I have written a blog about the annual Isle of Wight Randonee before. (Please see my IOW Randonee blog dated 3/5/2016 on this site for a more comprehensive report).
My primary purpose for writing this one is simply to promote the event and acknowledge the kind and unsung work of the people behind its organsisation. Last year I wrote this :
This Sunday past was the Isle of Wight Randonee organised by The Wayfarers Cycling Club. They have been organising it brilliantly for years as a gift to cycling and to encourage people to get involved. Their organisation is quiet and low key. It is a free event. It is not a race. It is something anyone with a bike can have a go at.
My primary purpose for writing this one is simply to promote the event and acknowledge the kind and unsung work of the people behind its organsisation. Last year I wrote this :
This Sunday past was the Isle of Wight Randonee organised by The Wayfarers Cycling Club. They have been organising it brilliantly for years as a gift to cycling and to encourage people to get involved. Their organisation is quiet and low key. It is a free event. It is not a race. It is something anyone with a bike can have a go at.
Apparently it is the 32nd Randonee - and while I have not done every year maybe I have done half of them or more. The great thing is it has hardly changed at all over the years. It still showcases the Isle of Wight wonderfully - especially the back of the Wight - Whitwell, Niton, Chale, Brighstone, Mottistone, Hulverstone and back on to the Military Road for the climb and then fast descent into Freshwater Bay.
What does change is the weather. It was not a vintage year this year but we have been around in far worse. This year there was a strongish wind from the SE - overcast and some showers but the rain never really came. It was great to be out there.
One thing that has changed over the years I think is the equipment - better faster, lighter bikes - more pelotons' and lycra and perhaps fewer "fun" riders like ourselves as a result - but there remains a lovely atmosphere - and it is NOT a race. It is a long way around the Island and a lot of hills - but even on our mountain bikes it is readily doable with some decent effort and I would encourage anyone to have a go. Many visitors make a full weekend of it and it is great to see.
Thanks again to all the organisors - to all the nice people at the 6 check points and to the route marshalls. Thanks to the PTA at Yarmouth Primary School that always do such a great job providing lovely fuel in the form of hot soup, rolls and cakes etc!
This year the route was slightly different because of problems with the chain ferry across the Medina. We were rerouted around Gurnard, West and East Cowes and had to go to Newport instead. This is not quite so picturesque and would have been a shame on a finer weather day but as it was it hardly detracted at all. I am sure it will be back to the normal route next year.
This year we breezed around and Jo enjoyed her first Randonee and coped easily (even on her trusty mountain bike!). I didn't take any photos as evidence - ha! - mainly because the day before I washed my mob! and also because the weather was not ideal. See last years blog mentioned above for more of an idea. Better still put it on your list for next year - certainly a recommended must if you have never done it before. Thank you once again Wayfarers Cycling Club and everyone involved for all your fantastic efforts - they are very much appreciated.
Distances Between Checkpoints (PS Official randomness route is always clockwise now)
| From | To | Distance (Miles) |
| Bembridge | Wootton | 10.5 |
| Wootton | East Cowes | 4.8 |
| East Cowes | Yarmouth | 16 |
| Yarmouth | Whitwell | 19.16 |
| Whitwell | Alverstone | 9.9 |
| Alverstone | Bembridge | 5.7 |
| Total | 66 |
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