So today was a beautiful sunny day with a slight breeze, so we were out on bike early in the morning. 64.53 Kilometres (40 miles), 549 metres (1801 feet) of ascent in a time of 4 hours and 13 Minutes. The route consisted of exiting Andover on the National Cycle Route 246, then Anna Valley, Abbots Ann, Monxton, Grateley, Middle Wallop, Nether Wallop, Brougthon,East Tytherley, Lockerley, Dunbridge and the farthest point of the loop was Kimbridge where we crossed a rather swollen River Test. We then Joined the Bottom of the National Cycle Route 246 (Test Way) up to Horsebridge, where we attempted to cut across to Houghton, as on the previous week we had the found the trail between Horsebridge swamped and blocked with the occasional tree. We came off the trail, to find a Flood Sign on the road to Houghton and a lot of water, which proved to axle deep on the bike for about 100 metres, luckily it was standing water that had spilled out from the fields adjacent to the River Test. So apart from being heavy going and getting totally wet it proved no great issue. Once we reached dry land, shoes off and rung my socks out, and on to Stockbridge where after a short break we rejoined the Test Way to Chilbolton Common, again more fresh trees had fallen due to the ground now being completely inundated not providing the support needed, and then onto Fullerton, and back to Andover just as the weather turned.
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Well to today was a marked contrast to the weather we have been having recently, the storm clouds cleared mid Saturday and we where gifted with a clear night sky and a glorious yellow moon and the wind dropped off to a gentle breeze. The Clear night sky did mean that the temperature dropped to zero and there was a lot of frost and icy puddles on the country lanes once we got out.
So we where out as the sun came up, 46 Kilometres in 2 hours 52 minutes, which included a stroll along Stockbridge's high street stomping some life back into my cold feet. So the loop consisted of Abbot's Ann, Monxton, Grateley, Nether Wollop, Broughton, Houghton, Longstock, Stockbridge, Chilbolton Common, Fullerton and back to Andover. There where a lot of new trees down, so we expected once we got to the Stretch of the Test Valley Way between Stockbridge and Chilbolton Common which runs along the Test River to find more trees down, and we did, five in total with one completely blocking the trail and requiring a man carry of the mountain bike over it. (After the last Storm there had been twelve trees down, which where all efficiently removed). A little further on I met a cyclist coming the other way who informed me that the trail was blocked ahead. He asked about the stretch towards Stockbridge and was informed of my adventures. We parted ways and I arrived at Chilbolton Common junction to find the way just after the small bridge to Fullerton completely blocked by a wall of tree foliage . So we retraced our steps and joined the road at the MayFly Inn Bridge and continued on to Fullerton and home. It was a glourious ride got to see lots of wildlife and the highlight was several Little Egrets standing in a flooded field near Longstock looking for food. So we have committed to doing the South Down's 100 Miles Challenge this will be for the British Heart Foundation, so we will be looking for sponsorship closer to the date. Known to many as the toughest off-road ride in the UK, the seriously challenging South Downs Way Off-Road Bike Ride (formerly the Randonnee) is not to be missed in 2014! The 100 mile long South Downs Way National Trail follows the old routes and droveways along the chalk escarpment and ridges of the South Downs. With breathtaking views along the entire route from Winchester and a finish location right on the seafront in Eastbourne, this challenge is not to be missed. 100 miles – taking in the full length of the south downs, this includes a total vertical climb of 10,000ft.
So we will have to improve our climbing stamina as the trail contour seems just to be a succession of Climbs and Descents with very little respite between. It being a glorious morning I ventured out on the first serious bike ride of the year, completed 49.69 kilometres and ascent of 398 metres in just under 3 hours. The route consisted of a loop starting from the front door taking in the Hampshire villages of Abbots Ann, Moxton, Grateley, Nether Wallop, Broughton, Horse-Bridge which was the farthest point and then onto the Test Valley Way which at that point is also Nation Cycle Route N246, back up through Stockbridge again along the Test Valley Way to Chilbolton Common, and then follow the N246 back into Andover.
The Test Way between Horse-Bridge and Stockbridge was particularly muddy which was a good test for the newly fitted Geax Gato rear tyre. The Voodoo Hoodoo came fitted with Maxxis Ardent 2.25 tyres front and rear which proved to be a bit draggy for the mixed country lane, bridle path and occasional single track that is available from the front door. For the Summer they where replaced with Continental Race Kings 2.2 which proved to give impetuous to the bike, and improved the time it took to cover the loops, previously run on the Maxxis Ardent's. Once the wet winter began in earnest, the Race Kings lack of mud grip became very apparent, but they broke away in a controlled manner, so the back would slide out, this wasn't a problem, just slowed forward progress. So the Ardent was fitted back onto the front, and a Mud tyre was required for the rear. For no other reason than the Geax Gato's where on offer one was purchased for the rear of the bike. On the first ride out, the difference in traction was quite apparent as the rear of the bike would remain stable and the front would slide away in very gloopy mud, which was rather disconcerting, having got use to the back braking away in the mud previously. So today we expected more of the same as we came to first stretch of mud, but the bike behaved itself and we had not issues, the rear didn't break traction and we where able to move along at a respectable pace. The only issue which I guess is no surprise is the tyres draggy nature on the road, but this small niggle compared to the behaviour thus far in the mud. |
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