Recce notes:
Rather faster and easier than last year's, not that wouldn't have been hard...did take a couple of detours which put paid to a repeat of getting to 'spoons by 7.30, but still made it there before 8. Which was nice.
This time, rather than popping down to Gunwharf early for a ticket, I bought it online & printed it out. Recommended, very simple and easy. Still hideously expensive, obviously...The new ferry, Victoria of Wight, is very nice, absolutely no difference whatsoever in boarding routine for pedestrians and cyclists- same rather narrow gangway etc, bikes against bow ramp. Road out of Fishbourne terminal is still horrendously potholed, it's now about the worst stretch on the entire route, with the bit after the Sunshine Trail running it close. Tesco sandwich selection, as ever at that branch in the small hours, somewhat sparse but adequate. Same old same old, in a good way, on the route. The island strangeness quotient: when I get to the Blackgang car park, there's a Ford Fiesta van parked there. No-one in it. Am about to leave when two young blokes appear from the nearby path (they inquired if I was all right). As to what they were doing there....pass. Wind was a bit gusty on the climbs before Freshwater Bay, but nothing too bad. Round to West Cowes, after managing to take a wrong turn and ending up in Gurnard (whoops). Ticket machines for chain ferry are still not working (!). It's still £1.50 for a return. Quarr Hill still just what you don't want with 60-odd miles in your legs. 'spoons large breakfast still ideal recovery. Tim Martin still a ****
Route files same as last year.
Fishbourne-Tesco
Tesco-Ryde
