Gardening: Loops

Sunday 3 November 2019

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.