Out with John today on our ebikes for another undulating ride of 1800 feet up and down the Meon Valley. We started in 4 degrees, and it only ever got to 7, but with all the climbs, we never felt cold.
route
We parked in the same spot as last time, but took off immediately in the opposite direction, straight into a climb. My Garmin wasnt recording for the first couple of miles, but out through the village and up Coombe Road.
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| view as we dropped down again not far from the first climb at Coombes Road |
Then we stopped to restart my Garmin and realise now that we missed a turn, but after a couple of miles, joined up again with the planned route. At the top of the "wrong road" we turned left, and I recognised this spot from last time. I'm sure it's the same group of sheep!
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| At the top of our first big climb |
We continued along some very pretty quiet lanes
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| Just round a sharp right bend, I loved the contrast of the dark earth and the vivid green grass |
A bit more up and down, then aright turn towards HAMBLEDON not Hambleden
After about 10 miles, we pulled up at Hambledon Tea Rooms which were busy inside, so we sat out.
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| Courgette and Lime cake. Was delicious |
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| The view opposite the Tea Rooms. |
So within seconds of leaving the tea stop, a fairly tough climb called Cams Hill. Great views again from the top.
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| the logs from the tree in the next photo. |
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| John further ahead for his chosen photo stop |
And we stopped again just a few yards further on for this lovely view.
After a couple of miles, we crossed the B2150, and although our Garmins wanted us to Uturn, we persevered, and they both finally settled down again. Why does that happen?
We continued through Brockbrige and around Meonstoke, which I think is where there was an incredibly steep climb straight from a turning off the main road.
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| name that silhouette |
After a few more miles, we turned in to Stocks Lane, which I didn't recognise from the last ride until I spotted "the little house on the prairie", which we spent some time photographing on our last trip here in June.
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| Today.... |
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| June, with much more interesting light. |
We had been so busy photography "Little house" last time, that we completely missed the view on the opposite side of the road, which looked great today with the tree silhouettes. My phone camera struggled with the light, and I even tried putting my sunglasses over the lens.
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| shooting into the sun, and difficult to keep the detail. |
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| how about with sunglasses over the lens? Still rubbish. |
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| Better in black and white. |
So now another substantial climb, although couldnt resist a few more photos. The undulating landscape is so interesting here. Must come back in winter when there is frost. (perhaps driving!)
Top of this hill, we turned left, and soon after spotted a bit of commotion going on!
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| The hounds are brown and not too noticeable against the brown foliage unfortunately. |
We set off again, turning right at the end of the field where the hunt were gathering. Part way down, we noticed a couple of photographers as if waiting for something. We were told the hunt would cross this lane through a gate and across the road through a second gate... any second. So we jumped off and it was hilarious what happened next. A series of photos...
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| Hounds barking and crossing straight over as planned. |
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| Erm... not this way! |
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| not his way!!! |
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| Much relieved that the main pack went across and not towards us. |
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| There goes the head man in his red jacket. |
Then we jumped back on our bikes, thinking we had seen the last of them, but another opportunity, as they head across a field.
Finally, we dropped all the way down to West Meon, and climbed out again on a gradual climb to East Meon. We decided to avoid a final loop which would involve a steep climb which John had planned between West and East Meon. We had worked hard enough!
