Squall like no other and Fallen Trees.

A very exciting and scary end to my week riding back from Lasham Garden Centre on Saturday 25th January. I had been for a ride with the Alton CTC to Dummer and we had tea at the Avenue Garden Centre. As I left the wind had greatly increased in strength and was making it hard work as I pedalled back to the junction to Lasham Village, but this was nothing to what I experienced as I turned the corner. I had to pedal hard to go downhill and almost came to a stop in one gust. It was a litle more sheltered in the valley but as I climbed past the industrial estate at the edge of Lasham the strength intensified. Tremendous noise of banging and crashing coming from the yard as anything loose was blown about. I was showered with broken twigs and had to avoid some serious debris. As I passed a gap in the hedge I was almost blown off Sporty. I sheltered in the lee of a large beech hedge for a while hoping the wind would abate and took the opportunity to phone Jean to tell her I might be late home. I was quite frightened by the strength of the wind (gale force 9?) and did consider abandoning and asking my daughter to come and fetch me in the car, but decided to carry on. A large branch crashed to the road about thirty yards away. (I had taken care not to stop under large trees). I set off again and found the going a little easier in the valley between Lasham and Bentworth. At the top of the hill a car passed me and stopped to allow two men to jump out and remove a large broken branch from the road.

Good Samaritans Clearing Up.

As I rode I kept a sharp eye on the trees beside the road and noticed they were less agitated and concluded it was safe to continue. Half way between  Bentworth and Wield, riding along a road we'd ridden earlier in the day, I came up behind a reversing car. As I rode past the driver said rather crossly "Can't you see there's a fallen tree across the road!" I said "Yes!" and continued. 

The Offending Fallen Tree.

I was able to scramble over the base of it and lug my bike over. I met two more cars shortly after and told them to turn back. The wind had dropped now to a fairly modest breeze but the power of the earlier squall was made evident between Lower and Upper Wield where I had to negotiate another 5 large fallen trees and many smaller ones which had blown down across the road. 

Three of the many fallen trees.

As you can see it was getting dark by now but thankfully the worst was over and I only had a few more partial road blockages to deal with. Near Armsworth I paused to consult with a farmer driving a Land Rover coming the other way and we exchanged details of the blockages ahead. Eventually I arrived home in the dark around 5.30 p.m. Good job I'd taken my lights!

Earlier we had met in sunshine in Alton and 19 of us had set off in two groups. Eight in the fast group led by Frank and eleven in the slower one led by Malcolm.

The Riders at the Start.

 Naturally I was in the latter. Malcolm took us out of the town through a park and along a way I'd not been before. We then rode along the main road towards Odiham for about a mile before turning up a very steep hill towards Shalden. I ran out of puff and had to walk for about 100 yards. 

Here is my map for the day from which you can see we had a very interesting if somewhat tortuous route to Dummer.

Map and Data for the Day.

 We encountered this large puddle near Lower Wield.

Puddle near Lower Wield

As we neared Dummer Malcolm suggested an alternative off road route into the village which several riders took. I said I would prefer to stick to the road and we split into two groups. We arrived in the village near the church almost at the same time, but soon afterwards Richard had a flat tyre. (Was it a puncture picked up on the off road route?)

Malcolm suggested that instead of us all waiting while the puncture was fixed some should continue to the the Garden centre for tea. Three of us did but the others were not far behind.

Many thanks malcolm for a very enjoyable if rather hilly ride and also to Janice for the pictures of the riders at the CC and en route.

Earlier in the week on Thursday 23rd January, I had had a much gentler ride to the HCMF meet at the Hoddington Arms in Upton Grey.

When I got there at 12.20 p.m. much to my surprise there was not a single bike outside. Had I made a mistake? Was the meet elsewhere? Just as I was trying to phone home to find out Roger appeared, shortly followed by seven riders from Fleet. 

Inside we found Angela who had come to join us by car. So in the end a merry little band somewhat smaller than usual with no one from Alton, or South Hampshire apart from Angela and me.

Looking back it was all somewhat mundane compared with Saturday's day out!

For the record here is my map and data:

Gridironman.

HCMF Meet at The Sun, Bentworth and The Departure Lounge with Steve & Co.

Summary of my ride on:

Thu, 16 Jan 2014 10:17 Western European Time By gridironmanbmActivity Type: Cycling | Event Type: Uncategorized | Course: --Sunshine and showers, some heavy but I managed to dodge those. Strong southerly breeze.

Despite the forecast of heavy showers I decided to take my chances and ride to the meet at Bentworth. As usual for a nearby rendez-vous I opted for an indirect route, heading over the hill past Abbotstone Common and along the Candover Valley. For once I was mounted on Tiny my Giant Hybrid.

It was raining in several places and I saw a couple of rainbows but I only felt a couple of spots of rain. The Candover brook was very full and the roads were puddled in places but the riding was easy as I had a strong tail breeze.

At Axford I turned East to Herriard enjoying a spot of shortlived sunshine. Lots of finches in one area and robins singing in many places. As always plenty of rooks and jackdaws. I spotted a small bird of prey sitting on an electric pole but each time I got close it flew from one electric pole to the next, so I never got really close enough to identify it, it seemed too small to be a kestrel and I have never before seen a kestrel do this. Perhaps it was a male as they are smaller than the female.(Suggestions welcome!)

I was tempted to stop for coffee at the Gliding Club but resisted and continued past the Avenue Garden Centre to Shalden. The very rough lane into the village.and the headwind made progress a little harder but soon I was across the A339 and climbing the hill to the pub.

Janice arrived just as I was locking my bike and we discovered that there were only a modest number of other riders present. including Charles who I'd passed earlier on my ride going in the opposite direction! No doubt he had also ridden an indirect route.

It was great to chat with Janice who I'd not seen for some time and catch up with her news. However, all too soon it was time to get moving again and as we were leaving several more riders arrived from Fleet, also Don the only other rider from South Hampshire.

Wanting to visit Owen's bike shop I headed for Four Marks arriving there at a good time to shelter from the heaviest shower of rain of the day. I popped into M&S too.

Once the rain had ceased I set off for home, choosing another indirect route via Lyeway, Monkwood, West Tisted and Woodlands. I arrived home around 3 o'clock completely dry!

A very satisfying day out despite the showers.

Sunday 19th January I rode to the Departure Lounge Cafe just outside Alton to meet my Son in Law Steve with his two pals, Keith & Pete. 

It was a very good day for riding despite the bright sunshine reflecting from the road making it hard to see the puddles in places. 

Here is my route and data for the day.

Steve and Co. rode from Winchester whilst I rode a different route from Alresford. We managed to arrive at the cafe at almost the same time. 

After toasted tea cakes and tea or coffee we split and made our own ways home.

One of the joys at this time of year on sunny days is the way trees are silhouetted against the bright sky as in this picture taken near Hilltingley. 

Gridironman.

To Leckford Estate with Barrie & Co. and a Solo Ride to Popham

Two enjoyable rides this past week. The first on Thursday with Barrie & Co. I rode to join them at the start at Stoke Charity. I left home just before nine o'clock and was there in plenty of time. Ninya was already there and soon we were joined by Barrie, Graham, Karen & Jo and Ian. Then just as we were about to set off Brenda appeared.

We decided to keep to the larger road to Sutton Scotney as the lanes were very muddy with a lot of debris. We were soon somewhat spread out as some of us wanted a slower pace, with Ninya and I bringing up the rear. This was fine and as we knew where we were going and when we got to the cafe we discovered that Karen and Jo who had been in the lead had gone the wrong way and decided to continue homweward.

After the break I decided not to return to Stoke Charity with the others but to continue into Longstock and then return to Kings Worthy via Leckford and Crawley. Climbing the hill after the Leckford Hut I paused to take this picture of the Old Man's Beard and was joined by Graham who had also decided to take this route.

Old Man's Beard Adorning the Hedgerows.

As I descended to Headbourne Worthy I took this picture of my daughter's house peeping through the trees, using the telephoto setting. It is nearly a mile away.

An Unusual View of "Westwinds"

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The Maternity Ward.

As I had plenty of time I decided to take the picturesque way home through Avingdon where I saw this field with about 200 ewes in it, waiting for their lambs to be born.

My Map for the Day.

Saturday 11th January I had planned to join Darren and his merry band but I did an "Alex", failed to get up in time! It sounds as though I missed a great ride. I'm told that 18 took part. 

Of course I couldn't not go out on such a lovely day so I started late (11.30) and went to Popham Airfield for an all day breakfasr.

There was a lot of activity. Several of the planes flying had open cockpits!

This is one which I watched start up taxi and then take off.

I later had two very interesting chats with the local postman who had stopped for his breakfast too, and with one of the pilots.

Preparing for Take Off.
(Spot the other plane just landing)

On my way home I went under the  A303 just managing to keep my feet dry by walking along the side of this huge puddle!

Under the A303 near Popham Airfield.

It was the best weather we've had for cycling for ages! Sunny and not too cold

Saturday's Map.

 HAPPY CYCLING !

GRIDIRONMAN

Lasham Circuit.

Welcome to my 2014 blog! 

I did manage one more ride in 2013 on Saturday, December 28th.

This brought my total miles for the year to 3,367.

My route was south to Bishop's Waltham. I choose to use the back lane from Beauworth Village to The Milbury's. This is much quieter and is less steep than the main road. 

One of several fallen trees encountered on my ride.

As I descended Beeches hill through the village of Ashton, on impulse, I decided to investigate Little Ahton Lane. The lane was almost blocked by a fallen tree but I managed to squeeze past it and was soon into the hamlet of Dean. I turned back towards B.W. and enjoyed a very different view of Ashton on the hill above me. 

From B.W. I headed east to Swanmore  and then north through Upper Swanmore towards Beacon Hill. I caught up with another cyclist and we rode together for a couple of miles before he turned of to return to B.W.

Once over Beacon Hill I made good speed home arriving there almost on the dot of one. Perfect timing for lunch and then to sit and watch sport.

Anyone interested can see my Garmin record for the day here:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/420659842

Today, January 2nd, I enjoyed my first ride of the year in bright sunshine. I needed my peaked cap under my helmet to shade my eyes from the low sun.

The other members of the Alresford Groupetta were all busy with other matters, like work! So, I rode on my own over very familiar roads. 

The rooks and jackdaws were very active and I saw a red kite near Preston Candover. A  few robins singing too. Apart from a few delivery vans the country roads were very quiet and I only saw about 15 other cyclists. 

I called at the Lasham Gliding Club for a coffee and chatted with a motorcyclist before returning home via Bentworth, Medstead, Four Marks and Ropley.

Here are my map and data for the day:

A very pleasant ride to kick off the new year, not too demanding.

Gridironman.