Fun & games once more!

On Thursday I was joined by Simon and Andrew Wilcox for a sociable ride to meet the HCMF at the King's Head, King's Somborne. Simon had repaired his Yellow Peril Bates and was trying it out again. I am pleased to report it went well.

The weather was distinctly autumnal but it was fine and dry and still warm enough to sit in the garden when we got to the pub.

We started by taking the obvious route over Three Maids Hill and through Crawley but as we approached Little Somborne I realised that we would be at the meet far too early, so I suggested a loop round through Stockbridge and Houghton. Much to Simon's dismay this included one of my nice little hills to test his gears. We did take advantage after the climb of whizzing down into Stockbridge clocking my fastest time of the day at 34 m.p.h.

We enjoyed the quiet lanes through Houghton and past the John O'Gaunt pub before arriving at the RV at about 12.20 p.m. We found a good group of riders there including the long distance riders Richard and David from Tadley. We were also joined by Dan and Janice from Alton.

We seemed to have plenty to talk about so it was nearly 2 hours before we set out on our return uneventful journey.

Another pleasant day and 39 more miles towards my target.

Saturday 13th September Alton CTC Pace Judging and Freewheeling Competition.

I rode directly from home to the location of the competition arriving there at 10 to 2 to find some riders already there for the 2 p.m. start. We were soon joined by others. Ten of us actually took part .

Part one was the pace judging. The  riders ride a three mile circuit at one minute intervals and their times recorded. Then they ride the same circuit and try to match the time taken for the first circuit.

We all did surprisingly well with the nearest time difference, posted by Tony, being only 6 secs and the worst 46 secs.

Tony our Pace Judging Champion. 

In the past we have had minutes of difference. We must be getting better.

For the free wheeling each rider in turn descends a hill without pedaling and tries to see how far up the next hill he or she can ride before coming to a halt.

Mark Heal won this. the theory for this win is that he was sporting a Union Flag. Judge for yourselves:

A determined and patriotic Mark Heal.

When all the excitemetn had died down we repaired to the Gliding Club Cafe at Lasham for a recuperative cup of tea. Here the final placings were announced with Mark Beaumont the overall winner.

Dan presenting Mark with his prize.

Here is the table of times and points.

My own participation evidenced by these pictures.:

Gridironman on the Pace Judging Course.

Urging Posh ever upward!

It was a great day of fun with some of my good riding mates.

The little loop  between Upton Grey and South Warnborough is the Pace Judging Circuit.

A big thank you to Dan and Janice for organizing the event and congratulations to all who took part, In the end it doesn't matter who won!!!!

(All action photos taken by Janice, reproduced here by her kind permission).

GRIDIRONMAN.