Tuesday:
There were 13 for Tuesday’s easy ride starting from Eastrop Park. We split into two groups at the junction of Crown Lane and Byfleet Avenue where John R led Helena, Paul, Ray, David E and Greta. My group was Sue C, John H, Graham R, and Clive, and we were joined by Lin and Len at Polecat Corner. We all welcomed Greta back from her long absence and the two groups set off never far apart catching up en route at water stops.
The route took us out of Old Basing via Polecat through Upton Grey, Long Sutton and Well to Crondall. At Odiham John R’s group went outside at Fountains café. In my group John H had been talking about ‘pamper do’ which we thought was John inviting us to pamper him or help with his bike. He finally managed to explain that he was saying ‘pain perdu’ which is French for French toast which is bread fried in egg. Anglo Saxons will recall eggy bread. This item was, John said, served up at La Creperie with bacon, maple syrup etc so we crowded into the garden of La Creperie in Odiham.
From there it was straight home via Greywell. 27.5miles 410 m ascent.
The faster ride on Tuesday was from Stratton Park. Alistair and Mick led with Robert, Mark, Simon, Peter H, and Peter B. Gary, David H, Nick and Vanessa joined at Oakley. The full company of eleven set off on the route but had to turn back at the Kingsclere Road due to resurfacing of the full length between Overton and Kingsclere. They retraced their tracks to the previous junction and diverted through Overton to the B3400 to Laverstoke to pick up the route again.
This took them south to Micheldever and then to Popham airfield for refreshments. From there they took Steventon Warren Lane to Hatch Gate and on to North Waltham, Dummer and home.
34 miles 480m ascent.
Thursday:
Thursday saw us heading to New Milton for the start of the away day ride. There was a problem on the M27 so the journey down by car was a bit extended but with the fine weather and 22° twelve of the riders were good to set off at 10.45am. all having parked easily in the station car park.
Greta, David E, Gary, Simon, John H, Alistair, Rod, Sue P, Sue C, Brian, Elizabeth and I started off to meet Vanessa and Nick. We then paused to admire Sway Tower part of which can be seen in the photo. “The Tower” is a Grade II listed 220ft high Victorian Folly set over 14 floors which comprises 4 bedrooms en-suite 3 receptions, indoor pool and the most amazing panoramic views over the New Forest, the Solent & the Isle of Wight.
Our route took us through Brockenhurst then out into open country along the Burley Road before two sections of gravel pathway. Lanes then took us to our lunch stop at The Crown, Bransgore where we refreshed in the garden.
From Bransgore we went to Christchurch skirting the harbour and on to Highcliffe and Barton on Sea. At Barton we stopped for tea and ice creams at the Beachcomber café again sitting outside in the sunshine. I went for a swim with David E and Greta who had a paddle. The sea was a very comfortable temperature but no other swimmers had come prepared which was a shame.
It was just under 2 miles back to the cars and given the journey down we all left the café as soon as ready.
31.8 miles 391m ascent