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I'll start this off with this...

After a weeks break yesterday I was back cycling once more but whilst I last went north around Stockbridge this time I headed south around the New Forest countryside setting off at 7.00am sharp and reaching Beaulieu at 9.25am. From there it was further south beyond Buckler’s Hard to St Leonards then right along the country lane to East End then north to East Boldre and Beaulieu and back to my Southampton base.

The weather was fantastic, the countryside and surrounding views were totally stunning and beautiful and I took fifty-eight photos mostly as a reference mark of the route I took. Now I’m not at planning to offer up the entire collection because after all you guys are busy people with lots to do.

However I would like to share some of the best shots from yesterday…

Looking to the left of the large house in St Leonards – 1 and a strange structure, possibly remains of a church. No one around to ask apart from the Volvo estate on the extreme left but the lady (probably lives there) was on a mobile phone so I didn’t ask.
I thought the structure in St Leonards – 2 was like the remains of a Mayan temple but in St Leonards – 3 all is explained.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/StLeonardsGrange-1.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/StLeonardsGrange-2.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/StLeonardsGrange-3.jpg

Looking across the fields at the Isle of Wight in the distance was pleasing enough however there is a surprising but I guess logical history to the area as depicted in the four Needs Ore Point photos.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/NeedsOrePoint-1.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/NeedsOrePoint-2.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/NeedsOrePoint-3.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/NeedsOrePoint-4.jpg

A couple of pleasing countryside photos next…
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/countryside-1.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/countryside-2.jpg

The only way to travel around the New Forest countryside, this passed me by as I stopped in East End to eat a buttered roll and bag of crisps around midday.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/EastEnd-1.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/EastEnd-2.jpg

Interesting sign in East Boldre…
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/EastBoldre-1.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/EastBoldre-2.jpg

Eventual return to Southampton just after 4.00pm with a total distance travelled, according to my bike computer, of 42 miles!

NB : This is my eighth cycling day out trip of over thirty miles so far this year, and by far the longest!

After missing out on cycling last Monday due to bad weather, yesterday I was keen to get back out on the road and explored to the north east of Bishop’s Waltham, an area that has some particularly steep hills. Eventually I reached Warnford and it was here that I took a narrow progressively steep narrow country lane which slowly opened out to affording some absolutely stunning views of the South Downs countryside on either side. However initially there was more to see on the right hand side and looking down into the valley beyond I’d first like to share the following four pics…

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1392.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1393.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1398.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1400.jpg

The next one is similar although it also features the lane and the tree line on the right follows the path down to the main A32 road.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1403.jpg

Eventually reached some flat ground and first chance to look at the open ground vista on the left hand side. Second shot slightly further along and is that a pond or a canal on the left hand side by the single tree? Third shot is similar but features identifying signpost.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1404.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1409.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1407.jpg

Short distance along and with a nearby identifying notice board whilst partaking in a buttered bread roll and bag of crisps I looked out at the impressive panoramic vista including the clear Iron Age Fort indentations on the left hand hill as referred to the map illustration.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1410.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1411.jpg

Next shot shows the lengthy downhill lane distance travelled fairly swiftly whilst the second shows both the tree lined left side lane and a footpath carefully preserved for use by the farmer.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1420.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1423.jpg

Last two shots now on the way back heading down to Droxford, an extremely swift descent momentarily interrupted when I elected to momentarily pull over to let a small Calor gas bottle carrying open back van to pass me. Once this was done I was once more back on my way and speed hit the dizzying heights of approx. 26 miles an hour… will I think that is what it said, I didn’t have too much time to glance down to get an accurate reading because total concentration was on safely navigating along the slightly twisty lane before jamming on the brakes when I reached to ‘T’ junction at the bottom.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1425.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1426.jpg

This could potentially be my last cycling trip with this bicycle prior to receiving the electric bike both once again this Challenge Bullet bike has performed flawlessly and I was quite astonished that between going out at 7.00am and returning around 16.30pm I completed a total distance travelled amount of 49 miles, by far and away the most that I have ever done in a single day!

Yesterday was the first real chance to give some exercise to the new bicycle and I certainly ‘grabbed it with both hands’ setting off at 6.40am and by the time that I finally returned at 4.45pm I had covered nearly fourty-eight miles taking a variety of surfaces and inclines along the way. Generally I feel satisfied with the trip getting the photo that I intended (http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1769.jpg) in surprisingly changeable weather conditions including a couple of heavy rain showers as I passed through Kings Somborne around 1.00pm.

PROS
Usually the trip from my flat up to Hursley (roughly nine miles) takes two hours however with the new bicycle it was twenty minutes less arriving at 8.20am. By 9.15am I was pulling into the village of Crawley where the real map navigation began. It is a great riding position, the rubber feel handles offer a strong tactile ‘in control’ feel whilst riding. It is definitely a strong and considerably safe riding experience particularly on downhill fast stretches. Taking a moment to look over the bicycle as I sat on a park bench at the end of the Stockbridge high street around midday I continue to be impressed by the level of quality detail in its construction particularly noting the generously thick welds along key points in the framework. I had a good half hour reading up and pushing buttons on the trip computer, certainly offering a great deal more information than my previous Halfords unit however I eventually got it to show the mileage distance travelled and current speed indicators that I have become accustomed to.

CONS
Midway through the day the front wheel developed a noticeable squeaking sound, something that I could not see what was causing it, don’t know if lubrication is needed. It is recommended that a period of 4/5 hours recharging is required with the red light indicating that the process is underway. Prepared to spend most of Sunday to do this I was surprised when after a mere two hours the green ‘finished charging’ light came on. Whilst riding on Monday there was no definite sign that I did have power available although there were certain road sections which clearly benefited from an increase of assisted speed. Yes indeed the bicycle is noticeably heavier than my previous one something that became apparent not just from lifting it up the stairs in my block of flats but also on some of the more steeper hills where I preferred to ‘get off and push’ rather than use the battery. It turned into a real test of endurance and somehow I amazingly came through and got back to the flat.

Just wanted to mention, for the record, yes indeed cycling on 18th July and the details were...

set off : 6.30am / return : 16.20pm = total distance travelled - 51.836 miles (rounded to 52 miles)

Weather wasn't really the greatest, cloudy and overcast and very strong cross winds but from Southampton got down towards Lymington and then used the Solent Way footpath to walk over to Keyhaven, a few interesting photos but nothing really worth sharing

Found a quicker way to cover the 22 miles to Stockbridge by going up through Chandlers Ford, Hurlsye and Sparsholt the go west along the main road reaching my target around 10.30/11.00am (from an approx 6.30am start). This gave me a little bit more time to cover the main lengh of the high street and explore a little bit further beyond the steep hill at the end. Couldn't see the military helicopter base nearby, the hedges were too thick and high but I could certainly hear them and was overflown by a couple of fierce looking armoured Apache type craft whilst in the area.

I'd like to share just two photos with you of this trip which shows the countryside and a countrylane that is the kind of thing I love exploring but considering I'd just done 23 miles I wasn't too keen on going further north when considering there was still the little matter of the return trip.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/Picture001.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/Picture002.jpg

I eventually got back, via Kings Somborne around 15.45pm with a total distance travelled of fourty-six miles on a rather warm dry summers day.

I wasn't actually cycling yesterday although instead it was exploring the countryside up the Itchen Way by walking virtually the entire ten mile distance from it's beginning at the edge of Riverside Park right up to Shawford and the M3 just below Winchester. I had done most of this distance about seven months ago but of course back then we had the small matter of ice and snow to contend with. No such problem yesterday so I was able to make more rapid progress although parts of the route was considerably overgrown needing me to force my way through. Set off about 6.40am and returned shortly after 4.00pm after having to have a 45 min lying down rest under a tree in Riverside Park... pretty hot weather yesterday! I'd like to share five of what I think are the best of the many photos I took whilst out walking...

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1907.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1911.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1914.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1917.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_1920.jpg

After a week’s break with the previous Monday seeing me walking up to Ampfield woods yesterday I returned to the bicycle for what turned out to probably the most challenging journey both physically and due to the changeable weather conditions I’ve ever tackled. The basic bottom line details are that I set off just after 6.30am and returned shortly after 17.20pm having completed fifty-five miles (the exact bike trip computer put the reading at 54.815).

Initially the weather was not promising but taking the long view I persevered and the rain eventually stopped around 9.20am. By that time I’d completed the distance from my Southampton flat and was entering Winchester, that fast downward road section through fairly light traffic was particularly difficult safely navigating the undulating road surface whilst keeping my rain hood over my head with my forehead. The objective was to reach Kings Worthy slightly north of the city however there were no signs and it was only by asking someone that got me on the right road, surprisingly signposted London and Basingstoke, but I certainly wasn’t planning to go that far in one day! I then headed north along the A33 turning left to Micheldever. From here I followed it through the villages of Weston Colley, Stoke Charity, Wonston and eventually at Sutton Scotney turning left heading back towards Stockbridge. Naturally by now the rain had long since gone and with a change of jacket I faced particularly strong cross winds which made any rapid downhill progress on the bicycle absolutely impossible. Not that there was any length stretches along a road that was mostly uphill and stretched for what seemed like four miles. Eventually I came across a left hand turning towards Crawley, a pleasing narrow country lane down to the next main road. Going right here and back on familiar ground it was ultimately a left turn to Little Somborne, right towards King’s Somborne and then back via Braisfield, Ampfield, North Baddlesley and on towards Southampton.

Four of the best photos that I took on Monday...

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_2467.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_2485.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_2486.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_2494.jpg

Third monday in a row and following on from cycling trips down to Milford On Sea (two weeks ago = 56 miles) and over to Old Winchester Hill (near Bishop's Waltham, east of Southampton = 49 miles) this week I begun by exploring north west of Romsey over towards Salisbury (maybe one day(?)) and from a 6.30am start/return 4.15pm trip covering 46 miles I took some great photos despite the largely overcast and windy conditions. I'd like to share what I thought were some of the best...

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_2955.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_2956.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_2957.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_2958.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_2964.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_2971.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_2973.jpg

Some beautiful countryside around an area I hadn't considered before, really hope, at some point in the future, to return here to explore more!

Been doing some more milage on the bicycle (further last weeks service for three new spokes on rear wheel, checking the rear brake and gears at dealership (under warrenty)) with my trip pulling in fifty eight miles swinging out through the New Forest up to Fordingbridge. Some of the best photos from yesterday's epic day out (6.30am to 3.50pm) that I'd like to share with you guys...

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_3303.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_3305.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_3309.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_3311.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_3317.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_3318.jpg

Getting over to Lyndhurst was a bit of a grind, peddling down for most of the ten miles and then I wasn't able to get across the A31 at the second suspected crossing point which meant I had to go literarily 'cross country' through the New Forest but too rough for my bicycle

Would like to share some of the best photos taken on my 16th January cycle ride out towards Salisbury covering about fifty-one miles on that day...

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_3585.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_3587.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_3588.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_3598.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_3599.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_3606.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/IMG_3607.jpg