About the IOW Randonnée
The Isle of Wight Randonnée is an annual cycle event ran by the cycleisland community interest company whose aim is to raise funds for charities and other organisations on the island.
The event is challenging being 100KM (62miles) long with just under 5,000 feet of climbing, so yes there’s a lot of hills. However, it’s not a race and the atmosphere helps keep those legs turning. The feed stations are part of the fundraising and are in schools, village halls etc. and have a good range of sweet and savoury food available alongside hot and cold drinks all for a few pounds. There are also cafe’s in any of the towns you cycle through.
The event is held on the Sunday of the first May bank holiday weekend. It is free to enter (although donations are welcome). If staying on the mainland you need to book your ferry as a foot passenger and unless driving down and back in the same day, accommodation needs to be booked in advanced if staying.
The Ride
Several Wheelers usually go down for the event, splitting up into various speed groups on the day, this year, as a club we had 4 groups out on the road, for some it was their first time and despite the rain and wet roads a good time was had by all.
Well done to all those who took part, an amazing effort on your part.
The Story of the Three Wheeler Ladies
Laura, Nicky and Debbie the three-Wheeler ladies who caught the early Ferry from Lymington were surprised to be treated to a dance and drum performance by IOW Samba band “Raw Samba” Just what was needed to lift flagging spirits caused by the weather.
The second trio Keri, Carolyn and Bev rode together with Carolyn mostly on the front, keeping a steady pace throughout. This was Keri’s longest ride on her E bike so there was lots of checking on the battery level, to ensure she had enough battery to get up the hill back to Hordle and a hot bath, Keri switched the power off at times, only to turn a corner and find yet another hill.
Keri made it home with 5% left. It was a day of showers so coats on coats off sort of day, the sun made the odd appearance, but it never really warmed up.
The toughest part for me (Bev) was the section between Bembridge and Ventnor where the hills were relentless, after Ventnor there was some respite from constant climbing, though muddy roads left Keri and Carolyn sniggering at Bev’s lack of mudguards!
Back onto the military road and two monstrous climbs (with 65 miles in the legs) which sapped that last bit of energy, still all downhill now surely? Well no, a couple more hills between the last feed station at Freshwater and the ferry.
We got to the Ferry early and popped into the pub to say hello to several other Wheelers enjoying a post ride drink. There then followed a slight moment of panic when it looked as if we wouldn’t get on the ferry due to the number of cyclists, but we made it on and that hot bath and G&T was in sight! Brilliant riding Keri and pacemaker Carolyn. A fantastic day out in the saddle.🙂
If you fancy it for 2025, look out for notification on the SWCC Facebook page or the event booking website which opens early in the year.
