A Breeze ride today from FBC to Wellington Country Park. Billed as 18 miles, but I ended up doing 30! Good practice for 35 miles planned for Sunday's Bikeathon.
Today's group- Stephanie, Susie, Chris, Lottie, Jackie, Maria, Kay, and me.
Route
We made a few changes to the way we had done this route before, cutting out as much of busy main roads as possible starting with 9 Mile Ride, where we took off into Warren Lane and up the "horse gallop" route to White Horse Lane.
Heading down White Horse Lane, we cut through Shepperlands Copse, which brought us out onto Park Lane. So we missed most of 9 Mile Ride. Along the busy A327 for a bit, then off Church Road, climbing up to Farley Hill. I spotted this little pony feeding.
And just across the road, the farmer out making hay bales
We enjoyed the lovely ride down Bungler's Hill, contining on to Church Road Swallowfield. Just before the Village turned into the lovely quiet Park Lane. We followed this to Odiham Road, where the entrance to coffee stop at Wellington Country Park was a matter of 100 yards or so.
So, now a magical mystery tour, as rather than backtrack, we continued along Odiham Road for a few hundred yards, then turned into an unnamed road. It was gorgeous, lined with Rhodendrons, and clearly not used much by traffic since it is narrow. Eventually crossing over part of The Devil's Highway, we came out a junction with School Road.
School Road, joins back up with Part Lane, from where we retraced out route, before turning off into Swallowfield Road, and up to Arborfield Cross. Down another School Road, right and left along the side of the Garrison. Not far along Commonfield Lane, we turn into this gravel track, which changed to soil, which continues along the edge of California Park.
So, instead of heading home, I now went to Crowthorne with Susie and Chris, all the way along Heath Ride. Lovely Rhododendrons here too. Susie took this photo of me.
I went to Susies, to check on the progress of her landscaping work, which I had designed recently. Bomb site, as the new ponds are taking shape...... yep that looks about right! No pain, no gain.
A lovely lunch, then I returned home via Honey Hill, then cut through passed Ludgrove School, where a cricket match was underway in the field just beyond the cows. Tough life they have!
Today's group- Stephanie, Susie, Chris, Lottie, Jackie, Maria, Kay, and me.
Route
We made a few changes to the way we had done this route before, cutting out as much of busy main roads as possible starting with 9 Mile Ride, where we took off into Warren Lane and up the "horse gallop" route to White Horse Lane.
 |
| Chris first up.... after the photographer of course! |
 |
| Lottie next. |
Heading down White Horse Lane, we cut through Shepperlands Copse, which brought us out onto Park Lane. So we missed most of 9 Mile Ride. Along the busy A327 for a bit, then off Church Road, climbing up to Farley Hill. I spotted this little pony feeding.
And just across the road, the farmer out making hay bales
We enjoyed the lovely ride down Bungler's Hill, contining on to Church Road Swallowfield. Just before the Village turned into the lovely quiet Park Lane. We followed this to Odiham Road, where the entrance to coffee stop at Wellington Country Park was a matter of 100 yards or so.
 |
| A few ladies resting after coffee. |
So, now a magical mystery tour, as rather than backtrack, we continued along Odiham Road for a few hundred yards, then turned into an unnamed road. It was gorgeous, lined with Rhodendrons, and clearly not used much by traffic since it is narrow. Eventually crossing over part of The Devil's Highway, we came out a junction with School Road.
 |
| School Road |
So, instead of heading home, I now went to Crowthorne with Susie and Chris, all the way along Heath Ride. Lovely Rhododendrons here too. Susie took this photo of me.
 |
| Heath Ride |
A lovely lunch, then I returned home via Honey Hill, then cut through passed Ludgrove School, where a cricket match was underway in the field just beyond the cows. Tough life they have!
So, what started out as 18 miles, turned into 30. Still can't believe I can do these miles!
Thanks to everyone for a lovely morning out.