Friday 31 May 2013

Day 6 - Clun to Runcorn

Sun again, staying pretty much all day! Lovely landlady at The Sun made us very welcome, and put our things in her washing machine.


Traditional 9am briefing from Nick then off across gorgeous countryside and quiet lanes heading for Hereford. Superb bike shop here for little fix-its, getting the Garmin support bracket tightened etc. On to Shrewsbury and the famous Quantum Leap memorial slinky dedicated to Darwin, son of the town.




Then more quiet rural lanes to the compulsory stop at Derek's Hot Snacks lay by van at Lea Cross. Sizzling bangers on the go for a previous customer's telephoned order. Had great slabs of cake and mugs of tea but he wouldn't accept any money for the teas. Instead gave him a big tip. What a nice bloke.



Here's trusty Trekkie.


On through quiet, flat countryside to Loppington where Nick had lunch set out ready. Very friendly landlord at the Dickin Arms served up pints of lime and soda and wouldn't take anything for them. Another nice bloke! Then someone came over from an outside table to ask about the ride and insisted on giving a donation to our charity. Third really nice bloke! Shropshire must be a great place to live.





Last leg was bombing through more quiet lanes including a tea stop at the superb Grosvenor Arms in Aldford



Helter shelter competition with commuter traffic on the A56 into Runcorn. Big ride, over 80 miles, and boy did that hot shower feel good at the end.


Thursday 30 May 2013

Day 5 - Monmouth to Clun

Saints be praised, dry and nearly sunny to start. Gathering clouds but no rain, whoopee. Lie in because of short day's ride of just 53 miles. Ha, ha did I say just?

Lovely ride along cycle track into Hereford, avoiding the perilous A49. Local councils take note. Stopped at friendly Post Office in Canon Pyon for a welcome cuppa before heading off for the lunch stop near Mortimer's Cross. Never found out what was bugging him.

Was Tony being patriotic and standing to attention?

Nice fast ride after lunch but just as we'll we'd put on an extra layer. Then came The Hill To End All Hills so far, lIke riding up the roof of a house, on and on. Rapid descent the other side though, with smell of burning rubber from the brake blocks. Checked into The Sun Hotel, lovely welcome and room, and the offer of laundry services!

 

 

Wednesday 29 May 2013

Day 4 - Destination Monmouth

Miraculously SUNY after yesterday's deluge. Restored room from temporary Chin Sam's Laundry, sadly not great at getting things dry.


Off at traditional 9 am and almost immediately went through nice quiet lanes towards Wells. Great big cathedral they said, can't miss it. We did at first, St Cuthberts not a show stopper, sorry buddy.




Monster hill out of Wells, see the Welsh hat below between 10 and 20 miles.Then a long undulating route towards Bristol. Interesting navigation there but Mr Garmin was up to it. Good long cycle track to Avonmouth and, at last, the van, 40+ miles from start. Lovely sunshine for the fuelling up then back on the trusty steed and over the Severn Bridge. 

More nice cycle tracks then glorious downhill run beside the river and through tree lined road. Quick photo opportunity at Tintern Abbey




Then Wavey D and Martin cracked on at a pace I couldn't match along the superb Wye Valley, so trundled along behind them. Tony meantime had left the lunch stop to do his own thing.

Arrived in Monmouth just as the rain started.


The squeamish should stop reading now, but some people are dying to know about saddle soreness and chafing. None so far, touch wood, maybe helped by the Chamois Butt'r cream. Exotic feeling soon after applying, like having an ice pack applied to the Crown Jewels as the solvent evaporates. Could get to like the sensation ....

Tuesday 28 May 2013

Day 3 - Destination Glastonbury

First observation on Wavey Davey Williams' riding style, which is like a horizontal sine wave, across both sides of the road (bit like golf then ..).  The trick before bends was to swing out far right 'to see if anything was coming' then to dart back in if there was. 'Perfectly safe' he says as we watch with trepidation.

Back to the plot, and away from the faded glory B&B in Moretonhampstead at 9 am


Had awoken to sunshine after heavy overnight rain, miracle! Stayed dry on lovely route either side of Exeter, stopping at the renowned bike shop for brake blocks.

Soon hit the enormous climb out of Broadhembury with the landmark spider gate half way up.


Arrivied in good heart at the lunch stop in Smeatharpe but with ominous fall in temperature and some drops of rain. Spot the colour change in the jacket.  Where's Tony for the photos? Last seen heading round the back of the Village Hall.
S
Stopped off to look at St Mary's Church in Stoke St Mary, famous for its stained glass windows.



Isolated showers the forecast said. No, make that non stop rain for the next 40 miles or so, arriving near Glastonbury dripping wet. Glorious shower at the Premier Inn, ie hot one in the bathroom. And promise of a tumble dryer!  Pie night in the restaurant, eat as much as you like for £4.99, even complete second helpings of pie. Resisted.




Monday 27 May 2013

Day 2 - Fowey to Moretonhampstead

Clear from the start that the weather was going to get worse, and it did. Met at the ferry in Fowey, kitted out with some warmer clothing in anticipation. Another chain propelled one that chugged across. Joined in the photo by Martin, Tony's room mate. Don't be deceived by the shades.


Warned that the hill on the other side was a 2 foot one, particularly without warming up. The short sharp hills started up in earnest though but then an incredibly long and fast descent to Hessenford where we had an unauthorised coffee stop. Then on almost to Tor Point where organiser Nick (in green) was waiting with the van and lunch. Big pig out.



Definitely getting colder so dug out the warm jacket. Negotiated Plymouth courtesy of the GPS gadget and made good progress to Yelverton where the long climb up to Dartmoor starts. Ground our way up with 2 quickies heading off ahead and the tandem well back.

Tony a bit dehydrated so waited for him at the top, forgetting to unclip from the left side pedal and crashing down onto the gravel. Chain came off so joined The Black Hand gang. Then the rain came, heavier and heavier. Waited in Princetown which was mentioned as a possible rendezvous point but no sign of anyone. Meantime missed the tandem passing by, leaving Tony, me and the support man to do the remaining 15 or so miles.

Now pretty bleak, rain stinging our faces, brakes not working at all well and some more sharp climbs and precipitous descents. Moretonhampstead was a welcome sight. What to do now with all the soaking gear?

Sunday 26 May 2013

Day 1 - We're Off - Destination Fowey

Sunny day for the start of the 1000 mile ride, after a night in Penzance severely disturbed by revellers in the early hours. Taxis to the start at Land's End, leaving there at 9 am.


Cornwall's hills are just as tough and frequent as promised but we made very good time, stopping for. Lunch at Perranwell provided by the support van, lots of carbs, bananas and liquids.



Continued after a decent break, crossing over the Fal via the King Harry Ferry, which crawls back and forward across the river using chains. Immediately the steepest climb so far, then some good fast and quiet roads to St Austell. With 4miles to go came the sting in the tail, a very steep climb before descending into Fowey and the night's stopover.


65 miles covered


Friday 24 May 2013

21 May - Just around the block

Keeping in touch with riding with a small loop to Shepreth and round through Melbourn. The Ridgeback is very smooth but the hub gearing is a bit low.

Setting off for Penzance and the big ride tomorrow. Hope the weather improves, wet and windy today.

Sunday 19 May 2013

19 May - With Hilary, Joining the A10 Corridor Campaign - 17 miles

Lovely day so did a circuit with Hilary through Orwell, Shepreth, Foxton, Fowlmere and back to Phillimore's Garden Centre.

The two groups of cyclists were congregating here after their rides from Trumpington and Royston to draw attention to the poor state of the cycle path. big trun out, probably over a hundred, with BBC and ITV camera crews there to record the event.

17 miles

16 May - My lead on CTC Ride to Horseheath & Thaxted.


Today was miraculously nice after yesterday’s foul weather and the promise of more to come.  My second go at leading and made a total hash of it so I wouldn't be asked again.  The destinations were Horseheath for coffee stop and Thaxted for lunch.

Twelve of us set of after the photoshoot in Greta’s garden ......



....   taking the Whittlesford road to the path leading to the church then through the oilseed rape fields to the level crossing just before the A1301. Arrived as the barrier came down but fortunately not a long wait for the train to pass.

On into Sawston and along the cycle path to Babraham, where I wimped out from going along the track to the footbridge after going over the handlebars  last time. Nice quite ride from here through Abington and Linton then over the A1307 to Bartlow. Gentle climb up to Streetly End and round into Horseheath and The Red Lion. Greeted there by several other riders and two enormous plates of chocolate brownies and other delicacies, yum.  




Suitably refreshed and re-energised we took the beautifully quiet lanes through Castle Camps, Helion Bumpstead and Little Sampford, cutting down past Bardfield End Green to Bardfield Road and soon after, Thaxted.

The sarnies folk respectfully ate their lunches on the steps of what a local said used to be the town prison, before joining the serious eaters on the tables outside Parrishes. 



Wonderful aerobatic display be the recently arrived swifts, and promise of a peloton of 50 Cypriot cyclists, sadly not appearing.

Hard to get going again after sitting in such a pleasant location and enjoying the moments of warm sunshine.  But needs must, and a route back through Debden and Newport before heading west to Great Chishill and down that lovely long hill to Flint Cross. At Fowlmere the Cambridge contingent went left for Newton and home while the local boys cut back down Mill Road and back to Meldreth.

The bike computer said 69 miles, leaving the unfulfilled thought of an extra mile for a round 70.

14 May - Solo to Therfield & Fowlmere - 23 miles

Shortish ride after calling in at the sports shop to collect some essentials for the Lejog ride.

Didn't realise how much of a slog it is up the Therfield hill past the golf course, but nice ride neverthless and good quick decent from Barkway.

23 miles


Tuesday 7 May 2013

7 May - Tuesday Group, Southill, 54 miles

Promising to be a bright sunny day but not fully living up to this. Fine for shorts and cycling jersey though. Quite a few people at Waresley but not many went on for the rest of the ride.

In fact just Tony Ho, David W and I set off round through Blunham and Southill, stopping at the new Jordans Mill place. Then Adrian and two other appeared a bit later, so a breakdown in communication.

David W setting a fast pace throughout and leading to 14.8 mph overall.

54 miles

Monday 6 May 2013

6 May - Solo to Horseheath and Thaxted, 63 miles

Superb day, sunny and calm most of the time.

Did another recce run in preparation for 16 May, out through Whittlesford, Sawston and Babraham.

Used the track and footbridge over the A11 but was very anxious about the deep ruts. With justification because the front wheel veered left on the roughest part, and I carried on. Straight over the handlebars then a forward roll with bike still attached. It landed softly in the ploughed field to the left, and I suffered just scratched on my shin and ankle.

Continued on to Horseheath with out mishap, then to Finchingfield and a stop at the Tea Shop. Loads of people on the village green, looking a picture in the sun. Loads of motor bikers too.

Nice route back, not the one on the map below but starting on the road beside the big pub. Back to Newport where I started down Wicken Road, right into School Lane and out along Bury Water Lane. It looked okay on the map but turned out to be another very deeply rutted track so was doubly cautious, walking much of it. Emerged at Clanver End then quiet route back.

63 miles.


Thursday 2 May 2013

2 May - Thursday Ride, Great Yeldham, 80 miles

Lovely sunny day but chilly to start so kept leggings on until the coffee stop.

Met at Greta's, starting off from home with Nick but he then broke another spoke and went back for his other bike. Took the usual route out to Whittlesford then across the A505 to Duxford. Doubled back along Grange Road, turning left to Crishall Grange then left again on the Saffron Walden Road.

Went through Saffron Walden, stopping for coffee break at The Temeraire, then out on the Radwinter road, B1054 and on to Great and Little Sampford, Finchingfield, Howe Street, Gainsford End and finally Great Yeldham. Did a mistaken right turn so retraced steps to the Wagon & Horses pub.


Sat in the garden at the back and had a nice Lasagne, not taking long to appear, then disappear.

Headed off back at good speed, helped by slight tail wind. Headed for Steeple Bumpstead then on to Caste Camps, Bartlow and Linton. Left via Back Road, becoming Hildersham Road, through Little Abington and onto Bourn Bridge Road. Used a dodge via a lane, steep footbridge and another lane to get over the A11, reappearing on Babraham High Street.

Joined the cycle way soon after, going on through Sawston and over the A1301 to the nice cycle way to Whittlesford. Left the main group at the Newton turning then Carol, Nick and I headed back home. Carol went straight on at Newton heading for Haslingfield while Nick and I came back through Fowlmere.

80 miles, longest day's ride ever for me!


Wednesday 1 May 2013

1 May 2013 - Solo to Hildersham, 36 miles

Very bright and sunny but a surprising amount of wind still.

Went again along through Newton, cutting through the church yard in Whittlesford and taking the cycle tracks to Sawston, then to Babraham. Went up to the church in Hildersham, sitting on the seat in the graveyard for the sandwich snack.

Decided not to go on towards Horseheath but doubled back much the way I'd come except then turning back along the A505 as far as the Babraham turning. Back along the cycle paths to Whittlesford and Newton before crossing over to Harston, Haslingfield and back over Chapel Hill.

36 miles

Woodhall Spa - 28 to 30 April

Golf trip with Keith Cridland's group, in all Keith, Tony, Gary, Barry, Colin Clark, Ted, Alex Bridges, Nick Scott, Woody Woodroff, John Gould, and Mick Merry.

Played the Bracken on Sunday, with Tony and I against Gary and Barry. Won game and ended up joint best scorer with 31 points. Good evening meal etc but not late to bed.

Day 2 round not until 11.30 so went for walk with Tony before hand. Played the Hotchkin with a stiff wind on the back nine, making it very tough even to get over the heather. Again joint best with 28 points but so  many shots slipping away.

Another good meal and again an early night rather than going off to the bar again.

Calmer day on Tuesday, with the wind switching round completely and helping on the back nine. Held onto joint top spot for the first nine but then Colin started an excellent back nine, pulling clear by 3. Second time in second place with this group.