A Closed Coffee Shop, Ice, Hills & 2 Punctures

Kelly and I went for a spin this morning. Meeting up at the Rousdon Village Bakery, with the plan to have a pre cycle coffee only to find that although there was a published opening time of 08:30, by 09:00 the proprietor was still arrive .. so, no coffee to be had! 

The plan was to cycle out to Otter Mill via Ottery St Mary and return to Seaton via Sidmouth, however, having to tread gingerly down through Rousdon to Musbury through crunchy frozen puddles and then with Kelly suffering her first 'en ride' puncture as we climbed out of Colyton, time was slipping away -- and I was not going to last without a coffee before we reached the Mill. We therefore, dropped in on the other AVP favoured coffee shop, the Colourwheel (fortunately, unlike Axminster Arts Café last week and Rousdon's offering earlier, it was open). 

Thawing out, we agreed a new plan; to cycle straight to Sidmouth and take on some hills .. starting with Observatory Hill and then take the hilly road through Branscombe and Beer. On the descent into Branscombe, Kelly's front tyre blew with loud pop! Puncture no.2. This was, however, no ordinary puncture, a flint had sliced the side wall! I must admit, despite the lack of in the field experience, I was most impressed with the way she handled the tyre changes - Kwik-Fit take note!

Finally retuning home, and giving the bike a once over before putting it away, I'd never seen it more filthy before and then when giving it clean down, I also noticed a massive thorn protruding from my front tyre .. I must have been just seconds away from our third puncture - what an eventful ride. 

AVP Saturday Morning Ride with Little Miss Bossy!

Being a very much last minute planned ride, only Kelly and I were free to meet up at the new Coffee Shop at Rousdon. I'd originally thought we'd have a pre cycle beverage but with the weather looking so good we just wanted to get out and on the road. May be next time I'll be better organised and suggest we meet at 09:00 for 09:30 to allow time for a pre ride coffee and natter.

My plan was to ride out to Shave Cross to check out the extent of the recently closed road on Marshwood .. well one has to have a goal. Also, being very last minute, the route was a bit fluid and while I had printed out a map and loaded up my Garmin, neither made made much sense once we were rolling - navigation has never been my strong point - watch out all for March's Sunday ride which I'm supposed to be leading, goodness knows where we'll end up!

Little Miss Bossy at the Library

As it was, we failed to get too lost. From Rousdon, we dropped down to Lyme, climbed out past the golf club to Charmouth .. then took the bridge over the A35, a much better decision than crossing further up, not just because of not having to dodge cars on the A35 but the views back to Charmouth and Lyme were spectacular. We rode on through Wooton Fitzpaine - stopping at the most unusual telephone box library - Whitchurch Canoncorum and returned to Seaton via Marshwood, Hawkchurch and Axminster.

There was a short stop in Axminster to pick up a bag of Jelly Babies and while we had also planned a stop at the Arts Cafe for coffee, were shocked to find that it closes at 12:00 noon on a Saturday! Thankfully, The Broom Wagon - a favoured establishment of mine - back in Seaton, was more than able to satisfy our need for good coffee & cake

Kenilworth Icy Circuit

I've spoken before how that now that I have the Yeti for transport, being away from home is now no longer a reason not to have my bike with me.

This weekend, it was trip to Coventry which gave me the perfect opportunity to meet up with a very good work colleague of mine for  a run out on our Specialized Crosstrails .. yes some coincidence we have the same bikes. My Crosstrail, the hybrid I returned to cycling on some two years ago, has been very much put in the shade following the acquisition of my new road bikes, so it was great to have this excuse to revive our association.

With my friend based in Warwick, we agreed on Kenilworth Castle as our meeting point. I was impressed with Coventry's cycle paths which took me right into Kenilworth. I guess they do have more of a motorised traffic problem than us in and around Seaton, but Devon Council, take note, that Stop Line Way Cycle Path you've had in plan for the last 3+ years is getting a bit overdue!

As it was, the Crosstrail was the perfect ride for the icy conditions we faced .. although even studded snow tires my have struggled with one patch of ice which took me unawares, my front wheel slipping from under leaving me prostrate on on the ground! Apart from this, my friend puncturing and me losing a rear light, we had a great ride and finishing with a strong coffee and chocolate brownie was just icing on cake!

AVP 10th Anniversary Ride

It's been a slow start to the new year, what with the arrival of proper winter weather, the wind and rain has grounded all but those with turbo trainers.

Fortunately, today, one of the few clear sunny days so far this year, coincided with the AVP's 10th Anniversary ride. Back in 2005 the club was formed with 3 members, today we have more than 150 and over 30 joined the peloton as we rode out from our TIC muster point.

You'll note from the map below a rather convoluted route was taken. The loop to the right was a pre club ride that I rode with Kelly, taking in Stepps Lane, a killer of a hill at the best of times but after the festive excesses this was almost the death of me!

Time to get more training in ... I'm feeling far from cycling fit!