Went for a short walk this morning with Iren, starting from Ditchling Beacon going to Black Cap before returning.
To begin with the weather was murky, with a low cloud base affecting visibility, but that gradually burned off 🙂
With the exception of the usual track near Plumpton Plain it was reasonally clean walk, however that section was muddy with the surface broken up by passing farm traffic.
Once the cloud had burned off the views were spectacular as ever 🙂
Took a ride with Iren between Newhaven and Seaford, and then went on for a short ride to the martello tower on the seafornt and back.
We first went out to Newhaven heading round to the retail park by the bridge, before returning and continuing on to Seaford
Here we rode through to the Martello tower, and stopped for a coffee before riding back.
Overall a pleasant ride that got Iren used to riding again 🙂
After being confined to the flat during the week thanks to a heavy cold I escaped the 4 walls and headed for West Grinstead, I made sure I was dosed up with Beechams, and armed with hankies !!! (I’m now deadly at 10 paces with a snotty piece of fabric)
Rode out from the old station and headed south for Partridge Green and the B2135 which you need to ride on for a short while.
From there you pick up the old trackway again down a lane on your left (thankfully signposted)
Here you get a slight surprise when you find yourself riding across a field rather than on a track, but the track soon returns and you continue to Henfield where you are greated by a sharp ascent to a short ride through the village.
Once out of Henfield I rode onto Wyckham Farm before deciding to return.
I have to say that this was the first time I have ridden through a race (hopefully I didn’t impede the runners)
When I got back to West Grinstead I decided to not carry on to Southwater, another 6 miles is pushing it 🙂
A couple of times on this ride I came across a couple of short, steep ascents which I rode standing on the pedals, a year ago there is no way I could do this distance or ride like that – well chuffed (even more so considering the lack of exercise this week thanks to the $^^%^$ cold)
Did a short walk at lunchtime round Chertsey starting by the river and ending when I passed through the town.
This was a new walk for me, devised after looking at the map after the walk last week.
When I came into town there was a large funeral taking place, having getting on for a dozen funeral cars, the hearse and a flower decorated lorry.
Not much else to report, just an amble round town.
Went for 2 rides today, the first being by the reservoir at Ardingly through the mud and then back on the road,
The pathway is muddy, with ice remaining and slippery in places.
The roadway has a steep hill I had forgotten about, my legs soon reminded me and I had to bow to common sense and push the bike up the hill, judging by the whizz down the other side the hill is just as nasty the other way round.
Then went on West Grinstead to ride the trackway towards Partridge Green and actually managed to pass the village, continuing along almost to where the downs Link crosses the B2135.
Then returned and carried on past the Southwater Country Park to the spot where I reached on the 2nd January.
From here I returned to the station having rattled up 11.2 miles 🙂
Yep, it’s that time when I do battle with the round town route 🙂
Managed 4 laps of the full loop this morning which is the furthest I have done, and it feels like 5 laps will soon be achieved 🙂
it’s a lot warmer than last week, although gloves were still handy for the descent of Oathall Road.
The legs are tight now but they have felt worse so perhaps another couple of loops are possible soon. 🙂
went over to Mum’s place and we went out for a short ride on some bridleways nearby.
Mum hasn’t done much riding this year and struggles with any reasonable distances, hopefully once we can get her back to West Grinstead she will get going again.
The track took us across the railway line and to Kingsway, next time perhaps we might venture beyond there:-)
Went for a lunchtime wander along the banks of the river Bourne in Chertsey all the way to where Carcraft are on the A320 and back on the other side of the river.
This was a gentle stroll (by my standards) of 1.52 miles.
This walk needs a camera, there’s the chance of some good pictures of the local birdlife.
This was just a little stroll up the road and back to have a meal at Caspari
0.52 miles is better than nothing for a lunchtime 🙂
Today I parked at the Beacon owning to the track to the mills being iced up before walking to the mills and back twice (I need a decent distance these days, but wanted to not stray away from where folk are as conditions are not wonderful up on the downs).
Whilst not snowing it was ruddy cold up there until I got going,
Near the Beacon the snow was slight and ground got slightly muddy as it warmed up, nearer the mills the snow and ice increased (on the path near the mills there is at least 10 inches of snow, the level is up the banks and you walk on the bank for part of trek.
With all the snow the walk took longer but was enjoyable to see the hills in a differing light, it was also weird to head towards the Beacon to get to the car.
Yep, there was no market this morning so went for the longer round town ride, and just to make sure I kept warm I did it 3 times !!! I really must work out where I got this insanity from !
It’s a cold morning with temperatues around freezing, but the haul up the ascents on this circular ride sure kept me warm, knackered, but warm !
As this was done @10am most of the more dozy drivers were still indoors however there is always one that’s left their brain on the hook where the car keys are kept ! yes of course I like to start off again when you have destroyed my momentum grrrrrrrrr
Overall this was a good ride but the old legs felt wobbly after this ride.
I am pleased with the distance covered, I haven’t even done the double on this route before, let alone the triple, and it all helps with the KSS challenge.
Now if you will excuse me the gentlemen with white coats are at the door 🙂
