If the previous ride was describe as unpleasant due to the windy conditions, today was another step up. 77.5 Kilometres in 4 hours and 41 minutes. Out up to Oxenwood was pleasant as the valley provided some protection from the windy conditions, but the turn for home proved to be a trial, and in some places we really weren't making much headway into the wind. So at Oxenwood rather then cutting up onto the Chutes Causeway we rode around the foot of the hills through Marten where we joined the Wiltshire Cycleway, this was a very pleasant route, which we will try again, unfortunately the exposed nature of the roman road allowed for the full brunt of the windy conditions to be experienced, so we battled on to Shaw Hill and the A346. Back via Ludgershall, Little Shoddesden, Kimpton, Fyfield and Weyhill, then under the A303 to Monxton, Anna Valley and Anna Fields and home. The route wasn't particularly arduous, just the days conditions made it rather hardwork. On a positive note it did mean that my total for the month of December was 353km's an improvement of 100km's on the previous month of November.
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Not a very pleasant ride, windy and squally rain, for most of the ride we had a head wind which really didn't help. Out for 2 hours and 13 minutes covering 37.9 Kilometres. Southern loop from Andover down to Stockbridge and back via Kentboro, Grateley and Monxton. Clocked up 250 kilometres for the month on this ride
Was out in the dark of pre-dawn and covered 68 kilometres in four hours and 16 minutes. It ws an interesting experience as you where cycling in a a small tunnel of light, with blackness all around, due to being out in the countryside with no road lighting. Went as far as Oxenwood and then back down the Bourne valley to Chilbolton. As very pleasant ride in the dark, heard several Tawney owls, and got to see a couple in the shine of the bicycle lights. Also saw a Fox scampering across the country lane in front of me, no deer which was a surprise, but many, many Pheasants.
A rambling ride this morning which took in some shopping before getting out on the country lanes south of Andover, through the Clatfords and back via Red Rice. Did not feel particularly quick, but Strava reports that i achieved four personal bests.
Interesting website for cycling in the South West of England - 1 South West Cycle Adventure includes an interactive map for planning cycle routes.
46 kilometres in 2 hours and 32 minutes, taking in the Salisbury Plain, what a fun place that I haven't taken the opportunity to explore until now, it always seemed so far away from Andover but in reality it was 30 minutes hard riding up the Snoddington Road to Shipton Bellinger, then the fun begins - there are tracks everywhere.Out from Shipton towards Bulford we came across the Devils Ditch and followed it north to Sidbury Hill, turning east on the Cow Down back towards Andover, going through Ludgershall, Appleshaw and Fyfield, Weyhill and home. It's a brilliant area for mountain biking, as long as you follow the Access Warning's for the danger areas, there would be no issues. Public Access to Military Areas Urchfont Parish Council - MOD Salisbury Plain Newsletter
Todays morning ride was conducted in shorts sleeves, a rather warm December day indeed. 46.7 kilometres in 2 hours and 26 minutes. Usual loop south of Andover down to Broughton and back taking in the Test Way.
.Best morning for a while weather wise - so up to Collingbourne Wood again, and back via Appleshaw and Weyhill A total of 41 kilometres in two hours fourteen minutes. I'd washed the bike yesterday, returned home caked in mud, and another wash was needed.
Quick ride out this morning, 28 Kilometres in two hours south of Andover taking in Monxton, Kentboro and Red Rice, nothing of interest seen. I forgot to start Strava on the off which was rather interesting, now that it wasn't recorded for posterity on some electronic device does it count? Rather strange feeling indeed to have forgotten to record it, guess it will be the one that got away when we look at our monthly distance traveled on Strava.....
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