The Groupetta defy the wet weather!

Alresford Groupetta News.

Despite the rather poor weather this week the members of the Groupetta have managed to complete some good rides. Simon retains the TUK Medal as no one has ridden over 100 miles. Andrew has completed 6 rides and is the first winner of the new KOM Badge. 

PinkPal "played away" on Sunday riding with the faster CTC riders whilst three of us enjoyed a damp ride to Petersfield.

Tuesday 3rd Nov. 2015 Circuit to Tree House Coffee Shop.

I joined 4 other riders at Stoke Charity for a gentle morning ride. For a change we decided to head east  towards Alton. There was a lot of mud, gravel and leaves on the roads in places but we all managed to survive without mishap or punctures despite passing two large tractors cutting the hedges and showering the roads with cut twigs. Here is our route as recorded by me:

 The outline looks a bit like the map of Australia!

When we got to the Candover Valley we agreed to head for the Tree House Coffee Shop in the Garthowen Garden Centre. None of the others had been there before and they were pleasantly surprised with the quality of the coffee and cakes. 

Afterwards we turned back towards Ropley, one rider leaving us in Lymington Bottom to head home in Basingstoke and when we reached Alresford I deserted the other three leaving them to retrace my morning outward route to Stoke Charity.

Sunday 8th Nov. 2015. Rembrance Day Circuit to Petersfield.

Having decided that the weather was too bad to cycle on Saturday a Groupetta Ride was planned for Sunday. Due to domestic circumstances we were quite late in setting off just before 10.30.

I had chosen to ride Sporty, a sensible decision as the roads were very wet, muddy in places and scattered with leaves too. Cycmon was riding his faithful Hetchins and Andrew his touring machine both fitted with mudguards too.

Our route was one we had done before and it proved to be very popular with other cyclists. We saw a lot of solo riders and other small groups and a group of about 25 from Haslemere, all riding road bikes with no mudguards passed us between East Meon and Buriton. They looked pretty mucky and much to Simon's disgust splashed him too!

Simon was lucky not to fall as he skidded on the cobbles in the centre of Petersfield as we turned off the main road. 

The Cloisters Cafe.
(Picture taken exactly a year ago!)

At the Cloisters we indulged in a light lunch which we declared was of better quality than that served at the Black Horse last week.

Our way home was a little shorter, but hillier, via Stoner Hill and the villages of High Cross and East Tisted. We were in the clouds now and surrounded by mizzle so we had our lights on and we were getting quite damp. 

Of course when the lads took to White Hill for the shortest way home I went with them so I would be equal on mileage.

Another good ride despite the poor conditions, however at least it was mild.

 Thanks guys for your company.

The countryside was very quiet, few birds about, probably all walking, as were most of the pheasants we saw. The only animals were a couple of horses being ridden and another in a field also few fields of sheep. 

Gridironman