An Extremely Cold but Exhilarating Cycle Ride to Sturminster Marshall
An Innocent Start in Wimborne
It’s mid-afternoon, but the daylight speaks otherwise. Sun sits low in the sky as we set off from Wimborne along Cowgrove Road, and its constant glare is shining straight into our eyes. I briefly thought about gloves before we left home, but none were close to hand, so bravery/stupidity scored high in my decision making process - already, my hands know it’s cold and I’m regretting my laziness of not hunting out those illusive gloves.
Sun glare is relentless. Everything looks golden and dramatic, but it requires constant squinting and weaving slightly to keep the road in view. Hedgerows glow, fields stretch out quietly, and winter stillness feels dramatic and symphonic.
Sun glare along Cowgrove Road
Then the smell hits our nasal passages, strong and hard - like a distinct punch to the senses. Unmistakable! Piggy poop and freshly spread muck hang in the air, drifting across our path in thick waves. It’s proper countryside perfume. We laugh, breathe a bit less deeply, and pedal on, accepting it as part of this afternoon’s mad cycling experience!
Severe cold bites our faces, making cheeks sting and eyes water, while legs spin faster to stay warm. Cowgrove Road keeps us alert too. Puddles scatter our lane, some with thin skins of ice threatening to catch us out. Each one becomes something to dodge, tyres gliding carefully around edges that look just a bit too shiny.
Near frozen puddles along the way
As we roll into Sturminster Marshall, fingers tingle and faces feel frozen, but the buzz of being alive is undeniable.
We turn back for home, settled into a rhythm now, cold no longer a shock but a steady needle prodding at us to go faster and complete the crazy journey of battling the elements - the elements are winning. I’m not going to lie!
Back towards Wimborne, everything flows better because our minds are geared on survival, and getting home to the warm. Light softens, the road feels more familiar, and despite smells, glare, and freezing hands, it’s impossible not to celebrate that our mad-cap idea gave us beautiful views at least.
We arrive back home, cold, exhilarated, and already planning the next ride — with gloves this time and on a much, much warmer day!… I’m thinking April? 🚴♂️ What are your thoughts?