The Bear Necessities!

With rain forecast for the weekend I made sure I got in a couple of rides earlier in the week. Not a bad decision.  First was a Pedallers ride on Tuesday and then on Thursday I joined the HCMF at Easton. Today, Sunday, I have been to Mottisfont in my car to see the Heath Robinson exhibition at the National Trust Property. It was well worth the visit, very interesting selection of his work over much more of a spectrum than his crackpot  mechanical designs.  Check it out if you can. Click here for more details:-                 Heath Robinson

Tuesday 16th January 2018.

Feeling a bit below par I was unsure whether to join the Pedallers, but persuaded myself not to be a wimp. I was so glad I did go as I greatly enjoyed the day.  I joined two other Pedallers and led them over the hill via Spiers Lane into the Candover Valley. We paused for a photo shoot in the woods. 

My two friends chatted as they rode which suited me as I could conserve my breath for climbing whilst enjoying their discussions.

We were soon dodging pot holes as we climbed through Ellisfield to Herriard and Graham had a minor problem with his gears. 

This was soon sorted and we decided to go on to South Warnborough for our refreshment break. The village shop here has a thriving café with a very good menu.

The Naughty Corner.

 I chose the "Little" breakfast, it was very good, sausage, egg, bacon, beans and fried bread with a cappuccino for just over a fiver. Larger breakfasts are available! I made my pals sit in the correct spot in the Café. 

Eschewing the option of riding along the busy main road (B3349) we varied our return by taking a very muddy lane back to Upton Grey. I was a bit slow climbing the hill back up to Herriard but my pals waited for me at the top. We were passed by a couple of huge tractors pulling massive trailers at high speed. Very intimidating!

We meandered our way back through Medstead which I had planned to avoid as I dislike Trinity Hill but I had no option as they disregarded my shouts when they went the wrong way. I took control getting ahead and we went down Armsworth Hill to Old Alresford to see Chris's motor caravan. A lovely machine much plusher than Dobbin. 

It had been a most enjoyable day in which we had enjoyed the best of the weather.

Thursday 18th January 2018.

I was keen to have a ride and as the HCMF meet was only 5 miles away I thought that I might join the Fellowship without too much stress.  I cycled into town to pick up a prescription and then I had the mad idea of heading to Easton via Totford. I got on so well that having climbed the hill from there to the top of Northington instead of turning towards Itchen Abbas I decided that I would turn the other way and make a longer trip by going through East Stratton, Micheldever, Stoke Charity and Kings Worthy. I had a strong headwind in places but the miles soon clicked by and I realised that I would be not quite up to 20 miles by the time I got to the pub so I added another little loop to get close to that mark. I went down Chilland Lane to cross the River Itchen by the footbridge. It has been a favourite spot of mine ever since I used to regularly visit it to play Pooh Sticks with Hugo and Zoe. The reflection of the sky on the river were so beautiful that I took a couple of pictures. 

River Itchen looking downstream from the Chilland Bridge.

River Itchen looking upstream from the Chilland Bridge.

As you can see it was a lovely sunny day if a bit chilly. From the bridge a short walk along a rather muddy footpath took me out onto the lane between Avington and Easton. Here, quite by chance, I met Julie who had already been to the Cricketers and was off for a longer ride home. After a brief chat we parted company and I arrived at the pub to discover I was still a tiny bit short of my intended 20 miles. A nice gathering of most of the regulars I would estimate nearly 20 of us had attended though not all there at the same time.  After a very pleasant lunch a a chat over a pint I set off home by a much shorter route.

Snow drops Ovington.(Click on picture to see full size screen).

It was nice to see that the snow drops are coming out, though not yet in their full splendour. Here are the ones near the Bush Inn in Ovington.

I arrived home feeling very happy with my day. 
Here are the usual route map and details.

Gridironman.