A big thank you to Plodder for putting on a superb event on Saturday. There are some magnificent lanes on this ride, my favourite being the ascent through Hollycombe.
Having ridden this route or its predecessor many times I am at a loss to explain why it took me three attempts to get away from Liphook, despite the routesheet being spot on!
A very long queue at the cafe resulted in 'Team Romsey' decamping to the Medstead village shop for sandwiches and cake, which I found most satisfying, having been on the point of total jellyleggedness on the slight rise up to the village.
The return over the downs via all those quiet lanes was splendid, as was the sunlit ascent onto Old Winchester Hill, the view down into the valley over Whitewool Farm being a long-held favourite of mine.
I am pleased to report that after the Arrivee, the leg warmers came off and 'Team Romsey' took in many glorious lanes and views on our return to the banks of the River Test, taking a downland route via Chidden, Beacon Hill, and Lane End Down.
