London buses hunt in pairs.

These posts are a bit like London buses - nothing for a long time and then several all at once.

What better way is there to spend a Bank Holiday morning than getting out into the New Forest on a bike? I know some people prefer the Purbeck hills (and I do enjoy going across thee myself), but you lose so much cycling time waiting for the ferry. The New Forest has hills, not as vicious as the Purbeck hills, but still some testing ones in unexpected places. And having had a couple of weeks of almost nothing due to other commitments, a morning in the forest was just what was needed.

The weather was nothing special - rather dull and overcast, in fact, but it stayed dry all the way. You had to feel sorry for the lady in the Ice Cream van at Whitefield moor. There were only about five cars there when I arrived at 11 o'clock and nobody seemed that interested in ice cream. There were a few ponies, but I'm not sure they were going to contribute much to the coffers either.

So onwards to Bolderwood. This is a very pretty ride up through the trees. If you are lucky, you might see a few deer. I was not lucky with the the deer, but I did see a Nuthatch flying up into a tree about halfway up. The hill is deceptive. It sarts off quite innocuously and then suddenly gets quite steep. It doesn't even look steep, but unless you spot it and get into a low gear, you can grind to a halt very quickly. This was the first time I had done this hill in a couple of years, so it was good to get to the top and not bee too out of breath.

So far it had been into the wind almost all the way - quite a stiff breeze. But now I could feel it slghtly from behind - very welcome. Then the decision at 34 miles - take in Fordingbridge or not. Decision made - turn north (bit more into the breeze) and a quick stop at the rec just off the bypass. Then back to Moyles Court school and the back road from Ringwood to Christchurch.

A very satisfying 60 miles. It was most encouraging that, with the low couple of weeks, I was still standing at the end of it. There are some long rides coming up, especially in July, so I need to be ready for them.

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