HCMF Meet at The Rose & Crown, Upper Farringdon & Groupetta visit to Boarhunt

Simon and I had a good couple of rides this week. The first on Thursday 13th March.  when we rode to Upper Farringdon to join the HCMF meet. We took a slightly longer route through Ropley, East Tisted & Selborne. This also enabled us to avoid the flooding on the A32 in Lower Farringdon.

It was a lovely sunny day and we enjoyed the sights and sounds of countryside with the rooks being particularly active. Several tractors with their trailers of manure adding to the smells and the mucky road!

When we arrived at the Rose & Crown we found we were first there. We took advantage of our early arrival to be first to order our lunches. Shortly afterwards Michael and Lesley arrived but almost as quickly disappeared again. Angela, Richard and David were next to appear and told us that a number of other riders had gone to the Golden Pheasant  in Lower Farringdon. It  transpired that there had on previous visits been problems with a rather bossy landlady. Richard went to join the others and after a pint and a chat David did likewise.

It was very pleasant sitting in the sunshine eating our lunch al fresco and we were soon joined by the Fleet group of 8  They had remained loyal to the chosen RV. Here they are enjoying their lunch.

The fleet Fleet Eight.

Eventually Simon and I decided it was time to head home. We chose to go via Alton and Beech to Medstead & then wishing to prolong our enjoyment of the day we continued home via Upper Wield & Armsworth Hill.

Thursday's Route and Data.

We had both decided that for a variety of reasons we did not wish to join the WIR to West Tytherley on Saturday 15th March. We opted instead to head south east towards Wickham.

We left Alresford shortly after 10 and soon found that the floods had abated. The area near the source of the Itchen was still flooded  but only a little over the road. We easily avoided getting our feet wet.

Riding Rooksgrove Hill took 11 mins 49 secs, only my seventh best time. My best was recorded last summer at 9 mins 42 secs. By comparison the best time recorded on RidewithGPS is 5 mins 33 sec. My best time overall is 17th. (This just goes to show nothing other than what a data nerd I am).

We zoomed downhill to cross the A32 near Droxford and turned south through Soberton to Boarhunt. A lovely display of Celendines along the road banks here.

Deciding it was time for a break we popped into a garden  nursery only to discover it was the wrong one without a cafe. The intended one was just a quarter of a mile further on. Here we refreshed ourselves surrounded by lovely pansies of multiple colours. Lovely scent too.

We headed for home through the edge of Wickham and along lanes to Swanmore. Simon's Raleigh had developed a strange tick now, but try as we might we could not find out the cause. As it appeared not to be serious we continued through Bishop's Waltham. The road at the foot of Beeches Hill was no longer flooded but still wet in places.

Half way up the hill we turned left into Ashton Lane as this is less busy and probably easier then the main road. We were rewarded by the sound of a spotted woodpecker drumming not once or twice but three times. Is that lucky? I think it ought to be!

Once we had crested the hill we still had the drag up to The Milbury's to conquer before that fun descent into Beauworth. Top speed of the day here at a shade over 32.6 m.p.h.

We decided to chance our luck and return to Alresford via Tichborne. We found the springs in the village had ceased flooding the road and the mucky overflow from the river further on had receded leaving the centre of the road almost free of water, so no problem with wet feet.

I joined Simon and his wife Sarah in a cuppa before continuing home for a belated lunch and to watch the final two Six nations rugby matches.

A most satisfying ride. i hope the Winchester CTC enjoyed their ride to The black Horse as much as we enjoyed ours.

Map and Data for our Saturday Ride.

Gridironman