September goes out with a flurry!

A mixed week of emotions. On Tuesday 25th I had a health scare, had chest pains in the night and again when I woke at 7.a.m. so phoned the surgery. They fitted me in for an immediate ECG and check-up by a doctor. Turned out to be nothing serious, but I was told I had done the right thing in seeking medical help. 

I had originally planned to ride with the LoTSW group but it was too late to do that so after lunch and a short siesta I did my own thing, a tea ride to Medstead/Four Marks.

I sat in the sunshine outside Nosh and had an interesting chat with a young lady motorcyclist. We compared steeds and talked about other bikes we had ridden. Maybe instead of an E-Bike I should go back to Motorcycling? 

The best thing about the ride was that I had no chest pains even when setting a couple of new PBs.

Thursday 27th September.

Saturday 29th September. 

Another beautiful autumn day:

Sunday 30th September.

Hope that October is as good for cycling as September has been.

Happy riding to all my readers.

Gridironman.

Dodging the rainy days.

I have had another relatively short week as regards miles but it has been rich in enjoyment. On Tuesday 18th I opted not to ride with the Pedallers as I felt their proposed ride options were probably too much for me. Instead, I did some gardening before going out late in the day for a ride to the Flower Pots. Another option on how to make it into a good ride.

On Thursday 20th I was joined by Richard for another good day out with an HCMF meet at the Buck's Head, Meonstoke.

This weekend I have decided not to ride as i didn't fancy getting wet!

Gridironman.

Rutland, Derbyshire & Yorkshire Dales.

Over the past week I have enjoyed my 5th Camper Car and Cycle mini holiday. Like the others this went extremely well despite the occasional hiccup. 

I set off on Saturday 8th September and drove in Dobbin to Lyveden in the NE corner of Northamptonshire. Here is a remarkable uncompleted Elizabethan mansion set in half-completed grounds. In 1595 building was started but when the owner died in 1605 building stopped and the skeleton has remained virtually untouched over the last 400+ years. 

I spent a couple of hours there enjoying the tour of the building and grounds. The weather was fine if a little breezy but it was very pleasant just to sit and admire the large orchard with its extensive range of apple and pear varieties. I had a light lunch too before continuing to the nearby campsite of Stamford via Oundle. When I arrived there the warden pointed out that they had no toilet facilities and that I might be better served at a different site. She kindly phoned an affiliated site at Greetham in Rutland and they agreed to take me. It was not far so I was there around 5.30 p.m. Once set up I had an early dinner in the onsite cafe before taking a stroll through the village. I was tempted to pop into one of the local pubs for a refreshing pint. By the time I got back to the site it was getting dark so I went to bed and listened to the radio for a while.

Sunday 9th September. Woke early and after breakfast I was  packed and away well before 9 o'clock

A short journey to Oakham where I filled up with petrol before parking in the village of Hambleton. Unloaded Paris and set off to circumnavigate Rutland Water.

Calke Abbey.

I was soon on my way once more in Dobbin heading for Hartington Hall YHA in Derbyshire. On my way for my tea break I diverted to Calke Abbey another NT property. More lovely walks and gardens to enjoy. Here are some of my pictures. 

It wasn't much further to the YHA hostel in Hartington where I arrived at 5 p.m. I was in the coach house with my own room and shower with a shared toilet nearby. Had almost sole use of the small lounge and kitchen complete with TV. Discovered I could get free WiFi in the main house. (YHA use Sky Cloud in their hostels). I made my own evening meal and enjoyed the TV, (La Vuelta).

Next Morning, Monday 10th September I had a full breakfast in the main dining room before setting off to explore the Dales on Paris. (Wondered if I had made the right choice of bikes! Paris did me proud!)

Paris meets some of the locals.

Migratory birds gathering. 

Dressed Well in Longnor.

Croation Building.

Part of the raised Railway Line path between Buxton and Ashbourne.

Dressed well in Hartington. 

Back at the hostel I had another snack for supper and watched TV, this time shared with others but as it was a Vuelta rest day no conflict of interest!

Tuesday 11th September dawned damp after overnight rain. Poor Paris had got a bit wet. It soon brightened up and we were on our way after a delicious full breakfast. Our first target for today was another NT property, Beningborough Hall, near York. Once again I was not disappointed, there were beautiful gardens and a very pleasant restaurant with outdoor seating where I had lunch. After a good wander around the estate, I went into the house to see a special exhibition about famous women. Included folk like JK Rowling, Iris Murdoch, Aimie Winehouse and Darcey Bussell. Very interesting.  

Aberdeen Angus Herd in the Park. beyond the haha, (Can you spot it?).

Pity I had no kids with me!

More autumn colours.

Beningborough Hall.

Time to move on once more, this time to Malham in West Yorkshire. I chose a rustic route, was rewarded with many great views of the Dales which begin as soon as you pass Ripon. Also benefitted from there being very little traffic. Soon arrived at Malham just as they closed the doors of the information centre! Shame I wanted to get a village guide but managed to get one at the hostel anyway. 

This hostel was smaller than the last one but the staff were just as helpful and friendly. This time I had a full ensuite room and Paris had the luxury of a bike shed. Just as well as he was destined to remain there while I went walking for a change.

The evening meal was excellent and so was breakfast the next morning, in fact, I gave away half of my cooked breakfast. I had asked for a small one but was told there was only one size! I had made friends with two other guys at dinner the previous evening and one took my excess food and had it wrapped up for his lunch!

I declined the offer to have it myself as I had alternatives in my store.

Fairy Dell. Can you spot another walker?

Janet's Foss.
Legend has it Janet lived behind the Foss (Waterfall).

One of the rocky sections of path.

Horned sheep. Local breed in the Pennines? 

Gordale Scar.

The friendly farmer who sold me coffee and cake.

Limestone Pavement above Malham Cove.

Lady walker who passed me climbing up the rocky "staircase".

Malham Tarn.

I was pretty tuckered by the time I got back to the hostel but a shower soon revived me and I enjoyed a late tea/supper of leftovers before retiring to the lounge to watch the Vuelta. Had a pretty good night once the noise of late banging of doors died away and was surprised not to feel too stiff when I woke in the morning.

Thursday 13th September. Time to head for home. I did however have a job to do first. My pal who was walking part of the Pennine Way wanted a lift to Malham Tarn as he had already walked there yesterday. So I took him, had to come back to the hostel to pick up a missing insole before taking him back to the Tarn again. Decided to head South after going over the dales to Settle. A terrifying descent into the valley about a mile long hill with a maximum of 22%  and an average of over 10 %. Halfway down I met two heavily laden tandems being pushed up the hill. I stopped to give them the good news that they still had another half a mile of pushing to do and told them how I admired them. One lady spotted Paris on the back of Dobbin and commented that I was taking the easy option. I agreed.
I only had to go about 40 miles to my cousin's home in Ripponden but it took me two hours, thanks to the many winding and steep lanes and horrendous traffic in Sowerby Bridge caused by the closure of the M62. 
I had time for a good natter and a perfect lunch before heading the remaining 250 miles home where I arrived at 8.30 p.m. thoroughly exhausted. I unpacked, had a snack and fell into bed slept quite well.

To sum up:

I had a most enjoyable break with lots of happy experiences. Most things went according to plan and I was very pleased with the combination of cycling and walking and the use of Caravan Club Sites and Youth Hostels with NT properties to add colour and interest to my meal stops.
Both the Derbyshire and Yorkshire Dales are very beautiful with both rugged and gentler landscapes. A few thousand miles of stone walls typify the area. I was pleased I'd made the effort to do some walking. Maybe I should get another dog?

I hope you enjoy reading this and looking at my photos. Please comment if you would like to.

All the best,

Gridironman.

Autumnal Smells and Colours.

An early end to my week's blog as I am off tomorrow for a tour of Northampton, Derby, York and Hereford shires. I will report on any weekend rides with next week's rides.

Wednesday 5th September.

A modest group of two for our LotSW ride this week. Just David and myself. It was cool enough to need arm warmers but warm enough to be just about the right temperature for cycling.

Animals seen in the New Forest.

Typical New Forest scenery near Furzley.

What breed of sheep are these?

A mixture of animals.

David crests Ryedown Lane. Quite a steep last 200 metres. About 9%.

On my way back home from Poppies I was so happy I sang along with Dr.Hook in Dobbin. Good job I was alone as my singing lacks some finesse.

Thursday 6th September.

Cycmon joined me for our Thursday ride. We went via Oakley where we stopped for a coffee at Jolly Olly's.

There had been some last minute confusion over our RV for the HCMF's meet, but in the end we agreed on The Pelican at Pamber Heath, only a mile or so from the previously planned choice. About 20 members turned up and we enjoyed lunch in the semi sunshine in the garden. Service was a trifle chaotic but eventually we all were served. I enjoyed a very tasty baked spud with bacon and cheese with salad. 

Waiting patiently for lunch!

Goats eating blackberries near Old Basing

Our journey home was largely different from our morning ride. I made use of my knowledge of the roads garnered riding with The Pedallers over the last year and we made record time over the first seven miles to Chineham and Old Basing. (Multiple PBs!).

We could not keep up that speed from thereon as it was quite lumpy over a couple of ridges. I found the road down from Herriard to Axford quite tiring as it was into a headwind and the road is very rough. I started to get cold and put my arm warmers back on. We were lucky enough to get home just before we had some light rain.

Pictures from Thursday thanks to Fleet Cyclists and Cycmon.

Gridironman

Three lovely mixed rides.

What another great week. We are moving into autumn now though and I wore my arm warmers at the start of all three rides and a gilet on two of them too.  The dry weather has continued making it a real pleasure to ride. Only a few flowers, birdsfoot trefoil and cyclamen and autumn croci. Apart from one sugar maple no real autumnal colours yet.

Tuesday 28th August. I had an invitation from my good friends Nic & Julie to see them off to Spain along with about 16 other riders including four of the group that had ridden the M2M with me in 2016. I cycled to Portsmouth to join them for lunch at the pub just beside the port. It was great to see them all and exchange news. 

Thursday 30th August.

Saturday 1st September.

Decided that as I was feeling fine I would ride to Winchester to join the CTC ride to Farley. It was a cool morning but it was warming up quickly as the Sun rose higher. 

At the start, we were briefed by Sarah B. who had planned an excellent if lumpy route. Also present there were Kate, Sarah M., Jane, Karen, Margaret, Paul, Andrew, Clive, Tessa, Tony, Steve, John and Ron. As you can see a fine percentage of ladies adding glamour to our sweaty macho male group.

Our first objective was Houghton where we stopped for coffee and cake. Very nice too. here are some pics of the group enjoying the fare:

We climbed the hill onto the Roman road and headed towards the Winterslows.  I managed well on these undulations being near the front a lot of the time. I also enjoyed a lovely downhill freewheel into West Winterslow. We had lunch outside enjoying the broken sunshine. Our landlady had her unusual way of taking our orders. Drinks first, then food later. It was not impressively fast but it seemed to work and we enjoyed a decent lunch. I had lobster bisque, very tasty.

Our return trip was easy to start with being mainly down to the valley at Dunbridge. The hills from here onwards were taking their toll on me and I was last up most of them (Except for Steve who had drawn the short straw of backmarker). Bryce's Wall was almost too much but I just managed it. After the descent to Standon things started to go wrong as the stronger riders went ahead and the group disintegrated. Some riders went over the ridge to Sparsholt while others turned along the Old Sarum Road into Winchester. Steve had waited for me at the junction and we too went on to Sparsholt. Here I had a phone conversation with Sarah M. who was on the road into Winchester and we agree to find our own ways to Alresford. Steve headed for Littleton and home while I went through Dean and Harestock catching up with Karen just before Headbourne Worthy. I had expected Sarah M. to catch up with me on the last few miles into Alresford but although she was not far behind me and gaining for most of the way, she never actually caught me. I wonder if she saw me.
A really good ride. Thank you Sarah B. Also all in the group, you all made it a most enjoyable day.

Another fabulous week. I feel really privileged to be able to enjoy weeks like this. I clocked up over another 150 miles and enjoyed them all, even though I found it hard at times.

Gridironman.