Cycling the IOW Coast
Cycling around the Isle of Wight on my e-bike (63 miles in one day).
Early morning start down the Military Road towards Freshwater Bay
On this journey, I decided to keep close to the coast or delignated cycle routes where possible. Unfortunately, the floating bridge at Cowes is still out of action resulting my decision to bypass Cowes. To compensate for this, I kept to the coast instead of following the official around the island designated route. But I still cycled 63 miles in total in one day.
Setting off from Ventnor at 6:15am along the Ventnor undercliff, then Niton (1), Blackgang carpark viewing area (2) before whizzing along the famous Military Road (3) whilst enjoying the views along this magical but unstable coastline.
Stopping at Freshwater Bay (4) for a pit-stop before heading northwards to the outskirts of Yarmouth. The next stop at the historic Wellow Literary Institute to photograph the lovely flowers growing here. Wellow Literary Institute (on the No 7 bus route) is now a hall that can be rented out for social functions. But next to the hall is a small park with daffodils and a superb bank of cowslips growing there.
Keeping to the official cycle route, entering Porchfield (6) that is lined with daffodils at the moment before heading towards Northwood but cutting across to get to Newport the my next pit stop at the lovely farm shop and Bluebells café at Briddlesford Guernsey Farm (7). The farm is well known for its pedigree Guernsey cows, who provide delicious creamy milk. After downing a pint of gold-top milk, and one of their delicious cakes (all cakes made with delicious farm butter), I headed off to Wotton Bridge. I was going so fast that I whizzed passed without stopping to take any photographs.
A nice couple at the farm recommended cycling along the Route 22 via Quarr Abbey (8) which I did. Quarr Abbey (bus Route No 4) is a monastery and is home to a small group of Benedictine monks who dedicate their lives to the glory of God. The Abbey has a farm shop and café which is very popular for visitors.
Continuing to Ryde then following the coast cycle path (9) to Seaview (10). One of the perks of cycling is being able to get through most of the road closures. Due to a chilly easterly wind, I carried on cycling to St Helens (11). A lovely harbour in this area. Stopping here to take more photos and enjoy the scenery before heading to Yaverland and Sandown (12). Stopping this time for a well deserved meal at my favourite restaurant, Ocean Deck. All home cooked food and delicious too. My favourite treat is their fish pie with salad. They have a technique to make salads delicious. A much healthier option than chips.
After a well deserved rest, cycling along the seafront to Shanklin and finally back to Ventnor.
I cycled the route on my e-bike, but I don’t consider this cheating because I was not in a race! I was simply exploring at my leisure and on my own.
OK, some of you keen cyclists can go around the whole island in a fraction of time it took me! But I’m not in a race and my aim is to explore and take photos too.
A pro cyclist with a super light road-bike can go round island on roads in about 2-3hours. It took me 5 hours of actual peddling time to cover the 100km ride (63 miles). My average speed was 12 mph. It took me all day because of stopping to take photographs and to enjoy the scenery.
My cycle route around the Isle of Wight
The Route:
Niton Baptist church
View from Blackgang car park viewing area
Looking down the Military Road towards Freshwater and beyond
Freshwater Bay on a windy day
Daffodils and cowslips at Wellow (Literary Institute and adjacent park)
Porchfield approach
Briddlesford Guernsey Dairy Farm
Quarr Abbey
Looking back towards Ryde
Seaview
St Helens harbour
Yaverland / Sandown
Yaverland, Sandown
Click for more photographs of this cycle ride.
Note: I cycled this route on my electric bike. I don’t consider this cheating because I’m still peddling and I only use power assist on the numerous hills or when I’m getting tired. It is a known fact that cyclists with e-bikes actually cycle more and longer distances than those on a conventional muscle-powered bike.
Reference: https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/bikes-and-biking/riding-e-bike-not-cheating/