Last four rides of 2016.

Thursday 22nd December 2016.

This was another HCMF meet, but as it was near home I had to find a longer route to get there. Last chance to exchange Christmas greetings and presents. (Where are mine?). There was a nice chatty group there and the time seemed to slip past very quickly. After a snack and a pint I rode the last half mile home to finish wrapping my presents for my family.

Boxing Day 26th December 

& Tuesday 27th December.

Had a most enjoyable day yesterday. Joined a friend to explore the Air Force Memorial and Magna Carta sites at Runnymede. Both well worth a visit. We had a good meal at a nearby Harvester pub before I drove home. Spent the  evening watching "Les Miserables", the musical. As a result I was late waking this morning and did not get out on my bike until well after ten. Probably a good thing as there were still a few icy patches on the roads though most were absolutely fine. I passed a group of Alton CC riders including my friend Frank they all gave me a friendly greeting. However I struggled a bit at first, all those Christmas extra pounds slowing me up? As I climbed the hill through woods near Ellisfield it was about 5 degrees colder than it had been in the sunshine. Brrr! 

Near the top of the hill just before Herriard I found this car "parked" in the hedge:

Neat Parking!

Entrance to the car park!
Note the gash on the tree.

At first I was concerned that there might still be someone in the car, so I checked.  There was no sign of anyone but the air bag had been deployed. I hope the driver and any passengers survived. They were lucky not to have hit the tree full on.

I continued to The Golden Glider where I paused for a delicious piece of chocolate cake and a latte. This perked me up no end so I continued past the Golden Pot and the Golf Club down into Alton.

The town was quieter than I had ever seen it before. There actually seemed to be more folk about in Chawton.

As traffic was quite light I carried on along the A32 passing the Alton CC group once again in Farringdon. It looked smaller than before so I guess some riders had already peeled off along the way home. Checking Strava Flybys I discovered that Frank and co had been climbing the hill to Abbotstone Common as I left home.

I found a new route to West Tisted  and down to Woodlands. I heard an engine in the field between me and the A32 and was surprised to see an aircraft taxing. It turned round and then took off.

Taxiing.

Starting the take off run.

The rest of my ride was relatively quick which no doubt helped me to raise my average moving speed to 12.2 mph. I was home about ten to three and by quarter past I had showered and changed into some warm clothing. Had my lunch about 4.30 p.m.

Thursday 29th December 2016.

Very cold and frosty view greeted me when I looked out. The road in front of my home was as white as snow. The path was very slippery too so decided not to join the HCMF meet at North Waltham. However, by mid day the sun had melted the ice and the air had warmed enough to melt a lot of the shady areas so i decided to have an early lunch and got Posh out just after one to clock up a few miles and use up some more of those surplus calories.

As you can see I headed south through Cheriton and climbed the hill past Rookswood farm to the top of Beacon Hill. Lots of walkers cars parked here and I passed a couple of cyclists, also a lady running, later I was to see her route on Strava Flybys and I sent her a message.  I found the roads to be perfectly clear on the south facing slopes so made good time to Swanmore. I resisted the temptation to stop for a coffee and rode through B.W. without stopping as I knew it would be getting colder later in the afternoon with the possibility of some more frost. (Many years ago during similar weather I came off my motorbike, depositing my pillion passenger, my Mum, in the road. There was a patch of ice in the shade of a building where the temperature had dropped suddenly. The rest of the road was perfectly clear. Fortunately neither Mum or I were hurt badly. We were right outside Northleach Hospital, so I took Mum in for a check and we phoned home to get my brother to fetch us in his car).

My caution was justified as a puddle near Cheriton Mill had frozen on the road and there was still frost in the lane to Tichborne. Some kids were having fun jumping in the puddles to break the ice.

A good ride and I was home well before the sun had set.

Saturday 31st December 2016 

Winchester CTC Intermediate Ride.

For my last ride of the year I decided to join Steve's ride to the Crown, Kings Somborne for lunch via a coffee stop at the Army Flying Museum. The weather was very misty to start, but suitably equipped with lights I set off to meet the others in Winchester. Steve's plan to cover the largest part of the journey before lunch worked well and I was home just about lighting time having clocked up 54 miles. Sadly, although it was a great ride, I managed to pick up a flint which meant a tube change was needed. I was lucky that Steven was with me and quickly took over the job and replaced the tube, being a little handicapped by the wet tyre which made getting the tyre back on more difficult. We were only five minutes behind the others when we arrived at the coffee stop at around noon.

The sun had come out by now and it was a very pleasant run down the valley through Nether Wallop and Broughton. Four  of the group decided not to stop for lunch and made their own way back to Winchester while the rest of us had a very nice lunch with good craic too. 

Afterwards we split up with two of the group heading over Farley Mount, three going from Little Somborne over the ridge to Chilbolton Down whilst I rode alone home via Crawley. I was very lucky just near Up Somborne to meet and have a chat with my good friend Jo. She was enjoying a solo ride in the afternoon sun.

Here is my map and data for the day:

I was home just about lighting time having made good time despite a gradually softening tyre. Seems like I shall have to get that tyre off and investigate further. Another puncture or maybe the first one was not what we thought?

It has been a fantastic year for me, covering more miles than I have ever done in recent times before. (I suspect I did more in my teens but sadly no longer have those records which I kept meticulously at the time, I think mum chucked them out after I left home to join the Royal Navy, (The mysterious world of a fanatical cycling teenager!).

For those who are interested in my mad record keeping I am adding a Data Page which you can find on a tab at the top of this blog.

A very big thanks to all of you who have been a great part of my life over the past few years especially to those I have ridden with in the year. Of course the absolute highlight of my year was that great M2M ride in June. 

I hope you all have a great 2017 riding your bikes or just enjoying life.

Gridironman. 

Christmas Greetings.

Happy Christmas to all my followers.

This will be my last blog for this year as next Sunday will be Christmas day and the next one New years day. So best wishes to you all for the Festive Season and may you have a great 2017.

Thursday 15th December 2016.

Solo ride to The HCMF Meet at the Dog & Crook. 

Having been a bit under par I opted not to ride this weekend, instead have been busy in the garden tidying up a bit. This meant I could stop for a rest every time I felt I needed one. The garden does look better for it!

I have been considering whether I am boring you all with my tales of daring do and if I should discontinue my blog. Please let me know if you have an opinion on this. 

I do enjoy cycling with my many friends in a number of different groups. I know that I am a bit of a nerd enjoying recording my rides, checking how well I  am doing on Strava and writing my blog, so if you have had enough just tell me!

Best wishes to you all.

Gridironman.

Christmas Party Time.

Bob and Sue on a wet day in February 2010
 at the Dolphin Inn in Hursley.

This week my news is tinged with sadness. One of our friends and fellow cyclists Bob West died on Tuesday from lung cancer. Our thoughts are with his widow Sue. 

A week of mixed weather and mixed rides. A number of Christmas lunches taking place. 

Tuesday 6th December.

Thursday 8th December 2016.

Annual Festive Lunch with the H.C.M.F.

Red sky in the Morning, Shepherd's Warning?

This was the sky that greeted me when I got up, but once the sun had risen the sky clouded over and by 11 a.m. it was very damp and murky. I set off to ride to the HCMF festive lunch at the Milbury's. I had just enough time to take a slightly longer route than the direct one through Cheriton. Here is my usual map and data:

S

Sunday 11th December 2016.

A  short ride to Lasham.     

Gridironman.

Custom Cycling Circles & Two other Rides.

I have taken advantage of the sunny but chilly weather to enjoy three more rides in the lovely countryside. Although the predominate colours at this time of year are muted  brown and grey there are some bright green fields where the winter cereal crops are thriving and some bright red coloured berries in the hedgerows. I also have noticed several buzzards hanging around the roadsides, no doubt scavenging for road kill. Is this because live prey is more scarce?

It has also been great to catch up with some old friends who I have not seen for a while.

Tuesday 29th November 2016.

Cold but Sunny.

Thursday 1st December 2016.

HCMF Meet at East Stratton.

Saturday 3rd December 2016.

Winchester CTC ride to The Yew Tree.

My Graph for the Year to Date.

Gridironman.

Winds and Mist. Two fun rides!

Thursday 24 th November 2016.

Hampshire Hills and Dutch Hills* = Hard Work.

There were very strong winds coming from the NE so I knew it would be tough going to the HCMF meet at The Three Horseshoes, East Worldham, so I chose what I thought would be a sheltered route. Climbing up to Medstead through Bighton was mainly well sheltered except for one short stretch where it blew so hard I was on my granny gear on a gentle slope. Surprisingly it seemed less windy at the top (721 feet). Nearing the pub I was most surprised when a buzzard landed in the road only about 15 yards ahead of me. It took off again immediately but only flew to the top of the hedge so I passed it within a couple of yards, as soon as I was past it dropped down again onto the road kill it was after. Only half a mile later a much smaller bird did a similar thing. This time it was a Jenny Wren. What was she after?
At the pub only about 10 riders until the Fleet group arrived and doubled our numbers. No doubt the other regulars were meeting at an alternative venue. I did manage to have some useful discussions about the future management of the HCMF. I also received another donation to Angela's farewell present fund.

I must admit I was feeling pretty tired when I got home, I think the outward trip had taken more out of me than I imagined. Nevertheless it was another very satisfactory ride.

* Dutch hills = strong winds.

Saturday 26th November 2016.

An Interesting Trip to the Seaside.

A Turneresque View Near Hill Head.

Gridironman.

A Game of Two Halves.

Only one ride this week as I have been enjoying some pre-Christmas visits to my friends and relations. However I have had time to deal with some office/computer work for Winchester CTC and for the Hampshire Midweek Fellowship during some of the wetter days.

Saturday 19th November 2016.

Summary of the Route and data for the two parts of the ride.

I didn't manage to get a shot of the whole group as we seemed to be strung out at the times when I had the opportunity to take pictures. These two were taken just before we arrived at the Lamb Inn. 

Our route out was over Farley Mount which only just tops 483 ft, but that road does undulate quite a lot so it is a great warmer! Just to test us more Steve took us back over the ridge to Braishfield saving the easier route along the Test valley and up the gradual climb to Crawley for  our return. Good planning Steve! I was grateful too that we took the shortcut into Mottisfont from Dunbridge as my little old legs were beginning to complain by then. However they did well on that gentle climb allowing me to catch Tim who had distanced me in Kings Somborne. 

The group did seem to fragment on the return trip as riders turned off in various places so by the time I got to Three Maids Hill I was accompanied by just Steve and Ken.

It was another day for catching up with friends , meeting Mary, Margaret and Paul who I'd not seen for a while.

Gridironman.

Forays to the West and East.

Two very different rides this week. The first on Paris my "best bike", along with seven friends. The second on my "winter bike" Sporty on my own. Both most enjoyable. I find the companionship of my friends very important to me, but I still enjoy my solo expeditions too.

Tuesday 8th November 2016.

Don't forget you can see the maps and other pictures full screen if you click on one of them.

Sunday 13th November 2016.

After the heavy rain last night leaving the roads wet and strewn with gravel in places I chose to ride Sporty with Schwalbe Marathon Tyres and mudguards. Once again the colours of the trees and hedgerows were brilliant in the sunshine which lasted all day. 

First place for show was this hedge of hips. But many of the trees still have a lot of very colourful leaves too.

Traffic was light and I saw surprisingly few other cyclists though I did meet and chat with two in Liss at my first coffee stop.

One section of my ride was off road. Guess which "split" that was. It was across a golf course and through some very interesting woods. I had to walk for a short while as the track disappeared and became a footpath. Shortly after that I came across this giant golf ball. 

Where was I?

I had a couple of longish hills to climb, the hardest was the climb from near Bentley, through Lower Foyle to the Golden Pot, but even that one was climbed without resort to my lowest gear. In fact I set a new PB on that climb, much to my surprise. Maybe I haven't ridden it on one of my faster bikes.

I did notice however that the last climb of the day from Swarraton to Abbotstone Common took me three minutes longer than my best time, I obviously was getting tired by then.

Gridironman.

Fine start to November.

Thursday 3rd November 2016.

HCMF Meet at the King's Head Crawley.

A lovely day for a ride, but a bit chilly. I have just bought a new gilet and wore it for the first time. I was very pleased with it. Made me feel better dressed for the cold day.

Following my knee problems I set of with some trepidation. When I got to Ovington I was going so well that I chose to take the long route over Gander Down to Owslebury and then through Colden Common and Otterbourne to get to the pub. This turned out to be a good decision as I had no problems.

In Colden Common as I approached the SLR sign it flashed up 31 mph! Phew I thought I was only doing about 16 mph.  Then I realised it must have picked up the car some 100 yards behind me.

At the pub I discovered the regulars and a couple of others. I was not really hungry but I stayed long enough for a pint and to photograph Bob's lovely 1896  front wheel drive cycle before setting off to enjoy the afternoon.

Bob's immaculate Cycle.

The distant view of the monument.

 I started off to go to Sparsholt, but when I got to Standon I changed my mind and climbed the hill to Farley Mount instead. As I reached the top of the hill I spotted the famous monument in the distance and decided to go and take a closer look.

The Inscription.

From the car park I walked most of the path to avoid the possibility of getting a flint or bramble puncture.

My efforts were rewarded as the views both of the monument and the surrounding countryside made it well worth while.

The Monument.

Countryside views.

I sat for a while just enjoying the warm sunshine before setting off for home. I passed several vineyards, the grapes seem to have been harvested by now. I was glad I chose to go via Ashley and Up Somborne for just north of the latter I was caught by my friend Steve who had been out for a solo ride too. We rode together to Three Maids Hill where we went our separate ways.

I was home about 3.30 p.m. well before it started to get dark. A most enjoyable day out without any problems with the knee!

Summary of the day with map and data. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find that despite my gentle pace walking to the monument my average moving speed was still 11.6 mph.

Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th November 2016.

Spindleberries against
the blue sky.

More spindleberries.

Old man's beard on a field maple.

Lots of different species.

Too busy with parties and walking with my daughter to get out on one of my bikes, but did get to admire the lovely coloured berries and beautiful shapes in the hedgerows. here are some of the pictures I took. 

The tallest Field Maple that
 I've seen in a long time.

We also got to see a lot of small fish in the river. Trout or Grayling? I'm not sure which.

Haws.

Click on one to enlarge them to full screen and enjoy.

Gridironman.

A day out with the V.C.C.

Sunday 30th October 2016.

Only one ride this week as I have had to take it easy due to a sore left knee. Cycmon had invited me to join him on a ride with the VCC Hampshire Lightweights. So we drove to Fishbourne to meet the other guys and gals. We were all mounted on veteran bikes. My mount was one of Cycmon's a 1967 Viking Severn Valley.

There were 38 of us in all when we set off just after 10.30. We did split into a couple of groups to minimise the effect on traffic. The terrain was very level, so I was not seriously affected by the lack of gears and toeclips. 

It was a most enjoyable day out with the focus being firmly on enjoying both looking at the old bikes and riding them too. After less than ten miles we stopped for a break. I was not hungry so made do with a pint of John Smiths and a bag of crisps. We had a long break to enable everyone to enjoy refreshments and chat and of course to inspect one another's bikes.

Boaters Cafe with some of our group enjoying their break.

 Some of the views of the day with many interesting boats in the nearby marina.

After our break we continued a very zig-zag path along the very interesting coast. At Bosham I had a Cornish pastie and a coffee as I had not eaten at our first stop, meanwhile most of the others had ice creams. It was fortunate that the tide was out in Bosham as it allowed us to ride the road which is covered at high tide.

Bosham Quay and Church.

Back at Fishbourne we enjoyed yet another refreshment stop and chat before setting off to return home with a fantastic sunset to admire on our way with the red sun light beautifully making the autumn trees glow.

Thanks Cycmon for taking me out of my rut! 

The knee did not cause me too much of a problem, I will see how it feels tomorrow before deciding if I am riding on Tuesday.

I have added another bike to my Bikes page. One I had forgotten about as i had it for such a short time.

Gridironman.