sensible idea would have been start late but arriving 9 am didn't want to hang about
Cake pics to follow

Finished in 4hours 45 starting from wootton bit chilly/ windy at times but a good ride, knackered now though

Sunshine can go fuck itself!! Where was it this morning, eh?

Bloody wet start.did dry out enough to give us an enjoyable second half.
Sensible idea would have been start late but arriving 9 am didn't want to hang about
Cake pics to follow

Felt like deja vu from 2010. Getting lost and soggy socks.

I make it 4:30 ride time.

Great daŷ, mostly dry after alverston . Isle of Wight is so varied. Sorry to have missed mf in sundown but started late due to boozynight before with mates. Garlic farm tomorrow then londonwards.

Aha. Guessed your left it late to start sensible.
Didn't factor in addition of the grog though ;)

IOW delivered the goods yet again. Always fun no matter the weather. Mike, Jonny and B; cheers for the good company.

Apologies for the weather but glad that you enjoyed it nonetheless. I am sorry that I did not see any other "fixed" riders on the way round but it is always a real pleasure to see so many other cyclists on the roads we cycle every day. Friends who were manning the checkpoints said that the number of "fixed" riders were way down this year so hoping for more next year (and better weather)!

^ think the massive reduction in fixed riders had a lot to do with the teepee cancellation and that big crew not making.

i did see a few others on the way round. but mainly was still impressed by the number of riders overall who did it this year.

for those that did in 2010 just to say the weather this year was no way near as bad. daytripping it meant we hadn't really checked in til 11:00 so the late start probably helped. drizzled on for first 25 miles but after that the wind and momentum dried us off and was quite a glorious ride.

big thanks to shoots, skoota and mike for the company. great laughs had on the train and ferry too.

that's nine years in a row for me. it never gets easier, but never gets any less delightful either. next year will make it 10 in style.