Cycmon cracks the two ton barrier!

Once more it has on the whole been a good week for the my Groupetta pals.  Cycmon has ridden a record 260 miles in the week but has also had problems with punctures. PinkPal has been away for a training weekend in preparation for LEJOG and has become our latest Ton Up Kid with a mileage of 104 whilst Paddy having been out and about on a number of rides has completed 71. 

Cycmon demonstrates his puncture repair skills while Andrew looks on.

Meanwhile I have had other matters to attend to, but I did manage to get out Saturday 25th April for a short ride of 25 miles with Cycmon and Paddy. Paddy had planned a good route in advance knowing we had only about 2.5 hours available.

We headed south through Tichborne where I stopped to buy a cake from two little girls who were raising money for a local charity. It was delicious, still warm from the oven. By the time I caught up with my pals it had been scoffed.

Here is the map of our route from which you can see we meandered about rather than taking a direct route anywhere.

 From Kilmeston we looped back towards Hinton Ampner and at the bottom of the valley we hit a patch of mud and gravel at high speed. It was a real test of our bike handling skills. We all made it safely through. We trundled along Brockwood Bottom and turned up Riverdown Road, a bit of a drag but not too steep. 

Paddy twiddling his way to the top of Riverdown.

We rested Beacon Hill, the highest point of the day and descended towards Bishop's Waltham down the green leafy lane to join the Corhampton to Winchester Road. We met a wedding car resplendent with ribbons, I wondered where they were going.

A couple of nice little hills later we weaved our way through the little hamlet of Woodcote, before setting off towards home along Longwood Dean lane. In places there was a pungent scent of the wild garlic and bluebells are showing too, not quite the carpets of blue yet. Several other cyclists passed along this stretch, obviously a popular route with the clan. 

In Ovington we paused to admire the blossom by the church.

Ovington Church.

Only a short way now, I chose the route past the mill to check on its roses, not out yet of course but shooting well. I forgot I had no mudguards and rode fast enough through the Caroline's Ford to dampen my bottom!

Cycmon left us to return home via the other ford after we had wished him well for his adventure on Sunday.

Thanks to both Cycmon and Paddy for their support today the little outing had helped me recharge my batteries!

Gridironman.

UPPER CLATFORD CYCLE CHALLENGE IN AID OF NAOMI HOUSE.

It has been a great week for the other three members of the Alresford Groupetta but not quite so good for me as due to other commitments I was only able to do one special ride. The Naomi House Clatford Challenge organised by Simon Hall.

Here is the leader board for the week:

Cycmon once more topping the table but PinkPal pressed him close and would have done more miles if she had not been aiding a fellow entrant for the LEJOG ride in September.
I think she is worthy of the TUK award for the week too. Why not have joint holders of those over the ton?

The Naomi House Clatford Challenge Sunday 19th April 2015.

Three of us from the group had entered for the sponsored ride of 60 miles to raise funds for this worthy cause, but for various reasons we decided to make our own way there.

I was quite late arriving and by the time I'd got ready the briefing was well under way. As I joined the group I spotted my two Groupees and another Face Book friend who was riding with PinkPal. After a brief greeting and a photo of all the riders we got under way on the dot of 9.

Cycmon on left Gridironman 3rd left in blue Naomi House vest.

I kept up with the group through the village and up the first hill as we rode I was joined by Cycmon and we could still see the faster riders infront,but after 3 miles we encountered a very steep hill which defeated me and I had to walk about 100 metres. As the hill eased i tried to get back on but I kept doing miniature wheelies and frightened myself so I walked another 50 metres.

The run down to Houghton was fast and as we entered Kings Somborne I noticed we were averaging over 13 mph. 

Having left my water bottle in the car I popped into the village shop here to buy some water, I managed to find a bottle that perfectly fitted my bottle cage..

We had now turned into the NE breeze and for the next 20 miles or so we found it much harder going than we'd expected. In Kings Worthy we had our first short stop to top up our calories. I left Simon drinking coffee anticipating he would catch me on the hill. As I rode up the hill I was treated to the sight of a large group of riders from Alton descending the hill at speed. I recognized some including Frank and there were a number of shouts "Hi Bryce".

It was one of those moments when one enjoys the camaraderie of cycling.

At the top I was joined once more by Cycmon who reported he'd seen PinkPal and her friend.  

We were soon at the refreshment stop in Sutton Scotney enjoying the delicious cakes and flapjacks made by Simon Hall's family and other helpers. We  joined by other riders including PinkPal & friend.

Cycmon and Gridironman with helpers Pam, Elaine & Emily.

PinkPal and friend enjoying the refreshments.

Fully refreshed we continued on our merry way through Micheldever and past Micheldever Station. 

It was hard work here as the breeze seemed determined to slow us up. 

We made it to Hannington, just over the 40 mile mark about 1 o'clock and enjoyed a welcome rest on the edge of the green.

Hill & breeze conquered!

The green and grandad relaxing for a spell.

After a 15 min break we set off on the final leg. Luckily this was mainly downhill and we managed to increase our average from under 11 mph to over 12.2. There were of course a couple of testing hills. The first a very steep but thankfully short pitch in Cole Henley and the final one the winding climb from Wherwell. Simon left me here to sprint the last few miles to the finish. 

When I arrived there I found that PinkPal and friend were already there. How did they manage that? Mr Garmin had the answer. They'd dispensed with the climb to Hannington and cut about 10 miles of the route! Never mind they'd had a good test of their fitness and had help raise money for Naomi House.

The day was of course completed with welcome tea & cakes, essential to any good cycle ride.

Here is my Garmin record for the day.

Thanks Simon Hall and all your helpers for a great day riding with some great mates.

GRIDIRONMAN.

Winchester CTC Owslebury Circuit.

Simon keeps the Ton Up Kid Medal with a record 176 miles this week. Here he is basking in the sunshine near Avington House with me in close support.

TUK Cycmon and Gridironman returning from the Winchester CTC ride to Owslebury

What a turn around this week with me propping up the table. Excellent contributions from my three companions! I can only plead extenuating circumstances for my lack of miles on what has been a lovely sunny week for cycling.

Here are the details of my only ride of the week on Saturday 11th April 2015.

Simon and I had to abandon our plans for an all day ride, so we decided to join the Winchester CTC led by John S. for a easy (?) ride to Owslebury and back via a tea stop at Shawford.

I left home at 12.45 p.m. and waited for Simon at the end of the Avenue. Unfortunately Simon was delayed helping his son with a gear problem and I feared I had given him the wrong start time. Just as I was about to phone him he appeared and we hightailed it to Winchester. I led all the way and I was pleased that we made it in just over 30 mins, I think that is a record for me. I have now created a new segment on Strava so I can check in the future.

A large group of us (20 in all) left the RV just after 1.30, rather hurriedly just in case anyone else turned up! With such a large group negotiating the park with pedestrians and dogs and other cyclists about it was a major challenge to our slow cycling skills. I haven't mastered the "track stand" yet but I must be getting close to being able to doing it.

I took a few pictures of the group at the start of the dedicated cycle/footpath way to the Hockley Junction.

Please note that if you click on a picture you can see it full size and then you can quickly see the others. please feel free to download any that interest you.

Our route took us through Twyford and then we climbed a couple of nice little hills to get to Owslebury. Everyone took on the steep hill of 14% up to the village and then down the other 14% hill back to Hensting Lane.

We meandered our way through Colden Common and thanks to "clever clogs Gridironman" we put in a little extra distance by taking Brickmakers Road, a cul-de-sac instead of  Tees Farm Road, sorry John!

Soon rectified.

Refreshments were taken at Sacher & Strudel near the railway bridge in Shawford. At least one of our group took the opportunity for an alternative refreshment across the road in the Bridge Inn.

We enjoyed lots of chat here as well as en route before setting off in our various ways home. By the time Simon and I arrived in the centre of Winchester, having ridden over the viaduct and back along the cycle path with a few others, we were on our own apart from Helen. We said farewell to her before taking the picturesque route home through the villages of Easton, Avington & Ovington.

Once again i must thank John for leading our ride and Simon for keeping me company on the rides to and from the RV.

GRIDIRONMAN.

Simon's Sussex Sixty and the Groupetta meet the Winchester CTC.

The Alresford Groupetta had planned a ride for Tuesday but when it was blowing a gale we decided at PP's suggestion to postpone the ride to Wednesday 1st April. This turned out to be an excellent decision.

Simon had planned a challenging 52 miles to Emsworth and back. He had loaded the route on his Garmin but unfortunately he still has not mastered how to follow a route on this device. This resulted in a number of deviations from the plan and by the time we got home we had covered about 63 miles.

We first overshot the turn from Woodlands to Brockwood so we ended up at the West Meon Hut Junction and took the A32 to the village. As we descended the hill we were buffeted by the very strong westerly wind, it was quite scary, but I did clock my highest speed of the day here at about 34 mph. 

Next we had to climb Old Winchester Hill. That first 200 yards is steep and even with my granny gear in action I struggled and had to pause to regain my composure at the top of it. Sarah stopped to take off a layer and Simon disappeared up the hill.

We were soon reunited at the top and made a very fast transit of the ridge with that wind now in our favour. As usual the hill down to Clanfield was descended at high speed recording another 32+ mph.

We headed south down the valley, always a fast run, but PinkPal and Cycmon both went even faster than me, so when they missed the turn to Horndean I was not near enough to tell them. 

We ended up in Cowplain and for the next few miles we improvised, following the old A3 into Waterlooville. Here we made a mistake in trying to avoid Havant Town centre when we looped round through Crookham to Bedhampton. Fortunately PP and Cycmon were able to sort out a route using maps on their phone and Garmin devices. In Bedhampton  with the advice of a passing cyclist we took a shortcut over the railway by footbridge.  Soon after that we were into Emsworth. We found our way down to the water front, declined a paddle in the briny and settled for a light lunch at Flintstones Tearoom. We sat outside in the sun for a few minutes but quickly moved inside when it clouded over.

PinkPal searches for the sun! We soon moved inside.

Our view of the water front.

As we were leaving the Tearoom I got into conversation with an elderly lady at the next table. I turned out she is Stella Rutter, an author who has published several books about her experiences in WW2. She is over 90 but looked much younger and appeared to be very fit. She worked as a designer at Supermarine and was hostess at a final party of senior commanders on the eve of D-Day. A fascinating lady. I would have liked to have had more time to chat.

Our route home was another interesting one taking us into Sussex through the village of Westbourne. We followed the valley northwards through West Marden  and Compton where we paused for refreshment. Soon we were climbing the ramp past Uppark, Cycmon commented on a previous time we'd ridden this with Paddy a few years ago on The Phil Hampton Memorial Ride.

We chatted with some other riders who came from the Hindhead/Godalming area.

Descending the very steep hill into South Harting I hurt my right hand when I hit a rough patch of road while braking. I shook it and tried not to use it too much for the next few miles and it soon was much better though it still is sore today.

We had turned into the head wind now and PP did sterling work heading the Groupetta and making good time despite the wind.

On reaching Petersfield we decided to try and stick with the quieter roads home along Ramsdean lane and through E. and W. Meon.

I was trailing badly by now with my little old legs telling me they'd had enough but PP and Cycmon were very kind waiting for me at the top of each hill. The last few miles were a repeat of our outward journey across Bramdean Common and through Bishop's Sutton. However When my two companions turned to go over Whitehill I decided not to join them but to go straight home.

Here is my record of the day. Cycmon and PinkPal's routes are almost the same but their moving speeds are of course a little higher.

A good day for all of us, we shared the work, Cycmon leading for a lot of the time and with PinkPal taking turns leading up the hills and into the wind. I did my bit too leading downhills and with the wind on the flats!

Thanks to both of them for their company and support during ride.

 (Pictures by Cycmon).

Saturday 4th April 2015. Alresford Groupetta join the Winchester CTC for lunch at the Royal Oak, Goodworth Clatford.

My two companions from the Groupetta have already published their reports of the ride. For those who have not seen them here are some extracts:
   
Simon Turner
4 April 

I'm not going to feel guilty about eating that chocolate Easter Egg having ridden 138 miles this week and according to 'Mr Garmin' burnt about 9000 calories.

Today I Bryce Mansfield and Paddy Roadnight joined the CTC ride; meeting the group at Popham Airfield, 52 miles on the 1937 Sunbeam. I'm pleased to say no hill defeated me and the average speed was 11.9 mph. I did join a group from a cycling club out training for a 300 kilometer ride tomorrow - I think I rather embarrassed them keeping up with them on their carbon lightweights and me on the Sunbeam almost 80 years old - not to mention those Oil Lamps!


Paddy Roadnight.

50 Miles - CTC Easy Ride
EASY 50 RIDE ?

Today I joined with  my Mentors Bryce and Simon to meet up with the Winchester CTC Easy ride at Popham. Simon was on his 1930's Sunbeam with attached Paraffin Lamps. Bryce was giving his 'Posh Bike'  a ride out. We left at 9:45 and took just over the hour with just over 1400 ft of Climbing.  It was chilly throughout. When asked if I rode through the winter I said yes and I was still wearing my Winter Kit.

As the group had arrived before us we decided to not go for coffee but settle for a drink from our bottles so we could move of quickly.

Harvard Trainer Popham

I noticed a particular aircraft and due to my youth of making Airfix Kits and  to every bodies amazement was able to Identify it as a Harvard Tandem Trainer. Feeling of personal pride was good.

We then recapped our route to head towards Whitchurch and then headed down to the Test Valley after passing through Tufton we enjoyed the river valley especially the section south of Longparish. Then quickly down to Wherwell and along the valley to Goodworth Clatford.

Sticking with the low intensity emphasis I was often last up the hills holding a conversation with Tail Gunner (looked after me all day) Tim. Holding a conversation is a good way of judging the level of effort.  


With two such good reports there is little to add except to say thanks to Chris for a good choice of route and pub. They looked after us well at the Royal Oak and the food was tasty. 

Simon has now won the TUK Medal for the week and ended my run of holding it. Here are the Groupetta Mileages for the week reflecting our increased activity with the longer days and warmer (?) weather. Well done Simon!  Due to other commitments PinkPal  was only able to manage one ride so she did well too.

The only downside of the week was my having a minor mishap which severely  damaged my camera. So none of the pictures are mine but have been contributed by Simon and Paddy. Thanks guys for that and your company and also to PinkPal for her contribution to the Groupetta's week's fun.

Gridironman.