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

Off Road on the 'Tank' - Bramshill Forest & Hazeley Heath

Hartley Wintney - Bramshill - Hazeley Lea - Hazeley Heath

10.13 miles
Time 01:02
9.9mph pace

Every now and again I get an urge to explore off road routes and having not been in Bramshill Forest for many years, I decided it was time I dusted off the MTB and explored. Phew, despite the plummeting temperatures this afternoon it was hard work through half frozen mud and the damp sandy soil of the forest tracks. Getting onto the smooth lanes of Ford Lane and Plough Lane was frankly a relief!
On Hazeley Heath stopped to chat to a charming lady out 'off roading' with her son, who gave me some useful route tips around the area.

Frosted Forest - Bramshill

Bramshill Forest




River Hart

 

Temperature drop - Hazeley Heath



Amazingly the Gorse flowers are out

Route - 1

Route - 2

Route - 3



Route - 4



Raptor Ride - Basingstoke encircled 8th Jan 2012

Phoenix Green - Mattingley - Rotherwick - Sherfield on Loddon - Bramley - Sherborne St John - Monk Sherborne - Wootton St. Lawrence - Oakley - Cliddesden - Tunworth - Mapledurwell - Upp Nately - Greywell - Odiham - Winchfield.

36.39 Miles
Tm 2hr 21 mins
Av sp 15.5mph

Great to get out on a Sunday morning at this time of year in calm, clear and mild conditions. Lots of cyclists evidently had the same opinion!
Always plenty of Hawks, Kestrals, Kites & Buzzards to be seen on these routes in the Winter time.

Mattingley - not certain whether this was  a Buzzard or Peregrine Falcon.....not an expert

St James' - Bramley

The Vyne:  Tudor pile - All windows curtained.....must be having a Sunday lie-in.

Blue Horizon - Wootton St Lawrence - looking towards Oakley 



Rare place to cross the M3. Footbridge over to Cliddesden

 

Favoured lanes - The back roads are often the ones in the best condition - Tunworth




St Stephen's - Up Nately






Odiham High Street





Route





Winter (Hart) Warmer 7th January 2012

16.82 Miles
Av 15.2mph

Nice afternoon local ride in the sunshine around the Hart District including Hartley Wintney, Elvetham, Crookham Village, Dogmersfield & Winchfield. Sometimes you forget what is right on your doorstep.



New Church roof - Elvetham



Road to Rotten Green

Winchfield watering hole - The Barleymow

Basingstoke Canal at Winchfield

St. Mary's - Hartley Wintney

Route