April 2013 Summary

So April 2013 is over and I've really enjoyed it once again.

Here are some stats for April 2013 :

Days ridden >> 30
Miles ridden >> 1015
Wet rides >> 1
Punctures >> 0

Day 30 18.3 miles - Compton

14C Sunny

Throughout today I had been reading my Twitter feed which had lots of my followers completing their #30daysofbiking. It was great to see. I left my final #30daysofbiking ride until after work in the afternoon.

I set off in the sunshine to do a quick recce of some of the previously flooded spots in the area. The good news is that the last month of sunshine has helped the water levels to recede and both lanes that were previously impassable are now finally dry.

This month has been great for getting out and putting the miles in. I managed to reach my own target of clearing 1000 miles for the month. And oddly, the first time I felt tired was last night (Monday). The legs were fresh again today though. I just don't think I got enough sleep Sunday night. Well that's my excuse anyway.

It's been great reading about other cyclists online again, doing the same thing, some regular cyclists and some not. I've just checked the bike over for the commute tomorrow. It's business as normal tomorrow.

But now, it's beer time.

Cheers

Day 29 : 30.8 miles - Commutes

8C sunny

It was a beautiful Spring commute in this morning.

Coming home was 13C sunny intervals but I had a strong headwind to contend with. I was really tired tonight. Legs were hollow. I think having 4.5 hours sleep just ain't enough. Go figure.

And I've just realised I am 3 miles short of the 1000 mile target. I should be able to squeeze that in tomorrow at some point.

Day 28 : 68.5 miles - Combe & Son#1 (2 rides)

I was fortunate enough to have two rides today.

9C Sunny to start, cloudy

Ride 1 : 60.4 miles

I was up early for the group ride with the guys. Once again I knew it was due to be sunny early on so I prefer to get out there earlier and make the most of it. It was cool in shorts (4C) when setting off to meet the guys, but later I was glad. I reckon I got my layers spot on again. The view as I woke up >

There was going to be four of us on the ride today, but J had been at a party the night before so I knew it would be comical to see how he coped today. It wasn't a good sign when we called at his house to meet up and his teenage son was the one to greet us and make us a coffee. He eventually showed his face, but didn't let on just how hungover he was until we were out on the bikes and we hit out first climb.

A theme emerged where we'd easily drop J on the first sign of any incline, he was really struggling, and eventually suggested he take a diversion to avoid the last climb. He must have been suffering to opt out on the last climb, knowing the stick he'd get when we eventually met up again a few miles later.

Four on the ride, but only three bikes. This was on the edge of Hungerford Common waiting for J to join us after his 'flatter' route diversion.

We did two climbs over Combe today (well some of us did), and overall it was a great ride. It's lovely to get out with the guys again. Cheers fellas.

8C cloudy

Ride 2 : 8.1 miles

Later in the day, Son#1 asked if I'd join him, for a quick blast along the local lanes. He's been really keen recently to get out on the bike which is superb. He was noticeably stronger than on our last ride together.

Day 27 : 18.5 miles - Pang Valley

9°C Sunny

Busy today, so went for a short early evening bimble kind of ride. Luckily I managed to choose a time when the earlier hailstorms had long since passed.

I headed out over to the Pang Valley and up to Frilsham as I knew the views would look nice in that low sun. Beautiful early evening ride. Long shadows and open skies.

879 miles and counting

I am sitting at 879 miles so far for this April. I think it's looking good for me to hit my own target of 1000 miles for the month. Legs are still feeling weirdly fresh. I don't want to see my food bill for this April though...

Day 26 : 31.9 miles - Newbury (2 rides)

11°C sunny
Ride 1 : 19.5 miles

Lunchtime spin around the local area. I wanted to keep this ride under 90 minutes over lunch as I had a few work things I wanted to get finished before the weekend. I didn't have a route planned, and simply followed the blue bits of sky. It seemed to work. The sky was incredible today with some really ominous clouds that didn't catch me out. It was noticeably cooler today (as forecast). Weird to think that yesterday it was blue skies and 20°C.

10°C sunny

Ride 2 :  12.4 miles

This was just a quick loop at 4pm just before dinner. I seemed to time it just right again as the wind seemed to drop as I left. I saw this little beauty on my travels. Cute.

Day 25 : 47.5 miles - Newbury/Snelsmore (2 rides)

12°C sunny

Ride 1 : 29.4 miles

I was working from home again so opted for the 7:30am pre-work ride. Didn't really have a plan today, I just knew I could get 2 hours in before work. I ended up doing two laps into Newbury and beyond using the climb at Coxs lane. And as it's Thursday I knew the market would be in town, so on the second lap I stopped at the market place for a croissant. I've used the guy before. Really REALLY good croissants.

Lovely warm sunshine again. Spot the cloud.

20°C Sunny

Ride 2 : 18.1 miles

This was a cheeky late afternoon ride. I set off at 4pm and the thermometer said 20°C which is certainly the warmest day this year so far. Incredible out there. I headed for Snelsmore which is a lovely route, which then brings you back in through Bagnor, another pretty little village.

I've done well for miles today, totalling over 47 miles today.

Day 24 : 41.1 miles - Extended Commutes

10C and 19C Sunny

What a stunning day. Just the commutes, but as it's my Birthday today, I wanted to spend a bit longer on the bike. I took a longer loop to the office on the morning commute. I also discovered this lovely 'river walk' near the studio. I've been commuting to Surrey for 13 years and have only just thought about trying it. Very pleasant in the morning sunshine.

Coming home I left the office slightly earlier to ride up through Littleton, a much more scenic and quiet route to the station. From the station, I rode out of town and wanted to add a few miles along the Pang Valley. All was going well until I reached Stanford Dingley where the road is still flooded. Even after a good few weeks of sunshine. I doubled back and headed up the 1:5 climb at Tutts Clump, then home after the long drag along the avenue. Really warm out today. I've been in shorts for a while, but tonight it was just the Summer jersey on top. Feels great.

Day 23 : 33.1 miles - Winterbourne

14C sunny

Working from home again, so I decided as I was awake early (I think the Sun through the curtains might have been to blame), to head out after 7am again. This gives me a good few hours before heading back home to start work.

Most of the lanes that have been flooded over Winter are finally starting to dry out. I looped out through Winterbourne, South to Enborne, a loop through town and home. Sod Spring, I thought it felt like Summer today.

Riding back through town I stopped alongside an old couple who were stopped at the Advanced Stop Line at a junction in the cycle box. This is a bug-bear of mine. I stayed polite and friendly; he apologised saying he didn't realise, which was fine by me. All smiles on this glorious day.

Day 22 : 32.4 miles - Commutes

10C cloudy

Even with cloud cover, there is plenty of light around at 5:30am now and it's only going to get better. This makes me very happy. Rode out in damp shorts this morning. Not due to the excitement of the prospect of a new week in work, just that my kit wasn't quite dry from the night before.

Coming home I decided to add a loop through Beenham. This adds a nice 10% climb up into the village and also gave me a chance to try out the mile stretch of freshly laid tarmac through the village.

Came back through Upper Bucklebury. This is not freshly laid tarmac. Seemed a lot cooler coming home too. Also popped the rear lights on as it was a bit gloomy.

Day 21 : 18.1 miles - Hampstead Norreys

9C sunny

Today's ride was a lovely bimble along the Pang Valley with MrsPea. Sunshine yet again but it felt a cooler in the breeze. We headed out on quiet lanes for Hampstead Norreys as I knew there was a Community shop there. The shop was started by Community members for the Community. It's situated in a lovely old courtyard surrounded by converted stable blocks. It was a great sun trap whilst sat outside.

If you are interested, we both went for a deliciously fatty classic combo; the pain au chocolat and coffee. Quite reasonable too. Lovely to be out riding with MrsPea. We don't do it enough.

Day 20 : 55.1 miles - Aldworth

14°C blue skies

This was a ride of two halves. My riding buddies could only make a 10am start, so I opted for a long solo loop prior to meeting up with them. On days like today where we have sunshine without a cloud in the sky I just want to get out there and make the most of it.

Heading out for my solo ride at 8am was still chilly. 5C to be exact. The plan was to get togged up in my 'Kids from Fame' leg warmers, buff and windproof do a loop, then call home to drop off the extra layers. It worked a treat.

Setting off for the second time, this time a lot warmer in shorts really felt like Summer is one the way. It felt great. Days like today make all the mucky, wet, cold, dark Winter commuting worth it. I really feel like I've earned rides like this one.

There was only three of us out today, but having had a few weeks of solo riding due to other commitments, it reminded me what I like about riding with others. Other than the constant noise from J's creaky hip joints. He of course claimed it was his mudguards making all the racket.

A great cake stop at one of our favourite 'local' village halls. Delicious home-made cakes and fresh coffee. And so cheap too.

Great to meet up with the guys.

Day 19 : 31.8 miles - Commutes

7C and 12C sunny intervals

The commute in was the first commute in a while where there didn't seem to be any real wind to speak of. It's finally buggered off to annoy someone else. And it was also the first morning commute where there was a level of 'daylight' at 5:30am. It'll soon be time to pack the Winter lights away for a few months.

Going in, and coming home >

Before arriving at the office, I decided to do a few loops around the area for a few snaps. Here's where I cross the River Wey navigation. The little tearoom in the boathouse is called "Hector's on the Wey". Clever.

Coming home was perfect. Sunshine and a real sense of warmth from the sun. Perfect apart from the 5 bugs I swallowed. It's always about this time of year I have to teach myself to ride with my gob shut.

Day 18 : 29.6 miles - Donnington & Pang Valley

9C sunny and gales

I was working from home again so I opted for an early ride as I knew it was going to be a clear skies early on. Very windy again. I'm getting really bored with the strong winds now, but rumour has it that they are dropping by the weekend. Phew.

It was noticeably fresher this morning, but still shorts weather. And as I'm typing this (lunchtime) we are having an epic thunderstorm, something which wasn't forecast. I'm now extra glad I went out early on.

I set off just after 7am for Donnington as the twin towered gate house always looks fantastic against the blue sky. Some great photo opportunities up there, even with a simple camera phone. It's a great view from up there too. From there I looped through Newbury and out North to do the Curridge loop which is another great section of very quiet lanes. It's a loop a can do over a lunchtime if I fancy it.

Then it was through Hermitage and over the climb at Grimsbury Fort to try the Pang Valley. I keep doing recce rides along here to see how the flooding is going. Even today after a good week of sunny warm dry weather it's still flooded. Crazy. I ended up doubling back into the headwind again and looping back home. After all, I did have work to be getting on with.

Day 17 : 32.6 miles - Skinners Green

17C sunny intervals and gales

Working from home again so set off late afternoon for a spin. Very windy again today so headed out into the wind again (I always prefer the tailwind home).

Today was one of those rides with no planned route where I just followed my nose. I had a really unproductive work day so it was good just getting out and spinning the pedals.

It was weirdly humid out and actually quite warm in that sunshine. Seems to be warm enough for shorts now on a regular basis. At last.

I am now past the 500 miles for April, I think slightly behind where I need to be if I want to reach my 1000 mile target for the month.

Day 16 : 36.5 miles - Watership Down

14°C Sunny intervals

I was working from home today so left it until work was done to head out. I let the wind dictate the route, and a strong South Westerly meant the obvious choice was a ride up and over Watership Down. I was planning an approach from the South on Sunday, but the flooded lanes meant a route diversion.

Once I'd got South of Newbury, I hardly saw a soul. Approaching from the North you get a nice warm up climb just after Ecchinswell. You get a grand view of Watership Down as you crest this first climb.

Another great ride under sunny skies. I could get used to this.

Day 15 : 40.1 miles - Extended Commutes

10°C and 14°C sunny intervals

Back to work today after a week off. The extra light this morning at 05:30am was appreciated (amazing the difference a week can make), and we're nearly back to where we were before the BST clock changes. Almost.

This is also the first morning commute in Gilet instead of the Winter jacket as it was so mild.

Coming home I decided to do the extra loop through Ufton. It's very pretty and hardly saw another soul along there.

So, the legs are feeling fine so far. And after today, we are already half way through #30daysofbiking.

Day 14 : 61.1 miles - St Mary Bourne

17°C Sunny and strong winds

Best ride of the year so far. I set off knowing it would be a warm one today and went out prepared in shorts and Gillet. I got the layers spot on again. There were loads of cyclists out today, and I saw so many out in longs and overshoes. Do they not check the forecast?

I headed out into the strong Southerly wind for Kingsclere, a very picturesque village, especially in the sunshine. Then the long climb up White Hill for a great view North over the ridge. Once over the top the Southerly headwind was now really noticeable along this open stretch. It's all good training I suppose.

I was actually planning a ride back over Watership Down but I changed plans after speaking with a car driver about the flooding along the lane through Hare Warren. Instead, I rode out into a headwind once again to St Mary Bourne. This village is in a river valley which feeds the (Vitacress) water cress beds and it's an easy ride tracing the river.

Then in contrast to the previous flat stretch, I headed for the Faccombe Estate which then slowly ramps up to the ridge at Combe and then Walbury Hill (the highest point in the South East). I love the views from here. There's even a gibbet to be found if you want to brave a brief section of off-road (I didn't today). Then onto Kintbury, past the speed board which I always seem to pass at 30mph for some reason and down into the village.

Perfect ride today, great scenery and good hilly route. And naked knees once again.