Home & Away

This week I have ridden all three of my bikes:

Tuesday, Txiki with the Pedallers.
Wednesday, Paris, solo on gravel tracks.
Sunday, Posh, solo to the pub.

Enjoyed three very different days.

Tuesday 11th June.

Rode to Stoke Charity to meet the other Pedallers. Got there far too early so as it was quite chilly, to keep warm, I went to Wonston along the pretty lane through Hunton then back over the hill. Four others joined me and we agreed to go to the Avenue Garden Centre at Lasham for our lunch break. We avoided the lane from East Stratton to Brown Candover as it is very inclined to have lots of loose gravel after the rain. After a nice lunch break, we headed South through Bentworth to Lower Wield. I left the others at Totford. A most enjoyable ride once again.

Wednesday 12th June.

The not very big dam.Dam. 

Drove in TeeTee to Harpenden where I visited my friend Alf on my way back in Cambridgeshire for another short break. I arrived at the C&MH Club Grafham Water site on Wednesday at about 13.30. With rain forecast, I got changed as quickly as possible and set out on Paris to circumnavigate the lake. The track was a mixture of hard packed stone, soil and loose gravel with occasional paved sections, mainly on the hills. Paris & I managed it easily. In places I enjoyed good views of the lake, in others, the path lead was through woods and alongside fields of rape and barley. Needed to keep my mouth shut to avoid swallowing small flies!

The water control tower.

The level of water was low, so the rain is needed. I stopped a few times, once for a cup of coffee and cake at the Lakeside Cafe and chatted with another cyclist who was riding an e-bike with massive tractor tyres, another time to talk to two other cyclists and then a visit to Rutland Cycles. 

It was getting increasingly cloudy and started to rain gently when I was about half way round. Fortunately, I had my waterproof coat and only got damp. Nice village community shop and next door a community pub which is open on Thursday to Sunday evenings only. Did not even cover 10 miles but it was a good reconnaissance of the area.  

Thursday 13th June.

One of the many paths through the woods.

A really horrible day to start. It had rained all night and it continued until after lunch so I did not get on my bike again. Instead, I forked out £3 so I could use Wi-Fi. That enabled me to upload my route and data from Wednesday deal with some important emails and play some games to help pass the time. 

View from the lakeside cafe.

The afternoon was much better and as the roads were still very wet I decided to go for a walk instead. It proved to be a good choice as I was able to do some birdwatching and take more photos of the countryside. 

Migrant birds mopping up the flies over the water while the woods were alive with small birds. Waterbirds and rabbits to enliven the banks too and several windmills generating power nearby.

I spotted a nuthatch on the trunk of a pine near to where workers were building piles of logs. To form habitat for other creatures? 

The margins of the lake form important areas of woodland for wildlife.

There were a number of sailing boats on the lake making the most of the strong breeze.

I visited the village church where I was lucky to find it well decorated with flowers left from a flower festival service on Sunday last.

Back at the Camp, I had tea and a rest then in the evening I walked to the Community Pub the GrafhamTrout where I enjoyed the craic with other customers and the barmaid who was a zoologist working part-time to fund a PhD on the provision of safe migratory passages for elephants in Botswana. It started to rain again so it was a good excuse to tarry there a little longer!

Eventually, I walked back in the drizzle, on the way meeting a large group of boy cyclists with several adults who were riding round the lake in pursuit of a Boy Scout badge in cycling. They seemed to be having a lot of fun despite the rain.

Friday 14th June.

Left the site and headed for Cambridge to visit my friend Liz. Unfortunately despite our having agreed I would visit her around 11 a.m she was not at home. She thought that I was visiting on Saturday.  I found an interesting way home via some country roads and then the M25 and M3 along with a few thousand other cars. It was slow in places but I was still home by 2 p.m. I did find an interesting place to stop for coffee near St.Albans. The Reel Cafe near some lakes. I had a delicious piece of lemon drizzle cake and a coffee for the princely sum of £2.50 whilst enjoying a dry day with some sunshine. A nice end to an interesting break.

Sunday 16th June.

Garmin has recorded top speed as 36.2 mph which I think is more credible. Also, the moving speed as 12.2. Same data from the unit with different interpretations by various apps.

Gridironman.

Pedalling & Riding my Devices In Devizes

Tuesday 4th June.
Pedalling.

Wednesday 5th June.

First day near Devizes. As soon as I had hooked up I unloaded Posh and set off to explore. Took the tow-path for 3 miles and then headed into Melksham. 

Lots of queuing traffic but being on a bike I passed the lot in no time.  I was soon in Lacock via part of the Wiltshire Cycle Way. Lots of tourists including school parties. It started to spot with rain so I chose not to stay, but it soon stopped. 

I headed out up Bowden Hill which was 12% in places causing me to walk two sections despite Posh’s low gear. I  paused at the top to visit the church and to admire the views.

Followed the Cycle Way almost to Calne before turning back south over another tough but easier hill. Stopped near the top to admire more views and to refuel. When I got out into the open countryside, with no shelter, it began to rain, this time very heavily. I popped on my rain jacket which protected me from the worst of it. Great view from the top of The Vale of Pewsey which seemed to be suffering from the deluge. The gutters were soon overflowing. I dropped down into Bishops Cannings as fast as I could and dived into the churchyard to shelter under a very large yew tree which sheltered me well. When the rain stopped I made my way through Devizes using the towpath to avoid the traffic. By the time I got to the Camp Site I was almost dry except for my soggy socks & shoes. There had been no rain at all here!

My Drying Room!

Thursday morning I woke to bright sunshine which was strong enough to completely dry my shoes and any other damp items from yesterday.

The Office

I planned a route on my computer and loaded it 

My Kitchen

My bed is under there somewhere!

I had planned a route to the South and East of Devizes. My first test was to climb over Seend Hill. The next few miles were easy except it started to spot with rain. Luckily it was not much but later on there were a number of heavy showers. I managed to shelter from or dodge these. The views of the Downs to the North were great, lovely rolling green hills. I wanted to get a picture of them with the clouds but I never seemed to find the right moment except for this one of the White Horse framed by the trees and the bridge over the canal.

I discovered a very busy coffee shop just by the bridge and had a most enjoyable break chatting to two other cyclists who were riding the towpath from Reading to Bath and then going on the old railway line to Bristol. They were staying at Airbnbs.

Beautiful Working Farm near Stroud Hill. 

 Lived on Canal Boats 

Posh taking a well-earned break.

I stopped for lunch in the Lamb Inn in Urchfont. Tasty fried whitebait with salad. 

Urchfont.

Delightful little lanes through many small villages on my way back to join the canal towpath. In Seend Cleeve I went down a hill around a hairpin to discover the lane went back up the hill at 8%. Of course, I was in the wrong gear and came to a complete stop just managing to get my foot down in time to prevent a tumble. 

Back at the camp I had a cup of tea, then a short walk to the canal and back. Later I had a light supper but at 7.30 p.m., having heard the forecast for heavy rain on Friday, I packed up and drove home. I was there in a little over an hour and a quarter and unpacked and in bed by 10;30.

Gridironman

More fine days with friends.

It has been another good week for me, enjoying three very different rides.

Basing Park Colours.

Tuesday 28th May.

Thursday 30th May.

After lunch at East Meon, I headed North up the steep Park Hill towards Bordean. After climbing the steepest part I found this tranquil little pond by Park Farm and paused for a break.

Newly discovered pond near East Meon.

The resident Moorhens.

 I have over the years been intrigued as to the course of the Meon valley railway after it crosses the A272 near the West Meon Hut. I have studied the maps and decided to try and find out the location of the North end of the Privett Tunnel. I found it on Hempland Lane right beside the road opposite a house. The cutting has largely been infilled and very mature trees are growing there. The Southern end is not accessible by road but I think it might be by a footpath.

Tunnel Parapet.

The northern end of the Privett Tunnel.

Saturday 1st June.

Gridironman

Three Very Different Rides.

This week has been another good one for cycling with perfect weather, not too hot but fine and sunny for the most part with little wind. I managed three rides all on Txiki. For two of the rides I'd have had problems keeping up with my pals on the hills without the E assistance and on the other I was short of time so needed a faster speed.

Tuesday May 21st.

A ride with the Pedallers.

Thursday 23rd May

Solo ride to join the HCMF Meet.

Saturday 25th May.

With Alton CTC.

The Alton CTC enjoying tea at the farm shop.

I am pleased to say that I remembered the names of all the riders when I got home including two who I'd met for the first time.

Another week over the "Ton", with 140 miles covered, so I claim the Ton-up Kid medal once again despite the efforts of PinkPal who managed 114 miles.

Gridironman.

Fun in The Malverns & Cotswolds.

I have had a fantastic week of cycling, completing 6 rides in all over seven days. I drove to The Caravan and Motorhome Club site at Malvern Hills. Stayed there two nights and then drove to Cirencester to stay at the club site in Cirencester Park.

Besides cycling, I also managed a visit to Croome Court a very interesting National Trust Property. A couple of very colourful exhibitions there. Tapestry by Grayson Perry and embroidery by The Worcestershire Embroiderers Guild. My late wife Jean was a member of The Embroiderers Guild and would have loved both of these exhibitions. I had a gentle stroll around the grounds and visited the museum about the wartime use of the grounds and nearby airfield in the research of radar. All very interesting.

Fresh spottings:

Flowers: Red Campion, Yellow Bedstraw & Star of Bethlehem.

Birds: Yellow Hammer.

River Avon. 

Strensham Church.

Croome Court.

Chinese Bridge at Croome.

Gridironman

Fun & Games!

As I was unable to ride to the HCMF meet this week I only managed 2 rides and about 70 miles. However, the Pedallers ride on Tuesday was a good one for the four of us who took part and the special event on Saturday was a good bit of fun without matters being taken too seriously.

Leon with the riders except for me.

An odd-looking map due to the unusual circumstances.

Gridironman.

Not quite another "Ton".

Having almost completely recovered from a bad attack of Sciatica I got out on my E-bike once again enjoying one solo ride and another in company with a modest group of Winchester CTC riders.

On Thursday, I made up my route as I rode according to how well I felt. This resulted in a somewhat convoluted route to the HCMF meet at the Brickmakers Arms in Swanmore. On my way I went past the Shoe Pub in Exton where I spotted this interesting vehicle:

After a short stop in Swanmore, I continued an erratic way home via Durley, where I paused to admire the little church.

Church of The Holy Cross, Durley.

I was mightily relieved that I completed over 40 miles with absolutely no problems. In fact, I felt better for the excursion.

When Saturday morning dawned I decided to join the Winchester CTC ride to Houghton. Here is my report of my ride:

I was even home in time to see most of the exciting Tour de Yorkshire stage 3 on the TV and the end of a very tense snooker match between Gary Wilson and Jud Trump.

Another good result, though I did ache a bit when I woke on Sunday morning.

One of the benefits of riding with the CTC group was it gave me the chance to catch up with the news of my many friends.

When I checked my Strava data I was a little disappointed to find I had fallen just one mile short of the 100 miles for the week! I was tempted to pop to the shops on the bike this morning just to achieve that but decided the walk would probably be better for me.

Gridironman.