Another day, another challenge or two.
Like buses! I'm using my week off to get out on the bike as much as possible (with out over doing it and getting injured).
The sun has it's hat on, and that is good enough for me.
A local couple of rides to kick the week off. After a rest day due to tiredness and a twinging knee from the IoW ride, I hit the road on Tuesday on the cross bike to cycle to Combe Gibbet. The objective was to ride along the ancient highway called the Wayfarers Walk to White Hill at Kingsclere, about 12 miles east along a route that offers stunning views as it generally sticks to the highest points of a hilltop ridge that runs for miles, ultimately ending, or beginning at Emsworth near the south coast.
As kids, my folks took us out on walks most Sunday afternoons etc. and there isn't much of the route we hadn't covered, locally. For a few years in the 90's we lived in Inkpen, I could see the Gibbet from my bedroom window. I would often nipped up there on the mountain bike, usually heading the other way though, to places like Buttermere etc. This would be a nice trip down memory lane as much as anything. After such a long time I was apprehensive as to what condition the highway would be in. 4x4s have done quite a good job of spoiling lots of local byways around Andover. Hopefully this wasn't the same case here.
The ride to the Gibbet took just over an hour, a lumpy route that I took at a slower than usual speed, generally taking time to check the severity of aches from the previous adventure. All seemed ok.
Next stop - Kingsclere, stopping a few times for video updates. see below. (click to enlarge)
The route was generally in good condition. A few areas still really wet, and a couple of rutted bits, especially near the A34. At the top of Faccombe chalk pit hill I had to stop to let a farmer on a quadbike pass as he shot off to round up some stray sheep. That farmer aside, I only saw 3 other people on the whole 12 mile section. Two walkers and a cyclist. I really was in the middle of nowhere. I like that feeling. Nearly 2 hours to cover 12 miles, It was a sunbathing ride after all, but also probably more rutted than I let on.
The ride home took me to Whitchurch and Hurstbourne Priors, I extended the route just so that I could ride up Wherwell hill. A great, steady climb of 8% that has one of the only hairpin bends in the area. In fact I cant think where the nearest next one is.. Probably Marlborough way.
Combe Gibbet has an interesting story, showing why you should behave yourselves.. click here
and the Wayfarers Walk click here
Making the most of the week off, I had another off road trundle on Wednesday, following the route of the old canal turned railway turned national cycle route 248. The old Spratt & Winkle line from Andover to Romsey and on to the docks at Southampton.. More info here
Another great ride, 2 hours this time. 30 miles, again hardly seeing a soul. Perfect.
The sun has it's hat on, and that is good enough for me.
A local couple of rides to kick the week off. After a rest day due to tiredness and a twinging knee from the IoW ride, I hit the road on Tuesday on the cross bike to cycle to Combe Gibbet. The objective was to ride along the ancient highway called the Wayfarers Walk to White Hill at Kingsclere, about 12 miles east along a route that offers stunning views as it generally sticks to the highest points of a hilltop ridge that runs for miles, ultimately ending, or beginning at Emsworth near the south coast.
As kids, my folks took us out on walks most Sunday afternoons etc. and there isn't much of the route we hadn't covered, locally. For a few years in the 90's we lived in Inkpen, I could see the Gibbet from my bedroom window. I would often nipped up there on the mountain bike, usually heading the other way though, to places like Buttermere etc. This would be a nice trip down memory lane as much as anything. After such a long time I was apprehensive as to what condition the highway would be in. 4x4s have done quite a good job of spoiling lots of local byways around Andover. Hopefully this wasn't the same case here.
The ride to the Gibbet took just over an hour, a lumpy route that I took at a slower than usual speed, generally taking time to check the severity of aches from the previous adventure. All seemed ok.
Next stop - Kingsclere, stopping a few times for video updates. see below. (click to enlarge)
The route was generally in good condition. A few areas still really wet, and a couple of rutted bits, especially near the A34. At the top of Faccombe chalk pit hill I had to stop to let a farmer on a quadbike pass as he shot off to round up some stray sheep. That farmer aside, I only saw 3 other people on the whole 12 mile section. Two walkers and a cyclist. I really was in the middle of nowhere. I like that feeling. Nearly 2 hours to cover 12 miles, It was a sunbathing ride after all, but also probably more rutted than I let on.
The ride home took me to Whitchurch and Hurstbourne Priors, I extended the route just so that I could ride up Wherwell hill. A great, steady climb of 8% that has one of the only hairpin bends in the area. In fact I cant think where the nearest next one is.. Probably Marlborough way.
Combe Gibbet has an interesting story, showing why you should behave yourselves.. click here
and the Wayfarers Walk click here
Making the most of the week off, I had another off road trundle on Wednesday, following the route of the old canal turned railway turned national cycle route 248. The old Spratt & Winkle line from Andover to Romsey and on to the docks at Southampton.. More info here
Another great ride, 2 hours this time. 30 miles, again hardly seeing a soul. Perfect.
Comments
Post a Comment