SOTA Cycling weekend - Sunday 5th July (Day 2)

May Hill - 296m, 1 point

Association: England Region: Welsh Borders
Latitude: 51 53 21 N, Longitude: 2 26 37 W
Grid Reference: SO 695212, QTH Locator: IO81SV

Well this weekend was certainly a game of two halfs.
After yesterday's beautiful summer weather, I awoke to slate grey skies and cool conditions this morning.
The forecast was not particularly enticing either.
The weather gods played tricks with me, and as I was pondering as to whether it was worth going out and getting wet for a single point, the sun came streaming through.
I grabbed my SOTA cycle pack and hit the road.

Shack in a pack

Today's venue was to be May Hill, G/WB-019. No sooner was I on the road than the first signs of rain became apparent in the air.
The clouds were building over the top of May Hill. (with it's distinctive clump of trees on the summit)

May Hill in the distance

Getting closer

Near Tibberton, about 5 miles short of the summit, all hell broke loose. Torrential rain and gale force winds almost had me turning around and running for home (or the pub!) The sky was an evil black from horizon to horizon.
I pushed on through muddy lanes that now resembled mountain streams. Traction on the steep lanes was becoming a big issue.
I pushed on, and as I arrived at the start of the final footpath to the summit, it all started to clear up.

Final ascent

rain clearing to the east

An easy push (there was no way to ride in the slippery condx) and I was at the trig point.
Fortunately the storm seemed to have blown over, and in fact there were super views (but short lived) down into south Wales and the Brecon Beacons.

Wales in the distance

I unpacked the Go bag and set up.
The same kit as yesterday; 5m travel pole, MTR 20/60, Sotabeams EFHW tuner, 10metres of wire, Pico Palm paddle and a 350 mAh LiPo.

Shack in a pack

As no one else was mad enough to be up here after the storm, I used one of the many memorial benches to set up shop.

Shack

Conditions were way down on yesterday. RBN never spotted me and I ended up not making it out of single figures today! Not strictly true, as I had 2 QSOs with Ignacio, EA2BD, who called me back for more of a chat. He was also using a MTR from a beach!  He forwarded me some video clips from his phone.

I know where I'd rather have been just then. Although the storm had blown over, I was thoroughly soaked and dressed for cycling, not SOTA ops. Sitting for just a short time had me a shivering wreck and I knew I had to cut short any plans of a lengthy activation.

Nice seating

Slow going...

I contemplated moving on to Ruardean Hill, G/WB-021. That would have added about 15 miles to the day, but the approach of yet another black cloud steered me in the direction of home!

It took some time to warm up again, but after Newent the sun was out again and I got home warm and dry.

sunshine and rain

QSO Map

Just 50 miles for the day.

Route

Profile

Saturday was the day to be out!

SOTA cycling Weekend - Saturday 4th July (Day 1)

Bredon Hill - 299m, 1 point

Association: England Region: Central England
Latitude: 52 3 38 N, Longitude: 2 3 47 W
Grid Reference: SO 957402, QTH Locator: IO82XB

SOTA Cycling weekend again, when activators are encouraged to get out on their bikes and make some contacts.

A beautiful summer day on Saturday so, as per last year, I made my first activation Bredon Hill.

This was a 42 mile round trip, with virtually an out and back route this year, along familiar country lanes.

En Route - Bredon Hill in the background

Final ascent

QRV on 20m

Enjoying the sunshine

Overbury at the foot of the hill

The summit

The weather may have been nice, but HF condx were down in the summer doldrums.

I only carried my MTR for 60/20 and only took a 20m EFHW, so was limited to single band working.

Just the 13 contacts but in amongst the mix were S2Ss with F6HBI/p on F/AM-646 and OM3CUG/p on OM/ZA-029. A nice surprise was a call from Phil as I/G4OBK on holiday in Italy and a big signal from KA1R near Boston, Mass.

Approach to Bredon Hill

QSO Map

SOTA - Cleeve Hill - G/CE-001

Cleeve Hill - 330m, 1 point

Association: England Region: Central England
Latitude: 51 55 11 N, Longitude: 2 0 21 W
Grid Reference: SO 996245, QTH Locator: IO81XW

SOTA - Bredon Hill - G/CE-003

Bredon Hill - 299m, 1 point

Association: England Region: Central England
Latitude: 52 3 38 N, Longitude: 2 3 47 W
Grid Reference: SO 957402, QTH Locator: IO82XB

SOTA - Bike portable on G/CE-001

 A quick run up the hill today with the bike setup.

Arrival at the summit. 5 metre pole attached to bag.

Antenna deployed and rig ready

Rig ready to go straight from the bag

Log filling up quickly!

SOTA - Worcestershire Beacon - G/WB-009

Worcestershire Beacon - 425m, 1 point

Association: England  Region: Welsh Borders  
Latitude: 52 6 16 N, Longitude: 2 20 24 W
Grid Reference: SO 768452, QTH Locator: IO82TC

Another reasonable forecast, so out with the bike again, this time headed for Worcestershire Beacon.
This summit has a good path all the way to the top. It's seriuosly steep at the top, but ride-able if you take your time.
The day started of overcast and cool, but as the day wore on the sun broke through with nice sunny periods.
Alas, this was not to last. Half way through the activation large squally, thundery clouds rolled in and I took a severe soaking!  Still I managed 27 QSOs and 10 DXCC. 

After packing away it was a cold decent until I managed to warm up again in a bus shelter.  This was just a time wasting exercise anyway as I'd arranged to meet friends at a local pub to sample their fine Ales before heading home.

The summit

Another 30 miles home!

Riding home after the pub.

  Leaving the pub well after dark and 20 miles to ride home made for a good day out.

SOTA -Ruardean Hill - G/WB-021

Ruardean Hill - 290m, 1 point

Association: England  Region: Welsh Borders  
Latitude: 51 50 58 N, Longitude: 2 31 52 W
Grid Reference: SO 634169, QTH Locator: IO81RU

With a weather forecast for a fine sunny day, something very rare this summer, I decided to combine my biking hobby with a bit of SOTA.

Ruardean Hill is a "drive on" summit so ideally suited to arrive on bicycle. It's a nice 30 mile ride there via the country lanes, so I turned this into a 60 mile day out on the road.

The workhorse.

I have a 5 Metre  travel pole which is eay to carry on the bike. This alongside my MTR made up the equipment required for the day.

It turned out to be an excellent hot and sunny day and the operating shack at Ruardean Hill was top notch, with a bench to sit on!








 A nice pleasant activation with 21 QSOs and 11 DXCC.

Pan Tod Beacon

The Route

On the summit

The Rig - MTR and EFHW

Miners Memorial