Saturday, 27 October 2012

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!


Sunday, 22 July 2012

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







Monday, 4 June 2012

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



Wednesday, 4 April 2012

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

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





Monday, 26 March 2012

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


Saturday, 25 February 2012

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

Thursday, 23 February 2012

London Flashride - 22nd February 2012