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.