About a month ago, John and I were on a ride and noticed that the road was going be closed for MONTHS beyond Bradfield College. (We normally park just through those X Roads when we ride in this area). So when I planned today's route, I opted to start in Standford Dingley. Not a lot of obvious places to park there, but had the tiny church carpark in mind. We picked up Daphne and Dave, so at least just one car to worry about.
Route link screenshot at end.
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At Stanford Dingley church, and there were workmen taking down scaffolding
from around the church. 3 white vans in the tiny car park.... but one space left. Phew. |
It was a beautiful forecast today, and just one little extra layer to start which was soon discarded. Even as we set out it was not far short of 20 degrees.😎
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| Our first lane was Bucklebury Road. |
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| Then the little climb to pass Marlston College |
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| A breather at Marlston College, with a beautiful scene across the road. |
John had gone ahead at this point, and we caught him up he was hiding under a tree with his camera!😂
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Photo by John of me and Daphne as we drop downhill now on Marlston Road
heading to Hermitage. |
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| Closely followed by Dave. |
Daphne and I got ahead through Hermitage for the not so interesting couple of miles. We climbed over the M4 and also over the A34, passing MOD land, as we headed into Chieveley. We waited for the boys at the left turn into the quiet School Road, where we often park on a the bend about a mile down this road.
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School Road, Chievely where the field is at head height.
The Cow parsley just started to flower this past few days. |
Dropping downhill again, to go UNDER the M4 this time, we soon arrive in Winterbourne, where the stream is on the right... BUT I also noticed for the first time, where it drops into the village from the left of the road.
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Winterbourne Stream arriving from the left hand side, then it runs
through the village on the right. |
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This is April Cottage ( today is 28th April)
and the entrance is over the bridge across the Winterbourne Stream.
The owner came out just at this point for a short chat. |
So, having stopped for a photo and a chat, Daphne and I now chased to catch up with the boys, passing the sculpted hedge at Kimber Cottage and arriving to pass the Watermill Theatre into Bagnor.
Bagnor was looking so pretty today, that we parked our bikes and spent a few minutes taking in the scene.
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These customers sat outside, but no tables for 4
so we sat indoors. Also, the tables are on the main road, so not ideal.
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| Boxford |
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| Boxford |
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| Boxford |
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A lady walking past offered to take this group shot
on the bridge in Boxford.
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| River Lambourne Boxford. |
A right turn soon, and a little climb to start with, to head to Leckhampstead.
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| Another road with no name, but heading to Leckhampstead. |
We dropped down to cross the B4494, to a climb facing, and John kindly stopped to wave us through the junction, with no traffic coming . 😇 Then he shot passed me anyway.
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Top of our climb and on a left hand bend,
and this rusty looking sign for Chanty House. |
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| Opposite Chanty House |
We stopped again within a couple of hundred yards, as we passed a sculpted hedge, and a couple more thatch cottages. We were in rush today, so why not?!
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| Gorgeous tree and thatch, Leckhampstead. |
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| phone shot. |
A little climb to Peasemore, without going into Peasemore, and an easy section through Beedon Common, heading to World's End.
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We stopped to check out the pink flowers amongst the fields
and checking Daphne's "flower app" confirmation that its Red Campion. |
A right turn to leave World's End, and we drop down UNDER the A34 continuing to Bothampstead, and a left turn (easily missed ) into another unnamed road ,for a fast downhill almost into Hampstead Norreys, to join the B4009..
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The B4009 dropping into Hampstead Norreys.
Lovely light on the thatch caught my eye as well as the Rape crop in the distance.
Dave whizzing past. |
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Dave whizzing past me again (😉) as I stopped for this one.
Loved the Chestnut Tree on the climb up to Yattendon. We saw lots
of Chestnut trees in flower today. |
Through Yattendon, passing the Pantry on our right, and because we had parked in Stanford Dingley, we took the right turn into Burnt Hill today, ( before Scratchface Lane) which goes OVER the M4 (parallel to Scratchface Lane), and a beautiful little scene just passed a farm.
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Burnt Hill Road.
I sneaked up on the Alpacas who looked very cute as if
they were just enjoying the view. |
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| And once the others joined me, they stood up. |
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A second tractor heading up the hill towards us.
Daphne waved him down, concerned about a
sheep who seemed stuck. |
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| Great finish to the ride, all downhill into Standford Dingley. |
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| And all the scaffolding now gone! |
A fabulous day to be out, (finished in high 20's degrees) with the countryside looking gorgeous. It's a tough life. 1542 feet climbed, so we worked a bit, but nothing too steep today.
