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Main Boards => Photography => Topic started by: Guy on 12:57:05, 23/08/19

Title: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: Guy on 12:57:05, 23/08/19
A few photos from last weekends LDWA organised "Dorset Doddle".  32 miles (and a lot of ascent/descent) along the coast path from Weymouth to Swanage.


https://1drv.ms/u/s!Aow5akq97QzFgYZromBLo3K3c7EdDw?e=ITdC1O (https://1drv.ms/u/s!Aow5akq97QzFgYZromBLo3K3c7EdDw?e=ITdC1O)


Hmm can't get embedded images to work :-(


Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: richardh1905 on 06:38:24, 24/08/19
Nice photos. I have never visited Dorset - an oversight that I must correct one day: the coast looks lovely.
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: Jac on 09:23:34, 24/08/19
Lovely pics - remember those switchbacks well, especially the last set of steps up to St Adhelm's Head
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: vghikers on 12:26:35, 24/08/19
Great coastal photos, the ascents and descents look quite formidable  O0
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: Warbler on 13:04:09, 24/08/19
I've walked this stretch a few times, in both directions. When walking from the east to climb to Swyre Head, it looks like you are approaching a near vertical wall  :o. But I've always found the decent a much bigger strain on the old legs. They've usually turned to jelly by the time I get down to Durdle Door.

Great photos  O0
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: WalkingWoody on 16:56:47, 10/09/19
Nice one!  O0
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: pgt on 08:16:28, 07/05/21
It looks like there’s going to be a Dorset Doddle again this year.


https://ldwa.org.uk/Dorset/W/7676/dorset-doddle-2021.html (https://ldwa.org.uk/Dorset/W/7676/dorset-doddle-2021.html)


I did it in 2011, and as we staggered over the finish line we decided that we had proved that we were up to the challenge and didn’t need to do it ever again, but if anybody fancies a glorious walk and a real sense of achievement at completing a very challenging 32 miles then I can highly recommend it.
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: richardh1905 on 09:51:05, 07/05/21
Looks good - might be tempted if I lived down that way.
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: GnP on 11:40:56, 08/05/21

Looks like a real challenge with some great views .
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: pdstsp on 12:06:00, 08/05/21
Me and Mrs pdstsp walked that stretch over a few days many years ago as aprt of a week on the SWCP.  As we set off I remember thinking, "coastal walk? How hard can it be?".  Six hours later, lying in the shade of an ice cream van, I came to the conclusion, "Very".  Doing this stretch in one day would be a tough one, in my opinion.
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: harland on 12:29:45, 08/05/21
I also did this during my SWCP in 2007, took 2 days with c.7,000 feet of ascent that just left a short distance the following day to finish at South Haven Point. Thoroughly enjoyable but "testing"!
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: WhitstableDave on 12:53:57, 08/05/21
I'm finding this an interesting topic.  O0

Looking at the results for 2019, the winner took just over 5 hours and the average (median) times were around 10 hours. There was a 12 hour cut-off and about 30 of 230 didn't finish.

The elevation gain has been reported as being somewhere between 4,000 and 5,000+ft and the distance is a little less than 32 miles.

I reckon that under 10 hours should be doable, given favourable (or at least not unfavourable!) conditions.

Obviously, this being the Long Distance Walkers Association, running some or even all of the route isn't just acceptable but pretty much expected  ;) . The elevation profile shows lots of steep ups followed by what I imagine are jog-able downs.

Entry would require a longish drive and an overnight stay in Swanage and (presumably) a couple of LDWA memberships. I'll have to see what my wife thinks... An alternative would be to do a virtual version of the same distance and elevation gain, but using Kent's coastal paths rather than Dorset's.  :)
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: pgt on 13:14:09, 08/05/21
I think that when it started this was a walking event with no mention of a “winner”. By the time we did it in 2011 it was about 3/4 walkers and 1/4 runners.
I think the ultra runners may be more numerous now.
Good luck to them, it’s hard enough to walk it so it must be bloody hard to run the damn thing.
My brother and I were both fairly fit and in our mid 40s. I think we were about 45 minutes inside the 12 hour cut off limit.
And as I said before, it’s a great event.

Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: harland on 14:09:45, 08/05/21
Regarding elevation gained between Weymouth and Swanage. The SWCP website shows the total for the whole 630 miles as 115,000 feet. I can't recall where I got my figures from, it may have been my SATMAP or another website but my spreadsheet shows 114,930 feet which is close enough to the SWCP figure. The individual figures I have for Weymouth to Lulworth Cove is 2,513' and from Lulworth Cove to Swanage is 4,403'. Whether it is 4,000, 5,000, or 7,000 it is lumpy!
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: WhitstableDave on 19:06:09, 08/05/21
We've taken the first steps towards our Dorset Doddle challenge.  :)

We found one hotel in Swanage with accommodation still available, so we booked a room for the weekend. Drive there Saturday, do the walk Sunday, drive back Monday.

We joined the LDWA (again in my case!).

Now it's just a matter of getting in quick when entries open on 6th June (probably)...
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: pgt on 19:48:39, 08/05/21
All the best WhitstableDave. It’s a great walk. Take a camera. And fingers crossed for a sunny day with a gentle westerly breeze at your backs.
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: WhitstableDave on 12:49:46, 09/05/21
All the best WhitstableDave. It’s a great walk. Take a camera. And fingers crossed for a sunny day with a gentle westerly breeze at your backs.

Thanks pgt.

I assume there won't be much shade on the route, so I'll wish for a cloudy day with any kind of westerly breeze at our backs!  ;)
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: Guy on 21:39:27, 11/05/21
Looking at the results for 2019, the winner took just over 5 hours and the average (median) times were around 10 hours. There was a 12 hour cut-off and about 30 of 230 didn't finish.

The elevation gain has been reported as being somewhere between 4,000 and 5,000+ft and the distance is a little less than 32 miles.

I reckon that under 10 hours should be doable, given favourable (or at least not unfavourable!) conditions.

Obviously, this being the Long Distance Walkers Association, running some or even all of the route isn't just acceptable but pretty much expected  ;) . The elevation profile shows lots of steep ups followed by what I imagine are jog-able downs.



I first did this in 2010 when it took me just under 10 hours.  When I did this in 2019 it took me just over 10 hours 35 minutes.  (I had a long break from walking and only started again in early 2019).  Both times I walked all of it.  If you're going to be jogging the downhills then sub 10 hours is definitely possible.  I've got it pencilled in my calendar so might see you there.  
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: Guy on 21:48:41, 11/05/21
In the same area, there is also the Purbeck Plod which is a 25 mile walk from Swanage, with much of it along the coast path (in the opposite direction to the Dorset Doddle).  http://www.eastdorsetramblers.org.uk/purbeckplod.html  - doesn't look like  they're running it this year due to Covid though.
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: WhitstableDave on 14:36:13, 06/06/21
The Dorset Doddle 2021 was supposed to accept entries from today, but I've just discovered the event has been cancelled.  :(

It's a shame as we were looking forward to what looked like a very tough challenge. Fortunately, the hotel we'd booked for that weekend has given us a full refund. Now we need to find something else for August...
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: Guy on 15:32:57, 13/06/21
The Dorset Doddle 2021 was supposed to accept entries from today, but I've just discovered the event has been cancelled.  :(

It's a shame as we were looking forward to what looked like a very tough challenge. Fortunately, the hotel we'd booked for that weekend has given us a full refund. Now we need to find something else for August...


Sorry to hear that, but glad you got a full refund.


An alternative might be the LDWA Cotswold Ring challenge (https://ldwa.org.uk/BristolAndWest/W/7736/cotswold-ring-2021.html) - a circular 52 mile walk in the northern Cotswolds.  This is an "anytime" event (so no support) but is definitely running!  A few photos to whet your appetite https://1drv.ms/u/s!Aow5akq97QzFiMgCI16e3b-hqc-q4A?e=KPdGOa



Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: WhitstableDave on 18:11:27, 13/06/21
Thanks, but 52 miles?!!   :o

We've had 6 holidays in the Cotswolds in the last 10 years and we love the area, but we're not ready for that kind of distance in a single day just yet (or ever!). At the moment, our target is to reach 40 miles in a day (non-stop) this year with the hope of entering a 50 mile event next year. But by then I'll be pushing 70 and the idea is looking a bit scary right now...  :-[
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: richardh1905 on 18:24:21, 13/06/21
Given the distances that you regularly walk, I reckon that you could manage 52 miles, Dave. Go for it.
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: WhitstableDave on 18:55:22, 13/06/21
Given the distances that you regularly walk, I reckon that you could manage 52 miles, Dave. Go for it.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Richard, but it's not quite that simple. My longest non-stop day walk to date is the 35 miles I did with my wife a few weeks ago. It's a big step up to 52 miles! Also, we can each go quicker separately than we can together (and we choose to do this sort of challenge together!). Also, we don't see any attraction in walking or running in the dark, so available hours of daylight becomes an issue.

Another 'also' is that we're building up to longer distances more gradually than just 'going for it'. We're doing 35 miles again next weekend (hoping for a faster time) and we plan to try for a non-stop 40 miles later this year. At the moment, our ultimate aim is to complete a 50 mile event (such as the North Downs Way 50) within the time limit - as in, just finish it!

So I think it's probably best if I leave these ultras to the younger, fitter members of the forum. BTW, did you see that the Pilgrims Lake District 100km Challenge event passed close to your town this weekend? How about next year?... ;)
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: harland on 19:26:19, 13/06/21
I know I could do it because I can walk 52 miles in just over 12 hours ...... well it was 58 years ago so it might take a tad longer now - measured in days! :-\
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: WhitstableDave on 22:58:02, 13/06/21
I know I could do it because I can walk 52 miles in just over 12 hours ...... well it was 58 years ago so it might take a tad longer now - measured in days! :-\

Wow, that's over 12 hours at an average speed of about 4.3mph (presumably non-stop!). I'm extremely impressed - however young you were!  O0
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: harland on 15:56:33, 14/06/21
From memory it took 12 hours 4 minutes. It was organised by the school taking up President Kennedy's challenge to walk 50 miles in under 24 hours. It was in West London, basically walking unsupervised starting in the evening around a planned route out past Uxbridge through the unlit country roads and back.  A teacher drove around every so often to pick people up should they so wish and a guy on a bike - not sure what he was doing! I walked it in my black school shoes having rubbed my feet in surgical spirit in the week or so beforehand. I guess that schools wouldn't be allowed to do that nowadays after they complete the mandatory health and safety assessment!

Edit: Whilst I refer to walking but I jogged when I felt good especially in the first few miles although later in the night I was nearly asleep and hardly walking on occasions! I remember being very thirsty as I hadn't taken any water with me.
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: Slowcoach on 17:37:49, 14/06/21
I took part in 2 London to Brighton races organised by the American banks in London. They started from the Guildhall and finished at Brighton pier. They started at 20.00 so were walked mostly in the dark. It was 54 miles,  I took 12 hours and then on the second attempt 10.5 hours. We were allowed to jog 5 minutes every hour.
When I was in my late forties i did it solo for charity on a very hot day starting at 06.00 from Victoria. The route was 56 miles and it took exactly 14 hours.
I certainly don't think i have one of those left in my legs.
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: WhitstableDave on 17:55:53, 14/06/21
I took part in 2 London to Brighton races organised by the American banks in London. They started from the Guildhall and finished at Brighton pier. They started at 20.00 so were walked mostly in the dark. It was 54 miles,  I took 12 hours and then on the second attempt 10.5 hours. We were allowed to jog 5 minutes every hour.
When I was in my late forties i did it solo for charity on a very hot day starting at 06.00 from Victoria. The route was 56 miles and it took exactly 14 hours.
I certainly don't think i have one of those left in my legs.

Wow, 54 miles in 10.5 hours! That's an average speed of over 5.14mph for more than 10 hours (presumably non-stop)! Even including 5 mins per hour jogging, that's quite an amazing achievement. I've measured my maximum walking speed to be 4.9mph and I could only maintain that for about 15 mins - and I like to think I can walk fast!  :-[
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: Slowcoach on 18:00:17, 14/06/21
Wow, 54 miles in 10.5 hours! That's an average speed of over 5.14mph for more than 10 hours (presumably non-stop)! Even including 5 mins per hour jogging, that's quite an amazing achievement. I've measured my maximum walking speed to be 4.9mph and I could only maintain that for about 15 mins - and I like to think I can walk fast!  :-[
My jog was pretty brisk.
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: richardh1905 on 18:12:45, 14/06/21
So I think it's probably best if I leave these ultras to the younger, fitter members of the forum. BTW, did you see that the Pilgrims Lake District 100km Challenge event passed close to your town this weekend? How about next year?... ;)


Yes, my wife and I spotted a load of pink and yellow arrows on Hampsfell whilst walking the dog, and then came across a big 69KM sign at a stile - no prizes for guessing that it was a long distance challenge. Not for me, though - more into savouring Britain's hills and wild places at a more leisurely pace.


Longest walk I ever did was 35 miles or so along canal towpaths south and east of Birmingham, but by far the hardest was completing the Welsh 3000's - less miles, but the small matter of 12,000' of ascent to deal with. That was many years ago, and it is not a feat that I wish (or could) repeat.
Title: Re: LDWA Dorset Doddle
Post by: WhitstableDave on 19:12:30, 14/06/21
I only started walking as a leisure activity at the tender age of 64 - less than 5 years ago. Even so, I'm really not sure what my hardest challenge has been.

I guess it's all relative and it would have to be one of my early walks. I did some walks of around 20 miles during my first couple of months as a 'walker' (I'd joined the LDWA and they said long distance walks were 20+ miles!). I wore boots (because I thought that's what walkers wore!) and one of those walks was especially agonising. With several miles still to go, I was stuffing my liner gloves into my boots to reduce the pain. I had terrible blisters and the big toenail on my right foot went black and fell off.

Nothing I've done since has given me as much pain... or quite the same sense of achievement!  :)