Three Very Different Rides.

This week has been another good one for cycling with perfect weather, not too hot but fine and sunny for the most part with little wind. I managed three rides all on Txiki. For two of the rides I'd have had problems keeping up with my pals on the hills without the E assistance and on the other I was short of time so needed a faster speed.

Tuesday May 21st.

A ride with the Pedallers.

Thursday 23rd May

Solo ride to join the HCMF Meet.

Saturday 25th May.

With Alton CTC.

The Alton CTC enjoying tea at the farm shop.

I am pleased to say that I remembered the names of all the riders when I got home including two who I'd met for the first time.

Another week over the "Ton", with 140 miles covered, so I claim the Ton-up Kid medal once again despite the efforts of PinkPal who managed 114 miles.

Gridironman.

Fun in The Malverns & Cotswolds.

I have had a fantastic week of cycling, completing 6 rides in all over seven days. I drove to The Caravan and Motorhome Club site at Malvern Hills. Stayed there two nights and then drove to Cirencester to stay at the club site in Cirencester Park.

Besides cycling, I also managed a visit to Croome Court a very interesting National Trust Property. A couple of very colourful exhibitions there. Tapestry by Grayson Perry and embroidery by The Worcestershire Embroiderers Guild. My late wife Jean was a member of The Embroiderers Guild and would have loved both of these exhibitions. I had a gentle stroll around the grounds and visited the museum about the wartime use of the grounds and nearby airfield in the research of radar. All very interesting.

Fresh spottings:

Flowers: Red Campion, Yellow Bedstraw & Star of Bethlehem.

Birds: Yellow Hammer.

River Avon. 

Strensham Church.

Croome Court.

Chinese Bridge at Croome.

Gridironman

Fun & Games!

As I was unable to ride to the HCMF meet this week I only managed 2 rides and about 70 miles. However, the Pedallers ride on Tuesday was a good one for the four of us who took part and the special event on Saturday was a good bit of fun without matters being taken too seriously.

Leon with the riders except for me.

An odd-looking map due to the unusual circumstances.

Gridironman.

Not quite another "Ton".

Having almost completely recovered from a bad attack of Sciatica I got out on my E-bike once again enjoying one solo ride and another in company with a modest group of Winchester CTC riders.

On Thursday, I made up my route as I rode according to how well I felt. This resulted in a somewhat convoluted route to the HCMF meet at the Brickmakers Arms in Swanmore. On my way I went past the Shoe Pub in Exton where I spotted this interesting vehicle:

After a short stop in Swanmore, I continued an erratic way home via Durley, where I paused to admire the little church.

Church of The Holy Cross, Durley.

I was mightily relieved that I completed over 40 miles with absolutely no problems. In fact, I felt better for the excursion.

When Saturday morning dawned I decided to join the Winchester CTC ride to Houghton. Here is my report of my ride:

I was even home in time to see most of the exciting Tour de Yorkshire stage 3 on the TV and the end of a very tense snooker match between Gary Wilson and Jud Trump.

Another good result, though I did ache a bit when I woke on Sunday morning.

One of the benefits of riding with the CTC group was it gave me the chance to catch up with the news of my many friends.

When I checked my Strava data I was a little disappointed to find I had fallen just one mile short of the 100 miles for the week! I was tempted to pop to the shops on the bike this morning just to achieve that but decided the walk would probably be better for me.

Gridironman.