Route
Riding this route is a personal challenge, be it as a solo attempt or a group ride using the GPS files below is your decision. The GPS files are provided here for convenience and have been refined over time to offer the routes in a cycle friendly manner, there are some parts which may be busy with traffic or on fast roads. At ALL times ride within the Law, Highway Code and consider the safest option to proceed.
Wareham is the normal start location in an anti-clockwise direction, but it can be from anywhere on the route. If starting from Wareham early o’clock, 06:00 – 06:15 is ideal as the first ferry to Studland is 07:10, which will get to Sandbanks and then onto the promenade to and past Bournemouth before it gets too busy.
How long will it take people have asked: for the Complete, allowing for stops, if you normally ride 100 miles in 6hrs, approx. 14hrs, if you are a 7hr 100 miler, allow 16 - 16.5hrs. The East and West are generally 8 - 10hrs. Depending on the time of year do consider if lights are required.
There are many places to stop for supplies, do note that it is recommended to stock up at Milborne Port as from there to Cerne Abbas there is nothing without deviating from the route.
Route downloads from Strava
Tour of Dorset Complete: https://www.strava.com/routes/11679116 325km
Tour of Dorset East: https://www.strava.com/routes/15640931 210km
Tour of Dorset West: https://www.strava.com/routes/15642559 215km
Wareham is the normal start location in an anti-clockwise direction, but it can be from anywhere on the route. If starting from Wareham early o’clock, 06:00 – 06:15 is ideal as the first ferry to Studland is 07:10, which will get to Sandbanks and then onto the promenade to and past Bournemouth before it gets too busy.
How long will it take people have asked: for the Complete, allowing for stops, if you normally ride 100 miles in 6hrs, approx. 14hrs, if you are a 7hr 100 miler, allow 16 - 16.5hrs. The East and West are generally 8 - 10hrs. Depending on the time of year do consider if lights are required.
There are many places to stop for supplies, do note that it is recommended to stock up at Milborne Port as from there to Cerne Abbas there is nothing without deviating from the route.
Route downloads from Strava
Tour of Dorset Complete: https://www.strava.com/routes/11679116 325km
Tour of Dorset East: https://www.strava.com/routes/15640931 210km
Tour of Dorset West: https://www.strava.com/routes/15642559 215km