Tuesday 10th January 2017.
Winchester CTC ride to Brambridge G.C.
Rode alone to Winchester where I joined 14 other riders for Martyn's ride to Brambridge G.C. for coffee. Present were: Martyn, Steve, Ken E., Eileen, John, Roy, Sam, Margaret, Sarah, Cliff, Jane, Linda and two others. One lady whose name I can't remember and one other. Please tell me if you know who I've missed! As we left the city we were joined by two more, Rob & Caroline, and yet another, Ken G. at the cafe. Margaret left us after Coffee so there were still 17 of us in the peleton. Rather a large number to manage on the busier roads. We did try to mitigate the problem by leaving gaps, but it is not always easy.
Martyn took us to Farley Mount via Hursley and Standon. From here several riders took the short route back to Winchester whilst the rest of us took a loop to the west via Ashe to Little Somborne, Ken E. left us here. I found I was struggling to keep up now as I was getting tired & I don't seem to have the speed I had only a short while ago. Sporty is definitely slower than either Posh or Paris. Near Crawley the road was closed while the road is being repaired but we managed to squeeze past a large truck unloading asphalt.
We shed more riders in Headbourne Worthy and in the city but as 8 of us arrived at the pub we were joined by Julie and Andrew who had done their own ride to Overton.
After an excellent two course lunch enlivened by plenty of chat I headed home feeling very happy with the day, clocking up a total of 44+ miles.
Martyn took us to Farley Mount via Hursley and Standon. From here several riders took the short route back to Winchester whilst the rest of us took a loop to the west via Ashe to Little Somborne, Ken E. left us here. I found I was struggling to keep up now as I was getting tired & I don't seem to have the speed I had only a short while ago. Sporty is definitely slower than either Posh or Paris. Near Crawley the road was closed while the road is being repaired but we managed to squeeze past a large truck unloading asphalt.
We shed more riders in Headbourne Worthy and in the city but as 8 of us arrived at the pub we were joined by Julie and Andrew who had done their own ride to Overton.
After an excellent two course lunch enlivened by plenty of chat I headed home feeling very happy with the day, clocking up a total of 44+ miles.
Wednesday 11th January 2017.
Took Paris to Newbury.
I had been having a clicking noise coming from the pedal/bottom bracket area of Paris and arranged for it to be investigated under warranty at the Specialized Concept Store.
I met horrendous grid lock in Newbury Town centre but eventually managed to get to the store just after 9 o'clock. Whilst the problem was being investigated I wandered around the town, making a few purchases at Aldi who had some nice sports clothing. The phone rang and it was the Store to inform me the job had been done. It was still not 10 o'clock! After I had collected Paris I did some more shopping and filled up with petrol at Sainsbury's. I was still home in time for a one o'clock lunch. A good morning result. After lunch I washed the car!
Thursday 12th January 2017.
A Short Wet Circuit to Milbury's and back.
I had intended to join the HCMF meet at The Crown, Kings Somborne but the forecast was for rain, snow and high winds so at 9.30 I set off for a short ride on Paris to check whether the fault had been fixed. I am glad to say it has been. Apparently it was the bottom bracket making the noise. The rain started almost as soon as I'd left the house and as it was quite light I carried on. It got gradually heavier as I rode and by the time I had completed the circuit I was pretty wet and muddy as Paris has no mudguards. Nevertheless Simon welcomed me with a hot coffee when I called at his, even putting Paris in the kitchen with my rain jacket to dry off. We had a lovely chat for nearly an hour before I headed home to wash, 1. Paris, 2. My kit, 3 Myself.
Saturday 14th January 2017.
Alresford Groupetta join the Winchester CTC.
I agreed with Simon to join the Debs's afternoon ride with the Winchester CTC and he arrived at my home 5 minutes early. Such keenness! Just as well that we were early leaving Alresford as within half a mile a loud pop from Simon's front wheel meant a change of inner tube. I sped on to alert Debs that Simon was coming and he actually arrived at the meeting place just before 9.30.
Here is my route with data for the day:
From this you can see we rode about 7.5 miles from my home to the start then about 9 miles with the CTC before about 11.5 miles back to Alresford.
There were about a dozen of us riding including several who I had not met before including Robert from Alresford who was riding with the CTC for the first time. (Welcome Robert).
Debs, being uncertain of the state of the roads due to the recent adverse weather, had chosen to stick to the more well used roads, fortunately this did not cause any major problems and on the whole motorists were very helpful in assisting our passage out of the city.
I am afraid I led Simon astray, when we got to Stoke Charity I suggested that we took an alternative route back to Alresford to avoid "that road we all love to hate" to Kings Worthy and then the B3047. Whilst this was not part of a cunning plan in the event it soon found us warming ourselves in The Northbrook Arms by a lovely log fire whilst supping a choice of ales. Mine was Butcombe Bitter, one that used to be a favourite when I lived in Somerset.
From here home Simon was beginning to suffer from his recent absence from the saddle and suffer from the "burn". For once it was me having to wait at the top of hills! Well done Simon a great effort.
For me this was a much better week overall but I still have only ridden 126 miles this year so far, well below my target of 160 (80 miles per week). However it has been fun both riding and socially.
Gridironman.
Saturday 14th January 2017.
Alresford Groupetta join the Winchester CTC.
I agreed with Simon to join the Debs's afternoon ride with the Winchester CTC and he arrived at my home 5 minutes early. Such keenness! Just as well that we were early leaving Alresford as within half a mile a loud pop from Simon's front wheel meant a change of inner tube. I sped on to alert Debs that Simon was coming and he actually arrived at the meeting place just before 9.30.
Here is my route with data for the day:
There were about a dozen of us riding including several who I had not met before including Robert from Alresford who was riding with the CTC for the first time. (Welcome Robert).
Debs, being uncertain of the state of the roads due to the recent adverse weather, had chosen to stick to the more well used roads, fortunately this did not cause any major problems and on the whole motorists were very helpful in assisting our passage out of the city.
I am afraid I led Simon astray, when we got to Stoke Charity I suggested that we took an alternative route back to Alresford to avoid "that road we all love to hate" to Kings Worthy and then the B3047. Whilst this was not part of a cunning plan in the event it soon found us warming ourselves in The Northbrook Arms by a lovely log fire whilst supping a choice of ales. Mine was Butcombe Bitter, one that used to be a favourite when I lived in Somerset.
From here home Simon was beginning to suffer from his recent absence from the saddle and suffer from the "burn". For once it was me having to wait at the top of hills! Well done Simon a great effort.
For me this was a much better week overall but I still have only ridden 126 miles this year so far, well below my target of 160 (80 miles per week). However it has been fun both riding and socially.
Gridironman.
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