Three Counties Ride.

 Thursday 12th September.

Simon and I decided to skip the ride to the HCMF meet as it was in Alresford and Simon fancied a more challenging ride. He had planned a ride of over 80 miles but I thought this might be a little tough so we headed out of Alresford on the first part of his route and decided we would adapt his plan as we went.

I had had a particularly poor start to the day with a number of problems, one of which was discovering that my car's M.O.T. ran out on that very day. Fortunately Wilcan Garage were very helpful and undertook to get it done for me if they could fit it into their already full schedule. We eventually got mobile around 10 o'clock about 30 minutes later than planned and set off in light drizzle - once more up Mollie's Dismount.

The first part of our ride was almost identical to last week's foray to North Hampshire through East & West Stratton and Micheldever Station. However this time we deviated to Whitchurch after crossing the A30 and A303. Here I had a belated breakfast of a bacon buttie and a large coffee while Simon enjoyed a nice piece of cake with his coffee.

We continued Northwards via St. Mary Bourne and found the gentle rise up the Bourne Valley was by far the best way of climbing the Downs. We rode two abreast and chatted and as we neared Hurstbourne Tarrant my phone rang, it was the garage ringing to tell me the car had passed it's M.O.T. but that I had a tyre which was barely legal. I told them to replace it and we then continued on our way. 

When we paused for a comfort break it was lovely to hear a Robin tuning up and a number of other birds calling.

 Soon after we crossed the border into Wiltshire.

The last few miles to the top of the downs were a little steeper as we rode through the villages of Fosbury and Oakenwood but the views when we got there were magnificent as the sun had broken through and it was warm enough for me to have removed my rain jacket.  We stopped to admire the great views from the Downs.

View Eastwards from the top of the Downs.

As we descended we came across this gigantic collection of straw bales.

A small collection of straw bales.

Simon led us a little westwards so we could visit and admire the Wilton Windmill. We then headed back to Great Bedwyn looking for a place for lunch. It was now almost 2 p.m. and getting quite late to find sonewhere but we were lucky to find the Cross Keys where they were still serving food. I had a very good Greek Feta Cheese Salad, which was vastly superior than one I'd had recently at the Vyne in Hannington for a very similar price. Meanwhile Simon ploughed his way through a substantial fish pie. We were given a complimentary dish of chips which the chef had prepared by accident. We would like to recommend the pub to the HCMF but fear it would be rather too far for most of the riders! Some 30 miles North of Winchester,

The Wilton Windmill.

After lunch we followed the valley and the Kennet & Avon Canal to Hungerford entering Berkshire as we went. 

Lock in operation on the kennet & Avon Canal.

The Narrow Boat safely into the lock.

We continued across Hungerford Common to Kintbury before deciding we should head for home if we wanted to be there before the light started to fail.

The next few miles were tough culminating in us walking the last 200 metres to the top of Walbury Hill & Combe Gibbet. It is rumoured that cyclists who fail to climb the hill are hung out to dry on the Gibbet but somehow we escaped!

The next 30 miles were thankfully more down than up hill and we made good time, taking it in turns to lead.  For a spell we were on the same road as we'd ridden earlier in the day between Hursbourne Tarrant and St. Mary Bourne. After this we opted to continue down the valley to Longparish and then to cross the hills through Barton Stacey to  Sutton Scotney and Stoke Charity. Strangely that road to King's Worthy did not seem too bad despite my now tired legs.

I did lag a bit behind Simon on the last six miles to Alresford and we eventually parted company when he opted to head home via the the ford whilst I rode under the old railway bridge, turned into New Farm Road and arrived home just a few minutes before 7 p.m. Phew! What a great day out!

I was most gratified to discover that we had covered over 78 miles at an average moving speed for the day of 12.6 m.p.h. Here are our other stats. and map for the day.

Thanks Simon for a really great day out! We seem to have had the good fortune lately of finding new places and new roads which have enriched our rides!

Gridironman.