Hambledon Extension

Just John and Al this week but, after a custard tart and a cup of tea with Tee and Jimmy, they managed to make an early start - hitting the road at 6pm sharp. Al had suggested an extension to the usual Hambledon route. The pair headed off as if to tackle Old Winchester Hill, to the North of the village. Having climbed Chidden Down the route turned east for Salt Hill and the ferocious descent off Wether Down into the Meon valley, following the South Downs Way.

Chidden Down

We approached Old Winchester hill from the North with a sharp ascent back out of the valley. It was a glorious evening and the boys stopped to enjoy the views from the summit before the descent towards Exton. John had pack the wrong shoes and could not 'clip in' to his cleats - the effects really started to tell as Al pulled away on the bumpy terrain.

The TCA Surveys it's Domain
from the summmit of Old Winchester Hill

We toyed with the idea of taking in the Shoe Inn at Exton but recent trips there had been disappointing therefore we turned south on the disused railway line bound for Soberton. We pulled into the pub at 7.30pm and both opted for the latest offering from the Bowman brewery - Elderado: With a hint of elderflower it was perfect for a summer's evening.

John on 'Gate Duty'

It was back on bikes to pick up the remains of the regular route from Hambledon - down the railway line towards the Forest of Bere and on for a stop at The Traveler's Rest in Newtown. Once again the outdoor bar was open for business and the boys sat outside with pints of Bowman's Wallop's Wood.

A Toast to Absent Friends -
The Traveler's Rest

As we left the Travelers' John suggested a bike swap for the short journey home by country lane. While their bikes might look very similar both were surprised by contrast in rides they offered. Pulling into Hambledon once more the pair had covered 22 miles all in and back before it got dark around 9.30pm for a Lloyd Grossman turkey curry. Al wondered why this route had never occurred to him before - a classic in the making.

Route Map (click to enlarge):

Route Profile (click to enlarge):

(Posted by: Al)

Man Saves Dog

Just Jon and Al this week as John (travel) and Billy-Bob (Committee) were ruled out. Thankfully it was a cooler than previous evenings after a very warm week. Mugs of tea and chocolate cup cakes dispatched the boys were on the road for a bimble around Hambledon's #1 route.

The pair had not got a minute down the main road when a large, chocolate Labrador jumped out in front of Jon! Jon hung on to the hound and managed to read the contact details on it's collar. Al shot back home to call the owner who confessed that it was not the first time the dog had escaped.

Having reunited the dog and owner the boys were off up Cam's Hill and on around the familar route. Conditions were perfect and the trail had dried out nicely in the warm weather. The boys were soon pulling into the car park of the White Lion. Al and Jon were excited to see a NEW offering from local brewer Bowman's on tap - South Island Spice. The beers hardly touched the sides and the TCA immediately voted it a hit.

The White Lion

Back on bikes and Jon lead the sprint down the disused railway line, narrowly avoiding a family party out walking a Shetland Pony! Sadly he left nothing in reserve for the Railway Embankment Challenge, failing on two attempts before leading Al over the road to the Forest of Bere. A slight diversion toward the end of the ascent to the car park led the riders rather surrealy through a deserted kid's adventure playground.

The Forest of Bere

The boys have by now got used to the heavily rutted descent but a fleeting glimpse of a honey buzzard made the expereince a little less frustrating this week. They were soon at the Traveler's Rest outdoor bar sipping pints of Bowman's Swift One.

Shadows lengthen as the
evening progresses

A quick ring home to make sure the oven was pre-heated, a short ride down the homeward country lane and gormet pizza awaited. Lights not required - it was still light as the riders pulled into the drive at 21:20. Ken Loach's The Wind that Shakes the Barley was the evening's entertainment which was rated highly by both riders.

(Posted by: Al)

Memory Card Mishap

After a quick clean of Jon's orange Apollo bike, Billy Bob and Jon embarked on a ride down to the Chichester canals to Appledram. The orange Apollo bike had to be brought into use because of technical problems with Billy-Bob's own bike. We had had a quick cup of tea and chocolate cake beforehand, discussing the notable absence of some members on weekly rides (and Jon's experience with a friendly belly dancing solicitor at work). Keeping the dream alive for the TCA was falling on our broad shoulders.

The usual quick cycle through Chichester was mounted to beat the level crossing which we duly accomplished. Once on the cycle path, we quickly encountered courting couples and dog walkers, some very grumpy, and that was the owners. We lost count how many we met but Al would not have enjoyed this part of the ride. The evening was glorious though with the sun out and when we got to the Marina at Dell Quay the setting sun over Fishbourne channel was super.

We arrived at the pub, the Anchor, in good time, sat outside and enjoyed two pints of Waggledance. You cannot beat the British summer when it is like this. At 8pm we decided that we had to go upto East Lavant along disused railway line along the eastern side of Chichester. We had on a previous ride with Wrong John gone straight back home at this point! However aware of some murmurings that our rides had gone soft and that our bikes are not showing signs of dirt and mud we pushed on hard.

In fact we took just half an hour to get to at the Earl of March at East Lavant. A distance of just over 8.5 km not bad when billy bob was cycling the tank, the orange Apollo. At the earl of March we enjoyed a pint each of Harvey's Best Bitter looking over the Downs and the Trundle.

Again we cycled back fast from East Lavant home in just under twenty minutes arriving at 21:20 for another slow cooker Parson's special, Coq au Vin. It was around this time that Jon realised he had neglected to put the memory card into his camera; all the carefully staged snaps had been in vain.

(Posted by: Jon)

Billy-Bob's Birthday Bash

Jon and Al met at Billy-Bob's gaff on the occasion of his birthday for a gentle ride to the pub. Kids and women-folk were packed off to Petworth Park and the trio set off for Temple of the Winds. It was a glorious sunny day and it was already warm despite the 10am start (a real challenge for Jon).

Jon and Paul...lost already!

We went up and over Blackdown starting with the ascent at Black Dog Copse,into Blackdown proper then down the usual route which was very dry. We caught our breath at the popular local view point before descending in the usual fashion. Taking in Jobsons Lane on route to the Lurgashall winery.

Temple of the Winds

A brief stop at the winery saw the three riders consume as many 'tasters' as they thought they could get away with. Impromptu Sunday morning snifters comprised such exotic beverages as rhubarb wine, giner wine and blueberryport [sic.]. Billy-Bob had much in common with the eccentric Califonian proprietor it seemed, but Jon and Al eventually coaxed him out of the shop and back onto his bike. Then it was on our way to Lodsworth via the traditional uphill ascent of Highstead Lane .

The novelty of a daytime ride.

Rather than turn off in a northerly direction into the Forest Commission woodland towards Henley we headed south accross the only wet bog on an otherwise balmy hot day and proceeded to ascend Bexley Hill with the unsightly mast atop. This was followed by a gradual down hill ascent through Bexley Common nearly toppling an unsespecting day walker at Hoe Hill before arriving at the Hollist Arms at 11:48, well before the agreed 12:30 rendavous deadline with the Petworth Party.

Anyone for a Snifter?

We sat in the rear beer garden soaking up the sunshine and repremanding Jon on his selfish birthday secracy. The peace and quiet was however soon eroded by the arrival of a mixed sex cycling group with all mannor of dress code and unsughtly lycra unsembles. The decision to hold off for the afternoon BBQ back at the Billybobs was one of attrition as the smell of various lunctime delights wafted over the beer garden making the wait for the Petworth party.

As the Petworth Picnic had obviously overrun there was time for a couple of beers before the women-folk, kids, Peter and Delphine arrived. The kids were happy to run around the beer garden, Jimmy undertaking a pioneering exploration of the dense vegetation on the Western fringes. Meanwhile there was business to be done. Al and Peter retired to the corner where a heated negotiation on the going rate for Morris Minor hire was undertaken. Discussions ended amicably and a deal was brockered, but not before Al had finished another beer.

Reunited in the beer garden.

Boys watered, kids worn out, Peter broken by Al's negotiation and the women-folk reminding Billy-Bob and Al exactly what the Brownie-Point score was, we headed back to Chateaux Billy-Bob for a BBQ.

Clan Billy-Bob

Billy-Bob ran around for a bit with burning pieces of newspaper and retired to the upper tier of the garden, the girls prepared salad, Al took a shower and Uncle Jon entertained the kids with his funny face(s) and apparent tolerance for being dowsed by Jimmy as Elodie slept.

Soaking your Uncle Jon is a
serious business!

The standard of cuisine was as high as one has come to expect from a TCA BBQ and a thoroughly pleasant afternoon was had by all. Happy Birthday Billy-Bob!

(Posted by: Al & Paul)

Duathlon

John and Em arrived in Hambledon for the evening - John and Al fettled road bikes but, rather bizarrely, donned running gear for the evening: This was the first official training session in preparation for Octobers duathlon.

The evening kicked off with five-mile run around the standard circuit which Al has run countless times in preparation for his recent marathon. The pair managed a time of 42:31 Al finishing strongly despite ongoing marathon-lag.

A quite change of shorts for Al, shoes for both and it was a hop onto the road bikes for the punt to Dundridge. John had a Guinness while Al plumped for real Perry. John was in his element as he and three 'Harley' riders turned up and discussed modifications to their motorcycles. Al politely stifled a yawn.

The final leg back to base was uneventful but John steadily pulled away from Al who's legs were struggling with this new discipline. Spag Bol and trifle were waiting for us, and the boys toasted the start of this new multi-sport foray with an Ardbeg.

John & Al recover from their excersions

(Posted by: Al)