Hengisbury Head Return By Fat Bike

I had fixed the puncture on my bike, and the tyre was holding air so decided to go for a ride.

As the wind was light it made sense for a coastal ride, so I headed West.

I did not intend on going far, so a gentle ride out to Hengisbury Head was the destination.

My first stop was Mudeford Quay, I parked up along side the lobster and crab pots.

The tide was high and flowing fast, it was on it's way out. Mudeford is one of the fastest tidal places in the UK, all because it flows through a very narrow channel.

I was heading over to the other side of the spit, I have been over to Hengisbury Head many times but never right to the end and looked back towards Mudeford.

My ride took me through Christchurch and the Quomps, no idea how or why it's called that, but there are a few boats moored up that could do with a bit of attention.

I reckon one more storm and the boat below will sink!

The boat behind it is in a poor state as well! It's a shame to see these boats like this, I wonder what the story is behind them?

From here it is up to the bridge and then follow the river back out to the sea.

Once out at Hengisbury Head Visitor Centre I stopped to use the loo's and noticed that they had installed a bicycle work shop.

This is the first one I have seen on my travels around here and such a brilliant idea.

If only more places would install these.

Finally out at the end of the spit, here there are a good few Beach Huts, and these come with a hefty price tag!

This one is currently on the market for a whopping £300,000 Yes you did read that correct!

To view this shed follow the link -----> Beach Hut For Sale

I rode on to the end of the spit and stopped for a brew.

If you look across the water you can just make out the lobster and crab pots from earlier.

This was my furthest point, so it was time to head East.

I stopped once more in Christchurch at the Norman ruins and then continued my journey home.

My journey was 35.4km in length and was mostly flat.

Ride safe....

Castleman Trail West Of Ringwood And A Puncture On A Fat Bike

For a long time now I have wanted to continue my journey along the Castleman Trail - and old disused railway line.

I have all ready completed various sections starting from as far East as I could (Brockenhurst) and have got up to so far Ringwood.

So today I drove to Ringwood, managed to get parked right next to the start of the trail and headed West.

The trail was in pretty good condition, a few puddles, but nothing that would get your feet wet.

I stopped at Ashley Heath Halt, which still has it's platform as you can see below.

Continuing on, I passed through West Moors and headed out towards Ferndown.

I was a bit pushed for time today, so decided at the 13km mark to turn back.

13km happened to be the point where a foot bridge crosses over the A31.

I stopped here for a brew and set off again, which is when I heard the hiss of air and Stan's muck coming out of my front tyre!

I hoped that the Stans would of sealed it, but the thorn that went into the tyre was just to big!

I limped back to West Moors where in a car park I unloaded the bike and set about repairing the puncture.

I should point out that this was only my second puncture in over 3000km so I have been lucky!

I put it all back together, and air was still escaping. I had about 6km to go, so decided rather then messing about I would ride, then pump up the tyre and continue like that till I got back to the car.

Now there are number of things that could of happened.

1. The patch lifted and air was escaping.

2. Due to the amount of thorns in the tyre and sealed by Stans, when I put the tyre and inner tube back together they made fresh holes and caused another puncture.

3. My tyres were covered in mud, and maybe a piece of grit got inside the tyre as I was putting it all back together.

Any how, I just about made it back to the car. I can confirm that running the front at a really low PSI is bloody hard work!

So tomorrow, my plan is to take the tyre and tube off, clean it all properly, repatch if required and see if that solves the problem.

I do have a spare tube, so worst case scenario I'll use that and buy a new tube.

A ride of 26km, 13 of which were with a slow puncture!

Girt Loada Gravel On A Fat Bike

Another day and more gravel!

Starting again from the same place - Woods Corner (see map below)



I headed North following the same route as the previous time, this time though the sun was out which made every thing look beautiful.

Mind you in the shadows it was still a bit nippy!

In my past post I took a couple of pictures looking across the plain, if I had turned around 180 degrees you would of seen the picture below!

Blue sky, it makes such a difference when the sun is out!

Under the A31, there was still a noticeable difference in wind once I got the other side of the road which was weird.

Over the flooded plain and towards Cadmans Poole, forgetting again to take a picture of the water.

This time I decided to head West and loop all the way around, there were some steep climbs and a couple of fun down hill bits. I'm always dubious about going too fast down hill, especially on a part loaded bike, one wrong move and it's an off and it could be hours before anyone else comes past you to help!

I enjoyed this route as once I had left Cadmans Pool it was all new territory for me.

This is always fun, except when you discover some long climbs, that is not fun!

I managed to bag two Personal Records as well on the trip which is always a good sign that you are doing something right.

I never go out of my way to go faster at any given point it's just a natural increase in speed.

The gravel trails are in great condition, which makes riding relatively easy.

My Brooks saddle, having now had approx 3000km of use is very comfortable, and worth every penny.

If you are considering buying one, do it, you certainly will not regret it.

I stopped for some lunch on the way back, using my Stanley Food Flask, I think these are brilliant for days out, they keep food really hot for long periods. I had steaming hot Heinz Beef Broth which was lovely.

Brewed up and had a cup of tea with honey, and was happy as Larry!

32.95km completed, lovely weather, bit windy and chilly in places, but a great ride out and 98% was all on gravel tracks.

Ride safe.....

All Gravel Cadmans Pool Return On A Fat Bike

Once more I loaded the car with the Fat Bike and headed off into the forest.

Starting at the same place as the other day, I intended to head North, towards the Canadian War Memorial and then across or rather under the A31 and keep going to Cadmans Pool.

On the way by the deer sanctuary is a rather long and in places steep hill, The "Deer Sanctuary Climb" as it is known on Strava is unforgiving.

I have completed it now a number of times, but I was rather pleased this time to discover I had climbed it and broken my Personal Record time!

In fact I managed to break four Personal Records on this ride, so considering I have had time off of the bike, a good result.

My first stop of the day was at a lovely little beauty spot, I often stop here purely for it's quietness and tranquillity.

In the photo below you can see my front rack set up with the bottle and cage mounted.

I carried on from here and up the hill, towards the Canadian War Memorial, not stopping, but carrying up the road a few 100 metres where I turned off again and went off road following a track towards the A31.

Stopped up before the A31, as it was a bit exposed the wind was starting to bite a bit!

Desolate, but beautiful even with it being over cast, if the sun was shining the difference in the colours would be surprising to you.

Under the A31 using an specifically built tunnel, this not only allows people to get across the road safely but also and the real purpose to allow the free movement of animals across the forest.

Once I had crossed the A31 the wind really kicked in, it was considerably stronger!

I carried on climbing up and across some flooded planes towards Cadmans Poole.

I should of taken a photo of the water, but only got one of the entry sign.

As the weather was a bit grim, and the wind chill was making it cold I decided to head home following exactly the same route.

The good thing about doing this was that it was mostly down hill all the way!

I did stop towards the end for a brew and a bite to eat.

This was my view from a strategically well placed bench, perfect for a rest stop!

All in all 20.25km not a bad ride, and very happy with the four Personal Records!

Ride safe.....

Underwood Loop - On A Fat Bike

I've been thinking about why it has taken me so long to get back in the saddle (to coin a very apt phrase)!

To be honest it is blindingly obvious and I should of realised this by now, as it is one of the major obstacles that stop people from riding in the first place.

The roads from where I live are just too busy!

I enjoy off road - gravel tracks, riding on tarmac has no appeal to me what so ever, but to get to the forest it takes me anything from 15 to 30 mins depending on what area I want to ride in.

Some of the areas that I wish to explore would take an hours ride just to get to the start point.

So I have been putting the bike in the car and driving to my start point. I appreciate that this is not environmentally friendly but I'm afraid I'm doing it!

I wanted to start exploring parts of the forest which I have ridden through, but not tried the various paths off.

Just North of the A35 on the Christchurch to Lyndhurst road, I turned left and headed for Anderwood BBQ Site - It has a car park, a BBQ and a loo!




I didn't ride far - just 9.5km but all on gravel or single tracks, it was a bit boggy in places and very windy.

I stopped for a break at the top of a hill, probably not the safest place to stop which was next to a dead tree which had obviously had large bits of it falling off!

It felt good being back on the bike, and although it was a short trip, there were some good sections that got the legs and heart working.

To view my full route check out my Strava below.

Ride safe....

Steady As She Goes - Return To Cycling

It's been a while! 

I sort of lost my way for a bit, not literally, but in my mind. I am hoping that I have now remapped myself and that I can move forward.

So I took myself off out on the bike to an area of the New Forest that I wanted to explore a little more.

I did cheat though, instead of cycling to the area, I loaded the bike into the 4x4 and drove the 5 or so miles to the location.

The car park I was going to use was unfortunately full to the brim with horse boxes, 4x4's and cars.

The day I decide to explore a particular area was the same day as a hunt.

I drove on a couple more miles and decided to to head in the other direction, this did turn out to be the same was as the hunt!

The forest was pretty wet, I did try some paths off of the gravel, but they were just too wet.

I wanted an easy ride, so stayed on the gravel for the most part.

There were a couple excursions off, and found some very secluded and quiet spots.

I had my panniers fitted along with water bottles mounted to the pannier frames at the front. 

The bottles remained within the holders even on some really rough ground, so am happy that having them mounted there works.

Unlike other bikes, there really is a small triangle on the fat bike where the water bottle is frame mounted. I have seen other bikes with 3 bottles mounted within it.

My only other option would be underneath, I will give this a go once I have purchased some heavy duty tie wraps.

At the moment I can carry 4.5 litres of water which I reckon is probably enough anyway.

The red extended mudguard at the rear works a treat, it may not look pretty but if keeps all the shite off of my back and for that I really don't care what it looks like.

All in all a good day on the bike, just over 17 km, not a long ride, but enough to get the lungs working and I just felt better for getting out on the bike.

I was only 5 minutes from the car on my return and it started to rain, so managed to get away without getting soaked which is always a bonus!

Ride safe...