Last rides of 2017.

The Last Issue of the Blog On My Bike 2017. The next one will be On My Bike 2018!

With a mixed bag of weather and family and other social events taking place I only managed two rides this past week. 

Boxing Day 26th December 2017.

Saturday 30th December 2017.

Cycmon and I, being the only two of the Groupetta available and both feeling a little delicate, decided on a gentle ride of about 20 miles. All went well until just after we had passed Warnford I had a flat tyre. The first ever for Paris after about 2790 miles. I was lucky to have Cycmon with me. He took charge of the job and soon found the cause, a Hampshire flint, quite small but very sharp. It was only about another mile before we were in West Meon and I was able to reward Cycmon with coffee and cake at the little Cuppacheeno Cafe behind the village store. A number of other cyclists there most looking very muddy, but they had ridden along the old Meon Valley railway track. 

I set off up the slope to the centre of the village and realised that Cycmon was not behind me, so went back to find him. He was in deep conversation with another keen cyclist about the merits of Brooks saddles and many other matters. I listened as if to a foreign language as they moved on to the good and bad features of various gears, hubs etc.

As we neared Bramdean Common we found a lot of cars parked on the roadside. Then we heard a hunting horn and rounded the corner to find a large group of mounted horses with fox hounds. We paused to take pictures.

We soon were back in Alresford having covered just about 22 miles. It had been an excellent ride apart from the puncture.

Don't forget to look at my other "pages", accessed through the tabs at the top of the blog, for updated details of my bikes and new data for 2017 complete with charts.

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.
Gridironman.

Seasonal Fun

A milder spell to end the week. This also meant the roads were much muckier as there was no sunshine and the roads remained very wet from gentle almost imperceptible drizzle at times. However it was a very jolly one for me, I met up with three different groups of pals. And enjoyed much banter and exchange of Christmas greetings. 

Unfortunately my Garmin 200 has continued to malfunction so I think it is probably worth getting a new Garmin 25 to start my 2018 records. I have had to reconstruct the routes and data from other sources but at least the Garmin unit has continued to record the overall mileage so I can be reasonably accurate.

With only one week to go before the New Year I am very pleased with what I have achieved and enjoyed during the year. I will be adding the 2017 data to a new page at the end of next week so for those of you who are "nerds" like me enjoy! I can't pretend to have clocked up the miles of some of the other CTC members. It will be fun looking at their data on Strava.

On the wild life side there has been a lot of activity in the gardens and hedgerows of many tits, including the long tail tits. Some very close sightings of Red Kite and also a welcome return to Kestrels. I am also amazed at the number of flowers showing out of season like primroses, common hogweed and roses.

Tuesday 19th December 2017.
Festive ride with the Pedallers.

Time to enjoy more of the festive season. I was keen to do something special for my Pedalling Pals so I suggested they should meet at my home, do a shortish ride and then enjoy coffee/tea and cakes there after the ride. With the weather being very frosty to start this worked perfectly as you can see from the details along with the map below. I hope I have set a precedent for the future!

Thursday 21st December.
HCMF Meet at The Brushmakers, Upham.

Saturday 23rd December 2017
With Winchester CTC over Christmas Hill.

Wishing you all "A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Gridironman.

Mixed Weather Riding.

It has been a week of variable weather but I have managed to get in two very enjoyable rides after we had called off the Pedallers ride on Tuesday due to icy conditions.

The First on Thursday 14th December. 

Rode to Braishfield to join the HCMF.

The Second on Saturday 16th December.
Rode Solo to the Golden Glider for Lunch.

It has been a week of very mixed weather which has caused revision of plans almost daily, but in the end I have greatly enjoyed being out on my bike. There has been quite a lot of bird activity with regular sightings of robins, blackbirds, rooks, jackdaws, pheasants, a few partridge, surprisingly few pigeons and starlings, (have they gone to overwinter in towns?). Only one red kite. A couple of squirrels but no deer. There have been some intersting cloud formations but the surprise of all came today when several times I  saw rainbows; caused probably not by rain but the sun being low and shining through very thin cloud.

Arc en Ciel near Preston Candover.

I hope to get a couple more rides before Christmas but to all my readers here is my special Christmas Greeting. Beautifully stitched by my cycling friend PinkPal.

I will not be riding tomorrow as I have two of my best friends coming for lunch.

Gridironman.

More eating than cycling!

It has been a very different week. Only one ride but two Christmas Meals with fellow cyclists.

The first was on Tuesday and I rode with 4 others to meet another nine at the Brushmakers Arms, Upham. The second was at The Milbury's, Beauworth. 

Tuesday 5th December 2017. 

Pedallers Christmas Lunch at the Brushmakers Arms, Upham.

Five of us had chosen to ride to the pub following a route devised by Chris. I was very familiar with the lanes involved so I led from the start but then climbing the steep pitch from the A272 up Brockwood Bottom I had to walk a short part of it and the others waited for me at the next crossroads. When I caught up I rode straight past and was soon in West Meon. Chris was just behind me as I turned up Old Winchester Hill Lane and I presumed the others were there too. However, as I climbed the hill after walking the short steep pitch near the bottom Chris told me the others were not there. I carried on expecting them all to catch up but when I arrived at the top I had to wait about 5 mins for Chris who had been on the phone and established that the others had gone along the main A32 to Exton. We agreed they should carry on and we would persist with the planned route having already climbed the highest hill. We did cut off the corner into Droxford and went straight down to Soberton. I reckon the others just didn't fancy trying to catch me on the climb so had taken the flatter route.

Chris and I arrived at the pub only a few minutes late and about 10 mins behind the others. Others of our members were already there, Bill having come by bike and the rest by car.

Here is our map of my route from which you can see we took a much shorter route home after a very enjoyable lunch.

Thursday 7th December 2017.

HCMF Christmas Lunch at the Milbury's, Beauworth.

This was a slightly more formal event with about 30 of us attending. Around a third had come by bike whilst the rest of us not wanting to get wet had come by car. Most of us had traditional fare with two or three courses proceeded by mulled wine and followed by coffee and chocolates. 

Julie's Jug was presented to Charles Taylor for his regular attendance at our meetings combined with his service in the past as a volunteer Hostel Warden and his inspiration to us all by continuing to ride at least part of the way almost every week at the age of 84. Indeed he had ridden part way on the day but had had to return to his car and drive to the pub  after a mishap. He had an overall majority of votes. 

WELL DONE CHARLES.

For me that concluded my riding for the week as I had to abandon my plans to ride on Saturday as I had some severe pains in my back. I think I did too much house work and tidying up the garden on Friday including cleaning a gutter full of moss.

Following an easy day yesterday I am feeling much better today so hopefully will be able to ride this week provided the weather is OK.

Gridironman.

Into Winter with Sunshine, Shivers & a Shower

I seem to be getting fitter gradually and am managing longer rides without getting too tired, even on the hills I am improving but still manage to be last up most of them! I even manged to clock up several personal bests on Strava. I was very pleased with this one, over 4 mins quicker on the climb from Froyle on Saturday afternoon:

Tuesday 28th November 2017.
Pedallers ride from Crawley Pond to
 Leckford Estate Farm Shop.

I love riding with the Pedallers partly because a small compact group is more to my taste than a large group. I am a little more wobbly at slow speed and with getting off and on my bike and find it easier in a small group. 

I think my back problems began during my tour in Holland earlier this year when I managed to tumble a couple of times due to congestion. Our ride on Tuesday was quite undulating so was quite testing for me but with the friendship of the others was very enjoyable.

Thursday 30th November 2017.
HCMF Meet at the Selborne Arms.

Saturday 2nd December 2017.
Groupetta ride with Alton CTC to Odiham

Sunday 3rd December 2017.
To the Flowerpots & Back.

I was disappointed when I got home on Saturday to discover that I was still short of the "Ton", so decided a little ride to my favourite local to get me over the mark. It was much warmer than yesterday but very grey and dull, but nevertheless I enjoyed my short ride through Tichborne which is always a pleasure. Many of the trees making stark images against the grey sky. I have broken my camera so have not taken many pics lately. I'm not very good at using my camera phone. 

Altogether another enjoyable week, though I did prefer the temperature today riding in my "civvies". The barmaid at the Pots thought I'd not cycled. 

I think I have done enough to retain the TUK Medal.

Cheers

Gridironman

Four Sunny Cold Rides.

Another very enjoyable week on four very different rides. One in a group on Tuesday. A short solo ride on Wednesday. A ride with Cycmon to the HCMF meet on Thursday and today, Sunday another solo ride, the longest of the week!

Not a lot to report other than the comments with the maps and data, but for once only one Red Kite.

Gridironman.

A good week for the Alresford Groupetta...

Surprisingly as the Autumn is just changing to Winter the group seems to have been more active. Here is the Leader Board for the week:

Congratulations to Cycmon for winning the TUK Award this week.

My rides were as follows:

Wednesday 14th November
LoTSW ride to Leckford Farm Shop.

Thursday 16th November.
HCMF Meet at The Phoenix, Twyford

Rode on my own to the pub. chose to go a slightly longer way Via Owslebury to test my legs over the ridge rather than using the busy route through Winchester. Found I managed quite well and was able to enjoy the views thinking I'd earned them. At the pub there was a good number of members and there was a very convivial atmosphere. I always enjoy our visits to this pub as the landlord is always very welcoming and cheerful. In fact it is a proper English pub. I had very good fish and chips.

After lunch I was joined by Cycmon for the return trip and we opted to go another "over the hills" way. Our highest point being over 500 feet. The descent to Cheriton is always exciting as we bombed down at around 30 mph, at one stage I was behind a van which was following Cycmon and I was having to brake to avoid running into the van. (I was of course in the wind shelter behind the van). Surprisingly this wasn't our fastest speed of the day which was on the sharp drop just after the climb from Morestead. 

I spotted the "duty" kite en route. Lots of Pheasants around, trying to hide from the guns we could hear firing in some areas.

In all a most enjoyable day once again.

Sunday 19th November.

To Petersfield for an All Day Breakfast.

Cycmon had been brave enough to ride with Andrew on Saturday whilst I wimped out at home enjoying the various rugby matches. (Well done England). But I persuaded him to join me for a ride on a much nicer day. We went a familiar route to Petersfield & back.

Once more spotted a kite. Perhaps I should just tell you when we don't spot one as they are now so common.

We managed just on 11 m.p.h. which I am comfortable with these days, I was riding Paris which is definitely the fastest of my bikes as long as the hills are not too steep.

I thought it was interesting to compare our ride today with one done by PinkPal a couple of weeks ago on a very similar route to Petersfield & back.

When we first started riding together some 9.5 years ago we were fairly evenly matched, though she was a little better on hills even then, as I was reminded on one of the Gridiron Audax events by a fellow cutting the hedge at the side of a hill who shouted "Keep up Dad!"

It is clear she is now far faster than me! 

I hope you have all had a good week on your own bikes and enjoy your rides on the coming one.

Gridironman.

Dodging the rain and basking in the sun.

What a mixture of weather and rides this week.

1. Tuesday, 7th November.

A good day out with the "Pedallers".

Despite the weather forecast I decided to join the Pedallers on a ride starting from Old Basing. I had studied the detail of the forecast and watched the rain radar and decided that the heavy rain would not arrive until mid afternoon. Fortunately my conclusion proved to be largely correct. Eleven of us set off with Dave leading us. He followed a route we had ridden before, heading into Berkshire.

For the first ten miles the roads were dry and we had a few spots of rain at times but we were quite dry by the time we got to our lunch break at the Hillier's Garden Centre at Hermitage. I had managed to keep up with the others for most of the time, but had to walk one steep pitch after we crossed the Kennet valley.

I tucked into a plate of delicious ham eggs and chips to fuel up for the return trip while the others enjoyed a range of other delicacies. 

We left the GC and shortly afterwards it started to rain on and off for most of the way back but it was not enough to spoil the day. One more climb, as we left Bucklebury, defeated me and I had another stroll(?). Several times when the group paused to regroup I sailed past and let them chase me. Saves them having to wait more often! (They are very patient and kind). 

As we left Old Basing the rain was much heavier and there was a lot of surface water, how lucky we had been with our timing!

Thanks guys for sharing a good day out.

2.Wednesday 8th November.

 A  lovely day for a ride with "LoTSW". 

Ian and I met with Alex at his home where we had a coffee while Alex outlined the planned route.

As we started up the hill towards Oliver's Battery I had a issue with one of my toe clips and Alex helped me sort the problem. Our main objective for the day was a visit to see the restored memorial in the churchyard of St. Margaret's Wellow. (The original was badly damaged by a falling tree about 4 years ago.)

Despite riding Posh with a lowest gear of 26" I had to walk again on the Hill up to Merdon Castle. Well it is quite steep near the top (10+%) and my legs were tired from yesterday.) At the next junction eager beaver Gridironman went the wrong way and had to retrace the way for a couple of hundred yards. Alex took us up another hill towards Farley Church. I puffed and panted my way up this one! (Only 8.5%).

I thought these LoTSW rides were supposed to be for folk who find the Pedallers' rides too tough!

At Poppies we stopped for a coffee and cake with David who had come there by car on his way home from Bournemouth. We continued to Dandy's Ford where we had lunch. I chose a toasted sandwhich with salad rather than a baked spud, remembering how it once took them over an hour to produce one for me on a former occasion. It was so warm that we sat outside in the sunshine to eat our lunch in beautiful lakeside surroundings.

On to St. Margaret's for our cultural break before we set off back to Winchester with an alternative route to Braishfield and then a return back over Merdon Hill and up Port Lane for more refreshments at Badger's Bottom. 

3. Thursday 9th Novemeber. 

Joined with Simon for a ride to 

The Half Moon & Spreadeagle Micheldever. 

Simon took me a slightly longer than direct way there and also on the way back. At the top of the hill from Totford we were joined by Steve who had come the long way from his home via Alresford. 

We had a good lunch together  and we were joined by Ann and Derek. It was good to get to know them a little better and exchange tales of daring do by bike! There were a good number of other members on two other tables nearby, mainly consisting of the most regular of members. It think it is disappointing that there appears to be almost no one joining the Meets these days from either Alton of Winchester. Fleet riders generally have their own rides on Thursdays so only join in one week in four.

4. Groupetta Coffee & Cake at Selborne.

Cycmon and I had arranged to meet at 10. When my alarm woke me at 8 my back was aching. Took a couple of pills and had breakfast and by 9 I was feeling up to it. Cycmon suggested we head towards Selborne so our first task was to climb Whitehill Lane, not difficult, but always a tester when one has not warmed up. 

As we rode through Ropley we saw a group of people waiting outside the village hall. Presumably they were waiting to join the Armistice Sunday service there as the Church is still under repair.

Shortly afterwards we heard a sharp crack. Cycmon had broken a spoke. Not a great surprise as he had been working on the wheel and spokes and this was a trial run. We had the wind behind us so we made good progress to Selborne. 

Simon paused to check the wheel again and then we had C & C at The Selborne Tea Room. Very good, also very enjoyable chat with a 94 year old gentleman and the lady proprietor. 

The road to Alton was extremely busy both ways and the very strong NW wind made it hard work as the road is very open a lot of the way. From Alton we chose to ride home via Theddon, Wivelrod and Medstead. A short but sharp hill up to Theddon, together with a head wind, defeated me and I had to walk a couple of hundred yards.

The wind at 700 feet was much stronger than it had been lower down and we were glad to drop down into the more sheltered lanes to Bighton. Cycmon left me to go home via Jacklyn's Lane. I was home by 1.15 p.m. after another good ride. 

Thanks Cycmon for your company and treating me to C & C.

Ten of the most enjoyable years with
hundreds of new friends.

Thanks to all my friends both near and far for helping making it all such fun.

Gridironman.

Hills and Dales

A fine week of cycling starting with a short but hilly ride from Whitchurch. Then the following day a HCMF meet and then on Sunday another visit to Bishop's Waltham.

Wednesday 1st November 2017
Last of the Summer Wine.
(Three old pals having fun).

I had been cautious about riding with the pedallers in the New Forest on Tuesday as I thought that would be too tough for me, but I think it would  have been no tougher that the short ride I did from Whitchurch to Kingsclere and back with my two friends Ian and Alex The route Ian led us was it seemed nearly always going up or down, very little flat riding.

We went from Whitchurch to Laverstoke via Micheldever Road and Laverstoke Lane. We turned back towards Whitchurch but then took the hilly lanes North to Cole Henley. We headed towards Watership Down and began the 3.5 mile section, mainly up hill, to the top of the Down. It was hard work over the last half mile which was around 10%. I managed to complete the climb just in time to get this snap of my companions cresting the hill.

Panorama from the top of the down.

The descent down the steeper side was great fun despite having to slow for two horses half way down. We continued onwards first up a short pitch and then down another long hill to Echinswell. Here we discovered a  caped silver Super Bear. Ian posed with him whilst Alex minded the bikes. The message by him was a touching farewell note.

From here we headed for coffee and cake in Kingsclere. 

Next came the climb up White Hill towards Overton. It was a bit of a struggle for me with another maximum grade of 10%. They waited for me at the top and we were soon down that hill and climbing another towards Cole Henley. We returned down the lanes to Freefolk  (Laverstoke) the same way as we can ascended earlier. On an impulse I asked the other two if we could go to see the Church of St. Nicholas which was hidden behind trees to the South of us. Curiously there is also the Church of St. Mary also very near on the North side of the road which is clearly visible from the main road. We were not disappointed the tiny church is a gem, looked after by The Churches Conservation Trust. For more information and a picture visit this site:

https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/visit/church-listing/st-nicholas-freefolk.html

The last few miles were the flattest we'd ridden all day, but even there we climbed a couple more easy slopes. 

I said farewell to my pals and headed home for a refreshing hot bath. Very happy after a lovely sunny ride with pals.

Of course our day was graced by the appearance of a number of Red Kites as well as numerous pheasants who were dicing with death on the roads, but sadly didn't see any signs of Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig or any other rabbits.

Thursday 2nd November 2017

HCMF meet at The Jolly Farmer, Blacknest.

I had planned to join the group provided I felt able to after yesterday's hilly ride. I decided that it would probably be wisest to drive part of the way, to Alton, to avoid having too much climbing and a round trip of over 36 miles. This fitted in well with my need for provisions and I paid a visit to the super market on my way home. Here is the map of my ride:

When I was climbing the hill from Bentley Station I was caught by Steve and we rode together to the pub. Two other members already there Roger and Charles, two of the regulars. We were soon joined by others including Cycmon who had come by car to keep the battery charged up. (So he says). I thought the beer was rather dear and I was  a little disappointed by the food too. There was plenty of chat as always and overall I enjoyed the meeting.

I left intending to find a longer route back having only ridden 7.5 miles to the pub. As you will see from the data the flatter roads and with only one serious hill my average speed was much better. However I was pleased that I had decided not to ride the whole way from home. It sometimes wise to temper one's aspirations! 

It was a lovely day with the woods looking beautiful in the sunshine. I resisted the temptation to call at The Chocolate Frog in Oakhanger for a post lunch coffee before climbing Rhode Hill to Selbourne.  

I met three riders from Alton Cycling Club as I rode the last mile or so and we had a short chat. 

I soon loaded Paris onto Dobbin and went to get my shopping.

Sunday 5th November 2017.

Not a Gunpowder Plot! 

Just a visit to the Sweetshop In Bishop's Waltham.

At my suggestion the Alresford Groupetta decided on a Sunday trip as the weather forecast was much better than that for Saturday. In the end only three of us made it. We met at Andrew's at ten oclock. After a brief con-flab while Andrew collected his helmet and water bottle we decided that Bishops Waltham would be a good choice as we could be almost certain of coffee there. 
It was another lovely sunny morning though not many degrees above freezing. It did warm a little later but I none of us needed to remove layers!
As we climbed the hill past College Down Farm we saw a kestrel and a red kite circling right beside the road.  A few miles later another kestrel this one hovering on the wind.
There were a lot of other cyclists making the most of the weather including a large group stopped near the top of Beacon Hill. I couldn't make out where they were from as they had a real medley of jersies.
After a welcome break for C & C. Simon suggested that we should return home via Upham. This is a pleasant option to the busier Salt Lane with easier climbing. The sky was beginning to cloud  over now and there was still a keen breeze keeping us very cool.
As we neared The Milbury's we saw a motorcycle & sidecar turn into the car park so we stopped to have a look at it.
There were more  motorcycles there too. 

After inspecting them we decided to drop down the hill to The Flower Pots to enjoy a glass of their beers. We had each had a different brew. All brewed on site.

I was home just about 2 p.m. and a few minutes after I got inside the house we had a shower. Great timing!

Thanks to Andrew and Simon for their company and for going at a pace that I could manage.

Overall a most enjoyable week of cycling for me. I feel although I am still no where near my formal fitness I have been able to ride three sensible rides at a good pace. 

On Strava at the moment (There may be entries after 17:30) for our Winchester CTC group I am 20/56 on distance, 49/56 on speed and 24/56 on distance. Not bad for an Old Guy ?

More importantly than that is I have had three most enjoyable rides in good weather and lovely surroundings. That is got to be better than sitting watching TV! 

Gridironman.

Holiday Walks and a ride with Winchester CTC.

I have had a few days away in Cornwall with my family. We enjoyed a number of walks and a visit to the Seal Sanctuary. Came home in time to meet with the HCMF but was too tired to do so!

Was recovered enough to join Winchester CTC yesterday.

Our Holiday Cottage.

Visit to the Seal Sanctuary, Gweek.

On Sunday 22nd October we had a great lunch at the Swan Inn in Gweek and then visited the Seal Sanctuary. A gentle walk enjoying the seals, penguins, sea lions and Asian otters. Well worth a visit. 

Walk in the Grounds of Gondolphin House
 National Trust Property

Wednesday 25th.

The Sky over Pendennis Castle beginning to cloud over. 

I was a bit sore having slipped and fallen yesterday on a muddy path, but I was determined to manage the walk round the castle. it was well worth it. Lovely views in all directions. It was a very sunny day until it cloudy over just as we were ending our walk.

Walk around Pendennis Castle, Falmouth.
Saturday 28th

Saturday's Ride with Winchester CTC.

Gridironman.

Tuesday 24th we drove on a misty day to Gondolphin NT property and had a day of wandering around in the mist. Pity the weather was not better but it did make for a very silent day. No traffic or aircraft noise for almost the whole of our time there.