After over a year of planning, my friend Dan and I were finally able to embark on our first overnight bikepacking trip to Purbeck. Both of us have busy families and work lives, but we managed to carve out an evening and morning for our adventure.
Our destination was somewhere between Kimmeridge and Worth Matravers, not too far from our starting point in Bournemouth, but remote enough to feel like a true escape from our daily lives. We were excited to experience the stunning views and immerse ourselves in nature.
Heavy rain is coming
Quick change of plans
As we boarded the chain ferry to Studland, the dark clouds overhead loomed ominously. Our weather apps predicted heavy rain and 40+ mph winds for the next three hours, followed by clear skies. Thanks, English weather!
I don't mind getting wet, and I'm not too bothered by the cold, but cycling in gusty winds, especially when loaded with bags, is a recipe for disaster. Luckily, my favorite pub, the Bankes Arms , was just a 20-minute ride from the ferry. It would have been rude not to take advantage of its hospitality in such dreadful circumstances. (Also, it was Friday!)
Benjamin FranklinBeer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
Perfect spot
There's no need to describe what a visit in a rural pub during a downpour looks like. It was also a wise decision to further alter our plans and set our destination closer to where we were, having to hide from a still fairly strong wind (wind caused by the weather of course ;) Bramble Bush Bay Beach would never be a place for me to spend the night on, but I guess not many people would want to risk getting wet and battered by the hurricanes that night... We managed to find a spot relatively sheltered from the gusts, so our 2 tiny tents stayed in place all night. With the clear sky we had an excellent panoramic view of the harbour going to sleep... It's weird how place you know becomes a complete surprise when you visit it at night.
Pitching a tent on the beach of the Poole Harbour
Good morning bacon classic
Crisp air and stunning views greeted us the next morning. Fueled by fresh coffee and bacon rolls, we packed our belongings, ensuring we left no trace, and cycled back home. Despite the short distance, this was a true "adventure just around the corner," and I loved it. After all, an adventure is when things don't go according to plan.