Sunday is becoming a regular "ebike" day for John and I, when we load our bikes into our van, and drive to discover some new routes, without worrying about the amount of climbing. They are pre planned as Garmin routes, so we know the amount of climbing involved, and where the tea stop will be. Today's tea stop was a bit different to the usual!
route
We drove to Oakley, (other side of Basingstoke), and parked at the village hall, just off the B3400, as we had done once before. Unfortunately the B road was closed just next to the hall, so to start with more than normal number of cars were using the narrow country lanes as a diversion. But not for long.
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Oakley village hall car park. Looks like someones front drive, but ok to use!
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Opposite car park our first lane is tree lined, creating some interesting shadows (John ahead)
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We took a right turn from this road before and started to climb, but todays route took us left, and under a railway tunnel towards Steventon.
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Views to our right near Steventon
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We take a right turn at the A303 junction with Overton Road. This road unfortunately turned out to be busier than we would like and also a fast road. We were also fast though... with our RED power on, so it was fine, mostly downhill with a couple of short uphill sections. John had found a "farm shop" online, which was our planned tea stop today. We almost missed it, as it was a tiny sign at the side of the road, We could see several people up on the hill inside the grounds, and as we got closer we realised they all had dogs. And this is the reason.....
Anyway the sun was out, it was comfortably warm, and the tea and coffee and cake were delicious and under £6 for the two of us.
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A mad mix of dogs...
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| But lots more Huskies than anything else |
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A St. Bernard amongst this lot
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| Sorry, out of focus. It all happened a bit quick. |
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| Sounds like a riot! |
So after our cuppa, a bit more of the Overton Road, which funnily enough brought us into Overton. We arrived from a different direction from our last time here a few months ago, when my friend Karan had told us about a courtyard tearoom which had opened in early lockdown days. We now did a mini tour of Overton, on a route which took us across the river Test, which runs through here. Such a pretty chalk stream with crystal clear water. We stopped on a little bridge on Southington Lane, and chatted to a couple who were walking. They were interested in our ebikes and were considering getting some. Just do it! They are brilliant.
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Tiny house in the distance, on the river Test
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Opposite direction. A swan enjoying the tranquillity.
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Now along Silk Mill Lane, and eventually left Overton via Waltham Lane, then Burley Lane towards Ashe. A bit of a short sharp section here.
(We had come this way last time when we photographed the red poppies, but this time turned left opposite the poppy field entrance ). From Ashe its a gradual uphill for a while, but not difficult.
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Turning from Overton towards Ashe
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| And now the climb continues but gradual. This photo is looking back. |
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John half way up the hill. Checking the profile of whats still to come.
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It got steeper, but a short sharp section. We switched from green to red at this point, and then stopped once more to look back, as we climbed almost to Hannington.
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Hannington Church
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We had been to Hannington last time but from a different direction, which we would now return by, which meant plenty of downhill ahead.
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Interesting site on Ibworth Lane. A block of sunflowers in the middle of this field.
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The light had been a bit flat today, so one more stop when we saw the light on these undulating fields.
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Views from Hook Lane
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Nice ride, although a few more bits of busier road than we normally use, but being Sunday, not so bad.
