Bramley Loop - 38 miles

Since Linda had not been feeling so good over the weekend, I said we would meet her and Dave at Bobs Fish n Chips for a easier local ride.  I was trying to keep to to 25 miles from Finch, but it went a bit over, and a lot over for me and John.  We were heading to Bramley.

Yesterday we had climbed to Combe Gibbet so I was feeling a little weary today as we set off. But the route was fairly flat so it was ok.  Storm "Floris" hit the UK this morning, and although the worst winds were in the north of England and Scotland, we had a pretty strong head wind much of our ride today too. And the occasional Wey Hey with a strong gust.

Route link screenshot at end

Cutting through Hogwood area on the off road tracks, we climbed Carters Hill on Church Lane, to then  drop down steeply on Sandpit Lane, to join Church Road into Swallowfield from Nutbream Lane.  Always enjoy this little detour to miss out a section of the main road. 

Arriving at the junction of The Street, Dave had to pull over.... a bit of his tooth had broken off! oh dear. That sounds expensive. 

The Street, Swallowfield. This Wisteria making a second flowering. 
(another day of bland sky for photos!)

X-Breeze rider Carol Smith rode past us at this point, with just one other U3A rider.   We eventually stopped for a chat further into our ride on Lambs Lane. Not seen her for ages.  When I stopped for a chat Dave and John carried on, and Linda and I didnt see them again for a while. 

 

To keep this ride as short as possible, we took the main road now through Beech Hill, turning into Mortimer Lane. Dropping down Part Lane, we kept low to cross Clappers Farm Ford. Not much water in it atm, so rode through. Then  onto Minchens Lane to Bramley, where we finally caught up with the boys.

Coffee stop at The Barn, Bramley.
Will power meant no cakes today!   And Dave treated us all to our drinks. 
Thanks Dave.

Out of the car park, and we continued left to soon branch off right at Bramley Corner, and along the quiet Ash Lane.  At the Tjunction with Bramley Road, a dogleg over to climb Church Lane to Silchester.  Then a fast downhill to soon join Part Lane in the opposite direction now.

To my favourite lane, Green Lane at West End, and all the way to the edges of Statfield Saye. All  nice and flat , before our climb up Chequer's Lane. No avoiding that climb!

From Riseley, we came down Part Lane, but only as far as the right hand fork into School Lane/Ford Lane. The road ahead officially closed today anyway, but didn't affect us. Once beyond Thatchers Ford, we took the left turn into Well House Lane. Not been here for ages, infact Dave has never been down here. Continuing all the way to the end, a gate on our right gives entrance to Bramshill Forest on a good path. (it can be messy in winter, but still dry for now even after some recent rain.)

Entrance to Bramshill forest tracks from Well House Lane.

And we emerged a few minutes later to cross Eversley Ford.
The walkers waited for us all to cross first.

Finally, back along Nine Mile Ride to California Park. Linda did fine, it was ME who was weary today!  Nice to see everyone.