Surprisingly Another "Ton Up"

Oast Houses in East Worldham.
A reminder that hops used to grown in this corner of Hampshire.

My week started badly when on Tuesday, after a sleepless night, I was not feeling too chipper, so I cancelled my ride with the Pedallers. However, after going back to bed for a couple of hours more sleep and a lazy day I felt much better. 

Then on Wednesday 22nd January, I went out on Txiki to test him after the freewheel replacement and also to check myself. We both came through with flying colours.

Orchard with apples lying on the ground.
Possibly too costly to pick

On Wednesday. lane near Cheriton Mill
still flooded with slush & ice.

Then on Thursday 23rd January, I rode again, this time to join the HCMF at the Three Horseshoes.

Saturday 25th January 2020.

Winchester CTC Easy Ride.

Stoke Charity Church.

Only a few miles ridden, no wonder they all look so fresh.

Carrie, three from the right, has successfully herded her cats at the bottom of Ashley Hill. 

If you are not in one picture maybe you are in the other!

Don't forget if you click on a picture you can see it screen size.

I was surprised to see that the highest point of the day was on the Old Sarum Road, just west of the junction with Kilham Lane.  I guess the gradual climbs through the outskirts of Winchester don't seem to register like some of the others.

I was very pleased to meet so many of my friends throughout the week to enjoy their company. Thank you all. I also managed to connect with my son in law Steve who was, quite by chance, at the cafe with his own group of cycling friends.

Total miles for the week 113.7, my first "Ton" of the year.

Gridironman.

What, No E-Power

With Txiki out of commission at the moment I have to rely on pedal power this week. I did miss his gentle assistance on the hills. The E-bike Shop informed me on Saturday that the necessary part had been tracked from Spain to Heathrow so should be with them shortly.

Wednesday 8th January 2020.

Part one of TeeTee's annual MOT, habitation check and service trip. I drove to Lower Upham with Posh on the rack and then rode home via Winchester to avoid the hills. Looking at the profile I see I managed to make it harder than necessary by following the NCR 25 via Winnall and Easton. Fortunately, the rush hour traffic had subsided by the time I was approaching Winchester and I made use of quieter roads through Colden Common. 

Thursday 9th January 2020.

Part two. A ride to Upham to collect TeeTee. It was a happy coincidence that the HCMF meet was at the Farmer's Home in Durley so I was able to combine lunch there with collecting TeeTee. As I left the pub it started to rain gently and then within a few minutes it turned into a proper downpour. I sped along Sceivers Lane, to get into the dry at Lower Upham, at fourteen miles an hour setting a new PB. So not missing the E-power here! I am pleased to say that TeeTee had passed the various checks with flying colours.

Was soon back home and in the warm shower while my damp clothes were getting a rinse too.

Sunday 12th January 2020.

Paddy conquers Riverdown

View towards Cheriton.& Hinton Ampner.

Hinton Ampner House glowing in the sunshine..

Only 56 miles ridden this week, but I am quite happy with that as each of my three rides has been enjoyable despite mixed weather and mucky wet roads.

Gridironman.

First Forrays of 2020.

A pretty good start to the year with two good rides, but then a minor problem on the third spoilt the run of luck.

Managed to get this lovely picture on my third ride in the village of Bentworth. 

Created by the guy who lives there whose previous "venison" creations included this one:

New Years Day January 1st 2020.

A reasonable day as regards weather so I thought why not take the roundabout road to the Flower Pots to celebrate the new year.

It turned out well so although I rode alone met plenty of friends and other customers to chat to.

1938 Alvis outside the Flower Pots.

Thursday 2nd January 2020.

First HCMF Meet of 2020. A good turnout of fifteen.

Saturday 4th January 2020.

Hope to get Yxiki mended soon, in the meantime I will have to ride Paris or Posh. As Posh has not been out this year perhaps it's his turn. I have been in touch with the bike shop and they have ordered the replacement part. Should not take long to fix it they told me.

Gridironman.