A Social Ride to The Phoenix, Twyford and another, Fast & Furious to Lasham & back.

Thursday 24th April a special day. My daughter's birthday! She was working at the Oxfam shop so I did not see her but went out with Simon on one of our gentle jaunts to link up with the HCMF.

Twyford is too near to home to go directly there, so we found a similar way to get there to that we used to get to Shawford recently. Simon was riding one of his vintage bikes. This one made in Southampton, a Rotrax. We headed through Ovington and up Gander Down, only to have to pause a while for Simon to replace a punctured tube.  Whilst he was doing so, Malcolm, one of the North Hants CTC riders, came by in his car, he was checking a route for Saturday. We had a short chat about his tea stop options before he departed.

We crossed the A272 to Lane End Down and from there down to Upham. (Actually the last few hundred yards into the village is anything but down being up a hill  of about 8%). We continued southwards along a very pleasant small lane to the outskirts of Durley. We must have been bordering a golf course for every now and then there were the metallic clunks of iron on ball.

It was now time to turn back towards our RV and Simon led me at a good pace through Horton Heath and Fair Oak and into Colden Common. Unfortunately here we had to stop again for another flat tyre. However as we were near Twyford Simon was able to pump it up enough to get to the pub.

I enjoy our visits to the The Phoenix more than some of our other venues. The landlord always seems to be welcoming and the food is usually good. On this occasion both Simon and I enjoyed the fish, chips and mushy peas. Excellent! John H. was kind enough to treat me to a pint of Flowerpots bitter.

There were about 20 or so other riders there so we enjoyed a good chat or two  before returning to the garden to repair Simon's flat. This necessitated applying a patch to the hole. Unfortunately I must have provided a dud patch as within a mile of the resumption of our journey Simon's tyre was flat again.

In the circumstances Simon decided to call Alresford Cyclists' Rescue Service (alias his wife Sarah) to be picked up. Having checked that Simon was old enough to be left on the street alone I continued the homeward journey on my own. I took the obvious route to start with to the Hockley lights and then along the new cycle path into the cantre of Winchester. 

When I reached the junction by the Black Boy I decided to take an unusual route and climbed the steep hill up Quarry Road to join the Alresford Road near the bridge over the M3. It was actually easier than I had anticipated provided I just took my time and it was blissfully free of traffic, an easier option than going via Winnall.

I was soon speeding down once more into Easton village and home through Avington and Ovington. I paused a couple of times, to admire this beautiful wisteria near Avington golf course and to sit on a bench in the sun to enjoy the view of Avington House and grounds.

Route and Data for Thursday 24th April.

Thanks Simon for another ride together, sorry about the dodgy patch. I have found them reliable in the past.


Saturday 26th April 2014

Before starting my ride I had to mend a slow puncture which I must have picked up on Thursday or was it caused by Simon sticking pins in my effigy to get his own back?

I decided it was time I tested myself and get in some training for the Naomi House Charity Cycle Ride on May 4th. My chosen route was based on one used by my friend PinkPal through the Candover valley and over the hill from Totford to Itchen Abbass and then home via the Tichborne ford.

My outward stage was to the Lasham Gliding Club Cafe via Medstead and Bentworth. I made good time up the hill to Medstead and enjoyed the fast downhill to cross the A339, registering  the top speed of the day. Just beyond Lasham village I heard a cuckoo. The first time this year.

I arrived at the cafe at the same time as a heavy shower. Perfect timing, it lasted slightly less than the time it took me to down a large cuppacino and a delicious jumbo sausage roll. When I resumed my ride the roads only a mile away were perfectly dry.

In Preston Candover the pumps are still going discharging water across the road. Here I joined PinkPal's route through the other Candovers where the roads are still wet in places with the recent rain causing the Candover Brook to overflow again.

Beside the Woolpack in Totford I sat on a salt box and took a breather whilst topping up with an energy drink and an apple. I exchanged waves with another cyclist as he left the pub. I had seen a number of other cyclists during the ride, mainly in pairs also one larger group. Most had given a friendly wave or verbal greeting.

Up the hill to Northington Woods was a test as the breeze was now in my face and I was tiring but my Garmin showed an average of just on 12 mph and I was determined to try to keep it there.

Fortunately once past the junction to Mollie's Dismount it was nearly all downhill or flat(ish) the rest of the way home. I completed the ride by crossing the footbridge by the ford and up New Farm Road.

Map and data for the day.

I was delighted when I uploaded the Garmin details to find I had more than achieved my aim of 12 mph riding speed. Not up to PinkPal's level though!

For further information on the Naomi House Charity Ride go to:

 http://www.naomihouse.org.uk/events/showevent/clatford-cycle-challenge

I hope to do the long route of this ride if the weather is favourable. If anyone would like to join me please let me know.

Whatever you do best wishes.

Gridironman.