!This Year´s Ride Cancelled!


The ´Dash is not deceased it´s just resting...

However, you can independently follow the route any time, just let me know how you do.



See you next year for a return to the good old days....

Dorset Dash 15

Welcome to the Dorset Dash XV

Leaving 9pm the Saturday on or before the Summer Solstice

Next Ride – 

Sat 20 June 2020

The Dorset Dash is a free to enter through-the-night bike ride from Oxford to Avon Beach, Christchurch, in Dorset.

We have been riding the route since 2006 and the ride has evolved to follow the quietest most beautiful country lanes through sleepy villages, valleys and the New  Forest, to end up at the Avon Beach Café on a sandy beach overlooking the Isle of Wight.

The aim of this ride is to stick together and have fun. It's not a race. It's about the fellowship of doing something remarkable with a like-minded group, and having stories of triumph and bravery you can retell all year.

Although it's completely free to enter, it would be good to have some idea of numbers, so please email your intention to ride to: dorset.dash@mac.com

Ride Info

Ride Info

Start Time

We will gather from 8.30pm on Broad Street, Oxford, outside Balliol College (Oxford OX1 3BJ) and we'll leave at 9pm. Previously, we have arrived at the beach between 7 and 9 on Sunday morning.

Fitness

The ride undulates but there are no mountains. People have completed on recumbents, fixies, commuting, mountain and road bikes. The ride is not fast but you do need to be comfortable riding a bike for long periods. You must be able to ride your bike for at least 100 miles. Riding through the night puts a strain on the mind and body that daylight riding doesn’t, please be considerate to your fellow riders and prepare well. 3AM is not the time to find out you’re not up to the challenge. Get yourself a buddy for the ride, we try to stay together as much as possible but the ride will go at the average group pace, not the slowest rider.

Kit

Virtually any kind of bike will do but good lights are essential. A cycle computer measuring in miles will help too. Bring warm clothes and lots of food and water (the photo of the naked woman opposite was taken at the top of a hill. We made sure she put her Buffalo on before heading back down). There is a kebab shop open in Marlborough at 40 miles and after that the whole world goes to sleep. It's also bedtime for bike shops, so make sure your bike is in tip-top shape and bring inner tubes and small tools to make running repairs.

Weather

The ride will happen whatever the weather. 2008 started on a rainy Saturday and finished in a blaze of Sunday sun on the beach. In 2010 the temp. dipped so low frost was seen on parked cars. There will be lots of hanging around and re-grouping so whatever the forecast gloves, waterproofs and spare warm layers for certain-sure!  

Getting Back

The nearest mainline stations are Bournemouth and Brockenhurst  which have direct trains running to Oxford and London (the ride to B.hurst. is far more pleasant). Bike spaces are limited so do book your ticket well beforehand and make sure you also get a bike reservation. Bournemouth is 10 miles, Brockenhurst 18.

The Route

Please print this PDF and bring with you

Dorset Dash Route PDF

And if you have a fancy gizmo here's the route on Mapmyride


MapMyRide Route

Roll up roll up - no need to book!

Looking good weatherwise for Saturday's ride. What could be nicer than watching the sun rise on Sunday morning whilst everyone else is snoring?

!Just look at the forecast!

      (Suggested dress for Avon Beach, Sunday morning 8A.M, dog optional)

Well, this doesn't happen very often, the weather looks like... well, it looks like you'd expect for the middle of summer; warm, dry with just the merest hint of a breeze swinging round to the north by morning. Old timers will still be bringing warm layers for the depths of the night (the body temp naturally dips at that time) but you can probably leave the Harris Tweed at home this time.

So, if you've been considering the 'Dash and been put off by the weather in previous years you have no excuse this time, this really will be the best it will ever get. The sea swim at the end will also be delicious, with or without a dog...

Sea you tomorrow.

 Ping Ping!

Get Ready!

 

That's right folks, Dorset Dash XII  is only two weeks away now.

Take the plus-fours from the wardrobe, dust off the roadster and get

Pedaling. Get a good, long ride in right now and you'll be in peak

condition for the finest night ride of the summer;

Oxford to the Seaside in Style