Tourist dodging, Nordic sounds and a Cyclist's Cafe

Chiswick to Barbican and back for an evening concert of Sibelius. 
19.22 Miles. 9th December 2012 

After following the Thames path up to Hammersmith Bridge, the spin around four lanes of traffic on Hammersmith Broadway is not or the faint hearted! High Street Kensington also presents a few challenges on a Sunday in December: Tourists, Shoppers, Buses and Taxi's are all over the place. Getting into Hyde Park and later moving down the Mall provided a more relaxed ride though the approach to the Palace was rammed with tourists many of whom wandered aimlessly into my path. Obliged to do a good deal of Bell ringing!

Did the tourist bit myself at St Paul's. I used to work near here with this in view everyday so it's kind of special to me.

Rode up to Old Street and stopped for a Mocha at the 'Look Mum No Hands' cafe which was buzzing, Interesting mix of people here and some cool bike stuff on sale too.

It's not big but it's a bit clever. 

Re-fuel Hub 

Beers & Gears

Transport upgrade - Goodbye to the grey & the blue.........Hi ho Silver, away!

Reckon my 1993 Dawes Discovery Hybrid was the best £75 I ever spent. True, I  had spent a bit more updating and improving her since acquiring the bike second hand 2 years ago. With some tender loving care, some servicing and 2 replacement chains, cassettes and rear mech this bike served me well on commuting miles and for teaching purposes in schools. Most nnotably it gave me total reliability and doing several trips to and from London (c40 miles each way).

Luckily she has gone to a friend who will provide a good home! I have agreed to provide ongoing repairs, cleaning and servicing when needed.

The new Dawes Horizon Plus provides a sturdy replacement that will in addition allow longer cycling tours.



Outgoing




Incoming



Upton Grey Kinda Guys

Ride around Odiham, Greywell, Upton Grey, Herriard, Lasham, Golden Pot, Froyle, Long Sutton, Well & Crondall   27th October 2012
31.7 miles

Favoured local lanes often take me through the picturesque village of Upton Grey, south of Odiham, but if their Guy Fawkes competition is an annual event I obviously missed previous efforts. This year's Guy offerings are very eye-catching!



Guy that looked a bit like Nicola Roberts....



Just a regular Guy



Spy Guy - in 'The Guy who Loved Me' (ouch!)

The Guy in the Striped Pyjamas

Guy Dog!

The Silent months....

I have shamefully neglected posting here through the Summer and Autumn this year. I didn't stop cycling....honest!!
So I've got some catching up to do! There will be some retrospective posts to come which will look back to other events and rides that I did but was just too busy (or lazy!) to post.
Suffice to say I'm still out there.

Apologies and note to self. Must try harder!

Liphook Classic - Ride it Sportive - 22nd July 2012

My first Sportive.

I thought I could do hill climbs but  today's 90 miles over and around some of the South Downs threw up some crunching hills. Ouch. Feeling somewhat humbled. Beautiful countryside!

Says it all - didn't do it for me!!



Start - Bohunt School, Liphook



Downs looming -  oh no!



Forest Ride








Counter total



Sussex Summer view



London Reunion Ride - June 2nd 2012 : Train to Surbiton then a ride up to Primrose Hill via West London & The West End - return ride all the way back via Twickenham, Hampton Court, Walton, Weybridge, Frimley etc 

71 Miles total 

Reunion with a group of old colleagues. Have done the ride to and from London to Hampshire a few times now but it's always a bit of a daunting prospect. Getting around the busier parts of London is always a challenge. Lot's a Union Jacks on show a day ahead of the Royal Pageant.

Also surprised at the huge numbers of people using 'Boris Bikes', especially in Hyde Park.

Relaxed setting in the garden of the Albert, Primrose Hill.

Phone Pics only so not 'scenic' pics but you get the idea.

Old Trusty takes the Train



                                       

                                                     No Through Road - Red Wall in Oxford Street

                                                       





Return to Marble Arch - Red wall 2





Kindred Spirit - Rickshaw being 'squeezed' at the lights



A rather late April Fool..... or Insurance scam?

...Came across this in a park near Ealing!! .....The note says 'Please Steal Me'!

Spring Forward - Sunny Sunday Ride

Odiham - Greywell - Mapledurwell - Tunworth - Cliddesdan - Hatch Warren/Brighton Hill - Oakley - Wootton St. Lawrence - Monk Sherborne - Sherborne St John - Bramley - Stratfield Saye - Mattingley

40 miles      Tm. 2hr 37min      Pace 15.4mph

Despite 'losing'  an hour's sleep, I was up early and up for some decent miles. With the promise of non stop sunshine and a steady increase in temperature what better way to celebrate the start of Spring!

Odiham Castle from Greywell Moors

River Whitewater - Greywell

Big Oak - Wootton St Lawrence

You need a sense of direction around these parts!



New surface for a fast run down to Monk Sherborne!



All Saints -  Monk Sherborne

Sherborne St John - Post Office & Stores



The Vyne



Coming into Bramley



The Route



All Saints (7 Churches) Ride - 19th February 2012

Rotherwick - Newnham - Old Basing - Upton grey - Long Sutton - Odiham - Winchfield

28.04 Miles Tm 01:53
14.8mph pace

OK, so I've done these villages many times on various routes but this time my thinking was different. It occurred to me that one of the reasons I cycle to these places is because there are attractive and interesting Parish Churches along the way. It's an enjoyable distraction cycling through pleasant villages with buildings that are an important part of our social history. So I thought I'd make that the theme of this post.

Snowdrops at the Gate of St Nicholas' in Newnham

St Nicholas - Newnham

St Mary's - Old Basing

St Mary's - Upton Grey



Time for a snack in Upton Grey

.....and a nice downhill ride into the village

All Saints - Odiham (various relatives of mine were Wed here)

St Mary the Virgin - Winchfield

London Flashride - 22nd February 2012

London Flashride (with a colleague) in support of the Campaign for Safer Cycling in Cities & Towns - 22nd Feb 2012 on the eve of the all Party debate about provision for safer cycling.

 

I am passionate about cyclists' right to use roads and about changing the perceptions of most motorists who believe we shouldn't be on them. This is not intended to be a place for political views but I really felt that it was time to do something. I hope the 2000 or so who rode along last night have started the ball rolling in earnest. 

 

Me - waiting for the off at the Duke of York Steps in The Mall



The intrepid Mr Coe doing his bit



Coming down to Parliament Square

Post Ride refreshment stop - The Golden Lion

What Happens Next?!

 

 

Loddon Loop - Bramshill, Riseley, Stratfield Saye

22.11 Miles
Time 1.26   Pace 15.5mph

New route, partly inspired by Saturday's off road ride around Bramshill. Sunny and still but very cold. Narrow country lanes but all good surfaces. Not much ice to worry about. This will be a lovely Spring & Summer ride. Tomorrow I'll do this one backwards.

Ford Lane - Bramshill

County Boundary - Over the Blackwater River

Riseley

Underpass - Avoiding the A33

Old Mill - Stanford End

Red  Kite over Stratfield Saye

Route