King Alfreds Way day 2
After yesterday’s learning experience we now considered ourselves Gravel bike experts.Today looked like it would beeasier although it would be a lot hillier than yesterday so we decide to make sure it was pedals down at 9:00.
But first repairs. Unfortunately they didn’t go as well as planned as one of the two inner tubes was already punctured which caused our first delay.
But surely it didn’t matter how late we set off, didn’t we have all the time in the world. No! As always it’s important to inject some jeopardy into a ride which I had done. In this case, if I haven’t mentioned it I had long covid for 9 months and now I seem to be better so I’m appearing on a webinar at 6:00 to “inspire” others with my story so had to be back for then.
However we were soon on our way with pedals down by 9:15.
On to the first sector and already Big George thought it was partly a hiking holiday as he pushed his bike up the first steep hill and again down a tricky descent. If this was a sign to come then my 6pm deadline looked under threat already.
Next we made a short detour to a local bike shop to stock up on inner tubes as we were only one puncture away from a disaster.
Once on our way then it felt like a different experience, cycling through the woods at 10 in the morning with pressure in your tyres compared to 6:30 on a sandy hill with a flat back. This was what it was all about.
We were making descent progress until Big George suggested we introduce a regular peaceful refreshments stop where we could contemplate nature and re energise our bodies. Unfortunately we first needed to buy refreshments so I’m not sure the first one met the brief.
It was now a series of trails, tracks and hills (lots of hills). This was because we were now crossing the South Downs on its “way”.
Big George said he had previously walked the South Downs way and it appeared that that was going to be his approach this time too as he hopped off his bike to push it up many of the climbs.
Progress was painfully slow until we eventually made it to the beechwood cafe at the Queen Elizabeth country park much later than expected with once again our deadline under threat.
Sadly it didn’t perform well as it was a typical attraction cafe, slow service and average fair.
On the plus side the cake selection was very good whereas the bread pudding I chose wasn’t.
It was now Big George dropped a bombshell and decided he would take a shorter route back leaving me to push on the official route alone. I can’t say I put up much of a fight as I felt more confident of getting back in time.
At the next big hill we said our good byes and agreed that every relationship needed some time apart and we would be stronger for it. So off I set up the steepest climb of the day which was on a grass slope. My cycle gps said there were 7 on the route and this one was definitely climb of the day.
The going this afternoon was the hardest to date as we just followed the South Downs way. This meant there were very few road sections, many off-road hills and tricky descents.
When you weren’t going up or down then you seemed to be cycling in a field or narrow path. Why or why hasn’t anyone tarmaced the South Downs way yet.
I just came onto another bumpy track when who should I see up ahead but Big George. So we could catch up on the couple of hours we had been apart we stopped for some nature contemplation and a banana.
As we set of again it wasn’t long before we reached another big hill and with the clock ticking I said I wouldn’t wait and head straight for Winchester.
There was still time to get lost twice resulting in a couple of circuits of a farmers field but I made it back at 5.45 so a new set of people will get to hear all about my long Covid, lucky them.
Tomorrow is meant to be the longest day at 70 miles, so 20 more than today. Big George is already planning his alternative route so it looks like we will be separated again.
Map of todays route
 |
| Day 2 route |
 |
| Day 2 Elevation |
Cafe ratings
Cafe | Hot Choc Quality | Guest Hot Drink Quality | Cake Selection | Cake Taste Quality | Atmosphere and Ambiance | Total |
Wellington Farm Shop | 7.2 | 6 | 6.8 | 7 | 7.8 | 6.96 |
Brown bear book shop Farnham |
| 8 | 7.3 | 8.6 | 5 | 7.23 |
Queen Elizabeth Country Park | 6.3 | 6 | 8 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 6.46 |
Heale Garden tearoom |
|
|
|
|
|
|
St Arbucks cafe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Trees Farm shop cafe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saddlebank farm cafe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Route | Miles | Average Mph | Time on Bike | Metres climbed |
Reading to Hindhead | 47.6 | 9.81 | 4:50 | 791 |
Hindhead to Winchester | 49.7 | 8.91 | 5:34 | 1132 |
Winchester to East Kennett |
|
|
|
|
East Kennett to Reading |
|
|
|
|
Totals |
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment