Back to Friday again, and no change in the current situation, ie riding with one other person, so a 2x2 ride again. The lockdown is now making significant inroads and making a difference to the numbers of people infected with Covid. There are currently around 18.5K new cases in England each day which is about half of what it was a month ago. The vaccine roll out also going well and most over 70's now had their first jab. No dates yet for lockdown changes, but we can at least hope that we are on the right path. In the meantime..... we ride our bikes!
Jeanette has reported today that she cycled 10 miles this morning, since the first time since her op. Excellent news! Andrea has tried on a static bike, but unfortunately still finding it too difficult, but hopefully not long behind Jeanette. Gill and Jeanette have yet to meet, but perhaps a short ride soon?
Today, we rode the route I had planned for last week, which we scrapped due to weather. This would take us on a few new lanes around Hartley Wintney.
Route
We left Wokingham using the Barkham Road, all the way to The Bull, then left and right into Commonfield Lane, where I pulled over to make sure the others had not missed the turn. I noticed the lovely light on the gates of the house where I pulled up.
We crossed the river at Eversley Mill. The river pretty high, but other than going through one rather large puddle, fine once we got over the footbridge. Turning into Plough Lane from Bramshill, the clouds were looking good and sunshine at times too.
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| Plough Lane, Bramshill |
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| Gill waiting for me on Plough Lane |
Crossing at The Shoulder of Mutton, we took the usual route but only so far. We continued today on Hazeley Bottom Road, passing through a pretty hamlet, where I had not been before.
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| Snowdrops at Hazeley Bottom |
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| Looking back at Hazeley Bottom. |
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| Climbing out of Hazeley Bottom, some lovely woodlands |
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Last section of Hazeley Bottom road to join the B3011
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A very short section of the B3011, which would continue in Hartley Wintney, but we detoured to enjoy the big downhill of Arrow Lane, which joins West Green Lane (our normal approach to HW). We pass through the town and branch left into Hunts Common, passing the Orchard. Nothing exciting this time of year, but must plan to come on a spring ride to enjoy the blossoms.
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| Hunts Common, HW. |
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| Part of the Orchard at Hunts Common |
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| Interesting property called Cable House on Hunts Common |
The road basically runs out here to through traffic, but we can ride through. The plan in drier weather would be to turn left at the end of this lane, to do an off road section to connect to another lane, which would allow us to go straight over the A30. But with horrible wet conditions, we turn right and soon join the A30(on the footpath) for just a couple of hundred yards, then cross over the A30 into Elvetham Lane. Very pretty, and our first time here.
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| End of Elvetham Lane, where we now turn right. |
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| The farm at Elvetham Lane junction |
The plan now, was to cut through the Elvetham Hotel grounds, but......
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| Oops, no entry. |
My friend Daphne had been through from the other end a couple of times, so I assumed I could get through here but not at the moment it seems. (Will the gate be open again when Hotel reopens?)
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The impressive Elvetham Hotel where Henry VIII first met Jayne Seymour
(whilst married to Anne Boleyn). Jaynes's brother owned Elvetham. |
So a little detour now, and thanks to Lynne for guiding us on the best route to avoid the main Fleet Road into HW. We used Pale Lane to connect to the junction at Taplins Farm Road, then I knew where I was once more. A mini tour of HW, and eventually we stopped at Cuppies Creme cafe, but decided it would take too long to get served. Instead we just found a bench on the green and stood around with our snacks.
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| Bit of a Q, so after a few minutes, decided to scrap the idea |
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| HW Green, our snack stop |
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| HW Cricket ground, at our snack stop |
We leave HW, passing West Green house, then another little extension to our ride, to check out the water level at Dipley Mill. Always so pretty
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| Dipley Mill |
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| Smoke on the Water. At Dipley Mill |
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| Back to the Shoulder of Mutton on our return trip. Views to Mattingley |
Retracing our route along Plough Lane, now a turn left and then right into Ford Lane, heading to Swallowfield.
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| Thatcher's Ford on Ford Lane. Oh dear! |
A few large puddles to get through on Part Lane, then rather than over Farley Hill, todays route is the Swallowfield Road, crossing the new Observer Way. At this point, we spotted some rather ominous skies heading our way!
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| Swallowfield Road and heavy skies over Reading! |
We opt for the shortest route home from Arborfield roundabout, which is Mole Road towards Sindlesham. It's a nice road, but fast traffic, but with lockdown, not too bad.
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| Fresh green fields off Mole Road and dark skies still heading our way |
Well, we didn't make it home dry. So frustrating. 36 miles and just one more to go! We left Gill at Winnersh crossroads and peddled fast on the Reading Road. The heavens opened, turned to hailstones, and got soaked.
Well done everyone, on another longer than normal ride. Martina cracking open a bottle tonight after a "Dry January". Sounds like a good idea to me!
