April 2024 - West of Isle of Wight - Trip Report

Tues 23rd to Fri 26th April 2024

The spring break for 2024 was attended by 14 riders with 2 additional camp followers along for the occasional meal.

Tuesday started on Ryde pier for Anthea & Mark meeting up with Malcolm to cycle to our accommodation at the Away Resorts, Colwell Bay site. There was a chilly and quite brisk westerly wind blowing which was head on for most of our ride with occasional cover behind bushes so we knew it would be a bit harder than normal.

Our route followed the well cycled path used by the annual IOW ride to Wooton bridge where we stopped at a nice cafe called Cibo for coffee and cake. From here to East Cowes where we had to wait for a few mins for the Chain Ferry. We ventured through West Cowes high street and on the seafront through Gurnard before turning up hill and inland. The road undulates until we reached Newtown and admire the Town Hall. On again through Wellow we stopped at the Alpaca farm for some chunky Tuna sandwiches and soup for lunch.

The route from here is down to Yarmouth on the old railway cycle track, turning off at the causeway for our first passing of the Red Lion pub in Freshwater.

We were booked in here for Dinner in the evening and also found that nearly all rides passed it again each day.

The other members all came by car and 11 of us met up at 3:30 for a short 7 mile intro ride. 

Taking the track at the back of the accommodation, all of which incidentally was very clean and spacious, down to Colwell bay for a first glimpse of the sea, we failed to persuade anyone that sea bathing in April is a good idea.

So we set off on a loop, past the Red Lion (again) and down to Freshwater bay a lovely cove and quite still today. Winding through the small very quiet roads we returned to Totland and to the Waterfornt Bay Restaurant for Tea and Beer. We quill return here on Wednesday for Dinner.

Our meal at the Red Lion was excellent, fine cuisine with triple cooked chips and many other delicacies.

Wednesday:  Malcolm had imagined we could perhaps run todays ride as 2 groups visiting alternate attractions but this didnt work out very well. 

The 2 groups set off at staggered times and rode to Alum bay and the Needles respectively, we ended up meeting up at the New Battery overlooking the Needles, some viewing the Rocket launch site and old battery on the way.

Its a great view down into Alum Bay and its colourful sand cliffs. This inspired some members to plan to take life in their hands and venture down the chairlift to the beach whilst other enjoyed a coffee in the intermittent sunshine.

Next stop was Farringford Gardens, the House was Lord Tennison's, then became a rundown Hotel and is now being restored, the gardens re-planted just a few years ago. It is close to our lunch stop at the Piano cafe in Freshwater Bay.

From here the 2 groups, led by Malcolm and Chris respectively set off again to circle round to Yarmouth. To our amazement, just outside the inevitable Red Lion we came across each other going in opposite directions !

This unplanned deviation made a great opportunity for our 2 groups to take opposite loops on the routes to Yarmouth, one via Victoria Fort the other via road and cycletrack past the Off the Rails cafe at Yarmouth station.

This worked well and we met again in the centre of Yarmouth, some going into Gossips for warm drinks and some heading back to their accommodation.

 Wednesday evening's meal was another great venue at the Waterfront.

Thursday: This morning the clouds cleared and we had fabulous bright sunshine to start our rides. We split into 2 groups. Chris and Loraine taking one group out on the old railway line toward Yarmouth, stopping at Off the Rails for an early coffee break then on through Wellow to Newtown. The story of a very interesting group of ladies responsible for the preservation of the Old Town Hall known as the Ferguson’s Gang was recited by Loraine. They visited the Sportsman’s rest for lunch before returning with another stop for tea at the Alpaca farm.

Malcolm led the 2nd group onto the Military road with spectacular views up and down the coast looking even better with sunshine and blue skies. It may not be long before the road crumbles into the sea as is the case at the bottom of the hill at Compton bay where the car park is being remodelled following significant landslips. The tide was in so we couldn't look for dinosaur footprints on the beach.

We turned inland at Brooke and along to Mottistone gardens where we stopped for coffee and a short walk around the gardens. Daph stopped for a break as we continued in a figure of 8 through the lanes around Brightstone picking her up for the next climb up to a lovely lunch at Chessell Pottery. 

From here it was a ride over toward Wellow an open small lane with vast fields of rape and views toward England. From here down to the cycle path back to Freswater, a few stopped for tea at the End of the Line cafe.

Another great dinner at the Horse and Groom near Shalfleet rounded of the holiday.

Friday: We were all leaving at different times. Andrea, Malcolm & Mark set off about 9 to cycle back to Ryde, retracing our route to Wellow we decided to deviate and take the road directly into Newport rather than follow the coast. This enables us to visit Winkle Street in Calbourne, a very picturesque spot. A little further along we were greeted by a vast wooded area carpeted with (smelly) wild garlic. Stopping for coffee in Newport, a quick pop in to Paula’s to collect Andrea’s bags and pick a visit to French Franks to get sandwiches. We ate in a now easterly headwind on the seafront before heading for the Catamaran.

 I and I think everyone else thoroughly enjoyed the break and look forward to the next. - Malcolm

Chris and Loraine also created a trip report see it here