Signs of Spring

It was back down to earth for us with a return to our nocturnal mid-week activities. Jon and Al met at Hambledon for the regular ride taking in Soberton and the Forest of Bere. The evenings are really drawing out now and, although we set off in the dark, Jon could at least take the bike off his car in daylight. These tale-tale indications of things to come have always been an encouragement of the TCA through the years; setting off in day light means longer, more adventurous rides. What's more we were blessed with a clear, mild evening after solid rain since our return from our weekend in the Quantocks.

Sections of the ride were still very heavy, particularly the Driftway Track which had seen some tractor action during the rain – it was easy to get a wheel caught in the tyre marks. This was the first Wednesday we’d been out in these parts for some time and we were greeted enthusiastically by the ‘regulars’ in the White Lion at Soberton: Wednesday is the big night out in the Lion, with a band playing every first Wednesday in the month. We had a pint of our usual Palmers 200 as we caught up with the familiar characters in the bar.

The old railway line was a bit of a slog but we worked well in tandem, slip-streaming each other in turn, which made less heavy weather of the two or three miles. We didn’t even make a serious attempt of the railway embankment challenge; it was thick with mud and would have been a difficult ask after our exertions on the railway line.

The familiar haul up and over the hill through the Forest of Bere passed without incident; the decent was a little more tame than usual as the rain seemed to have packed down the loose, sandy surface. We did note however that amongst the obvious signs of spring the bluebells are preparing themselves for their annual spectacular display (previously described). Men of habit we ordered our usual pints of Green King Abbot Ale in the Travelers to toast absent members and pose for our routine photograph (below).

After this second pint of the night it was back to an empty house for a meal of Al’s famous beef in Guinness and an episode of Desperate Housewives. Perhaps not the most extraordinary of evenings but sometimes comfort can be found in the routine.

(Posted by: Al)