Snow, Ice, Sunshine and Brisk Breezies.

Tuesday 3rd February.

Woke just after 7 a.m. to discover a white world outside. About 2" of snow had fallen in the night. Thought it was unlikely to clear in time for my scheduled ride with a group of friends. Within an hour or so it was snowing again and we had cancelled our ride.

A view of our home from our neighbour's house..

Soon after the phone rang and my daughter Sarah was asking if I fancied a walk in the snow. The answer YES! 

We set off about 10.30 in sunshine and had fun up Drove Lane spotting the various animal tracks. We identified deer, pheasant and rabbit tracks and saw others we could not identify.

In all we walked about 4 miles in two hours, mainly along tracks and paths and had a thoroughly enjoyable walk and a change from pedalling, but how my legs ached later on!

As always I can't resist a map!

Thursday . When I looked out first thing it was grey cold and uninviting and within an hour it was snowing again. I rang Simon and we agreed to cancel our planned ride to join the HCMF at Kings Somborne. 

Friday 6th February.

After a cold start the afternoon was beautifully sunny though a keen NE wind made it very cold. Not wanting to miss out on the chance of a ride I rang Simon but he was not at home, so I set off for a short keep fit ride on my own. I chose a convoluted route to Medstead riding up and down the lanes crisscrossing the ridge along which the railway line runs. I was riding into the wind so was not surprised when I eventually arrived by the church in Medstead to discover my average speed was only 9 m.p.h..

I still had an hour of sunlight so continued northwards to Bentworth and Burkham. In one place because of the wind I was struggling to get up a modest hill in bottom gear.

Fortunately the slopes and wind were now all in my favour as I zoomed homewards through the Candover valley, enabling me to post a decent overall average speed. 

I arrived home just as the sun dipped below the horizon at 5.05 p.m.

Map and Data for the Day.

Saturday 7th February 2015.

The planned Winchester CTC ride was coming through Alresford where they were stopping for coffee before continuing to East Meon for lunch. Joining them in Alresford we would have had a relativley short ride, so on my suggestion The Alresford Groupetta decided to start at 10 to ride to Petersfield for Coffee and then to join the CTC group at the Izaak Walton for lunch.

The plan worked well. Three of us set off via Ropley and up Smugglers Lane to West Tisted. (Chosen as it is the least steep of the three roads leading to the village).

We crossed the A32 near Privett and then just past the church we found the road blocked by a modest size fallen tree. We thought we might be able to move it but it was much to difficult so we left it for someone with a chain saw to deal with.

The highlight of the morning was the descent of Stoner Hill. Two miles of careful speeding tempered by some cautious braking on the steeper & rougher bits.

I lost sight of Simon who was in front at this stage as cars came past so was surprised to find him behind Paddy and I as I entered the market square. He had taken a different turn but then had spotted us going past and had followed our route.

It was very pleasant sitting inside warming up with a good coffee after the chilly ride. Not wanting to take the shortest route to East Meon as that would involve riding the A272 we opted to take a loop to the south near to Buriton and then take the Ramsdean Lane passing this interesting house converted from a grain store. Compare the picture with one I took in May last year.

Converted Grain Store. Feb 2015.

Converted Grain Store. May 2014.

We arrived at the pub in East Meon just before one o'clock, our target time. Outside there were about 15 bicycles so we were surprised once inside to discover only four riders from Winchester CTC. Chris, Alan G., Julie & Lydia. They had been there since 12.15 so had already had their lunch. After a good natter they left to wend their way back to Winchester. Soon afterwards our lunches arrived. We were pleased with the quality and the price and I definitely recommend using the pub again.

Eventually we completed our own ride home. Once more I led my two companions along one of my favourite routes, through West Meon and Warnford and up Wheeley Down past the artistic blacksmithy and a very fierce looking shark!

Once at the top of the down we had an easy ride for the last few miles past the Milbury's and through Beauworth, Cheriton and Tichborne.

I was pleased to be home in time to watch some exciting rugby in the "Six Nations".

Thanks Simon and Paddy for being very understanding of my bullying ways!

Paddy's comment on Face Book:
Dull weather very chilly north wind especially on the way back. Well looked after by Bryce Mansfield and Simon Turner. Nice coffee stop in Petersfield and good lunch at Isaac Walton pub in East Meon. Slow the two younsters down a bit but doing me good.

Gridironman.