RAIN may have stopped play on a Thomas Hardy themed bike ride – but it couldn’t dampen riders’ smiles.

Keen cyclist and adventurer John Surowiec, together with CTC West Dorset group and Cycling UK, had organised a two Thomas Hardy’s cycle ride on Bank holiday Monday.

The group was due to ride about 20-miles around the county town visiting important sites on the way.

As well as stopping for lunch in Portesham, the family-friendly ride, was due to go past Admiral Hardy’s Monument and Thomas Hardy’s Cottage.

There was even going to be a quiz and prizes at the end for the cyclist who had learnt the most about the two hardy’s on the way.

Unfortunately, the heavens opened, just as families gathered at 10am at the Top O’ Town Roundabout in Dorchester.

Mr Surowiec said: “In the end we had a handful of people. We decided it wasn’t a good idea and wasn’t safe in the very wet conditions. We decided it would be better to postpone the event and hope for better weather.”

Mr Surowiec said they were hoping to do the ride at the end of August and were just working out a good date. Details of the future event will be printed in DT1.

Mr Surowiec thanked all the brave cyclists and families who braved the rain on Monday to join them.

He said: “Well done and apologies that we had to postpone it. Hopefully everyone will come along in late August. It will be a good fun event and hopefully there will be lots to learn about both Thomas Hardy’s.”

It wasn’t all bad however, keen cyclist Ken Reed brought a smile to everyone’s faces by turning up to the ride dressed as Thomas Hardy on a 110-year-old Pedersen bicycle.

Mr Surowiec is now gearing up for his next big cycle adventure. Having already ridden around Europe and to Istanbul, the adventurer is setting off next month to cycle cycling across five countries and taking in five capital cities across Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

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t: 01305 830999

e: catherine.bolado

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