Tea for Two, Coffee for some and a roast lunch for others!

Alresford Groupetta News.

The group have had a rather quiet week because of the rather wet weather we have had. However Andrew has once more been out more than the rest and has won both the awards for the week.

Thursday 12th November 2015. Ride to Wyevale garden Centre Sherfield on Loddon.

I had been lucky enough to be given a voucher by my good friend Ian for two free afternoon teas at a Wyevale Garden Centre. Research revealed that three participating centres were near enough to take advantage of the offer, going by bike. I plotted routes to two of them, dismissing the Fair Oak option as being too close!

As we had just been to Petersfield only last Sunday I also ruled out Rake and my preferred choice of Sherfield was endorsed by Andrew. So I plotted a revised route to avoid Basingstoke and the main roads. Here is my map & record of the ride. 

As you will be able to see from the profile our highest point was right near the beginning of the route at Medstead.  It is about 700 feet there.

The weather was rather mixed with one or two spots of sunshine but also some horrid drizzle for about two miles between Upton Grey and Greywell. Further north the roads were completely dry so it was obviously just a local phenomenon.

We were now onto very unfamiliar roads, though I have ridden most of them at least once before, but some a long time ago. 

When we eventually got to Sherfield just after 12 we had to ride along the busy A339 for a mile or so to the G.C. Not a nice experience with large trucks whizzing by. 

When I first presented the voucher for the two cream teas I was told it was not valid between 1 and 2 p.m.. However we persuaded the young lady serving that perhaps the manager would make an exception as we had ridden all the way from Alresford, about 26 miles, especially to partake. We were successful! The manager said YES!

Tea for Two.

Here are Cycmon and I enjoying our tea, photo by Andrew who had to buy his own scone which can be seen in the foreground!

We had two kinds of sandwich, a large fruit scone with cream and jam and a shared tray bake cake. I had a pot of tea and Simon a coffee.

(Andrew did also have a toasted sandwich!)

While we were eating a couple of Red Kites circled over us.

Our return journey was good too, we found  a lane to take us back into the village and managed to avoid the A339 apart from crossing it. We sped past The Vyne, we were so full we were not tempted to call there for another tea, and were soon in Sherborne St. John. Here we crossed another busy A road. 

We seemed to be in a much busier area now for traffic, no doubt that was partly due to the proximity to Basingstoke and the fact that it was around school closing time, lots of Chelsea Tractors in the lanes picking up the kids. 

Andrew led us along the Candover valley at a good pace, setting a PB, with Cycmon and I "wheel sucking" to keep up and to shelter from the southerly breeze which was quite strong.

I was getting a little tired now and climbed that last hill over Abbotstone Down rather more slowly than my two pals. However as I climbed that last little pitch to the church in Old Alresford I found Cycmon picking up his chain from the road. It had broken as he climbed the slope. Fortunately Andrew had a spare link and a chain tool and between them they were able to repair the chain and enable Cycmon to complete a 60 mile ride. (My miles are 2 shorter as they both had to also ride to and from my home|).

It had been a good ride despite the inclement weather, but because of the delay with the broken chain we did need our lights. My Garmin 200 had functioned perfectly throughout the day following my plotted course.

Thanks Cycmon and Andrew for your company.

Friday 13th November 2015. A short ride to Four Marks.

Pink Pal had suggested a ride but unfortunately she was unable to join us as she had too much else to do. Cycmon and I waited for the morning rain to clear before setting off in sunshine for an afternoon coffee and cake at The Tree House Coffee Shop in Four Marks. 
As you can see we only covered 20 miles, but we did have to work for our refreshments as our route was quite hilly and on the ridge top near Medstead there was a very strong wind of about 25 mph.

It seemed a lot colder than yesterday and I realized that I ought to have added another layer to keep out the chill. Fortunately it was only a short ride to the Tree House and the reward was well worth it!
No dramas and we were home well before dark, the main problem being the setting sun which was right in our line of sight as we dropped down from Medstead to Bighton.
Another good ride.

Sunday 15th Nov. 2015 Lunch at the Izaak Walton, East Meon.

Andrew had posted details of a suggested ride to Loomies to partake of their rather tempting offer of coffee and cake for £3.50. Cycmon and I were both tempted but in the end Simon was unable to join us.
As I set off down New Farm Road I was once more given a cheery wave by PinkPal as she drove by in her car, en route to a Rock Choir recording I believe.

Andrew led me on a merry dance across many of the local climbs. I recorded well over average rate of climbing for the day. Andrew himself set a new PB on the climb of New Road from Corhampton.

We were tempted to stop at the Bat & Ball but not wanting to climb that hill up to the ridge between there and East Meon after lunch I persuaded Andrew to continue to E. Meon. A very fortunately decision as when we arrived there and peered in the window of the Izaak Walton we spotted Stephen and Don of the Winchester CTC Sunday ride. We joined them and discovered that they were accompanied by Sue and Jane. We had a very enjoyable roast lunch at a fair price whilst chatting about CTC matters including some complimentary remarks about Cycmon & PinkPal and their improved riding speeds! After the roast Andrew shared a treeacle pudding with me. (I don't think I would have managed a full one and the ride home.)

The others left us to find their way back to Winchester whilst Andrew led me, through the increasing drizzle, a good roundabout way back to Alresford. 
It had been a good day out despite the weather. Thanks Andrew!

Another very good week for me in particular.

Gridironman.