Tuesday local ride – started from Hampshire Clinic
Riders:
Clockwise: BrianC, Nick, GrahamR, DavidH, Carol, Lin, Mark, Sue, David
Anti-clockwise: Nigel, GrahamB, Tim, PeterB, Simon, Sandra, Greta, DavidE, DavidB, Paul
Stats: 28,3 miles | 624m ascent
Route: The clockwise route went out from the Clinic via Pyotts Hill, Newnham Lane, then right to cross the A30 past Andwells onto the Greywell Road. Through Greywell and then Odiham where the Anti-clockwise group would stop for refreshments, turning right into King Street and then through Hillside, Buttnidge, Itchett Lane, through Well to South Warnborough where the Clockwise group visited the village café and Post Office,where luckily a group of lady cyclists were just leaving. We sat outside in the sun before the steep climb out and on to Upton Grey and then Mapledurwell before heading back to Old Basing and home.
The anti-clockwise group did the reverse.
Comment: I was leading the clockwise group and put my head down along Newnham Lane anticipating the climb and cycling hard to the top. Only then to be gently advised by my team that we should have turned right along the lane to pass Andwells. So we took Crown Lane down to the A30 and went forward to get back to the route at the Greywell Road.
Thursday away ride – Started from Woods Corner, Burley
Riders: Lin, Len, Sue, Sandra,Siobahn, DavidB, David
Stats: 31 miles | 415m ascent
Route: From the car park, which was quiet, we took the track north and mainly downhill to the A35 which we crossed to join the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive. We passed the hotel and at Ober Lodge turned onto North Weirs skirting Brockenhurst and picking up the NCN 2 before turning south towards Bashley. It was on New Lane that Sandra had her puncture. The route continued south through New Milton and down to Barton on Sea, Here we stopped for refreshments at the Beachcomber Café. I took the opportunity to have a dip in the sea which was very calm and refreshing. We made our way back through Highcliffe, Godwinscroft, Neacroft and Bransgore. We climbed Thorney Hill and then turned into Forest Road picking up NCN 2 again through Holmsley Inclosure and crossing Goatspen Plain. We skirted Burley before arriving back at the start.
Mechanicals: Sandra had her puncture at the 15 mile point. Unfortunately we didn’t have the tools or equipment to carry out a repair for this particular bike so Sandra had to ring home and get help out from Basingstoke while we carried on. As we arrived at the finish Sandra and her husband arrived too to collect her car.