Enjoying the Spring Sunshine!

It has been lovely weather for cycling this week. I just hope it stays like this for next week when I am off on my travels again in Dobbin with Paris strapped on the rear carrier. 

This time I am heading north east stopping at three different Club sites, each time for two nights so I can ride in unfamiliar countryside. 

I'm also visiting friends.

In the meantime here are the details of my two rides enjoyed this week:-

Tuesday 15th May 2018. 

Pedallers Ride to the Queen Elizabeth Country Park.

Thursday 17th May 2018.

HCMF Meeting at The Fox, Ellisfield.

My next Blog will be when I get back home.

Bye for now, Gridironman.

Post op pleasure.

I had a small surgical procedure two weeks ago and have now recovered enough to get back out on my bike again. So on Wednesday 9th May I went for a gentle ride with the LoTSW group.

It was a lovely day for it, not too hot not too cold, plenty of sunshine. Enjoyed more flower spotting. 

The following day Thursday 10th May I felt well enough to cycle with Simon to the HCMF meet. Another beautiful day.

Then today Sunday 13th May I started off thinking I was fine, but soon I was having doubts until I discovered the problem was with the Rohan bike I had borrowed from Simon, and not me. I think he should have told me the bike is fitted with an automatic uphill brake. The harder one pedals the more it is applied, presumably to stop one running backwards!

To make my day more complete, en route to The Dolphin I met my good friend Jo and stopped for a natter. Then on the cycle path from Hockley I spotted my grandaughter Zoe with two of her friends, a brief pause to say hello and then in Winchester another friend, Andrew shouted a greeting to me as I rode past him as he walked along the footway.

A pretty good week considering I wasn't sure I'd be riding at all, with 116 miles ridden. Do I get the Ton Up Kid Medal back from Simon?

Gridironman.

My First Camper/Cycle tour of England and Wales.

After nearly a year from the purchase of my Camper Car, Dobbin, I have been able to do what I originally intended; use Dobbin to access other parts of the country for my cycle rides.

I was away for 8 days and 7 nights. In all I drove 550 miles and rode another 107.4. I had 5 rides in all as follows:

1. From the Caravan & Motorhome Camp Site near Carsington Water to the Knockerdown Inn.

2, Two Circuits of Carsington Lake, one on the mountain bike cycle path, one on the roads.

3. From Ripponden a circuit via Sowerby Bridge and near to Hebden Bridge over the hill back to Ripponden.

4. A circuit of Great Orme in North Wales.

5. A beach side and hilly ride from Rhos on Sea to Prestatyn and back.

The detailed maps and data are below with brief descriptions of the rides.

It was a great week, I only slept in Dobbin for two nights. I stayed with my cousin Ann for 3 nights and with my M2M chum Michael for 2. However it was a good test of using Dobbin and I learnt a lot about how best to organise myself in such a small space. I slept well which was the main thing and only had to use my heater for a short time.

The weather was pretty varied with cold cloudy weather a lot of the time and one very hot day of about 25 deg C. There was some brilliant sunshine too on the colder days at times.

The countryside changed a lot in the week and by Sunday Michael and I were able to identify the following flowers:

Bluebells, cow parsley, alexanders (very prolific near the sea), wood anemone, stitchwort, a few late daffodils, dogs mercury, jack by the hedge (also known as garlic mustard), Jack in the pulpit, early spotted orchid, dandelions, cowslips, primroses, herb robert, honesty, violets, celandines, green alkanet, daisies, buttercups and even some mahonia, (no doubt an escapee). I have probably forgotten some others!

The trees greened up nicely too and some of the woodlands had many shades of green and with white flowers of blackthorn adding to the mix.

1. From the Caravan & Motorhome Camp Site near Carsington Water to the Knockerdown Inn.

2, Two Circuits of Carsington Lake, one on the mountain bike cycle path, one on the roads.

3. From Ripponden a circuit via Sowerby Bridge and near to Hebden Bridge over the hill back to Ripponden.

4. A circuit of Great Orme in North Wales.

5. A beach side and hilly ride from Rhos on Sea to Prestatyn and back.

A most enjoyable week in all with friends and family who all treated me right royally. Thanks Ann, Ron, Michael, June and many other nameless passers by.

Now I have to settle and relax as I have just had a small operation and have been advised to take it easy for a week or so.

Gridironman.

A busy mid week.

Two rides in two days but then when I was hoping for another this morning (Thursday 12th) I woke feeling awful, seems I have picked up my first cold in about three years. I guess I have been very lucky. Just hoping I shake it off quickly as I have lots to do next week. Here are my two reports:-

Tuesday 10th April.

Pedallers ride to The Hawk Conservancy Centre.

                                                Wednesday 11th April.

                                 Away day with the LoTSW Group in the New Forest.

Unfortunately things only got worse and I have had to change all my plans just because of a stupid cold. Not having had one for along time I had forgotten how debilitating they can be especially when you spend all night coughing and wake up feeling more tired than when you went to bed. 

I have already cancelled my planned attendance at a birthday party and a visit to see my friend Millie and her family.

I am constantly revising my plans for the coming week and still hope to go and visit my family and friends. Dobbin is stamping impatiently waiting to fulfil his function. 

Hope to have more interesting news next time.

Gridiroman.

More like Spring!

These last few days has seen an improvement in our weather here in Hampshire. Two rides without any significant rain and some nice sunshine, much warmer too. On Thursday 5th April I rode alone to the HCMF meet at Soberton. When I got there I discovered I had been following Steve about ten minutes behind. We had a good lunch together before we said a brief hello to the others who had chosen to go into the bar instead of the dining room where tables had been reserved for us. Steve and I rode together the "easy way" to Old Winchester Hill. We parted here and Steve went on for a much longer way home via Four Marks.

It was a very enjoyable ride, thanks Steve for your company.

Map and Data for Thursday 5th April.

Today Saturday 7th April I had a most enjoyable day out with a small number of friends who I had not ridden with recently. Here are the Map and Data with a brief description. 

I enquired at the pub about my friend Laurence John, who was the victim of a horrible accident a couple of months ago,  and had the good news that he is back home and has been in the pub a couple of times.

The violets near Northington.

Some of the flowers in my garden. Not bad seeing how much I've neglected it these last 12 months! 

Thanks PinkPal, Kate, John and Ken for your good companionship on and off the bikes. 

Gridironman.

Soggy Roads.

I have been watching the program on TV following seven people walking the Camino de Santiago. I found it very interesting and reflecting on how it had affected them I realized that in many ways their pilgrimage was like my experience riding the M2M in 2016. It is a challenge and needs some determination to do it. The rewards are immense, making many new friends, seeing new places, enjoying the countryside and sights along the way and feeling on top of the world. I was blessed by having 15 others to ride with who all had their own challenges. We got along so well that I am in regular contact with most of the group. I am planning to meet up with two of them in April to renew our friendship and hopefully to have a couple of rides together. In the meantime I am trying to stay fit and prepare Dobbin for my trip.

This is my Saturday outing:-

Saturday 31st March 2018.

After a very wet week I was inclined to go out whatever the weather. In fact it was not too bad at all. I was away just before 11 a.m. and had little idea of where I was going. I was on Sporty who had not been out for a ride for ages but I found he was going well so I decided to go to the Golden Glider, Lasham. It started to drizzle as I stopped to take my picture in Brown Candover but that didn't last long. In Preston Candover I met a couple of riders who had stopped to fix a flat. Since getting home I have identified one of them by using Strava Fly Bys and have sent him a message In Ellisfield

I was scared out of my skin when someone fired a shot gun just the other side of the hedge. A number of other shots rang out, pigeon shooting?

There were a few other bikes about and fortunately not too many cars. Nice piece of Bakewell Cherry Cake and a coffee at The Golden Glider and then a ride home in much nicer weather, except for the last half mile!

Not much to report regarding wild life, lots of daffodils , a number of Robins singing, a few blackbirds and a squirrel. No Kites.

Sunday April 1st 2018.

Was it an April Fools Day. Not at all I had a lovely morning. 

Continued to ride Sporty testing whether he would be a better choice than Posh for my Camper Car outings. He does have slightly lower gears than Posh but he is also a few pounds heavier which rather negates the advantage, I also find him harder to climb onto, so I think I will stick to my original decision to take Posh. (Don't want to risk Paris.) 

Thanks to all my friends both new and old for supporting me on my many rides and in many other ways. 

Gridironman.

Puddles & a Tumble

An abbreviated week of cycling with other commitments and snow affecting us. However I did manage to get in two rides on Wednesday and Thursday. 

Wednesday 14th March 2018.

Thursday 15th March 2018.

Ton Up Kid medal won by Gridironman!

It has been another good week for cycling with much improved weather. I was very happy to have managed over 100 miles in a week for the first time this year. I enjoyed three rides which were all different. Thanks to my companions on those rides for making the days such good fun. Here are the details:-

Tuesday 6th March, 2018.

Thursday 8th March, 2018

Sunday 11th March. 2018.

Gridironman.

Checking out the Snow Drifts.

Sunday March 4th 2018.

Fast Melting Cornices 

Puddle Ahead.

It was only about 4 ins deep so I was able to trickle through it without getting wet.

Only one ride this past week, but lucky to get that in. Saw very few other cyclists about, none in the snowy lanes.

Gridironman.

The Yew Tree & Circuit via Petersfield.

Thursday 22nd February 2018.

Joined the HCMF for lunch at the Yew Tree, Lower Wield.

Here are my route and further details:

Sunday 25th February.

On my way home I paused to get my breath before climbing Wheeley Down.
The Shark was looking good in the sunshine! 

I could only manage 27.4 mph freewheeling down from the Milbury's as I was riding into the wind for this descent. 

It was a good ride despite the cold as I was well wrapped up with 5 layers on. 

I was however for once disappointed by the quality of my food at Cloisters which is usually good. I had baked potato with Chilli con Carné. The spud was fine but he chilli had not been cooked into the mince, I think the cook had only sprinkled it onto the sauce and not mixed it in as it was non existent in some parts and moderate in others. They did ask if everything was OK and when I told them I was disappointed they reduced my bill, so I was happy with that.

Gridironman.

Too busy walking!

Just got back from a few days of dog minding and walking, that combined with the wet and windy weather on Tuesday meant I only had one ride last week. Still it was a very enjoyable one despite getting caught in the only 15 minute shower of the day! Here are the details:

Thursday 15th February 2018.

I managed to persuade Cycmon to join me. I t was a nice morning with sunshine but although a little warmer than of late it was still quite chilly. I had decided to go the hilliest way and come back an easier one. The climb along Chilbolton Avenue is a steady one so I gained height without too much puffing and panting. The next four miles are either up or down. That is the shark's teeth between four and five hundred feet. Some of these little pitches are quite steep and I had to keep zipping up and down the gears. When we neared the top of Farley Mount we could see the Memorial Stone shining brightly in the sun. We spotted a couple of riders about two hundred yards ahead but despite my best efforts we couldn't close the gap. The road was surprisingly wet in places where the large puddles hadn't had time to dry out. I heard my first skylark of the year as we neared Ashley.

WE were soon through kings Somborne and at the pub where we arrived at the same time as half a dozen others who had all ridden there separately. What timing!   

Of course the disadvantage of this is that unless one is swift it means queueing at the bar to order food and drink. 

In all there were around 20 of us, mainly the regulars but being this far south and west no one from North Hampshire or beyond apart from Paul who had come from Andover via the Woodford Valley.

We enjoyed lunch and the craic so much that it was nearing 2 o'clock by the time we set off for home. The wind was with us so that was good, at first, but then as we neared Crawley it clouded over and it started to hail. Unfortunately as we were going with the wind it lasted longer than it might have otherwise. It turned to rain as we were near Headbourne Worthy and by the time we got to Itchen Abbass the sun was out again so I accompanied Cycmon over the ford to Farewell Corner.

When I got home I found that my winter jacket had kept me almost dry but my feet were a bit damp and muddy.

Thanks Cycmon for keeping me company on the ride and for all the others who had made it such a social day too.

Will not be riding on Tuesday or Wednesday as I am visiting friends in Sutton Coldfield.

Gridironman.

 

Up Hill Down Dale!

Sadly I am beginning to find most rides are getting much harder than they were even a short time ago. I have had two good rides this week but I did find both of them tired me out quite a lot even though they were not that long. They did however contain some "nice little hills". 

Dobbin

Of course even a year ago  I was planning on using a camper van to take me to other places so I can enjoy shorter rides. I now have Dobbin and I have fitted a bike rack and curtains and I am going to the Caravan Show at the NEC in Birmingham soon to see what else I can pick up to make myself comfortable. So this blog will I hope become about both motor car touring/camping with bike rides.

Watch this space.

Tuesday 6th February 2018.

A ride with the Pedallers.

It was a small group of us braving the cold weather, but we were all well wrapped up and soon got warm riding. Dave had chosen a hilly route to pop over the border into Surrey. There were some pretty nasty pot holes in places and several places where they were very muddy. We found a nice café to have a nice snack, I had croque monsieur. Not had that for ages, it was very tasty.

The hills on our return to Old Basing were much easier and I even led the group at times! 

Thanks Dave for leading us. 

Thursday 8th February 2018.

The other Groupetta members being otherwise occupied I rode on my own to the HCMF meet at the Farmer's Home, Durley. I chose to go via Gander Down as I'd not been for a while. The snowdrops are at their best by the side of the river in Ovington now. A bird of prey was chasing the small birds over my head as I climbed the hill. Not sure which one it was as it all happened so quickly. Possibly a Merlin? It didn't succeed in catching one.  I had been late starting as I had been for a check up at the dentist, but I still was at the pub by 1:45 p.m. I believe we were 14 in total. A nice number as it gives one the opportunity to chat to nearly everyone. I had an excellent lunch before setting off home. The wind was behind me down the hill into Beauworth and I clocked over 36 mph freewheeling from the Milbury's, but was still unable to beat my record freewheel through the village. It drizzled a bit as I rode into Cheriton and the road was extremely muddy. A van driver stopped me to tell me to take care as it was very slippery and another cyclist had taken a tumble. By the time I got home the rain had stopped and the roads were dry.

Friday 9th February.

A meeting of cycle friends for dinner hosted by Kathy and Kevin. A lovely evening of good food and good company. Thanks guys!

Sunday 11th February.

The gang on the bridge at Chilland.

Ten of us met at Ovington park for a short walk to Chilland. We found the path across the fields to Easton far too slippery with deep mud so eight of us cut our walk short and drove to the Golden Lion, Winnall, Winchester where we were joined by Alan for a most enjoyable roast lunch. 

Chris with friend.

At Lunch.
Caroline the Project manager telling me what to do while Ken, who has heard it all before, looks on.

Gridironman.

Last ride in january, first ride in February.

Once again I have managed to choose fine days to ride. Today Sunday it was much colder than Tuesday with a strong NE breeze. Andrew rode with me on both rides and today we even managed to get Cycmon to join us. He is not so fit as usual having had a nasty cold and has not ridden for a while. He did manage to keep up!

Tuesday 30th January 2018.

A Pedallers ride to the Waitrose Farm Shop and Café. It was another very social one, it amazes me how we always seem to find plenty to talk about. Bill was most kind, keeping me company when I drifted off the back of the group.

Sunday 4th February 2018.

A late start which suited us all. It was a little warmer than it had been earlier in the day but I was glad I had on five layers because of the strong NE wind bringing cold air down from the artic.

Gridironman.