With the rain stopped and the ice melted, it was dry and time for us to hit the open road for the last time in 2009. Although a few others threatened to join us, it was yet again a group of four - Steve, Simon(fresh from the ski slopes of New England), Chris and Albert. Pete was a late withdrawal due to a bad back.
Chris was carrying two new bits of kit; a Garmin Edge GPS and a helmet cam to film the action!
Our route took us towards Kingslclere in search of the tough ascents up to Hannington again. Chris sprinted for the Sydmonton sign but no one else bothered. Then it was time for the first hill, he pushed on but failed to consolidate his lead over the top and on the descent which enabled Steve to grab an easy "win" of the Kingsclere sign.
The short sharp pull up out of Kingsclere took it's toll on the group with Simon pulling away but on the next ascent up to Hannington itself the group stayed together. Roads that had been snow covered the previous Sunday were now clear and the twisting, undulating lanes towards Overton were fun with Chris "taking" the village sign. A dangerous one this, no time to celebrate before joining the main road again.
After Overton, a couple of signs followed with a three-up sprint for Laverstoke taken by Simon. We then avoided the main road to Whitchurch and skirted to the north on quiet lanes to head over to the Bourne valley. Albert was now showing signs of his missed breakfast, lagging slightly behind but then forced the pace as we descended into the valley. The roads were still quiet and we made our way at a good pace through St Mary Bourne and up to Hurstbourne Tarrant. Simon dominated the sign competition with all of us choosing to sprint in the small ring. Who knows why? Chris had an early go for what he thought was the Stoke sign only to find it read "Thank you for driving slowly" clearly not meant for him!
We regrouped at Hurstbourne Tarrant and while waiting, Steve raised his saddle to create a more aerodynamic racing position. Off we set again climbing at a good pace on dryish roads towards Vernham Dean. Just before the village we turned right to head for Linkenholt and towards home. Despite his clear lack of energy, Albert continued to decline Simon's offer of a energy gel and soldiered on, pushing a big gear.
After the climb to Linkenholt(no sign contested just a groan in unison from the group!) we dropped down to the Coombe valley where Simon and Steve waited while Chris "motivated" Albert to catch them for the last chance of a gel.
The gel finally accepted and consumed we made our way up the tough climb to Faccombe. A suggested stop at the Jack Russell pub for a pint was clearly declined as Chris and Albert didn't see any bikes outside. Then the route took us back over the Wayrfarers ridge with a fast descent to East End. It was here that Chris realised the camera had only been working intermittently and then pointing down at the road. The only shots were of Steve raising saddle and brief glimpses of Simon and Albert. Not really the action anyone expected but the quality is a promise of things to come and with sound too!
Steve and Simon had pushed on and Chris with Albert made steady progress home to greet Pete in his drive, already looking forward to Sunday and our first group ride of 2010.
Good ride - 45.3 miles and just over 3000ft of ascent.
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Sunday, 27 December 2009
Sunday 27th December
Our last Sunday ride in 2009. Only a team of four out with many away or otherwise engaged with family etc. The group comprised: Pete, Steve, Chris and his son, Albert.
Steve slipped off on the ice within 50 metres of starting and we had to walk over two icy sections within the first mile or so. Therefore, the decision was made to stick to well used roads, this turned out to be a good one.
We headed out towards Kingsclere and on up towards the Hannington Mast. Any lingering thoughts of climbing up to Hannington were quickly dismissed with one look of the still snow covered road. A gentle descent followed into Overton until the last mile when Steve seriously wound up the pace for the Overton sign. Chris had to sprint twice; once to get his wheel and second time to narrowly ease past him. We continued on the main road to Whitchurch with another couple of sign sprints and then it was up the hill out of Whitchurch and a fair bit of "half wheeling" building up the pace to cross the A34 and back to Highclere via Egbury and Crux Easton.
Steve and Pete pulled away at Egbury and Chris rode home with Albert who had been stuck in the large chainring on his new bike for most of the ride(no wonder he was dropped on the climbs!) but this was finally sorted out for the last two pulls of the day.
All in all, a short ride of only 27 miles with a few light showers and a strengthening westerly wind.
Steve slipped off on the ice within 50 metres of starting and we had to walk over two icy sections within the first mile or so. Therefore, the decision was made to stick to well used roads, this turned out to be a good one.
We headed out towards Kingsclere and on up towards the Hannington Mast. Any lingering thoughts of climbing up to Hannington were quickly dismissed with one look of the still snow covered road. A gentle descent followed into Overton until the last mile when Steve seriously wound up the pace for the Overton sign. Chris had to sprint twice; once to get his wheel and second time to narrowly ease past him. We continued on the main road to Whitchurch with another couple of sign sprints and then it was up the hill out of Whitchurch and a fair bit of "half wheeling" building up the pace to cross the A34 and back to Highclere via Egbury and Crux Easton.
Steve and Pete pulled away at Egbury and Chris rode home with Albert who had been stuck in the large chainring on his new bike for most of the ride(no wonder he was dropped on the climbs!) but this was finally sorted out for the last two pulls of the day.
All in all, a short ride of only 27 miles with a few light showers and a strengthening westerly wind.
Saturday, 26 December 2009
Boxing Day Time Trial
To help our fundraising efforts for the National Autistic Society we decided to organise a fun time trial event for adults and children around our village of Highclere on Boxing Day. The course was 2.13 miles, starting and finishing at our local pub, the Red House.
Well done everyone and an extra thanks for those not really into two wheeled transport for taking part and supportng the Wayfarers Wheelers Etape du Tour ride.
After the snow and freezing conditions of a few days before, the temperature had risen just enough to clear the majority of the ice from the route, although there were still some tricky shaded corners.
The adults event was first and competitors turned up on either mountain or road bikes, some adorned in lycra, others in jeans and their everyday clothes. The first to be off was one of our friends, Neil Leah, followed by the other competitors at one minute intervals .
There were 15 entries and after a few wrong turns, technical problems and slippages on the ice, 10 riders completed the correct course. The event was comfortably won by Steve Suttie with an impressive time of 6mins, 37 secs. Second was David Francis (on a mountain bike!) who finished in 6mins, 58 secs and third was Albert Boulton with a time of exactly 7 mins.
The childrens ev
ent was slightly more sedate but still competitive. All of them were accompanied by a parent and some of them siblings, to act as pacemakers. The winner was Arthur Boulton with a time of 13 mins 31 secs and then second was Graham Suttie in 14 mins 29 secs and third were Jonny and Tom Francis in 15 mins 19 secs.
ent was slightly more sedate but still competitive. All of them were accompanied by a parent and some of them siblings, to act as pacemakers. The winner was Arthur Boulton with a time of 13 mins 31 secs and then second was Graham Suttie in 14 mins 29 secs and third were Jonny and Tom Francis in 15 mins 19 secs. 
We raised over £200 for the National Autistic Society through the entry fee and very kind donations. A special mention must go to the landlord of the Red House pub for providing excellent bacon butties and cheap beer vouchers to boost our fundraising efforts!
We all enjoyed the event and hopefully can make it an annual affair - a great way to work off the excesses of the day before!
Well done everyone and an extra thanks for those not really into two wheeled transport for taking part and supportng the Wayfarers Wheelers Etape du Tour ride.
Complete list of finishers times:
ADULTS
1. Steve Suttie 06:37
2. David Francis 06:58
3. Albert Boulton 07:00
4. Chris Boulton 07:31
5. Pete Dunmore 07:48
6. Matt Franklin 08:12
7. Nick Leah 09:42
8. James Mitchell 10:23
9. Neil Leah 11:29
10. Mark Davies 14:16
CHILDREN
1. Arthur Boulton 13:31
2. Graham Suttie 14.29
3. Jonny & Tom Francis 15:19
4. Rory & Fergus Mitchell 15.45
Sunday, 20 December 2009
Sunday 20th December
Small group out today - Chris, Steve and birthday boy Simon. After a lot of debate the night 
before about the likely icy/snowy conditions it was agreed to go off road on our mountain bikes, all of which have been pretty much unused for months!The route took us from Highclere on seriously ice/snow covered lanes to climb up onto the Wayfarers Ridge via a track that was tough at first with rear wheels spinning on the snow. After a brief rest and running repair to Steve's deraillieur the next section was enjoyable along the ridge with great views and about 2-3 cms of snow on the ground.
We made our way past Coombe Gibbet and turned south to descend down the Test Way, regularly coming to grief on rutted and frozen ground. The descent was slow but fun. After the steep sections we made our way at speed down a wide track to rejoin the road and then the main climb of the route back up to the ridge. This was prolonged and steep in places, made more difficult by the frozen ground. Walking some stretches was a must as rear-wheel traction failed.
We were soon on the ridge again enjoying the views to the north over Berkshire and Oxfordshire and then descended to the village of East End to make our way home on still very icy roads.
A good ride in lovely sunshine and a real pleasure to be out. Very slow however, only 17 miles in over 2 and a half hours but way better than being on the turbo!
PS: Pete we hear was riding a 35 mile route around Lands End in Cornwall probably in warmer conditions and eating on the way as usual!
Monday, 14 December 2009
Weekend of 12/13th December
A depleted team out this weekend but two good rides all the same. Saturday was up over the Wayfarers ridge at Kingsclere and then some fun lanes descending to Overton and back up over the ridge to Sydmonton, 1600 feet in all. The full “Tourmalet” team started put Pete punctured early on and decided to turn back as he wasn’t 100%. Some fast riding and attacks uphill at almost race pace at times, dodging the inconvenient arrival of the odd car travelling in the opposite direction. It rained as usual but only a light shower as we completed our 32miles.
On Sunday, Chris, Steve and Simon were out again but slightly later following a party the night before, finishing for most at nearly 2am. The route went up to Marsh Benham and through Bagnor to Winterbourne and then up the valley towards Lambourn. This route really is a “sign sprinters” playground with about 6 village signs in as many miles. There was a memorable sprint for the Welford sign. Steve went early, followed by Simon. I managed to keep his wheel and then eased past them both to “take” the sign but the effort took me to a new level of pain! Steve got most of the other signs, which Simon and I decided to not contest, spoilsports but saving vital energy. Then we were struck with punctures again, despite the so called puncture proof tyres. First it was Simon, an impressively quick repair was followed by him shearing off the valve, just for the sake of a little bit more air (a moral there somewhere). After replacing the second tube, we were on our way again, only for Steve to puncture on an exposed windy stretch of road at the farthest point from home which cooled us down again. Off we set to head back for lunch and were soon travelling at speeds up to 31mph, but mainly “cruising” at 22mph+. Poor Steve developed mechanical trouble with the front changer keeping him on the small ring. Not the thing to happen as Simon and I tried to outpace one another. Simon remained “frisky” to the end and powered away at times. I put one last effort in on a climb only to regret it afterwards. I wasn’t sad to turn off towards home and ride back leisurely with Steve. Just under 40 miles covered and yet again I got around puncture free (not bragging though - just an observation!).
On Sunday, Chris, Steve and Simon were out again but slightly later following a party the night before, finishing for most at nearly 2am. The route went up to Marsh Benham and through Bagnor to Winterbourne and then up the valley towards Lambourn. This route really is a “sign sprinters” playground with about 6 village signs in as many miles. There was a memorable sprint for the Welford sign. Steve went early, followed by Simon. I managed to keep his wheel and then eased past them both to “take” the sign but the effort took me to a new level of pain! Steve got most of the other signs, which Simon and I decided to not contest, spoilsports but saving vital energy. Then we were struck with punctures again, despite the so called puncture proof tyres. First it was Simon, an impressively quick repair was followed by him shearing off the valve, just for the sake of a little bit more air (a moral there somewhere). After replacing the second tube, we were on our way again, only for Steve to puncture on an exposed windy stretch of road at the farthest point from home which cooled us down again. Off we set to head back for lunch and were soon travelling at speeds up to 31mph, but mainly “cruising” at 22mph+. Poor Steve developed mechanical trouble with the front changer keeping him on the small ring. Not the thing to happen as Simon and I tried to outpace one another. Simon remained “frisky” to the end and powered away at times. I put one last effort in on a climb only to regret it afterwards. I wasn’t sad to turn off towards home and ride back leisurely with Steve. Just under 40 miles covered and yet again I got around puncture free (not bragging though - just an observation!).
Monday, 7 December 2009
Group ride - Sunday 6th December
Great ride today in mild weather with sun and clear skies. Less than an hour before departure it was pouring down but miraculously cleared just in time for 830am. The full Tourmalet team were out, joined at the last minute by Stuart on his retro Peugeot.
Tough start to the ride, after fixing a puncture for Stuart, it was twice up onto the Wayfarers ridge and amazingly no one moaned. A short climb to Linkenholt (where Steve won the sign) was followed by a fast ride down the valley to Barton Stacey at speeds up to 27mph, spurred on by motivational shouts from Pete. Stuart decided to bail out early at St Mary Bourne and go home to order a better "winter" bike. Before the cafe stop at Popham there were some unpleasant drags along the A30.
Pete decided to fully indulge in the Popham all-day breakfast with others being slightly more reserved. After a short stop it was back on the road towards home, along quiet lanes to Whitchurch where Simon "inched" the sign from me and then up and back over the Wayfarers ridge after Crux Easton.
The ride ended with a fast descent into Highclere but the sign wasn't contested due to traffic. Pete and Steve struggled in behind us carrying the extra weight of their breakfasts!
My charmed life without punctures ended as I turned into the drive, a Hampshire flint finally pierced my rear tyre. 47.5 miles at an amazingly slow 3:19. The climbs took their toll on the average.
All enjoyed drinks at Steve's house later in the day following the annual Christingle service. More chat about the ride and future rides! Looking forward already to next week.....
Tough start to the ride, after fixing a puncture for Stuart, it was twice up onto the Wayfarers ridge and amazingly no one moaned. A short climb to Linkenholt (where Steve won the sign) was followed by a fast ride down the valley to Barton Stacey at speeds up to 27mph, spurred on by motivational shouts from Pete. Stuart decided to bail out early at St Mary Bourne and go home to order a better "winter" bike. Before the cafe stop at Popham there were some unpleasant drags along the A30.
Pete decided to fully indulge in the Popham all-day breakfast with others being slightly more reserved. After a short stop it was back on the road towards home, along quiet lanes to Whitchurch where Simon "inched" the sign from me and then up and back over the Wayfarers ridge after Crux Easton.
The ride ended with a fast descent into Highclere but the sign wasn't contested due to traffic. Pete and Steve struggled in behind us carrying the extra weight of their breakfasts!
My charmed life without punctures ended as I turned into the drive, a Hampshire flint finally pierced my rear tyre. 47.5 miles at an amazingly slow 3:19. The climbs took their toll on the average.
All enjoyed drinks at Steve's house later in the day following the annual Christingle service. More chat about the ride and future rides! Looking forward already to next week.....
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