Some days wet some days wetter!

Some good rides despite the unsettled weather. At least getting wet was not too uncomfortable as it was quite warm. 

On Tuesday most of the Pedallers were playing away abroad, so with the rain coming in the morning, I went out on my own after lunch.

On my way home on Thursday from the HCMF meet I came the scenic route along the south side of the River Itchen riding past Avington House. I was reminded that is where some 29 years ago we celebrated the wedding of Sarah and Steve.

Avington House.
A special place for our family.

Fields greening up 
again after the harvest. 

Just after I had descended from Farley Mount I had the pleasure of watching a bird of prey for several minutes. I believe it was either a Merlin or Hobby. It flew fast and quite low overhead and then across the fields before it circled around a group of trees flying low over the branches. It then came back passing just ahead of me before disappearing behind the hedges. It was a lovely experience.

I used the e-power for most of the ride to see how much it used. The answer: 40 miles completed before 50% was used. I was pleased with that.

On Saturday I decided to go for a ride having no clear idea of where I was going but decided to head East.  When I got to Alton I followed a group of cyclists to Holybourne. A lot of them were wearing Jerseys with WHV on the back. When they stopped at the White Hart Pub I decided that they must be the White Hart Velos. I Can't find any reference to them on Google. 

Near Wyke, I passed another cyclist who may have been a friend but it is always hard to recognize other riders when they flash by unexpectedly.

I had lunch in the very smart cafe at Gilbert White's. I was a little disappointed by the food and the service was very slow considering they were not very busy. I wish I'd gone to the little Tea Shop just along the street.

In the week I managed another ton and my weekly average is now hovering just below a weekly average of 100 at 98.9. I am actually targeting 4,500, rather than 5,200, which I think is more achievable with the winter weather likely to intervene.

Gridironman

Indian Summer.

It has been another lovely sunny week encouraging us all to get out on our bikes. I have only managed two rides as it was also time I made good use of the weather to attend to other tasks which needed to be done in fine weather. E.G. demolishing the Wendy House, clearing out the garden shed and reorganizing storage.

I have been busy attending to the administration for the HCMF including the Festive Lunch which has been ably arranged by Trevor and Paul. Always a good excuse to meet at a pub! 

Paul & Gridironman plotting our next move!

Today, Sunday,  Paddy and I had planned a ride but the rain put us off. I was actually quite glad as I had a bad night last night with my cough returning and keeping me awake a lot and after my exertions demolishing our Wendy House and reducing the pieces to manageable size pieces for disposal I was feeling quite tired. It was a good excuse to watch the rugby too!

One of the Droxford scarecrows with two admirers.

Gridironman.

A Disappointing Week.

It has been a week with only one ride thanks to a very debilitating common cold. I was lucky that on Monday I was OK and was able to visit my pals, Chris & Alex, at Badger Farm for lunch, but even then I had the beginnings of a sore throat and by Tuesday morning I knew I was not well enough to ride. I went through the usual phases over the next few days but was much better by Saturday mid-day so I was able to enjoy a meal with Paddy & Miranda in the evening and hear their news. When I got up this morning I was determined to get back in the saddle and I had a good ride on my own. Here are the details:-

Hopefully, by Tuesday I will be fit enough to join the usual Pedallers' ride.

Gridironman.

Tour of Norfolk Number 2.

TeeTee on site in Norwich.

My 8th away break to ride in other parts of the country. This time on some familiar roads and some I'd never been on before. My first campsite was the Camping and Caravan Club one at St. Neots. It was a very nice site in a lovely location by the river Ouse. The route into town just a short way away was along paths through a green country park. I arrived too early to get into the site so parked TeeTee and walked into the town for lunch. I had a 6" sub with coffee at Subway for the princely sum of £3.89 which was very good value. I have always been suspicious of these fast food outlets but this was good. I walked back through the park, stopping to talk to another cyclist who was sitting on a bench eating his lunch. Turned out he was 92 years old!

Back at the site, I got in the queue to register and once set up was away on my bike to explore. here is the report of my ride with data.

A good start to my tour. I was a little disappointed that although I could get WiFi it was not good enough to watch the Vuelta d' Espagne on the computer.

I went for a walk in the evening looking for a pub which the warden had told me about. I never found it but enjoyed my walk through the Pightle another green area by the river. Had a meal in TeeTee instead.

The next morning after some heavy overnight rain I set off to ride to Cambridge to visit a very dear friend of mine who I have known for some 60 years. Here is my report on that ride.

There is a new A14 being constructed near Huntingdon and I rode over it to get to the town. 

One of the towns I went through was the very pleasant one of Godmanchester. Here are two views of the river there.

I also rode through the centre of Huntingdon with a very colourful market. Just about five times the size of our local one but of a very similar character but without a cycle repair stall! Maybe you could expand here Andrew?

I could not find the markings for the NCR 51 which I was trying to follow so plotted my own route using my maps. Unfortunately I made a mistake in not noticing that the road I planned to follow did not have a bridge over the River Ouse! I was not worried about that as it gave me the opportunity of finding even more new roads.

I was only 35 mins behind schedule getting to Girton despite riding 10 miles more than planned and leaving 25 mins later than intended because of the weather.

I had a most enjoyable four hours with my friend, catching up with our news before leaving to return to St. Neots. My return was partly along the Cambridge Busway. A super use of an old railway line between Cambridge and St. Ives. Quite a few other cyclists on the path also a couple of walkers and a guy on roller skates. There were a number of attractive lakes on either side near St. Ives. I decided to revisit Houghton Mill. A lucky decision as it enabled me to find a short cut to Godmanchester.

Bus using the Busway.
The Cycle path running alongside on the left of the picture.

As well as the return being harder because of the wind there was also a number of fairly modest hills to cope with as I was getting tired. Paris got me up them without too much difficulty but I did miss Txiki!

Swavesey Priory Church.
Beside the Busway.

Time to move on. On Thursday I drove to Norwich by way of Oxburgh where I visited the NT property. Oxburgh Hall, a fortified residence with a moat. I had a pleasant couple of hours there before continuing to the C&CC site in Norwich.

The site in Norwich was a small one with good basic facilities including WiFi. The warden told me about a nice walk by the river so after getting set up I went and did it. On my way back picked up a bottle of milk for my tea. Later I walked about a mile to have dinner at a Hungry Horse Pub. Very good value meal here too. I do think I can be a bit prejudiced against some of these popular places for food. The first course of sausages, mash, peas & gravy was fine and the pudding of apple crumble and hot custard was delicious. All for £4.70. The service was swift and friendly and the beer was OK too. 

The only downside of the C&CC site was that it was near the railway and I was woken once in the night by a goods train.

The next morning I set off to join my pal Chris. who took me for a ride through some quiet lanes.

After a rest and refreshment thanks to Sheila and Chris, I decided to drive home rather than go back to the campsite as I felt that would be rather a waste of time. Turned out to be a good decision as the traffic although busy was very free-flowing and I managed the 190 miles home in just over 3 hours including one short stop. 

A most enjoyable week both riding and meeting some of my very best friends.

Gridironman.

Autumn in the air!

It is beginning to feel more like autumn with cooler dewy days. Ideal weather for cycling with only a little rain. I have even managed to find time to do a little tidying up of the garden!

Another three rides bringing my total mileage for the year to 3492. Just 8 miles short of 100 miles per week. I am still riding Paris regularly and managing to put up some PBs without actually trying to do so. I am very pleased and happy that I can do that. It gives me confidence for my next trip to Cambridgeshire and Norfolk which starts shortly.

Here are my maps and data charts for the past week together with some photos.

Beacon Hill from halfway up Old Winchester |Hill.

One of my Favourite Beech Trees.

Old Winchester Hill.

Guess where. France? 

The grapes look a little small. Maybe they need more rain.

Avenue of Hazel Coppiced Trees. Like the columns in a church.

Field harvested, baled and already cultivated
 ready for next year's crop.

Gridironman.