Rides of exploration to South Warnborough and Hambledon.

Thursday 22nd May 2014.
I had originally planned to go to Naomi House to help in the office but Tom phoned to cancel that last night so I was free to cycle as usual on a Thursday,

When I checked the weather forecast it seemed that my best option was to get going early and aim to be back home by lunchtime.

I set off just after 9 a.m. not even being sure where I was going. I was inclined to go to the Lasham Gliding Club so headed through Bighton towards Medstead. Then I climbed Chalk Hill to Hattingley pausing to take off my waterproof jacket and inspect the vines. Took this picture of the vineyard and the threatening  rain clouds.

Vineyard.

I like the Hattingley Ridge, some nice houses and always something to look at. Today some lovely flowers in the gardens. When I got to the edge of Medstead instead of carrying on into the village I turned back to Lower Wield to have a look a closer look at that village, this was a good choice as I spotted this beautiful clematis. I believe it is a "Nellie Moser". We used to have one when we lived in Chipping Sodbury.

Nellie Moser.

Further on in Lasham village this view of a garden through the middle of a barn conversion home caught my attention.

Garden scene, Lasham Village.

I had thought of stopping for coffee at the Lasham Gliding Club as I have done many times before, but it still seemed a bit early for that, so I turned towards the Golden Pot intending to find a route to Upton Grey before turning for home. For the first time I took the main road (B3349) down the hill to South Warnborough. As I entered the village it started to rain so spotting the Village Shop & Post Office had a cafe I decided it was time to have that coffee. This turned out to be a great discovery. I had a tasty piece of bread pudding with  my coffee and chatted to the lady who served me, reminiscing about the childhood days when I used to enjoy a similar treat when popping into one of our neighbours known to me and my brothers as "Auntie Wackle". It is amazing how tastes and smells can recall very old memories.

As well as coffee and cakes they have other food, including an all day breakfast.

Apart from about 24 seats in the cafe area there are two pub style wooden tables with integrated benches outside under those two white sunshades. 

I suggest we add this rendezvous to our list of cafes. 

Village Shop & Post Office and Cafe, South Warnborough.

The rain had stopped by the time I had finished my break so I got going again heading northwards for a further mile before turning towards Upton Grey. I needed to be home before 1.30 p.m. so I took the most direct route over the hill through Herriard. Here I met my friend Norman a regular with the HCMF, on his way to the meet at North Warnborough. He gave me an inner tube that Simon had left behind at Twyford a few weeks ago. 

As I descended the hill to Axford it started to spot with rain again and I stopped to replace my rain jacket. In Preston Candover one house still has a pump going to remove spring water and further down the valley in Brown Candover there is still surface water in the fields and in a couple of places on the road. 

Here is a picture for Graham's daughter.
 A Lamb in Chilton Candover.

I was soon into Alresford and after popping the tube through Simon's letterbox I was home just after one p.m. only a little damp. Within half an hour it was pouring! A well timed ride.

My Map & Data for the day.

Sunday 25th May 2014.

Awoke  rather earlier than intended at 7 a.m. While I sipped my early morning cuppa I had the pleasure of an text exchange with my very good friend Caroline. Hmm! Am I getting the hang of this technology at last?

As on Thursday I managed  to get out on the bike early. This time just before 9 a.m. I planned to go to Hambledon and made up the route as I went along. My first goal was the Sustainability Centre Cafe. Always a nostalgic venue for me as I spent February 1953 at that location which was then H.M.S. Mercury. My route was through Woodlands, Brockwood and West Meon and then past Meon Springs Fly Fishery to Combe. from here to the cafe I took a lane I'd not ridden before. It was steep and rough at first but was easily manageable. Stopped to interview more sheep who were vying to be photographed for Miss Stanhope's delectation. Here is the winner with mum and auntie.

 Just  before reaching the cafe I was entertained by a flying model Spitfire zooming right over the me. I think controller thought it amusing to straffe a passing cyclist.

Lots of cyclists out and about, several arriving at the cafe soon after me. I chatted with two who had ridden from Southampton.
I was soon on my way again whizzed down the hill into Clanfield achieving my fastest speed of the day. I stopped to look at my map and plan my way to Hambledon and another cyclist stopped to check if i was lost. He was out training for a triathlon. He suggested a number alternative routes but mentioned a few details like traffic lights and roundabouts which were not in my plans!!

 I used the large chainring for the next few miles as the road is a steady downhill but not wanting to get involved in the afore mentioned street scene I turned along lanes to the north of Denmead to Hambledon. on my way I met these three horses. I was admiring the subtle colour of the first one when the second crossed to my side of the road to take a closer look at these strange looking chap on a bike and put his nose right into my chest! (All very friendly),. The rider told me he is very nosy!

Horses near Denmead.

Another unusual sight nearby, a field of flax (or linseed).

 A crop with several alternative uses. 

1. For its oil. 

2, To make linen

3, As a food.

Field of Flax.

It was a very steep hill down into the village of Hambledon where there was no signs of water or even any evidence of the recent flooding.
My priority was now to get home for a late lunch so I set course to Corhampton and my final test of the day, the climb of White Hill from Exton to the top of Beacon Hill. I was gratified to find I did this in my best time ever of 12 mins 42 secs. Nearly 5 minutes better than my previous best. 
I was joined for a short way by another cyclist who was out training for a charity ride from Pontypool to Brecon,
The rest of the journey was over very familiar ground and I was home about 1.15 p.m. just in time for lunch.
Here are my data and map for the day

A very good week of exploration and very lucky with the weather I enjoyed it greatly. 

I have at last managed to get a few miles ahead of my pro rata target to ride 3,000 miles in the year in aid of Forever Angels.

Gridironman,

Yi-chun Kuo's Birthday Ride & Hide & Seek with Daren!

Thursday 15th May. A special day for Yi-chun. Her birthday!

I was up early and with it being such a lovely day I decided to get away from home early and ride to Crawley Pond to meet Barrie's Pedallers. In fact I was so early that I arrived there almost half an hour early.
Two members of  the police force were there checking for speeding motorists with a radar gun. They told me that there main role was to get the motorists to slow down rather than to book anyone. In the whole time I was there i never saw them actually clock anyone.

Crawley Pond.

The pond is a great place to meet with a variety of ducks to watch. Here are a few of them. How many can you identify?

Residents of Crawley Pond.

The first of the other riders to arrive was Simon on his beautiful 1960s Holdsworth; Similar  the one he rode in his youth.

I love the way he has chosen his outfit to match the bike

.

We were soon joined by the other riders including Yi-chun who was greeted by a singing of "Happy Birthday".

After some discussion about the suitable route to Waitrose's Leckford Estate coffee shop I suggested we went via King's Somborne. Simon immediately set off at a good pace with the rest of us trying to keep up. After a couple of miles 4 of us in the lead realised the others were nowhere in sight so we paused to let them catch up.

It was a lovely day with lots of aromas in the air, most enjoyable as long as you don't suffer from hay fever.

We had soon crossed the Test and were heading back northwards through Houghton & Longstock to arrive at the cafe in plenty of time for a laze in the sun while enjoying coffee or tea and cake.

Jo produced a candle and stuck it on a piece of cake and lit it for Yi-chun to blow out while we sang "Happy Birthday" again, much to the amusements of the other customers.

Before we could get going again there was a discussion about how many bikes would fit in a van with Sarah producing a measuring tape so we could experiment with several of the bikes. This is to help in the planning of a trip in France by some of Barrie's Pedallers in September.

Our route back was via Leckford and over the hill past the Leckford Hut to Crawley. It was one o'clock by the time we got there,  so beginning to feel a bit peckish, I accepted a lift home with Sarah.

Thursday's Route & Data

A most enjoyable social ride and it was great to meet Yi-chun for the first time,  on her birthday too!

Saturday 17th May 2014. Winchester Intermediate ride to Fritham in the New Forest.
It was a warm sunny morning so I changed my mind abut driving to Winchester to the start and rode instead. Got there in plenty of time having ridden part way with my friend Julian from Alresford and having passed Paddy who was on his way home from a ride of about 20 miles.

A baker's dozen riders set off from the RV, Barrie leaving about five minutes before the rest of us.
Present in addition to Barrie, Daren & Claire and me were: Karen, Sarah & Chris, Gordon, Simon (2), Graham and three new riders (to me), Katrina & Simon (3) and an Louise. It is always nice to welcome new members and discover their backgrounds and tastes in cycling equipment. Katrina and Simon (3) were equipped with state of the art expedition Thorn Cycles with Rholoff gears. Rather more as Simon (3) said like Land Rovers compared to Louise's Specialized road bike like a sports car.

We followed the well used route to Poppies for coffee via The Old Sarum road, Merdon Castle and Braishfield. Unfortunately Claire had technical problem which delayed us for about 15 minutes before we set off again. Barrie left us here to return home on his own as he had other matters to attend to.

Daren had chosen an interesting route on some roads I'd not ridden before this was to lead to our first bout of Hide and Seek. Between Sherfield English and West Wellow Katrina, Simon (3) and I lost sight of the group  and did not  see the group take a right turn. When we  arrived in the village centre we asked  a man if he'd seen any cyclists. He told us he had and told us which way to go. However it transpired that it was not our group! When we got to the A36 I knew we needed to cross over it to get to our final destination, The Royal Oak in Fritham. However, we needed to turn left or right along the A36 to find the road to Nomansland. I chose left. A mistake we should have gone right! We tried to phone the others but could not get a signal on my phone, so with the help of Simon's Garmin we took a road through Canada. This turned into a rough track for about half a mile crossing Canada Common before we came out onto Bramshaw Common. I now knew where we were and we decided to take the direct route through Bramshaw to the pub. We arrived to find lots of cyclists there but none of our own group. I tried to phone again but once more got the message "No network coverage". (Strangely an hour later I was able to phone home!).

It seems that some of the riders who had tried to contact me had my old phone number.

We decided there was nothing more we could do and while we were waiting in the queue to order our food the other 9 arrived. We sat outside to eat our lunch but the sun went in and one or two of the group felt quite chilly. We had a talk about cuckoos and the one we had heard earlier. (My fourth of the year).

Lunch over we set off on the homeward run. This went well until Daren's route took us through the Mountbatten estate on a very rough track for a short way. I was one of the first to get to the hamlet of Lee. I was with three others but once again there was no sign of the rest. We waited for what seemed ages and eventually Graham set off to look for them. he was gone for another five minutes and I decided I needed to get going if I was to be home by six. I had only gone 100 yards when Graham called out "Here they come!" and we were all together again. Shortly after Simon (2) also left us.

Karen suggested an alternative way to North Baddesley and when we got there Claire peeled off for home in Southampton. Shortly afterwards the local fete provided the perfect place for a comfort break.

With everyone fit for the road again we set off through the lanes to Chandler's Ford. Karen's turn to leave us here with Gordon leaving us near Hursley.

The depleted group diverted off the main road near the King's Head and the first three  took one lane and the other four another I chose to follow the latter. When I asked about the split I was told that Daren had been told so I was surprised at the top of the hill in Oliver's Battery when an irate Daren passed me complaining he'd had to go back to look for us.

Simon and Katrina left us here and Sarah, Chris and I were then the only ones left to return to the centre of the city. I shouted a farewell as they turned into the car park and continued on the last leg of my journey home. They passed me in their car just before I crossed over the M3 bridge.

It had been a day of very mixed fortunes and emotions. A few lessons to be learnt

1.I should take a map even when I know the area reasonable well and am being led. This would facilitate finding the best alternative route when a problem arises.

2. We all need to make sure we have one another's up to date mobile phone numbers.

3. Better communication is needed between the front of the group and the back and checking that everyone is aware of a change of direction at road junctions.

Nevertheless a day I enjoyed greatly.

Here is the map and data for my ride.

Saturday's Route and Data.

Many thanks Daren for planning and leading the ride. A thankless task when things go wrong! Also thanks to all who took part for their companionship and patience.

Can you please check you have my latest mobile phone number. 

It is 07443647594

Gridironman.

Petersfield Circuit

After a very busy week I managed to find time for a most enjoyable ride today Sunday 11th May. It was so different in character to last week's special event.

As most of my recent rides seem to have been North or West I decided to head East and South to ride some roads I'd not ridden for some time. Was this a good idea with the strong westerly wind meaning I would be riding into it when I was getting tired?

I had an early minor scare as I rode through Bishop's Sutton when two squirrels ran across the road one just in front of me, the second stopping just in time and then going behind me.

From Ropley I decided to pass Stapley Lane leading to West Tisted and took the next turn up Soames Lane which I thought would be less steep. My mistake it was the steepest of the day at 12.3 %!
I should have taken Smugglers Lane which is the next one off the Petersfield.Road. I next headed towards Privett, past the Angel Inn.

As I passed Basing Park, through a gap in the thick newly leafed beech hedge, I spotted some bright colours. When I stopped to have a closer look this is what I discovered.

The first Rhododendrons and Azaleas.

A lovely sight!
All along the lanes there were cow parsley, stitch-wort, bluebells, wild garlic, red campion as well as the ubiquitous dandelions and buttercups. The air was filled with the scents of the flowers, some very enjoyable like that of the bluebells, others less so, like that of the somewhat more pungent garlic!

I descended Stoner Hill as far as the village of the aptly named Steep. Here I turned off past the church and down into Sheet. I crossed the A272 and entered Petersfield Town Centre from the east past the Heath with its large pond.

In the square a number of stalls were offering craft work of all kinds, pictures, sculptures, jewelry, items carved from wood etc.

What attracted me more was the Cloisters Coffee shop where I chatted with two other cyclists while I enjoyed a coffee and Danish pastry.

My route home was far from direct. First I headed  southwards to Buriton, then I passed under the A3 and along Ramsdean Lane.  This interesting structure caught my attention. Looks like one of Kevin McCloud's Grand Designs.

Grand Design Home?

In East Meon a group of twitchers were photographing a rare bird. I think they thought it was an

Italian Sparrow. It looked pretty ordinary to me! But then what do I know?

It seemed too straight forward to go along the valley to West Meon so I took the country route through Coombe. When I stopped at Coombe Cross for a refreshment break I met a whole crowd of walkers doing the South Downs Way.

I decided to go via Wheeley Down, theorising that it would be easier to do one long climb rather than the several ones which I would encounter if I went via Woodlands. Hmmm!?

One of the scent makers for the day was the may flowers (Hawthorn)  in many of the hedges like this splendid example near the Milbury's Inn.

 

May Flower Bush.

I continued with my theme of not taking the obvious route home  and from Cheriton I took the Battle Field route to be confronted by these ladies off to enjoy their tea and provide milk in return.

Once over the hill it was a short way home to enjoy a late lunch and to enjoy watching the Giro d'Italia.

Gridironman

Naomi House Challenge & Tea with the McWhirters.

It has been another excellent week of cycling for me despite not being able to join a ride or meet on Thursday due to other commitments.

On Friday 2nd May I took advantage of the fine weather and rode over to have tea with my good friends  Chris and.Alex. I tried to find an interesting way there and a different one back. It was a busy time of the day in Winchester, particularly along the Chilbolton Avenue where the traffic was so slow I passed about 30 cars and a bus! That's the advantage of two wheels!

I had a lovely time with Chris & Alex who I'd not seen for ages we spent two hours chatting and had to have two mugs of tea to keep the old voices lubricated! Tasty cake too! Thanks to both of them for their hospitality and for sponsoring me for the big event of the week, the Naomi House Charity ride on Sunday. (See report below).

My way home was up Magdalene Hill and along the Alresford Road before dipping down to Easton. From there I went through Avington to Itchen Abbass and Itchen Stoke and thence home..

Friday's Route and Data.

Sunday 4th May I was up early as I had to load my bike on the car and drive to Upper Clatford to the start of the Naomi House ride.  It was a lovely sunny morning but quite chilly with a touch of overnight ground frost. I arrived at the RV just after 8.30 to be greeted by Pam and Simon Hall. There was a good number of riders already there, queuing to enter. As I had already entered on line I was able to take a shortcut to signing in and with Simon's encouragement I set off ahead of the main bunch at 8.55. The steepest hill of the day (8.3%) came within three miles of the start. That was far enough to be warmed up but not tired, so fair enough! 

73 riders took part, here are some of them!

As I entered Longstock the other riders started to pass me and I started counting them. By the time I got to King;s Somborne the count was up to 30 including one tandem. In Crawley I stopped for my first break of the ride for a snack bar and a drink. Two other riders also stopped, one had been  born in the much larger Crawley and he thought this one was much prettier.

Between Wonston and Sutton Scotney I heard my second cuckoo of this spring.

By the time I got to Sutton Scotney my count was up to 52. That was all of the longer route riders. However I wasn't the last there as two of the 18 riders on the short course were still awaited. They arrived as I was enjoying the delicious flapjack made by Elaine.

After ten minutes I was on my way once more and did not see anyone else taking part until I got to the finish. Once past Micheldever Station the route was much tougher with two testing hills before Overton and two more before Hannington.

I passed the Vyne public house dead on one p.m., resisting the temptation for a pint, I stopped for 15 mins to picnic on the very attractive village green,

My Picnic Spot on the Village Green, Hannington.

As I  left the village I heard yet another cuckoo. 

My reward for the hill climbing was a few miles of fast downhill. Of course that did not last long, there were a couple more climbs and then that nasty little pitch in Cole Henly. I must have missed a route sign just after this because I saw no more as I passed through Whitchurch. However I knew the route definitely went through Longparish so I headed on in that direction and eventually rejoined the route. My recorded miles were the same as the planned course so I did not feel I'd cheated!

I made good time over the last few miles despite that tricky little climb out of Wherwell. I arrived back at the RV at 14.48 to be greeted by a welcoming group who clapped me in! I felt quite honoured. Simon took care of my bicycle, Emily gave up her chair for me and another of the group rushed off to fetch a very welcome cup of tea and forty cakes. It was a pleasure to sit and be pampered and hear news of others.

Here is my map and data for the day, Note the 2,741 feet of climbing. It felt like more!!

I have already received several donations for Naomi House.Further donations will be  welcome!

Many thanks to Simon and his helpers for such a well run event. A special thanks too to Elaine for the delicious flapjack and thanks also for the other refreshments.

Gridironman.