Stephanie and Susie our leaders today, and 9 of us met up at The Shoulder of Mutton, Hazely.
I have cycled this route from home, but its almost 40 miles, and dont feel fit enough for that atm. The route map here from home, but the part from Hazley to Greywell, the same as today's 22 mile ride.
ROUTE
We had 2 new ladies join us today, Elaine who lived just around the corner from SOMutton, then we met up with Nichola who had ridden over to Hartley Wintney from Basingstoke. They joined Stephenie, Linda H, and Karan at the front and set a good pace. A little fast for Susie, Jackie, Barbara and me, who followed behind at a different pace!
Stephanie had pre booked a cake for us at our tea stop at The Fox and Goose at Greywell, so we aimed to be there for around 11 when it opened. We arrived at 10.55am.
It started out gloomy for the first part of our journey over and through Hartney Wintney, but just a few minutes before our approach to Odiham, the sun came out.... with black skies too.
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Black skies ahead! |
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A nice downhill into Odiham, before the next uphill. |
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Same place, different view |
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Karan, Elaine, Steph, Linda, Nichola, Jackie, Susie, Barbara |
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Tea stop not far now. |
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Linda is looking at the cake which just arrived! |
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Elaine and Nichola. First time I had met them. |
14 miles back to the start and as set off, a light shower, but also the WIND as very gusty at times making us work even harder. Booooo. We still have several more undulations to get over.
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Barbara and Susie |
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Another gathering, before we all set off again. |
The rain thankfully came to nothing, but we fought against the wind all the way back, so the 22 miles seemed a lot tougher....to me at least!
Thanks to Stephanie and Susie for organising.