Rides of exploration to South Warnborough and Hambledon.

Thursday 22nd May 2014.
I had originally planned to go to Naomi House to help in the office but Tom phoned to cancel that last night so I was free to cycle as usual on a Thursday,

When I checked the weather forecast it seemed that my best option was to get going early and aim to be back home by lunchtime.

I set off just after 9 a.m. not even being sure where I was going. I was inclined to go to the Lasham Gliding Club so headed through Bighton towards Medstead. Then I climbed Chalk Hill to Hattingley pausing to take off my waterproof jacket and inspect the vines. Took this picture of the vineyard and the threatening  rain clouds.

Vineyard.

I like the Hattingley Ridge, some nice houses and always something to look at. Today some lovely flowers in the gardens. When I got to the edge of Medstead instead of carrying on into the village I turned back to Lower Wield to have a look a closer look at that village, this was a good choice as I spotted this beautiful clematis. I believe it is a "Nellie Moser". We used to have one when we lived in Chipping Sodbury.

Nellie Moser.

Further on in Lasham village this view of a garden through the middle of a barn conversion home caught my attention.

Garden scene, Lasham Village.

I had thought of stopping for coffee at the Lasham Gliding Club as I have done many times before, but it still seemed a bit early for that, so I turned towards the Golden Pot intending to find a route to Upton Grey before turning for home. For the first time I took the main road (B3349) down the hill to South Warnborough. As I entered the village it started to rain so spotting the Village Shop & Post Office had a cafe I decided it was time to have that coffee. This turned out to be a great discovery. I had a tasty piece of bread pudding with  my coffee and chatted to the lady who served me, reminiscing about the childhood days when I used to enjoy a similar treat when popping into one of our neighbours known to me and my brothers as "Auntie Wackle". It is amazing how tastes and smells can recall very old memories.

As well as coffee and cakes they have other food, including an all day breakfast.

Apart from about 24 seats in the cafe area there are two pub style wooden tables with integrated benches outside under those two white sunshades. 

I suggest we add this rendezvous to our list of cafes. 

Village Shop & Post Office and Cafe, South Warnborough.

The rain had stopped by the time I had finished my break so I got going again heading northwards for a further mile before turning towards Upton Grey. I needed to be home before 1.30 p.m. so I took the most direct route over the hill through Herriard. Here I met my friend Norman a regular with the HCMF, on his way to the meet at North Warnborough. He gave me an inner tube that Simon had left behind at Twyford a few weeks ago. 

As I descended the hill to Axford it started to spot with rain again and I stopped to replace my rain jacket. In Preston Candover one house still has a pump going to remove spring water and further down the valley in Brown Candover there is still surface water in the fields and in a couple of places on the road. 

Here is a picture for Graham's daughter.
 A Lamb in Chilton Candover.

I was soon into Alresford and after popping the tube through Simon's letterbox I was home just after one p.m. only a little damp. Within half an hour it was pouring! A well timed ride.

My Map & Data for the day.

Sunday 25th May 2014.

Awoke  rather earlier than intended at 7 a.m. While I sipped my early morning cuppa I had the pleasure of an text exchange with my very good friend Caroline. Hmm! Am I getting the hang of this technology at last?

As on Thursday I managed  to get out on the bike early. This time just before 9 a.m. I planned to go to Hambledon and made up the route as I went along. My first goal was the Sustainability Centre Cafe. Always a nostalgic venue for me as I spent February 1953 at that location which was then H.M.S. Mercury. My route was through Woodlands, Brockwood and West Meon and then past Meon Springs Fly Fishery to Combe. from here to the cafe I took a lane I'd not ridden before. It was steep and rough at first but was easily manageable. Stopped to interview more sheep who were vying to be photographed for Miss Stanhope's delectation. Here is the winner with mum and auntie.

 Just  before reaching the cafe I was entertained by a flying model Spitfire zooming right over the me. I think controller thought it amusing to straffe a passing cyclist.

Lots of cyclists out and about, several arriving at the cafe soon after me. I chatted with two who had ridden from Southampton.
I was soon on my way again whizzed down the hill into Clanfield achieving my fastest speed of the day. I stopped to look at my map and plan my way to Hambledon and another cyclist stopped to check if i was lost. He was out training for a triathlon. He suggested a number alternative routes but mentioned a few details like traffic lights and roundabouts which were not in my plans!!

 I used the large chainring for the next few miles as the road is a steady downhill but not wanting to get involved in the afore mentioned street scene I turned along lanes to the north of Denmead to Hambledon. on my way I met these three horses. I was admiring the subtle colour of the first one when the second crossed to my side of the road to take a closer look at these strange looking chap on a bike and put his nose right into my chest! (All very friendly),. The rider told me he is very nosy!

Horses near Denmead.

Another unusual sight nearby, a field of flax (or linseed).

 A crop with several alternative uses. 

1. For its oil. 

2, To make linen

3, As a food.

Field of Flax.

It was a very steep hill down into the village of Hambledon where there was no signs of water or even any evidence of the recent flooding.
My priority was now to get home for a late lunch so I set course to Corhampton and my final test of the day, the climb of White Hill from Exton to the top of Beacon Hill. I was gratified to find I did this in my best time ever of 12 mins 42 secs. Nearly 5 minutes better than my previous best. 
I was joined for a short way by another cyclist who was out training for a charity ride from Pontypool to Brecon,
The rest of the journey was over very familiar ground and I was home about 1.15 p.m. just in time for lunch.
Here are my data and map for the day

A very good week of exploration and very lucky with the weather I enjoyed it greatly. 

I have at last managed to get a few miles ahead of my pro rata target to ride 3,000 miles in the year in aid of Forever Angels.

Gridironman,

Yi-chun Kuo's Birthday Ride & Hide & Seek with Daren!

Thursday 15th May. A special day for Yi-chun. Her birthday!

I was up early and with it being such a lovely day I decided to get away from home early and ride to Crawley Pond to meet Barrie's Pedallers. In fact I was so early that I arrived there almost half an hour early.
Two members of  the police force were there checking for speeding motorists with a radar gun. They told me that there main role was to get the motorists to slow down rather than to book anyone. In the whole time I was there i never saw them actually clock anyone.

Crawley Pond.

The pond is a great place to meet with a variety of ducks to watch. Here are a few of them. How many can you identify?

Residents of Crawley Pond.

The first of the other riders to arrive was Simon on his beautiful 1960s Holdsworth; Similar  the one he rode in his youth.

I love the way he has chosen his outfit to match the bike

.

We were soon joined by the other riders including Yi-chun who was greeted by a singing of "Happy Birthday".

After some discussion about the suitable route to Waitrose's Leckford Estate coffee shop I suggested we went via King's Somborne. Simon immediately set off at a good pace with the rest of us trying to keep up. After a couple of miles 4 of us in the lead realised the others were nowhere in sight so we paused to let them catch up.

It was a lovely day with lots of aromas in the air, most enjoyable as long as you don't suffer from hay fever.

We had soon crossed the Test and were heading back northwards through Houghton & Longstock to arrive at the cafe in plenty of time for a laze in the sun while enjoying coffee or tea and cake.

Jo produced a candle and stuck it on a piece of cake and lit it for Yi-chun to blow out while we sang "Happy Birthday" again, much to the amusements of the other customers.

Before we could get going again there was a discussion about how many bikes would fit in a van with Sarah producing a measuring tape so we could experiment with several of the bikes. This is to help in the planning of a trip in France by some of Barrie's Pedallers in September.

Our route back was via Leckford and over the hill past the Leckford Hut to Crawley. It was one o'clock by the time we got there,  so beginning to feel a bit peckish, I accepted a lift home with Sarah.

Thursday's Route & Data

A most enjoyable social ride and it was great to meet Yi-chun for the first time,  on her birthday too!

Saturday 17th May 2014. Winchester Intermediate ride to Fritham in the New Forest.
It was a warm sunny morning so I changed my mind abut driving to Winchester to the start and rode instead. Got there in plenty of time having ridden part way with my friend Julian from Alresford and having passed Paddy who was on his way home from a ride of about 20 miles.

A baker's dozen riders set off from the RV, Barrie leaving about five minutes before the rest of us.
Present in addition to Barrie, Daren & Claire and me were: Karen, Sarah & Chris, Gordon, Simon (2), Graham and three new riders (to me), Katrina & Simon (3) and an Louise. It is always nice to welcome new members and discover their backgrounds and tastes in cycling equipment. Katrina and Simon (3) were equipped with state of the art expedition Thorn Cycles with Rholoff gears. Rather more as Simon (3) said like Land Rovers compared to Louise's Specialized road bike like a sports car.

We followed the well used route to Poppies for coffee via The Old Sarum road, Merdon Castle and Braishfield. Unfortunately Claire had technical problem which delayed us for about 15 minutes before we set off again. Barrie left us here to return home on his own as he had other matters to attend to.

Daren had chosen an interesting route on some roads I'd not ridden before this was to lead to our first bout of Hide and Seek. Between Sherfield English and West Wellow Katrina, Simon (3) and I lost sight of the group  and did not  see the group take a right turn. When we  arrived in the village centre we asked  a man if he'd seen any cyclists. He told us he had and told us which way to go. However it transpired that it was not our group! When we got to the A36 I knew we needed to cross over it to get to our final destination, The Royal Oak in Fritham. However, we needed to turn left or right along the A36 to find the road to Nomansland. I chose left. A mistake we should have gone right! We tried to phone the others but could not get a signal on my phone, so with the help of Simon's Garmin we took a road through Canada. This turned into a rough track for about half a mile crossing Canada Common before we came out onto Bramshaw Common. I now knew where we were and we decided to take the direct route through Bramshaw to the pub. We arrived to find lots of cyclists there but none of our own group. I tried to phone again but once more got the message "No network coverage". (Strangely an hour later I was able to phone home!).

It seems that some of the riders who had tried to contact me had my old phone number.

We decided there was nothing more we could do and while we were waiting in the queue to order our food the other 9 arrived. We sat outside to eat our lunch but the sun went in and one or two of the group felt quite chilly. We had a talk about cuckoos and the one we had heard earlier. (My fourth of the year).

Lunch over we set off on the homeward run. This went well until Daren's route took us through the Mountbatten estate on a very rough track for a short way. I was one of the first to get to the hamlet of Lee. I was with three others but once again there was no sign of the rest. We waited for what seemed ages and eventually Graham set off to look for them. he was gone for another five minutes and I decided I needed to get going if I was to be home by six. I had only gone 100 yards when Graham called out "Here they come!" and we were all together again. Shortly after Simon (2) also left us.

Karen suggested an alternative way to North Baddesley and when we got there Claire peeled off for home in Southampton. Shortly afterwards the local fete provided the perfect place for a comfort break.

With everyone fit for the road again we set off through the lanes to Chandler's Ford. Karen's turn to leave us here with Gordon leaving us near Hursley.

The depleted group diverted off the main road near the King's Head and the first three  took one lane and the other four another I chose to follow the latter. When I asked about the split I was told that Daren had been told so I was surprised at the top of the hill in Oliver's Battery when an irate Daren passed me complaining he'd had to go back to look for us.

Simon and Katrina left us here and Sarah, Chris and I were then the only ones left to return to the centre of the city. I shouted a farewell as they turned into the car park and continued on the last leg of my journey home. They passed me in their car just before I crossed over the M3 bridge.

It had been a day of very mixed fortunes and emotions. A few lessons to be learnt

1.I should take a map even when I know the area reasonable well and am being led. This would facilitate finding the best alternative route when a problem arises.

2. We all need to make sure we have one another's up to date mobile phone numbers.

3. Better communication is needed between the front of the group and the back and checking that everyone is aware of a change of direction at road junctions.

Nevertheless a day I enjoyed greatly.

Here is the map and data for my ride.

Saturday's Route and Data.

Many thanks Daren for planning and leading the ride. A thankless task when things go wrong! Also thanks to all who took part for their companionship and patience.

Can you please check you have my latest mobile phone number. 

It is 07443647594

Gridironman.

Petersfield Circuit

After a very busy week I managed to find time for a most enjoyable ride today Sunday 11th May. It was so different in character to last week's special event.

As most of my recent rides seem to have been North or West I decided to head East and South to ride some roads I'd not ridden for some time. Was this a good idea with the strong westerly wind meaning I would be riding into it when I was getting tired?

I had an early minor scare as I rode through Bishop's Sutton when two squirrels ran across the road one just in front of me, the second stopping just in time and then going behind me.

From Ropley I decided to pass Stapley Lane leading to West Tisted and took the next turn up Soames Lane which I thought would be less steep. My mistake it was the steepest of the day at 12.3 %!
I should have taken Smugglers Lane which is the next one off the Petersfield.Road. I next headed towards Privett, past the Angel Inn.

As I passed Basing Park, through a gap in the thick newly leafed beech hedge, I spotted some bright colours. When I stopped to have a closer look this is what I discovered.

The first Rhododendrons and Azaleas.

A lovely sight!
All along the lanes there were cow parsley, stitch-wort, bluebells, wild garlic, red campion as well as the ubiquitous dandelions and buttercups. The air was filled with the scents of the flowers, some very enjoyable like that of the bluebells, others less so, like that of the somewhat more pungent garlic!

I descended Stoner Hill as far as the village of the aptly named Steep. Here I turned off past the church and down into Sheet. I crossed the A272 and entered Petersfield Town Centre from the east past the Heath with its large pond.

In the square a number of stalls were offering craft work of all kinds, pictures, sculptures, jewelry, items carved from wood etc.

What attracted me more was the Cloisters Coffee shop where I chatted with two other cyclists while I enjoyed a coffee and Danish pastry.

My route home was far from direct. First I headed  southwards to Buriton, then I passed under the A3 and along Ramsdean Lane.  This interesting structure caught my attention. Looks like one of Kevin McCloud's Grand Designs.

Grand Design Home?

In East Meon a group of twitchers were photographing a rare bird. I think they thought it was an

Italian Sparrow. It looked pretty ordinary to me! But then what do I know?

It seemed too straight forward to go along the valley to West Meon so I took the country route through Coombe. When I stopped at Coombe Cross for a refreshment break I met a whole crowd of walkers doing the South Downs Way.

I decided to go via Wheeley Down, theorising that it would be easier to do one long climb rather than the several ones which I would encounter if I went via Woodlands. Hmmm!?

One of the scent makers for the day was the may flowers (Hawthorn)  in many of the hedges like this splendid example near the Milbury's Inn.

 

May Flower Bush.

I continued with my theme of not taking the obvious route home  and from Cheriton I took the Battle Field route to be confronted by these ladies off to enjoy their tea and provide milk in return.

Once over the hill it was a short way home to enjoy a late lunch and to enjoy watching the Giro d'Italia.

Gridironman

Naomi House Challenge & Tea with the McWhirters.

It has been another excellent week of cycling for me despite not being able to join a ride or meet on Thursday due to other commitments.

On Friday 2nd May I took advantage of the fine weather and rode over to have tea with my good friends  Chris and.Alex. I tried to find an interesting way there and a different one back. It was a busy time of the day in Winchester, particularly along the Chilbolton Avenue where the traffic was so slow I passed about 30 cars and a bus! That's the advantage of two wheels!

I had a lovely time with Chris & Alex who I'd not seen for ages we spent two hours chatting and had to have two mugs of tea to keep the old voices lubricated! Tasty cake too! Thanks to both of them for their hospitality and for sponsoring me for the big event of the week, the Naomi House Charity ride on Sunday. (See report below).

My way home was up Magdalene Hill and along the Alresford Road before dipping down to Easton. From there I went through Avington to Itchen Abbass and Itchen Stoke and thence home..

Friday's Route and Data.

Sunday 4th May I was up early as I had to load my bike on the car and drive to Upper Clatford to the start of the Naomi House ride.  It was a lovely sunny morning but quite chilly with a touch of overnight ground frost. I arrived at the RV just after 8.30 to be greeted by Pam and Simon Hall. There was a good number of riders already there, queuing to enter. As I had already entered on line I was able to take a shortcut to signing in and with Simon's encouragement I set off ahead of the main bunch at 8.55. The steepest hill of the day (8.3%) came within three miles of the start. That was far enough to be warmed up but not tired, so fair enough! 

73 riders took part, here are some of them!

As I entered Longstock the other riders started to pass me and I started counting them. By the time I got to King;s Somborne the count was up to 30 including one tandem. In Crawley I stopped for my first break of the ride for a snack bar and a drink. Two other riders also stopped, one had been  born in the much larger Crawley and he thought this one was much prettier.

Between Wonston and Sutton Scotney I heard my second cuckoo of this spring.

By the time I got to Sutton Scotney my count was up to 52. That was all of the longer route riders. However I wasn't the last there as two of the 18 riders on the short course were still awaited. They arrived as I was enjoying the delicious flapjack made by Elaine.

After ten minutes I was on my way once more and did not see anyone else taking part until I got to the finish. Once past Micheldever Station the route was much tougher with two testing hills before Overton and two more before Hannington.

I passed the Vyne public house dead on one p.m., resisting the temptation for a pint, I stopped for 15 mins to picnic on the very attractive village green,

My Picnic Spot on the Village Green, Hannington.

As I  left the village I heard yet another cuckoo. 

My reward for the hill climbing was a few miles of fast downhill. Of course that did not last long, there were a couple more climbs and then that nasty little pitch in Cole Henly. I must have missed a route sign just after this because I saw no more as I passed through Whitchurch. However I knew the route definitely went through Longparish so I headed on in that direction and eventually rejoined the route. My recorded miles were the same as the planned course so I did not feel I'd cheated!

I made good time over the last few miles despite that tricky little climb out of Wherwell. I arrived back at the RV at 14.48 to be greeted by a welcoming group who clapped me in! I felt quite honoured. Simon took care of my bicycle, Emily gave up her chair for me and another of the group rushed off to fetch a very welcome cup of tea and forty cakes. It was a pleasure to sit and be pampered and hear news of others.

Here is my map and data for the day, Note the 2,741 feet of climbing. It felt like more!!

I have already received several donations for Naomi House.Further donations will be  welcome!

Many thanks to Simon and his helpers for such a well run event. A special thanks too to Elaine for the delicious flapjack and thanks also for the other refreshments.

Gridironman.

A Social Ride to The Phoenix, Twyford and another, Fast & Furious to Lasham & back.

Thursday 24th April a special day. My daughter's birthday! She was working at the Oxfam shop so I did not see her but went out with Simon on one of our gentle jaunts to link up with the HCMF.

Twyford is too near to home to go directly there, so we found a similar way to get there to that we used to get to Shawford recently. Simon was riding one of his vintage bikes. This one made in Southampton, a Rotrax. We headed through Ovington and up Gander Down, only to have to pause a while for Simon to replace a punctured tube.  Whilst he was doing so, Malcolm, one of the North Hants CTC riders, came by in his car, he was checking a route for Saturday. We had a short chat about his tea stop options before he departed.

We crossed the A272 to Lane End Down and from there down to Upham. (Actually the last few hundred yards into the village is anything but down being up a hill  of about 8%). We continued southwards along a very pleasant small lane to the outskirts of Durley. We must have been bordering a golf course for every now and then there were the metallic clunks of iron on ball.

It was now time to turn back towards our RV and Simon led me at a good pace through Horton Heath and Fair Oak and into Colden Common. Unfortunately here we had to stop again for another flat tyre. However as we were near Twyford Simon was able to pump it up enough to get to the pub.

I enjoy our visits to the The Phoenix more than some of our other venues. The landlord always seems to be welcoming and the food is usually good. On this occasion both Simon and I enjoyed the fish, chips and mushy peas. Excellent! John H. was kind enough to treat me to a pint of Flowerpots bitter.

There were about 20 or so other riders there so we enjoyed a good chat or two  before returning to the garden to repair Simon's flat. This necessitated applying a patch to the hole. Unfortunately I must have provided a dud patch as within a mile of the resumption of our journey Simon's tyre was flat again.

In the circumstances Simon decided to call Alresford Cyclists' Rescue Service (alias his wife Sarah) to be picked up. Having checked that Simon was old enough to be left on the street alone I continued the homeward journey on my own. I took the obvious route to start with to the Hockley lights and then along the new cycle path into the cantre of Winchester. 

When I reached the junction by the Black Boy I decided to take an unusual route and climbed the steep hill up Quarry Road to join the Alresford Road near the bridge over the M3. It was actually easier than I had anticipated provided I just took my time and it was blissfully free of traffic, an easier option than going via Winnall.

I was soon speeding down once more into Easton village and home through Avington and Ovington. I paused a couple of times, to admire this beautiful wisteria near Avington golf course and to sit on a bench in the sun to enjoy the view of Avington House and grounds.

Route and Data for Thursday 24th April.

Thanks Simon for another ride together, sorry about the dodgy patch. I have found them reliable in the past.


Saturday 26th April 2014

Before starting my ride I had to mend a slow puncture which I must have picked up on Thursday or was it caused by Simon sticking pins in my effigy to get his own back?

I decided it was time I tested myself and get in some training for the Naomi House Charity Cycle Ride on May 4th. My chosen route was based on one used by my friend PinkPal through the Candover valley and over the hill from Totford to Itchen Abbass and then home via the Tichborne ford.

My outward stage was to the Lasham Gliding Club Cafe via Medstead and Bentworth. I made good time up the hill to Medstead and enjoyed the fast downhill to cross the A339, registering  the top speed of the day. Just beyond Lasham village I heard a cuckoo. The first time this year.

I arrived at the cafe at the same time as a heavy shower. Perfect timing, it lasted slightly less than the time it took me to down a large cuppacino and a delicious jumbo sausage roll. When I resumed my ride the roads only a mile away were perfectly dry.

In Preston Candover the pumps are still going discharging water across the road. Here I joined PinkPal's route through the other Candovers where the roads are still wet in places with the recent rain causing the Candover Brook to overflow again.

Beside the Woolpack in Totford I sat on a salt box and took a breather whilst topping up with an energy drink and an apple. I exchanged waves with another cyclist as he left the pub. I had seen a number of other cyclists during the ride, mainly in pairs also one larger group. Most had given a friendly wave or verbal greeting.

Up the hill to Northington Woods was a test as the breeze was now in my face and I was tiring but my Garmin showed an average of just on 12 mph and I was determined to try to keep it there.

Fortunately once past the junction to Mollie's Dismount it was nearly all downhill or flat(ish) the rest of the way home. I completed the ride by crossing the footbridge by the ford and up New Farm Road.

Map and data for the day.

I was delighted when I uploaded the Garmin details to find I had more than achieved my aim of 12 mph riding speed. Not up to PinkPal's level though!

For further information on the Naomi House Charity Ride go to:

 http://www.naomihouse.org.uk/events/showevent/clatford-cycle-challenge

I hope to do the long route of this ride if the weather is favourable. If anyone would like to join me please let me know.

Whatever you do best wishes.

Gridironman.

HCMF Meet at The Angel near Privett. & Winchester CTC Intermediate ride to West Tytherley.

Thursday 17th April 2014 
Seven o'clock, I drew back the curtains and saw it was a lovely sunny day so jumped out of bed and got on to the Garmin Connect web site to plan a good alternative route to the HCMF meet at the Angel Privett which is only about 8 miles from home. Then I emailed Simon so he could upload the course to his Garmin.

I didn't shy away from some of the nice little hills which can be included in such a ride.

I joined Simon at his home just after 10 and we headed our favourite way south across the footbridge by the ford, Tichborne and Cheriton to climb through Kilmeston and up Rooksgrove lane. A slight hiccup with reading Simon's Garmin unit lead us to take a very small detour before heading down Wheeley Down at very high speed, would be even faster but for that little kink half way down!

We were soon through Warnford and climbing the Harden lane up Old Winchester Hill. We stopped halfway up to take a few pictures of this beech tree and the glorious panorama.

Beech Tree on the slopes of Old Winchester Hill.

Panoramic view of the Meon Valley from Old Winchester Hill. 

We had made such good time that we decided to continue along the ridge to the Sustainability Centre Cafe for a fix of caffeine. Just before we got there I tried to take a picture of a very new black lamb but before I could get my camera ready I was given the cold shoulder!

Cold Shoulder of Lamb!

We sat outside the cafe in the sunshine enjoying the chatter of a number of children along with their families nearby. Soon we were on our way again, down another fast hill into East Meon. 

Here Simon discovered another of my Surprise Nice Little Hills over the ridge to join the A272.

Of course there was yet another hill to the village of Privett. Near the top I stopped to take this shot of the church apparently rising out of the Oil Seed Rape. ( Really I was looking for an excuse as to why I was so far behind Simon!)

Privett Church 

Now we were only a mile or so from the pub and we were soon there to find fellow cyclists scattered all around both inside and out. As expected there were many from North Hants and only a few from the South. 

We indulged in a platter of excellent food from the carvery along with a pint of the pub's own very good ale. We seemed to find plenty to chat about too.

When it was time to take our leave of the remaining few we decided not to take the direct and shortest route home but to find an alternative.

We headed North along a lane I'd not been on many times before to Monkwood and then to Lyeway and Ropley.

Our final test of the day was White Hill not really a tough hill but still a tester at the end of a ride.

The Latest Cash Crop on White Hill near Alresford.

 Saturday 19th April Winchester CTC Intermediate ride to West Tytherley.

I had originally decided not to join this ride as I was worried I might not be able to keep up, but Graham the leader for the day persuaded me that I'd be fine, so I drove to Kings Worthy where I left my car at my daughter's house. Rode to the start where I arrived just in time for the start.

As well as Graham also in the group were Karen, Jenny, Ken, Simon, John and new to me Colin.
It was good to see folk I'd not previously met this year and to make a new friend.

Colin asked me if my bike was new. I told him it was about 2.5 years old. I must have made a good job of cleaning it yesterday! Simon Turner would have been proud of me. I noticed  that it did seem easier to ride and  that it freewheeled better than most of the other bikes on the ride.

The first leg of the ride was via a familiar route out of the city via Three Maids' Hill and Crawley.  Next Graham led us over the hill to Leckford and across the Test to Longstock. I noticed that the little shelter on the ancient eel trap is being rebuilt.

We climbed up to the Old Stockbridge Road which links Stockbridge to Middle Wallop. We sped along this and were soon at our coffee stop at the Army Flying Museum. Another nice surprise here, Caroline and Ian were already there enjoying their coffee and cookies. I was surprised as Ian had undergone surgery earlier in the week. Well done Ian on your speedy recovery; no doubt due to your fitness and determination. We left Ian and Caroline at the Cafe.



Graham next led us in a loop through the edge of Grateley and back to the south to Over Wallop. Here we took a right turn which to Graham's delight was onto a lane I'd never ridden before! For the next seven miles I was on unfamiliar roads. There was some broken sunshine but I was glad I was well layered up as there was a cold breeze too.

My Seven Companions taking a well earned breather near Tilshead.

We lunched at the Black Horse in W. Tytherley. Generous sized portions of excellent food for the other seven, I'd self catered as I prefer to eat little and often but I did help John out with his cheese ploughman's by disposing of his cheddar cheese and half an apple!

The Black Horse.

Outside I met another Ken. Here he is having just been ridden a couple of miles to the pub, he declined a drink. Proving the old saying. "You can take a horse to water but can't make him drink!"

Ken, The Brown Horse!

We had completed more than half our ride so the return trip was not too hard, but Graham did chose a fairly hilly route via Farley Mount which near the end of a ride was a little tough.

Before we got there we enjoyed more of the fine views which had been a feature of the day, though bright yellow fields of Oil Seed Rape seemed to dominate.

At the foot of the hill, Beech Tree Walk, Karen and Ken took their leave of us and headed for their homes in the South while the remaining six continued through King's Somborne where there was ample evidence of the recent floods. I was struggling a little to keep up here as I was getting tired but the others kindly waited for me a couple of times. Near Ashley we spotted a group of about 15 deer laying down in the middle of a cultivated field. Most unusual!

Deer near Ashley.
(Apologies for the quality of the picture, they were some way away!) 

Once to the top of the The Mount I urged the others to carry on while I paused for a breather. John waited with me. As we rode the undulations along the Old Sarum Road  we kept seeing the others tantilisingly near up ahead, but every time we seemed to gain on them they spurted ahead once more.

John turned off down Kilham Lane and I continued my pursuit eventually catching Colin at the junction with Chilbolton Avenue and passing Jenny and Simon soon afterwards! Jenny and I rode the last couple of miles to King's Worthy together.

Thanks Graham for an outstanding day. I was so pleased you persuaded me to join you. thanks too to the others who made it such an enjoyable ride.

The usual map and data :-

For an interactive map go to :

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/482891057

Gridironman.

Springtime is here!

It has been a lovely week for cycling, for the most part Sunny but cool with lots of spring flowers to enjoy.

On Thursday 10th April Simon and I joined the HCMF at the Swan, Barton Stacey. As I had animal minding duties to perform our route needed to be via Kings Worthy. Naturally as we were in no hurry we took the scenic route through Ovington and Easton to get there. Once the chores had been completed we continued via a roundabout way through Crawley, Leckford and Chilbolton. Here we paused for a break and for some photos.

Simon with one of his period bikes & Chilbolton Church.

We continued to the pub clocking up our fastest speed of the day down the hill into the village of Barton Stacey.

Service was very slow in the pub so we only had a pint and a chat for a while before calling at the next door  Village Shop for coffee and cookies. Adjacent to the shop was the local library!

On our way home we passed many fields of oil seed rape. The colours reminding me of my Aussie friends.

Green & Gold (for my Aussie Pals).

The Reading Room of Barton Stacey Library.

We also saw lots of flowering blackthorn which reminds me of my dad who always referred to it as "Blackthorn Winter" because it looks so like hoar frost.

Blackthorn Winter.

It was another great day out enjoying the countryside and the company!

Thursday's Route & Data

Because of family commitments I had had to pass my CTC leading duties on to Daren, hoping that at the last minute I might be able to join the ride anyway. However it was not to be so on Saturday 12th April 2014  I joined Simon to follow one of his planned routes to Odiham.

Dramatic Clouds

A very patient Simon
 looking after the bikes
 while I take photos.

Here is the route from which you can see Simon had made a good job of selecting some unfamiliar lanes as well as favourites.

Saturday's Route & Data.

Along the Candover Valley there was still some flooding in places where cellars are still being pumped out but it was almost back to normal. Later near The Hoddington Arms in Upton Grey there was still inches of water on the road as well as in the fields.

We had lunch outside The Bell Inn near the church in Odiham.

Next we had the toughest climbing of the day ascending to the highest point of the day. However Simon had planned for more hills and having misrouted the way to Shaldham we had a very steep climb out of the valley to rejoin the planned route in the village. However this was a benefit as we came across this lovely display of bluebells in the woods nearby.

Bluebells

 On through Bentworth to Medstead we went. Here despite Sarah's remark that I wouldn't lose Simon in his bright red outfit I managed to do just that. I had lost sight of Simon on Trinity Hill and following the Garmin route I had bypassed him near the church.
Eventually we were reunited in Bighton and completed the ride together.

I hope you enjoy the report and pictures as much as we did the two days on the bikes!

Gridironman.

Cyclocross!

A bit of an odd week this last one. Only one ride, that on Thursday 3rd April when Simon and I found a novel route to The Bridge at Shawford.

The weather was dominated by the smog which was not too bad here, but did give the views a distinctly Turneresque look and a little metallic taste on the tongue. The sun did break through at times and it was quite warm.

We headed out of Alresford via one of my more favourite routes, the long but gentle climb up Gander Down. From home to the top of Lane End Down is over 5 miles, most of it uphill! The next few miles to Owslebury is now well surfaced and we made the most of the gentle down slope to improve our average speed. I had suggested to Simon that we should take a loop through Fair Oak so we crossed the B2177 and took Stroudwood Lane southwards. We caught and passed another couple of cyclists as we neared Fair Oak.

Next we explored a couple of minor streets in the town to avoid the traffic lights on the main road and turned west through Bishopstoke. We used the cycle path for a short way but it soon disappeared, nothing unusual about that in the UK!

We soon were into the centre of Bishopstoke and turned north up the 7% hill past St Mary's Church. At the top we passed a sign 'Road Closed' assuming we would be able to squeeze past any obstruction.

We were soon proved wrong, the road was totally closed even for pedestrians with a tall metal fence, but not wanting to turn back, with the encouragement of two local residents, we took to a faint path through the roadside woods and across a pasture to join the road about 100 metres past the workers who were resurfacing a part of the road.

In Colden Common we came across these two very attractive flowering trees:

When we arrived at the pub we found the nucleus of the southern riders already well ensconced in the smoking area. (Not that they are smokers!)

We ordered our lunch and then joined them. Soon a lot more riders appeared, including Mollie, Mary and Brian who I'd not seen for ages, It was great to see them all.

In Shawford it seemed colder, probably because there was less sunshine now and I began to feel chilly so suggested to Simon we should get going again.

We decided not to return through Winchester but to go back over the hills with a variation of our outward route, so we went up Hazeley Lane to Morestead. Once over the peak we zoomed down the A272 to Cheriton and then through Tichborne to our homes.

A very social and enjoyable day out.

Saturday 5th April. Simon rang to say he had decided not to join me for a ride, so with the promise of a fish and chip lunch with Jean, followed by three Heineken Rugby matches and the threat of all day drizzle I chickened out of the Winchester CTC ride. I had a rather sore hand too from weed pulling on Friday so that was another excuse!

Plenty of time to catch up with the miles as the longer days and warmer weather come.

Gridironman.