Keeping the Pedals Turning.

Whilst I have no ambition to try and rival the gentleman who has cycled a million miles I too am a bit of a number cruncher. The tally for this week is 138.4 miles giving me a total so far this year of 4,543. Seven weeks still to go to get my total to 5,200. My best annual total over the last few years was 5,822 in 2016. That included my best ever tour across France which was about 800 miles.

However, the main point of cycling isn't to break records but to have fun and enjoy the countryside. This week has been good for that with three very different rides. The first with The Pedallers, the second with Simon to join the HCMF meet at the George, St. Mary Bourne, and the third a solo ride to the south of Alresford. The weather has been kind to us here in Hampshire. We shouldn't complain about the few spots of rain we have had when some folk in the north have been flooded out of their homes.

Today, with all the memorial events taking place I looked out for interesting sightings as I rode. This was the Lychgate at Swanmore.

Tuesday 5th November 2019.

Thursday 7th November 2019.

Chinook hiding in the woods.!

Sunday 10th November 2019.

My Lunch Break Spot.
Where is it?

Gridironman.

Loops

It has definitely been a more wintery week. I have been wearing four layers and gloves as well as tights over shorts and never got very sweaty except for on the return from Medstead on Thursday. When I peaked in South Town, Medstead my average speed (on Paris) was in single figures. I couldn't have that so went like the clappers on my way home. I managed to push the figure up to 11.2 mph, Result.

Travellers' Rest.

Wednesday 30th  October 2019.

Another of my make it up as I go rides. Decided to go south and had an idea to check out the cafe in the Manor Farm Country Park. There is a stretch of about 100 yards of gravel road to enter the Park from the Botley side but anyone with delicate tyres could easily walk that. Entrance to the Farm is subject to a fee but the cafe is outside that area. I discovered that it was not only open but very busy so I did not stop, also it was a bit early for a coffee break. The bad news is that from 1st November it will only be open at weekends. 

I carried on through the park enjoying the autumn colours in the trees. A couple of steep short pitches which needed bottom gear. Then I emerged onto Dodwell Lane, very close to the M27 junction for Burslem. I dived down a lane and joined the A27 to cross the River Hamble. Rode past NATS on my way through Swanwick. In Curbridge a massive housing development is taking place.

I returned to Botley for a coffee at Mrs. Potts by the River where I had taken the pedallers on a very hot day in the summer.

Not wanting to waste a perfectly nice afternoon I meandered some more, climbing over the shoulder of Old Winchester Hill to enjoy the very fast descent into East Meon. Rewarded myself with coffee & crumpets in Cuppacheeno in West Meon.

Footnote. HMS Mercury is a special place for me as I spent about a month there in 1953 when I was training as a Coder (E) in the Royal Navy. 

Thursday 31st October 2019.

Sunday 3rd November 2019.

A couple of photos taken with Simon's camera on Sunday.

Outside The Handlebar Cafe.

Now, what was the combination?

Gridironman.