TeeTee replaces Dobbin.

A very exciting week. After riding Paris with the LoTSW group on Wednesday I spent Thursday exchanging my faithfull Dobbin for a larger Motorhome (TeeTee) with more mod con to facilitate my cycle/camping holiday breaks. Then on Saturday Txiki provided a needed boost for me on the Winchester CTC ride to Poppies.

Tuesday 23rd January 2019

Thursday 24th January 2019.

Spent a large part of the day at Marquis Leisure in Upham trading in my Camping Car Dobbin for a newer, shinier and better-equipped motorhome, named TeeTee (Or just TT for short). She is Italian, a Trigano Tribute 550 on a Fiat Ducato base. The engine is a 2.3-litre diesel which far outpowers Dobbin, so I shall be able to maintain a good pace on my longer journeys. (I wonder what my MPG will be!)

The handover was very thorough and I was able to persuade them to include an excellent Fiamma bike rack, a full gas bottle, a freshwater hose and six months licence in the price. I do wonder how much of the detailed instructions on how to work everything I will remember by next week. However, they did emphasise that if I need any help I only have to ring them. They were true to their word when on Friday when I couldn't work out how to attach my bike Paris to the rack. They did it for me and showed me the key to success. (I obviously wouldn't do well at the Krypton Factor!) TT also comes with a warranty.

Saturday 26th January 2019.

Just spending today Sunday familiarising myself with the instruction manuals for TT.

I have already booked one away trip to York in the first week of May when the Tour de Yorkshire is on.

Gridironman.

Just Two Rides this Week

I have had a busy week dealing with a number of other matters and then today going for a woodland walk.

Tuesday 15th January was a chilly day but I had an enjoyable ride with the Pedallers. 

Then on Wednesday, the LOTSW group met at the Little Kitchen Bistro but as it was a very cold & wet day we all turned up without our bikes and just chatted for over an hour. First time I'd seen David this year.

Thursday 17th January after attending to other matters I joined the HCMF at Easton so another short ride.

     

On Saturday I didn't fancy a ride in the rain so went to Uppark in Dobbin for a bit of "me time". Discovered that  H.G. Wells had lived there when his mother was the housekeeper between 1890 & 1893. They have a lot of his books on sale there. 

It was not too wet when I arrived and I did manage a short walk in the garden as well as a visit to the servants quarters before enjoying a casserole in the cafe, but then the mist descended and the views were hidden. On my way home at the top of Stoner Hill, I was up in the clouds.

Sunday 20th January. I have had a good walk in the sunshine in Chawton Woods with my daughter Sarah and her dog Luna.

I have been hatching a plot to further enhance my motor-caravanning experiences following my successful trips of 2018. Watch this space!

Gridironman.

Week 2 of 2019.

This week I seem to have become a regular E-Bike rider. I need to make sure it is not becoming a habit! I do have my excuses but maybe Bob was right and I am on that slippery slope away from proper road bikes. I have struggled a bit recently on Paris as is evidenced by the average speeds I've been recording. Maybe my little old legs haven't quite got the power they had. I don't really care as long as I can enjoy it whatever bike I ride. I have enjoyed the four very different rides I've had. They each have their good and bad points.

My first ride was on Tuesday 8th January with the Pedallers. We started from Old Basing. Here are the details:-

What I liked about this ride was the close friendship between the 9 of us who regularly ride together. The downside was having to use Dobbin to get to the start.

The second was on Thursday 10th January when I rode alone to join the HCMF at The Farmer's Home in Durley.

 This was a ride where I had no planned route so did what I love to do, just make it up as I go along. That and the friendship of the others at the pub made it a very social event. The downside was I didn't manage to persuade any of the AlresfordGroupetta to join me.

Then on Saturday 12th January, I joined a CTC ride. This was a large group of around 20 riders which means lots of stopping to regroup which I prefer to avoid. However, on the sunny side, it did enable me to say Happy New Year to many of my friends.

Our Mob! Picture by kind permission of Vicky.

To round off a good week I had a short ride on Sunday 13th January.

Don't be misled by the profile if you check it you will see that the difference between the lowest and the highest is only about 70 feet!

The good point for this ride was it was nice to say Happy New Year to the barmaid Sian who I have known for around 10 years. I don't think there was a downside!

Gridirnman.

A dry but chilly start to the new year.

I started the New Year with a dual purpose ride on Thursday 3rd January. I went on my carbon road bike, Paris, and managed a fairly lumpy ride OK though I was reminded why I had bought Txiki when the Pedallers dropped me on the climb through Kilmeston to Rookswood Farm. 

Last September my friend Jo took this picture of Sunflowers near West Stratton. 

This shot taken on my ride shows the same sunflowers looking rather sad.

   

On Friday, Jan 4th I took Txiki to The E-Bikeshop for his first free service and to have the puncture repaired. I told the mechanic that I had been unable to remove the tyre and he showed me how to do it. I was amazed he did it so easily in a few seconds. I am not sure that I can replicate how he did it. The service has improved the gear change allowing me a greater spread of cogs when using the 50 chainwheel.  

Saturday 5th January.

Paddy and I joined together for our first E-Bike ride of the year.

Venison the Band!

Marigold

Just to remind us that even at this time of year there is colour in our gardens I did a tour of my garden 
and recorded these flowers brightening my day. 

Primroses.

Snowdrops.

Jasmine.

Viburnum

Mahonia.

A different Viburnum.

Purple Sprouting.

To finish the week on Sunday 6th January I went to Kings Worthy to help with the catering at the end of The Watership Down Audax.

A very good start for the year with a total of 83.6 miles ridden. This is very similar to my weekly average for 2018. The most important part of this was sharing with and meeting friends and enjoying their companionship as well as the physical exercise.

With me washing and Caroline drying what could be better!

Gridironman