I suggested a ride today to the Basingstoke Canal Centre in Frimley since it's ages since I last did the ride. I had always ridden it from Crowthorne before as a "there and back" ride, so decided to approach it differently, and come back on the familiar route. Annoyingly my Garmin did not record the ride, but I know I did about 34 miles. I had plotted out the journey there, but had not bothered about the return.
Route for the first leg to Frimley (we returned via Crowthorne)
I rode from home down the Bearwood Road, to meet up with Vanessa at The Bull and Barkham and then we met up with Jackie and Stephanie at Park Lane. Over Eversley Ford, then to Eversley Cross, into Hollybush Lane. Through to Yateley and followed a few roads we have done in the opposite direction, joining Cricket Hill Road, then up the short sharp Stephens Hill. Now through Derby Green onto Swan Lane, where we were looking for an off road path on this side of the Blackwater River. Initially we missed it, since it was so narrow, but back tracking, we found it. Fortunately it widened a bit, and we soon passed this field of ponies.
Keeping the river on our left, we rode through some nice paths eventually coming to a bridge (with steps) which took us over the river, but also more steps to get us over the railway. ( easy steps well spaced so not a problem to push them).
We followed the river (now on our right) for a while, eventually come to a bridge with a view we recognised from previous rides so now on to familiar route.
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| The view crossing this bridge, which I have photographed on previous trips. |
Following the route, we wiggle across the junction near Marks and Spencer Camberley, and once more disappear into the meadow area , under the M3 and then the loop which takes you over the A331 and once more into leafy lanes passing the fishing lakes into Frimley. Dismounting to cross the railway line, we arrive at Frimley Green, then shortly to Frimley Lodge Park, and alongside the Basingstoke Canal. I had checked if the cafe would be open. It would have been... but not on a Monday. We planned to sit in the grounds anyway, but as we arrived, we normally cross over a pedestrian bridge, which today was open ie boats could go straight through, but pedestrians and cyclist could not cross!
Never mind, took a couple of photos, then we returned to Frimely Green where we sat for our snack and a chat of course.
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| The bridge, just beyond where we had hoped to cross the canal on a pedestrian bridge. |
Fed and watered, we returned by the same route initially, then joined up with a familiar route we had used on previous trips, bringing us to Sandhurst Memorial Park.
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| Lovely light on the river |
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| Today's ride buddies Vanessa, Jackie and Stephanie |
From Sandhurst we came the shortest route back which is up Park Road, Wellington Road, Crowthorne Road then just as we near the entrance to cut through Wellington College, Jackie shouts that she has a puncture. Ooooo, so close! Steph had to dash off, but Jackie managed to put some air her tyre just enough to get her home to Finchampstead.
A wild gusty day today. We were sheltered from it much of the time, but really felt it when not under tree cover. I used my ebike today, which is quite a hard ride, and had enough of rough ground by the time we were finished. Hard work, but nice for a change. Thanks for your company ladies.
