Four hardy Redhillers enjoyed the best of weather for a 30 mile hack across the Purbecks on Dorset's south coast.

Starting from Sandbanks - the fourth most expensive place to live in the world - we gathered at the chain ferry that plays an important part in any Purbecks ride. Cars don't have to pay until they reach the other side (just like the song) but bike riders pay in advance... we made it safely across and proceeded past the nudist beach at Shell Bay (seriously, NOTHING worth seeing!) and up onto the hills the other side of Corfe.

The views out across Kimmeridge towards Weymouth were so good I thought someone was going to pop up and charge! All four of us had to stop and take a picture, looking like proper tourists!

The rain in the week seemingly had no effect on the trails, which remained reasonably dry and fast. A tea stop in Corfe beneath the fabulous castle refuelled us for the climb up onto Nine Barrow Down before an excellent descent and another climb up Ballard Down where sea views were restored.

The standard pause and snapshot of Old Harry rounded out the scenery. The trek back to the ferry was delivered in TT mode allowing us to forge along at over twenty mph against a slight gradient and headwind, back to the lavish real estate of the Sandbanks peninsula, and our cars.

A great ride clocked at 4 hours.

More photos here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/garethashton/sets/72157628014886690/show/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/redhillcc/pool/

JT