Final Rides of 2015.

Monday 28th December 2015. Dog Minding.

Just a chance to get out on Posh as the roads were dry. Not the most exciting ride I have done this year.

Tuesday 29th December 2015. Circuit via Southwick

A much better day for cycling as I had no other commitments. I decided to head south to Bishops Waltham and then chose where to go next. As I climbed the hill to The Milbury's it started to rain so I sheltered in the pub's porch until the shower had gone by. However, as soon as I started off  again, so did the rain, but it was very light so I did not even bother to put on my rain jacket. In BW I popped into Stainers Tea Shop for a coffee and a Bath bun. Delicious and very good value at £2.80. 

I next headed for Wickham thinking I might lunch there. However when I got there it was too early so I continued to the east through North Boarhunt. Here a mobile police camera unit was doing its job. I was doing about 20 m.p.h as I sped past, so "no worries"!

I don't think they would have got my number anyway.

Southwick Church

Royal Navy Cottages.

I had a look around Southwick which has changed since I last visited it some years ago when HMS Dryad was located there. Its place has now been taken by the Defence College of Policing and Guarding and the Regimental HQ of the Royal Military Police. 

I still was not ready for lunch and decided to ride on to Denmead and find some there. This area is heavily wooded, I believe it was originally all part of the Forest of Bere.

In Denmead I spotted a Fish & Chip shop so I popped in there and had a very good portion of cod and chips. In fact it was just a little too much and I had to leave a few of the chips. I chatted with a couple of off road motor bikers who had also stopped for a bite.

From Denmead it is steady climb all the way past the Bat & Ball to the top of the down overlooking East Meon. My two motor cyclist friends passed me on one of the steeper bits, they gave me a cheery wave but didn't offer me a tow.

I sped down to E. Meon easily clocking up my fastest speed of recent times without turning a pedal, maybe I should have tried to get a lifetime best? It was great fun anyway. 

I do not really like the climb out of West Meon to Brockwood and I chose instead to toil up Wheely Down from Warnford. Why?

Maybe to enjoy the views from the ridge towards Hinton Ampner, and then another fast descent (the back way) into Kilmeston, a tad slower than my earlier one.

I had seen quite a few other cyclists out and about but as I rode the last three miles from the Ropley roundabout I caught up with another guy riding a Specialized Secteur identical to Posh. He turned up Bridge Road too, so as soon as I was home I checked my garage to make sure Posh was still there! (Sporty was pleased he had chased and caught a "Posh" bike.)

I had planned to get home before dark, arriving there at 16.05 the official time for sunset in Alresford. What good timing.

Thu. 31st December 2015. The last few miles.

I set off to ride 8 miles to leave just 3 more to reach my target of 4.500 miles for the year. However it was such a nice morning that I just couldn't refrain from keeping going as I headed towards Preston Candover. For about half a mile I was accompanied by a soaring red kite. Eventually it decided that I was not easy meat and veered away towards Chilton Candover. As it twisted and turned in the sunshine the beautiful colours were revealed. I think perhaps I should get a helmet camera to record such events.

In Upper Wield the roads were in an atrocious state, though compared to what is going on in the North of the country we should be thankful that our troubles are very small beer.

As I reached the green in the centre of the village i stopped to celebrate clocking up the magic 4,500 miles. 



Just see how lovely the sunshine was.

My trusty Sporty takes a breather.
He has covered 2,205 of the miles in the year.

I continued on to Four Marks were I wanted to pop in to see Owen in his bike shop to wish him a Happy New Year. He was busy with some other customers but I did manage to exchange a few words with him. He has now fully recovered from his accident and is now racing again, but still short on fitness.

Soon afterwards my CTC training prevailed and  I was in the Tree House Coffee Shop enjoying mince pies and a coffee. 

A few more miles and I was home to celebrate with a gin and tonic while I cooked my lunch.  Well no one drank any last night so I thought I'd better check it was OK.

A very happy Bunny!

The Final map for the year.

At six oclock I joined Andrew to ride in "Triumph" to The Flower Pots in Cheriton. We topped up our miles to confirm we had completed our challenges and we celebrated with a couple of pints. It was exhilarating riding there in the dark. Both of us seeming to have decent lights; though I was not as confident as Andrew who rode over the footbridge by the ford. I walked.

A fitting end to a great record breaking year. I think Jean would have approved.

Our Final totals 4,520 miles and Andrew's 5,006. Other Alresford Groupetta Mileages to follow!

Looking forward to my new challenges in 2016. More details here:

https://www.justgiving.com/account/your-pages/Bryce-Mansfield4

My very best wishes to you all for 2016.

Gridironman.

Christmas Holiday Rides

Wednesday 23rd December 2015. Coffee with Mollie - Lunch at The Half Moon & Spreadeagle.

It was time to catch up with one of my many cycling friends who I hadn't seen for a while, Mollie. Unfortunately she has not been able to ride recently because of fitness issues following a cycling accident.  It was such a nice day that I had no hesitation in deciding to ride to see her. I was made very welcome and we had a good old natter over coffee.

When it was time to leave I decided to find a longer way home than the oft travelled B3047. I had no clear plan but ambled in the general direction of Micheldever. Here I popped into the pub to see if my CTC ride on Saturday would be welcome here. I was assured that we would be, but that they would not be serving food. 

While I was there I decided to have a light lunch, a baked potato with a coronation chicken filling and a glass of beer.

The weather was very mild and there was some sunshine so I enjoyed an easy meander homewards. However I did not extend my ride any further as I had a phone call from a friend warning me that my email contacts had been phished. When I got home I was able to sort out the problem very efficiently with my ISP. Anyone who was concerned that I was stranded in Cyprus without money can now relax as I have not been there for many years!

I was lucky enough to have a red kite to swoop right over me on the way, the colours in the sunshine were brilliant.

Boxing Day 26th December 2015, a special Saturday CTC ride.

To allow riders to recover from their Christmas Day excesses our planned ride did not start until 11 a.m. This also gave folk living outside Winchester plenty of time to ride to the start.

When I arrived with five minutes to spare I found Simon had beaten me to it from Alresford and also present were Karen & Bill and Jo. Fortunately I allowed a few minutes grace and Ken joined us a few minutes after 11.  After some discussion it was agreed that out of my three options The Flower Pots at Cheriton would be the best destination. It was very windy and there was a lot of debris on the roads, especially where hedge trimming had been taking place, so we needed to take care

Simon left us near Tichborne as he had family commitments, leaving five of us to enjoy a festive drink in the Pots.

Afterwards to accompany Karen & Bill for part of their way home we rode south through Beauworth. Unfortunately an impatient driver here tried to squeeze past Jo and hit her with his door mirror. He did stop. Luckily there was no serious damage or injury, but it could have been much worse.

At the top of Longwood Dean we parted company with Karen & Bill and enjoyed the long descent of Gander Down. I opted to ride to Itchen Abbas before abandoning them to find their own way back to Kingsworthy and Winchester. 

My Picnic Spot.

I decided that rather than go home to an empty house i would prolong my day out on the bike. I had some light refreshments in my rack bag and stopped to enjoy a light picnic in the shelter of a large evergreen hedge near Itchen Down Farm.

Once over the ridge and into the Candover Valley I decided to do a little exploring. As one enters Brown Candover there is a little lane on the left. Here are a couple of pictures:

I rode down it and discovered a short lane of about 400 yards with a number of houses also some intriguing flood plain area of the Candover Brook with a number of water channels and reed beds. The road turns into a track which probably could be ridden on suitable mountain bikes.

I completed my outing via Lower Wield, Medstead and Ropley and was home just after four having enjoyed a really good ride of two parts.

I am now only 74 miles short of my revised,  several times,  target of 4,500 miles in the year. Only a couple of days still available! Will I do it?

Gridironman.

Winchester CTC Dinner & Simon's rides to Lasham G.C.

Wednesday 16th December 2015. Winchester CTC Curry Evening at the Ghurka Museum.

Steve explains a technical point .

It was a damp drizzly evening for our annual dinner but at least three of the members managed to ride to the Museum. The majority did however choose to travel in comfort. Before the meal started we were able to mingle and chat and admire the Regimental Silverware and the many sets of medals on display.

Ian has heard it all before!

The meal was very good, lots of different curries and other dishes to choose from. Most of us chose to sample them all and some even went back for seconds!

Time seemed to pass very quickly and all too soon it was 10 o'clock and time to head for home. I was able to give Big Dave a lift to save his wife having to fetch him.

Thanks to John for setting up a special dinner in a special place.

Thursday 17th December 2015. Simon's Test Ride.

I joined Simon to test his possible route for Saturday's Intermediate ride. The weather was fine but dull and very mild. A touch of sunshine once or twice, but then after 2 p.m. it started to rain, fortunately very lightly.

This is my record of our route with my data. The actual course for Saturday is slightly less at about 50 miles.

You will be able to see we rode from Alresford to Itchen Abbass and where the black spot is on the map we picked up the planned route from Winchester and turned up Itchen Down to Northington.

There were lots of rooks and Jackdaws about and I noted that as I pounded up the hill they were going in the same direction at more than twice my speed, but then they stopped for a rest in the trees beside the road to jeer as I rode past them.

We successfully followed Simon's planned route to Lasham going an unusual way through Burkham, along Spain Lane and onto the A339. We rode this for a short distance before turning up a steep little pitch past a farm and into Lasham Village. We were soon at the Avenue G.C. where we had a lucky meeting with Joyce, Dick, Gill and Heather from the Alton CTC. We enjoyed the craic so much that we were there for over an hour. Simon and I shared one of the huge Belgian Buns they had on offer before we decided it was time to be on our way.

Back through Bentworth and Medstead and Bighton where I spotted a B.O.P. I am pretty sure it was a falcon, possibly a Merlin. In Alresford I was tempted to stop, but as we wanted to check all of the route we continued over the downs past the Milbury's towards Bishops Waltham. We turned westwards through Woodcote to Owslebury. The rain was getting a little heavier now so Simon donned his waterproof trousers while I stoked up on a cereal bar.
Two more hills to climb now, the first over Jackman's Hill to Morestead, then the busy Morestead to Winchester road. this was not nice with lots of cars whizzing by and two very large trucks passing us far too closely. This section will probably be removed from Saturday's ride.
AS we entered the city it was already beginning to get dark (15.45). We had had our lights on since about 14.00. As we sped along the B3047 my headlamp lit up Simon's reflective strips on his jacket beautifully.  
By 16.30 I was in the bath enjoying a long soak with a refreshing drink prior to getting a decent meal for my supper. I forgot to turn on the washing machine to wash my riding clothes so they have been done this morning (Friday 18th) ready for the repeat tomorrow!

Saturday 19th December 2015 - The Main Event

Set off from home at 8.45 a.m. for Winchester expecting Simon and Andrew to catch up with me. They duly did passing me in Martyr Worthy. At the RV another 6 riders joined us. Steve, Joanne, Julie, Paul, John & on time Simon too!
We split into two groups to minimise the impact on traffic and were soon climbing Itchen Down towards Northington. No rooks here today but about 100 geese enjoying the winter barley. A little later we heard them honking in flight. Maybe the farmer had chased them off?

Shepherd waiting to use the phone?

We zoomed down into the Candover valley where I was dropped by the group when I stopped to take a photo. When I got going again I found John and Andrew had dawdled to pace me back up to the group. Thanks guys.

A Belgian Bun.
Note how it fills the plate!

At the G.C. we found two more riders, Caroline and Ian who had come from Whitchurch to be with us for an early lunch. Service was very good and we were soon tucking in to a variety of meals. I had an English breakfast. Delicious! One of the group even managed a cooked meal and a large part of one of the G.C.'s Belgian buns, but he had to get help with finishing it off.

Our route back to Alresford was the same as on Thursday. Ian and Caroline left us near Lower Wield and four riders opted not to enjoy Simon's offer of home made cake and tea or coffee at his home. They missed out on a treat. The lemon meringue pie was especially delicious.
Andrew elected not to join us for the ride back to Winchester, leaving four of us to take the country route to Easton. Here Simon D. decided to take the Winnall route into the City and Steve went home via Kings Worthy, leaving Simon T. and me to trundle home along the B3047.

It had been another very successful outing enjoyed by all despite its innovative eating arrangements. Thanks Simon!

Here is my record of my route for the day. Only a few miles shorter than our test ride of Thursday.

My total mileage for the year is now 4,340 only 26 miles short of my record for the period since I came back to cycling just over 8 years ago. With a few more possible cycling days this year I am hoping I might reach 4,500. 

As this is my last blog before Christmas I would like to wish you all a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS.

Gridironman.

Two Rides with The Alresford Groupetta Pals.

I have had a busy week. 

My good friend Eric visited me for a couple of days which meant I was unable to attend one of the Christmas Time Lunches with some of my other cycling friends.

However he left on Wednesday 9th December just before lunch so I was able to make the most of a sunny spell in the weather to get out on my bike. I was joined by Andrew who just had time for an hour so before helping Santa with his staged arrival in Alresford.

We had a good ride round some of the local lanes, taking advantage of the westerly breeze to head east from The Milbury's along the ridge. The sun was illuminating the winter landscape and Hinton Ampner House was clearly visible some distance away.

Hinton Ampner House from the Ridge near The Milbury's.

We achieved our top speed of the day hurtling down Riversdown past the Chicken Farm. At the bottom we turned for home but Andrew did throw in a wobbly when instead of passing by Hinton Ampner House he turned back up to Kilmeston along a very muddy road. 

All too soon Andrew needed to get home and he left me  just before I turned off to Tichborne to continue on along the Cheriton Road past the Golf Club. 

A good short ride to take advantage of a break in the dreary wet weather.

Friday 11th December 2015.

Simon wanted some company in planning his easy afternoon ride with The Winchester CTC on Saturday, so Andrew and I joined him. We set off into Winchester along the B3047  at 9 a.m. 
At first it must have been my lucky day for not only did I see Bill Ragan on his way to golf but also first Sara and Debs in Itchen Abbass riding towards Alresford but also Ken, Julie and Paul leaving Winchester on their bikes. Also spotted in a bus shelter another friend Melissa! (See the other kind of luck later!)
At the Hotel Simon started recording his route to check and amend a route he had prepared earlier on Garmin. We took a familiar route out of the city using a couple of short lengths of footpath to avoid some of the traffic. At Sparsholt the first amendment was agreed, to go to Kings Somborne via Crab Wood and Farley Mount rather than to use the muddy track to Up Somborne. As we approached Ashley we spotted four deer in a field to our right. They were moving towards the road and Simon shouted a warning to be careful in case they crossed in our path. They duly did, we were only about 20 yards away from them as they set off at top speed across the next field. A lovely sight! At this time of the year they have very dark coats. Sadly no picture.
We were not far from coffee as we sped through Kings Somborne, or so we thought, but when we got to Houghton lodge we found the tea shop was closed until March as there is insufficient trade in the winter. Unfortunately riding down the rough track to the complex I must have picked up a flint for within half a mile I had a flat tyre. Removing the flint and changing the tube took us about 20 mins. Thank Simon for you very able help. I did manage to get the wheel off the bike and the damaged tube out before Andrew had caught up with him and brought him back to help.


Just a little further on we saw this road casualty lying on the verge. A sad sight. A beautiful Stoat.

We stopped in Stockbridge at Lillie Langtrey's tea shop for a C&C before climbing the hill out of the town. Quite a long hill but not too steep, however Simon had got too far ahead for me to stop him continuing along the B road instead of diverting through Little Somborne as had been planned. However that worked out well as it meant we got home a little earlier and well before my critical time of 2 p.m.
Thanks Simon and Andrew for the company and for your help in dealing with my puncture.
Here is my route and details for the day.

I had a very pleasant afternoon after I'd showered and changed going to Winchester for a couple of beers with friends and then to join a Ceilidh in the "Disco Centre".  It must be many years since I last did any kind of folk dancing. it was great fun with two good callers who led us through the steps before each dance. I'm afraid I managed to take a tumble after getting giddy from some fast spinning and hurt both my knee and my pride. I sat and enjoyed the rest of the evening as a spectator.
I stayed overnight with my good friends Caroline and Ian in company with two of their other friends. Caroline treated us to a cooked breakfast this morning before I managed to drag myself home. Thanks Caroline and Ian for you kindness.

Having been with Simon on his reconnaissance I did not ride with him on his CTC ride today. I hope he had a good one despite the somewhat indifferent weather and strong breeze.

Gridironman.

Ton up once more!

We continue to manage to largely dodge the rain, this week we didn't even need to change our regular cycling days.

Tuesday 1st December 

I was joined by Cycmon and we rode to Crawley pond to join seven other cyclists. 

After some discussion it was decided we would head for Gilbert's Garden Centre for C&C. The day was dull but at least it was dry and quite mild. The roads were pretty mucky in places where cars squeezing past one another splash the mud from the sides into the road. Once again I was pleased I had chosen my "winter bike" Sporty for the ride.

Unfortunately Cycmon was having problems with tyre slipping off the rim and had to ride with reduced pressure. maybe this was the reason he also had a puncture near Mottisfont.

As I did not see anything worth photographing on the ride here is a picture of the area outside the Cafe taken in the summer.

There was a good selection of cakes and drinks and we found it was difficult to tear ourselves away and set off on our return journeys home.

The first few miles we rode together, except for one rider who had to return to the G.C. because he had left his specs behind. (Glad I am not the only one to do that!)

Once back over the ridge we split into smaller groups with some going back to Crawley Pond whilst Cycmon, I and two others headed for Chandlers Ford. 

Once past the Hillier's Arboretum & the Potter's Heron Cycmon and I were on our own once more. Cycmon was having more problems because riding a fixed wheel meant he had no rest from pedalling. To add to his problems I took him the hilly way back to Alresford up that 14% hill in Owslebury and then down the fast descent of the A272 to Cheriton. Didn't his little legs whizz!

We were home well before dark having ridden over 56 miles.

Thursday 3 December 2015. HCMF Meet at The Tally Ho, Broughton.

I had planned a circular route to join the HCMF for one of their Thursday meets. I was joined by Cycmon and Andrew from the Alresford Groupetta, so does this count as a Groupetta Ride or a HCMF ride in my statistics? I guess I'll call 50/50!

The day was another dull one, but it did remain dry. We made good progress, reversing the route we had often used to come home from the Wherwell area, through Stoke Charity and Barton Stacey. As you reach the top of the hill out of Barton Stacey there is a lovely distant view to the west especially of Danebury Iron Age Hill Fort. We made such good time that I suggested we should call at the Waitrose Farm Shop for a coffee.

Waitrose Farm Shop.

We managed to lose Andrew briefly at Fullerton when he stopped to replace his dropped chain and lost sight of us. He thought we had gone up the hill towards Red Rice but realized his mistake when he didn't catch me on the hill!

I made do with just a coffee as lunch would not be less than an hour away, but my two pals indulged in cakes too! 

We eventually arrived at the pub just after one, having braved the A30 for a mile or so.  We joined a modest group of HCMF members enjoying their day. 

For lunch I opted for a Chicken & Chorizo special. It was delicious. Meanwhile Andrew had a good size sandwich and Cycmon a rather small tart, well he had indulged more at the coffee stop!

Crawley Pond in its Summer Livery!

By two o'clock most of our friends had left and I chivied my pals to get going again so we could get home before dark. We took a more direct way home managing to include Crawley Pond en route too.

It was nice that the strong breeze was behind us on that leg. With our lights twinkling we arrived back in Alresford  just after 4 p.m. The other pair had just done 50 miles while I was just short of that mark.

I decided not to join the Winchester CTC on Saturday as I felt it was far too windy. A decision I was glad about as I felt my car being badly affected by the wind as I drove into Winchester later in the morning.

The good news is that because I didn't cycle I was able to support Rock Choir  as they sang in the City Centre in aid of Naomi House. I loved the way they, being dressed in black, were in a penguin like huddle against the wind. The ones in the centre must have been quite warm. They were great singing among other songs "Something Inside So Strong!" 
I heard the Fusion choir sing that song last night at the "Disco" Centre" a different interpretation but both moving!

For those of you who don't know, I have a very good friend in each of those choirs.

Clearly the elevation data is unreliable as Cycmon and Gridironman rode almost the same routes.

Gridironman.