An interesting new product - Rex Chain Lube - Ultra-low friction chain lube for all conditions. Obtained from Broken Riders, it arrived today with a selection of Broken riders stickers and a Rex branded neck warmer!! Will be interesting to see it there is a noticeable difference from the current Finish line Dry lube i am are using. 24/06/2016 - yep the new lube is much longer lasting
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The most notable feature of todays ride was the road resurfacing which was taking place between Fosbury and Hurstbourne Tarrant. The road had been redressed with chippings which meant is was like a loose gravel track. it didn't imped our progress though we did have to take a detour at Vernham Dean due the road being re-tarmacked. So 52 kilometres in just over three hours, the legs really didn't enjoy today's ride, they had not recovered from the previous day's walk along the River Anton Way.
On the last ride out notice my left knee was beginning to hurt, On investigation the left pedal had started to seize up. As the pedals are Shimano MX-80, it was easy enough to get the maintenance manual off the internet. So the pedal was dissembled and the bearings cleaned and re-greased. Hopefully that will resolve the issue, if not a new pair of pedals will be needed.
Nice early morning start to get the most of the forecast good weather. Out to via Collingbourne Wood, up onto the chutes causeway and then across 'The slay' to Fosbury Hill and then down the Bourne valley through Vernham Dean, Upton, Hurstbourne Tarrant. In St Mary Bourne cut onto the Portway which follows a Roman road back to Andover and home. Covered 49 Kilometres in two hours and thirty nine minutes. The Test Valley Hot MTB Challenge was also on today, based from Vernham Dean. Looking at the route they had planned it was rather interesting places, food for thought for the summer when the ground has dried out.
Out to Combe hill via Egbury and the Wayfarers Walk. It proved to be a very enjoyable route so out to Egbury via St Mary Bourne and then towards The Three Legged Inn where we picked up the Wayfarers Walk towards Walbury Hill. The Walk hugged the top of the ridge line for the majority of the route which gave great views of the Highclere Estate and beyond. Covered 44 kilometres in 2 hours and 37 minutes.
Tried to get more climbing into the route today which meant it was a little more random in direction. Completed 51 kilometres with 405m of ascent which is quite a bit more than we get in the routes of a similar distance I generally follow. The faster rolling tyres which are on front and back made light work of the hard packed bridleways we traversed. Had the best of the weather as it started to cloud over once we were nearing Andover again. So out via the Clatfords, down the Test Way to Horsebridge then through Houghton up onto the ridge line following the old Roman road towards Middle Winterslow and then back down the ridge line into Broughton. Up the Spitfire lane to cross over and back into the Test valley via Church Lane. Across The Bunny to the Test Way and then north to Fullerton. Via Hazel Down and on to the Red Rice cross roads, once at the cross roads back to Upper Clatford and home.
Warm muggy morning, so we made the most of the weather and rode 47 Kilometres in two hours twenty minutes. Out of Andover through the mayhem of the School Run at the Goodworth Clatford Primary school, once negotiated on to the Fuller cross roads, down to Chilbolton and the Test Way to Stockbridge. Then onto Houghton, where we took the byway towards Eveley Woods, it eventually joined the country road into Broughton. Were we turned north west along the Wallop Brook lane and passed through the Wallops (Nether, Middle and Over) on the way to Grateley. At Grateley we took a quiet lane to Quarley, rather than the normall route and then on through Amport and Monxton back to Andover via Anna Valley. The most curious event of the ride was the Maxxis High Roller which was being used as the rear tyres side walls failed in several places, it was very strange and didn't stop me getting home, but the tyre is ruined and off it came to be replaced by a Vee Tire - Rail.
Another lovely morning to out early towards Broughton taking in the Test Way to the Bunny and then over Church Lane, Spitfire Lane and down to Broughton. Then towards the Wallops, cutting around the airfield to Kentboro and then home via Monxton, Anna Valley. so covered 44 Kilometres in two hours and a half.
Up early to make most of the good weather and off up to Oxenwood via Collingbourne Wood. So 70 kilometres in four hours and eleven minutes. The lazy descent from Oxenwood was particularly pleasant with a tailwind helping us along to Hurstbourne Priors for a snack break and then onto Longparish and then over the A303 and onto Chilbolton. The GPS on the phone played up so the route started in Andover and then picked up again on the northern side of Collingbourne Woods. being out so early we got yo see a lot of wildlife, Green Woodpecker, Roe Deer and an abundance of Hares, all sitting out on the newly sown fields.
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