A Busy Week

Only managed four rides this week! Would have gone out again for a fifth on Saturday but was not feeling too bright so decided to have a rest day. The rides were all different.

1. Tuesday, a ride with The Winchester CTC. Riding my new E-bike Txiki as I needed a boost to enable me to keep up.
2. Wednesday, a more gentle ride in company with 3 other riders from the LoTSW group. (On Paris).
3. Thursday, a solo ride on Paris, to enjoy lunch with the HCMF at the Plough Inn, Itchen Abbas.
4. Friday, with Simon checking a route for the VCC's event on Sunday. Again riding Paris.

Read more and see my routes below:

Txiki hobnobbing with all those other road bikes.

The protracted negotiations over the choosing and selecting who was going to share with whom! The ladies taking our orders and delivering our choices were very patient!

We have been so lucky with the weather and as long as one was wrapped up well it has been good weather for us to cycle. 

I have been very pleased with Txiki who has enabled me to go out with a Winchester CTC group with whom I would struggle to keep up. 

Overall I have clocked up another 144 miles to bring my total for the year to date to 3,747. More importantly, I have had great fun doing those miles and sharing rides and meetings with many friends.

Gridironman.

Txiki brings a new dimension to my rides.

Another chapter in my cycling experiences. With my new E-Bike Txiki (Cheeky) bringing a new form to my favourite sport. I had two rides on him and one on Paris too. That was to show I can still hack it on a good road bike.

Tuesday 16th October.

Thursday 18th October.

I

Ian pretending he has led Caroline all the way up the hill.

A determined Caroline carrying Ian's luggage!

Simon in Period Clothing on his
Raleigh Record Ace in Original Paint.

Saturday 20th October.

Autumn Light & Shade.

Jackie sets off in pursuit of Anne
who has zoomed off on her E-Bike.

It has been a really interesting experience riding Txiki and I am very pleased with how well it has worked out. I have had the extra power there when needed to keep up with the faster folk and on the steep hills. Also, I have been quite comfortable riding with no assistance when on easier rides. With economical use, I can certainly have enough battery life for any of my normal length outings. The battery takes about 2 hours to recharge from 50%.

The weather has been very kind with plenty of autumn sunshine to bring out the best of colours in the countryside. Looks like it might go colder this week but with some fine weather too.

Gridironman.

A Momentous Week.

The serene River Test, near Longstock.

I have had a busy week with my bikes. First on Tuesday an excellent day out with the Pedallers, then on Thursday a solo ride to join the HCMF. Next, I sold Scottie with Simon's help to a young couple. The bike was just the right size for the young lady who seemed very pleased with her purchase.

Then on Friday, I went to Farnham to collect my newest and most expensive bike an Orbea Gain D30. A close relative of the one I mentioned last week. I looked at the Carbon M20 but decided that although it was a great bike it was too expensive and was more of a racing bike than the D30 which is an alloy frame with carbon forks and seat post, complete with attachment points for mudguards, so more practical. the running gear is Shimano 105 the same as I have on Paris. (Ultegra gear was £400 dearer). I was torn by the choice of colours and in the end, I opted for the traditional Euskadi colour orange. (Two ladies consulted were in favour of that choice!).

After the rain had cleared on Saturday, I took Txiki for a first ride. It was a success. I worked almost as hard as I usually do but finished up with an average speed of about 2 m.p.h. higher than normal. Did the circuit through Bishop's Waltham in about 30 mins less than before.

Here are my usual pocket reports of my rides:-

Tuesday 9th October.

Thursday 11th October.

Saturday 13th October.

Decided not to ride the Gridiron today as I didn't fancy getting drenched.

Don't forget you can look at my BIKES by clicking the Tab at the top. 


Ex? Gridironman

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Great Autumn Rides.

Tuesday 2nd October 2018.

A comparatively easy ride with 7 other Pedallers. A visit to the seaside.

Calshot Castle.

Thursday 4th October.

Sunday 7th October.

An excellent week for cycling for me with enough sunny days to be able to choose
I am seriously considering getting an E-bike to enable me to keep up with my faster chums. I will keep my other bikes if I do so I can ride those too when riding on my own or with slower groups. I don't want to be dependant on electric power.  I have had lots of advice, some of it conflicting! I'm off to test a couple of options this week. However, I have already fallen in love with this one:

Maybe it will disappoint. 
Paris is not in favour as he is feeling he might be made redundant.

Cheers, have a good week.

Gridironman.