It was just above freezing as we set out this morning, and only climbed to 2 degrees. Hubby and I drove and parked at Henry Street's Garden Centre at Arborfield. This was my very first time out with clip in pedals with cleats, so was a little nervous to say the least! I practiced for a couple of minutes in the car park, then we were off.
Garmin route
Within half a mile, we climbed up Castle Hill to Farley Hill, so soon felt warmer. Hubby was on his newly acquired e-bike, but tells me that he did not switch on the power for the climb. Hmmm. Then a nice downhill of course into Swallowfield. Left into Part Lane, School Lane, Ford Lane. All very easy, and clipping in and out was no problem. Then we turned RIGHT onto the Bramshill Road. This was a mistake. I had not ridden this part of the road before, and it turned out neither had he... he got that wrong. I do NOT recommend this route. It's pretty steep, main road, then you come to a junction on a hill. Hubby had switch to power assisted, whilst I puffed up the hill. At the top, he carried on, and I un-clipped my left foot, since traffic approaching from left. Then after a few seconds, went to put my right foot down. Noooo. But I managed to recover. Phew!
We finally turned left and I swore I had never ridden this lane before. We then emerged at The New Inn at Heckfield, and of course recognised where I was, but had only every ridden (Laundry Lane) in the opposite direction. It's much more enjoyable this way.. downhill!
Crossed over the A33 and did a circuit around Stratfield Saye area, finally turning left into Barge Lane. Stopped for a photo here using my phone. As I took this I noticed a tiny mushroom in the moss on the bridge.
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| The Mill House at Barge Lane |
We climbed Barge Lane, then left into Bull Lane, where a field had last summer been full of sunflowers.
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| The sunflower field now turned to seed. |
Now straight over at The Bull pub, and into Part Lane once more. I stopped to photograph this pretty cottage, and saw the name Glasspool House attached to the lampost. I looked it up when I got home and it's a listed building from C16.
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| Pretty Cottage on Part Lane. Glasspool House |
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| Selfie time on a new glorious sunny day, but still only 2degrees |
So I made it. 20 miles clipped without falling off at a junction. Just!
