Daytrippers - 105 miles on the Isle of Wight.
- michaeldhaydock
- May 28, 2024
- 3 min read
Other than a wedding many years' ago. I'd never been to the IoW. I can't say it was really on my list of places I wanted to go again; but after a sunny, but cold, jaunt with my mate, John, as some prep for the Dragon Devil Ride - I'm converted. The Mallorca of the U.K? Maybe. Will I be going back this summer? Absolutely! This was only a day-trip. So it doesn't really qualify as bikepacking. It was, however, a bit of an adventure.
A torrid sleep in the centre of Portsmouth behind us, we were up early to catch the 0840 hovercraft across the Solent, to Rye. It was mid-April, and my-word were we unexpectadly underdressed. It was freezing! Luckily I'd panic-packed a thin coat, but John, merely arm warmers and a jersey. Brrrr! The 105 mile route had us starting and ending in Rye, with an added loop taking in the centre of the island, then covering the scenic southern road again, back up to where we started.
After gathering ourselves and our last morsels of warmth, we departed the ferry port around 930 and set-off eastwards towards Cowes, with the floating bridge our first -pardon the pun - port of call at 20km. This was another first. And a few quid and even less minutes later, we were across and on the way again. I think it was a round this time that my teeth began to chatter, and John looked like he was in the Blue Man Group.
Shivvering and joking aside, we were very pleasently surprised with what we'd seen so far. The roads were quiet, the surface in the most part, pristine, and I'd never seen so much wild garlic in all my days. We were having a great time. Apart from the relentless, relentless wind! Admittedly, we were on 'main roads' for a good chunk of the ride, as it's quite difficult to avoid them, but compared to the South-East of England, they were a breeze - and everyone who passed us did so with great care - which was refreshing.
At 38km having passed through Yarmouth, we started along the top of the white cliffs and the inner loop planned for the day. The first real climb came at 65km, just before Chale on the south-side of the island; before generally descending for the next 30km into the centre of the island to near Newport. The central part from Godshill back to Yarmouth was our favourite section of the day. It was Flandrian in parts. Narrow agricultural roads. Relatively flat. And really windy! Did I meantion the wind?
Halfway through the inner section, we called into a pub at 100km for a coffee and a sandwich to get some warmth back in our bellies. We then went back through Yarmouth and up and over the climb again, before the route turned northwards through Vroxall and then Newchurch, finally reaching Rye and the hovercraft home. It was another relatively quiet and enjoyable section; although the wind was at us from all directions, in the last leg north it really battered us, and we were ready to get on the boat, and back to a few extra layers in Portsmouth.
If you haven't been, I'd thoroughly recommend hopping over for the day. Or even longer if you want to. The 100km outer loop is quite well trodden by riders. What I would say though, like the rest of seaside Britain, I can imagine it gets very busy on a warm summers' day. Enjoy.
The Route
Key stats: 169km, 2,370m.
Pave: Mostly excellent.
Happy riding!